JBC Legal Group - P.C. collection for 7-year old stolen check Bloomfield New Jersey
In 1997, a check pad, passport, and PC were stolen from me in Douglas County, NE; the theft was reported to the Sheriff's Office. I closed the checking account early the next morning.
The Sheriff's investigator later provided me with information about the thief and her subsequent actions: The thief, Ms. Stella De Leo, wrote checks to a number of businesses in Nevada (my checks were drawn on a Texas bank and my home address was then in Texas). Once such check was written to Dillard's store #3372 on 07JUL1997. Ms. De Leo was arrested at Circus Circus in Nevada one day after attempting to pass another of my checks there.
I was contacted a bit later in 1997 by a collection agency. I provided them with the investigator's name and case number ... and did not hear from them again.
On 30APR2004, I received a letter from "JBC Legal Group, P.C." stating their intention to bring action against me under State of Washington law if I did not pay them within 30 days. (Side note, they claim the 30 days run out May 23rd; yet the letter was postmarked 27APR2004 even though dated 24APR2004).
I'm not paying JBC a dime ... but I will offer to send them a notarized statement if they first send a check covering the notary fee, postage, and envelope.
Alan
Port Angeles, Washington
U.S.A.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
Alan
Port Angeles,Washington,
U.S.A.
Is JBC Legal Group screwing its own customers?
#10Author of original report
Wed, May 19, 2004
While reading JBC's web site, I noticed that they expect to be paid in either of two situations:
1) if they collect ... which is a normal practice in the debt collection game, OR
2) if they get a judgement against someone.
#2 does not put any money in the pocket of JBC's customer.
The concern I have with #2 is that it appears not to benefit JBC's customer ... but does create an obligation for that customer to pay JBC. Getting a judgement, particularly a default judgement, is not terribly difficult ... all it takes is a suit brought in an incovenient jurisdiction or a failure to notify the defendant (that's us, by the way).
I'm not a lawyer; neither have I ever worked as a debt collector ... but their #2 alternative seems suspicious ...
I haven't heard from JBC regarding their attempts to collect on a check I didn't write ... but the thirty day period will expire around the 24th ...
Alan
Port Angeles,Washington,
U.S.A.
JBC Legal Group - small error on my part easily corrected
#10Author of original report
Fri, May 07, 2004
Two suggestions:
1) Don't confirm Social Security Numbers or Birth Dates or other personal identification for these people; if they don't have it, it's their problem and not yours ...
2) Sign letters to these people very carefully ... I print my name on a laser printer along with a letter and then write my intials on and over the printed name. This makes using a copy of my signature very difficult.
I goofed in my first letter; but was able to correct it easily with a second, short letter:
06MAY2004
To: JBC Legal Group
Fr: Alan *
Re: Your file #****98
Please send a copy of the check presented to Dillard's #3372 on 09JUL1997 for $87.79.
According to the Federal Trade Commission's helpful people, you are required to do so within five days of this request.
I look forward to your response.
PD
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
JBC Is A Scam, You have two options to get rid of these slimballs
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, May 06, 2004
JBC is a scam company that tries to collect on bad checks that are past the statute of limitations. You have two options to get rid of these slimballs:
1) Send them a letter requesting validation of the debt which is to include a copy of the bad check. More than likely, they don't have it and you won't get the copy. If so, they can't validate and therefore have no claim to further try to collect. If by chance they do have the copy, then you can go and do step 2. Or, you can go straight to step 2 without doing step 1.
2) Send them a cease and decist letter informing them that the check was stolen and the account was closed. Also mention that regardless, their collection of the check is time barred because it is past the statute of limitations and that they are to never contact you again. SOL in Nevada is 6 years on written contracts, which I believe is what a check would fall under. You can also include a copy of your police report showing that the check was stolen.
In either case, send your letter certified with return-receipt requested. This will cost you around $5, but it's your only way to prove that they got the letter. After that, I would be willing to bet that you don't hear anything from them again.
PD
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
JBC Is A Scam, You have two options to get rid of these slimballs
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, May 06, 2004
JBC is a scam company that tries to collect on bad checks that are past the statute of limitations. You have two options to get rid of these slimballs:
1) Send them a letter requesting validation of the debt which is to include a copy of the bad check. More than likely, they don't have it and you won't get the copy. If so, they can't validate and therefore have no claim to further try to collect. If by chance they do have the copy, then you can go and do step 2. Or, you can go straight to step 2 without doing step 1.
2) Send them a cease and decist letter informing them that the check was stolen and the account was closed. Also mention that regardless, their collection of the check is time barred because it is past the statute of limitations and that they are to never contact you again. SOL in Nevada is 6 years on written contracts, which I believe is what a check would fall under. You can also include a copy of your police report showing that the check was stolen.
In either case, send your letter certified with return-receipt requested. This will cost you around $5, but it's your only way to prove that they got the letter. After that, I would be willing to bet that you don't hear anything from them again.
PD
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
JBC Is A Scam, You have two options to get rid of these slimballs
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, May 06, 2004
JBC is a scam company that tries to collect on bad checks that are past the statute of limitations. You have two options to get rid of these slimballs:
1) Send them a letter requesting validation of the debt which is to include a copy of the bad check. More than likely, they don't have it and you won't get the copy. If so, they can't validate and therefore have no claim to further try to collect. If by chance they do have the copy, then you can go and do step 2. Or, you can go straight to step 2 without doing step 1.
2) Send them a cease and decist letter informing them that the check was stolen and the account was closed. Also mention that regardless, their collection of the check is time barred because it is past the statute of limitations and that they are to never contact you again. SOL in Nevada is 6 years on written contracts, which I believe is what a check would fall under. You can also include a copy of your police report showing that the check was stolen.
In either case, send your letter certified with return-receipt requested. This will cost you around $5, but it's your only way to prove that they got the letter. After that, I would be willing to bet that you don't hear anything from them again.
PD
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
JBC Is A Scam, You have two options to get rid of these slimballs
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, May 06, 2004
JBC is a scam company that tries to collect on bad checks that are past the statute of limitations. You have two options to get rid of these slimballs:
1) Send them a letter requesting validation of the debt which is to include a copy of the bad check. More than likely, they don't have it and you won't get the copy. If so, they can't validate and therefore have no claim to further try to collect. If by chance they do have the copy, then you can go and do step 2. Or, you can go straight to step 2 without doing step 1.
2) Send them a cease and decist letter informing them that the check was stolen and the account was closed. Also mention that regardless, their collection of the check is time barred because it is past the statute of limitations and that they are to never contact you again. SOL in Nevada is 6 years on written contracts, which I believe is what a check would fall under. You can also include a copy of your police report showing that the check was stolen.
In either case, send your letter certified with return-receipt requested. This will cost you around $5, but it's your only way to prove that they got the letter. After that, I would be willing to bet that you don't hear anything from them again.
Bradley
Derry,New Hampshire,
U.S.A.
Good move Alan ..just another rip off company trying to steal from the public.
#10Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 06, 2004
Alan, not paying JBC anything is a great idea. This is the first "semi-legit" claim I have seen on here.
The rest of the people didnt even know anything about the money JBC said they owed them and JBC refused to provide proof.
It seems they are just another rip off company trying to steal from the public.
Interesting this is all happening about 7 Years later, about the time this would have to drop off your credit report. (if it was on there)
Alan
Port Angeles,Washington,
U.S.A.
check you mention was stolen as part of a theft reported to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department
#10Author of original report
Wed, May 05, 2004
I sent the following letter to JBC and am waiting to hear what they might have to say:
03MAY2004
To: JBC Legal Group
Fr: Alan ********
Re: Your file #****98
The check you mention was stolen as part of a theft reported to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department on 26JUN1997.
The account on which it was drawn was closed by me on 27JUN1997.
The check was not signed, not issued, and not authorized by me.
I was not in Nevada within four years of the check's date.
This is the last written communication you will receive from me at my expense. I will be happy to assist you with identifying the actual issuer of the check; but only at your expense.
If you wish further information or perhaps a notarized affidavit, send a check to cover costs $2 in the case of a simple letter or $8 in the case of a notarized affidavit. In the alternative, a pre-paid self-addressed envelope will suffice for a letter, but notary fees ($7) must be pre-paid by you.
Alan
Port Angeles,Washington,
U.S.A.
refused to provide a copy of the stolen check
#10Author of original report
Mon, May 03, 2004
After four attempts to reach someone by phone ... during the hours specified in their letter ... an unidentified male did answer.
He refused to provide a copy of the stolen check and stated that any protest must be filed in writing.
I told him that a notarized affidavit would cost $8 for notary, postage, ... and he hung up without a word.