Don't sprinkle sugar on bullshit and call it candy.
Before I explain the title and above comment I would like to say one thing: Technology is an amazing tool; more specifically, the Internet is a great communication tool. The Internet has reduced the amount of 'junk mail' I receive...because now they can email this crap to my inbox! And yet, the daily barrage of junk email is preferable to the paper storm of junk mail in my snail mail box. *DELETE*
ALL THAT SAID - Debt collectors have also figured this out and now EMAIL you when they are trying to find you. Or someone they 'think' is related to you.
So here's the point.
I received an email two days ago from Bank of America. It was a notice informing me (i.e. a former relative...I'll explain in a minute) that they urgently need to contact (former relative) of a problem with their mortgage payment. Or lack thereof. I read the email thoroughly and realized two things....
A. Richard White is no longer a relative - he is my ex-husband's cousin.
B. How the HELL did they get my contact information in relation to a mortgage?
Suffice to say I was a little annoyed. Initially was happy that they were not harassing me with persistent phone calls. However, I have been harassed by a someone calling me regularly and never saying anything when I answer. So potentially they have been. But I digress. They still have my personal, private, family/friends ONLY email address and they are asking to be contacted. So I contact them.
Bank of America is notorious for being harassing and using unethical business practices when collecting debts. With that said I spent the next 45 minutes trying to get through to the department listed in the email - I used the contact information they had in the email and was unable to get through because I don't ahve an account number. Ok. Fine. You want to play hardball....I can play hard ball because now you have pissed me off.
I spend another 35 minutes getting through to Bank of America customer service. And they inform me that the agency that sent me the email was their debt collecting agency and the individual they are looking for has defaulted on their mortgage. Awesome. Just fucking awesome. They inform me that they are very sorry for any inconvenience; they will do all they can to help me remove my information from this account; however they don't have direct access to this companies accounts; if I do mention that I DID know Richard at some point...they will keep harassing me; Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.
Don't sprinkle sugar on crap and all it candy.
How in the HELL did this company get my PRIVATE information? I meet Richard ONCE five years ago. How is my name connected in ANY WAY to this guy??? To say I'm pissed is an understatement.
And so it begins. I'm back in the states 2 minutes and I already have a debt collector calling me, a strange number calling me, and someone calling my phone every day looking for a 'Danny'.
Welcome Home.
