Commercial Investigations - Forensic Case Management Services - Joseph Steven And Assoc suspicious debt collectors ripoff Van Nuys California
I am the owner of a retail establishment in Arizona and I was contacted by Commercial Investigations Inc with an offer to have them collect on our outsnading bad debts. I provided them with details of one account to see if they would perform as promised (they offered a special rate of 18% of anything collected).
As soon as I had said yes, I started to think that this may not be as honest as it sounded. The guy I talked to was very authorative and seemed on the level but there was something about it (such as when he checked the address to send the money to when they had not even started) which made me think it may be a scam.
I checked their web site and was horrorfied to find that it is a complete sham - it has no pages (all links go to the same page) and it is very poorly built (no more than 30 minutes on Frontpage). On the site, they claim to be 'officially certified' by the Commercial Investigators Association of America. I Googled that and the company and found nothing (the CIAA is actually a football league!).
The next day, someone claiming to be an Investigator called me saying that they felt that the customer woudl not respond to 'normal' collection methods and that we should proceed immediately to litigation. They requested an Affidavit and a check for $1800 to commence action.
I told them I was not comfortable sending them money without checking them out and the only credibility they could offer was a copy of the California Business listing for a company called Forensic Case Management Services. Again, nothing shows up on Google.
All of their phopne numbers are 'toll free'.
The fax that they sent that on had a header from a company called Joseph Steven and Associates and the moment I searched Google for that, I saw several complaints of fraudulent collections (them collecting but never passing on the money to the Creditor, them getting money to proceed but not dong anything). Some reports exist here in Ripoff.com.
I immediately advised them that I will not proceed and that they are not to contact me or my customer again. I have also written to the customer advising them to ignore Commercial Investigations.
I feel stupid having even to have got to the first stage of this scam -I am thankful that I listened to my instincts and checked the company out. I am completely convinced that I would have lost the money.
Simon
Scottsdale, Arizona
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Mila
Boca Raton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Agree
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, April 03, 2009
Hi, this is amazing, after I had trouble with CII (for 6 months), started researching in google and the only info I found was RIP OFF, complaints and several bad comments.
I started a business in this country 2 years ago, and the way they treat their customers is horrible, I've never been treated like that.
I was insulted by one of their employees. I was not getting any answers from them, calling every week, then every day and they only tell you "we will call you back", they hung up, etc.
They have no idea of what is going on, they have a screen that gives them only my company name, THEY DON"T EVEN KNOW THE LAW FIRM THAT IS REPRESENTING MY COMPANY!!. NO CASE NUMBER, nothing. At first when they needed money from us everybody had an answer for everything, ...very good acting.
After we faxed letters requesting for an update on the case "David Hans" left a voice mail started screaming to us on the phone and telling us.. " if you are not getting an answer what are you going to do, cry.." "Do you need napkins?" STOP CALLING. I still have his voice mail. If I could play it in this website I would.
That's when we said it's enough and called the companies that we referred to them and told them about it. We all decided to stop any kind of business with them.
What kind of people are they hiring. Employees are the reflect of the owner, if they are like that imagine how the owner is....
I hope this letter is gets to all the people that are trying to make business with them, READ THEIR REFERENCES...
GOOD LUCK
Cynthia
Brewster,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
Contact the DA
#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, June 12, 2008
in Ventura county CA, the info is on another complaint about Joseph Steven and Associates....speak to investigator Greg Askay: he helped me AND I got my money FINALLY.
Eric
Surprise,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Very simlar problem with Commercial Investigations, Inc.
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, May 15, 2008
Looks like I stand to lose $1,700.00 paid to CII. Same thing that has been reported by searching google on Commercial Investigations, Inc. Company goes under several different name. FCMS, Inc. 2510 G Las Posas Rd. 481 Camarillo, Ca. 93010 Phone 866-641-8797. Joseph Steven And Assoc. 6311 Van Nuys Bld
Van Nuys, California, 91401
Phone calls not answered or messages returned. After 3 days of massive phone calls they started to respond unwillingly at first and was hung up on several times. My demeanor was calm yet forceful. When I finally got hold of someone who cares I was shocked how little research they did on the case, information is available with simple google searches.
Listening to background conversations and a loud announcement "No hot dogs available to those that did not make their collection quota". It sounded more like a comsumer collection call center than a Business to Business collection agency with a legal background or ability to use the legal system. I regret not researching Commercial Investigations, Inc. before advancing them my funds. Even if they collect it sounds like I will not recieve the total amount of our agreement.
I will respond further and in a positive manner if that turns out to be the case. If I don't respond it's because Commercial Investigations, Inc. has not done what is expected.
I have contacted ..CONTACT COMPLAINT GENERAL AT 866-520-7996 FOR RESOLUTION
No resolution however!!
Eric
Complaint General
Newbury Park,California,
U.S.A.
CONTACT COMPLAINT GENERAL AT 866-520-7996 FOR RESOLUTION
#5UPDATE Employee
Mon, March 24, 2008
CII is committed to resolving any and all disputes and or complaints. Sometimes errors and mistakes occur and CII wants to evaluate and resolve them all. CII requests that any complaints, errors or disputes be SUBMITTED in writing to COMPLAINTGENERAL@yahoo.com. Or MAIL to COMPLAINT GENERAL 1890 W. Hillcrest Dr. #385 Newbury Park, CA 91320. Please include copies of all DOCUMENTATION so that your claim can be reviewed and resolved. CII WILL ANSWER EACH AND EVERY COMPLAINT THAT IS SUBMITTED. YOU MAY ALSO CALL THE COMPLAINT HOTLINE AT 866-520-7996