NCO Financial debt agency keeps calling me?

[Phil]

NCO Financial keeps calling me saying i owe a debt of 200 dollars.

Is this a legit debt agency? they have stated what the debt is from and have the last 4 numbers of my social...

Can i have them send me via mail anymore proof?

I remember the debt being only $150 or so..do debt agencies add on fees?
The debt was a cancellation fee from a University because i could not afford to go attend their school after they were late in sending me my financial loans/aid information, i had to then cancel my registration from the school.

but anyways..now NCO calls me every other week or so telling me to call them back and pay this debt.
Would any other Debt collection agencies be calling me?

OH and i cannot check my credit score yet because I'm not 19 for another couple weeks...but this is my only debt issue..

 

[MKD]

NCO is legit and they are a bunch of scum. They will hound you constantly. They violate the Fair Debt Collection Practicing Act--look this up on the internet, it tells you what they can and cannot do. If they have called you they are suppose to send you a letter within 5 days of contact stating who you own and the amount. I hope that you did not acknowledge that you owe the debt. Yes they can add on fees. If they sent this letter to you then send a certified letter to them asking them to validate the debt and proof that NCO has the authority to collect the bill the address is should be on the letter. They have 30 days to validate the debt (tell them that) and if they don't they cannot continue to collect the debt. Keep record of what you have done and keep the certified receipt also. You can get a sample validation letter on line. If they call you try to record the conversation but be sure to tell them you are doing so. Most people who post on here say never talk to the collection agency. If you make any arrangements for payment get in in writing first before you send anything. Never give them your bank account info-they can drain your account-this is illegal. And do not offer any personal information like where you work, your bank, family members, cell phone. Nor send a post dated check. Send a money order. Never sign your name on anything, print it. They can use your signature to forge documents.
NCO will stop at nothing to get the money. They kept calling me even after they had notice that i filed bankruptcy. Look up NCO on line and you will see how shady they are. Good luck.

 

[jle4044]

The above poster is correct on the FDCPA; that law regulates what collectors can and can't do and many collection agencies violate it and many get sued for it.

Yes, you may demand verification in writing and they may not contact you until they send it to you. You need to send the request in writing by "certified mail with return receipt requested". That way, when they receive it, they have to sign the receipt which you get back from the post office as proof they got it. When you write that letter, you also have every right to demand they stop calling you.

While you're waiting for them to respond with written verification, get verification form the university, too, so you can match it up. You might also ask the university if they'd be willing to accept payment and retract it from collections. That would end NCO's activity.

Finally, since you've got a collection agency on you, you REALLY need to read the FDCPA. Don't worry, it's an easy read and only about 30 pages long or so. If NCO violates it, you can file suit against them in court and be awarded damages. Talk with a lawyer who specializes in consumer protection law.