Allied Interstate I owe a phone company about $109.65.. called me a couple of weeks ago wanting the money immediately.I told the lady i couldn't pay it all at once,left a rude message on my machine, and ended the message with "B**CH"- referring to me. Columbus Ohio

Tiffany,

KEEP that message and file a lawsuit under the FDCPA. That is a blatant violation that will pay you up to $1000 in statutory damages, plus legal fees and actual damages.

Make a police report, and also a report to your phone company. Then go to FTC.gov and file a complaint online. The more documentation the better.

NEVER speak to any collector on the phone. It will never do anything positive for you. Always demand everything in writing.

Upon first contact by any debt collector, send a CEASE COMMUNICATION request as per your rights under the FDCPA. send this by certified mail, return reciept requested. Be sure to put the certified# on the letter itself and keep a copy for your records. This is very important as it proves what you sent.

STAY OFF THE PHONE!!

And NEVER even discuss payment with any debt collector. It could re-affirm an otherwise uncollectable debt. Always demand validation in writing.

Tiffany,

Keep that message and file a lawsuit under the FDCPA. that is a blatant violation that will pay you up to $1000 in statutory damages, plus legal fees and actual damages.

Make a police report, and also a report to your phone company. Then go to FTC.gov and file a complaint online. The more documentation the better.

NEVER speak to any collector on the phone. It will never do anything positive for you. Always demand everything in writing.

Upon first contact by any debt collector, send a CEASE COMMUNICATION request as per your rights under the FDCPA. send this by certified mail, return reciept requested. Be sure to put the certified# on the letter itself and keep a copy for your records. This is very important as it proves what you sent.

STAY OFF THE PHONE!!

And NEVER even discuss payment with any debt collector. It could re-affirm an otherwise uncollectable debt. Always demand validation in writing.

First, I will give you the response/thinking of the debt collector. People please do not jump all over me for this. I would be thinking that this is a small amount, and should not need to be split over too long. You did not say what arrangements you though offered. Personally, I would say it would be fair to be paid over 2 months.

As for why they are against you "sending" in payments is twofold. One, they may not get "credit" for the payment. They have a goal that they have to hit and some agencies do not give credit for mail in payments. Second, a problem with accepting mail in payments is that there is no committment from the consumer. For the account to have gone delinquent, there had to be no payments (or less than the minimum payment) for 6 months. Without the committment payment (usually a over the phone payment), they may not feel you will be able to keep the arrangement.

Now for the FDCPA violations by the collector. The obvious one is the name calling. That is not allowed, and I would definately say to keep that tape. It may be worth $1000. You say they call, at least twice per day. Do they leave messages every time they call? They are supposed to only make contact once per day, per number. If they are not leaving a message though, they are following the law.

Hope this helps