California Business Bureau, Inc. - Michael J Sigal and Tom Holt COMPLETELY UNETHICAL COLLECTION PRACTICES - This collection agency is contacting the landlord of people who owe medical debts, putting peoples status with their landlord in serious jeapardy - Monrovia, California
COMPLETELY UNETHICAL COLLECTION PRACTICES BY CONTACTING MY LANDLORD IN A HARRASSING MANNER, AND WON'T QUIT!
California Business Bureau, Inc.
Medical Billing Services (A Division of California Business Bureau, Inc.)
1711 South Mountain Avenue Monrovia, CA 91016
P. O. Box 5010 Monrovia, CA 91017-7110
LOCAL 626.303.1515
TOLL FREE 800.755.1515
FAX 626.359.4356
This collection agency is contacting MY landlord because I owe medical debts, putting my status with my landlord in serious jeapardy. My landlord is extremely upset now that he is getting phone calls from California Business Bureau, Inc. collection agency about my debt I owe, and has nothing to do with the landlord. I told my landlord that I already contacted California Business Bureau, Inc. and made payment arrangements to pay a monthly payment, and in Feb 2011 when I get my income tax return, the amount owed would be paid in full. Since California Business Bureau, Inc. works off commission and profit, this is unnacceptable to them as they want their money NOW.
This company NEVER even called me or spoke to me first, and I never even received the first letter from them that they are the collection agency trying to collect. They just call my landlord of the house I am renting.
So now the landlord is threatening me as the tenant that he will not renew their lease for the house they are renting when the lease comes up, and now may issue a 60 day eviction notice because of the harrassing phone calls.
California Business Bureau, Inc. REFUSES to allow the debtor to mail in a money order as a monthly payment, they are demanding that you give them your credit card or bank account information. DONT DO THIS! Never give California Business Bureau, Inc. your credit card or bank account ifo, because then they will have complete control over you and they can do whatever they want to do with your account.
California Business Bureau, Inc. is not only trying to collect a debt, they are now creating 10 times more civil damages to the person owing the debt.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Welcome Steve
#8Consumer Comment
Tue, December 28, 2010
I have to take these HIPAA classes every year. HIPAA has nothing to do with the complaint. That only pertains to release of Medical Information to a third party.
As to the OP I really cannot understand the complaint
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Thanks Stacey! re HIPAA
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, December 27, 2010
I'll have to be more careful here when typing.
HIPAA...Thanks.
I was more focused on the ridiculous "felony" statement and wasn't really paying attention to anything else.
It's a mental thing as people verbally sound it as "Hippa", although that is wrong.
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Please
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, December 27, 2010
It is HIPAA not HIPPA!
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Thomas! PLEASE get the REAL facts before spouting "advice"
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, December 26, 2010
Thomas,
PLEASE stop with the misinformation!!
No "felony" here! The disclosure of medical information under HIPPA is a CIVIL matter, NOT in any way "criminal". Therefore, no felony.
Learn the difference between civil and criminal matters.
This still falls ONLY under FDCPA violations, as previously stated.
Please stop giving "advice" until you learn what you are talking about.
Thomas
Lakewood,California,
U.S.A.
Collection Agency Is Violating HIPPA
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, December 26, 2010
If the collection agency is calling your landlord trying to collect a medical debt, they are committing a felony!
HIPPA which is the law which has to do with patient privacy, dictates that a person's medical history is private.
I worked for a company trying to collect medical bills. If we couldn't reach the person who owed the debt, our collectors were told that they could not tell the person taking the message who we are or why we're calling. All they could say was that we needed to speak to the person over a private matter. In addition, on our letters we could only show the initials of the company and not the full company name.
If the collection agency is telling the landlord or anyone else that they're trying to collect a medical debt, they have committed a felony which can result in jail time. Or at least serious fines.
I would report this agency to the proper government agency which enforces HIPPA.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
No such thing as a "cease and desist" letter in collections
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, December 25, 2010
To the person giving "advice".
There is NO SUCH THING as a "cease and desist" letter in any collections law.
It is nice to actually know what you are talking about before giving "advice".
The FDCPA is the federal law that regulates third party collections activity.
The EXACT wording is "CEASE COMMUNICATIONS REQUEST".
When making LEGAL DEMANDS, proper wording is absolutely essential, especially if it ends up in court.
The OP should get a signed and notorized affidavit from his landlord, and then file a lawsuit against this collection agency as the FDCPA allows for a stautory damages award of up to $1000, plus any actual damages, and costs.
Why not let the collection agency pay that medical bill? I would.
2
Fredonia,New York,
USA
Send a Cease and Desist Letter
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, December 25, 2010
You need to send them a cease and desist letter right away telling them in no uncertain terms to stop contacting your landlord immediately, send it certified mail and save the receipt and a copy of the letter. The Fair Debt Collection Practices act expressly prohibits a debt collector from discussing a debt with your landlord, your employer, your neighbors, etc... they can contact these people to attempt to locate you, but for no other reason.
The CaD letter should stop the calls to your landlord (they can be subject to criminal penalties if they don't), but frankly I'd also get in touch with an attorney or a legal aid society before paying a cent to this scumbag collection company. Since they violated the FDCPA, you might not be legally obligated to pay them anything - if you end up being evicted or having your lease non-renewed you might be entitled to damages as well.
Email me if there's any way I can help: (((Redacted)))... hope this didn't completely ruin your holidays, dude. Take care....