FirstSource Solutions  - debt collectors who crossed the legal line

My son had an American Express card which was put into Collections. The total amount due was $3, 076.24, He never received a written letter from these people and may have received phone calls, but he wasn't sure. This past Sunday, January 14, my father-in-law who has the same name but is Sr (my husband is Jr and our son is the Third) started receiving phone calls from India from First Source Advantage about an amount owed to American Express. He has an American Express card which is current. He is 89 years old and told them he was not sure why they were calling him. They said he owed them money but could not tell him how much it was because it was not his card. They called him back 2 more times Sunday, 2 times Monday, 2 times yesterday and again this morning.

He became so upset over this calling him for a debt that was not even his. It was his grandson's. He asked them how they got his name and phone number since it is not his account, and they could not give him an answer -
they kept saying that he needed to pay the debt. Still, would not confirm the amount because he was not authorized to talk to them by his grandson.
Yesterday, I was at their house when they called again. He told them he was going to get it paid. Finally, a supervisor did tell him that the amount owed was $3, 076.24. He told them yesterday afternoon the debt would be paid this week and they said, "We're going to keep calling you until this is paid." And, they called him again this morning at 8:15 am.

I called this company today and spoke with 2 people and finally got a Supervisor who got mighty humble when I told him I was going to file a complaint with American Express, the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission for Consumers, AARP because he is elderly and was being preyed upon by these people. He literally begged me to not file a complaint, said everyone makes mistakes, and I told him that ship has already sailed. He told me he would forgive the debt and not to pay it. I told him our family pays our bills and it might be my son's debt, my father-in-law's grandson's debt - but this bill would be paid TODAY. He said he could not talk to me because I wasn't authorized, so I had to call my son on my cell phone and hold it up to my office phone so he could get the authorization to let me pay this bill. My son approved for me to pay this bill and I took care of it.

He apologized profusely and asked me not to complain. All I wanted to do at that point was get off of the phone. I told him our business was completed and to have a nice day. I called American Express and I filed a complaint with Customer Service and I am about to write them a letter along with the other entities listed above.

These people broke the law in so many ways - 1) They had no right to contact any one else but my son - it is his account and his debt. 2) My father-in-law's phone number or relationship with his grandson is not even listed on the account so they obtained his phone number through illegal means. 3) The amount of harassment is obscene - they knew he was elderly - he talks like an old man, can't hear and has you repeat almost everything on the phone. To make 8 phones call in 3 days is unheard of. My father-in-law always answers his phone, so he won't ignore a phone call. To call someone at 8:15 am and then to call back at 3 or 8pm is obscene.

My Father-In-Law is 89, he has health and heart issues. He has been so upset over this situation, I was worried we might have to take him to the hospital. I have his Legal and Medical Power of Attorney - so I am able to speak on his behalf. Now, this bill has been paid, and the account has been closed, but I am furious with the techniques and methods used by these people. I do not want other people to have to go through what my family has gone through. This has to stop.