SCAM DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY?
February 4, 2009 9:04 PM Subscribe
KEYFINANCIAL.US a real debt collection agency?
I've been getting numerous calls from a person who claims he's calling from Key Financial. I was about to make a payment today out a guilty conscience but stopped before I gave him the credit card security code. Has anyone heard of Key Financial before? I this company legit? Thanks.
I've been getting numerous calls from a person who claims he's calling from Key Financial. I was about to make a payment today out a guilty conscience but stopped before I gave him the credit card security code. Has anyone heard of Key Financial before? I this company legit? Thanks.
Do you owe anyone money that you know of? If not, probably a scam. Doubly so because why would anyone allow you to pay a debt on a credit card?
That you didn't give them your credit card security digits implies that you gave them the rest of it. There are plenty of things you can buy without the extra digits. I would call the bank that issued your credit card immediately, tell them what happened, that it made you suspicious, and get them to replace it. Also ask them to check for any charges made after you received that call.
posted by kindall at 9:30 PM on February 4, 2009
That you didn't give them your credit card security digits implies that you gave them the rest of it. There are plenty of things you can buy without the extra digits. I would call the bank that issued your credit card immediately, tell them what happened, that it made you suspicious, and get them to replace it. Also ask them to check for any charges made after you received that call.
posted by kindall at 9:30 PM on February 4, 2009
Doubly so because why would anyone allow you to pay a debt on a credit card?
Why would they care how a debtor pays them, as long as they get their money?
Seems pretty obvious.
posted by jayder at 10:35 PM on February 4, 2009
Why would they care how a debtor pays them, as long as they get their money?
Seems pretty obvious.
posted by jayder at 10:35 PM on February 4, 2009
Near as I can tell they're legitimate (I'm one city over in Wisconsin).
Run a credit report (free ones guaranteed at annualcreditreport.com, the official industry-authorized site) and make sure you don't have anything in collections. And when they call again make sure they tell you the original creditor and any other identifying information.
Usually if it's legitimate you can offer a settlement anyway, pennies on the dollar, and they'll take it. Make sure you get the debt marked as PAID IN FULL afterward.
posted by dhartung at 11:11 PM on February 4, 2009 [1 favorite]
Run a credit report (free ones guaranteed at annualcreditreport.com, the official industry-authorized site) and make sure you don't have anything in collections. And when they call again make sure they tell you the original creditor and any other identifying information.
Usually if it's legitimate you can offer a settlement anyway, pennies on the dollar, and they'll take it. Make sure you get the debt marked as PAID IN FULL afterward.
posted by dhartung at 11:11 PM on February 4, 2009 [1 favorite]
Do you owe anyone money that you know of? If not, probably a scam. Doubly so because why would anyone allow you to pay a debt on a credit card?
I've paid many debts by credit card, so this isn't a valid point at all.
But I've had this situation before, and I always say "please mail me detailed documentation and I'll pay as soon as I get it." If they're legit, they send you something - if not, you never hear from them again.
posted by mmoncur at 12:43 AM on February 5, 2009
I've paid many debts by credit card, so this isn't a valid point at all.
But I've had this situation before, and I always say "please mail me detailed documentation and I'll pay as soon as I get it." If they're legit, they send you something - if not, you never hear from them again.
posted by mmoncur at 12:43 AM on February 5, 2009
I was about to make a payment today out a guilty conscience...
Hold on. Has this person given you any details about this purported debt you owe? They need to be able to tell you who you owe and when this debt was incurred. You don't just pay a supposed debt out of the goodness of your heart. Verify it first!
posted by Thorzdad at 4:33 AM on February 5, 2009
Hold on. Has this person given you any details about this purported debt you owe? They need to be able to tell you who you owe and when this debt was incurred. You don't just pay a supposed debt out of the goodness of your heart. Verify it first!
posted by Thorzdad at 4:33 AM on February 5, 2009
Yup. Verify it first. It is your right and you should do it first.
Quick googling turned this up:
FDCPA Section 809. Validation of debts [15 USC 1692g]
(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.
posted by 7life at 10:39 AM on February 5, 2009
Quick googling turned this up:
FDCPA Section 809. Validation of debts [15 USC 1692g]
(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.
posted by 7life at 10:39 AM on February 5, 2009
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posted by rhizome at 9:05 PM on February 4, 2009