My sister keeps geting harassing and threatining phone calls from persons unknown from (801) 432-2932 . Target has a court case against her that has yet to be tried. Target drafted $750.00 from her checking account WITHOUT a court order or a judgement. Now they are harassing herr for $150.00 more. Target is a real fine company ???? Anyone knowing the origionation of telephone number (801) 432-2932 would be much appreciated. I suspect thos os some type of collection agency.
My sister keeps geting harassing and threatining phone calls from persons unknown from (801) 432-2932 . Target has a court case against her that has yet to be tried. Target drafted $750.00 from her checking account WITHOUT a court order or a judgement. Now they are harassing herr for $150.00 more. Target is a real fine company ???? Anyone knowing the origionation of telephone number (801) 432-2932 would be much appreciated. I suspect thos os some type of collection agency.
There are two sides to this. Please read to understand.
I am NOT a Bennett employee and I am currently being harassed by Bennett's phone dialer and his minimum wage employees. Here's the scoop:
Bennett Law is a law firm which practices in collecting "non-collectable" debt. They are bound by the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. What Mike (Michael) Bennett (or his representatives) do is purchase "bulk" debt - that's debt that Walmart, Target, whoever - have been unable to collect. Bennett buys the debt at a discount. Walmart has thousands and thousands of bad checks or civil claims - (shoplifting, etc.) they try to collect on and... when they give up they sell those "cases" in a bulk package (hundreds of legal claims or "cases") to Bennett at a discounted rate. For example, Bennett buys $100,000 in bad debt for pennies on the dollar - say $5,000 and now Bennett Law can legally claim they own the debt and attempt collection on it. All of this is perfectly legal and it is how most of the large retail players work.
Bennett is very careful in the wording they use when they call or write. They have to fully comply with the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or they can face stiff fines and penalties. For example, in a phone call you will never hear them say "we represent Walmart." They don't! The own the debt and they represent Bennett not Walmart. So.... through very careful wording they "imply" things to amplify the fear of those they are speaking with. They will say, "I represent a law firm and we are within our right to pursue legal action if this isn't taken care of." All of this is true. They own the debt - they can take you to court, if they choose (although for small amounts it usually isn't cost effective). BIG NOTE: They can also add a ridiculous amount of fees, penalites, interest, and charges and continue to pile the charges on as long as the debt is not paid... that's the law and it's on their side. WORD OF CAUTION: Once the total amount (original debt plus fees and penalties) becomes substantial enough it IS worth them taking it to court to get a judgment against you.
I know this because I worked, for a time, on the phones doing this exact thing - only I was not the high-pressure jerks that most of you have to deal with. I found that people are generally reasonable, and if you give them a payment plan they can afford they will pay what they owe. It took a couple of months setting up payment plans with people but once I did this I had the highest collection rate in the entire office - and I was the employee with the least amount of time on the job. I was also an adult, supporting a family.
If you are receiving these calls - your problem is that most of the reps are college kids who like the "power and control" of pushing people around. Additionally, most the phone reps are paid on spiffs and commissions ("whoever collects the most today get $100 cash" or "weekly high rep gets an iPod") so they want to collect as much as they can as soon as they can. It's this type of office environment and employee mentality that causes all the pressure and all the tricky wording. Frankly, it works - and Mr. Bennett makes a great deal of money from it.
MY CURRENT PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT WITH MR. BENNETT:
The problem I have now is that they have my cell number...mistakenly - because they are looking for someone they think is my daughter. I find it quite deplorable - even deceptive for them to call someone they think is a relative to try to find the person who owes the debt - particularly when the person they are seeking is an adult and not a minor. (I can understand calling the parent of a minor as the parent IS legally responsible.)
Repeatedly I have told them on their recording that they have the wrong person. Repeatedly they have said they will take my number off the list...BUT repeatedly I continue to receive their calls.
SO... today I tried again... I called their direct number in UTAH (801-432-2935), spoke to a rep, got the reps name, and told the rep to remove my number. She agreed and said it takes 24 hours. I also let her know that:
1 - If they continue to call I will bill them $50.00 for every annoying phone call I receive beginning 24 hours for now... and I WILL take them to small claims court if it continues.
2 - If I receive any more calls I will file a formal complaint with the UT State Bar Association against Mr. Bennett and his practices. I will file a complaint each and every time I receive another one of their annoying automated calls.
HERE IS THE LONG & SHORT OF IT - IN FAIRNESS TO BOTH SIDES:
1 - Don't be bullied by the rep you speak with. Know the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and tell the rep you won't be bullied or intimidated and that you will file a complaint stating the rep is violating the Act. Reps can lose their job if they don't comply with the law
2 - Don't buy things that you can't afford.
3 - Don't write bad checks or shoplift. If you get caught, MAN UP, and pay the fines and fees. You knew the law - you took the chance and YOU got caught. Suck it up and pay or stop your whining and moaning about these kinds of calls or letters.
4 - If you have a debt, be an honest person and pay it. Ask the rep to work out a plan with you and strip off all the fees and penalties. Bennett would rather collect something than nothing and there will be extra fees - the extras are because you didn't pay the original debt. But you can work out a payment plan...
5 - If the rep won't work with you, ask for the rep to send you "validation of the debt" - then use the associated claim and reference numbers and mail them even $10 a week (not cash!). If they turn your checks back then I guess they don't really want your money anyway - and you have something to show the judge if you do end up in court... that you WERE trying to pay what you could and that Bennett wouldn't work with you.
6 - Call Mr. Bennett directly - 801-432-2935 and work something out. Let Mr. Bennett know that you too will file complaints against him and his organization with the Utah State Bar Association if they don't start treating you in a legal, non-threatening, non-harassing manner.
7 - File a complaint with the Utah State Bar Association.
Mr. Bennett - Your employees don't have to be ASSH0LES!! Work with people - see if setting up plans doesn't actually yield you more over the long run than the high pressure harassment crap that you do now!
AND...for God's sake... take my phone number off your damn dialer!!!
801-432-2935
877-749-2510
877-749-2590
I don't believe that Mr. Deloney is still associated with Mr. Bennett's practices.