For those who are getting upset because the company is calling other people they know (mom, dad, sister, brother), please be aware how the system works.
Asset Recovery Solutions (ARS) is a debt recovery/collection agency. The debt could be anything from a phone bill you didn't pay to a private student loan in default. With certain debts they shouldn't need to call anyone else and, in doing so, are violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. For example, if you opened an account by yourself (no co-signer) for cell phone service through AT&T this company - nor any company, for that matter - has a right to contact anyone else you know. That would be breaking the law. However, if you received a private student loan through let's say Sallie Mae you may have needed a co-signer. In needing a co-signer the collection company can now do what's called a skip trace. This means they can contact former neighbors, relatives and friends in an attempt to track down the debt. The skip trace itself is - IS - legal. However, the companies often misrepresent themselves or their intent in tracking someone down. This however is NOT legal.
One other point to note: a debt recovery agent CAN contact you at your place of employment. But, when you advise them they can no longer do that (for whatever reason you choose to give) you've eliminated for them a viable means to contact you. In doing so, they'll likely employ other means to contact you (the aforementioned calls to neighbors, friends, etc.) It's a catch 22. The rights you have as a debtor is when they can call (not before 8am or after 9pm local time) and how they can speak to you (they can't threaten you with things they have no intent of following through on such as a wage garnishment.) I would also request a certified copy of the debt. In some cases (generally when a debt has been passed to multiple companies through the years) the actual certified debt gets lost. For example, you owe Sallie Mae $10,000 on a private loan. You can't pay so it goes to SLM's in-house collection team. Over the next several years it may get bounced around to a half dozen companies. While the previous company SHOULD submit the relevant paperwork as it relates to passing on the debt to a new collection agency this sometimes doesn't happen. Take a crack at tripping them up by asking for the information you need but keep in mind that once you do you're certifying the debt as valid.
This person has called my cell and now my work number. He got RUDE with me on the phone. I told him to remove my number and yet he calls me back. I told him if he calls me again I will get ahold of a lawyer. GEEZ, don't people understand DO NOT Call?!