August 2008  Becks Creek Industries/Amy L. McDonald Law Office  Placentia & New Port Beach CA  A new group of thugs has emerged from CA, using all the illegal tricks in the book. Be on the lookout for Jasen K. Amrhein, the owner, Amy L. McDonald, CA Attorney at Law, CA Bar #196157 of Newport Beach, CA. Collectors are calling in states where they have no license or bonds and threatening court actions by attorney McDonald. Owner Amrhein purchased a portfolio of old, mostly out of statute debts, then attempts to collect by threatening legal actions against unsuspecting consumers. Anyone contacted by this phony group of debt collectors is warned NOT to send them any money. They are liars and con artists. Amy McDonald is already in hot water with the CA State Bar for her association with them. File ethics complaints against her if they use her name or make threats. Do not send these jerks any money, they are NOT legal, they are liars!

August 2008  Pro Vest I just wanted to make people aware that there is a company called ProVest that scurries around with all the bottom feeders and junk buyers.

The information that I found out about them is that they are a "skip tracer" and will hunt your address and your personal information down for a cost.

How they receive this information is completely illegal. They will call people who are in your vacinity and start making up garbage about how they were in sports with you and they are in town but can't find you, do your parents still live in the area. They will also call family members and say they are lifelong friends but just can't seem to get thru on your phone number could they re-verify it for you.

ProVest is a large company that has satellite companies and they are growing. I know I was checking my area and they are stationed out of Philadelphia but have no trouble driving up to my area (6 hours) away to serve a summons for the junk buyer who has contacted them.

I searched your site, and I couldn't find anything about them. so I wanted to give you a head's up.

I searched thru previous posts and found the wonderful website that identifies junk buyers and all their friends and went in and checked it out, this is how I found out about ProVest.  I found their number on my caller ID one day and was amazed.
 

August 2008  Diversified Adjustment Service, Inc. "The Collection Specialists". 800 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433/ mailing address: PO Bx 32145, Fridley, MN 55432 Local phone # 763-780-1042, toll free 800-592-3429, fax: 763-780-9338.

August 2008   Anchor Receivables Management  Anchor tried to pull a fast one on me but I cut that off quick. They offered me a debt settlement but wanted my checking account number in return for the settlement. I told them no way. I sent a formal complaint to the attorney general who in turn sent them a letter asking why they were trying to deceive me into supplying my checking information. They tried to lie their way out of it, but, long story short, I wound up getting the settlement under my terms and they wound up with a warning.
 

August 2008   Northstar Companies  Northstar Companies (no connection to Zenith) this company is headed by Joel Castle, former CEO of Great Lakes - the grand daddy of all Buffalo Collections agencies. he had to close Great Lakes due to too many suits against the company. He claims however that this business belongs to his children - not him, but he leads all meetings on the floor. This company tries to promote itself as FDCPA compliant, especially in the media, but is not in any way. Although collectors may be monitored and occasionally written up to save face if investigated - managers are not!!! When mangers are forwarded calls from collectors for a "2nd" voice - they threaten legal action, liens, garnishment and even police involvement. This is particularly true of James Hatric, Roberta Hanlan ("Bobby Hanlan"), and Chuck McCoy. These managers all use an alias and with good reason. These managers, especially Hanlan are very close to Floor director "Maggie Long". Long and Hanlan also have a lesbian love relationship. This could be why the director lets her get away with so much. She also has a relationship with Jim Hatrick.

August 2008   National Legal Recovery Service  NLRS - Owned by Rebbeca Gallagher (formerly Rebecca Werth) an ex- associate of Doug Mckinnon - Munson/Lenahan/Giove Law. Brenda Kretschman worked for this person before working for McKinnon and Bohn, but left due to the company's legal problems with attorney generals. This bunch of scumbags threaten legal action and have no right to do so and also break FDCPA laws all over the place. Both Gallagher and former manager Carolyn Audino posed as attorneys on various talk offs. Audino now works as a collector for National Action Financial Service. The NLRS address and phone is (888) 865-6577 - 6000 N. Bailey Ave., Suite#2, Amherst NY 14226-5102.

August 2008   Vandenberg, Chase & Associates  This company is brutal. They are a collection agency, apparently newly formed in March 2008, that have their "investigators" call and make you believe they are a law firm and if you don't pay they will issue a warrant for your arrest, garnish your wages, etc. Mind you, they do all this without ever having sent anything in writing regarding the alleged debt.   Phone: (404) 249-1099  Address: 2870 Peachtree Rd NW Ste 492  Atlanta, GA 30305-2918     Mohammad Ahmed, President   887 W Marietta St NW Ste J102
Atlanta, GA 30318-5266     Fax: (404) 249-9599  www.vcacorp.com

August 2008   Credit Collections Bureau, Rapid City SD  This agency is a lawsuit waiting to happen. They sued me for a debt that I know I didn't owe after I requested full validation. I received nothing, and pointed that out at the hearing. Unfortunately the judges in Pennington County, SD are probably being paid by CCB to automatically side with them, as despite their violations of the FDCPA, they awarded a judgment against me. I am now filing for bankruptcy because come hell or high water, I am not paying them one penny, judgment be damned.

August 2008   Takhar Collection Services, LTD Missed a call from 800-898-4426 yesterday. Left a voicemail message so garbled and static ridden that I couldn't decipher it. Tried calling back and only got an automated message that the voice mailbox was full. Did some research over at 800notes and whocallsme and apparently that's par for the course. Others there report that they are trying to collect for BMG music/DVD's, most people reporting that they've never had an account with BMG. It also seems that they employ overseas call centers. Almost sounds like a phishing scam, might be worth keeping an eye on these guys.

Head office :
Takhar Collection Services Ltd (TCS)   202 Beverly Street   Cambrdige ON N1R 3Z8, CANADA
Branch offices :  2500, boul. Daniel-Johnson   Bureau 908   Laval, Quebec H7T 2P6, CANADA
US :  1623 Military Road, Suite 537   Niagara Falls, New York 14304

August 2008   Rubin & Rothman  I am thoroughly frustrated with the way Rubin & Rothman conduct their business.

I have received aggressive harassing phone calls from Rubin & Rothman, which has become infuriating to me and my family.  My ordeal started when I discussed a payment plan, mind you, we HAVE NOT MISSED A PAYMENT. It might be in a week later than the agreed-on 20th of each month, at most, but not one was missed. The first incident started when a Rothman's representative screamed over the phone at my wife, repeatedly threatened to “destroy” her, told my wife that she -- the rep -- owned a nice house and paid her bills promptly, and that my wife should NEVER BE CONSIDERED as decent human being!”

Then as soon as the due date comes the calls start. Payments are due on the 20th of the month, if they do not have your payment on that day they call my cell phone, then my work phone. Then also an automated message also calls my cell phone shortly after an employee does.

Here is my dilemma. I work for a company, where these calls are unacceptable. The representatives of Rubin & Rothman who made these phone calls are extremely rude and very unprofessional. The greatest insult rests on Rubin & Rothman’s remarks, when they even told my boss at my place of employment that he was a “liar” when he refused to give out personal information about me. On many occasions Rubin & Rothman has called my job and told my co-workers that “I owe money and I refuse to pay my bills!” This is just unacceptable!

Surely you can understand my frustration. It would be very helpful if someone can contact me regarding this issue and advise me on how to proceed, which would be greatly appreciated.

kevin is ex con. they promise high credit scores. about 20 of his employees including a few managers filed a lawsuit against him...check it out & warn consumers!!!

August 2008   To Consumers with debt problems  Just wanted to let y'all know that if you fight most of these knuckleheaded, bottom feeders with Bud Hibbs Cease Comm Letter and/or Time Barred letters, they will stop harassing you, for the most part. Demand that they do not sell or share your information with anyone else. Keep in mind, though, each time you check your credit bureaus, it will flag your current address, and you'll get more bottom feeders harassing you. I've sent out cease comm and time barred letters to several agencies that have been hounding me for quite some time, not a single one of them has contacted me again, and my credit bureau's are clean. Fight them, and don't give up. Don't give them a thing! Ask them to validate everything and when they don't hit them with the cease comm letter. Most of these bottom feeders have fax machines...hit them twice, once by fax, be sure to keep the transmission sheet as that's proof they received it and certified return receipt mail. It works. Thanks Bud!

August 2008   Certegy  In January of this year I wrote a check, not knowing that I did not have enough money in my account to cover this. When I discovered what had happened, I called the company and they said that a company named certegy had covered the check. I am now being contacted by this company and they keep telling me they are going to call the sheriff if I don't pay this immediately. I told them I would make payments if they would take less than the full amount and they say no way. Did you ever hear of this company.

August 2008   Kramer & Frank PC are probably the number one debt collectors in MO. & IL. They take everyone to court and usually win. They bank on you not showing up so they can get a default judgment. Their know for taking on Midland Credit Management account that are clearing past the statue of limitations. They do a lot of Capital One accounts. Once you don't show up for court, they will garnish your bank account and then your wages. I was in their offices, their daily deposit was $180,955.37. The lady left the checks and money in plain view, I couldn't help but see it. How much of this money was from zombie debt.

August 2008   Spellman & Roman   I began receiving threatening phone calls from a company calling themselves "Spellman and Roman". They threatened my mother in law, my work, saying they would cause a "disturbance" there and get me fired and then the final straw was the following: A woman by the name of D.C. Miller called and said I had to pay $1486.10 in 20 minutes "or else". I asked what she meant by that and she said "well, let's put it this way...I know I'm going home tonight, but you'll never even make it home". I asked if that was a threat on my life, and her response was "take it however you want". I immediately drove to the police station and filed a complaint statement with them. This woman called again while I was at the police station filling out the forms, so I tried to pass my cell phone to the officer assisting me, and she hung up on him. (He identified himself as an officer and she called him a "liar" and disconnected.) I researched the FDCPA, and these people have violated 16 articles in it...even if you let them know that you are aware their actions are illegal; they don't care...they just keep harassing and threatening.

They refuse to provide any documentation, but in one phone call I managed to get them to slip up and give me the original creditor's name which they said was "Ashland Funding". I searched online and found a phone number for them of 1-866-722-2770, and called it. They said they had my name on file, but that they had "sold" my debt to a company called iCollect, and to call them. iCollect's phone number is 1-866-856-1024, and when I called, I am unable to reach any live person; it is just a recorded message saying you should contact the original creditor if it is less than 90 days old, or contact the collection agency that is calling you if it is over 90 days old. No other phone numbers are provided, no address, nothing!

As for the actions of "Spellman & Roman" (which I have researched, and have gone by all of these names: State Predisposition, Jacksonville Law, Offices of Winston Law, Offices of Sydney Roman, Law Offices of D.C. Miller, Bass Associates and Spellman and Roman...all within  the last 6 months, so there's a BIG red flag there!), I have begun filing complaints with anyone and everyone. I filed complaints/statements with my local law enforcement, FBI fraud division, FTC, State Attorney General for both Florida (their original base) and South Carolina (although their address there is fraudulent and comes up as an empty warehouse), homeland security financial division, BBB. They insist that the only way you can pay the debt is to deposit cash into a bank account at Bank of America, so I took that account number with me to B of A and notified them that someone was illegally trying to extort money from me through their financial institution. The had me fill out statements for the Corporate Securities department.
Anyone wanting to ask more information from me on this, please feel free to contact me at "myessentiajewels@aol.com" as I am happy to help anyone avoid the nightmare I am going through with these people.

AFTER MULTIPLE MORE THREATS AND HARASSMENT, I FINALLY TOOK ACTION TO CONTACT THE AGENCY THEMSELVES:

This is an actual cut and paste of the letter I sent them. It does have info in it from some research I have done, and some interesting background on them. Once I sent them this, they suddenly stopped calling, emailing, etc. I have not heard a peep from them since!

Here is the letter (with my personal information X'd out):

To the offices of D.C. Miller, Spellman & Roman, or whichever company name you are using right now:

I received an email from your offices on July 29th, 2008, which stated that I have 30 days to dispute in writing. I am exercising my rights under the FDCPA to request documentation of the original debt, the original creditor, their contact information and any and all fees incurred on the debt since it's incurement.

Legally, under the FDCPA, you were required to send me this documentation within 5 days of our first contact, which was on July 17th. The documentation is to be sent via USPS mail. This is my 18th request for written documentation via mail. I have given you my current address many time, but in case you misplaced it, here it is again: P.O. Box (XXXXX), Reno, NV (XXXXX).

Furthermore, under my rights in the FDCPA, I am notifying you to cease and desist calling my home phone, cell phone, employer and third parties. Legally you may only contact a 3rd party one time to request my contact information, and you may not reveal the purpose for the call or identify yourself as a credit collector to a third party; to date you have contacted 3rd parties regarding this issue a total of 32 times and have disclosed personal information and threats to the 3rd parties each time. This is clearly operating outside of legal parameters.

I have attempted 3 times to send a written dispute to the address you provided on your email, and 3 times I have received the mail back advising me the address is a "vacant" address. Further research into the address shows that it is an unoccupied storage facility. I checked for nearby addresses to see if there was possibly a "typo" in the address on your email, however, the State of South Carolina does not have a legal operating company by the name of Spellman & Roman...not in Moncks Corner or any other part of the state.

Your representatives going by the names of Lewis Steadman, Winston Law and D.C. Miller have continuously called me, harassing me and threatening me. The woman calling herself "D.C. Miller" has even made threats to my employer (saying they will cause a disturbance at my place of employment) and made a threat against my life (saying that she was going home but I would never even make it home). All of the above parties have threatened me multiple times with imprisonment, which is also illegal under the FDCPA.

On multiple calls, your representatives identify the company as the "Law Offices Of...", which is also illegal to falsely represent yourself as a law office when you are in fact not. Given that you are not actually any sort of law office; and given your multiple violations of the FDCPA; I realize now that you may full well not be familiar with or even understand the FDCPA. I would suggest to you that retain some actual legal counsel to assist you with this lack of knowledge.

In researching the debt, I have found that Ashland Funding "sold" the alleged debt to iCollect, who then "sold" it to you. However, no one is able to provide me any documentation that this is a legitimate debt, or original documents. You agents advised me that if I didn't pay the money via cash or a pre-paid Visa card, they would contact Ashland and tell them to collect upon the debt, however, after speaking with Ashland, they informed me that they no longer have anything to do with this matter as it was "sold", and then they advised me not to do business of any kind with your company.

Because your company has illegally extorted $1000 from me through threats of violence & imprisonment utilizing a bank account with Bank Of America, I have gone to Bank of America and notified them of the actions. They have had me fill out statements for their corporate securities division to investigate the fraud and extortion.

I have also begun filing complaints with the FBI, FTC, BBB, State Attorney General for South Carolina and the State Attorney General for Florida (where I traced your company to), Homeland Security Financial Division, and my local law enforcement. I am currently in the process of retaining an attorney to seek a suit against your company for damages, attorney fees and the original extortion amount of $1000, which by the way is a felony.

I have found many, many victims of your extortion and fraud, and we are collectively attempting to put together a class action lawsuit against not only your company, but to seek civil suit against those employees that have threatened physical violence against the victims.

The following two links go dirctly to sites where hundreds of victims describe the abuse they have received from your company.

August 2008   McCarthy, Burgess & Wolf, Ohio  I understand that CA's have a job but I don't think that job should be to automatically SCREAM at people and belittle them. This company has the rudest people working there and it doesn't do any good to speak to a supervisor because they are just as demanding and rude! I work for a company that MBW is trying to "Collect" something from and I am the unfortunate one who HAS to answer the phones. Mark Blackwell became instantly rude when I told him the owner wasn't in and when I couldn't get a word in edge wise, due to his yelling at me, I hung up. He called back 4 more times just as mean and rude. I called the number back and asked for a supervisor and spoke with JEFF, and because I didn't give him what he wanted said that he couldn't promise that his workers wouldn't be mean in the future. They are insulting and have no respect. Watch out!! I will hang up on them until they treat me with respect!

August 2008   Estate Information Services, LLC   1 (877) 714-3739 and (614) 322-2758 Estate Information Services, 2323 Lake Club Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43232. My brother David died in June 2008, and he had a lot of credit card debts-- in excess of $200,000 of credit card debts. When combined with his mortgages, he owed over $400,000 at the time of his death. He was single and had no children. None of his family members co-signed for any of his debts. Since his estate is hopelessly insolvent, none of us want to spend the money to open probate, and none of us want to be executor for his estate. But now we are getting phone calls from this probate collection agency demanding that we pay them and that we give them probate information. We told them to stop calling and we even sent them a letter telling them to stop calling us because we are not responsible for his debts. But they keep calling us and they are very hostile on the phone. We have been recording their telephone calls, and we plan on filing a complaint against them with our Arizona Attorney General's office.

August 2008   Paul Law Office  Paul Law Office is now using pre texting to get to people. I believe that is illegal.

In one call the caller acted like it was a political survey. Paul Law Office's toll free number showed in caller ID. Asked on what organization she was calling she said she "wasn't allowed to tell."

Received two calls showing Global on the caller ID. When the number is called the message states Global Construction Company. If the call is answered caller eventually identifies as calling on behalf of Tracey Paul. If you do call back they capture your caller ID. Within a short while a call comes from their office in Utah.

Didn't Congress make pre texting illegal?  I recognize the same voice in all these calls.

August 2008   American Payment Systems  My letter arrived today, Final notification ,addressed to my wife ( Third party rule). Implying legal action (another violation) for an account that is years past SOL. If these fools have any money some one should file a class action, we could all benefit.

August 2008  CCA  Collection Company of America  I am receiving daily phone calls from a collection agency called CCA, or Collection Company of America. My husband answered one of their calls about a week ago. They were looking for someone with my name, but they had the wrong SSN and DOB. My husband was smart enough not to give them any information. He only confirmed that the information they had was not mine. They said they would make note of this on the account and promised the calls would stop. We were out of town for the past few days and returned to an answering machine full of their calls. They say that "I" must return their call immediately and reference a case number they leave in the message. From the bit of research I have done thus far, I can see that they collect for the Department of Education. However, I am not behind on any of my student loan payments. I got copies of my credit report from the three CA's and this debt does not appear on any of them. I also checked on my account status at both student loan agencies I pay monthly and there is no record of this debt. How do I clear this up? I am concerned that this is going to get worse. The blogs I've read about CCA make it sound very nasty. How do I get them to leave me alone?

August 2008  Central Credit Services, Inc. I have been told by two companies I settled with a while back that they are sending me letters saying my account was paid off - we'll see.

If I have any further problems, I will contact you. They were so nasty and ill-tempered to me on the phone. All I was trying to explain to them was that their information was incorrect and that I could prove it.

They go so mad. I really didn't understand why. Now, I do after reading all you info.

My amount is small - $137.00 my dentist never did get - but they said it was for him. This was someone at RPM in Bothell Washington. So I asked for a "pull recording request" to be filled out. Do you know that this agency, RPM, came back 2 months later and asked me for the difference between what we had settle on and the $137.00??????

RPM has not been rude to me when I called them - and at least at this point, one of the "escalations" supervisors is trying to help me. She actually told me that this other collections agency had bought what was left over after my settlement with JC Penney. I said to her "isn't that illegal"? Apparently not.

August 2008  Kopolow Law Firm I have some debt. I will admit that. And while old bills are always on my mind, my family, food, shelter, lights, gas, etc... are first on the list at payday. Left over goes to bills. Today I come home and my children hand me a note that has been left under my door mat that says I am to "call John Hudson (Kapolow Law Firm) at 866-623-7078, your phone is not working for him". Well, phone wasn't on my list. But I do know I have never received any correspondence from this "Law Firm" nor have I ever talked to this John. But, to send someone to my house?? To give someone my address and send them with a sticky note to knock on my door? Where my family sleeps? Ohhh myyyyy gossshh. It probably cost them more in gas than the debt I may owe for God only knows what. Can they do that?

August 2008  Mendelson Law Firm This law firm is the champion attorney for the evil collection agencies (including Unifraud) and creditors

August 2008  Pinnacle Credit Services, LLC  Be careful of this junk debt collector, they bought some very old First USA accounts, most are already out of statute, sent them out to Lawrence Hecker. Make them validate, there are not any documents to back up their claim. Hecker will threaten lawsuits. These debts are too old to collect. They also operate under Fourscore Resource Capital, it's the same as Pinnacle.

August 2008    Pressler and Pressler   Awful crooks. buy up old debt and then sue for judgments. I tried to work out a settlement with them to no avail.  I had to hire an attorney to get them off my back and wound up paying on a debt that was past the stat of limitations/

August 2008    First National Collection Bureau   I was just wondering if anyone had any information on this group. The letter also has a PO box listed in Concord, Ca. Thank you for any information.  Is this who you are looking for? 775-322-0444.  First National Collection Bureau Inc. 610 Waltham Way  McCarran, NV 89434 

August 2008    E R M I   calls my house every hour on the hour. When I answer, no one is there, when I don't no message is left. The new baby can never sleep.  I called them back, and have been put on hold. This is totally frustrating. Nothing in the mail

August 2008    American Express Optima A new twist at re ageing an old debt. I had an old AmEX Optima about ten years ago. It has since dropped from my credit reports except for account reviews. I've noticed that American Express still reviews my credit (account review) about every two months and have for the last ten years. About every 90 days they will send me an offer for a new card stating I may restore my credit with them if I pay a certain amount and they will issue a new card to me. On the back of the application it states that upon issuance of a new card any old balance will be transferred to the new one. This card was issued by the American Express Centurian Bank. I thought banks had to charge off accounts 6 months past due but apparently this bank doesn't. So anyone receiving these offers should be aware they may be re ageing their old debts if they even respond to their offer.

August 2008    ARS...aka Associated Recovery Systems  201 W. Grand Ave, Escondido, CA I was first contacted at the end of June 2008 AT WORK by a man stating his name was Chuck Winslow. He said he was collecting a debt on behalf of Lowes in the amount of $2234. He said he could lower it down to $1275 if I made a payment immediately. He then asked for me to give him a postdated check and that if I did not give him one, it would be forwarded to their legal department and a judgment would be made against me. He said "You dont want that, you have a good credit rating". I told him I would not give him any bank information over the phone, and that he should contact me at home. (The debt mentioned was paid off in when my husband and I refinanced our home in July 2007, the mortgage company even gave the date the check was cashed by Lowes to pay off the debt). I told Chuck Winslow the times that I would be available at home in the evenings after work, but he only called during the MORNING AND AFTERNOON on my home phone leaving messages that I must contact him immediately to avoid legal action. Well, today, July 31st 2008, my father who lives in ILLINOIS (I live in CA) and is 70 years old called my work in a panic saying that someone from ARS, named MRS BELLAMY from their LEGAL DEPARTMENT was trying to reach me and asked my father to give me a message to call her. Needless to say, my father was in a panic thinking I was in some kind of legal trouble, etc. After visiting this web site, I am going to tell them to go ahead and sue me and I will be taking one of my dear friends, (a criminal defense attorney) to court with me and I will see them there.

August 2008    Ross & Newman Firm  Apparently Greenberg and Assoc. and/or Ross and Newman are going by another name (American Payment Systems). On July 8 they called my cousin's house looking for me and stating "This is Jane Thomason from Ross and Newman and they were filing a Civil Complaint in York County case number 91004 if I did not call them by 7 pm." I got the message 3 days later. Well Aug 1 I finally received the first letter from them (now called American Payment Services but same address as Greenberg) and in this letter stating it is their FINAL NOTIFICATION. They have the case number listed for court. They addressed it in care of my husband. I am mailing off a letter to them requesting $1000 for violating the FDCPA or I'll meet them in court where they can pay me and my attorney.

August 2008   Marshall, Greene & Associates, Inc.   An update on Profile Management Inc. of Buffalo NY. This company has now changed its name, according to its web site, to Marshall, Greene & Associates Inc. http://www.marshallgreeneinc.com

August 2008      I found an interesting website: www.debtconnection.com, that places like mann-bracken probably frequent. It has lists of porfolios for sale with the value amount of portfolios and when the bids start etc. Mann-Bracken is not registered but you can bet they use it. The debts are sold worldwide there so you can bet 99% of those low life junk debt buyers never never ever check for facts.

August 2008   Berlin-Wheeler   Just to let you know they are using a new tactic. I received a "refund" check in the mail from this company. Says for customer accommodations. I knew I wasn't due any refund so decided to Google them. They are a collection agency that doesn't appear to have a very good reputation.  Yeah, that's a trick too many fall for - don't sign anything to activate the "check" and don't deposit it through your personal bank.  Some people have reported using a check-cashing service to get the money and run...

August 2008   National Services Processors   This criminal organization needs to be stopped. I am at a loss as to how they can continue to operate. With all the information, complaints and negative testimonials circulating around the Internet about these criminals, you'd think somebody would do something.

They called my ex-step-mother and ex-wife. Since I am still in contact with both of them, they called me to let me know this organization was calling and threatening lawsuits or arrest. I am not a lawyer but I would think that the inference of being a criminal would be enough to constitute defamation of character. Aside from the myriad of laws they break on each and every phone call, you would think that there are enough people out there to launch a class-action suit or some other litigation against these criminals. Maybe this has been attempted and they have eluded it somehow.

What bothers me the most about this organization is they are not just inflicting financial harm, but they are also hurting people emotionally. My step-mother is elderly and she was really upset by this. I can't imagine how many other people have been worried or lost sleep over these bogus claims.

Anyhow, I called this organization to tell them to quit harassing my friends and family. I have been in the professional collections business and am familiar with all the laws. A collection agency is defined as any entity attempting to collect a debt. If they are legitimately attempting to collect a debt, they most adhere to the FDCPA among other state and local collection laws. These laws were designed to stop organization from intimidating people and to give people an even playing field in which to professionally interact with the debt collector. It is obvious they are not playing by the rules nor do they care that they are breaking them.

My interaction with these people was nothing short of comical. I had one "investigator" ask me if I liked being a nerd. He asked me how long I had been wearing a pocket protector at which time I asked him how long he had been a felon and how many years of his life had he wasted in prison. Needless to say, he got very defensive and more verbally abusive. It was all I could do not to laugh. He hung up on me and I called back and got another person. I asked her if she was a felon, too. She hung up on me. I called back and a guy professing to be the supervisor said he was going to report me for harassment at which time I could not contain my laughter. After my laughter subsided he said I was in serious trouble. He went on to give me a diatribe about the state of our country's economic woes and how people like me are the cause of it. Wow!! These guys are either seriously mentally ill or they have been completely brain washed into believing that what they are doing is right. Either way, they need to be stopped.

I have a very common name and as it turns out the 14 year-old debt wasn't even mine so all the harassment was done for nothing.

954-397-7024    954-397-7031    954-397-7030  in case anyone is keeping tabs on numbers.  The breakout on Ranieri is on another site; www.giovelawofficeexposed.com

July 2008  Warner Robins  This "law firm" is one of the worst bottom feeders I have ever seen. They were calling me everyday for a long time then stopped. When they started calling again it was several months later. Every time they call it is a different person and when I ask about the last person that called I am told they are no longer employed there. That should tell you something. I have an old credit card that they are trying to collect on and have tried to work out payments. But as stated in one of the other comments they told me they are not a financing company and I had my chance to make payments. I am sending them a cease letter and have also spoken with a local attorney who told me these guys are terrible.

July 2008  Heath W. Williams, LLC  Heath Williams is an attorney who represents PDQ Services. He does have or did have litigation against is firm for violating the FCRA.  (Atlanta, GA)

July 2008  McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff   These scum-bag liars phoned me 6 times in a row one day last week. I told them not to call again the first 5 times, but they persisted, screaming over the phone. The 6th time went to voicemail, then I sent them the famous Bud Hibbs letter (which always works).   They present themselves as lawyers but are not. They are simply uneducated, ignorant people who want a job wherein they can harass others.

July 2008  Financial Recovery Center, North Tonawanda, NY   I received a call from this company.  They said they were a law firm.  I know Todd Laraba, Shawn Larava and Jane Laraba own the company.   They are saying they will levy bank account, seize any property and sue me.  I told to sue me and nothing ever happened.  They also smoke crack in the office when not working.  They should be shut down and lose any licenses.

July 2008    Sentry Credit Inc I have received a call from Sentry Credit Inc. calling and leaving a message like they are a long lost "best friend" and leave know detailed information. They have been asked a total of five times not to call that the person that they are looking for does not even reside at this number. They continue to call leaving that person they are asking for a detailed information that they are going to have to file a lawsuit in our town. This last couple of calls came from a Haily Campbell and she is going on in the message that um they need this person to call her back and um that they are going to um have to file in the town and to call her back ASAP. I have done some research on this company through Google and found that they are heavily backed by Wells Fargo Bank and they do auto collections. They opened on 8/1/97 in Everett Washington. Mr. Michael Mathers, President and additional personnel staff are Bill Perrella, Kelly Wilson, Collection Manager, and Andre Duran. They have had 41 complaints filed against them through the Washington State Better Business Bureau and of those 41 complaints filed only 22 have been resolved. They are members of the Everett Chamber of Commerce, Better Business of Washington and Oregon, The American Collectors Association, The Washington Collectors Association. There phone numbers are 425-257-9500, 800-608-2581, 425-257-9525-fad. They are located at 2809 Grand Ave., Everett, WA 98201-3417. The company website is www.sentrycredit.com. I did this research in case anyone has had or will have contact from these slim balls and need information. I do hope that this helps.

July 2008    Credit Bureau of the South is a very legitimate agency. Folks that can see even just a little know the difference from a parking garage and a visitor parking area and front entrance. Credit Bureau of the South sells credit reports and reports collection items to Experian, Equifax, Trans Union and Innovis. David G. Moore is their staff attorney and very well liked by the judges. His Louisiana Bar Number is 9606. Credit Bureau of Greater Shreveport no longer exist, but an agency called Credit Bureau of Louisiana is in their building. They do not have a staff attorney and offers only part of what Credit Bureau of the South does.

July 2008    Evans, Thomas and Associates  i was employed at Evans Thomas and associates stayed only a few days not every bill collector is a bottom feeder i personally have never used shady ways to collect a legitimate debt i left for being advised to violate federal law and to belittle people

July 2008    UC Bureau Collections, Ohio  Here's a real winner for ya. UC Bureau Collections in Toledo, Ohio will call anyone and everyone they can to get you to pay a debt whether you owe it or not. They even have the nerve to try to get other people to pay for you, which is not only dirty business, but illegal. I received a call from one of their star collectors named Safari Jackson who refused to identify himself as a collector or tell me who he worked for. I suspected that he worked for UC Bureau because I allowed a neighbor to use my phone and he called to tell them to leave him alone. Now, they are trying to use me for an answering service to badger my neighbor or pay the debt myself. When I confronted them for the third time, they admitted Safari Jackson (I suspect this isn't his real name) did work for UC Bureau and also had the nerve to tell me that I have no right to tell them not to call my phone. According to them, because I allowed a neighbor to use my telephone, they can now call me any time they want as if my phone belongs to my neighbor. I beg to differ.

July 2008    A & S Collection Associates, Inc.  Vermont   Be advised that agency owner Ronald Saldi, Jr., has been arrested for possession of cocaine. This can be easily verified at the United States District Court, Burlington, VT under Case Number: 2:08MJ26-1. He is currently on release subject to conditions of the court. Do you really want to send money to a cocaine collection agency? Will they be around in a few months? Will another agency come after you for the same money once A&S is gone? Will Ronald Saldi, Jr be collecting debts from a prison cell?

July 2008    National Recovery Group, LLC  aka/ NRG    I did research on a NEW collection company called NRG or National Recovery Group LLC. This company was formed and licensed in the State of New York on March 11, 2008.

Upon contacting this company they are not willing to give you any owner's name. In fact they state they DO NOT send out letters of demand "because letters take too long." Right out of the gate they threaten to sue for debts unpaid. In fact they inquire accounts supposedly listed with credit report agencies, but disregard when accounts state that they are in dispute. Their "claims" people are not knowledgeable as to the Federal Regulations prohibiting harassing phone calls or threats.

Greg Allen and Taja Hartman are two of the people I personally spoke with and Mr. Allen had only excuses as to why Ms. Hartman did not know the laws. I suggest everyone get to know the laws when dealing with this company.

July 2008    I also used to work for pill poppin Larry he fired one guy replaced him with a woman that does not mind doing his dirty work nor did she seem to have a issue with working for a lawyer that loves kiddy porn. Or working for a convicted felon   http://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/34-45689.htm

Larry stumbles around all day like a fool and thinks we all love him , but I have been taping all of the things she says when no one is around , I taped all the call from my " manager " who threatened jail to at least 15 debtors

PUT LARRY WEIL IN A REHAB AND OUT OF A POSITION WHERE HE CAN STILL STEAL! THE 5 YRS HE GOT SEEMS TO NOT HAVE MADE HIM LEARN ANYTHING

July 2008    Alabama Consumers - Something to Consider.    ...two district court judges from Tuscaloosa County appeared with the bottom feeder lawyers. Reminded us that most debtors don't want to pay $300 for a lawyer to just "show up" because they feel they will lose anyway.

Both judges stated that they knew the affidavits filed in their court were bogus and full of hearsay and were generally inadmissible for lack of personal knowledge.

As the creditor attorneys squirmed (the major creditor attorneys in our state sat on the "panel"), One of the Judges told the attorneys attending that the best thing they could do for their clients in collection cases is to have them *NOT APPEAR IN COURT*. He told the group that the Creditor's attorneys never bring any witnesses with them (ones they do bring usually don't have personal knowledge of anything); the Plaintiff has the burden of proof in the cases and hopes the Defendant will appear so they can settle the case or ask the Defendant questions; if the Defendant has an attorney the case must proceed; and once an answer is filed to response to the lawsuit it CANNOT be dismissed without prejudice unless BOTH parties consent (under Alabama's Rules of Civil Procedure). He further stated that neither the Plaintiff nor Defendant has to appear in court unless subpoenaed. So when the
Creditor attorney cannot meet their burden of proof, it becomes a defense verdict.

Local lawyers usually "stow away" clients close by and appear in court without them.  If the Plaintiff brings a witness, the clients get a cell call to come in. Otherwise, it's a 60 second trial.

July 2008    Primary Financial Services    Phoenix  I just got a collection letter from them yesterday. I noticed they did a pull on my credit report, nice that CA's can do this and make my score go down. They just called my home number today and talked with my daughter (who is 11) and where very rude. Calling her stupid and that her mom was going to jail and was a deadbeat (I wish we had the answering machine on to record it). She called me right away and gave me the number of the caller ID. My DV and CLD is going out to them today. They say they are collecting for Dell.

July 2008    Lawrence A. Hecker    This law office called me yesterday about a debt that was over 5 years old. They first called my aunt. I have no idea how they even reached my aunt. They discussed the ENTIRE situation with her. She then called me with my account number, amount that I owe, and the agency's phone number. She told me that the man was a "good guy" and it was the Christian thing to do to settle my debt. Now, my debt is up for family discussion. They even asked her if she would be willing to make a payment on my behalf. The nerve of these people!!! I feel like my privacy is completely violated! I thought people protected things like this from happening! I looked up Lawrence Hecker (I thought he might not be a real lawyer) and I found several class action law suits against him for unfair collection practices. The one I looked into was dismissed!

July 2008     Brumbaugh and Quandahl    These guys have resurrected lawsuits long dead by statute or law. They never successfully served me. By Nebraska law, one case should be thrown out (Section 25-217. and the other is way out of statute of limitations. So, they think they know where I reside and have gone to the court that should have thrown it. I don't answer their suit that was served past the six months and file a special appearance---I can't answer that which does not exist. They let it sit and now nearly one half year later they go to court where it was filed two years ago and served after the six month lawful period and file a motion to have a change of venue. Here's the kicker of how unethical these guys are. They filed a motion for hearing with an order for the judge to sign and a hearing date of July 17th. ALL of the documents state hearing on July 17th, but evidently, unknown to me, they set the hearing for June and even though the papers say July 17th, they tricked the judge into signing an order to change the venue and resurrect the dead lawsuit....again. Sneaky? And, the chief cheese of this "law" firm, the officer of the court he is also serves as the Republican Chair for State of Nebraska which taunts itself as the...family values party. Nice. While all this malarkey goes on, I've been taking care of my Mom who recently was told is dying of pulmonary fibrosis and it is on a VERY fast track to an extremely painful death.

They are also chasing me on an alleged debt that is 8 years old that went to arbitration and its total more than tripled  what allegedly was owed in the first place. That, I know, is against the Fair Debt laws.

July 2008    Jef Booth & Associates, now known as Attorney Jason Head     see www.giovelawofficeexposed.com

After reading all of the comments here, I feel a little more at ease and have a grasp on what I need to do. I had a credit card with Orchard Bank, which because of illness I was not able to pay. So they sent it to collection, I made some payments but it wasn't enough for them. Apparently they first sold the debt to Jef Booth & Associates. A person by the name of Mr. Sanchez called me a work and threatened me with wage garnishment, court, and possibly jail time. Scared me so I agreed to set up a payment plan. I then called and told him not to contact my place of employment, and faxed a letter telling them the same. Before you know it, they had faxed my HR Dept. requesting information about me. A week later I tried to reach Mr. Sanchez and Jef Booth's office was shut down. They had a recorded message saying if you were calling about a debt to call UniStates Credit Agency and gave a garbled 800 number. I called the number and left a message for Mr. Sanchez. Two weeks later he called me back and said Attorney Booth had retired and the office and all accounts had been taken over by Attorney Jason Head. Well, I know in the past two days I found several mentions about Jason Head being part of the Booth, McKinnon group. Today I left a message for Mr. Sanchez and told him that until further notice, do not process any payments, do not call my place of employment. I have asked for validation of the debt so I know exactly what I owe. I took it one step further and called the credit card company. They have referred me to their loss recovery group which I will call on Monday. Thanks to all for posting their comments. I think this is my second one here today, but it makes me feel better knowing that I'm not alone in this battle against these criminals.
 

July 2008    Jason Head, PLC, NY     see www.giovelawofficeexposed.com     I was contacted by a Michael Sanchez who initially worked for Jef Booth. This was regarding a charge off credit card debt. I had made arrangement with Mr. Sanchez to pay the debt then I got suspicious. When I tried to call the phone number that he gave me, all of a sudden it had been disconnected. So I called the recorded number which was left and I believe it was UniStates Credit Agency. I had left a message for Mr. Sanchez and he called me back a few days later. Now he works for Jason Head, PLC. He told me that Jef Booth retired and turned all of his accounts over to Jason Head's office. I did pay the first installment of $200 because this guy sent a fax to my HR Department requesting information about me. Mr. Sanchez did acknowledge that they received the $200 payment (which I sent via MoneyGram through Walmart to UniStates). Now they want me to pay $50 every other week. I understand that the debt is legit and it needs to be paid, but I want it to go to the actual creditor not some slime bag. After reading all of the info that you've got posted, I am going to call Mr. Sanchez on Monday and ask for an "itemized" statement of what I owe, how it was calculated, before I send any additional monies. That will give me the opportunity to find the number for the credit card company and speak with them. How do I stop this so-called attorney's office from contacting my employer requesting information about me?

July 2008    Windham Professionals  I get a call from them a few days ago, and the rep that talked to me started off sounding irritated, hostile, and just really irate. He threatened me, and then went on belittling me and educating me about collection agencies and how he handles over an average of 3,000 accounts a day with over 300 different schools. I mean, all I did was ask a few simple questions. He proceeded to threaten me and harass me for about 20 minutes before transferring me to his supervisor who then said that my SS# has a 'red flag' on it and if I wanted to do something about it then fork up the $5k+ to them! YES -- I paid over $1,000 to them thus far. He then asked me if I could get a loan or a credit card. What the hell? I could if I would if I didn't have to deal with them at the end. He then threatened me to give him sensitive information (which I stupidly did, because at that point I was just upset and didn't think clearly). THEY THREATEN, HARASS, BELITTLE, AND MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE NOTHING.
 

July 2008    Profile Management Inc  operates out of Cheektowaga, NY near Buffalo (what is it about Buffalo and shady collection agencies?). Our attorney general thinks this could be a scam because the address listed is a mail drop tied to a home address even though the Profile Management web site (www.profilemgmt.com) shows a picture of an office building as the alleged location.

Has called us numerous times threatening subpoenas and lawsuits regarding a past debt and has violated just about every law under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including calling us names and leaving specific messages with third parties. The account number it uses in regards to this debt doesn't match what's on the bank statements. Despite being told we dispute the debt, that we will no longer discuss this matter over the phone, and that all communications must be in writing, they continue to call.

They've threatened to have us arrested and to freeze our accounts. I told them to put it in writing. I've put a stop payment on any transaction involving them or their alleged client.

Somewhat amusingly, two of the calls have been from a "Frank Reich" and a "Steve Tasker", both names of former Buffalo Bills players. "Steve Tasker" called today. Guess his job with CBS Sports isn't paying enough.

I've contacted our attorney general's office, which has forwarded our complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. We're also finishing up a complaint form from the New York Attorney General's office.

July 2008    Commercial Recovery Systems, Inc.  Their collector, John Monahan, calls numerous times in a row and during each call threatens to have me arrested for not paying an alleged debt. He refuses to listen to any responses. He violates the FDCPA at every turn. This company is highly disreputable and they do not follow the law.

We had a debt with GM Card/HSBC. They recently sold it to Atlantic Credit & Finance, who has turned it over to the Law Office of John P. Frye. Our balance was $23046, John P Frye offered to settle for $18,748 but we must pay the entire amount now. We applied for a loan and of course, were turned down, due to our credit being ruined. John P. Frye's office told us to borrow from friends or family, which we don't have friends on family who can fork over $18,000. They want us to call them back in two days to see if we've gotten the money. I don't know if we'll be able to get that much. What are our options. They don't seem to want a payment plan, just the large sum. If we had the money, we wouldn't be in this boat in the first place.

July 2008    Ocwen Financial Corporation  I have been trying to get a loan modification through my loan service, Ocwen. I started this process in May and was informed that it would 'take a couple days' to process the modification. I gave Ocwen a couple weeks, did not hear anything and made a follow-up call. I was told that the loan mod department was very busy with all of the modification requests and was behind. I totally understood and gave them another week and called back. Same answer. This was the response I was getting every week until, yesterday, July 7, 2008. I finally made it through to the loan modification department and spoke with a man named Dave. I did not get his last name. He had indicated to me that per the financial information I had submitted, I did not qualify for a modification. I was stunned. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, so I asked that he go through every number with me. We went through all my expenses and my income and it had been concluded that since my husband and I bring home, $9440.43 and my total bills equal $9367.80, we made enough money to be able to handle the payment. My debt-to-income ratio is at 99.2% and it was determined that I make enough to not warrant a loan mod? I was an underwriter for 10-yrs and in all of my years, I have never heard of such a thing. Industry guidelines were anything over 50% on a full income doc deal was trouble and the borrower did not qualify.

I asked to speak to Dave's supervisor and he put on the phone a man by the name of Nong Kumar who claimed to be Dave's supervisor. After a very conflictive conversation with this man, he felt it necessary to make this statement, 'I didn't sign the loan docs, you did.' Excuse me? I told him that comment would get him some heat and explained to him that when I signed those loan documents, I was also making $92,000 a year in salary, which, by the way, is a lot less than the $57,200 I am now making. I lost my job in May of 2007. I was unemployed for five months and had to accept a much lower paying job in October of 2007. Also, during those months I was unemployed, not one late payment.

I will be contacting every single regulatory agency regarding this incident. There is no way Ocwen should be getting away with this. I am happy to see that this company has not changed it practices, even in this time of crisis for many homeowners.

July 2008    McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff  Cleveland, OH  I began receiving threatening and harassing phone calls from this firm in April from a debt of $1000.00 I owed to "Dex" Yellow pages (Ameritech) out of Chicago. First off, when the rep contacted me he did not disclose that he was a "bill collector". He made it appear that he was an attorney and that the company that I owed the funds too had already started legal proceedings. As a matter of fact, I made mention of him being a "lawyer" and he said NOTHING to dispute this. He requested my credit card number over the phone to "pay the debt". I asked him if I could simply contact the company to pay them, and he said absolutely not, I HAD to pay them. I paid half of the debt on my credit card, and three weeks later I received a phone call from this same rep indicating that he was going to "pay the remainder of the debt" on the CC number I had previously given him. He left this message on my office VM. I called him immediately and told him that I absolutely would NOT authorize this. Here's where he starting becoming unbelievably belligerent. I was told that he was going to report me to all credit agencies, that my credit would be ruined by this, and that I hope I "enjoyed paying a 28% interest rate on my credit cards".

In the meantime, I received an INVOICE from Ameritech Yellow pages for the balance due. I told the rep (Mark Blackwell) that I was going to simply send them the payments. He again became furious and started threatening me with a lawsuit and ruined credit. I told him that I no longer wanted to receive phone calls from him at my office. If he wished to contact me, he would have to mail me or have Ameritech mail me invoices.

I started receiving threatening and harassing letters to my home address, upsetting my wife extremely. I sent a response letter indicating that I would be sending Ameritech monthly payments until I could afford to pay off the entire balance.

I again received an unbelievably rude, harassing, and threatening voice mail from Mr. Blackwell, again threatening adverse action against my credit, and a possible lawsuit. I asked for a supervisor to contact me, but quite frankly he was no better. I asked him to simply treat me with a little respect, at which he responded "we only respect the checkbook". When I told him I would send him $50.00 a month he responded "not good enough" and hung up on me.

I cannot believe how these people have treated me. I'm pretty thick skinned, but they really have me rattled. I DID send a certified "verification of debt" letter today, and asked I NO LONGER be contacted by phone by these leeches.
 

July 2008    Williams & Fudge   They deal with student loans and other debts. No respect at all for collection privacy laws. Call my house several times daily. If I am not at home they ask my relatives for personal information like my cell phone number, where I work, my work phone number. I told my relatives to hang up on them and tell them nothing. "SOUTH CAROLINA" is what shows up in the caller ID box when they call. A rep named "Crystal" is annoying and deceptive, the first time she called I asked 4 times if she was a collection agent before she admitted it. They pretend to be lawyers. I am gonna send the Cease letter because they are really annoying.

July 2008    Rauch-Milliken International     Rauch Milliken is a friendly group of people from Metairie, Lousiana. During their correspondence with me, they have sent letters threatening to send private investigators to my house, my work, and also to follow me around town and seize anything they can to pay a bill I do not owe. When I attempted to discuss the issues I have with the original creditor, namely my recession right under Oklahoma contract law, which I did exercise to the letter, they refused to acknowledge that I even existed. Their position was simple. I would pay them $2,700 or they would come and beat me down for the money. When I stood up to them and told them I would be more than happy to serve them with a restraining order, they backed down quickly. Now, I'm just waiting for some sneaky move like suing me without ever notifying me I was sued.

June 2008 UNITED PROCESSING INC.  JACKSONVILLE, FL

WATERS, LISA  101 CENTRY 21 DRIVE #107  JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216 US
IVAN, CARMEN  12995 SILVER SPRINGS DRIVE N  JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246

SWICK, CYNTHIA  2527 TREEMONT ST  City-St-Zip: JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207

This company is in serious violation of the Fair Debt Collections Act, and uses EXTREME scare tactics; they misrepresent themselves as a "process server" or legal institution. They claim to be "on the phone with/ representing the state attorney's office". They threaten the debtor with felony charges and arrest. They have access to software that allows them to bring up a background on the debtor that gives them the names of relatives/ contacts as well as current employer. They will contact ALL relatives, employers, etc. associated with the debtor, telling them that the debtor is a felon with charges pending to be executed against them!

June 2008  Financial Accounts Services Team  The name, address and phone number of a VERY SLIMY collection agency who thinks they can go into people's bank accounts and arbitrarily remove funds when they feel like it:

Financial Accounts Services Team, Inc.   8300 Kingston Pike   Knoxville, TN 37919
Tel 865-693-7660   Fax 865-690-6777

I admittedly owed a debt and made an arrangement with these people (trying to do the right thing) -- STUPIDLY giving them my debit card number -- to take pre-arranged amounts out of my account on the 30th of each month until the debt was paid off. They took the first payment as agreed; but then took another $102 payment on the 19th of June instead of the 30th. They have caused me over $230 in NSF fees with my bank. When I saw what happened I called them up and spoke with one "Melvin Wright" who is supposed to be the collections manager. When I told him what happened and that I had things going every which way in my bank account, he stated that they would take care of any charges incurred as a result of them taking it out early. He admitted that a mistake had been made and promised to correct it and asked me to fax them a copy of my bank records showing the charges and that they would take care of it. After receiving the print out he stated "We aren't going to pay any of this. You will have to contact your bank to get them to help you with it." I was incredulous, and stated, "YOU are the ones who CAUSED the overdrafts and you're telling me you're not going to take care of your responsibilities?!" He repeated that they would not pay me anything. I told him that I would be contacting the client who hired them (Kroger's Supermarket) and would be reporting them. He told me to go right ahead. What a bunch of criminals. I have cancelled my debit card and there is a watch on my account. What can I do? My bank, of course, refuses to eat any of the charges (and why should they? It wasn't their fault) and these people need to pay for what they have done. I have also reported them to Kroger's who - to their credit -- appears to be taking my complaint seriously. Is there anything I can do aside from what I'm doing?

June 2008    Northland Group Inc  There's lots of complaints about collection agency NORTHLAND GROUP INC based in Edina MN. Please note NGI was recently acquired (April 2008) by Wisconsin-based private equity investment group MASON WELLS. See northlandgroup dot com and masonwells dot com . We too have several run-ins with NGI where we've both DV and CC NGI in timely manner but NGI fails to validate and NGI continues to phone ... return phone calls to them about this yield only moronic abuse. Please add NGI to your list of undesirables. I'm in South Carolina.

June 2008   MCT Group    Never heard of them until they filed suit against me in San Diego. I have not lived in San Diego since 2002.   Did some research on the court file and they claim I was served at a restaurant there. Funny, because I live in Miami now... found 26 other people who all had "service" at places they don't live or work at.

Further research shows they are owned/controlled and represented by Robert Susnow, attorney from Beverly Hills.

I'll be heading to San Diego soon to take care of business, but he's been real busy in Southern California.

June 2008   UB Collections is one of those nasty phone numbers that crops up in everyone's caller ID. I found out about them because they called my mother and when they could not get her, called all of her neighbors looking for anyone they could find. I called the number, told them that calling everyone in town was both unprofessional, told them to stop, and asked for their address. They responded by asking why I wanted their address. I told them to send a cease and desist letter. The little worm would not give me the company's mailing address. Instead, he said I would have to find where to send my letter on my own. In the meantime, they continue to call everyone in the telephone book, but I have vowed that I will find them and find how to get a cease and desist letter into their office.

June 2008   Professional Credit Services  My son (37) had several notices from this Debt buyer about a 2001 US Bank debt for $2700. He answered every request and denied the validity asking for proof of claim. The collection company through its attorney Wanderer Law in Las Vegas sat on the claim until 1 week before the statute of limitations would expire then filed suit in Washoe County Court in Reno NV. Every motion was answered as required by law and each of those motions asked for a hearing before the judge to dispute the action. Needless to say he never got his day in Court, the judge just issued a summary judgment for $6000 + which he paid but disagreed with. So this shows you that the Courts are useless in standing up for the individuals rights and that conspiracy exists at all level of the justice system. It's nothing more than legalized loan sharking and the irony is that they don't even know the facts of the debt. Whose is worse the Mafia or Debt buyers (RICO) - spit spit.

June 2008    Pioneer Credit Recovery  Pioneer Credit keeps calling my house and asking for my Holly (my 11 year old daughter) When we advise them that she is a minor and ask what it is regarding, they refuse to tell us saying that the need her "permission" to speak to us. How can an 11 year old grant permission, let alone have a debt that needs to be collected?

June 2008    Dominion Law Associates, Virginia Beach, VA    I noticed some people asking about this company, including one of the online help forums. I came upon it by mistake as an employee has an internet site with her employer listed.  Dominion Law Associates AKA pendercoward.com  Go to that site and look up the attorney profiles and look for the name David L. Horne.

You will find that he is president of Dominion Law Associates. They are running multiple companies under the name of pendercoward.com

June 2008   Apothaker & Associates, Philadelphia  These company filed a civil suit complaint last year. I filed my answer to the complaint. I also sent a copy requesting proof this debt belong to me. To date, I have not received a hearing date nor any documentation validating this debt. I am going to file complaints with the Pennsylvania Attorney General, the BBB, the FTC and PA Bar.

June 2008   Yellin & Goldner   I was originally contacted by Yellin & Goldner and lists their counsel as Mitchell N. Kay. I called the number provided to me by Yellin & Goldner (617) 964-0987, which is a Massachusetts phone number. To my surprise it said the Law Offices of Mitchell N. Kay. I looked up his name with the MA BBO and he is not an attorney in Massachusetts. He isn't an attorney in Washington D.C. as the letter stated and M.N.K.'s license expires in New York this year if he doesn't renew it.

I also noticed that the letters from Yellin & Goldner have a statement that says this information has not been reviewed by an attorney. I also noticed that the letters where sent from Royal Oak Michigan. I find it odd that an attorney only 60 miles from me would have his mail sent from that far away.

Now today after the phone calls from Mitchell N. Kay have stopped and the letters from Yellin & Goldner have stopped I am getting recorded messages on my answering machine from Plaza Associates AKA Mitchell N. Kay. I said it from day one that the letters where from plaza but was unsure and now I know.

I am wondering what laws have been broken if in fact Plaza used Yellin & Goldner attorney letter head to get me into paying something when Yellin & Goldner has no idea what is going on.

June 2008   Dominion Law Associates, Virginia Beach    I was sent a warrant to go to court from this company for a total of $219.00 owed. I called today and asked about what it was that I owed. Apparently this is due to a $35.00 check that bounced. (my mistake.) The $219.00 consists of $35.00 for the payment, $38.00 NSF fee, $105.00 civil penalties, and $41.00 court fee. Is this correct--can they fine me civil penalties or can I argue this? The person I talked to on the phone also said that I cannot avoid going to court unless I pay the full amount. From what I've read on this website that is not necessarily true but I am not certain.

June 2008   Solomon and Solomon PC  5 Columbia Circle Albany New York 12203  These low lifes are trying to collect on a bogus debt that I simply don't owe. They continue to contact me even after the first dispute letter was sent. Please list them here Bud as I believe they are new to this sleazy game. Let's stop them early in their slimy career!

June 2008    Diversified Consultants, Florida   Here's a group that might need to be watched. Received a voice-message from a Charles at 800-771-5361 ext. 1248 advising that there was a timely matter that my daughter may or may not be aware of and that she needed to call back immediately to take care of this timely matter.

He did not identify the company he was with or calling or, did not identify himself as a debt collector, and was pretty vague about the "timely matter"

My daughter does not live with me nor am I her answering service. I believe I heard at least two Fair Credit violations in his message by not identifying his company or telling me it was a collection call. After doing some goggling on his 800 number discovered it is Diversified Consultants, a group of collectors out of Florida with a reputation of not following the federal collection consumer laws.

June 2008   Windham Professionals, Salem NH  Perhaps you should be looking into this agency and those who run it. Chuck Harper, Terry Scott and Scott Swonger. This company is expanding all over the place. Tennessee, Las Vegas, Worcester Mass and the home office Salem NH ....with expansion plans. The collectors only do what management forces them to do as well as allows them to do. Do not be fooled the problems start and end with these Gentlemen. They are con men who are making this collection agency bad!

June 2008    Allegiance One  Please do something about these hellions.  The reason I got behind was because I was out of work and nobody would listen to me.  I tried keeping up, I been playing catch up with all of my creditors.

June 2008     National Asset Recovery (NARS) Jefferson, MO  I have been contacted by Applied Bank regarding a credit card account. I disputed the account with them because at the time, I believed it was in error.  I never heard back from them.

I was recently contacted by National Asset Recovery (NARS) in Jefferson, MO, regarding this. I disputed this with them. I sent a dispute letter via certified mail. I finally received a response from them about 60 days after they signed for the dispute letter.

These clowns at NARS took 60 days to respond to me, in a way they may have helped me, however they call and call and call and leave obnoxious messages on my phone.

June 2008   Empire Collection Authorities, Inc   I am just wondering if anyone has had an experience with Empire Collection Authorities, Inc. I have been getting phone calls from them, (I haven't answered them). I did a little research and cannot find anywhere that they are licensed to do business in my home state of Massachusetts. They have never sent me anything in writing as to what particular debt this is regarding.

Empire Collection Authorities, Inc.
5619 Lankershim Blvd. Ste. 117
North Hollywood, CA 91601-1723
Phone: (818) 980-2400   Fax: (818) 980-2409

June 2008   Richard J Boudreau   This collection agency began calling me at work. When told it was a work number and asked to stop calling, the person laughed and said "No, I'll keep calling until you pay". I told him it was against the law, and his reply was "No, it's not". They are not to be trusted.

May 2008   Pinnacle Financial Group   Pinnacle Financial Group is calling about a charged off Lane Bryant credit card of about $400.00. I told them we didn't have the $400 , they offered a settlement of about half , I told them I'll talk it over with the wife and get back to them. I later called back and told them I'll take the offer but with a few conditions, 1st, I want it in writing on company letterhead, 2nd, the payment will be made only with money orders, 3rd , It will be split up into two monthly payments. Needless to say they didn't like the deal , they said that they needed a checking account or credit card to secure the payments or a money order for the full amount of $400 , needless to say I told them I'm not giving out any bank information , then they tried to trick me into giving out bank info by saying that I give out that info when I make my truck payment and that they are an honest company and don't take more then what is owed , again I told them I'm not giving out bank information. I was told the deal was no longer valid , she was marking my account as a refusal to pay and that further action may follow.

May 2008   Roquemore and Roquemore   Roquemore and Roquemore called and threatened to send people to knock on my door at all hours of the night because they were looking for my brother in law. His mother's car was up for repossession, and they thought he might know something about it. In the process, they called people like myself that have nothing to do with any of it. They skip trace names of people that are not involved in any way, and they are not allowed to do that.

May 2008   J C Christenson and Associates

I received a call from a female (wouldn't provide a real or made up name) debt collector from this agency today. She told me the name of the company and that it was a debt collection agency- a very snotty tone of voice. She then told me how much the debt was for and that I needed to pay it immediately or it was going to go straight to the legal department and a judgment would be placed on my account! I told her that I was currently unemployed and unable to make a payment at this time, but that I could and would pay her on June 17th, 2008 (today is May 28th). She told me that wasn't good enough, and that a payment is not good enough either, it must be paid in full! Now, I know that is not true; by law they have to accept any amount of payment that you are willing to send them and they have to show that amount was paid on your account.

She then went on to ask how I pay any of my bills then, or am I just so lazy that everything goes to collection? Do I have parents? Have your parents pay the debt. I told her that they couldn't pay this debt right now either. She said, well then don't be surprised when a uniformed officer shows up at your door to take you to jail.

My mother works as a collection agent; I know they cannot legally behave this way. She didn't even read me the mini Miranda!  These so called "professionals" were anything but professional in dealing with me!

May 2008   I C Systems

I.C. systems has been showing up on my caller ID for the past six months. I've never been home when they call and they do not leave messages. I recently found out what the calls are for; it's an 3-year old dentist bill for $240 that I had paid down from $700 directly to the dentist. My husband and I both were laid off from work around the same time and the roof over our heads became more important payment priorities.

Now that I'm able to pay it in full I read on the budhibbs site not to pay them with a credit/debit card or by checking account. How do I pay it then? I've also read on many other complaint sites that the I.C. Systems people ask for social security numbers as soon as you get on the phone with them. Do I have to give my S.S. to them to pay the bill? Can't I just verify my identity with address and phone number, even the account number from the dentist?

I also will need a receipt of some kind that the debt is paid in full; do you think I will have problems obtaining such a thing? My credit union is asking for proof that has to come from I.C. systems that the bill has been paid and then we can proceed on a refinancing of our mortgage.

May 2008   Nelson, Watson & Associates, LLC

Alex Falcon from Nelson, Watson & Associates has called me and yelled at me, that I'm wasting his time. He said I will have my wages garnished beginning on Monday next week, for my debt. He called my mother-in-law and told her I am in a "dire situation" with an attorney. He called my parents and said that I "am aware of the dire situation and I am not cooperating, so, if I don't call Alex back, they will proceed with a judgment and garnishment.

May 2008   Jormandy LLC

May want to check out Jormandy LLC -- rude/threatening and other violations of the FDCPA...

Also, another response to the All Agencies Everywhere comment:

I would not be so quick to pass judgment on people about personal responsibility. There are plenty of people out there who are responsible who because of unfortunate circumstances in their lives just cannot pay their bills. They made the "right" decisions -- they did the "right" things -- but life happened to them.

As well, are we to just sit back and take the abuse from collection agencies who violate every state and federal law with impunity? Let's just face the facts here -- the debt collection industry is fully out of control. For every CA that abides by the law there are probably 10 (or more) that don't. If you want to talk about responsibility -- what about the ethical responsibility that these companies have towards obeying the law?

You want to talk about paying your bills -- take for instance a company such as Asset Acceptance, who earlier this year went into technical default on a loan (in the millions.) Although, because of a bit of wheeling and dealing behind the scenes -- they were able "keep the doors open" with only a slight interest rate increase. I can guarantee you that no average citizen would have been able to accomplish this feat -- let alone with a slight increase in interest! Yet a default is a default -- and in the case of Asset Acceptance -- they got away with it. Which, if you happened to be one of the unfortunate who Asset is trying to collect from -- I can assure you that at minimum that a hefty increase in interest would be the least of your worries...

May 2008   Alternative Revenue Systems 14707 E 2nd Ave  Aurora, CO 80011  1 303-366-5275

This agent is rude refuses to tell us his name and sewer served us, denying us a way to defend ourselves in court. The names we have for the head of this agency are fictitious. We have contacted the BBB and the state attorney. Why can agents like this completely violate the law? We made a mistake but our punishment is to be robbed, with the sanction of our own court system. Robbed by an abusive charlatan using an assumed name. We have been denied due process! Please find out the name of the owner-if you can.

May 2008 Response to  "All Agencies Everywhere"  April 2008

I believe the majority of the people who consult this site are genuinely interested in paying their bills. If the bill is fair, I say work out a payment plan.

However, what collectors are doing is taking advantage of people. Interest rates are insanely high. Collectors harass, harangue and bully people. Also, they add interest on interest and additional charges.

With the way the economy is, people are doing the best to survive. I saw a post on a similar site where some collector was trying to extort (that's what it is extortion) $11000 for a $2000 debt that was almost 20 years old.

The courts are jammed with cases like this. Just because a collection service has a piece of paper that says a debt is owed and no corroborating evidence. These collection agencies fabricate documents, make up charges and file lawsuits day in and day out. Do they have the right to collect, probably not. It wouldn't surprise me if some of these bottom feeders send out summons' saying someone is indebted to Santa Claus.

There is no middle class anymore. Those who are in the traditional middle class are falling thru the cracks and they are the ones who are making an effort to pay. The main problem, I think, is the insane interest rates.

May 2008 Pentagroup Financial

I just got a call from Pentagroup Financial stating they were representing Washington Mutual Credit Card. The first girl I talked to was very nice and stated the information to me about my address and account. They said they could offer me a 30% reduction based on a hardship from where my husband had lost his job. She then put me on the phone with the account manager who was very rude. She demanded payment over the phone. I requested that they send me letter stating who they were and who they were representing and the amount owed. She stated that a letter was sent to me on May 6th 2008. I never received this letter and I informed her that I had no idea who Pentagroup was until just now while speaking with her. She wanted $200 from me by the 29th of this month. I asked her to mail me a letter first. Then she got snippy and said that there was no way I would get the letter and have payment to them by the 29th. I again told her that I would not do a payment over the phone and to please send me a letter. She then said that she would inform her client that I am refusing the reduction and refusing to pay. I told her to inform her client that I was not refusing to pay on my debt and that I would like a letter stating the facts and that I would gladly send a payment in. She began to raise her voice at me, so I cut her off and informed her to send me a letter and that I was not going to argue with her anymore and I hung up. Needless to say I got an instant anxiety attack. These people called my brother-in-law and demanded I call them within two hours but neglected to say who they were. It's people like this that make me not want to answer the phone. My family is doing the best we can to get caught up on our debt. She even asked the stimulus payment. That money was taken for a federal debt. I am tapped out, financial and mentally.

May 2008  Paul Law Offices, Salt Lake City

I received a call from 866/507/5050 or 801-466-2130 today . A man stating his name as Chris Jones was calling to inform me of a lawsuit being brought against me by the Tracy Law firm of Utah. Curious because my number is unlisted and he used my maiden name and only after further conversation- he knew my married name and last 4 social digits! This scared me. It has to do with an old Providian Visa account of which I had forgotten about and which hadn't had payments on since 2002. In NC the statutes on a written account are three years, I believe. Now these people have my private home number and I am afraid of the harassing calls now. I googled the name and got info that this is a scam and was directed to this website. What are my rights and how do I fight these people. We do not pay third party people and will only pay the people that we owe directly which we can't do now that the account has been purchased. 

May 2008  Professional Recovery Associates, Inc.

Professional Recovery Associates, Inc., which sometimes inappropriately (and unlawfully) refers to itself as "PRA," is a mom-and-pop collection agency that rents an office in a small building owned by a lawyer in Levittown, New York. The company consists of Steven Castaldo, the CEO, who looks like a rodent and conducts his business and private affairs with about as much integrity as one; his wife, Cathy Castaldo, who suffers from some sort of weird arthritis that causes her to use her hands like lobster claws, and who comes in part-time to do some minor clerical work; three barely-English-speaking, intellectually challenged foreign women; and a 500-pound smelly man named Peter Sforza, who has one bowel movement per hour. This company specializes in medical collections and has no regard for the FDCPA, HIPAA, or any other laws. They routinely fail to validate disputed debts and continue to contact consumers who have properly disputed their debts. They also attempt to collect debts that they are prohibited from collecting by law, such as debts owed by Medicare and Medicaid recipients, and debts properly payable by insurance carriers. This company would rather pay for an FDCPA violation by writing a check than to have to hire a lawyer and go to court over it.

 A sufficient threat of litigation is all it takes to get Professional Recovery Associates, Inc., to write you a check. This company also routinely fails to remit collected moneys to its clients. They're so bad that they recently lost a major client because they couldn't pass a simple risk audit, mostly because they're too cheap to even maintain a basic errors and omissions insurance policy. If these people try to collect a debt from you, dispute it in writing pursuant to the FDCPA. When they call you again--and they will--have an attorney threaten them with litigation. They'll buckle and write you a check. It's a great way to make a couple of fast bucks at the expense of a shady and crooked collection agency that probably won't be around much longer.

May 2008  Sunrise Credit

Sunrise Credit first contacted me in regards to a debt they alleged I owed to U.S. Bank and Arrowood Indemnity. I immediately sent a Demand to Validate letter back in November 2007. In April they responded with a copy of the retail contract. The first time I have ever seen the contract.

The company on the contract is Student Loan Corporation in Delaware. A company that committed wholesale fraud. A fact that arrowwood asserted in federal court when they tried to get out of paying billions in insurance claims, since they wrote policies that strictly prohibited fraud from being a voidable action.

Sunrise credit threatens legal action. They refuse to show accounting for the aging of debt, which to my recollection has a DOLA of 10/2004. If, as the contract asserts, it is governed by the laws of Delaware, that puts it beyond the Statute of Limitations. Though Sunrise asserts the DOLA at 2006.  I am beating my head against the wall in dealing with them.

May 2008  General Audit Corporation  Jeffery G Williams  Fawcett Collections  Lima, OH

I have listed all three because there is some connection, however, GAC may be getting somewhat of a bad rap just because of its association with the other two.

General Audit does collections for many clients (primarily St Rita's Hospital in Lima, OH) and is generally professional. Fawcett Collections is a bottom feeder and Jeffery Williams is an outright thief -- but an impossible to stop thief. Part of the culpability also belongs to St. Rita's.

I had direct experience with these agencies due to  improper actions by the hospital. Three years following a divorce, my ex-wife took her son (born after our divorce) to St Rita's for an emergency visit. When she gave her name, St Rita's automatically filled in insurance information for her from when we were married. St Rita's then sent the bill to my insurance carrier (former carrier at that time) and it was declined for payment. St Rita's then turned it over to General Audit. GA contacted me and asked me to pay. Once I got the details and explained it to them, they stopped and sent it to Fawcett Collections. I received one call from Fawcett (Jeffery G. Williams) and he threw out every threat in the book -- destroy your credit, have you arrested, etc. I hung up on him. Six months later I found a judgment against me on my credit report from Jeffery G. Williams for just over $4000 (the original bill from St Rita's was $268). I got the original bill from St. Rita's, with date of service, got a copy of my divorce decree, showing the service was years after my divorce and the child in question was not one I was required to carry insurance on. I went to Jeffery G. Williams's office and presented these to him. His response was "You are right, this is not your debt. Hire a lawyer and sue me, that'll cost you at least $1000, and if you win, I'll just file another judgment and we can do this again. The statute of Limitations in Ohio is 15 years so we can play this game for a long time." Then he said "Just pay me $3000 and I'll get it off your credit report." I explained to him that I was not planning to pay a debt even he agreed was not mine and his response was "I don't care, you'll pay me now or you'll pay three times as much in fees and costs." He's a snake.

I mentioned earlier he's a thief, but an impossible to stop thief -- I'll explain that. Lima, OH is a relatively small town with just a handful of influential families. Relatives in key places allow some people to get away with just about anything. Local Magistrate (Williams family), local Sheriff (Williams family), Executive Management at St Rita's (largest employer in the area -- Williams family. Civic groups (Lions, Eagles, Elks, Rotary, Optimists -- Williams, Williams, Williams), Chamber of Commerce (Williams). Jeffery G. Williams is a snake -- and a well protected snake. If you ever find yourself in Lima, OH and need medical care -- keep driving. Honest practitioners are available near enough without exposing yourself to St. Rita's/Jeffery G. Williams/Fawcett Collections.

May 2008  General Audit Corporation

General Audit Corporation aka Revenue Management Group aka KeyBridge Medical Revenue Management. Debt Collectors for regional hospitals and medical offices in Western Ohio. Lawyer Jeffery G. Williams at same address sues without notice.

May 2008  FMS Services

This is regarding the post "April 2008 FMS".

I too received a collection letter from FMS Services, which had "been referred to FMS Services (FMS) by PALISADES COLLECTION LLC."

Here is part of what the letter contained: "Use Your Tax Refund To Pay Off This Debt!" (all underlined)
"You Are Eligible For A Special Compromise Settlement!" (again all underlined) "FMS, on behalf of PALISADES COLLECTION LLC, will accept a significantly reduced amount as full and final settlement on the debt listed above. This reduction may save you hundreds of dollars and could be as high as 45 percent based on the type, age, and balance of the debt." I am sending them a validation & P.o.C. letter today. Let's see what happens...

FYI- FMS Services is out of Schaumburg, Illinois. Balaji Rajan is the President and CEO. Here is their website: http://www.fmsdc.com/default.aspx

May 2008  Brady, Caruso & Associates, LLC  Amherst, NY

First call came to my work number on voice mail message left by a Miss Martin - stated she represented Brady and Caruso, and then stated the case was filed with my county and gave me a case number...stated it was important that I return the call immediately.  I happen to do work that involves lots of court filings and as she did not say it was a personal matter, I assumed it had to do with my work and did not immediately return her call.

She then called again and gave her name as Miss Martin with Brady and Caruso and asked if I had received the message she left the previous day. I told her that I had received the message but that the case number she had left was incomplete and I did not know which file she was calling about..I still did not realize this was a personal call....she stated that the file she was calling about was me....and spouted my social security number at me asking me to verify it....I asked her what this was regarding and she told me they were verifying my information as a summons was being served and unless I wanted the summons server to come to my work, I needed to verify information....I told her to have the summons server sent as I would not discuss personal business at work and on the phone. I told her I did not want her or Brady and Caruso contacting me at my work number and I hung up.

She immediately called back