Urgent** please help***

[needtofix]

Someone just called me from Pinnacle about my Verizon wireless account. They stated that if I don't pay it in full today that they are "forwarding for severe action against me". The lady on the phone, who was beyond mean, started telling me she needed to know how much I got paid per month and where I worked and what the number was. When I told her that I do not want to give out that info she said she was going to go ahead and send my file out for severe action. She then told me to get up and get my checkbook and cut her a check for the amount I owe. When I said I didn't have the money she told me to go to the bank and get a loan. She also said she couldn't do payment plan b/c the account is too old. Is all of this true? Is she just threatening me to scare me or will she take further action?

 

I want to pay this off but can't afford the full amount but she said she won't take anything but one payment. Please help.. what should I do. She told me to call back in an hour with the money or she would send this to take severe action and hung up on me.

 

Please help!

[InsultComicDog]

Take a deep breath...

 

http://budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/pin...and_capital.htm

[needtofix]

Thanks. I checked out his website but it just states they are really bad. I am not sure what to do. I can't take a deep breathe. I have an hour to call them back.. as what they told me. Can they do that? I DO NOT want to get sued. DO NOT.

 

Why wouldn't they set up a payment plan? They were so mean! She was telling me to get up and go get my checkbook. This was horrible. When I said I didn't have the money she told me to go get it.

 

Any advice on what I should do? I don't have the whole amount to pay! UGH!

[IDare]

This is why we're always telling people to STAY OFF THE PHONE when it comes to CAs. Unless you can record and know how to stay out of trouble while doing so, for goodness sake stay off the phone.

 

Now think about this. What's this "severe action" crap? That's a phrase clearly intended to make you think they're going to sue you. But if they WERE going to sue you then why wouldn't they just come right out and say it? Whatta buncha hooey.

 

Don't call them back. Don't pick up the phone if they call back. DON'T GIVE THEM ANY INFO. Get a DV with a limited C&D out the door CMRRR ASAP.

 

Meanwhile continue to NOT answer the phone for these jerks. If you do answer the phone and they're there, calmly say, "All communications are to be in writing only from now on" and HANG UP. No arguing. No explanation necessary. Hang the damned thing up.

 

Keep a log of every time they call. Take pics of the caller ID. Let them talk to your answering machine and keep every message. They won't EVER be talking to YOU again, right?

[heavyjay]

Thanks. I checked out his website but it just states they are really bad. I am not sure what to do. I can't take a deep breathe. I have an hour to call them back.. as what they told me. Can they do that? I DO NOT want to get sued. DO NOT.

 

Why wouldn't they set up a payment plan? They were so mean! She was telling me to get up and go get my checkbook. This was horrible. When I said I didn't have the money she told me to go get it.

 

Any advice on what I should do? I don't have the whole amount to pay! UGH!

 

First of all, stay OFF the phone. You'll only dig a hole for yourself by speaking to them, especially since you're so frazzled. How much do they say you owe? Have they ever called you before? Have they ever sent you a dunning letter? How old is the alleged debt? I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but we need info in order to help you.

[needtofix]

what is a c&d?

[lilone]

I'm sorry that happened to you. Yes, please stay off the phone until you are confident and knowledgeable enough to deal with these crooks. Once you have that "power" you **COULD*** (still not recommended) talk to them on the phone, with a voice recorder going and catch them on violations such as in your case.

 

Or like some of us, have a little bit of fun at their expense.

[heavyjay]

what is a c&d?

 

Cease and desist.

[needtofix]

They say I owe $1200.00 and they will settle for $826.00 but my CR says it's only $826.00. Last payment was 04/03 and my state the SOL is four years.. one more year to go.

 

They just called back but it was a recording to call them.

 

I don't use my house phone.. keep the ringer off.. but recently had to start using the phone. Don't want anyone in the house to get these phone calls b/c I am trying to straighten it out on my own. I asked them when we just spoke to not call the house but I guess they still are.

 

I don't know what to do. They said call back by 8:30 but if I don't have the $ I cant call back. Why would they keep calling if I asked them to stop? Is it illegal for them to keep calling if I send a letter to request them to stop calling ?

 

I believe I got a letter from them a while ago and I wrote a letter, before I found this forum, requesting info to prove mine, not cmrr, and never heard back.

[demejoe]

You have gotten some pretty good advice so far. STAY OFF THE PHONE, if you are not recording dont talk to them on the phone or what happened today will happen again.

Since you didnt send it CMRRR, its going to be hard to prove that you sent it. You need to send them a letter stating it is inconvenient to call you and all further communication should be by mail only. I am not sure if another validation of debt letter will cut it. I will let the pros weigh in on that one. Anytime you send a CA/JDB anything always, send it with signature confirmation, if you have to go in front of a judge they cant say they didnt get the letter.

[needtofix]

so, they can sue for this?

[needtofix]

If I do pay it, can I later try to get it removed from my credit report?

 

I know what everyone is thinking, send DV, don't pay. I feel that I should pay it and don't want them calling anymore or be bothered with this.

[wvjules]

I feel that I should pay it and don't want them calling anymore or be bothered with this.

 

Thats exactly what they want you to do. Don't do it. Listen to the people here, they know what they're talking about and won't steer you wrong.

Edited July 6, 2006 by wvjules

[heavyjay]

They say I owe $1200.00 and they will settle for $826.00 but my CR says it's only $826.00. Last payment was 04/03 and my state the SOL is four years.. one more year to go.

 

They just called back but it was a recording to call them.

 

I don't use my house phone.. keep the ringer off.. but recently had to start using the phone. Don't want anyone in the house to get these phone calls b/c I am trying to straighten it out on my own. I asked them when we just spoke to not call the house but I guess they still are.

 

I don't know what to do. They said call back by 8:30 but if I don't have the $ I cant call back. Why would they keep calling if I asked them to stop? Is it illegal for them to keep calling if I send a letter to request them to stop calling ?

 

I believe I got a letter from them a while ago and I wrote a letter, before I found this forum, requesting info to prove mine, not cmrr, and never heard back.

 

First of all, you don't want to call them back. If they get you on tape admitting the debt is yours you might be screwed. They will keep calling you until they get it in writing to stop, and even then they'll probably still call. About all you can do is send a second DV letter, CMRRR this time. You can find one in the sample letters forum. In your letter, remind them that this is your second letter to them. And make sure you tell them it's not convenient for you to receive phone calls. Someone who knows more than me can probably offer more advice.

[needtofix]

I know and I really appreciate everyone's help, but, I cannot be sued. I need to get rid of this ASAP and really don't mind paying it- on my terms. AND, I want them to stop harrassing me.

[normal1]

And THAT my friends.. is why I dont pay CAs.. stupid jerks. I think its important for you to take a DEEP breath and calm down, they WANT you to freak out so that you can go to the bank FREAKED out and get a loan like they asked you. Personally I dont think they would sue you for that amount of money. I think they're just going crazy because the SOL on that may be up soon.

 

Like everyone here has said, stay off the phone, if they call then take a pic of the caller ID each time. Send off a DV and wait for them to validate (or not). More importantly READ THE NEWBIE section.

 

Best of luck and hopefully we can help ya further

[heavyjay]

I know and I really appreciate everyone's help, but, I cannot be sued. I need to get rid of this ASAP and really don't mind paying it- on my terms. AND, I want them to stop harrassing me.

 

The problem is that they won't let you pay it on your terms unless you take control of the situation. A second DV letter can't hurt and could buy you a little time.

[InsultComicDog]

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=188426

 

[needtofix]

Thank you for everyone's help. Really. I have been getting quite a lot of phone calls lately and was thinking maybe b/c the SOL is up.. but I think it's four years and I"m only at three.

 

I'll stay off the phone.

[demejoe]

This is exactly what they want you to do, fold and send them money. Come on you stated you didnt have the money they wanted today, why are you going to set yourself up. It will take more than a magic wand to make the CA go away, credit repair is not instantaneous. Lets say you send them the money they want, what will stop them from lying and inflating the price and selling that inflated price to another CA/JDB, one word.....nothing. Have some faith in yourself to know this situation can be rectified, there are people here who can help if you are willing.

[miller_96]

Thank you for everyone's help. Really. I have been getting quite a lot of phone calls lately and was thinking maybe b/c the SOL is up.. but I think it's four years and I"m only at three.

 

I'll stay off the phone.

 

 

Good. Now go to the kitchen, get your beverage of choice, maybe a little snack if you're hungry. Then come back to the computer, calm down (becuase they AREN'T going to do anything to you, Pinnacle is all talk, did the same thing to me and I told them to bite me), and start reading the newbie section. I know I know, everyone always says that, "Read the newbie section", but there's a reason for it. The more you read that section, the more empowered and less afraid you become. So take the time to read it, it sure beats freaking out for the rest of the night.

 

And please don't call them back!

[jase]

Palisades tried to pull the same thing with me except they threatened to garnish my wages if I didnt cut them a check that night. I didnt cut the check and they havent garnished my wages. This threat was made 2 months ago. Ive DV'd them and one of their agents and so far I have a combined total of 15 violations. Dont call them back, get the DV out CMRR and wait for them to validate. Listen to the advice on here, there are a lot of smart people who can help you out.

[InsultComicDog]

Seriously, there's a lot of people here who know the ropes. They've been in the same position you are and know exactly what to do. Collectively there isn't much we haven't seen here.

 

The way you were treated on the phone, if it could be proven, would be a $1000 violation against them.

[iluvthedusk]

really OP, try and relax. I know if you don't know any better those calls can really intimidate you. Collectors are paid to harass and intimidate. Give THEM the opportunity to operate under the guise of the law. Chances are, they won't. Then you can start racking up violations. No one is going to sue you just like that. At worse, you would get a notice from the court and even at that, you have time to respond. That woman should really be ashamed of herself going off on you like that. Totally unnecessary. BIOTCH!

[miller_96]

It's probably the same woman from Pinnacle who told me she was going to call my husband's commander and tell him we have an unpaid debt so that he'd get in trouble with the Army. She told me we were bad people and a sorry excuse for military because we don't pay our debts.... b*tch.