They took my $ anyway!
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 06-15-2005 - 11:25am |
Ok, I posted last week about a Collection Agency calling me demanding a $350 payment which I could not afford, however they broke me down and got my debit card information. I had called them back and told them I am not authorizing this payment to be made, under any circumstances. After a huge long argument with them, they finally said, ok, we will not debit your account. HOWEVER, yesterday they did! In the amount of $342.37. I just found out this morning. I am so livid! i am supposed to be making my first payment to CCCS on Friday, but I don't have the money now because of this collection agency. I immediately called my bank first thing this morning. They filed a dispute and told me it could take up to 10 business days to get the $ back. They also told me to contact Visa's dispute department and file a dispute with them (Visa is the one who's logo is on my check card). I faxed that as soon as I got to work this morning. My bank said that Visa usually takes between 2 and 4 business days to credit your account. I just don't know what to do now! I don't have the $ to pay CCC America on Friday, my account now has a negative balance of $25 - which is the overdraft fee. I am so mad at this collection agency. I was told by my bank not to get a new card yet, as it can slow the dispute process, however after receiving my credit, I should immediately get a new card, because they now have my # and obviously will take the $ whenever they want.
Have you ever heard of Visa not issuing the credit? I guess that's my biggest fear, especially since I was so stupid to give them my # in the first place.
Oh, I swear, when it rains, it pours!
Thanks for letting me vent!
~Aly

Pages
I would make it clear to Visa and you bank tht after they strong armed you out of the card number, you called back to tell them they were not authorized to make any charges.
I do not know if it would do any good, but you could always file a complaint with the FTC. Besides the Fair Debt Collection Act, there is there is an Electronic Funds Transfer Act, that protects people against unauthorized charges. To me, debiting someone's bank account without authorization is similar to cashing a post dated check ahead of time (which is illegal and covered under FDCA). Anyway, sometimes it feels good to report a bully to the authorities, even if not much comes from it. You don't feel so powerless. Complaints stay on the companies record.
Good luck getting your money back.
Thanks for your help - I really do appreciate it!
~Aly
Aly,
I'm sorry this is happening to you. Others have given you great advice, and I don't know anything about it. I just wanted to thank you for posting on here about it. You taught me a valuable lesson. I had someone call me yesterday for an account number, and I refused. . . eventually, I said I'd send a check and the lady gave up. Thanks so much for the warning. . . I would have given her the acct. # had I not heard your story!
~Denice
Pages