Help with credit recovery harassment

[DU9598]

I got home from work tonight and had a voicemail message from a debt collection company. The person on the phone told me that I needed to call her back tonight or - at my own risk - she would be contacting my employer to collect a debt. She called me at home and told me that I needed to act according to her orders of calling her immediately. I called her back and she refused to say what debt she was collecting ... she was very rude and threatened to sue to collect the debt. She refused to let me speak with a supervisor. I called back and asked for her supervisor. Turns out that they had the wrong person - it wasnt even my debt.

Now I fear that my credit report may have been damaged. I contacted them again and demanded an apology. They refused and told me to back off because I was being "abusive". I told them that I feared my credit had been impacted by their mistake and they hung up on me.

Does anyone know what protections I have on my credit? Is this under the Fair Credit Reporting Act or the Federal Trade Commission? Can I make them pay for a credit report? Should I contact my state's attorney general's office or the Better Business Bureau? Sorry to be upset and bring this onto DU tonight, but I am just fuming!!!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I think you are entitled to request two free credit reports a year

I got a letter the other day about this.

Did you get the name of this outfit? I'd report them to your Attorney General.

[DU9598]

3. They refused

Refused to even give me their company's name. I did a backwards telephone search and it is Veracity Financial Group, LLC

I called back and told them that I had their company name and they said I was being harassing. Go figure! They can call me and threaten to contact my employer, but I can't call them and tell them I found their name. LOL

God, Corporate America is crazy.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. You've got their name

report them to your AG.

[jukes]

6. file a report

w/ the FTC (fair trade commission). these people are way out of line & are using illegal dunning techniqes. save the msg for evidence.

the FTC has a good website delineating your rights. you've got a valid lawsuit against these people as well as criminal charges.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm

they MUST give you their name & a stret address (not PO Box) so you can order them to contact you only by mail.

they cannot contact your employer, noe may they threaten too.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Read the FCRA...

...it is quite specific about what collectors can and cannot do.

Edit - these people are counting on the fact that you don't know your rights. Once you show them that you do, their tune will change.
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm

[GOPisEvil]

4. Sorry about that...wrong law....Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20030519b1.asp

[DU9598]

7. Thanks Everyone

Great advise. I went to the AG's office and was able to file a complaint. I will do so with the FTC as well.

You guys are the greatest.

[CanuckAmok]

8. Don't bother with the BBB

The BBB is a scam, designed to collect money from new businesses.

Here's how the BB works:

There's a yearly membership fee, and if you're a member, you can be reported for bad business practices. the BB will fine you, but the consumer doean't get any of that fine; it goes to the BBB. You also get a blot on your record.

But get this... If you are fined by the BB and pay the fine, the blot on your record is erased. You have no bad reports, as long as you pay your fines.

It's a racket.