Just got a random call

[kyrax12]

It was requesting to speak with someone in my household about some private business transaction.

It gave me their number and told me it was from FMS incorporated.

Is this by any chance a spam call?

 

[kranky]

It's a collection agency. They can't say that to anyone but the person who owes the debt.

 

[kyrax12]

It's a collection agency. They can't say that to anyone but the person who owes the debt.

is it a scam or anything?

 

[DesiPower]

o o someone ruined their credit...

 

[kyrax12]

o o someone ruined their credit...

Can you tell me more about it?

You make it sound like some scary business.

 

[DesiPower]

Well, that someone in your household owes someone money. It was not paid on time and now they have given the case to this collection agency. That agencies will collect from your household member (and will not rest until they do) and get a percentage as their commission. If that someone is your spouse you credit will be ruined too.
A case going to credit collection agency is not too bad but if its unpaid for too long, it can be one nasty bitch on your history. Get with that person in your household and make sure everything is paid in full ASAP.

Sometimes it can be a mistake too, in that case its even worse. You need to make sure that the collection agency get a clean chit from their client otherwise you credit can be adversely effected by no fault of yours. It can even be a credit fraud, either way ask your household member to call the collection agency ASAP.

 

[Tsaico]

Lol, I get a robot dialer that calls me almost every day. It starts off with a normal recorded woman's voice saying, we are looking for <robotic speak and spell voice>May-Bell Gun-zall-lez ,<end robot voice>, if this is not <robotic speak and spell voice>May-Bell Gun-zall-lez ,<end robot voice>, please hang up, if it is <robotic speak and spell voice>May-Bell Gun-zall-lez ,<end robot voice> this is an attempt to collect a debt.

Been calling for week now. Of course my answering machine has recorded it a bunch of times. I called once ot get them to stop, and it was just a recording asking me to leave a message.

 

[kyrax12]

Well, that someone in your household owes someone money. It was not paid on time and now they have given the case to this collection agency. That agencies will collect from your household member (and will not rest until they do) and get a percentage as their commission. If that someone is your spouse you credit will be ruined too.
A case going to credit collection agency is not too bad but if its unpaid for too long, it can be one nasty bitch on your history. Get with that person in your household and make sure everything is paid in full ASAP.

Sometimes it can be a mistake too, in that case its even worse. You need to make sure that the collection agency get a clean chit from their client otherwise you credit can be adversely effected by no fault of yours. It can even be a credit fraud, either way ask your household member to call the collection agency ASAP.

I heard that collection agencies aren't trustworthy.

 

[DesiPower]

I heard that collection agencies aren't trustworthy.

There is no trust issue here, they got your name, you need to make sure that its cleared otherwise it will end up on your history. You need to talk to them and get the matter resolved, cannot ignore them. But ya, do not give any additional information to them. Call and find out what they are calling about.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I heard that collection agencies aren't trustworthy.

They aren't. If this "person" in your hosehold contacts them, get everything in writing.

 

[kyrax12]

They aren't. If this "person" in your hosehold contacts them, get everything in writing.

should I tell my household member to contact them or should I just ignore it?

 

[BurnItDwn]

should I tell my household member to contact them or should I just ignore it?

I'd suggest you tell your household member to contact them and to request whatever it is that the collections wants in writing...

 

[shabby]

should I tell my household member to contact them or should I just ignore it?

Why would you ignore it? Your "household member" is going to have to pay it sooner or later, might as well tell them.

 

[kyrax12]

Why would you ignore it? Your "household member" is going to have to pay it sooner or later, might as well tell them.

alright just wanted to validate the source.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Why would you ignore it? Your "household member" is going to have to pay it sooner or later, might as well tell them.

not completely true ... if unpaid, eventually it's likely the household member will be sued, however, there is a statute of limitations where the debt could expire and never be collected if they do not sue on time. That said, the statutes vary by state, some 5 years others 10 years ... and It's probably much better to pay it off ASAP and settle rather than draw it out.

 

[kyrax12]

Just got something. The household member that the FMS agent contacted still isn't home and something is very fishy.

The agent used the wrong name. The agent said Sandra instead of Sandy which is what her name is.

Hmmmmm is a mistake like that common?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Just got something. The household member that the FMS agent contacted still isn't home and something is very fishy.

The agent used the wrong name. The agent said Sandra instead of Sandy which is what her name is.

Hmmmmm is a mistake like that common?

 

[kyrax12]

Is Sandra and Sandy the same thing or what?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Is Sandra and Sandy the same thing or what?

Dude, seriously. YES, Sandy is usually (but not always) short for Sandra.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Why do people go into debt? Control your spending, ffs.

 

[Greenman]

Why do people go into debt? Control your spending, ffs.

Or expand your income.

 

[Sluggo]

Is "household member" a new way of referring to yourself in third person?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Is Sandra and Sandy the same thing or what?

Wow. Scary.

 

[arcenite]

Just got something. The household member that the FMS agent contacted still isn't home and something is very fishy.

The agent used the wrong name. The agent said Sandra instead of Sandy which is what her name is.

Hmmmmm is a mistake like that common?

Yes, Sandra is your moms ... err.. household member's first name.

 

[LurkerPrime]

Collection agencies can and do mix up people with the same name. My wife has been contacted by a collection agency trying to collect a debt, however the debt they were trying to collect on was for another person with the same name. This shit happens.

The easiest thing to do to get them to stop contacting you is to write them a letter requesting proof of the debt (there is an example fill in the blank letter somewhere on the internet that I'm too lazy to look for). During the time they are collecting and sending you proof they can't contact you or anyone to harass. Plus if they can't get proof of the debt to send to you (i.e. it wasn't your debt to begin with and they were just fishing to get you to pay someone elses debt) then you'll never hear from them again.