A few months ago, I received a call from ARS Collection Agency. I tried talking to them but they were rude and kept stressing me out about a debt. They never mentioned the call was being recorded and threatened to sue me, saying this was already with an attorney. This was over six months ago. They claim they’ve sent me notices by mail, but I’ve never received anything.
Now I’m getting voicemails from someone named Norris Buxton and texts about a letter of intent. Does anyone know if this is real? I tried searching them online and the collection companies I’ve contacted don’t have me on file. It seems like the ARS leaving voicemails isn’t the same one.
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Did you ask them to send a debt validation letter? Always do this first when dealing with debt collectors, whether they are real or not. If they refuse or make excuses, they are scammers and you can ignore them. A real collector will send the letter - a scammer will avoid it. And don’t let them confuse you - they must send the letter by law, no matter what they claim about court cases or anything else. Any refusal to send it means you can ignore them until they comply.
@Jenner
Hi /u/AngelOfLight, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Debt collection scam.
If you’re sure the debt doesn’t exist or has been paid off already, it’s likely a scam. Remember that companies can change names and sometimes debts get sold. Not recognizing the company doesn’t prove it’s a scam; you should call the original company to confirm whether the debt is real. Be aware of your state’s debt collection laws before speaking to any collectors, as debts may be out of their collection period.
Like real debt collectors, scammers can have access to your personal info like SSN, address, and contacts, often through data breaches. They may contact your family, friends, or employer with personal questions about you. They may send threatening letters, calls, or texts saying you’ll be sued or arrested if you don’t pay. These are scare tactics to rush you into paying before you can think clearly. Tell your contacts this is fraud and have them block the calls. If they know too much about you, you might be dealing with a serious data breach.
Make sure to freeze your credit and report your SSN if you suspect identity theft. If you don’t know where to start, ask local law enforcement for guidance.
Terryanne said: @Jenner
They don’t have my address. I’m assuming that if I ask them for this letter, I would need to give them my address, right?
It should be fine to give them your address since it’s public information. However, the fact that they don’t have it already and didn’t make the effort to find it is a red flag. Be careful about giving any other details, and don’t agree to anything. Also, be cautious of “zombie” debt collectors. These are people who buy old, noncollectable debt for cheap and try to get you to pay it by harassing you. Usually, this debt is too old to collect, but if you acknowledge it, it becomes valid again. That’s why you should never acknowledge the debt or sign anything.
If you do receive the letter, check the date of the original debt to make sure it’s within the collection period allowed by your state. Some states allow creditors to renew the debt once, so make sure to check that.
Whether it’s a scammer or a real debt collector, it’s best not to engage. Scammers are obvious, but debt collectors are often rude and pushy, so make them work for your response. Debt collectors pay pennies on the dollar for the debt they buy, so they don’t care if the debt is fair. They don’t want to negotiate, unlike the original company. If the original company can still be paid, you might be better off resolving the debt with them directly.