Consumer complaint received 2015-09-22
Company: CONTRACT CALLERS INC
State: PA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
starting on XXXX/XXXX/2015 I started getting calls from this company " contract callers inc '' with individuals not specifying their name or company name even when asked claiming I had an outstanding debt with a power company from my old address in Virginia. That same day I called the power co and realized it was because the last bill before moving is unable to be processed by pre-set bank draft like we had set up. I paid that balance to the power co that same day ( XXXX/XXXX/15 ). 

Since then the collection agency has not stopped calling from multiple numbers, each time I tell them there is no balance and ask they call the power company themselves to confirm, they refuse, they also refuse to provide me their name or company name XXXX I finally called one of the numbers and got a recorded start message that included the company name ) and are extraordinarily unprofessional when speaking to them. Each time I told them to stop calling me. 

I have been called from numbers including XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. After being transferred XXXX times when asking for a supervisor each time I finally spoke to a " XXXX '' who refused to provide her last name who said her extension was XXXX and that she was a supervisor ( company site states main number is XXXX ) I believe this company calling me and calling in this manner is in violation of regulations in regards to attempt to collect. 

Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) abusive, unfair, and deceptive practices to obtain the debt are not allowed. I believe one of the callers stating " Had you paid your bills it would not have gotten this far '' and continuing to yell at me and refuse to believe me the debt was paid ( caller called XXXX ) was both abusive and unfair. I believe the callers all not giving their company name was also deceptive. 

This debt collection agency also never sent a written validation of debt notice as required per the FDCPA. 

I asked for verification of debt, asking them to call the power company to confirm the debt and notify me and was denied. I was told they " do n't call the initiating company to verify if a debt is still in place '' and that the phone calls would continue. They refused to provide me with official verification of my debt and were very pushy I give my credit card information to them despite them not sounding professional and not providing me their name or company name. I knew there was no debt to be paid as verified on XXXX/XXXX/2015 with XXXX Power, and refused to pay this non-existent debt. 

I believe giving a false company name under the FDCPA should also be qualified due to them refusing to give a company name. 

I am aware of my right to sue for up to one year from violation of law date for up to {$1000.00} even if there were no damages to me and am additionally able to receive reimbursement for court costs and attorney fees, I also know a class action lawsuit is a potential allowance per the FDCPA and am exploring if I want to pursue these venues. 

All applicable reporting agencies to include the State Attorney Generals Office of my current residing state, The Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be notified.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed