CA won't return my calls. Send a letter?

[asm]

I received a letter from the MO Dept of Higher Ed about my student loans regarding Tax Offset. The letter states to call Collection Technology Inc to set up a payment plan. I have called them every day for a week and no one has returned my calls. Is it possible that no one is calling me back because I'm not giving them all the information they request when leaving a voice mail? It says to leave your name, address, phone number, SSN, and bank information and there's just no way I'm leaving a voice mail with that information.

 

Just so I'm clear, Collection Technology is who I should be setting up rehab with, correct? The letter is from MDHE, not Collection Technology and lists two addresses, one for each.

[campusvitals]

That really scares me that they would ask you to leave that kind of persoanl information on a voice mail. It screams scam to me. Even a scumbag collector can't just take money from your bank account. I would be very careful.

 

My first suggestion is to call the office that sent you the letter and confirm it is legitimate. They won't talk to you about the specific debt but they can at least confirm that they have employed Collection Technology as their collector.

 

Really glad you didn't give them the information. For those of you who don't know, never give out your personal information on a non-secure platform because there are lots of shady people in the world.

[asm]

I'm having trouble calling the MDHE (their business hours are during my business hours and it's hard for me to slip out to make a phone call), but I did check their website and they are listed as a collector, so I'm pretty sure their legit.

 

What I think keeps happening when I call is that I'm somehow being transferred to their payment department and no one is calling me back because I'm only leaving my name and number. To be clear, I've yet to actually get a person on the phone, because everything is automated.

[LynnInMN]

They are not returning your calls because your account has been placed with the CA. When I was collecting, we did handle Missouri and even back then, they would not return calls, particularly after offset notices were sent telling the borrowers who to contact. They just dont have the manpower.

 

 

CA's do have evening hours, which is usually stipulated in the contract. They usually have collector there until 9pm central at least 3 nights a week, if not more.

[asm]

It's the CA that I'm calling. The letterhead is MDHE, but the phone number is for the collection agency.

 

ETA: Oh, I understand what you meant now, LynnInMN. The only reason I was going to call the MDHE is to double check that Collection Technology is someone who collects for them, not to arrange payments or anything.

Edited September 4, 2008 by asm

[LynnInMN]

Collection Technology, Inc.

P.O. Box 7888

Burbank, CA 91510-7888

(800) 620-4284

 

Is this the info you have? Pull this off the DOE site. Otherwise look for a main number thru google and you should be able to get a live person on the phone.

[asm]

Hmm, that's not the address or phone number listed in the letter. This is the info I have:

 

Collection Technology

1200 Corporate Center Drive

Suite 325

Monterey Park, CA

800-743-4284

 

I will call the number you posted tomorrow and see if I can get someone on the phone. Thanks, Lynn!

[ANDRE WEBSTER CTI]

If you are having trouble getting through to cti please contact me

I am a manager at cti i will be happy to help you

I have worked on the us dept of ed contract for a few years

you can reach me from 7 to 4 pacific time mon - Friday

 

Andre Webster

800-620-4284 x 3202