Complaint Review: Asset Recovery Associates - Villa Park Illinois

This company purchases very old debt way after the statute of limitations has long past.  They use fear and misrepresentation to scare people into paying a debt that no longer is legally required to be paid.  They also claim when they call that they are calling on behalf of your local county court to make it seem like like a legal matter.  

I was called on my cell phone by Tim Johnson about a debt from when I was in college back in 1993.  I was told that it was about to go to court and that my wages were going to be garnished.  ALSO very early in the call they ask for your email address which is very weird.   He told me that the total was over $7k.  Then he put me on the phone with Stephanie Yates who was "his boss".  She told me I could settle for $3k.  I said I would have to think about it and call later.

2 days later, i received a call from my PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT while i was travelling for work, telling me that a Timothy Johnson called, saying he was an attorney and that my wages were going to be garnished!!!!  This would NEVER EVER happen.  You cannot say that to someone other than the actual person.  They also use the tactic of mentioning the name of the person in charge of wage garnishing at your company (which is easy to find out) to make it sound like it's really going to happen.  Only a court order/judgement can cause this.

I then called back, beside myself and spoke to Stephanie again who now LOWERED the settlement to $1400.  Another indicator that they just want anything they can get because that's what bottom feeders do - they take anything that they can get.

They are NOT lawyers.  They are miserable, undereducated, unprofessional examples of human garbage who can't make money any other way than to lie to people to collect debts that are no longer vaild.  

I never post complaints about ANYONE but this experience pushed me over the top and I can only hope it is read by people who I can spare this embarrassment and grief.  They call from 630-599-5060.   They are located in Villa Park, IL.   After doing my research, not only did I find out there are several complaints on this site about them, but I have contacted an attorney who informed me that they have been sued over 19 times for abusing consumers in this way.  I was intimidated and lied to and misled into paying them $1400 and i am beyond disgusted but taking the step of calling my place of employment and saying these things to people i work with is a major issue for me.

Here are their numbers:

Your caller ID will show 630-599-5060.  

Their "contracts" say (888)-409-5060 - fax (888)-315-1550

ARA

Asset Recovery Associates

P.O. BOX 5002

Villa Park, IL 60181

MY ADVICE:  before calling ANYONE back about any "financial matter", look them up online first to know who you are dealing with.  I was travelling for work and thus was caught off guard.  Do not make the mistake I made.  

Best of luck.