Newbie
Posts: 1 
January 16th, 2007, 04:56 PM
Ok I recently have been getting phone calls from Portfolio Management Canada telling me that I owe 1.682 and 32 cents. They told me my previous address and even my brothers phone number as a contact. They said that I owe the bill with Bell Canada (never had a phone with them) and today I got a call saying that they need my CLOSING INFORMATION within the next 48 hours. Now apparently I owed this debt from 2002. I am 17 it is 2007 my birthday is in July and we moved from that place in Dec 2002. The account was open from Jun 2002 - Sept 2003 and they bought the account in 2005. Bell Canada never called me and they wouldnt (shouldent) have my cell phone number being that Ive never given it out (only to friends) I use my dad's office number. But they had mine AND my moms cell phone numbers..(its like they found it on some kind of phone book over the internet with fido being that its an unlisted number)
In 2002 when they said I had the account with Bell I was 12... my mom had a phone with Sprint and then Rodgers. Now they are trieing to tell me that I have to send a copy of my SIN number, my birth certificate, and my passport in to prove I am only 17. They wont believe me and they even know what school I went to
. This is really getting to me and Ive no idea what to do. They said that my dad cant help me and that I will be held responsible.
From what Ive read on this thread they sound like a crock of sh** but they sounded very legit on the phone. My mom said not to send anything till they can prove that it was me. If anyone has anything on this send me an email at epiphany_inmypants@hotmail.com (yeah i know haha stole it from my bf cuz it was just so funny) Thank you.
Ok I recently have been getting phone calls from Portfolio Management Canada telling me that I owe 1.682 and 32 cents. They told me my previous address and even my brothers phone number as a contact. They said that I owe the bill with Bell Canada (never had a phone with them) and today I got a call saying that they need my CLOSING INFORMATION within the next 48 hours. Now apparently I owed this debt from 2002. I am 17 it is 2007 my birthday is in July and we moved from that place in Dec 2002. The account was open from Jun 2002 - Sept 2003 and they bought the account in 2005. Bell Canada never called me and they wouldnt (shouldent) have my cell phone number being that Ive never given it out (only to friends) I use my dad's office number. But they had mine AND my moms cell phone numbers..(its like they found it on some kind of phone book over the internet with fido being that its an unlisted number)
In 2002 when they said I had the account with Bell I was 12... my mom had a phone with Sprint and then Rodgers. Now they are trieing to tell me that I have to send a copy of my SIN number, my birth certificate, and my passport in to prove I am only 17. They wont believe me and they even know what school I went to
. This is really getting to me and Ive no idea what to do. They said that my dad cant help me and that I will be held responsible. From what Ive read on this thread they sound like a crock of sh** but they sounded very legit on the phone. My mom said not to send anything till they can prove that it was me. If anyone has anything on this send me an email at epiphany_inmypants@hotmail.com (yeah i know haha stole it from my bf cuz it was just so funny) Thank you.
Newbie
Posts: 1
January 31st, 2007, 12:29 PM
My story:
Well more then 1 year ago, I started gettting phone calls from an automated machine telling me its an urgent phone call.
They keep looking for two different people who don't live here, who I don't know, who I have never known. Its an automated message asked me to press 9 to connect with them. Seeing as how I was warned to never press numbers as asked, I haven't done so.
I have since subscribed to bells call block/privacy to stop these harrassing calls. I have blocked about 8 of their phone numbers. I called bell to see if I could get their help in the matter to get them to stop calling my home. They can't.
Their phone calls tie up my phone line for about 5-8 minutes after I hang up, once they have called.
At this time I didn't know that 1 866- was a safe number to call. I don't ever want to be stuck with a long distance charge that I didn't make, nor wanted to make, for something I never did. I play it safe, I can't afford to lose anything.
Any how. Today after receiving about the 60th phone call of the year, I called the number back (1-866-226-8881) ext 3002 since I snapped at that point. They called right at noon. After Bell assured me it was ok. I left a message to tell them to stop calling my phone, because that person doesn't live here and I don't know them. I didn't get a reply.
I then called back to ext 3001 and asked to speak to a manager. She "huffed" at me and I had to speak with her. After explaining the situation she became extremely rude to me! After all, this was THEIR mistake and not mine. She didn't even apologize to me! She seemed to have just blamed me out right for either not being one of these people. Then she blamed me for taking so long to call them back.
I have no name for the person with whom I have spoken with . She then hung up the phone on me. I have NO idea if they actually removed my phone number from their harrassment list.
I lost several days of work during the last season because they would call and tie up my phone line as my employment called (I am on casual) and they would call at the same time as my work. I didn't have call waiting at the time. Which is something else I was forced to subscribe to because of Portfolio Management Canada!
I would strongly advise anyone who has been dealing with this company to NOT give out any details at all to them. Don't tell them anything about yourself. I called them with a ligitimate complaint and they couldn't even handle ME! They weren't nice, they weren't helpful, and they were rude. That would tell me that the company is a fraud of some sort. Too bad I didn't get this evil persons name on the other end of the phone...
This is my experience... want advise? Just change your phone number if you can. Tell Bell whats happening and you can change it for free because of the situation.
My story:
Well more then 1 year ago, I started gettting phone calls from an automated machine telling me its an urgent phone call.
They keep looking for two different people who don't live here, who I don't know, who I have never known. Its an automated message asked me to press 9 to connect with them. Seeing as how I was warned to never press numbers as asked, I haven't done so.
I have since subscribed to bells call block/privacy to stop these harrassing calls. I have blocked about 8 of their phone numbers. I called bell to see if I could get their help in the matter to get them to stop calling my home. They can't.
Their phone calls tie up my phone line for about 5-8 minutes after I hang up, once they have called.
At this time I didn't know that 1 866- was a safe number to call. I don't ever want to be stuck with a long distance charge that I didn't make, nor wanted to make, for something I never did. I play it safe, I can't afford to lose anything.
Any how. Today after receiving about the 60th phone call of the year, I called the number back (1-866-226-8881) ext 3002 since I snapped at that point. They called right at noon. After Bell assured me it was ok. I left a message to tell them to stop calling my phone, because that person doesn't live here and I don't know them. I didn't get a reply.
I then called back to ext 3001 and asked to speak to a manager. She "huffed" at me and I had to speak with her. After explaining the situation she became extremely rude to me! After all, this was THEIR mistake and not mine. She didn't even apologize to me! She seemed to have just blamed me out right for either not being one of these people. Then she blamed me for taking so long to call them back.
I have no name for the person with whom I have spoken with . She then hung up the phone on me. I have NO idea if they actually removed my phone number from their harrassment list.
I lost several days of work during the last season because they would call and tie up my phone line as my employment called (I am on casual) and they would call at the same time as my work. I didn't have call waiting at the time. Which is something else I was forced to subscribe to because of Portfolio Management Canada!
I would strongly advise anyone who has been dealing with this company to NOT give out any details at all to them. Don't tell them anything about yourself. I called them with a ligitimate complaint and they couldn't even handle ME! They weren't nice, they weren't helpful, and they were rude. That would tell me that the company is a fraud of some sort. Too bad I didn't get this evil persons name on the other end of the phone...
This is my experience... want advise? Just change your phone number if you can. Tell Bell whats happening and you can change it for free because of the situation.
Newbie
Posts: 27
February 22nd, 2007, 10:04 AM
Hi all as an excollector there are still lots that no one knows about.
I have worked for Portfolio and other agencies for 20 years.
The most recent being PMCI as it is referred to.
I am not sure on how popular this forum is but if anyone is interestd in teh ins and outs of PMCI and other collection agencies then let me know.
Hi all as an excollector there are still lots that no one knows about.
I have worked for Portfolio and other agencies for 20 years.
The most recent being PMCI as it is referred to.
I am not sure on how popular this forum is but if anyone is interestd in teh ins and outs of PMCI and other collection agencies then let me know.
Newbie
Posts: 11
March 8th, 2007, 01:53 PM
Now it's my turn to receive a phone call from PMC. Over lunch I received - at work - a voice message asking me to call them to discuss an urgent business matter. I don't know what it's about, although I suspect it might be related to an outstanding department store bill (hint, this large Canadian dept store is no more).
While I don't want to avoid my responsibilities I know there is no way on earth I would be able to afford any sort of repayment - even $50 a month would stretch my resources and would barely make a dent in what I owe (maybe $3500-4000).
I have heard about this 7 year time limit, but how realistic is it? When does the clock start ticking, and what are the ramifications if 7 years does elapse? Is the debt really gone? Do I have a permanent black mark?
I'm assuming this is what the matter is about, but I don't know for sure. Am I risking anything to contact these people and find out what's up? Does that start "the clock" back to 0? I know I haven't used the card in at least 8 or 9 years and I don't think I've made any sort of payment in at least 4 years. Can PMC take me to court for this amount if I don't respond?
Any help/comments would be much appreciated.
Now it's my turn to receive a phone call from PMC. Over lunch I received - at work - a voice message asking me to call them to discuss an urgent business matter. I don't know what it's about, although I suspect it might be related to an outstanding department store bill (hint, this large Canadian dept store is no more).
While I don't want to avoid my responsibilities I know there is no way on earth I would be able to afford any sort of repayment - even $50 a month would stretch my resources and would barely make a dent in what I owe (maybe $3500-4000).
I have heard about this 7 year time limit, but how realistic is it? When does the clock start ticking, and what are the ramifications if 7 years does elapse? Is the debt really gone? Do I have a permanent black mark?
I'm assuming this is what the matter is about, but I don't know for sure. Am I risking anything to contact these people and find out what's up? Does that start "the clock" back to 0? I know I haven't used the card in at least 8 or 9 years and I don't think I've made any sort of payment in at least 4 years. Can PMC take me to court for this amount if I don't respond?
Any help/comments would be much appreciated.
Newbie
Posts: 11
March 13th, 2007, 09:40 AM
PMCI buys debt from companies. Monies ,accounts, owing to these companies from consumers.
After seven years a debt is removed from your credit report and cannot be placed back on your credit report until you ACKNOWLEDGE it again.
If you started a debt account in 1995, say bought a car, but you last made a payment to that account in 1999, your last action on that account would have been in 1999. Your last payment in 1999 would have been considered as your ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of that account.
The seven year rule begins from your last ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of that account. Your last payment in 1999. This applies to all your credit accounts. So, this account of buying a car started in 1995 but was erased in 2006 seven years after your last payment, an ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
When a phone rep contacts you about a debt which has been erased from your credit report and you ACKNOWLEDGE that debt the debt is then replaced back onto your credit report and the seven year cycle starts over again. Now the debt collector has more rights, court action, garnishee's more phone calls and whatever else they can do. YOU ACKNOWLEDGED the debt.
DEBT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
This can be you saying yes to the phone rep over the phone that you did owe money on this account. The conversation is usually recorded. If one person in a conversation knows a conversation is being recorded it is a legal recording.
If you pay money to this erased account you ACKNOWLEDGE the debt.
If you fill in a form and sign it regarding your ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of this debt the debt is reactivated.
PMCI will try to trick you into acknowledging the debt.
Best not to answer their calls they will call less frequently.
DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEBT
All they can do is try to get you to ACKNOWLEDGE the debt. Do not do this if you do the ball will now be in their court aimed at you.
Good Luck
PMCI buys debt from companies. Monies ,accounts, owing to these companies from consumers.
After seven years a debt is removed from your credit report and cannot be placed back on your credit report until you ACKNOWLEDGE it again.
If you started a debt account in 1995, say bought a car, but you last made a payment to that account in 1999, your last action on that account would have been in 1999. Your last payment in 1999 would have been considered as your ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of that account.
The seven year rule begins from your last ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of that account. Your last payment in 1999. This applies to all your credit accounts. So, this account of buying a car started in 1995 but was erased in 2006 seven years after your last payment, an ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
When a phone rep contacts you about a debt which has been erased from your credit report and you ACKNOWLEDGE that debt the debt is then replaced back onto your credit report and the seven year cycle starts over again. Now the debt collector has more rights, court action, garnishee's more phone calls and whatever else they can do. YOU ACKNOWLEDGED the debt.
DEBT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
This can be you saying yes to the phone rep over the phone that you did owe money on this account. The conversation is usually recorded. If one person in a conversation knows a conversation is being recorded it is a legal recording.
If you pay money to this erased account you ACKNOWLEDGE the debt.
If you fill in a form and sign it regarding your ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of this debt the debt is reactivated.
PMCI will try to trick you into acknowledging the debt.
Best not to answer their calls they will call less frequently.
DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEBT
All they can do is try to get you to ACKNOWLEDGE the debt. Do not do this if you do the ball will now be in their court aimed at you.
Good Luck
Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,978 
March 13th, 2007, 12:57 PM
Quoting Just4Me
That's funny.
While I don't want to avoid my responsibilities I know there is no way on earth I would be able to afford any sort of repayment - even $50 a month would stretch my resources and would barely make a dent in what I owe (maybe $3500-4000).
Newbie
Posts: 11
March 14th, 2007, 12:33 PM
In my situation, I last made a payment some time in '03 (to a collection agency (CBCL?), not the original creditor and not PMCI). That would have been the last time I acknowledged the debt, as you put it. So I've got a while to go before the 7 years elapses. To my knowledge this debt is not on my credit history (another credit card company I'm working with said I had no bad black marks, and I'm sure this would be considered a bad black mark!). Can PMCI take me to court over this amount, seeing as I'm within this 7 yr period?
So far I have not been at my desk to answer my phone at work (they don't have my phone #). Sooner or later they will get me when I'm there - what is the best way to handle the call? My first instinct is to hang up, but they'll just call back. Needless to say I don't want them calling me repeatedly at work. I'm sure they'll gladly stop if I offer to give them my home #, which obviously I won't do. Do I ask for proof of the debt I owe? What if they send it to me? Any suggestions?
Thanks for the feedback! It is much appreciated!!!
Quoting credit
Okay, so what you're saying makes sense, but in your situation I bought a car in '95, my last payment was in '99 and somehow I avoided paying up to and including today. The seven years is up. Am I still able to be contacted about the money?
When a phone rep contacts you about a debt which has been erased from your credit report and you ACKNOWLEDGE that debt the debt is then replaced back onto your credit report and the seven year cycle starts over again. Now the debt collector has more rights, court action, garnishee's more phone calls and whatever else they can do. YOU ACKNOWLEDGED the debt.
In my situation, I last made a payment some time in '03 (to a collection agency (CBCL?), not the original creditor and not PMCI). That would have been the last time I acknowledged the debt, as you put it. So I've got a while to go before the 7 years elapses. To my knowledge this debt is not on my credit history (another credit card company I'm working with said I had no bad black marks, and I'm sure this would be considered a bad black mark!). Can PMCI take me to court over this amount, seeing as I'm within this 7 yr period?
So far I have not been at my desk to answer my phone at work (they don't have my phone #). Sooner or later they will get me when I'm there - what is the best way to handle the call? My first instinct is to hang up, but they'll just call back. Needless to say I don't want them calling me repeatedly at work. I'm sure they'll gladly stop if I offer to give them my home #, which obviously I won't do. Do I ask for proof of the debt I owe? What if they send it to me? Any suggestions?
Thanks for the feedback! It is much appreciated!!!
Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,978
March 14th, 2007, 12:50 PM
Plus
I can't afford to pay this
Plus
After seven years does it go away
Equals
I want to avoid responsibility for this.
That's what's funny.
Start out with a statement and then contract it completely, while looking for help/sympathy. It's funny.
Quoting Just4Me
I don't want to avoid responsibility
Not to be obtuse, but I don't get the joke. I'm more than willing to laugh at my situation, even blame myself for getting into it in the first place, but try as I might I don't get the ha-ha.
Plus
I can't afford to pay this
Plus
After seven years does it go away
Equals
I want to avoid responsibility for this.
That's what's funny.
Start out with a statement and then contract it completely, while looking for help/sympathy. It's funny.
Newbie
Posts: 11
March 14th, 2007, 01:07 PM
Actually, I'm not contradicting myself. I am more than happy to accept responsibility - assuming the debt in question is actually mine and is legitimate - and if they would accept $40 or $50/month for as long as it takes to pay off the debt they're welcome to it. But that's not what they'll want - they'll want the full amount and the sooner the better.
I'm not going to lie, if this debt was wiped out of existence I wouldn't shed a tear. So if it's a matter of simply not responding to a phone call or letter, why wouldn't I? Why should I put my head in the noose for their benefit?
I know on the surface it seems contradictory, but it's the nature of the situation. Let's see... manageable payment arrangement versus constant harassment... which to choose. If that was my choice, I'd be calling them this minute. Assuming the debt is mine, it's mine to repay. But collection agencies want their money today, in full or at least in large amounts. They don't get rich off of $25/month payment plans spread over 10 years.
Actually, I'm not contradicting myself. I am more than happy to accept responsibility - assuming the debt in question is actually mine and is legitimate - and if they would accept $40 or $50/month for as long as it takes to pay off the debt they're welcome to it. But that's not what they'll want - they'll want the full amount and the sooner the better.
I'm not going to lie, if this debt was wiped out of existence I wouldn't shed a tear. So if it's a matter of simply not responding to a phone call or letter, why wouldn't I? Why should I put my head in the noose for their benefit?
I know on the surface it seems contradictory, but it's the nature of the situation. Let's see... manageable payment arrangement versus constant harassment... which to choose. If that was my choice, I'd be calling them this minute. Assuming the debt is mine, it's mine to repay. But collection agencies want their money today, in full or at least in large amounts. They don't get rich off of $25/month payment plans spread over 10 years.
Newbie
Posts: 11
March 14th, 2007, 03:18 PM
can't say why its not on your credit history. Maybe obtain a copy of your credit file. Call "Equifax",you can obtain a free report yearly through the mail. Just provide them with photocopies of certain id's.
They can explain. TransUnion is also another credit reporting company. They also can provide free yearly credit reports to consumers through the mail. Just apply as same as Equifax.
Regarding PMCI calls, recognize their ph number through call display if available, ignore it.
Or just ask them who is calling? what is this matter about? can I take a message? when they ask for soandso. They are limited by law to a certain number of calls per week they can make to an individual.
Look this up government of Canada, Consumer Awareness or something of the such. It explains in detail the limitations credit collectors have.
P.S. If its not on your credit report how can they be sure, in court, its you?
can't say why its not on your credit history. Maybe obtain a copy of your credit file. Call "Equifax",you can obtain a free report yearly through the mail. Just provide them with photocopies of certain id's.
They can explain. TransUnion is also another credit reporting company. They also can provide free yearly credit reports to consumers through the mail. Just apply as same as Equifax.
Regarding PMCI calls, recognize their ph number through call display if available, ignore it.
Or just ask them who is calling? what is this matter about? can I take a message? when they ask for soandso. They are limited by law to a certain number of calls per week they can make to an individual.
Look this up government of Canada, Consumer Awareness or something of the such. It explains in detail the limitations credit collectors have.
P.S. If its not on your credit report how can they be sure, in court, its you?
Newbie
Posts: 2
March 21st, 2007, 03:09 PM
For the past few months every now and then I would get a message on my machine from a robot saying that there was an "important business matter" for "J Tompkins". There isn't a a J Tompkins at our house, so I ignored it.
So, today, I call home from work to check the machine and it's a real person calling to leave a message. He sounded professional, said who he was and who he worked for and once again it was for J Tompkins. With a name like "Portfolio Management" I thought it was an RRSP place and this guy was going to miss out on something for tax season or whatnot.
So, I call the guy at PMC back, and he was actually really nice. I told him that I kept getting messages for J. Tompkins and that J. Tompkins doesn't live at our house. (the PMC guy actually repeated "house" to me... which I thought was strange) He then offered to take the number off the contact list, but needed me to give him the number again (eventhough he said "Oh, I just called there not that long ago") So I gave it to him and he said thank you and have a nice day.
Now I am just wondering if by giving him the phone number (although they already obviously had it...) I was giving him information that I shouldn't have. Especially after reading this thread.
For the past few months every now and then I would get a message on my machine from a robot saying that there was an "important business matter" for "J Tompkins". There isn't a a J Tompkins at our house, so I ignored it.
So, today, I call home from work to check the machine and it's a real person calling to leave a message. He sounded professional, said who he was and who he worked for and once again it was for J Tompkins. With a name like "Portfolio Management" I thought it was an RRSP place and this guy was going to miss out on something for tax season or whatnot.
So, I call the guy at PMC back, and he was actually really nice. I told him that I kept getting messages for J. Tompkins and that J. Tompkins doesn't live at our house. (the PMC guy actually repeated "house" to me... which I thought was strange) He then offered to take the number off the contact list, but needed me to give him the number again (eventhough he said "Oh, I just called there not that long ago") So I gave it to him and he said thank you and have a nice day.
Now I am just wondering if by giving him the phone number (although they already obviously had it...) I was giving him information that I shouldn't have. Especially after reading this thread.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 6,464
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
March 21st, 2007, 03:15 PM
he already had your number. I doubt there's anything he'd do with it the second time he got it that he wouldn't have already done
he already had your number. I doubt there's anything he'd do with it the second time he got it that he wouldn't have already done
