10-03-2006, 07:08 PM
866 numbers can't forward to pay-numbers that charge-back to the caller.
What you're describing is very typical of collection callers. They don't leave their company names.
It's actually illegal for them NOT to disclose their company's name when/if you call back, but they may not give you any more information than that -- including the reason why they called -- because they have a duty of confidentiality to the debtor.
The way to get the calls to stop is to call them back and tell them that the person they're looking for is not at that phone number. It may take several calls, but eventually it does work (usually).
More importantly, this points to a serious problem with your mom's credit history that will need to be addressed. If it's gotten to a collection agency, it's probably also screwing up her credit reports. You'd better make sure that the credit-line is cancelled and that the niece is paying off the debt. Call for copies of her credit reports from all three reporting agencies (you are entitled to get a free report from each once a year). You may want to consult a credit-counselor to fix the damage to your mom's credit history.
Free credit report information:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/20..._free.html
What you're describing is very typical of collection callers. They don't leave their company names.
It's actually illegal for them NOT to disclose their company's name when/if you call back, but they may not give you any more information than that -- including the reason why they called -- because they have a duty of confidentiality to the debtor.
The way to get the calls to stop is to call them back and tell them that the person they're looking for is not at that phone number. It may take several calls, but eventually it does work (usually).
More importantly, this points to a serious problem with your mom's credit history that will need to be addressed. If it's gotten to a collection agency, it's probably also screwing up her credit reports. You'd better make sure that the credit-line is cancelled and that the niece is paying off the debt. Call for copies of her credit reports from all three reporting agencies (you are entitled to get a free report from each once a year). You may want to consult a credit-counselor to fix the damage to your mom's credit history.
Free credit report information:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/20..._free.html