Collection Agency Violations * Collection Agency * FDCPA Violations * Paid Debt * False Misleading Representations

I got a call on my wife's phone tonight from CBE or something of that sort. I know she still has some credit issues coming out of the woodwork so I started the tape recorder up and answered the phone.

Mike was the rep's name and he asked for my wife. I told him she wasn't there she was at the store. He asked by her maiden name and then ask if I was Mr. Maiden name. I said "No". He then proceeded to ask when was a good time to get a hold of her. I said I don't know but if you leave your information I'll give it to her. He said "OK". "Well my name is Mike and I'm with CBE and our number is 800-XXX-XXXX" he said. I said "Hey Mike so can I tell her what this is pertaining to?". Mike said "Yeah it's about a XXXXX hosital bill that is now in collections and I need to speak with her about paying it.". I said "Really? Well how much does she owe you?". Mike continued like nothing was wrong "$114.00 and it is from Feb 2008 when she had XXXXXX performed".

I know we had already paid this because we had issues with the insurance and the double coverage she had at the time so I say "You guys have all that information right in front of you......I'm impressed!" and he goes on to say "Yeah they give us everything we need to track these kind of people down. A lot try to hide from us but we can find them." At this point I think it's time to let Mike in on my little secret. So I say "Hey Mikey, Do you know how I know (wifey)?". He says "No...." and I say "Well why haven't your company ever sent her a dunning letter?". Now I think Mikey is getting worried cause he starts to sound really confused. He says "Well we don't have her address." and I say "So you are collecting for XXXXX hospital and I know they have her address, so why didn't they give it to you?". Mikey isn't full of a lot of answers right now so I explain that I have just recorded the whole conversation and then he gets a little mad. I guess he though we were friends. He tells me that I illegally taped the conversation and if I don't destroy it that I'll go to prison. I casually explain how IA(my state) and NE(his state) are both one party consent states and that the recording is perfectly legal and then I explain the damage he has done.

Well after giving Mikey the once over about his illegal practices(citing the FDCPA and IA laws) and how I think people who try to collect and use illegal tactics are scumbags, Mikey starts to bargain with me. Yes he actually starts to ask me what he can do for me. He starts offering to settle for $10.00 as long as I don't tell anyone about this conversation (....still recording Mikey....). He says he can get the account deleted from their system and I won't have to pay a dime. I tell him "No thanks violations are worth a lot more then $114.00". He starts to get this attitude like I should help him out or something. Well I decide to end the fun and I tell him that he should get a different job because I wouldn't be surprised if he was held personally responsible for the law suit. And then I say "Well I'm gonna go now.....Oh and by the way we already paid that bill, maybe you should look into that." He says "Oh" and then I say goodbye.