Direct Recovery Services LLC

We sent a FOTI message to the phone numbers given to us by our client and the credit bureaus for the consumer. It is likely that the 3rd party disregarded the message to hang up if they are not the correct party. We do have to use this message, as that is what the Federal Government has
determined is the most compliant with the law. I believe that this is an unintended consequence of this regulation and I apologize for the aggravation, non-the-less we must comply with the law. We have put this account in a dispute status and sent it back to our client with a request for validation!

The [redacted] we are looking for was born on 12/12/1979.  If this individual is not that person than we need to know.  Unfortunately this individual did not contact us to let us know the phone number we have for [redacted] is wrong.  Also, there is not indication on this...

complaint what number on the file is incorrect. We cannot remove the number because we do not know which one this complaint is referring to.  Please call us and we will immediately remove the wrong number.  If this individual is the same [redacted] we are looking for but does not believe she took out this loan, we can instruct her as to the appropriate actions in a case of fraud.  This involves submitting a police report locally and an affidavit of Fraud with the FTC online.   We can instruct her so she has all the information she needs.

We sent a payment arrangement letter on 8/24/2016 when Becky M[redacted], SSN ending in 1241, set up her arrangement and we can send a letter to her at any time she requests.  Her account is still open with us but is scheduled to be recalled by our client on 11/28/2016 after which time she will...

need to contact our client to find out where the account has been/ will be placed for resolution. She may call [redacted].

All of our numbers are working fine.   What number did you dial?  There is also a toll free number on your arrangement letter.  We processed a credit to you yesterday, you could have called for a receipt if you needed proof.  But you will likely see it in your account today or tomorrow.  This is an obligation you have defaulted on.  We are giving you the refund on a payment you made on your delinquent debt.  In collections this is certainly not normal.  If you make a car payment can you call the dealership and ask for a refund?  If you pay your rent can you ask your landlord for a refund?  This is a debt you owe and defaulted on.  We are refunding a payment that you did not reschedule and for that you should be grateful.  It is difficult to be empathetic but I am sure that you have some cause to feel entitled to a refund on a payment to a debt you owe.  That is why it was done.  To err on the side of empathy and integrity.  You may call ###-###-####.  You were left several messages in the last couple days, and you also failed to respond.  We are doing above what is normal and what is our obligation to help you, despite your lack of response.  If that is not appreciated, it makes it difficult to justify.  You may contact us concerning the settlement by the end of the week.  After that all settlements are off the table.

Hello Miss [redacted],My name is Anita [redacted], Chief Compliance Officer for Direct Recovery Service.I have listened to both calls that that you had a complaint about.I found no rude or standoffish behavior. You said that it was like pulling teeth to get the company's name.  That isn't true...

both of the collectors gave you that.  You also said that you are paying a debt with Victoria Secret, and we told you that is was a different company called Abercrombie and Fitch that we had in our office.  I'm not sure if you are thinking of us as another company maybe.The collectors at no time said they will put a Freeze on anything. One collector did say "Do we need to flag this as a refusal to pay", and you said no I will call back tomorrow.  I hope this helps to clarify this.Thank You,Chief Compliance Officer

I am rejecting this response because:
The address listed in the business's response has not been valid for me for nearly 6 years, so their claim that I've received letters is false. I also refuse to contact them if they continue to make the false claim that they are Revdex.com-accredited. They also have not addressed the fact that the same business under the same owner's name was sent a cease and desist order by the Revdex.com when operating in the state of New York.

The consumer has two accounts in our office.  One is settled, the other is not.  She did settle the one account and it was returned to our client as settled. We are submitting the complaint to our client and we expect this will fix this.  If it does not the consumer should call...

the Managing Partner, Elle [redacted], at ###-###-#### to explore how to rectify the situation.

I am rejecting this response because:
Again more lies from these people. I do not have 2 accounts with them, I have the release letter from the only account that I've ever had with them and the bank statements that show the exact date they took the money from my account.  I was reached by their representative who handled this account and I was again told that the account was settled and they sent it to their client as paid, but their client reported the remaining balance as a collection. So still someone is lying. He told me he was gonna try to resolve the issue and called in a few hours. One day later still no call, I called to his direct number and was sent to voice mail.  [redacted]

This consumer does have a matter in our office.  If [redacted] calls us we will be glad to talk to him about it.  Social ending in [redacted].  If that is not your social than we have the wrong party and we would like to remove your number right away.  The numbers we have were given...

to us by the original issuer and by Trans Union for the consumer.  We have removed all numbers but  ###-###-#### because we do not want to call the wrong number.  We do our best to only call the best numbers but it is an ongoing challenge in this age of information.  We have even tried to get numbers back to Trans Union and our clients so they can know what is not correct.  Trans Union, however, will not update their database based on our findings.  Even if we remove all your numbers it is likely that when this matter is placed by our client with the next agency - the same information will be found by them.  I believe that the government will eventually regulate information providers such that the do have to update their information...  Basically, I agree with you.  It is frustrating for you and for us!  I am sorry.  We always remove wrong numbers.  That being said, if you social does end in [redacted] we have 3 matters in our office pertaining to you.   It is unlikely you will be contacted again so you are free to contact us at ###-###-####.  If you wish us NOT to call you you may put a Cease and Desist on your account by requesting it and then we will not call you but forward this back to our client so it can be placed with the next collection agency.

I am sorry this consumer has been scammed before by a debt collector.  We do have an obligation to call consumers on behalf of our client to collect debt as we are a collection agency.  We are not allowed to give details on the debt in the voicemail unfortunately because of regulation and...

compliance.  If you contact us we may be able to help you gain clarity on what this account is for and perhaps help you find a resolution.

We have reviewed the consumers complaint and have made clear to all of the staff that we are not Revdex.com accredited as of yet, although we would like to get this done very soon.  The collection methods that we use are empathetic and compliant.  It is likely the consumer fees aggravated after...

being contacted for 3 years to pay a bill.  Our arrangements on all of our debts include 3 settlement options and hardship arrangements.  Settlements normally are 75% in one payment, 85% in three payments, and 90% in 12 payments, although some clients allow lower settlements on approval.  Hardship arrangements, depending on balance size are normally 25.00 to 50.00 per month.  If the consumer wishes to pay the original creditor, generally this is possible and the funds are simply forwarded as a direct pay, although in some instances the consumer may be referred to our client and then to us.  We understand that it can be frustrating to be in debt, but being contacted by a collection agency is not bullying.   The calls on the account were audited and the consumer was at no point treated rudely.  She did insist on receiving a letter, which she was sent twice by mail, both before and after the request.  At no point did the consumer try to work out an arrangement to fulfill her obligation.  We did put a cease and desist on the account as the consumer requested, as the account is now closed in a cease and desist status, the consumer may do well to call the original creditor and set up a reasonable arrangement to honor the obligation.

We contacted [redacted] at the phone numbers provided to us by our client and by the credit bureaus.  We absolutely never want to be calling the wrong numbers!  I can see from the message here that the correct number is ###-###-####.  We will remove all other numbers on the...

file immediately.  I hope this helps.  In our age of information we do have more of it, but it is certainly not always correct.  A frustration for us as well.  Thank you for making us aware so we can correct this with your file.  Also, not for nothing, we have asked the bureaus to allow us to submit to them "confirmed wrong numbers" so that they may correct their data base. As of yet (after 4 years of asking) they have never agreed to consider it.  I think, based on the way the regulation of the industry is going, that eventually government regulation may allow this or even mandate it.  Until then, sadly, we will only know what numbers are incorrect on a case by case basis.

I am rejecting this response because: This does not address the fact this agency is not licensed to collect in Arkansas for other consumers, nor was my complaint a total Cease and Desist under the FDCPA.  If you can provide your license number or point out your company's entry on the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies roster, I will be more than happy to deal with your agency, and as this complaint provided my correct address your company can send the name of the alleged current and original creditors, like the 30-day notice in your 12/20 email provided (even if it was certainly overshadowed), and we can go from there.  However, until you are licensed with the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies, you must cease collection attempts for all Arkansas residents, not just me, or be prepared to pay monetary penalties to the state. I have already reported your agency to the ASBCA, including the email and three collection phone calls.  Those penalties are high.

This consumer has two separate accounts from two different issuers placed with us by two different clients.  One of them is no longer with us.  The other is Settled.  Our client has informed us that they have not updated this as a Settled account.  We have now asked them to do so.  In our experience this client is very sensitive to consumers and will correct this quickly.  Please reach out to me at ###-###-#### tomorrow or any time next week to follow up.

We contact the consumer at the numbers provided by the loan issuer and by Trans Union.  If the numbers are called, it is because the consumer has given out that number to creditors for themselves.  We send out validation notices and letters upon request.  We remove all wrong numbers...

on request and/or when/if it is determined the number is wrong.  We can ask our client for media on request, it is normally provided within 1-2 weeks.  If this is not your loan, filing a police report with the date the account was opened, the issuer, the original account number, and the balance and an affidavit of fraud with the FTC (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2002/02/federal-trade-commission...⇄ with the same information is the best way to handle this.  If you provide us the police report and the affidavit of fraud we will forward them to our client and they will take that as proof because no one would take out a police report and an affidavit of fraud on an account they took out themselves.  Sometimes we have seen cases of fraud we call "Family Fraud".  Most of the cases of fraud are done by individuals with access to the consumers information and are often family members.  If this is the case and you do not want to press charges against a family member we do have "Family Fraud" settlements.  I hope this addresses all your concerns. Feel free to follow up at ###-###-####.

We have processed this complaint.  Skylar was informed that her payment would be processed when she set up the payment and she did authorize this.  She should have called prior to the 4th to change her arrangement rather than waiting for the payment to decline and be reprocessed.  We...

refunded the payment today.  She can contact our office for a receipt if she likes. She can do a 3 way call with our agent and her bank to get the overdraft forgiven.  It does not happen often, but whenever we have done a conference call with a consumer's bank concerning an overdraft charge, the banks have always forgiven the charges.  We are willing to also create a hardship arrangement on Skylar's account that will reduce the aggregate balance of the account by 300.00 as a Settlement. We left a message today for this consumer to communicate this.

Thank you for allowing us to address this issue.  This consumer has not reached out to us as of yet to resolve the debt owed, it appears that paying her bill is not this consumer's primary concern.  The address for the consumer we have is the one given by our client (most likely from the...

original issuer).  All messages sent are in accordance with the state law and the FDCPA and approved by our attorneys and our client's attorneys. We are closing this as a cease and desist and we will send the account back to our client.

I will wait for the paperwork in the mail and go from there. I will also be keeping track of how many and from whom from this company calls. No one but myself should ever be contacted about claims about me. Harassment is a tactic that really gets companies no where. Very invasive. Like I stated beforeI will will wait for proper documentation and go from there. Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.