Complaint Review: RJM Acquisitions JBC Legal Group Island National Group

ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES TARGETED



Spitzer's Office Sues Company Specializing in Collecting Time-Barred Debts



Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a debt collection company alleged to have engaged in illegal and abusive practices to coerce payment on time-barred or unverified debts.



JBC & Associates, P.C. and its successor companies, JBC Legal Group, P.C. and Boyajian Law Offices, P.C., and their operator, Jack H. Boyajian of New Jersey are accused of violations of both federal and state laws regarding debt collection practices.



"This case sends a message to debt collection companies that illegal and abusive dunning practices will not be tolerated," Spitzer said.

Spitzer's investigation revealed that, for at least three years, JBC has been attempting to collect tens of thousands of dishonored checks allegedly issued by consumers to retail merchants, including Ames and Bradlees, which went out of business in 2002 and 2000 respectively.



Since January 2003, over 100 consumers have filed complaints against JBC and Boyajian claiming that the debt collectors engaged in such illegal practices as:



*Repeatedly calling consumers to demand payment on debts that JBC refuses to verify as legitimate;



*Falsely representing the amount of the alleged debt and attempting to collect more than is allowed under state law. Specifically, numerous consumers complained that JBC demanded amounts such as "statutory fees" that, at times, doubled the alleged debt, together with threats to seek "appropriate relief before a court";



*Falsely threatening to file lawsuits when, in fact, the company commences lawsuits in far fewer than one percent of its case files and, for many debts, any such lawsuit is time-barred. New York State law provides a six-year statute of limitations for actions brought for the collection of dishonored checks;



*Falsely representing or implying that the dunning letters have been reviewed by and are from an attorney admitted to practice in New York State. Spitzer's investigation revealed that no attorney, let alone one admitted to practice in this state, is meaningfully involved in each case each time a letter is sent to collect an alleged debt;



*Falsely accusing debtors of criminal activity and making threats such as "putting a warrant out for arrest" or asking the consumer if he/she "looks good in stripes"; and



*Harassing consumers in other ways such as calling late at night, calling them at work, using abusive language, and contacting neighbors, relatives and employers about the debtor.



In filing the lawsuit, Spitzer's office is seeking a court order directing JBC and Boyajian to pay full restitution to all New York consumers of all amounts collected in excess of their legitimate debt (plus a $20 dishonored check charge permitted by law), civil penalties and court costs.



In addition, Spitzer's office is seeking an accounting for each dishonored check involving a New York resident as to which debt collectors have taken collection measures.



For information on laws related to debt collection activities, consumers should visit the Federal Trade Commission's web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm and the Attorney General's web site at http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/tips/debt_collectors.html.



This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Herbert Israel and Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Mindell of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.



ABOUT YOUR ADVOCATE:



Robert Paisola is driven by a passion for people--motivating them to reach for the highest standards of success. As founder and president of many International Corporations, Robert trains sales and marketing professionals who want to strive to get to the top...and stay there.



His innovative, no-nonsense approach is based on applying what he has observed in his fifteen-plus years in sales, motivational speaking and debt collection training, thus revealing the common business habits of the top 20% of

sales performers in all organizations.



Robert's approach works...that's why New York-based Success Magazine has rated Robert Paisola as one of the top-five most effective sales-training professional in the market today.



Routinely Distinguished by The National Speakers Forum, Robert is also a regular contributor to Business Week

Magazine, CNN, CNNFN, XM Satellite Radio, The Wall Street Journal, Telemundo International, National Public Radio and many other organizations.



If you are looking for personalized service, Robert now has a reduced fee schedule for AllExperts.com members at:



http://www.mywesterncapital.com/news_vipservices.html



For more information on Robert Paisola's unique training programs, contact Robert at Western Capital at robert@mycollector.com or at 1-877-517-9555 or visit

http://www.allexperts.com/displayExpert.asp?Expert=38419 or visit www.RobertPaisola.com

ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES TARGETED



Spitzer's Office Sues Company Specializing in Collecting Time-Barred Debts



Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a debt collection company alleged to have engaged in illegal and abusive practices to coerce payment on time-barred or unverified debts.



JBC & Associates, P.C. and its successor companies, JBC Legal Group, P.C. and Boyajian Law Offices, P.C., and their operator, Jack H. Boyajian of New Jersey are accused of violations of both federal and state laws regarding debt collection practices.



"This case sends a message to debt collection companies that illegal and abusive dunning practices will not be tolerated," Spitzer said.

Spitzer's investigation revealed that, for at least three years, JBC has been attempting to collect tens of thousands of dishonored checks allegedly issued by consumers to retail merchants, including Ames and Bradlees, which went out of business in 2002 and 2000 respectively.



Since January 2003, over 100 consumers have filed complaints against JBC and Boyajian claiming that the debt collectors engaged in such illegal practices as:



*Repeatedly calling consumers to demand payment on debts that JBC refuses to verify as legitimate;



*Falsely representing the amount of the alleged debt and attempting to collect more than is allowed under state law. Specifically, numerous consumers complained that JBC demanded amounts such as "statutory fees" that, at times, doubled the alleged debt, together with threats to seek "appropriate relief before a court";



*Falsely threatening to file lawsuits when, in fact, the company commences lawsuits in far fewer than one percent of its case files and, for many debts, any such lawsuit is time-barred. New York State law provides a six-year statute of limitations for actions brought for the collection of dishonored checks;



*Falsely representing or implying that the dunning letters have been reviewed by and are from an attorney admitted to practice in New York State. Spitzer's investigation revealed that no attorney, let alone one admitted to practice in this state, is meaningfully involved in each case each time a letter is sent to collect an alleged debt;



*Falsely accusing debtors of criminal activity and making threats such as "putting a warrant out for arrest" or asking the consumer if he/she "looks good in stripes"; and



*Harassing consumers in other ways such as calling late at night, calling them at work, using abusive language, and contacting neighbors, relatives and employers about the debtor.



In filing the lawsuit, Spitzer's office is seeking a court order directing JBC and Boyajian to pay full restitution to all New York consumers of all amounts collected in excess of their legitimate debt (plus a $20 dishonored check charge permitted by law), civil penalties and court costs.



In addition, Spitzer's office is seeking an accounting for each dishonored check involving a New York resident as to which debt collectors have taken collection measures.



For information on laws related to debt collection activities, consumers should visit the Federal Trade Commission's web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm and the Attorney General's web site at http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/tips/debt_collectors.html.



This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Herbert Israel and Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Mindell of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.



ABOUT YOUR ADVOCATE:



Robert Paisola is driven by a passion for people--motivating them to reach for the highest standards of success. As founder and president of many International Corporations, Robert trains sales and marketing professionals who want to strive to get to the top...and stay there.



His innovative, no-nonsense approach is based on applying what he has observed in his fifteen-plus years in sales, motivational speaking and debt collection training, thus revealing the common business habits of the top 20% of

sales performers in all organizations.



Robert's approach works...that's why New York-based Success Magazine has rated Robert Paisola as one of the top-five most effective sales-training professional in the market today.



Routinely Distinguished by The National Speakers Forum, Robert is also a regular contributor to Business Week

Magazine, CNN, CNNFN, XM Satellite Radio, The Wall Street Journal, Telemundo International, National Public Radio and many other organizations.



If you are looking for personalized service, Robert now has a reduced fee schedule for AllExperts.com members at:



http://www.mywesterncapital.com/news_vipservices.html



For more information on Robert Paisola's unique training programs, contact Robert at Western Capital at robert@mycollector.com or at 1-877-517-9555 or visit

http://www.allexperts.com/displayExpert.asp?Expert=38419 or visit www.RobertPaisola.com

ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES TARGETED



Spitzer's Office Sues Company Specializing in Collecting Time-Barred Debts



Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a debt collection company alleged to have engaged in illegal and abusive practices to coerce payment on time-barred or unverified debts.



JBC & Associates, P.C. and its successor companies, JBC Legal Group, P.C. and Boyajian Law Offices, P.C., and their operator, Jack H. Boyajian of New Jersey are accused of violations of both federal and state laws regarding debt collection practices.



"This case sends a message to debt collection companies that illegal and abusive dunning practices will not be tolerated," Spitzer said.

Spitzer's investigation revealed that, for at least three years, JBC has been attempting to collect tens of thousands of dishonored checks allegedly issued by consumers to retail merchants, including Ames and Bradlees, which went out of business in 2002 and 2000 respectively.



Since January 2003, over 100 consumers have filed complaints against JBC and Boyajian claiming that the debt collectors engaged in such illegal practices as:



*Repeatedly calling consumers to demand payment on debts that JBC refuses to verify as legitimate;



*Falsely representing the amount of the alleged debt and attempting to collect more than is allowed under state law. Specifically, numerous consumers complained that JBC demanded amounts such as "statutory fees" that, at times, doubled the alleged debt, together with threats to seek "appropriate relief before a court";



*Falsely threatening to file lawsuits when, in fact, the company commences lawsuits in far fewer than one percent of its case files and, for many debts, any such lawsuit is time-barred. New York State law provides a six-year statute of limitations for actions brought for the collection of dishonored checks;



*Falsely representing or implying that the dunning letters have been reviewed by and are from an attorney admitted to practice in New York State. Spitzer's investigation revealed that no attorney, let alone one admitted to practice in this state, is meaningfully involved in each case each time a letter is sent to collect an alleged debt;



*Falsely accusing debtors of criminal activity and making threats such as "putting a warrant out for arrest" or asking the consumer if he/she "looks good in stripes"; and



*Harassing consumers in other ways such as calling late at night, calling them at work, using abusive language, and contacting neighbors, relatives and employers about the debtor.



In filing the lawsuit, Spitzer's office is seeking a court order directing JBC and Boyajian to pay full restitution to all New York consumers of all amounts collected in excess of their legitimate debt (plus a $20 dishonored check charge permitted by law), civil penalties and court costs.



In addition, Spitzer's office is seeking an accounting for each dishonored check involving a New York resident as to which debt collectors have taken collection measures.



For information on laws related to debt collection activities, consumers should visit the Federal Trade Commission's web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm and the Attorney General's web site at http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/tips/debt_collectors.html.



This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Herbert Israel and Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Mindell of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.



ABOUT YOUR ADVOCATE:



Robert Paisola is driven by a passion for people--motivating them to reach for the highest standards of success. As founder and president of many International Corporations, Robert trains sales and marketing professionals who want to strive to get to the top...and stay there.



His innovative, no-nonsense approach is based on applying what he has observed in his fifteen-plus years in sales, motivational speaking and debt collection training, thus revealing the common business habits of the top 20% of

sales performers in all organizations.



Robert's approach works...that's why New York-based Success Magazine has rated Robert Paisola as one of the top-five most effective sales-training professional in the market today.



Routinely Distinguished by The National Speakers Forum, Robert is also a regular contributor to Business Week

Magazine, CNN, CNNFN, XM Satellite Radio, The Wall Street Journal, Telemundo International, National Public Radio and many other organizations.



If you are looking for personalized service, Robert now has a reduced fee schedule for AllExperts.com members at:



http://www.mywesterncapital.com/news_vipservices.html



For more information on Robert Paisola's unique training programs, contact Robert at Western Capital at robert@mycollector.com or at 1-877-517-9555 or visit

http://www.allexperts.com/displayExpert.asp?Expert=38419 or visit www.RobertPaisola.com

ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES TARGETED



Spitzer's Office Sues Company Specializing in Collecting Time-Barred Debts



Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a debt collection company alleged to have engaged in illegal and abusive practices to coerce payment on time-barred or unverified debts.



JBC & Associates, P.C. and its successor companies, JBC Legal Group, P.C. and Boyajian Law Offices, P.C., and their operator, Jack H. Boyajian of New Jersey are accused of violations of both federal and state laws regarding debt collection practices.



"This case sends a message to debt collection companies that illegal and abusive dunning practices will not be tolerated," Spitzer said.

Spitzer's investigation revealed that, for at least three years, JBC has been attempting to collect tens of thousands of dishonored checks allegedly issued by consumers to retail merchants, including Ames and Bradlees, which went out of business in 2002 and 2000 respectively.



Since January 2003, over 100 consumers have filed complaints against JBC and Boyajian claiming that the debt collectors engaged in such illegal practices as:



*Repeatedly calling consumers to demand payment on debts that JBC refuses to verify as legitimate;



*Falsely representing the amount of the alleged debt and attempting to collect more than is allowed under state law. Specifically, numerous consumers complained that JBC demanded amounts such as "statutory fees" that, at times, doubled the alleged debt, together with threats to seek "appropriate relief before a court";



*Falsely threatening to file lawsuits when, in fact, the company commences lawsuits in far fewer than one percent of its case files and, for many debts, any such lawsuit is time-barred. New York State law provides a six-year statute of limitations for actions brought for the collection of dishonored checks;



*Falsely representing or implying that the dunning letters have been reviewed by and are from an attorney admitted to practice in New York State. Spitzer's investigation revealed that no attorney, let alone one admitted to practice in this state, is meaningfully involved in each case each time a letter is sent to collect an alleged debt;



*Falsely accusing debtors of criminal activity and making threats such as "putting a warrant out for arrest" or asking the consumer if he/she "looks good in stripes"; and



*Harassing consumers in other ways such as calling late at night, calling them at work, using abusive language, and contacting neighbors, relatives and employers about the debtor.



In filing the lawsuit, Spitzer's office is seeking a court order directing JBC and Boyajian to pay full restitution to all New York consumers of all amounts collected in excess of their legitimate debt (plus a $20 dishonored check charge permitted by law), civil penalties and court costs.



In addition, Spitzer's office is seeking an accounting for each dishonored check involving a New York resident as to which debt collectors have taken collection measures.



For information on laws related to debt collection activities, consumers should visit the Federal Trade Commission's web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm and the Attorney General's web site at http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/tips/debt_collectors.html.



This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Herbert Israel and Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Mindell of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.



ABOUT YOUR ADVOCATE:



Robert Paisola is driven by a passion for people--motivating them to reach for the highest standards of success. As founder and president of many International Corporations, Robert trains sales and marketing professionals who want to strive to get to the top...and stay there.



His innovative, no-nonsense approach is based on applying what he has observed in his fifteen-plus years in sales, motivational speaking and debt collection training, thus revealing the common business habits of the top 20% of

sales performers in all organizations.



Robert's approach works...that's why New York-based Success Magazine has rated Robert Paisola as one of the top-five most effective sales-training professional in the market today.



Routinely Distinguished by The National Speakers Forum, Robert is also a regular contributor to Business Week

Magazine, CNN, CNNFN, XM Satellite Radio, The Wall Street Journal, Telemundo International, National Public Radio and many other organizations.



If you are looking for personalized service, Robert now has a reduced fee schedule for AllExperts.com members at:



http://www.mywesterncapital.com/news_vipservices.html



For more information on Robert Paisola's unique training programs, contact Robert at Western Capital at robert@mycollector.com or at 1-877-517-9555 or visit

http://www.allexperts.com/displayExpert.asp?Expert=38419 or visit www.RobertPaisola.com

"I used to live in PHX."



My ex and I got married in Bradenton. LOL. How funny is that? I openly admit I miss living in Florida, I consider that state home. I much prefer the wonderful humid warmth down there than the awful, dry heat we have here. (said as I curse the bad A/C unit in this apartment that can't get it any cooler than 85 to 90 degrees in the summer, once we get 100 degrees or hotter.)



I was serious about the coffee. You ever get back out this way, get my info from ED and we'll go hit the local coffee shop for a few hours and talk everything ROR!

Lorraine,



Thanks for the compliment! BTW..I used to live in PHX.



Debra,



The advice I give here is totally within the law and it works. It has worked for 5 years now without fail.



Deadbeat? You couldn't be more wrong. I have explained this several times here over the past year, but I'll do it again just for you.



I had spotless credit for 14 years and a 735 credit score. I carried alot of credit which is the only thing that brought me DOWN to 735.



I paid double or triple the minimums every month on every account, and I made plenty of money. Making the payments was NEVER an issue.



Within just a few months of each other almost all of my creditors doubled and even tripled my low, permanent preferred rates. No, these were not short term teaser rates.



With these new rates, I would never be able to pay off these accounts or live an acceptable lifestyle. I immediately called each co and asked the reason and tried for 3 months with each to negotiate a lower rate that would work.



ONLY after all else failed, and I got tired of hearing a take it or leave it attitude, I simply walked away and told them to eat sh*t and die.



A take it or leave it attitude sounded like 2 choices to me!



I provide care for both my Mother and Grandmother and donate more money per month than you make in a week, I'm sure.



So please go back to your cubicle now.

Lorraine,



Thanks for the compliment! BTW..I used to live in PHX.



Debra,



The advice I give here is totally within the law and it works. It has worked for 5 years now without fail.



Deadbeat? You couldn't be more wrong. I have explained this several times here over the past year, but I'll do it again just for you.



I had spotless credit for 14 years and a 735 credit score. I carried alot of credit which is the only thing that brought me DOWN to 735.



I paid double or triple the minimums every month on every account, and I made plenty of money. Making the payments was NEVER an issue.



Within just a few months of each other almost all of my creditors doubled and even tripled my low, permanent preferred rates. No, these were not short term teaser rates.



With these new rates, I would never be able to pay off these accounts or live an acceptable lifestyle. I immediately called each co and asked the reason and tried for 3 months with each to negotiate a lower rate that would work.



ONLY after all else failed, and I got tired of hearing a take it or leave it attitude, I simply walked away and told them to eat sh*t and die.



A take it or leave it attitude sounded like 2 choices to me!



I provide care for both my Mother and Grandmother and donate more money per month than you make in a week, I'm sure.



So please go back to your cubicle now.

Lorraine,



Thanks for the compliment! BTW..I used to live in PHX.



Debra,



The advice I give here is totally within the law and it works. It has worked for 5 years now without fail.



Deadbeat? You couldn't be more wrong. I have explained this several times here over the past year, but I'll do it again just for you.



I had spotless credit for 14 years and a 735 credit score. I carried alot of credit which is the only thing that brought me DOWN to 735.



I paid double or triple the minimums every month on every account, and I made plenty of money. Making the payments was NEVER an issue.



Within just a few months of each other almost all of my creditors doubled and even tripled my low, permanent preferred rates. No, these were not short term teaser rates.



With these new rates, I would never be able to pay off these accounts or live an acceptable lifestyle. I immediately called each co and asked the reason and tried for 3 months with each to negotiate a lower rate that would work.



ONLY after all else failed, and I got tired of hearing a take it or leave it attitude, I simply walked away and told them to eat sh*t and die.



A take it or leave it attitude sounded like 2 choices to me!



I provide care for both my Mother and Grandmother and donate more money per month than you make in a week, I'm sure.



So please go back to your cubicle now.

Lorraine,



Thanks for the compliment! BTW..I used to live in PHX.



Debra,



The advice I give here is totally within the law and it works. It has worked for 5 years now without fail.



Deadbeat? You couldn't be more wrong. I have explained this several times here over the past year, but I'll do it again just for you.



I had spotless credit for 14 years and a 735 credit score. I carried alot of credit which is the only thing that brought me DOWN to 735.



I paid double or triple the minimums every month on every account, and I made plenty of money. Making the payments was NEVER an issue.



Within just a few months of each other almost all of my creditors doubled and even tripled my low, permanent preferred rates. No, these were not short term teaser rates.



With these new rates, I would never be able to pay off these accounts or live an acceptable lifestyle. I immediately called each co and asked the reason and tried for 3 months with each to negotiate a lower rate that would work.



ONLY after all else failed, and I got tired of hearing a take it or leave it attitude, I simply walked away and told them to eat sh*t and die.



A take it or leave it attitude sounded like 2 choices to me!



I provide care for both my Mother and Grandmother and donate more money per month than you make in a week, I'm sure.



So please go back to your cubicle now.

Funny thing Debra. I see Steve from Bradenton on this site helping people on a daily basis. Never seen you before and I didn't see you post offering the OP much advice to fix her problem. I saw your post as an attempt to namecall Steve who posted a rebuttal.



Steve acted within the laws from all I've read in his various rebuttals on this site and he told you there were no judgements against him. It seems you and Steve from NY only did rebuttals here to try to distrupt the report, so the OP wouldn't get the help and advice she needed. Thankfully Dave and Steve both did tell her what she needs to do to get it all settled.



Please listen to Dave and Steve, Constance. They are both regulars on this site and give solid advice in cases such as yours. Steve has helped me on some of the computer reports and I can never thank him enough for that. I'd be the first in line to buy him a cup of coffee if I ever get back down south or he gets out west.

I had you pegged for a deadbeat. You defaulted on something you knew you owed, and now you're proud of yourself for having avoided paying until you're no longer legally bound. You've made it your mission in life to tell others how not to repay money they've borrowed. Good job, bunky.



For those who are being hasseled, I'm sorry. I've spoken to too many people who shouldn't have to be talking to me, because they've settled their debt, or the debt isn't theirs, or they were taken advantage of by people they were trying to help. As for Bradenton's finest, he's the sort that gives everyone with problems a bad name.

"E",



Unfortunately you re-affirmed this debt now so they can easily sue you for it if you stop paying.



FYI..ALWAYS deal only in writing! STAY OFF THE PHONE!!!



NEVER pay any 3rd party collector or debt buyer!

NEVER speak to any 3rd party collector on the phone. Change your# to an unlisted one.

NEVER give any 3rd party collector any personal or employment info.

Never give them your signature, even on a letter. Always just print or initial, as they sometimes forge documents by adding your signature.



Debra...you people are so good that I went from initial default to SOL expiration and never paid a dime, and have no judgements on me..WOW! You are good! FYI..I was also on the "inside".

Dispute the debt with the credit bureau agencies. If the debt can't be validated, it must be removed. Check the FTC website to determine any other rights you may have or recourse you might take.



As for you others, there are professional debtors out there. I don't think this lady is one of them. Know what the statute of limitations is in your state. If a debt collector calls, tell him the statute has run out and they need to go fly a kite.

Follow up with a letter stating the same thing. Then dispute the debt with the proper agencies.



And, just as an aside, you don't need to answer your phone for me to find you. Your tracks are everywhere.

Hello,



My mother has a valid debt with Island National Group, LLC. We have set up a payment plan with them (the double credit offer). But after reading everything on this website, I'm fearful of being taken advantage of, they have sent a statement saying she was enrolled in the double credit offer and has been credited double. But my concern is; After she pays this debt off with this company will they in turn still say she owes money? Or will they clear her record. If some where down the line they don't credit her account the amount they say and cont.. to call for the amount. What would be her course of action?



Thanx

You can write letters until your hand turns blue, but none of them would accomplish the same thing a simple phone call would.



People who tell you to "NEVER CALL" obviously have something to hide. If it's not your account or if you have done nothing wrong, why would you have a problem calling?



But you should probably listen to all of these people because they know what's best for you, even though they have no idea what your situation is, no idea who you are, no idea if you are responsible for the account or not.



I'm done actually trying to help, keep taking advise from the "pros".



PROFESSIONAL DEBTORS NEVER WIN IN THE END.

You can write letters until your hand turns blue, but none of them would accomplish the same thing a simple phone call would.



People who tell you to "NEVER CALL" obviously have something to hide. If it's not your account or if you have done nothing wrong, why would you have a problem calling?



But you should probably listen to all of these people because they know what's best for you, even though they have no idea what your situation is, no idea who you are, no idea if you are responsible for the account or not.



I'm done actually trying to help, keep taking advise from the "pros".



PROFESSIONAL DEBTORS NEVER WIN IN THE END.

You can write letters until your hand turns blue, but none of them would accomplish the same thing a simple phone call would.



People who tell you to "NEVER CALL" obviously have something to hide. If it's not your account or if you have done nothing wrong, why would you have a problem calling?



But you should probably listen to all of these people because they know what's best for you, even though they have no idea what your situation is, no idea who you are, no idea if you are responsible for the account or not.



I'm done actually trying to help, keep taking advise from the "pros".



PROFESSIONAL DEBTORS NEVER WIN IN THE END.

You can write letters until your hand turns blue, but none of them would accomplish the same thing a simple phone call would.



People who tell you to "NEVER CALL" obviously have something to hide. If it's not your account or if you have done nothing wrong, why would you have a problem calling?



But you should probably listen to all of these people because they know what's best for you, even though they have no idea what your situation is, no idea who you are, no idea if you are responsible for the account or not.



I'm done actually trying to help, keep taking advise from the "pros".



PROFESSIONAL DEBTORS NEVER WIN IN THE END.

Dave is correct--and I couldn't have expressed it better myself. Here is a form letter you can use, but make sure you follow Dave's advice. Also, get this in the mail before 30 days from receipt of a collection agency letter.



Attention: Account Manager (legal department)



Re: Legal Dispute of Alleged Collection Claim



Account: #

Control #:

Amount: $

Your Client:



I am in receipt of your letter attempting to collect an account/liability that is not only invalid, but is also illegitimate and in legal dispute. Therefore, please consider this response as my formal legal dispute pursuant to Public Law 95-109, 15 USC 1692f 808 and 1692g 809. I furthermore request the name, address, department and phone (including any extensions) of the original creditor who is stating that this alleged liability belongs to me, so that civil action can be implemented, if necessary, to resolve this egregious accusation.



Any further attempt to collect and/or continue to falsely report this disputed information on my personal credit file without complying with the above stated provisions will be deemed as non-compliance and you will be held liable under 15 USC 1692 (k) (civil liability) to one or more of the following:



1) All actual damage sustained by a consumer as a result of such failure;

2) (A) included above, additional damages allowed by the court, not exceeding $1,000; or

3) If a class action is filed, such amount for each named plaintiff, recovered under subparagraph (A) of the stated Title, and an amount not to exceed the lesser of $500,000 or 1 per centum of the net worth of the debt collector; and

4) All cost accrued by the consumers' successful action to enforce the foregoing liability, along with attorney's fee.



It is my intention to resolve your inaccurate claim amicably. However, rest assured I will pursue all legal rights necessary to resolve this matter.



If and when the accuracy of this liability is legally proven to be valid, it will be my intention to rectify it post haste. Thank you for your cooperation.



Sincerely,

Dave is correct, don't call the company, or if you have when they call back and they will! Tell them you are recording the call as well, quit calling you, send it in writting and hang up when they call again, and again and again.



Send a certified letter of dispute, requesting verification, or validation. Do not suply them with your accurate information in your letters, only the account information they offered you. And keep copies of all correspondence letters for your records. As they do in fact just sell or transfer it around.



Any time you get a call about any debt, NEVER verify information over the phone!! Request all comunications in writting. And keep copies of it, dispute any false information, and only make payments to original creditors, demand in writting for the name and address of original creditor!!



NEVER NEVER, pay collection agencies. Their so called good deals and 1/2 off settlements, are another rip off. They take the lesser payments and turn the ballance over to another agency, as still due. It is better to pay the whole amount of a debt to the original creditor! Who by the way sometimes offer a settlement on accounts they turned over to collections. They will in fact accept payments, you send them, although the collection agencies will try to convince you otherwise.



Just paying a invalid debt, hoping it will go away, only lines the pocket of these creeps, and ruins your credt. It may show paid, but it shows for as much as 7 years you had a collection account?



NY STEVE! YOU ARE A JERK!! I AGREE YOU PROBABLY WORK FOR ONE OF THESE COMPANIES!

Dave is absolutely right!



Rule#1 is to NEVER have verbal communications with a debt collector! NEVER. As soon as you answer the phone, you verify it as a good contact#, then they will hound you constantly! Then they also know where to serve you with lawsuits.



Not answering makes them crazy, and keeps them guessing as to your whereabouts. That is half the fun!



Steve-Wantagh...you ARE truly an idiot. What collection agency do you work for?



Only a collector would give the advice to debtors that you give.

You couldn't be more wrong.

You couldn't be more wrong.

You couldn't be more wrong.

You couldn't be more wrong.

Man, you are way off base here. A simple phone call WILL NOT clear this up.



Constance: You need to write a Cease Communications letter to them immediately, demanding that they prove the debt, and send this certified, return receipt. Do NOT include your SSN or any other personal info. In the letter, tell them you are forwarding a copy of this correspondence to the Attorney General and the credit bureaus.



Also tell them they have 30 days to provide proof of the debt or you will consider the matter closed. Request any further communications from them to be done only by certified mail, return receipt requested.

When you don't respond to collection letters, it's going to get bounced around from collection agency to collection agency. A simple phone call would clear this matter up.