Consumer complaint received 2015-09-03
Company: DISCOVER BANK
State: FL
Product: Credit card
Issue: Delinquent account

Complaint:
I was called by a debt collector, the name of which I do not recall, but they made it very clear they were calling " on behalf of Discover Card. '' The call began cordial, and after I informed the woman that I did not have the money to pay at this time and asked to be contacted again in XXXX, she asked for the best way to contact me. I gave her my personal email address and permission to contact me. She then asked me to hold for another person to come on the line to verify the information I had provided. 

The other person did not verify anything, rather he persisted in attempting to extort money out of me with questions such as " how are you paying for things if you do n't have any money? '' " How are you paying for housing, a car, your cell phone? '' I explained that I was living in a relative 's condo, driving a relatives car, and using a free phone. He then even went so far as to say, after I had explained again I had no extra money, " why are you not acting in good faith? '' They are hardly financial advisors, so I do n't think they are qualified, especially based on their general tactics, to offer me any financial advice, so the questions were nothing more than an attempt to bully and intimidate. Furthermore, accusing me of not acting in good faith, in nothing short of a condescending tone, is most certainly a bullying tactic. Of course I wish I could pay off all of my debts and move on with my life, but I ca n't. The last thing I need in my life is some person being a XXXX and making me feel about as big as a Pomeranian on a foot stool. That 's not going to inspire me to give them anything, and it also borders on illegal behavior, irresponsible and inappropriate at the least. 

I would have let this go, were it not for one final thing. They informed me they would be reporting back to Discover what I said and ended the call, or so they thought. The line, however, was still going. As I listened I heard them talking about me. They have access to my personal information, and I could hear them joking about me. The manager, or whoever he was, who got on the phone second, had the manners of a pitbull, but I would expect him to have some professionalism and not joke about me after the call was supposed to have ended. Now, I 'm left with the thought that if they 're talking about me after the call, how do I know these individuals with access to my personal information are n't leaving the office and continuing the conversation? I attempted to email Discover directly, but there was no direct contact. Perhaps Discover will be appalled that the company they hired is acting in such an unprofessional way, or perhaps this is what they teach them. I can honestly only think it 's what they teach them, or they have terrible quality control. As I said earlier, I would love to be able to repay my debts, but being treated like this is going to move Discover to the back of the line, and also encourage me to tell anyone who will listen what their standard of professionalism apparently is.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation