Franklin Collection Service ripoff harrasment at the workplace Tupelo Mississippi

Hello Donna,

My name is Kevin. I used to work for a collection agency, but not the one you're dealing with. You seem to be the victim of a bad system and rude collectors.

First, from the collector's prospective I'll say this: Deal with your son. I'm assuming he opened the phone account with your permission. Don't EVER do that, even for family. If your son needs a cell phone, then it should be in his name. If he can't open one on credit, then get a pre-paid phone to prevent overuse. Either way would provide limits so that you don't end up with huge bills in YOUR name that you can't handle. I'm not telling you how to raise your kids, just how to protect your credit.

Now let's get to the real problem here: The rude collectors. The agents at Franklin Collection Service (FCS) made a deal with you. As long as you kept up your end of the deal, they are legally bound to keep up there end, even if it was made over the phone. The first rule of collections is don't say it if you can't do it.

The problem is that their business is run by computers. Your arrangement was that you would pay $50/month on dates to be determined. The problem is that the collections databases like the ones I used can't do that. If you pay on January 2, then again on February 15, you've kept your end of the deal, according to the agent. The problem is that the computer only sees more than thirty days have past since your last payment. Even though your deal said you're on time, the computer can't see that, so it tells the next collector that you're overdue. Basically the collector you made the deal with made a deal that their technology couldn't handle. This was not your fault.

Also, if they are calling you at work, make sure that you give them the number you wish for them to stop calling. Better yet, send it to them in writing (they are bound by law to obey a written request to cease communication to a certain number, or to you altogether). I'm not saying it's right that you should go through all that just to get them to stop calling work, but it is the law. It could be that the computer/auto-dialer has your work number listed as your home number. If that's the case, they think they are acting legally.

As for their rude manners, there's no good reason or excuse for that. Collector's do have a nasty job, even when they do it right, but that's no excuse to act rude or unprofessional in any way.
I hope this gets resolved soon. Good Luck.

Kevin