Harris And Zide Contacting and Scaring my Family South Pasadena California

I received a letter from collection attorneys called Harris & Zide in Pasadena, California. It was in regard to a debt to a credit card company that was not paid. I do not dispute the debt. Because of the economic situation and losing my job, I not only owe them, but others as well. In addition, I also lost my home and to top it off my wife divorced me.

My dispute is not the debt but their tactics. Shortly after receiving the letter I was contacted via phone by one of their representatives and I explained my situation and that I don't know when I would ever be able to make any kind of a payment. Even $25 is too much for me right now. I also owe the IRS and they are on the top of my monthly budget. I make sure to pay the IRS before anyone else gets paid.

I don't know how they found out the phone numbers of my relatives, but they have contacted several of them looking for me. It's not that they call and ask for me, but they are very aggresive and tell whoever answers the phone that I am facing a very serious legal matter and that they need to get a hold of me. They have asked for phone numbers and addresses of anyone that might know me. The worst part is that now my mother has been called and they really scared her. She is very old and has several illnesses.

When they called her, the person told her that I had legal problems and that she better tell me to contact them. After the call she became very ill and we almost took her to the hospital but the thought of going to the hospital made her more nervous, so we ended up not taking her. During all the contacting of my relatives, they never identified themselves and my relatives mistakenly thought that it was some offical matter. All they would do is give their phone number so I could call them back.

What can I do?

Billyh
Anaheim, California
U.S.A.