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Allen Lewis & Associates Scare Tactics Jacksonville, Florida
I received a call the other day from a Mr.Bill Dorsey stating he was from the law offices of Allen Lewis & Associates. In a very rude tone he told me I owed K&S music $818.00 for a "stolen" clarinet. I explained to him that I had returned the equipment & that it was not stolen & he replied that in the contract that I signed with K&S music that because the equipment was not returned on time that I owed $818.00.
He demanded that I pay that amount immediately using a credit card or checking acct. or they would file charges against me & that I would have to then pay all their attorney & court costs which could run 3 times the amount of the clarinet. I told him I did not have a credit card or checking acct. or that amount of money handy at the time. He then told me that I could set up a payment plan but only if I set up a checking account. He said he could set me up with a free checking accout through Wakovia bank. I told him I wasnt familiar with that bank & didnt feel comfortable using any other bank besides my own. He then laughed at me & told me Wakovia bank is the biggest banking establishment in the country.blah blah blah. I refused.
He started telling me that I was refusing to work with them and told me it shows what kind of character I have and I should pay my bills. I told him I was trying to work with them & he started talking really fast & told me my payroll was going to be deducted by 75% and began to ramble off names of people at my work place, started rambling off legal terms I would not understand, told me I have an hour to call them back & to have a nice day & hung up.
I have caller ID & called back & told the receptionist how rude I was talked to by a Mr. Bill Dorsey & wanted to talk to his supervisor. I was put on hold & then back on the line with the same man.I told him how rude he was & told him he better watch the way he talks to me. I told him I needed until Monday to make some type of payment arrangement & he told me he could only give me until 4:00 the next day or he had no choice but to file papers against me & I would have to go to court & reminded me I would also have to pay all their legal fees.He gave me a case # with my social security # in it & asked if any of the numbers sounded familiar to me!
I received a call the next day from a different man & he was no better.Thats when I did my homework. I found a lot of helpful info. from ripoffreport.com. I have contacted the FTC,BBC & my state attorney generals office. I was told to try & work something out with the original company but K&S told me its already been turned over to this collection agency. I told K&S how rude this agency is & the lady replied "you had time to deal with the nice people now you have to deal with the bad people". She told me they been doing business with Allen Lewis & Associates for years & have had no problems with them in past. She was just as rude as the collection Agency.
Not sure what to do now but I will write an update when I find out.If anyone has info. about this matter please inform us!
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Steph
Minor Hill,Tennessee,
USA
Send a stop contact letter certified also
#7General Comment
Mon, October 19, 2009
If I were you I would send them a stop contact letter certified. You need to keep a copy for yourself as well . After they get that letter they can no longer contact yo by mail or phone if they do after they get the letter you can sue them for harassment and colllect for damages . Print your name do not sign it
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Info for you
#7Consumer Comment
Mon, October 19, 2009
from www.budhibbs.com
Allen, Lewis & Associates Inc.
4040 Woodcock, Ste 132
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Phone: (904) 265-8133 Fax: (904) 265-8168
Web Address: www.allenlewis.com
Bud Says Consumer Comments Below
A Quote From Their Website: "Debt collection requires a delicate balance of both collection technique and knowledge of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. All Allen, Lewis & Associates personnel are thoroughly trained in debt collection." Jeannie Hecht and husband Robert Hecht are the owners of Allen, Lewis & Associates. Allen, Lewis & Associates, Inc. is NOT, I repeat NOT a law office. There are NO attorneys there. Only a bunch of jerks who like to beat up on people over the phone to try and con you out of your money. Jeannie Hecht and hubby Robert Hecht, the owners of Allen, Lewis & Associates DO have lawyers. They hire them to defend themselves against the many lawsuits filed against them for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Sleazy, liars, con-men and lawbreakers, like to collect using threats of legal actions and intimidation. This is a SLEAZY group of social misfits, untrained and unprofessional money grubbers who will tell you anything, so long as it results in them making money. The Hecht's are why we have a FEDERAL LAW to regulate the activities of debt collectors. Liars, thieves and con-men aptly fits this organization of losers and con artists. Here is what they say on their website, is this truth or more collection agency b.s.?? "Debt collection requires a delicate balance of both collection technique and knowledge of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. All Allen, Lewis & Associates personnel are thoroughly trained in debt collection. Every employee realizes the importance of representing your best interest by treating your customers with courtesy and providing knowledgeable information and facts about their responsibilities in resolving their obligation with your organization. At Allen, Lewis & Associates, both you and your customers will be handled professionally and respectfully, with careful attention to details that are important to you." DO YOU THINK THEY ARE WELL TRAINED PROFESSIONALS? WERE YOU HANDLED WITH RESPECT? WERE THEIR COLLECTORS KNOWLEDGEABLE? HOW ABOUT THE COURTESY? Paying ANY money to this sleazy band of collectors will only make you worse off than you are.
CAUTION : I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email the details w/your location. Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available. Email for Assistance
Karen
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
A couple of questions
#7Consumer Comment
Sun, October 18, 2009
"I was told to try & work something out with the original company but K&S told me its already been turned over to this collection agency." - Do you owe K&S any money? Because from this statement, it sounds as if you do.
"you had time to deal with the nice people now you have to deal with the bad people". - Why didn't you try & make good with K&S BEFORE it got sent to the "bad people".
Obviously, I don't think anyone deserves to be treated like a piece of dirt, BUT if you have a debt you are aware of, choose to ignore it, and let it get to this level, then the blame's on you.
Steph
Minor Hill,Tennessee,
USA
I almost forgot
#7General Comment
Sun, October 18, 2009
They cannot touch your wages. I would not even tell them were I work at. I also believe this caller is trying to scam you. I would not even answer the phone . I would see about putting a block on thier # or change it have it unpublished and no imformation given on the new #f I would unstruct people who you give it to not to pass it to folks you do not know. If he calls again I would tell this caller that if you take me to court I am not paying your legal fees.
Steph
Minor Hill,Tennessee,
USA
I agree
#7General Comment
Sun, October 18, 2009
I agree do not give any bank imformation such as checking account or credit card #s.From what I read this could be a scam I would tell this caller to stick it were the sun don't shine and do not give SS #
sami
Saginaw,Michigan,
USA
get hold of your self
#7Consumer Comment
Sat, October 17, 2009
ask they send you dunning letter, they should by law send you one five days after the initial contact. when you receive the latter, send them debt validation, or FOAD letter. they cant threat you by court or any garbage they say. get hold of your self and do not answer any phone from them, if you do ask that every thing should be in writing. do not give any bank account or any things to those sewage pp. do not take any abuse from them either.