Are you still getting any calls from Rachel at "Cardholder Services"

[Khadaji]

Got a call this week from some card services. I only know because I googled the phone number.

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

Found one on my answering machine.

[panache45]

Yesterday.

[N9IWP]

Got a couple calls about collecting a debt, but they want me top call an 800 number. If they were really trying to collect a debt, wouldn’t they either snail me or call me directly (and not make me call back?)

Brian

[PunditLisa]

Got 2 calls on my home phone and 1 on my cell. There has got to be a way to fight back.

[BigAppleBucky]

Calling Out the Robocaller (Published 2013)

NY Times column - “The Haggler”

• Seems like a consumer advocate / ombudsman type of thing.

LAST month, the Haggler was sitting at home when the phone rang.

“This is your second and final notice,” intoned the stern voice of a robocaller. This vaguely threatening opener segued quickly into a lilting spiel about credit cards and consolidation. Something about an offer to lower rates? It was hard to tell, but when the Haggler heard he could press 1 for more information, naturally, he pressed 1.

After a pause, a man introduced himself as Robert, and offered the services of Account Management Assistance. It was hard to tell exactly what A.M.A. was selling, but the Haggler was assured it would cost him nothing and reduce his credit card interest payments.

“Sure, I’m interested,” quoth the Haggler, hoping to draw out some information. But Robert was soon spooked by this softball question: “Where are you guys located?”

Click.

He tried chasing down the criminals. As best he could tell they were:
Brenda and Tony Helfenstine of Florida. Living at 1760 Sundance Drive, in St. Cloud.

A couple of their phone numbers: 407-480-4489 and 855-462-3833.

Finally, he gives the Florida agencies that didn’t care enough to shut these folks down:

So, dear readers, the Haggler cordially invites you to contact Adam Putnam, commissioner of Florida’s consumer services department, on Twitter at @adamputnam, and Pam Bondi, Florida’s attorney general, at @AGPamBondi. Tell them you care. And stay tuned.

I still get one or two calls a week. Used to get five or six. More of these folks need to go to prison.