This company called me several times about a package to be delivered and I disregarded the call thinking it was fraud - well I received a notice to my grandmothers house today via USPS stating that I am set to be served yet unable to locate (me and my husband and daughter are living with a friend and are unlisted). My grandmother told me there was a young man at her house twice last week with a folder in his hand and a badge on his neck stating he had important docs and asking for me yet would not let her accept them on my behalf. I thought because he was calling from another area code it was not real. Then I found out that this is his cell number and he is employed by the courier service. The supervisor told me they are allowed to contact you on their cell phone if no one is available but if you have concerns you can check their badge to verify when they arrive and that they are all required to wear one. I called them back to reschedule my date then asked to speak to the firm that is sending this so they provided me the phone number. I called them right after and found out It was a claim filed about a loan i took out awhile back and they are pursuing me for breach of contract and defrauding a financial institution. I am now waiting to see if I am able to get approved for a settlement before signing, to resolve voluntarily. I am hoping I do because I cannot afford to go to court. The amount stated was $2100.18 - does anyone know what the settlement bracket would be if im approved? I am in a financial bind and just trying to get an idea of what I could pay to settle this out if I am approved and I am losing sleep over this. I know from experience if I am sued they will add court cost and attny fees on my balance as well - I CANNOT AFFORD THIS! :( am I able to make a counter offer if they call me back and tell me I am approved and give me an amount??
Make sure you legitimately owe the debt before you pay them anything!
Ask the caller for his or her name, company, street address, telephone number, and professional license number. Many states require debt collectors to be licensed. Check the information the caller provides you with your state officials, or the state in which the debt collector holds a license. If the caller refuses or is unable to provide you with information about his company, or if you can’t verify the information he provides, do not give money to the caller or company.Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." This notice must include:
The amount of the debt
The name of the creditor you owe
A description of certain rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, consider requesting this information in writing or seeking assistance before paying the debt to make sure the debt, and the company, are valid.
Tip: You can consider sending the collector a letter requesting the information by using one of the CFPB's sample letters. You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB or you can contact your state Attorney General’s office.
What state do you live in? Why would someone from CA call you about serving you papers if you live in another state miles away? Why would something be sent to your grandmother's house, and not to an immediate relative instead? Have they been calling your grandmother as well, or how would someone know where she lives and just appear to her home? All of this sounds fishy to me? You had better make sure that the papers that you got are for "real" and not some fake debt collector who purchased the old loan trying to collect money from you on a debt that is past the expiration date. I would talk to an attorney before doing anything. It seems odd that you or your grandmother did not need to sign for something, and that if the debt or paperwork was legtimate that it was not sent certified mail or FEDEX, etc.
What company is this from? You failed to mention that. Did you call this phone number back or another one instead?
Seems odd to me that Meredith doesn't mention the company name who contacted her and who supposedly is using these sorts or tactics which are against the law in many states;possibly hers included. She never said what state she is located in nor what courier service delivered the papers; it sounds to me like this is the "fake or phony" debt collector himself or herself trying to scare people into paying money for debt that is not owed or passed their expiration date. I would definitely reach out to the Attorney General Office in your state to find out if this company is licensed to do business in your state first of all, and what suggestions they have.
It just seems very odd that someone would stalk your grandmother in person to deliver something for or to you from a courier service. They normally do not do that, and they don't call you by phone.
I received the same call today!!! There was a woman on my voice mail stating that they have been trying to contact me in regards to a package delivery and to call them back to reschedule. Tsk tsk tsk. The message was so generic it's ridiculous. Meredith, this sounds like a world class scam!!! It reminds me of an incident that happened to me about a year ago. Some company called me and accused me of owing over $5,000 dollars to US Bank..... yeah right! I argued and argued with the manager of the company and he would not let up! I requested a demand letter and he emailed me a super generic letter that didn't specify ANYTHING!!!! They even had me listed as living in a totally different city! So, I called him back and asked for ALL the documentation that proves that I owe this money, I never heard from them again. Then, earlier this year, I got 2 unexpected checks in the mail as a result of the world class lawsuit filed against US Bank for wrongfully issuing overdraft fees!! Go figure! Make sure to get documentation in writing before signing and/or agreeing to anything! This is a total SCAM!