I C Systems Harassment, Probing of Personal Information, Refusal to Answer Questions and Attempts at Triple Billing St Paul Minnesota

Less than a year ago I relocated and left the dog I loved with another family member. Due to my relocation and other (personal) things going on money was tight. During that time my sweet dog was hit by a car and long distance I was forced to make the decision to put her down. At the time of this I explained to the Vet the circumstances and yet they still sent this to a bill collector, known as IC Systems. Hooray for me, right?

First call came in and they wanted to verify a lot of personal information, my social security number, mother's maiden name, my address, even my phone number (well, ummm duh! You call it, right?) I refused to give them any information until they told me what it was regarding. They refused to tell me anything other than it being a "personal business matter". I told them my SSN, Name, Address, Mother's Maiden Name, Address, etc were also personal business matters of mine and unless they told me WHAT personal business matter I would not speak with them any longer. *I REALLY WISH I had gotten names of all those I have spoken with and will from this point forward.* At any rate, the female says "You have to tell me this by law" Me being a wise (you know what) said "I plead the fifth" She obviously realized I was not caving and said "the law says I can not tell you what this is regarding until we know who we are speaking with" Well umm, when you ask for me by name isn't me saying "this is her" good enough anymore? I mean REALLY?

At this point I am completely livid and this was my FIRST encounter with them. So I told her nicely, send me a letter what this is regarding and I will call you back. Two hours go by and a male calls me (repeat initial questions asked by them). I said "OK look, I spoke with someone at 11:52 and told them to send me a letter." He INTERUPTED ME to say "she did" Well obviously the mail system does not work that quickly so you are calling me back that soon? Sorry but I am NOT playing. I said "So are you telling me what this is regarding" and repeat yet again all the information they wanted. So I hung up. Now each time they call I answer and disconnect.

On to the other issues. Yes I FINALLY got the letter and it stated the vet clinic that put my pup to sleep! now I am really ticked emotional and at times wished the same distress on them I went through and they have added to me. Nothing like bringing back the horrid memory of losing something you love when a number shows up on caller ID right?

I did not want to speak with them and the letter gave me the following web address to make payments: yourpayment.com

DO NOT USE IT!!

I intentionally used a credit card with a low minimum on multiple things leaving enough to make a $50 payment with $9 left over for my limit. Well, they tried to put that payment through THREE TIMES! So no today I have TWO payments "pending" that when the money is there it will go through.

I am saving screen shots, going to try to deal with the Vet Clinic Direct, contact the animal hospital directly to get this matter of a total amount of * Drum Roll Please* $250

Some "Facts" about this company and sharing this to help others and I am not done, myself. (They will wish they never took on that small amount of money.)

Company Owned by the Erickson Family. From their website "Ruth Erickson and her husband Jack start I.C. System in 1938 Ruth Erickson assumes control of the company after her husband dies in 1953."
And lastly "I.C. System doubles in size from 2000 to 2005 and remains the largest family-owned, privately-held receivables management company in the U.S."
Company Type Private
2005 Sales (mil.) $57.9


I bet Ruth and Jack are both rolling over in their graves at this point, I highly doubt their intent was to harass people.

This is "their style" from their website as well:

Our Style
After you collect billions of dollars over nearly 70 years, you learn a thing or two about what works.

At I.C. System, we simply make sure you'll work with an experienced, ethical, professional team of people. People who know how to take advantage of the most current technologies to help you collect more debt more often so you can add more to your bottom line.

We can tailor a collection plan that fits right in with the way you like to work.

At the end of the day, you'll see us as an innovative solutions providers not just a collection agency with answers that are both in your best interest and your customers.

It's all about providing you with Intelligent Collections.
Key Names in the company I will be contacting (or a lawyer bud of mine will be):
Bill DeBacker Vice President of Communications
Chris Clausen Vice President of Financial Services
Thomas S. Gavinski Vice President of Healthcare
Tom Cook Vice President of Sales
*above mentioned people are all new hires per their website in SIX short months* Something is not right with them

If you OWE money legit and being harassed by them contact and try to settle with the one you owe money to and have them pull the business I know I am. I am going to DEMAND a copy of the following from the one I owe money to:

"View the real-time status of debts, including: the number of letters sent, number of calls made, number of right-party contacts, paid amount, and more."

I have no issues with someone trying to collect a debt, but heck when it is something bad and you block it from memory due to other high stress things and money needing to be spent elsewhere to get harassed and find out what it is, is troublesome. Their tactics are HIDEOUS at best. To top it off if you settle with the one you owe the money to they probably do not get money.

I am all for DECENT family owned the decency of this one died with the founders if it was there at all.

Rachel
Carrollton, Texas
U.S.A.