Legal notices, repo men and harassment.

[ChshreCat]

So, my wife comes home from work last week and finds a legal notice on our front door for someone named Amir Hassan. After some checking it seems it's from a repo company. I call the number on the notice and explain that we purchased the house in December and that Amir Hassan must have been a tenant when the previous owner was renting the place out. They thank me for the information and tell me that I won't be bothered again.

Fast forward to this morning. I'm in the bathroom and there's a knock on the door. My daughter answers it and I hear someone ask for Amir Hassan. My daughter doesn't understand and the woman at the door starts getting belligerent with my kid! I'm trying to get out there when my wife takes over and tells the woman that we don't know any Amir Hassan and this woman says "Listen BITCH, you better cooperate with me." My wife asserts, loudly, that we contacted the repo company last week and told them already and the woman says "I AM the company and you don't want me coming back here!".

As I'm getting out of the bathroom and heading for the living room my wife is threatening to call 911 and the woman is getting back into her car. As I come out of the house she speeds out of the driveway and down the road. I got her place number and call the police but they say they can't do anything about it unless she made specific threats of violence or they can come when she's on the property and then get her for trespassing.

I do some internet research, and sure enough, she owns the repo company I'd talked to. I do some more digging and find her family members and recognize her two kids as two guys that had come here a week earlier looking for "the Johnson residence" and apologizing for disturbing me since they "must have gotten the wrong house".

This is freakin' insane! I did some research on Amir Hassan and in a half hour I found enough information on the internet to tell me the guy doesn't live here anymore! He was married to the woman who owned this place TWO SALES AGO! She sold the place after they divorced!

So, the question I pose to you all is... What the **** do I do now?!? I was able to find where this woman lives and it's about an hour from here. I was tempted to drop by HER house and knock on the door and say "Hey, you drove away before I could get a chance to talk to you, so I thought I'd come by and finish that conversation." but I think that might get in in a lil trouble.

 

[Displaced MassHole]

I would def drive to her house, place a paint can with some chunks of dry ice in it on the doorstep and ring the bell. Right after she opens the door and gets covered in some horrible color paint I would resume the conversation where you left off.

Edit: Is it worth trying to report her to the dept. of commerce for your state or the BBB? If you were able to find out all that info with just the internet then she obviously isn't running a decent business.

 

[Ricand]

So, the question I pose to you all is... What the **** do I do now?!? I was able to find where this woman lives and it's about an hour from here. I was tempted to drop by HER house and knock on the door and say "Hey, you drove away before I could get a chance to talk to you, so I thought I'd come by and finish that conversation." but I think that might get in in a lil trouble.

Well presumably if you don't make any 'specific' threats of violence and leave before the cops show up you are golden. I know it's tempting, but very dangerous. She is no doubt packing and it would be her word against the dead guys. It's really hard not to respond when you feel like your family's sanctity has been violated.

 

[ChshreCat]

The question is mainly rhetorical, but I'm open for any advice anyone has.

So far, SWMBO is typing up a cease and desist letter we're going to send them and I'm going to give them another call when they open up in the morning as a follow up to the vurious, blind-rage voicemail I left them right after it happened. I didn't make any specific threats in that either.

This just has me a little freaked out. Prolly gonna sleep with my gun on the nightstand tonight instead of it it's lockbox. I'll also be driving to work tomorrow so I can come home anytime I need to. Considering calling in sick, actually.

 

[Displaced MassHole]

Do you know what it is they're looking for? This company seems to being going out on a limb for nothing, considering how little they get paid for their services.

 

[ChshreCat]

No idea. The legal notice just refers to "property". It's just word-for-word from various RCWs. State laws.

 

[Austin_]

Edit: Is it worth trying to report her to the dept. of commerce for your state or the BBB? If you were able to find out all that info with just the internet then she obviously isn't running a decent business.

I've never known a repo/tow business to care about the BBB. Nature of the business.

 

[Homercidal]

I've never known a repo/tow business to care about the BBB. Nature of the business.

+1 They couldn't give a crap.

But I'd start by sending them a letter explaining that the person they are interested in has not lived there for (insert number of years here) and if they continue to disturb you, you will call the police and charge them with harassment.

I'm still getting collection letters that were mailed to a lady who lived in our house a long time before we bought it, 16 years ago!

More than likely, the repo company thought you were just trying to avoid them by saying that you are not Amir. They probably get that a lot.

 

[nealf]

Why not contact an attorney and have them talk to the repo company? They might get a little more done than if you were to call them. It would probably be worth at least seeing what someone could do for you... teach them that bullying tactics aren't the way to do business.

Just my $0.02

 

[pernox]

First of all, letting your kid answer the door is asking for trouble. You know how many home invasions start with a knock or a doorbell, right?

Secondly, anybody talks that way to my kid or my wife, there's going to be a consequence. No "ifs," "ands," or "buts" about it.

Third, and perhaps most importantly in case this woman is not who she says she is... You're armed, right? And your wife is also able to protect the home and your child while you're away?

Don't roll over. This is your family. Nothing in life is more important.

 

[ChshreCat]

Oh, I'm armed. And I know a lot about this woman now and know she's who she says she is. I did some research along with a whitehat friend of mine. I know her, her family, her business history, addresses for work and home, everything.

My daughter is 16. She's old enough to answer the door when I'm in the bathroom.

I'm giving them a call this morning. Wish I could hire an attorney to handle this, but unless I can find one to do it pro bono, I'm screwed. We just bought the house in December so we're really right, then my daughter had an accident a month after that and ended up in ICU. Medical bills are approaching 6 figures on that.

I didn't just say that I wasn't the guy. I explained to her that we don't know him and had never heard of him until they showed up. We didn't even mind them coming out to follow up. It's just the strong arm tactics that piss me off.

 

[ChshreCat]

Update: Called the company that had left the paper on the door and they said it wasn't them yesterday and they are no longer working for that client. They put me in touch with another repo company in the city where the car the woman yesterday was driving and I'm waiting for a call back from them. He said the clients he was working for were in Alaska, so it wouldn't be them just driving up to my door. I'm not entirely taking his word for it, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for the moment because I think he would have grilled me for more information on the phone if it was them. Long story short, we don't know who the psycho was yesterday, where she was from or how to get ahold of her. That makes it even more scary.

 

[babalu87]

Next time she comes to the house tell her you are going to empty your gun and have no idea where the bullets are going but the last time you did it they hit the person 6 times.

 

[Hophazard]

Might be a bit of a pain, but if you have her name, you could always head down to the courthouse to file for a restraining order. That way, if she shows up again, the police would be able to arrest her for violating it. Just my $0.02.

 

[triethylborane]

Talk with an attorney that practices secured transactions. Lots of repo companies are good at taking, but not necessarily complying with the statutes surrounding repossessions. Contrary to what is shown on TV, repo men cannot breach the peace, but this is only something applicable when you have defaulted on the note underlying the secured transaction and they are trying to recover the res. However, if you have continual problems with a repossession outfit that is incorrectly trying to repossess property that is not repossessable, you can certainly get an injunction against them in the form of a restraining order.

 

[ChshreCat]

At this point I know nothing about the person that showed up at my door. Name, address, company, nothing. I have her plate number, but the police can't give me the registration info.

 

[Brewing Clamper]

Dude, sorry to say but even though she was a bitch about it, there's nothing illegal about what she did. Hiring an attorney at this point would only be a waste of money. Doubtful that she'll return unless she really is psycho, but chances are she's playing the part to get some info. If she does return, have a camera ready to video or document the exchange in case she does cross a legal boundary. It's your property, the moment you see her ask her to leave, go back inside and call the cops to report a trespasser. If she does have a legitimate business you can always file a claim with the BBB about your encounter with her... still, being a bitch isn't illegal, yet...

 

[ChshreCat]

Actually, splitting hairs here, if she was representing a collection firm then she violated federal law twice during her visit.

 

[Beerrific]

I have a feeling that woman will not come back. Debt collectors have a tough job and will sink to very unethical levels to do it. If it were me, I would tell my wife not to answer the door and if anyone does more than knock, call the cops. And if you answer the door, make sure the gun is in sight (within all legal limits of course).

 

[triethylborane]

Actually, splitting hairs here, if she was representing a collection firm then she violated federal law twice during her visit.

Depends. She did not violate the law with regards to you because you are not a debtor to her. Also, depends on the type of creditor she is. Maybe she violated state debt practices, but doubtful she did anything against federal law (and certainly nothing that would be prosecuted).

 

[triethylborane]

And if you answer the door, make sure the gun is in sight (within all legal limits of course).

I would be quite hesitant to involve any form of firearms/firearms display because the laws regarding brandishing/menacing could be a sticky wicket, even on your own property.

 

[ChshreCat]

My pistol will be on me, but out of sight. I don't flash my gun. If someone ever sees my gun, it'll only be because they gave me reason to defend myself or my family. If they show up again and I'm not there, my wife is planning on just calling the sheriff's dept without opening the door. Let a deputy be there if she's going to talk to her.

 

[Homercidal]

I know that if someone was in my house, and I told them to leave, they better be moving towards the door pronto, or they'll get a baseball bat to the head, and they won't have a chance to tell their side of the story to the judge.

But I'll be nice and foot the bill for the carpet cleaning.

 

[rexbanner]

My pistol will be on me, but out of sight. I don't flash my gun. If someone ever sees my gun, it'll only be because they gave me reason to defend myself or my family. If they show up again and I'm not there, my wife is planning on just calling the sheriff's dept without opening the door. Let a deputy be there if she's going to talk to her.

Dude, chill out. You don't need to walk around packing heat because a woman came to your house and scared you. Is this the first time you've ever gotten in any sort of confrontation with someone?

 

[bad67z]

Dude, chill out. You don't need to walk around packing heat because a woman came to your house and scared you. Is this the first time you've ever gotten in any sort of confrontation with someone?

DUDE, it is his property and she is trespassing if asked to leave. I pitty anyone whom sets foot on my property and gets into a unwarranted verbal confrontation with my wife or child.

My job first and foremost is to provide for my family this includes protecting them to the letter of the law @ any cost.

 

[ChshreCat]

This wasn't just an argument. This was a person who came to our house looking for someone that owes money and when she was told that he didn't live there she called my wife obscene names and threatened her and said she'd be back. That's more than just some confrontation with someone.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Dude, chill out. You don't need to walk around packing heat because a woman came to your house and scared you. Is this the first time you've ever gotten in any sort of confrontation with someone?

I've never gotten in a major confrontation the sort that the OP is experiencing. However, I regularly carry a pistol, both in my home, and out in town (I have a Concealed Carrying Permit). Am I as screwed up as a football bat, or am I willing to defend my life, the lives of my loved ones, and the lives of strangers who may be threatened by a lunatic? I'm opting for option 2...

 

[SwampassJ]

Dude, chill out. You don't need to walk around packing heat because a woman came to your house and scared you. Is this the first time you've ever gotten in any sort of confrontation with someone?

Might be the fact that the crazy lady threatened his wife. Next time let us know when someone threatens your family so we can tell you to chill out.

 

[rexbanner]

Might be the fact that the crazy lady threatened his wife. Next time let us know when someone threatens your family so we can tell you to chill out.

Well, I've had two people this year follow me to my house in their cars after I passed them (legally) on my road. One threatened to run me over, seriously.

I also got mugged at gunpoint a month ago. That's the 3rd time I've been mugged in the last 2 years.

Guess I'm just a little more of a cool customer. You asked, I told. While I sympathize with the OP, it's really not a big deal.

 

[pernox]

Update: Called the company that had left the paper on the door and they said it wasn't them yesterday and they are no longer working for that client. They put me in touch with another repo company in the city where the car the woman yesterday was driving and I'm waiting for a call back from them. He said the clients he was working for were in Alaska, so it wouldn't be them just driving up to my door. I'm not entirely taking his word for it, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for the moment because I think he would have grilled me for more information on the phone if it was them. Long story short, we don't know who the psycho was yesterday, where she was from or how to get ahold of her. That makes it even more scary.

Good on you for doing your due diligence. Finding out that the woman is unaffiliated with the proper (and assumedly reputable) businesses in question DOES make it a lot more threatening.

Oh, I'm armed. And I know a lot about this woman now and know she's who she says she is. I did some research along with a whitehat friend of mine. I know her, her family, her business history, addresses for work and home, everything.

My daughter is 16. She's old enough to answer the door when I'm in the bathroom.

I'm giving them a call this morning. Wish I could hire an attorney to handle this, but unless I can find one to do it pro bono, I'm screwed. We just bought the house in December so we're really right, then my daughter had an accident a month after that and ended up in ICU. Medical bills are approaching 6 figures on that.

I didn't just say that I wasn't the guy. I explained to her that we don't know him and had never heard of him until they showed up. We didn't even mind them coming out to follow up. It's just the strong arm tactics that piss me off.

Good on you again for having the means to protect yourself. Hope I didn't offend with the home invasion warning; my daughter's nine - I put myself in your shoes and it got me sorta hot and bothered thinking of sending my little one off to open the door. At her age, answering the door is a serious offense.

Dude, chill out. You don't need to walk around packing heat because a woman came to your house and scared you. Is this the first time you've ever gotten in any sort of confrontation with someone?

Time, time, and time again this EXACT scenario has been the beginning of someone looking to take the house. Groups of robbers/looters/whatever regularly send a woman to scout/case the place, often times with a little emotional bit of some kind thrown in to gauge the reaction of the people who live there, as well as peeking around to see what you've got. It's not paranoia - it's taking care of your family. As for packing heat, some of us do that all day anyway based on principle. Being alive beats being a victim every time.