888-379-4884

Thanks for the information... I know I have old debts, most of them paid off... so I am not calling them back they can call me "until the cows come home"...

I had been receiving severeal automated messages on my answering maching from ALW Sourcing, LLC for a "Melissa Jones."  After deleting several messages, I opted to return the call to inform ALW they had the wrong number.  I spoke with a very nice gentleman who thanked me and stated he would remove my number... however... 5 days later I received a notice from ALW in my maiden name (one I've not used in over 6 years) stating I was to pay $1183.05.  There was little detail as to what the amount was for.... the notice simply states:
Former Creditor- Perimeter Credit, LLC
Regarding: Tidelands
Purchase Balance: $406.33
Interest: $776.72
Interest: Rate 8.0
Total: $1183.05

I've impeccible credit- never pay bills late and have no outstanding debts and have never received any bills or notifications from Tidelands or Perimiter, LLC; I've absolutely no idea what type of business "Tidelands" is, what purchases could have been made nor who "Perimeter Credit, LLC" was (although internet search shows they are also a collection agency who recently had a judgement placed against them for unlawful collection practices and fined $300,000)... so naturally, I began to surf the net.  I've found several people have had similar experiences.  

After searching for information regarding "Debt Validation" I had come across the following website:
http://credit.about.com/od/debtcollection/tp/debt-validation-faq.htm

I highly recommend everyone who has received calls and letters from ALW to visit this website.  Notifications from bill collectors should not be ignored; even if they are bogus claims, as they will eventually notify credit agencies and affect your credit rating.  Debt collectors are required to notify you in writing, of your debt validation rights within 5 days of initially contacting you (thus the bogus phone messages asking for "Melissa Jones"... although shady...they needn't be honest, just have on record that they've "contacted" you.)  

Should you receive a notice from ALW, you have (as stated) 30 days from receipt of the letter to request (in writing) debt verification.  I received a letter from ALW on July 19th and sent a debt verification letter requesting copies of:

1.) The business name and address of the client (to whom the debt is owed) and a written agreement with the client that authorizes ALW to collect on the alleged debt.

2.)Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she promises to pay the creditor- to prove I am indeed the party who is by contract obligated to pay the debt.  (Since identify theft has become rampant.)

3.) A complete transaction and payment history on the account so as to prove that the debt amount ALW wishes to collect is correct.

I had requested the information be sent to me within 30 days; it's August 6th and I've yet to receive anything... granted it's still a little early (note:  my letter was sent priority / certified mail.  ALW received and signed for my letter at 11:03am on July 22, 2009.)

I'm hoping all this is a case of mistaken identity or simply an error... however, I'm not taking any chances.  As stated previously, notifications from collection agencies (shady or not) should not go ignored.  Consequences to your credit rating could be devastating and time consuming to correct.

It's important to be informed, review:
http://credit.about.com/od/debtcollection/a/collectionlaw.htm
for information concerning Fair Debt Collection practices.  I'll provide updates to my situation as soon as possible.

Good luck to all.

To correct to a statement made by DeAirra:

It is not necessarily true that you are obligated to pay a debt if it's a few months to 20 years old.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA,1970)
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/031224fcra.pdf

places a statute of limitations on debt which vary by state:
http://credit.about.com/od/statuteoflimitations/a/entirestatesol.htm

The statute of limitations begins on last date of activity on the account.

http://credit.about.com/od/debtcollection/a/soflimitations.htm

To further quote About.com from the hyperlink provided above:

"Even if the statute of limitations has expired, some debt collectors will continue to attempt to collect. They're hoping you don't know about the statute of limitations and you'll pay up if they threaten you enough. They may even file a lawsuit against you. If you are certain the statute of limitations has expired, you can use that fact as justification that you do not have to pay the debt.

Be careful not to restart the statute of limitations. Anytime you take an action with an account, the statute of limitations is restarted. Making a payment, making a promise of payment, entering a payment agreement, or making a charge using the account can restart the statute of limitations on an account. When the clock restarts, it restarts at zero, no matter how much time had elapsed before the activity."

In addition to all who have contacted ALW via phone:
DISCONTINUE ALL PHONE COMMUNICATION.  
Should you be required to take legal action; you will have no evidence to support your claim (Note: should you opt to record conversations without the consent of the customer service representative for ALW and ALW itself you risk criminal prosecution as recording without consent in some states is illegal--and inadmissible in court.)  

If you continue to receive calls from ALW, request all communication be in writing and send a certified letter requesting the same (save all documentation and mailing receipts for legal purposes and possible reimbursement.)

The people keep calling me.  I do not have any debt!

Carolyn,

If your certain the debt ALW is trying to collect is not yours.....You will have to send a cease and desist letter to get ALW to stop phoning....this link and others I've posted may be helpful to you (about.com has sample letters).....

https://800notes.com/articles/Article.aspx/KBN5c2IZiAC_wQjKBNRWFA

I recommend sending your letter certified, it only costs a few dollars... you will know for certain your letter has been received and who signed for it (aside from that your sanity is worth it.)

ALW's mailing address is:

ALW Sourcing, LLC
1804 Washington Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21230

ALW also has a PO Box which is:

PO Box 4938
Dept 11
Trenton, NJ 08650

(Of course the PO Box isn't recommended for certified mail).

Best of luck to you!
:o)

I Got a phone call from this number today. I answered and told them I was dead. Then they called my house and my brother told them the same thing.see if they call back tomorrow.

call my house for my ex husband who doesnt even live in the same city as i do

Success!!!  This is indeed a scam!!!  After sending two certified letters... ALW was unable to provide any information concerning the "debt" owed (because no information existed...I never owed this "debt".)  I received a letter stating the account was "closed in their office."

-W-A-R-N-I-N-G-
ALW did mention the "Creditors" as being:

Perimeter Credit, LLC as successor in interest to Bally
c/o NCO Financial Systems, Inc.,

A quick google search will lead you to all kinds of sites relating to fraud.
In Atlanta, GA. Perimeter lost a lawsuit and was fined $300,000.
http://www.ftc.gov/os/1999/02/perimeter-cmp.htm

BE CAUTIOUS OF THESE RIP OFF ARTISTS!!!!

I'm maintaining all correspondence with this case onfile should ALW change their name or opt to harass me at a later date.

This company calls me at 6:57 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., and 8:30 a.m. every day.  Then they start again at 7:00 p.m. 8:45 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.

We checked our credit and we have nothing outstanding and a good credit score.

When we try to call this number back it disconnects.  Just recently on television there was a segment about these debt collectors.  They are a scam.  Do not give any personal information.

If anyone has any suggestion on how to stop the calls let us know.

I am receiving calls from this number claiming a debt is owed.  They are asking for a different person.  When I tell them they have the wrong number they don't believe me.  They assume I know the last person who had this number.  How ridiculous!  I just got my number a couple months ago.  The people are very rude!

I have goy ths call @ least 5 time & now have reject it on my caller ID
I have also signed up my 3 phone numbers on the Do not call list

Who are you and why do you keep calling my cellular number? when i answer, all i get is a recording.

This "company" keeps calling, multiple times on some days, without leaving any message about what they want, most times.
On the others, they "say" they are seeking some kind of info for debt collection
purposes without saying for whom, with no one living here having ANY such debts;  
makes me wonder how they get "Wrong numbers" for whomever they really expect to get money out of?????????

I keep getting the same message and I know I do not owe anyone anything.  I pay all bills on time.  This is a scam I am sure.

POND SCUM ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH FOR CO'S LIKE THIS....MORE LIKE TOE FUNUS

Be Informed... thank you for all the information and links to more information that you've provided.  Telling others of your personal experience -- including the follow-up to your certified letters -- is really valuable.

Caller ID shows I got a call from this number today.

I do have some old debts that I need to take responsibility for... but now I have plenty of useful information to help me in that process.  I definitely don't want to be taken advantage of by any of these people.

This number calls me usually once a day. It's a recording asking for a different person to pay a debt. I've actually been ignoring it for a few months, which was quite stupid. Today I called them and they removed me from their contact within 2 minutes. I suggest you do this.

We continue to get calls from this number claiming to be a debt collection, since we do not have any debt in collection we are sick of these calls. It's only a recording asking us to call back. If they can not ID thierselves in person I'm not talking to them. They mostly call starting on the weekend.