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JBC & ASSOCIATES, P.C. HARRASSING CALLS, THREATS, RUDE, LIEING..CANNOT VALIDATE DEBT..BEWARE! Bloomfield New Jersey
I have received numerous harrassing phone calls late at night. Collectors have been rude, have lied about supposed "promises" that I have made and have threatened me with legal action. I have requested evertime validation of the debt, which they cannot produce. I am tired of the phone calls!! There is never a supervisor on duty. I do not know how to file complaints against them? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Amy
Kingsland, Georgia
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
S
Glens Falls,New York,
U.S.A.
Don't Panic... JBC specializes in old, outdated, out-of-Statute of Limitations debts. They are often incorrect,
#2Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 03, 2004
Amy,
Don't panic! JBC specializes in old, outdated, out-of-Statute of Limitations debts. They are often incorrect, with old info that may have already been wiped from your credit report. If you don't remember or feel you never had the debt, there is really no way to know because the paperwork has been long gone.
Companies choose to handle debts differently depending on company policy and state. Some write them off if they are a small amount and it would cost more to pursue, some sell the debt to a collection agency which in turn can sell it again over the years so it is difficult to tell who the original debtor is.
JBC uses scare tactics and lies to try to get you to pay up, but the truth is they may be going off of wrong info (ex. You are Amy Smith in Kingsland, Georgia but the debtor is Amy Smith in Kingsland South Carolina.) They do background "scrubs" on names and pop info they find into the debt. Then they expect you to prove its not you. WRONG. They have the burden to prove, not you. That is FEDERAL law.
Also, odds are the Statute of Limitations is up. That means that they cannot pursue legal remedies agaginst you or disturb your credit report. Most people think that because a debt is 10 years old, it is illegal to try to collect on it. WRONG AGAIN. It is legal to try to collect, the collection agency has to use the FDCA law, which governs behavior and conduct while trying to collect debts. FEDERAL LAW.
You must not pay ANYTHING on this debt or you will re-activate the Statute of Limitations. This is the only loop-hole in the FDCA Law. The collector is counting on you not knowing that. JBC can also sell any remaining balance of a debt to anyone else who can in turn go after it. So that means that "incredible offer" to settle for pennies on the dollar is BULLSHIT. It will bite you later i guarantee it. That's why you will read rip-off reports from people that say they thought the debt was settled years ago. If it was settled for anything less than the FULL AMOUNT WITH INTEREST, a company can go after the balance. Very, unfortunately, legal.
Bottom line, get yourself a copy of a cease and desist letter. Many good examples on this website. Send it certified mail so they have to sign. If you get any calls after that tell them your reporting them to your Atty General. It is illegal to call you after sending cease and desist letter. If you get anything in the mail looking "official" ignore. JBC wants you to think they are a lawyer's office. They are not.
The sad part is that you are probably one of the millions of folk that made a mistake or doesn't remember making this debt they are talking about. You only wanted information so you could take care of it because you are responsible. But you are better off NOT taking care of this one because you will never get relief and they will lie and never say the debt is paid.
It is a terrible cycle.
Good luck!