Exactly, we called back this number, and asked what company this was. He started telling my husband the is not playing f***ing games. We just wondered who the hell it was.
Same here. No over due bills. Just claim to have a bill for FEMALE/MALE <my last name> for <different amount each time> and then demand credit card payment over phone. It totally screams SCAM. Especially when you look up Meade and Associates and the numbers on their site are as follows:
Hmm... the 635 doesn't match the main line's 436 nor the fax number's 841. Typically, all extensions and fax lines will have the same main line prefix or in the case of large corporate environments, they will go in sequence like 436, 437, etc.
I'm feel in my gut this is a SCAM and someone is claiming to be from Meade and Associates. If they call you, call the main number listed on Meade and Associates web site to verify and proceed with caution.
A third party collection agency... as Meade & Associates would be, are bound by the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA). A federal statute that regulates their behavior in collecting a debt. Many of the violations of those laws (Like calling you at work, shame, shame) are also a violation of Ohio's Consumer Sales Practice's Act (CSPA). Which the Ohio Attorney General has investigation and enforcement power over companys who violate the CSPA. The Ohio Attorney General takes written complaints on their web site (they also have a number you can call to receive help filing a claim). At no cost to you the AG's office will look into your allegations (through a mediation process). Those complaints are kept on file in their office. They can take legal action against a supplier/company at their discretion. But remember if you owe a debt, you still owe a debt. Especially school loans, which are NOT dischargable in bankruptcy. The same Attorney General's office has a Revenue Recovery Section that collects defaulted student loans, and I am sure that Meade & Associates is the collection agency you want collecting that debt and not the AG's office! But bad collection practices are illegal and should not be tolerated.