A Little Slice of Canadia

From Dow Jones:

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NCO Group is planning a 150-seat call center in Charleston, W.V., according to published reports.

Initially, the center will open with 35 employees handling customer service calls for Mountaineer Gas Co. Another 115 reps will then be hired to handle calls from other NCO accounts. The remaining 15 employees will work in other capacities. It is unclear whether NCO will use the new call center to collect debts, according to the report. Mountaineer Gas, however, has an existing contracts with other… Continue

From the Austin Business Journal:

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There was a very interesting hearing in Washington, D.C., today, with definite implications for collectors.

The hearing was meant to delve into the topic of whether or not consumers should be forced into bankruptcy based on healthcare-related expenses. The hearing heard testimony from a Rhode Island mother, whose son passed away at 4 1/2 after battling cystic fibrosis. Insurance covered most of the $5 million in expenses, but it didn't cover everything. The parents were unable to make up the di… Continue

The number of complaints against debt collectors is on pace to rise again in 2009, according to a report in today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

The report describe complaints that include a collector allegedly threatening a consumer with physical harm and another telling a consumer she was going to end up in jail if she didn't pay her overdue debts.

This year, the Sunshine State's Attorney General is expected to receive 5,900 complaints, up from about 4,300 in 2007 and 5,300 last year.… Continue