I'm Livid....and I don't get this way often....

Dyre Straits · Jan 15, 2007, 09:54 AM

I got a notice in the mail a couple of days ago and it's had me both scratching my head as well as digging through my distant memories as to whether there is any shred of truth to the claims.

What it is is this: It's a notice that indicates Personal & Confidential right in the envelope window. It's clearly addressed to me. The return address shows: RJM Acquisitions LLC located at an address in NY USA.

OK, they have my curiosity peaked. What's this all about?

So, I open the letter and start reading.....

The first thing I notice is a bold subject line:

WE ARE YOUR NEW CREDITOR

it proclaims. Huh? I haven't applied for any new line of credit and haven't for quite some time. What's up? I read on.....

Original Previous Creditor: Wachovia Bank, N.A. OVERDRAFT/DDA ACCT

What?! Overdraft??? What gives????

I continue reading.....

Balance Due: $52.00

This is starting to get under my skin now.... Since when do I owe anyone, Wachovia Bank, in particular, $52.00???

I look down the page....

Date Account Opened: July 7, 1997

HUH??? Almost TEN YEARS AGO???!!!

Well, first of all, I've NEVER, EVER had an account with Wachovia Bank. AND, to my knowledge, I've never had an account with any of the banks that were bought out by Wachovia.

This RJM Acquisitions wants to offer a lower settlement: $31.20 will resolve this purported Overdraft amount. They'll be happy to take either TWO payments of $15.60 OR if I cannot pay this, I can opt to pay them $7.80 per month until the full $52.00 is paid off.

Well, take a hike into the Hudson River RJM Acquistioins LLC, I don't OWE any Wachovia Bank, nor YOU, even one rusty red penny!

After chewing on this for a couple of days, I decided to do a little search using Google.

Seems this is a neat little scam this company has going and I'm posting about it here just to make everyone else aware that online scams aren't the only kind. These scumbags are everywhere trying to scare people into paying these neat and tidy small sums of money thinking their credit is going to get ruined if they don't.

As soon as the holiday is over (Martin Luther King, Jr's USA Holiday - Jan 15, this year) I'll be letting the Georgia State Attorneys General office know about this incident and see what happens from there.

Here's one other little tidbit for you to know about: This company buys out very, very old and uncollectable debts. They often don't get all the paperwork and what they do get is bits and pieces of them. In my case, apparently, they got some parts of a Social Security number and used only the first two and last two numbers to pair me up with someone else's bad debt.

It ain't gonna work on me!!!

BUT, here's the rub: If someone DOES send these creeps any money at all, that uncollectable debt now becomes a valid and collectable debt because they have now eliminated any statutes of limitations on it. So, even if the notice of debt is valid in a particular case, if it's past something like seven years old, it's past the statutes of limitations here in the USA. You can forget about it and toss that piece of junk mail into the bin where it belongs.

Stay tuned.....there may be some interesting developments on this.

mainman · Jan 15, 2007, 09:58 AM

They come up with scams like those every single day. Guess they found a loop whole in the US legal system and theyre taking advantage of it.

SFOSOK · Jan 15, 2007, 10:18 AM

shoot em

LeanWolf · Jan 15, 2007, 10:36 AM

man that's low, what kind of pond scum thinks up these things?

Falstaff · Jan 15, 2007, 10:47 AM

still waitng to collect on my winning lottery ticket from the UK...hang in there...

Tinkerhell · Jan 16, 2007, 04:23 PM

Extra inncentive to check your credit report every 4 months. It's free and let's you keep an eye on scum like this to make sure they don't manage to attach something to you without your knowing it...

Vikingod · Jan 16, 2007, 04:40 PM

We get these things all the time. Rule of thumb, if you don't think you owe the debt, you can't remember owing the debt, or you are sure you don't owe the debt, odds are you don't. Billions are made worldwide with this type of scam, which always leads to ID theft. If you aren't receiving phone calls associated with the "bad debt", its generally a scam (and sometimes even if you are). If you've never heard of the company, do some research. Not just the internet, you can call and speak to your personal banker/financial advisor, and they can tap their resources, and will be happy to do so.

These people pray on two things. Number one, People's lack of tracking when it comes to debt, or the ignornace of the system. Big one here is doctor bills (dont get me started on that system). Two, the embarrassment people feel about bad debt that causes them to not ask questions. You would be surprised how often these things get out of hand because instead of asking someone in the know, they just pay the 20-50 bucks because they felt embarassed to ask a question.

I commend you Dyre, good thing you didn't fall for it, but many people do.

edit: I should note, please check your credit report annually. Its free (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp), and the single best way to stop ID theft.

Lelisevis · Jan 16, 2007, 05:06 PM

Post them a turd in the return envelope.

Better still you have an address go sign them up for some junk mail. When I say some I mean SOME

MrSpock2002 · Jan 16, 2007, 08:13 PM

I say you go make a little visit to their office. Strap some C4 in and around it, slap the timer in it for 5 minutes and run your ass off as fast as you can til your clear.

~~DudeBoyz~~ · Jan 16, 2007, 08:20 PM

I hate that kinda stuff cause you are not sure if it is real or not, and then you have to spend a bunch of time trying to fix it if it is real.

Sometimes the world is just NUTS!

Judas · Jan 16, 2007, 08:51 PM

imo, all legal documents of some sort should NEVER be sent through email, i mean sure, get a notice through email, but when it comes down to the crunch, actual mailed physical mail would be where i would consider it fairly legit.

Dyre Straits · Jan 16, 2007, 08:58 PM

Judas, I'm not sure if you understood my original post. This notice came through the mail....not e-mail. Since I have never had an account with Wachovia, there's no way I can owe this money. It's a simple and plain scam and there's plenty of online evidence to show it. Just do a Google for RJM Acquisitions.

Judas · Jan 16, 2007, 09:03 PM

They aren't legal documents are they?

i mean the certified legal documents, rather then your typical run of the mill mail evelope and notice.

I'm not sure how it works down there. hmmm

Dyre Straits · Jan 16, 2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

They aren't legal documents are they?

i mean the certified legal documents, rather then your typical run of the mill mail evelope and notice.

I'm not sure how it works down there. hmmm

Nah...this was just some stupid spam mail they send out. No included proof of debt or anything.

Judas · Jan 17, 2007, 01:58 AM

yeah then that'd be almost blatently obvious...

i mean it'd be a joke well after 7 years

letterboy1 · Jan 21, 2007, 09:53 PM

I just got the exact same letter saying I opened an account at Wachovia in Feb 2002 (don't remember that one). I've been with Columbus Bank and Trust since before then and didn't have any dealings with other banks since then. So I did a Google search and got alot of hits including this thread (I'm a gamer and sometimes come here), so I thought I'd pop in since I'm also a GA resident as I assume you are, Dyre. I'm glad you (and others on the net) posted this because as has been mentioned, sometimes you doubt your own memory when it comes to these things.

Dyre Straits · Jan 22, 2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letterboy1

I just got the exact same letter saying I opened an account at Wachovia in Feb 2002 (don't remember that one). I've been with Columbus Bank and Trust since before then and didn't have any dealings with other banks since then. So I did a Google search and got alot of hits including this thread (I'm a gamer and sometimes come here), so I thought I'd pop in since I'm also a GA resident as I assume you are, Dyre. I'm glad you (and others on the net) posted this because as has been mentioned, sometimes you doubt your own memory when it comes to these things.

The advice I've gotten so far is to send a certified, signature required letter to this scumbag company requesting any and all documentation indicating that I owe this money. That's pretty much the sum of it.

When they don't comply, then they are open to a lawsuit for non-compliance to federal laws REQUIRING that they provide all documents related to this alleged debt.

This kind of stuff burns me up! They are the bottom dwellers.

Dyre Straits · Jan 23, 2007, 11:01 AM

I got yet another of these insidious letters today and claiming I owe money from Dec. 2002! Also, with Wachovia Bank which I've never had any accounts with. Grrrrrr!!!!!!

Judas · Jan 23, 2007, 08:21 PM

isn't there some way to report the fraudulant mail to the post offices?

ckh · Feb 2, 2007, 10:03 PM

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THAT COLLECTION AGENCY! I got a letter from them too. Although I did have an account with Wachovia, it was over ten years ago. I looked the agency up at the Better Business Bureau national website and found that they have had many problems with consumers. Contract disputes, credit or billing disputes and delivery issues. If you want to settle any financial problems, deal with the bank/company themselves. You don't know that once you pay the collection agencies the money they asked for, the debt will actually be settled.

Jan 15, 2007, 09:58 AM	#2
mainman Mr. Nobody Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OmniPresent Nightwatcher Posts: 5,961 Rep Power: 69	They come up with scams like those every single day. Guess they found a loop whole in the US legal system and theyre taking advantage of it. __________________

Jan 15, 2007, 10:18 AM	#3
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	shoot em __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Jan 15, 2007, 10:36 AM	#4
LeanWolf alpha male Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Skyrim Posts: 5,702 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	man that's low, what kind of pond scum thinks up these things? __________________

Jan 15, 2007, 10:47 AM	#5
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,047 Rep Power: 206	still waitng to collect on my winning lottery ticket from the UK...hang in there... __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Jan 16, 2007, 04:23 PM	#6
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 42	Extra inncentive to check your credit report every 4 months. It's free and let's you keep an eye on scum like this to make sure they don't manage to attach something to you without your knowing it... __________________ Stupidity should be painful if not terminal. Darwin for Sainthood!!

Jan 16, 2007, 04:40 PM	#7
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	We get these things all the time. Rule of thumb, if you don't think you owe the debt, you can't remember owing the debt, or you are sure you don't owe the debt, odds are you don't. Billions are made worldwide with this type of scam, which always leads to ID theft. If you aren't receiving phone calls associated with the "bad debt", its generally a scam (and sometimes even if you are). If you've never heard of the company, do some research. Not just the internet, you can call and speak to your personal banker/financial advisor, and they can tap their resources, and will be happy to do so. These people pray on two things. Number one, People's lack of tracking when it comes to debt, or the ignornace of the system. Big one here is doctor bills (dont get me started on that system). Two, the embarrassment people feel about bad debt that causes them to not ask questions. You would be surprised how often these things get out of hand because instead of asking someone in the know, they just pay the 20-50 bucks because they felt embarassed to ask a question. I commend you Dyre, good thing you didn't fall for it, but many people do. edit: I should note, please check your credit report annually. Its free (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp), and the single best way to stop ID theft. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Jan 16, 2007, 05:06 PM	#8
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	Post them a turd in the return envelope. Better still you have an address go sign them up for some junk mail. When I say some I mean SOME

Jan 16, 2007, 08:13 PM	#9
MrSpock2002 Because I said so! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Watkins Glen NY Posts: 542 Rep Power: 0	I say you go make a little visit to their office. Strap some C4 in and around it, slap the timer in it for 5 minutes and run your ass off as fast as you can til your clear.

Jan 16, 2007, 08:20 PM	#10
~~DudeBoyz~~ banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,677 Rep Power: 0	I hate that kinda stuff cause you are not sure if it is real or not, and then you have to spend a bunch of time trying to fix it if it is real. Sometimes the world is just NUTS!

Jan 21, 2007, 09:53 PM	#16
letterboy1 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Columbus, GA. USA Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	I just got the exact same letter saying I opened an account at Wachovia in Feb 2002 (don't remember that one). I've been with Columbus Bank and Trust since before then and didn't have any dealings with other banks since then. So I did a Google search and got alot of hits including this thread (I'm a gamer and sometimes come here), so I thought I'd pop in since I'm also a GA resident as I assume you are, Dyre. I'm glad you (and others on the net) posted this because as has been mentioned, sometimes you doubt your own memory when it comes to these things.

Feb 2, 2007, 10:03 PM	#20
ckh DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THAT COLLECTION AGENCY! I got a letter from them too. Although I did have an account with Wachovia, it was over ten years ago. I looked the agency up at the Better Business Bureau national website and found that they have had many problems with consumers. Contract disputes, credit or billing disputes and delivery issues. If you want to settle any financial problems, deal with the bank/company themselves. You don't know that once you pay the collection agencies the money they asked for, the debt will actually be settled.