Leaves no message-called several times during day hours while I am at work

MICHAEL DAY IS THE NAME GIVEN. CALLS SEVERAL TIMES ONCE DURING A JOB INTERVIEW. TOLD ME HE IS TRYING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND THAT I USED THE CREDIT CARD COMPNAY'S MONEY AND I SHOULD BORROW FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR WHY HAVEN'T I FILED BANKRUPTCY. I TRIED TO MAKE AN ARRANGMENT ON PAYMENT HE TOLD ME TO GET REAL.

I get calls from this number constantly.  The debt is in my husbands name only.  My husband is now in a nursing home because of Alzheimer's and a stroke he suffered last year.  I explain all of this, and they call me.  My name was never on any of his charge cards, and I never used the cards, I have my own.  I feel that they are ruining my credit history, as they say I am his contact person.  We are both seniors, my husband just turned 80 this past November.  Any suggestions.

Here is the name and address of the collection agency that's calling you about your husband:

Viking Collection Service, Inc.
7500 Office Ridge Circle, Suite 100
Eden Prairie, MN  55344
800-767-7895
952-944-7575
www.vikingservice.com

I suggest sending Viking a cease-communication letter. In the letter, tell them that they are repeatedly calling you about a debt that is not yours and that they are to cease all communication with you. I would also warn them that you will promptly pursue legal sanctions against them if they disregard your cease communication notice or if they report any adverse information on your credit report.  If Viking contacts you more than once after receiving your letter, then they are in violation of the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and you and seek damages against them in court for each violation.  Just be sure to send your letter via certified US Mail with a return receipt request, and save a copy of your letter.

Your husband can also send Viking a cease-communication letter. If he's not able to do it himself, an attorney or anyone with his power-of-attorney can do it on his behalf.  (On a personal note, this is something I had to do on behalf of my Alzheimer's-stricken grandfather last year. A corrupt debt collection operation was hassling him for a debt that they knew wasn't his debt; they thought they could scare a senile old man into sending them money. Fortunately, we caught them and put an end to their harassment.) Even though the debts Viking is calling about belong to your husband, the FDCPA rules still apply; if your husband informs them to cease communication, they must do so or face civil penalties.

For more information on protecting yourselves against debt collectors and, if need be, suing them, check out these websites:

Consumer Credit Advocate Bud Hibbs - http://www.budhibbs.com/First.htm
National Association of Consumer Advocates - http://www.naca.net/debt-collection-abuse/
Fair Debt Collection - http://fair-debt-collection.com/
Warren & Vullings, LLP - http://www.fairdebtlawyers.com/
My Fair Debt - http://www.myfairdebt.com/
Consumer Counsel Group - http://www.consumercounselgroup.com

Hope this helps. Good luck.

By the way, Viking is no stranger to the federal court defendant's chair. Here's a lengthy list of federal lawsuits filed against Viking Collection Service alleging violations of federal debt collection laws: http://dockets.justia.com/search?query=viking ... 2&max-year=2008