January 2009  Advanced Credit Collections, Niagara Falls, NY   Pretty sure these are the former Empire Recovery folks playing at 2423 Hyde Park Blvd.  Niagara Falls, NY 14305 Phone: 800-965-3810 716-298-5164
Fax: 716-298-9750  They change their name every time a new lawsuit emerges and continue to march.  Even the not so smart collectors are wising up and leaving this organization...


January 2009  Egregious Collectors "On January 3, 2005 I was awaken at 6:45 by a process server for these people screaming my name, demanding that I open my door and banging on my windows. At that time of the morning I wasn't dressed for visitors and needed to change, the server continued to scream and demand that I open the door or he would tell my neighbors that I was a deadbeat."

May I respectfully suggest you advise your clientele, and others such as the woman above, that they tape (preferably video if they have a video recorder, but at least audio) such outrageous behavior. This will help them with any claims they file for violations of the FDCA.


January 2009  Investment Retrievers/ AKA Swartz, Lovejoy and Associates. Pittsburgh, PA  This attorney has been acting on behalf of Investment retrievers who bought an outdated charged off debt from 2004 which was originally a Chase credit card account in the amount of 13k once all charge off fees were done and over with in 2004. At this time, they are tying up the courts with a suit toward me indicating I owe them 27k. They fail to answer my interrogatories and continue to harass me to answer things including my bank account number, partner/spouse, etc. This has been in the courts since 2006 and now they are threatening to place a motion with the court for me to answer more interrogatories. I believe the SOL has expired in PA. They are relentless and have reported the false amount owed on my CRA. AS I said, Chase charged this off in 2004.


December 2008   Certegy Payment Recovery Services, Inc  1601 Roosevelt Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716 Certegy Payment Recovery Services Inc. purchased four fraudulent checks in the summer of 2003. The checks were fraudulently written on my son\'s bank account in Dallas, Texas. Certegy tried to collect on the checks from him. He and his attorney forwarded the necessary paperwork to Certegy to prove that they were fraudulent. Certegy when it found out that they couldn't collect on the checks must have bundled the checks with some other checks and sold them to another collection agency. In doing so, they committed a federal level felony offense. The checks ended up being bought by Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC. Since they knew that they could not collect from my son, they changed the name and SSAN on the checks and placed them on my three credit reports. Even after submitting proof to Cavalry that the checks were not mine and that the checks were in fact fraudulent, they refused to remove the checks from my credit reports and to once and for all destroy the checks.


December 2008   Rickenbacker Group,   Morgan Hill, CA  Phone number for this agency is 408-762-7320. They started calling today, left no messages and have not sent anything in writing. From what I gather about this company from a Google search f the number, they appear to be a questionable, shady operation and bear watching.


December 2008   Bullhead Investments, LLC  Springfield. MO   This is in regards to the comment on December 2008 left for this company. They sent me two letters the same day. One a mini miranda and the other a threat letter with a totally outrageous amount that I do not Owe. Plus the letter was from a law firm in Winston Salem NC. This company does collect old debts, and tries to use law firms to get money. Doesn't this law firm know that this is a bogus debt and can also suffer with Bullhead Investments. I am not easy intimidated with debt collectors and will fight to the extreme when confronted. Thanks to people like Bud Hibbs who has broaden my knowledge about Junk debt buyers. For those interested, the collection agency before BullHead Investment was UNISTATES who bought the so call debt from a Household Bank Credit Card.


December 2008    Pressler and Pressler  Husband became ill in 2000. Had to go on disability. Waited six mo. for disability to kick in. By this time 2002 we were trying to keep up with credit cards. Then Providian and Capital one changed the rules we got behind because they said they did not receive payments in time They started charging $60.00 for a payment that was only $29.per month Could no longer keep up. Asked them to close account was told no because there was open balance. They kept adding over limit fee and late charges. Now they all want 2-3 times the amount we owed and could not pay then how to they expect us to pay now. One acct not even mine. They had the wrong number. Made mistake of talking to this rip-off agency they sent a paper stating they had a warrant for my arrest I could not go to jail I have a husband that is disabled and I am his sole care giver.


December 2008     Pollack and Rosen, Coral Gables, FL  In 1997 Pollack and Rosen filed a judgment against my husband on behalf of Columbia Medical Center. My son had emergency surgery and he didn't have medical insurance.
Nothing was done other than it was put on his credit report. In 2006 we received a letter from Pollack and Rosen that they were going to vacate the judgment and they did so. We received papers from the county court in 2007 that the judgment was vacated and was null and void. It was vacated without prejudice. Now, we receive a letter from Pollack and Rosen that they are going to attempt to collect on the judgment. No monetary amount was mentioned, they are just testing the waters to see if we will contact them to make payment.

I want to send a cease and desist letter along with the copy of the vacated judgment. I do not believe that it is legal for them to attempt to collect on this now. It is over 2 years since the judgment was vacated. 2 years and 6 months to be exact.  These are now junk debt collectors.


December 2008     Boyajian Law Office, Rutherford, NJ  Looks like the Law Office of Jack Boyajian has shut down. Their numbers are disconnected, web site has been pulled down. Do you have any information on them?
We are aware Jack is having severe financial problems, did not know he had shut his collections operation down. Thanks for that.


December 2008     FLASO Solutions, LLC, Ewing NJ  Dealing with these subordinate lien debt re-purchasers for 6 months. When I file an FDCPA lawsuit against them, they cannot claim bona fide error due to repeated violations. They do not validate debts, pay attention to cease and desist letters, and also ignore the Arizona anti-deficiency statutes protecting consumers. Watch out for them, especially in Arizona with the foreclosure rate as high as it is.


December 2008     Richard J Boudreau and Associates, LLC The first time I received a phone call from these people the guy was very nice. But before i would let him continue I asked him how he got this number. He said that it came over with the file from Capital One. I told him that was impossible b/c I had not spoken to capital 1 in a while and that I just recently obtained a new number. He wanted to settle my debt which was about $600 more than what I owed. I asked him to please send me a running balance sheet that showed all of the fees that were assessed to my account. He said he would but I never received it. I also asked why I have never received a letter from them and he said that they have mailed me several and I told him that he was wrong that I have not received one letter from them. a few days later I received a letter in the mail. Well I never received the sheet that showed all of the so called fees and every phone call that I have gotten since then has been people screaming at me on the voice mail about this. I am sorry but first of all, I am from the South and I do not talk to rude people like and secondly I am not discussing personal matter while I am at work. It is too late in the evening when I get home or I am too busy taking care of my child to worry about them at this time. Well last week I get a phone call from them AT MY JOB and the guy wanted to discuss this and I told him that I am not going to discuss my personal issues while I am at work and to please not contact me at this number again. He said that was fine that he can have me served at work.


December 2008     Clear Debt Solutions/CDS  Ft Myers, FL   They called me today and said they were a law firm and that I needed to pay them a debt to avoid legal charges being filed against me. He, Pete Subtner - (mumbled last name) said a the case had been sent to the Sheriff's office and the Sheriff would be coming to my home if I didn't make payment in full. The amount owed was $650.85 and $500.00 was for legal fees. I asked legal fees for whom and requested to know who their client was. Pete was not sure on who that was but insisted he was an attorney. I furthermore asked where did you practice law?


December 2008     Universal Fidelity Houston, TX   My wife got a letter from them today on a Kohl's card. They claim right on the the letter that they are a national collection agency and have been given our account because of their experience and successful record in collecting outstanding accounts just like ours. Yea right. They go on to say that they are please to assist us in our efforts to resolve this matter, and for our convenience we can make a payment on-lime via our secure website www.payuflp.com  or call then and they will help us with making a payment via credit/debit cards electronic check, WesternUnion or Money Gram. If these people think I would give them access to any of my account information like that they're nuts.  The best was at the bottom of the letter it said that this account is owned by Chase Bank USA. Great don't they have their hands in enough of my stuff already. Bud keep up the great work. In this economy people need all the help they can get.


December 2008     Niagara Credit Solutions Williamsville, NY   This company has by far the most unprofessional employees working. Their collectors harassed me so many times by calling me at work and by calling my supervisor every time I do not pick up the call. Imagine that! My supervisor had instructed the collector that they cannot contact me at work, but they still do. The collectors leave me the nastiest voicemails. I've contacted the CEO for this company to put their employees to stop contacting me but nothing has changed. I will not deal with this company by all means


December 2008   ARS Associated Recovery Systems Escondido, CA   phone number - outgoing - 518-282-4072
incoming - 866-725-4895     Mailing Address: P.O. Box 469048   Escondido, California   92046
Payment Address: ARS National   906 South Adreasen   Suite B   Escondido, California  92029
Caller ID says New York, not even close! Just another sleaze bag law breaking agency!


December 2008   Delanore, Kemper & Associates, LLC Canada  A person Identifying themselves as investigator Humphries called my work and said they have my soc. address and work number and that he is going to issue a warrant for my arrest for fraud or something like that. He said I accepted money from a payday loan company and closed my account. I asked when this happened. he gave me two dates. 11/14 and then he said sorry I meant 9/15/04. He said the warrant will be issued for my arrest unless I pay $900. Then he said it's actually $450 but with legal fees and interest then it comes to $900. I asked him for all the information that proves this is mine and he said to call him back and he would pull my file. He wouldn't do it while we were on the phone, but he said if I hung up and called him right back he could do it.


December 2008   Lighthouse Recovery Associates Littleton, Co.  This company attempts to collect on illegal payday loans. They violate the FDCPA. They refuse to respond to debt validation and threaten legal action.


December 2008   Credit Recoveries, Inc. Anaheim, CA.  Called my office saying they needed to get a hold of me for process of service. Their Caller ID reads Asset Capital. Called back at 714-872-5034. Very aggressive collectors, initially ignored my repeated requests for address to send written request for validation of debt. Called themselves Credit Recoveries Incorporated. I talked to a Mike Martinez. He tried to tell be that he didn't have to validate the debt, that he would sue me and win just by showing the judge that the debt was in my name. He hung up on me, threatening to sue.


December 2008   Source Receivables Management, Greensboro, NC  I received a collection notice from SRM who's client is NCO Portfolio Management. The original creditor is listed as AT&T which I have no memory of owing at all.
Since when did NCO Portfolio start out sourcing collections? I accessed the Texas Secretary of State, Debt Collector Bond database and did not find SRM among the 56 North Carolina collection agencies bonded to do business in Texas. After reading on your site the spanking that NCO received from the Texas AG in December it makes perfect sense why NCO outsourced their collection efforts. Unfortunately for SRM, they are being reported to the Texas AG for possible violation of Texas law. I also sent them a certified letter requesting validation of the debt, and with the exception of responding to the debt validation also told then to cease communication.


December 2008   Rephen Law Firm, New York City  Said I had a bounced check in the amount of $23.00 from March, 2008. They want $274.00. I asked Steve Tucker to fax me documentation of the check and what fees were involved. He has constantly called my job after I've asked him not to.


December 2008   Global Credit and Collections  Williamsville, NY  They are Canadian Collection Agency. They have an Attorney called Deanna Natale, she is not a member of the NY bar Ass., She is a Canadian lawyer who makes you believe she is a US attorney. She is the daughter of Judy Sgro, former Liberal Minister of Immigration and current MP for York West in Ontario, Canada. And boy, Natale lives to sue - and bluff if she can't!

Be very wise when dealing with these people!  GLOBAL International Inc.   300 International Drive,  PMB # 10015  Williamsville, NY 14221


December 2008   America Resource Receivables Charlotte, NC Just wanted to say i have been doing collections for 7 years and I personally do not brake any FDCPA laws ,I worked for this company for 1 week and new this kind of collections was not for me , This company brakes ever law possible we were trained and told to leave messages that say you are going to be arrested and you will have to serve jail time lol their talk offs are the worst i have ever seen , This company collects on quick cash (pay day loans) this company is also located in NV and Atlanta , It has been open in Charlotte for about 1 month, That's all the info i have on this company . Their address is 4801 E independence , Charlotte NC 28212 and there number is 980-875-9112


December 2008   Associated Recovery Systems  I've never heard of this place. They said they were hired by LVNV funding to collect a debt and that if I don't respond in 30 days that they will submit my account to an attorney for judgment. Who are these people and can they do this after only trying to contact me once. I told the rep. that I was dealing with the original creditor and no one else.


December 2008   Bullhead Investments, LLC  Springfield. MO   This is a new organization Bullhead Investments, LLC aka/Bulls#@t Debt Collectors. They are filing suits on purchased debts that are full of lies. Warn your readers to be watching out for them.


We are already aware of this bulls#@it organization and their attempts to file bogus claims. Owner Kevin Davis is beginning to understand why he is being sued. You are correct that their paperwork is garbage. This is just another bottom feeder seeking a free ride at the expense of unsuspecting consumers. Bullhead is bulls#@it, so anyone being contacted by them is urged to make them prove up their bogus claims. Contact us for assistance and referral to consumer attorneys.


December 2008   Rephen Law Firm, New York City  This company using illegal tactics to scare people into paying debts. I was told that there would be a bench warrant served if I didn't call them back within 24 hours. Of course that claim is bogus but it still is scary. I was told that I had limited amount of time to pay and that if I didn't I was going to jail. They now say they have recordings of me that I never allowed them to take and they continue to call harass me. It's been over a year.


December 2008   Central Credit Services Jacksonville, FL    I had a debt in default with Bank of America in the amount of $1,847.01. Central Credit Services (CCS) called and demanded payment. I said I would pay $1,477.60 and CCS agreed. I had them send me an agreement letter stating the settlement. I then sent the money. That was January 2008.

Yesterday, Dec. 2, 2008, I got a call from Hollander Law Firm saying I owe approximately $400.00. I told them about the agreement, the lady, Ms. Harris, acknowledged the previous payment and asked me to send a copy of the letter. I faxed it today.


December 2008   Collect Company of America dba Collecto, Inc.   7900 E Union Ave, Ste 300
Denver, CO 80237    Toll Free: 877-533-6998    Toll Free: 800-321-1108    Phone: 720-529-9902
Fax: 720-529-9845

Governing People:   Andreas Witzig    Candice OBrien    Hans-Werner Scherer   Paul E Leary Jr  Paul E Leary Sr
Corporate offices   700 Longwater Dr   Norwell, MA 02061

A friend of mine received a call from them. The company name was Collecto, CCA but CCA was not an acronym for anything. He received no written correspondence from them - just a call at his place of employment where they demanded $600 per month and his checking account number for some outstanding debt. They said if he didn't give it to them they would issue a garnishment, as if he already had a judgment.

According to state filings - they are part of Collection Company of America. They are licensed in Washington State as a collection agency. When a friend and I called on behalf of this person posing as a job-seeker, he was told they had no fax number and they are not in the business of collections. Their first call they are already in violation of 4 federal rules and 3 state statutes. These guys are all slime. If you get a call tell them to put it in writing, and hang up.


November 2008   Debt Recovery Solutions   This company violates every law there is to protect the consumer. When you call, they yell, shout call you names and then refuse to give you their name. When they don't get what they want or when you ask too many questions, they hang up on you. Then you call back and get the same treatment from a different person.


November 2008   Matthews & Michaels, Dallas, TX Matthews & Michaels is a skip-tracing agency. They called me on my cell and my parents at home today about my ex-boyfriend. I do not know what is going on with him, but we should not have been contacted. The only link between me and the guy they are looking for are phone calls between us. AT&T already settled a lawsuit with them for pre texting and fraudulently getting phone records. Matthews & Michaels (aka Nae-mo Corp. of Dallas) agreed to an injunction against doing that sort of thing, but they must be at it again.


November 2008   Medicredit Corporation, St. Louis, Today I started getting automated collection calls at work. Who are these people? When I got home I had a bill, and  I don't even know who they are or want. No one answers when I try to call them. How do I stop calls at work?


November 2008    Simms Associates, Newark, NJ   trying to collect on debts way past SOL...will call neighbors, relatives, friends, work...they do not send letters...if you ask for their mailing address they will hang up the phone...threatened legal action against me on a relative's answering machine...when I did speak to them, immediately threatened to 'seize' property, garnish wages


November 2008    Western Capital  Sandy, Utah   Robert Paisola is using this copyrighted page from www.budhibbs.com without permission.  He has been asked on numerous occasions to remove it and refuses to do so.  We have no option but to post information regarding his schemes to the public.


November 2008    Geneva Roth Ventures Shawnee Mission, KS    They took money from my account after 5 years. Saying I owed it to them. Said they got my new account number from somewhere on the internet. I do not remember having a payday loan with this company and I am disputing it. I contacted my bank and they are stopping it cause there is no money in my account to pay them. The lady I called at Geneva told me I would never get any loans and I told her fine and I didn't want any and she hung up on me. What kind of business is this that can not even explain to you and takes it upon themselves to steal you money out of your account without your authorization.


November 2008    Pressler and Pressler  Pressler collection believe they are above the law!!! They enforce bogus claims and they threaten your life. By means of lawsuits, threats, liens, and many shiesty maneuvers.


November 2008    Stoneleigh Recovery and Associates  Lombard IL   have recently been called by this agency on an old debt that I owe. Joe Brazzio was the name of the individual that called. Joe is absolutely rude, demeaning and condescending. Very insistent that I do a check by phone immediately, which I refused to do. Since I had not received anything in written form from them, I advised that he send something in writing with their physical address on it, which he said I should have already received. This company purchases old debts, by his statement. I have no issue paying my old debts but due to job loss I have not been able to.


November 2008    United Collection Bureau  Toledo, OH  These people have contacted friends and told them there is legal action pending. How can they get in touch with me? They have also left messages threatening to send my file down to legal, but they never say in their message what it is in reference to or that they are trying to collect a debt.


November 2008    Erin Capitol Management, LLC NY City     Exclusive association with Eltman, Eltman and Cooper. They hire other management companies, like Northstar Location Svc's  Zenith/Northstar Capitol, to do the locating and collecting after they buy a so called legal debt. Many years ago a debt was charged, written off, then sold now several times - since then recently, the debt was disputed and deleted from Experian Credit Corp. due to lack of indebtedness proof (signatures, contracts, receipts, etc.). This arbitrated debt has been sold again, and escalating in size. I am currently submitting dispute papers again. And again I am involved and stressed with this nonsense. The question is, when will this foolishness stop?! How does one make it stop?!. I am currently asking Mr. Hibbs for his help and knowledge once again - and feel relieved that he is there to help.


November 2008    CRS  C R S  Atlanta UPS Store box    These people are not legitimate. They obviously got a hold of or bought old lists of debts from somewhere. Thy called and harassed my mother about a dispute with me from 1999. She stayed 'mum' and gave me their info. I called them back and asked them to provide me with detail that a debt existing in writing. They refused and instead called my mother back a week or so later trying to pry info from her. I called them back and insisted they respond by email or in writing with official documents as requested. I got an email from them finally. I checked them out at the Better Business Bureau of Atlanta; they are unknown. The address is a 10-story office building. (www.c-r-s-i.com), where the email came from, you will find no website.

I also checked with the financial institution in question and indeed the State of Limitations was expired and they had no record of a debt to collect. They also indicated that they do all collections internally and do not farm it out.

At the suggestion of the BBB in Atlanta, I checked further with the City of Atlanta, Department of Revenue at 404-330-6270. Any company doing business in Atlanta needs to have a 'Business License' to collect Business License Taxes. They are not known to the City of Atlanta either. The woman there was very helpful and checked for me at the Monroe address and found no such firm in her records.


Caller ID: Cherise, Kelly, Pamela (mgr)    Caller: Capital Revendication Services, Inc
Caller Type: Collection Agency
The company is a new startup owned by Antrum Kurtis (more to come about him).

Looks like Mr. Kurtis (the registered agent). Still hasn't paid his bill for annual registration. It's only $30. I wonder how long it will be before companies like his are calling him.

Business Name History    CAPITAL REVENDICATION SERVICES INC

Control No.: 08058072 Status: Active/Owes Current Year AR Entity Creation Date: 7/24/2008
Jurisdiction: GA   Principal Office: 931 Monroe Dr  Suite 102-268   (#268 is the post box)  Atlanta Fulton Co, GA 30308

Registered Agent  Agent Name: Kurtis, Antrum
Caller ID: 866-583-9807   Caller: Capital Revendication Services    Caller Type: Collection Agency
The address is a post office box at the UPS Store:

UPS Store  931 Monroe Dr NE Ste 102   Atlanta, GA 30308-1793   (404) 873-3433
Caller ID: 866-583-9807   Caller: CRS Investigative   Caller Type: Collection Agency


November 2008    Department of Corrections. The auto insurance company had Butler & Associates attempt to collect (while in prison). They actually got a garnishment of his DOC account. I send him $10 a month for him to have soap, shampoo, postage stamps, envelopes, writing paper and such. So they want the $10 a month?? I think that is pretty ridiculous. He must repay the debt but should be expected to do so when he is released.  We had a good laugh at this - not at your son's misfortune, but at a collector so desperate they'll spend hundreds to collect $10...


November 2008    Law office of Vincent P. Cignarale LLC I can’t even begin to write down all the insults they said to me. But I will tell you this, after trying to have them work with me on monthly payments they actually told me to ask my mother to stop paying for her mortgage so she can pay for my debt. They harassed me non stop threatening with a law suit. They would call my mothers house all the time and they would leave message saying “you need to call back by so and so time, other wise you will have a law suit in your hands” Also when I spoke to them and they said for me to stop paying the house to pay them, they asked me how could I afford a car (they saw it on my credit) and say that I cant pay them. I proceeded to tell them that I did not pay the car , my ex did and he said “ yeah right, your ex pays for it” I looked up information on the computer and found out many people have spoken to the same guy from Vincent Cignarales office and said he was an A**. By the way, I have dealt wit at least 5 of the companies on the list, how bad is that? We suspect this office may be next to close as MacKinnon and group declare bankruptcy...Collectors, may be time to find a reliable, stable agency...


November 2008     Norfolk Financial Corporation, Boston  This is the second time I am dealing with this company. Last time they tried to sue me in small claims court for $2,000 the limit. But they sent letters asking for more, about $3,100 which is illegal in Massachusetts. They use Forsyth Law Offices same address's. Maureen Forsyth sold the law firm to Carl Brugnoli and his practices seem the same as hers.

I had a judgment of dismissal from small claims court march of this year. Back then they said that the original agreement allowed 18% interest. Now they are saying that the account has a 23.99% interest rate. On top of that they say there is a late fee and over limit fee of $29. all the fraudulent credit card statements they sent me have late charges and at the end, over limit fees of $35. They are so dumb they can't even get their paperwork in order. I told them many times the account is not mine and it has never been on my credit report, which it still should be seeing it's only 3 years old from what they say. I have found so many errors it makes my head hurt.

Also I would point out that in Massachusetts a debt collector has to be licensed, Norfolk was told to shut down and they did.....or did they? They continue to violate the law and harass people. I am hoping to get this dismissed with prejudice and then hiring an attorney to go after them for FDCPA and FCRA violations.


November 2008     FMS Investment Corp. Schaumberg, IL  This company will not stop calling me. I am not even the creditor they are looking for. When I request that they remove my number they still call 3 to 4 times a day!! The calls are to a business and they are seizing my business line and calls are also forwarded to my cell phone


November 2008     Wyse Financial Services, Inc   Denver  I just got a letter from them today trying to collect on a debt for NCO! NCO is trying to get money from a Sears debt that is over 10 years old. Who is Wyse? I am guessing they are worse than NCO, if that is possible.


November 2008     Tobin & Melien   New Haven, CT  Senior partner's direction to his collectors: Don't let the Law get in the way of doing your job...


November 2008     Vital Recovery Solutions   3795 Data Dr Ste 200, Norcross, GA 30092-6534  These people are dogs! They will not stop calling and will never take no for an answer. I think they are part of Frederick J Hanna's school of thought!


November 2008     Lawal & Associates, Law Office, Houston.  New Scam Collectors on Payday Loans: Lawal, Omotayo Jamin (OJ), Age 54 Dba/ Law Office of O.J. Lawal & Associates, Texas Bar #24004144 8700 Commerce Park Dr suite 202 Houston, TX, 77036 Phone:713-773-0600 877-777-2551 Fax: 713-773-0699 Residence: Missouri City, TX Primary Practice Areas: Litigation: Personal Injury, Oil & Gas, Taxation, Immigration AND NOW A PAY DAY LOAN COLLECTOR! Don'tt look for state licenses or bonds 'cause OJ ain't got any. OJ's collectors got lots a B.S. to threaten you with but can't do none of it. OJ is impotent!


October 2008     Lindquist and Trudeau. Houston.  Courtesty KMOV-TV   Jason Trowbridge  was a cocky, vulgar debt collector who broke federal laws. He illegally gained access to private information, terrorized people and ultimately participated in a series of bizarre and dangerous schemes that could have easily gotten someone killed.

Trowbridge, who lived in Houston, Texas, worked for the small debt collection firm Lindquist and Trudeau. He, and four co-workers, were involved in a conspiracy that reported hundreds of phony emergencies to police.

In one case, a debt collector pretended to be a debtor who was high on drugs, had murdered family members and vowed to murder again. When the local SWAT team showed up at the debtor's house, police prepared for the worst, but discovered that the alleged murderer was also a victim of the hoax. The tactic was supposed to scare the debtor and his family into paying off their debts.

The U.S. Attorney's office said the case represented "hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses and the disruption of hundreds of victims' lives."

Trowbridge didn't go that far with the victims in our story, but he made obscene, harassing calls and threatened to take away the home of Betty Duban, a wheelchair-bound grandmother (shown at left) who didn't owe his client a penny. Trowbridge's real target was Ms. Duban's son Tom, who refused to pay an $800 bill that he claimed he didn't owe. Eventually, Tom Duban won a $20,000 judgment against Trowbridge and never had to pay the $800 bill.

A year ago, Trowbridge pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges. In May, a federal judge sentenced Trowbridge to five years in prison.

Obviously, Trowbridge is an extreme example of a reckless, lawless debt collector. However, one out of every four complaints to the Federal Trade Commission are about debt collectors.

During the last five and a half years, consumers have filed more than 600 pages of complaints with the FTC against Client Services, a massive St. Charles-based debt collection company. In those complaints, the consumers identify 98 Client Services employees by name. The complaints typically focus on allegations of harassment, abusive language by Client Services' representatives and threats.

I made repeated calls to Client Services, but never got a phone call returned. So, we caught up with John Kastner, the company owner and Chief Executive Officer, according to the Client Services website.

Kastner declined to answer any questions about his company or its history of consumer complaints. The next day, Kerry Simpson, the company's General Counsel, called and offered to make someone available for an interview, or maybe not.   It was confusing.     Simpson insisted on getting a list of questions so she could review them and see if Client Services wanted to give me an off-the-record interview. Then, if the off-the-record interview went well, Client Services would let me interview someone on-camera.

I had never been presented with an offer quite like that one. And, I told her so. She asked me how long I had been a reporter, and assured me that her approach was the way every politician, government agency and company dealt with the media.

Of course, that's simply not true. And I told her that too.  Not long after that Ms. Simpson and I traded e-mails.

She insisted that Client Services wasn't getting fair treatment in the story. In fact, she denied that the company had knowledge of any consumer complaints filed with the FTC.

"You claim to have copies of the complaints filed with the FTC. While we have calls in to the FTC to determine if there is any truth to your claim, you could speed the process by simply providing us with the information so that we may address each one for you," Ms. Simpson wrote.

Again, the FTC provided News 4 Investigates with more than 600 pages of consumer complaints about Client Services. In addition, the Better Business Bureau has received more than 200 complaints about the company during the last two years. The BBB gives Client Services an "unsatisfactory" rating because it didn't resolve all of the complaints. In an e-mail, Ms. Simpson denied Client Services has any unresolved complaints.

Today, I faxed five complaints to her, but she refused to respond because the consumers were not identified by name (the FTC would not disclose their identities) and she said it couldn't be determined if those complaints were resolved.

In another e-mail, also sent today, Ms. Simpson wrote that Client Services has handled "in excess of 3,000,000 accounts being handled by CSI over the past 3 years." In addition, she emphasized that the level of consumers complaints filed with the FTC and the Better Business Bureau is very low "when you consider the nature of our business."

Ms. Simpson insists that "we take all complaints seriously and do everything that we can do to resolve them."

So, what are debt collectors not supposed to do, and how can you avoid a horror story like the ones involving Jason Trowbridge?

Let's begin with the basics: Debt Collectors are NOT allowed to harrass, threaten or lie to you in order to collect a debt.

Here's the link for the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the federal law that regulates the conduct of debt collectors.

So, how do you avoid the debt collector?

That's an easy one. Pay the bills on time. But sometimes people have financial problems that make it nearly impossible, which is why many experts say you should try to work out a payment plan as soon as possible with your creditors.

Let's say you owe a department store $1,000, but can't make the payment for three months. Several experts tell me that the store will often work with you to avoid the expense and hassle of hiring someone to get it from you. It may not work this way for you, but it's fairly common. You can also work out payment plans with debt collection companies.

Now, what do you do if a guy like Trowbridge won't leave you alone?

The first step is to document every phone call, letter or e-mail from the debt collector. This will create a paper trail and provide important evidence if you need it. You should take detailed notes: what did the person say, when did he/she call you, how many times did the collector call, who else did he/she call and any other information that could be helpful.

You can file complaints with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorneys General in Missouri and Illinois.

You can also hire an attorney.  What you should NOT do is simply take it.


October 2008   Dodeka, LLC  2001 Western Ave Ste 430, Seattle, Wa 98121  Pharia, LLC, same address.

looks like that address is under a bridge. when summons is received then you find out that Both companies are receiving and sending mail through the offices of Weinstein Treiger & Riley PS

Lawyers represent Chase Manhattan, MBNA and others. Claims in their ad is they have associates in 50 states and around the world. They hyper inflate amount due and re age accounts. Accounts Texas Florida California


October 2008   Greenline Financial Services, Grand Island, NY  I had a $900 debt with a Pay Day cash company. These people insisted I owed over $1400. They said there is a clause in my contract that there is a 50% charge if I don't pay it. They harassed me at work and called my home 9 times with 65 seconds. It showed up on my caller id. I told them that I have my original contract and there is no clause like that on it. They called me back and told me it was a clerical error. I only owed $900. I told them I had already paid the original lender but they continue to call.


October 2008   WYSE Financial Service Denver, CO  I  (Refer to previous post) they were attempting to collect a 10 year old Sears CC debt Sent them a request for verification and got receipt and a note back on same date Note states they were returning debt to client ( NCO Portfolio Mgt) Thanks Bud the verification letter worked !


October 2008   MARATHON SERVICES INC 3353 Bradshaw road, Sacramento 95827  I  was contacted by  Mary, from Marathon Services Inc. She was very rude and unprofessional. My former property management, I had rented from was seeking $1600 from me. Mind you it has been 1 year and 10 months since I had moved from my rental home. I told her that I have never had any type of bill sent from the former property management to me at my new location.  The property management even called me a year later to verify my current address. And only up until now that they had given that outstanding balance to the debt collector, Marathon Services that I had found out that they were charging me. Mary had said that they never had my current address on file. I rebutted that and told her that I spoke to the property management and she was very familiar with the rental location that I'm staying at now. I also asked Mary why they didn't call me and double check and verify my current address. All she kept repeating was that they never had your address. I requested a copy of the bill and awaited for it in the mail the next day. She had called me again the day after and was very demanding insisting that I don't question the bill and to pay it. I also told her that I want to dispute the bill as well. She just gave me attitude


October 2008   SSARMA Collections aka San Antonio Retail Merchants Association Collections     This company is buying old hospital debts from VHS-San Antonio IM d.b.a. Baptist Healthcare Systems and other paper. They're located @ 1801 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78215, phone numbers are 210-224-6121. toll free 800-445-8831, fax is 210-200-6022. Website is www.sarma.com . They're trying the typical bottom feeding scam, by sending letters or calling stating that you can save up to 50% of your debt. They're rude when they call and when the consumer calls them. They're also beginning to get aggressive over the phone now. Watch our for them.


October 2008   Shechtman, Halperin, Savage, LLP     This is simply unbelievable! These dirt bags are the fifth debt collector to try and collect on a bogus debt. This debt has been disputed starting at Glove Law and others and ending up in the hands of these rocket scientists. It has grown from $3,000.00 to a whopping $7,000.00! No one has been able to collect because it is NOT A REAL DEBT. These scumbags even screw their own colleagues by selling debt to others that they KNOW is not collectible. Is it legal to keep trying to collect when it's been disputed so many times? I don't know, but these people have to be stopped.


October 2008   Enhanced Recovery Solutions     These people are starting to completely get on my nerves. I am not sure if they are ER solutions or Enhanced Recovery Solutions, every time they call illegally I get either name with the same phone number? Humm? I'm sure that is a violation of FCPA somewhere.

At any rate, I wrote them a Cease & Desist and a proof of validation asking that they please stop all communication. Well, they are walking right thru that letter. I get at least one call from them sill, daily on my cell phone.


October 2008   Professional Debt Mediation     Calling everyday telling me I'm going to jail if I don't pay this debt ASAP.  I'm 6 months pregnant and living back home with my mother.  You can't reason with these people.  It's nothing but stress for me and my unborn child.

 

Professional Debt Mediation   4161 Carmichael Ave #156    Jacksonville, Fl 32207
904-398-0080, 904-398-0286 (alt), 888-676-9872   Fax: 904-398-0425


October 2008   Pressler and Pressler, Cedar Knolls, NJ     have been dealing with these people for years, I've 2 warrants for arrest, and each time called the court and was told there was no such number docketed. You going to have folks thinking debt collectors aren't always truthful.


October 2008   Focus Receivables Management    The company offered a settlement of 15% of the outstanding balance. Offer was agreed too. One day later they came back pulling the offer in favor of a new offer at 30%. This company is a bait and switch organization. They used the info provided to do a back ground check to determine an asset estimate that I wish was correct.


Services Inc. in association with Mullooly Jeffrey Rooney & Flynn 4 Bridge St Glen Cove, NY 11542-2531 (516) 656-5300. They stated I owed on a debt from Chase Manhattan Bank. I did have a card that defaulted with them many years back.


October 2008   Central Portfolio Control   Eden Prarie, MN  Threaten me with lawsuit and wage garnishment if I didn't pay a $2000 bill immediately! Also threatened to get the sheriff's department involves!


October 2008  I.C. Systems, Inc. This is an aggressive Collection Agency that is breaking every rule under the FDCPA and California's Rosenthal Act DCP as I know them.  Yesterday, I finally picked up and asked the woman for her name. She refused. She wanted payment for a debt they haven't even written to us about. I asked her not to call until I've received the letter. She hung up before I was finished.

Today, I.C. Systems, Inc called my husband's job again, and he told them never to call him there. They turned around and called my home but I was out with my daughter. They called twice. Once, they acted as if my husband was on the other line waiting for me. Over and over the aggressive woman kept demanding I get on the phone, demanding I pick up. It is recorded on my Voicemail I have from Vonage.  When I got home I called them to ask for their name and FAX number. He demanded to know my husband's SSN to pull up the file. I gave it to him and repeatedly asked for his name and his fax number. He was rude, obnoxious, and unwilling to say anything else than


October 2008   Allstate Adjustments, Tewksbury, MA  I got a phone call from this company stating I owed money on a cross country credit card. I tried to set up payments with them and they couldn't even get that correct. When they finally got this correct they went in and took out two payments one right after the other and now my bank account is all messed up. Alot of money in overdraft fees. And when I call I am told I need to speak to a Mr. Green. Well the first time I spoke to Mr. Green he shrugged me off, and when I spoke to him the second time he told me it would be fixed. and when I tried to speak to him the last time, he will not accept my calls. The fax number they gave me the other day is mysteriously not working today. I have notified my bank and I will be notifying the BBS about this place. I have ceased all further payments to this company.


October 2008   Litow Law Offices, Cedar Rapids, IA   Charles Litow files hundreds of false judgments against people every week and just sees who doesn't show up and then gets default judgments on them. He sued my girlfriend and my father, before I started educating myself on credit, and had no information regarding the debts he said they owed. They were scared and couldn't afford a lawyer so they didn't show up to court. I went down and pulled the file.


October 2008    Investment Retrievers, Inc El Dorado Hills CA  I had received several calls over the past few days from a Nancy Grant 916-941-8851. I had no idea who this person or company was so I did not return the call. Today I received a call at my office from this person. Said person also call my wife at her place of employment. Still at this point we had no idea who this person was. We have never received written correspondence. The call that was made to my wife's office was over the line. This Nancy Grant called for my wife's office and was told she was in a meeting. This Ms. Grant was short and rude as the administrator relayed to us later. She was transferred to HR and she requested my wife's Payroll History, which of course is much different than verifying employment. The HR person made notes and was specific she was asked for PAYROLL HISTORY. Additionally, she requested that she speak to the President of the company who is my wife's boss! This was an obvious attempt to intimidate my wife. Over the line. Extremely illegal practices and this will be reported. I will look at other options to see that others do not have to deal with such an unprofessional pack of people as them.


October 2008   WYSE Financial Services, Denver   These Clowns are attempting to collect an old Sears CC debt that is over 10 yes 10 years old I don't know what is older this debt or Wyse's IQ. These idiots bear watching maybe new contenders for a spot on the agencies to avoid list.


October 2008   Howell and Associates, Tampa FL  This agency contacted me stating that they were a lawyers office and that if I didn't pay them that they were going to submit a judgment. I gave them my account # over two weeks ago and so I changed my account after two weeks when nothing posted. they called me today and told me that I wrote a bad check and they were taking me to court. I told them to go ahead


October 2008   Moreno and Woods I was contacted on October 13, 2008 by a Mr. May who left a voice message on my machine. The message entailed that he was contacting me concerning a court document involving me and my husband and stated he was with Moreno and Wood in the litigation and warrant department. The document number he left was US130431-TX****. The asterisks represent the last four of my husbands social security number which really got my attention because courts do not use social security numbers on court documents.

This morning October 14, 2008 at 9:30am I called the number and asked to speak with Mr. May. I gave him is phony document number and he went on to say that he had a judgment against me in the amount of $2,983.15 from GE Money. I told him I am unaware of GE Money and asked him what this balance was in reference to. He went on to state that GE Money had bought the debt from Vystar Federal Credit Union and the debt in reference was from a credit card. I told him I bank with Vystar however I do not, nor have I ever have a credit card with Vystar. I told him I had two signature loans that are paid off and have been for years. I asked him when was this credit card opened and he said in 1997. I said really because I was a minor in 97 and couldn't have obtained a credit card as the law prevented me from entering contractual agreements until I was 18, and in 97 I was 16. He then asked me if my husband was a student in 1997- 1999 and I refused to answer the question at this time I knew he was probing and was not going to inform him that my husband was in the Navy during those years. I knew he must have dipped into our credit reports because my husband has recently enrolled into college and is taking out student loans.

I told him that I have never had a credit card with Vystar and in the year he mentioned Vystar was actually JaxNavy Federal Credit Union so he was wrong. He went on to stay that I didn't know what I was talking about and I need to pay up on my financial obligations. He went on to state that I was a deadbeat who racks up credit and doesn't pay, and they were going to garnish my wages, and put a lien on my accounts, and have me arrested if I didn't pay the $2,983.15. I laughed and told him he wasn't a very good collector because I never had credit cards until a year ago, I am current on, and and they are set up on my bill pay, and the is no such thing as a debtors prison anymore so try again.

During this time I am busy goggling Moreno and Woods while arguing with the con artist and what do I find?? Forums and articles from dozens of people saying they were all contacted by this company for bogus debt from years ago and all received threats similar to mine.

I told him of my discovery and told him I was not falling for this. I told him that I had my credit report sitting in front of me in a file with all my credit reports I print every year and there is no credit balance in that amount nor do I have any revolving accounts before the year 2006. I also tell him that I am reading on the internet where dozens of people are claiming they are scam artists and he needs to remove me from his potential victim list.

He began saying Christina, Christina are you really this ignorant I have your file sitting right in front of me you owe GE Money Bank now pay up and be a grown up. I screamed you are making this up I have never had a credit card with the bank leave me alone. He screams back I have the account number...Oh really I said, give it to me. He gives me the account number as Acct# and said I could contact GE Money Bank myself at 1-800-414-4557. I hang up.

I called my bank Vystar and after an hour of researching and talking to me the lady tells me, your accounts were paid off in 2003, and were never in default and we don't have record of you ever having a credit card. She then states the account number I gave her was not a Vystar account number, and that they do not sell debt, nor work with in any way GE Money Bank. Since I still have a savings account there they put a fraud alert status on my account and all was well.

I then dialed the 100 number for GE Money Bank and entered in the account number. I was transferred to a customer service rep who asked for my name and account number, I gave it to her, she stated it's an invalid account number. I told her no it's not you sold this account to Moreno and Wood for litigation. She said no, no, no that's an invalid account number, we are a credit card company for store cards from Gap, Banana Republic, Walmart, Home Depo, Sams Club, and Old Navy, and that would be your credit card number but its an invalid credit card number, meaning we don't use that sequence.

I call back Mr. May to tell him of my findings. He starts yelling at me so you think I am stupid huh, maybe you should talk to my supervisor, he will confirm this, I know we will call GE Money Bank and I'll prove to you you owe this. I tell him to conference the call and he agreed. He called the number and got an operator. He gave the operator the account number, my name, my husbands name and both of our socials with our current address (SCARY) and the customer service rep stated that it was not a valid account and they have no record of either of us. I told Mr. May he could take me out of his system now and leave me alone. He then screams what do you mean leave you alone, are you crazy you called me, your harassing me did you not just call me? You owe this money we will research this and I will send our attorney over with the police to deal with you ... and this is where I hang up.

A few minutes later my phone rings and its Mr. Mays screaming how dare you hang up on me, you have no respect, you are a deadbeat who doesn't pay their bills I talked to your mother yesterday just because you like to run hiding who gave me your information CLICK

A few minutes later Mr. Mays calls back screaming again, your a rude, disrespectful, a horrible person stop hanging up on me. I started screaming back telling him he was violating the law, he wasn't allowed to talk to me like that nor block his number and repeatedly call my house. I told him I was recording the call sop keep calling. CLICK

And guess what... RING.. Your recording me, that's illegal that's against the law, I'll have you arrested for that too. I yell back go ahead you obviously don't know phone recording laws, that Texas is a One Party state meaning only one of us has to know and that one of us is ME! CLICK.

If these people contact you don't even bother. I have been dealing with this since 9:30 this morning, and its 1:30 and I am still dealing with it. Don't give them information, don't listen to what they have to say, and take steps to protect yourself. I have unlimited access to my credit report and low and behold they were in my credit as Marshall & Ziolkowski their other name!

As it turns they dip into peoples credit, call them, harass them, and scare them into paying bogus made up debt. Imagine if your a elderly person who might actually fear prison, losing your home, or whatever else they threaten, you'll pay and that's what they bank on your fear!!!


October 2008   Law Office of Harold Scheer They continue to harasses me despite complaints to Federal Trade Commission. They are tapering phone conversations with me and denying that I have sent them a do not call letter. I want to negotiate the price of my 900.00 debit down. But they want full price. It has already been placed as a charge off on my credit report. I was in a bad financial situation and now I am stronger but refuse to pay these guys 900.00 after the way they have treated me .


October 2008   Maximum Recovery Solutions Very rude and not willing to give information on a debt that has already been paid. The first agent Bruce Wayne? Very unprofessional and lack of wisdom. Complaint filed with FTC.


October 2008   Provest, LLC I worked for this agency, and they deal primarily with foreclosures. Problem with them is thye use many illegal practices to gather information on people. They work for the law firms that are processing the foreclosures for the banks. Funny enough Freddie MAc and Fannie Mae are now being investigated, and hopefully these bottom feeders will be shut down also. They will sell out their own grandmother if given the chance. Like I said, I worked there, and I know firsthand of all the illegal things they do. If you ever happen to get served a summons from them, I would advise having your lawyer carefully look at their affidavits. They are made up, forged, etc. Trust me on this one. If they call do not even answer. Yes they will use any tactic to gain information on you to use against you. They will act like long lost friends of relatives. It is horrible and other reason why the foreclosure mess is the way it is. They certainly do not help the situation. They are in it for the big bucks in this industry..


October 2008   Immediate Credit Recovery, Inc., 169 Myers Corners Road, Suite 110, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590-3868, Phone: 845-298-0700, Fax: 845-297-2226; www.icrcollect.com  We are seeing more and more reports on the web about ICR, if you Google 1-877-576-0700 you will find that a person named Valerie will call and harass you regardless if you are the person they are looking for.


October 2008   Howard Lee Schiff East Hartford, CT 06108  I have had the displeasure of dealing with this collection attorney on two occasions. Although both times it did not involve me directly but did effect two of my children. One the first meeting they were attempting to collect a debt that was 10 years old and purchased by one of the better none bottom feeders who purchase old debt and then attempt to re-write the debt a new and file in small claims court. This first time they didn't even have any paperwork, and could not produce none. The only thing they had was a paper from Atlantic stating my son owed the debt. We went to court and in the hallway forced them to withdraw the claim, as they lacked proof. I stated the Fair Debt Collection Rules and stated we would file a counter claim for violations. Net result they drooped the claim and would not allow us to speak to the judge. The second time, involved my younger son. This same firm attempted to collect a old debt that was written off. I again stated to the attorney to provide actual proof the debt was in fact my sons. The only proof the could provide was a bill of sale from HSBC. In formed them that a bill of sale from HSBC only shows that they bought a piece of paper without any signatures or other proof linking my son to the debt. I then stated that we would go to court and file violations of Fair Debt Collection Act. They again dropped the case.

My underlying question is this. If we went and fought these two questionable claims by the collection firm, how many more do they collect on that people fail to respond to, or fail to fight? When we met them at the court the attorney had a box full of claims scheduled for small claims that day. The bottom feeders and there are many and these attorneys were raking in money hand of fist. I must admit that some may be valid claims, but many the debts fail to comply with law and the states statutes of limitations regarding litigation from date of inception to when a company can no longer seek legal actions. In CT. a company or person has 6 years in which to file claims. The bottom feeders pick old debt rewrite as new and side step the law.


October 2008   Hayt, Hayt & Landau 2 Industrial WayMeridian Center Eatontown, NJ 07724   Hayt, Hayt & Landau Law firm but it's clear they are a collection agency, are attempting to collect a debt from me that is 14 years old. I sent a DV letter stating that I never owed anyone the debt and that this debt is out of the statute of limitation in NJ which is 6 years. But it seems they are not listening and sent me another request for payment. They sent me court papers with no signatures on them. This company is clearly trying to violate my rights.


October 2008   Capital Investigative Services, Baltimore  I believe this agency to be a fraud. They use scare tactics such as claiming they will be issuing a court summons for a civil matter to include theft of goods and services, breach of contract, and malicious attempt to defraud. Do not give your credit card information to these people!!!


October 2008   First National Collection Bureau, Sparks, NV  This agency is trying to collect a debt that is at least 20 years old!


October 2008   Autoscribe Corporation, Gaitherburg, MD  Not a collection agency, but a provider of software and a patent licensor to collection agencies, their biggest client base. Autoscribe Corporation holds the patent for making check payments by telephone - an obvious process for which there should not be a fee or a patent. The fees that bank and collectors and anyone else who collects money for using Autoscribe's


October 2008   Law Office of David Silverman  Chicago  I work for a debt settlement company They called my cell phone looking for my brother in law . How the hell they got my # disturbs me .. Told me my brother in law was going to get served by a summons in the morning .. Once they could locate him ? So after i talked him into a 30% settlement with payments i asked him did he realize that he was breaking the law by threatening legal actions and he didn't have a license to practice law in California .. To define Flip a script would be to define this jerks head spin ..He was pissed had to advise him not to call my # again


October 2008   Bureau of Asset Management  Phone: 714-872-5929  1100 E. Orangethorpe Ave.
Anaheim, California, 92801  Just starting to show up on the bad boys radar - keep an eye on them folks.


September 2008   Richard J Boudreau and Associates, LLC  These people are dumb with a capital "D". They called me on Friday, Sept 26, 2008 in the early a.m. for a "bowflex" account. I told "Susan Forest" that since Mr. Boudreau isn't the original creditor, I was not going to deal with them. As soon as I hung up with her, I faxed them a Cease Communication letter. The fax confirmation sheet I kept says that all 4 pages went through OK. Well, today, Monday, September 29, 2008 @ 6:15 p.m., Susan Forest calls me at home to ask what I was going to do about the alleged debt. I had to inform this "rocket scientist" that they received the fax from me on Friday as soon as I hung up with her. Guess now, I'll have to take them to court for harassment and violations of the FDCPA.


 FMS Investment Corporation aka Financial Management Systems   fka Pinnacle Credit Services 1000 E. Woodfield Rd, Ste 102  Schaumburg, Illinois 60173  800-605-9817   800-605-9854  800-889-3002 (fax).
Website: http://www.fmsdc.com/default.aspx   I spoke to a rude heifer by the name of Sophia. She wanted to try the typical settlement offer. That's when I advised her that they were trying to collect on a time barred debt (2002). I just finished sending them a Cease Comm and Time Barred FAX to the above fax listed number. Kept the fax receipt. Let's see what they'll try and pull next.


September 2008   FMS Investment Corp. Schaumburg, IL  These boneheads called me today @ home with a prerecorded message. I called them back on my cell phone and asked what was up. Spoke to a "Sophia". She stated they were trying to collect on a Cross Country Visa I had 7 years ago and attempted to make a settlement offer. I told her it was past the statute of limitations for collection or reporting and to cease communication with me. I tried to find them on your sight, Bud, but didn't have luck. Checked the phone #'s out on Google and it came up they were associated with Pinnacle and LVNV, and that they are out of Schaumburg, Illinois. Time to send them a cease comm and time barred letter/fax.


September 2008   Americredit, Arlington, TX Americredit owns the loan to my husband's vehicle. I called to tell them our payment would be late this month because we had to evacuate from hurricane IKE and that was very expensive. After our phone service was restored they began calling and leaving 5-6 messages every day. My phone rang and rang and the messages never said who they were until about the 5th day into the onslaught. They even called my sister's house to look for my husband. They got it off of the caller ID from when I called them while evacuated. I was staying with my sister during that time. When I called and spoke to a manager today, he said that was all perfectly normal and in accordance with the FDCPA and said I should have updated my phone numbers with them so they would know where I was staying. so, I guess next time we are hit by a hurricane, I will send out official change of address forms to all my creditors before evacuating. yeah, right. I was only gone 2 weeks.


September 2008   Wells Fargo Educational Financial Services/loan Servicing Center, Sioux Falls, SD This agency was horrible. They harassed every member of my family repeatedly. They were very nasty over the phone, refused to work out any kind of payment plan, and called multiple time, every day for months. They changed my home address and contact information without my consent and began mailing all my bills to a previous address. I called to give them payment information and could not even access my OWN account because they had changed my address on me.


September 2008   Harvard Collection Services, Chicago, IL Noticed on my Credit Report an account placed in collection with them. Contacted them to find out what the account was, they claimed it was with Sprint. Contacted Sprint, no record of me owing any money to them, no record of having turned over this account to the collection agency. Contacted the collection agency and they stated Sprint wouldn't know anything about this transaction and it was up to me to prove that I don't owe this account not for them to prove that this account is legitimate. First noticed in December 2007. The agency claimed that it was filled on 11/2007. The only proof they needed was my name and my mailing address.


September 2008   Hunt & Henriques, San Jose, CA Bottom feeders who prey on old debts even past the statute of limitations. Much is written about them on the internet. We need a way to get rid of these crooks. I don't know how they can get a judge to honor their deceit in a court of law.


September 2008   Hoffman, Weinberg and O'Brien Buffalo, NY   BEWARE OF THE NUMBER 1-866-450-5702 THEY CLAIM TO BE A LAW FIRM, Hoffman, Weinberg and O'Brien. THIS IS A SCAM AND THEY WILL CALL EVERYONE YOU KNOW. HOW THEY GET THOSE NUMBERS I DO NOT KNOW. BEWARE THEY WILL DRIVE YOU CRAZY. THEY GIVE YOU A CLAIM NUMBER AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY WILL HAVE YOU ARRESTED IF YOU DO NOT PAY THE DEBT. THEY WANT PEOPLE TO PAY THEM DEBTS THAT ARE 15 YEARS OLD. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.


September 2008   Creditwatch Services, Ltd Ft Worth TX   What a sleazy group of jerks. Dealing with a motor-mouthed collector named Ruth Reed(?) talks faster than a hound dog chasing a rabbit. Must have been married 3-4 times cause ya can't get a word in when she starts running her mouth. Threats include a lawsuit, wage garnishment, liens on my house. Can't get a word in when she starts running so I just hang up on her. Let your readers know this place sounds like it's a drug haven or else her coffee has too much caffeine. What trash!


September 2008   Respond to A Collector Speaks (May 2008) First, I want to express my empathy with you regarding the impossible job market. Like you, I was forced to take a telemarketing job (but with a mortgage company) in 2006 that paid $10 per hour plus commission. (I have an advanced degree, but there is little work in my field and it is very competitive.) After a few months, I was fired from this job because I refused to sell second mortgages at high interest rates to retired people on fixed incomes. In hindsight, look at what has now happened because of crooked companies such as this one--the mortgage MESS! It took a while to replace the income, and in the meantime, I defaulted on my credit card payments because I live paycheck to paycheck and could not afford a job loss. It is a CRIME that due to our jobs being sent overseas,good Americans now have to resort to taking jobs at collection agencies because it is now the biggest and most lucrative employer in this country.WHAT A DISGRACE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING ISLEGAL DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT AND IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND SAY NO. Outsourcing after all is a big reason for the credit defaults. It's time to stand up to employers that practice criminal behavior and say NO I WILL NOTDO THAT, (regardless of the consequences)! When someone defaults on a bill, there is a reason, DUH! they do not have the means to pay it!!! No amountof threat or telephone harassment will change that fact and you will NOT collect the money. Furthermore, it is time the Federal government startedtaking responsibility for the wide-scale financial crisis of citizens in this country. Where are OUR bail-outs? This week we saw large financial companies (Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, etc.) being saved after committing criminal acts, and in fact, this has become the repeat MO of 2008.UNBELIEVABLE!! LET THEM FAIL like the government is LETTING US FAIL!!! Stop the insanity please! When you take away jobs, you have to EXPECT thatpeople will be unable to pay their bills. Again, DUH! YOU CREATED THIS MESS,NOT US. As far as expecting taxpayers to pay for this debacle--it's nothappening, stupid! DUH! If we cannot pay credit card debt, how in theworld can we be expected to pay for trillions in defaults by large CROOKED, GREEDY Wall Street firms? And why the hell should we???? Stay tuned--personal bankruptcies are also at an all-time high-it just hasn't reached the press yet but it will by year-end. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY AND WILL A REAL LEADER EMERGE QUICKLY, PLEASE!!! Rome is burning.....fast!


September 2008     Pentagroup Financial  2448 Union Rd  Houston, TX   Got a call from a Mr. Hobbs last week, he gave me 48 hrs to call back or have an attorney call back. He refused to give me their address. Just a number to call back to 866-375-4503. Said he was collecting on a debt from Verizon General Purposes and he had sent me a letter on 29th of August. I told him I didn't receive a letter and he said maybe I threw it in the trash. He stated that I hadn't made a payment since 2003 and that the account was charged off. SOL in NC is 3 years. I have a letter written and ready to mail on Monday. He said he didn't want to play games and for me to decide what I wanted to do. Let's just see what happens. HE also gave me the names of two people that were associated with my phone number and I have no idea who these people are, never heard of them. I think this dude could be a little nasty if given the chance, so watch for them and tape the conversation if you can.


September 2008     North East Financial Solutions, Inc.  2448 Union Rd    Cheektuwaga, NY 14227
(877) 215-0524   (716) 656-8088   I got this off their very lame website at http://nefsna.com


September 2008   American Recovery Systems (California)   Another "Junk Debt Buyer". They Bought a charged off Chase Bank Credit Card account from another collector and they are now trying to collect from me. They have called my wife's cell phone and sent a letter. I am disabled from having two strokes and receive only social security. I own no assets, no home or car.


September 2008   Superior Recovery Services & Associates  Vineland, NJ

Owned and managed by David & Kelli Grieco  856-691-3636 or  800-801-0065 or  866-696-4188


September 2008   Midwest Litigation Consultants . "Richard Todd" Investigator called and threatened my husband with a felony charge. I googled the # to find out more info on the company and found this. We are in the process of filing bankruptcy so I called to tell him that and first for Linda I told her gave her the case # and told her we had a lawyer and I also contacted our local authorities along with the FBI secret service Ohio state attorney/general and she said well we are still in business and hung up. Pissed I called back repeatedly for about 5 minutes with no answer and finally Richard Todd answered told him the same thing and he told me he would put the paper work in right away to have my husband picked up before we could even file bankruptcy. I tried to tell him we did that process already and he kept saying thank you have a nice day and hung up on me. What a scam!! They don't even have the common courtesy to talk and listen to what I had to say. If they are a "real" company they shouldn't be they are rude and very unprofessional


September 2008   Federal Pacific Credit Co. Salt Lake City, UT  I really just wanted to know the deal with them. They claim to own a debt that is over 7 years old, and claim they bought it recently from a company that has not been in existence since 2005. Has anyone had any experiences with them?


September 2008   The Law Office/David Sean Dufek  I want to report a problem that I have been having with a collection agency/law office named The Law Office/David Sean Dufek whoâEUR(tm)s address is 2655 Camino Del Rio N # 203, San Diego, CA 92108 and whose phone number is 800-600-2610. This collection is representing CACV of Colorado who supposedly bought a debt that I supposedly owed to Providian Bank. Somehow, this law firm has a judgment against me and is using threats and intimidation to garnish my wages. This law firm has called the payroll department where I work and gave the payroll department embarrassing information about me. The woman who worked in payroll had to tell the caller from David DufekâEUR(tm)s office to stop the conversation. This law firm/collection agency has had numerous complaints and has been sued for 15:1692 Fair Debt Collection Act. This law firm refuses to send me documentation on how I owe this debt. This law firm did not tell me, to my knowledge, that I had a court date, if indeed I ever did. This law firm filed papers in Merced County; I do not live in Merced County and there are no parties to this case in Merced County. This law firm refuses to show me any documentation on when this Providian bank card was last used. This debt collector has used false, deceptive and misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of this debt. I would be happy to discuss the details of the matter with you if needed. The point is that this law firm uses threats, humiliation and deception to try and trick victims into paying for a debt that is invalid.


September 2008   Dodfe Management, Jacksonville, FL   Dodge Enterprises is actually owned by a lawyer of Hiday and Ricke. When Hiday gives political contributions he uses Dodge Enterprises for reporting. Sort of funny in an ironic way. Dodge Enterprises is listed as a debt buyer in many places. It apparently has bought debt from the ( now defunct? Providian? WaMu?) First Select Corporation. I wish I had the money to defend myself, but I at least get my day in court. It is likely not to be pretty.


September 2008    Burt & Assoc. Plano, Tx   I wish to advise you of a really bad debt collector. These people "appear" to be legitimate and have all the correct licenses and disclaimers. However, we were the victims of theirs recently when they were trying to collect on a business debt. The debt actually belonged to another company but that did not stop their harassing. They called consistently at 4:00am our time on the owner's personal cell phone. They called employees, former employees and vendors of our company and told them they were collecting a debt and called the owner names like deadbeat and low life. They told them they too would be dragged into a lawsuit if they did not cooperate with them and help them collect the debt. They called employees of the owner's wife's company and screamed at them when they refused to connect them with the wife. (I have a couple of these saved on voice mail, makes me sick to listen to them). They threatened lawsuits, threatened to send someone to the office to take down the VIN numbers on all the cars in the parking lot and have them ALL impounded. I could go on and on but I'm sure you've heard all this before. I am surprised that these people are not on your list. They really should be. The parent company name for Burt & Assoc. is Cade which has already lost several lawsuits and been reprimanded. Good luck and keep up the good work. These people need to be put out of business. They are immoral, unethical and illegal, not to mention rude.


September 2008  National Service of Process   These people called my in-laws asking for me by my maiden name. They said they had a civil suit against me. I called back and they said it was for a Discover Card more than 10 years old. I told them I would pay the debt but had to wait until I got paid next week. They then told me that I should postdate a check, which I didn't do. That's when I found this Web site. I'm trying hard to clean up my debt, so I was on the phone with a few collections agencies that day and noticed a lot of differences. I called back today. These guys say they will not accept a mail-in check. I asked them for any sort of documentation saying I owed this debt. They said they would only give me documentation if I paid and again pressured me to do a post-dated check over the phone. Their last known address for me is an address from 2005. I called Discover and the sold the account to a collections agency whom I called. They said that debt was wiped out in November 2007... so why do these people not have any info after that??? I have no intention of paying them, but I do plan to call them back and demand documentation. If they tell me they'll take me to court, I'll gladly be in the courtroom.


September 2008  General Revenue Corp, aka GRC Las Vegas   I am amazed at what people are going through with these scums. I am dealing with several of the collection companies in the watch list. I owe student loans and have become disable with multiple sclerosis. A guy from GRC named Robert Townsend called my neighbors whom I do not know well. I called this man back because I was upset that he was calling neighbors. During the long conversation he wanted me to go back to school so I could get a new loan to consolidate the old ones, which I know would renew the old loans. He wanted to know how much I make, etc. etc. I have sent letters to these idiots telling them to not call but to only contact me through snail mail. I can tell you that a cease and desist letters don't always work. I know this company has broken every FDCPA law. I have kept a call log on every call, which can be a dozen times per day. I wish anyone dealing with these morons good luck.


September 2008  Freedman, Anselmo, Lindberg & Rappe LLC   Freedman, Anselmo, Lindberg & Rappe LLC
Attorneys at Law   1807 W Diehl Rd, Suite 333   Naperville, IL 60563-1890      Phone 630-983-0770
877-729-6734    They call us at least 5 times a day. Sometimes I take messages and there is an automated system that states the agency's name rather fast and it's hard to catch and then it goes on to say that the call is an attempt to collect a debt, etc. After a minute or 2, I got a guy who said the agency's name is 'F.A.L.R.,' as if I can figure out what that means! I had to do numerous Google searches under 'Freeman' and 'Freedman' until I found them. Their URL is http://www.fallaw.com/ . Apparently, these jackasses do collections and foreclosures and some web pages I uncovered show that these bozos are on the receiving end of a good number of state and federal lawsuits. Also, they are listed on the Citizens for Legal Responsibility webpage (at http://www.clr.org/ ) for seeking information on their 'misconduct, or possible misconduct' in Illinois. So, apparently, these guys are really lawyers, but their conduct is in question. Interesting!


September 2008  Thomas Lesabre Law office aka Krane & Associates  A Glenn Ingersoll called and stated he was a attorney with Lesabre and assoc and I was in contempt of court for failure to appear "on what a credit card bill" He told me he was a federal officer also the county deputy is standing by "I said yeah right on a Friday at 4pm. I looked up his number and found you guys. I need more info

 

http://www.gobignetwork.com/profiles/GLENN-INGERSOLL.aspx

Krane & Associates     Lesabre law office    Thomas Lesabre Law office   Phillips & Burns, Krane & Associates
Eastern Asset Management   1-888-813-4333   716-713-9816   716-580-3385  

COMPLAINTS HERE


September 2008  CR Associates, LLC  San Antonio, Texas   This is a big drug haven where every law is broken, here is the owner.

CR Associates, LLC     16719 Huebner Rd. Bl 2, Ste 201     San Antonio, TX 78248
Phones:   866-418-3360    866-563-9556

866-645-6269              866-442-2693             517-879-4821-VOIP

OWNER:
Sidney Albert Glenn, Jr.,     aka/Bert Glenn, President         Born: Sept 9, 1959

Spouse: Laura Angelini Glenn    2355 Preakness Lane     San Antonio, TX 78248

PARTNER:  Jim Stewart  221 Pinoak Knolls   San Antonio, TX 78248

In order for someone to have dug up this much information on an agency that wasn't even on our radar, they really had to piss a consumer off.


September 2008  Associated Recovery Systems (ARS)   I have several old credit card debts that I tried to manage through Consumer Credit (I lost my job and had medical problems which got me behind). I have not used these cards since 2001 - actually I cut them up around that time. Despite the fact I paid significant amounts toward the balances, the interest rates kept climbing and the debt became unmanageable. I could no longer keep up and the roller coaster started. Since that time, the debts have been sold and resold and one of them is now "owned" by Associated Recovery Systems. In April of this year, I had enough and was fed up dealing with collection companies on debts that were so old. I was tired of being treated like I was a bad person and tired of being harassed. So, I sent the cease contact letters to the companies who were harassing me (this was in April of 2008). Then about a month ago, it started again. Associated Recovery Systems started sending me letters again and trying to get me to settle. They are also calling me on the phone (as well as my work phone) despite the fact that I asked them not to. I'm not sure what to do next - if they ignore the cease letter - can I sue them for harassment??


August 2008  Lesabre and Associates   They had the sheriff standing by along with a court officer who was also on the line. This was about a missed court date I told them to send me the info and which court it was and it was the wrong county . I told them fax over info about case. Letterhead listed