Rosenthal Stein and Associates Mrs. Braswell illegal practices...rude nasty people atlanta, Georgia
I know what this woman from Rosenthal Stine and Associates did is illegal and only wish I could afford to hire a lawyer to deal with this.
I recently got a phone call while I was at work from a very fast talking woman named Mrs. Braswell who said she "represented" the "firm" Rosenthal, Stine and Associates. I immediately thought lawyers office. She proceeded to tell me this was a courtsy call letting me know that a claim had been filed against me by SMS Group and she would be verifying my employment and my wages would be garnished within 48 hours for the amount owed...$700. She then explained that this was a FEDERAL case because the claim was over a payday loan. Scared the crap out of me, caught me completely off guard.
After speaking with her for several minutes and frantically trying to find out what I could do to halt these proceedings she informed me that if I was able to make a $100 payment right then, over the phone, plus a $3 fee, she would close the case and that would be the end of it. But I had to make the payment by 5pm that day or my wages would be garnished with in 48 hours. By now I'm beginning to think that I'm not talking to a lawyers office and that she's misrepresenting herself. I took her name and number, assured her I would be calling back to make my payment and hung up. Then I called the number she had given me, got ahold of a live person working the phones and politely asked if I was calling an attnys office...she responded by telling me she needed my name and acct number to "get me to the right person". I again asked if I was calling an attnys office or a debt collection office, she again said she couldn't give me any info and needed my name and acct number. We did this about 4 times then I finally gave her my info and she immediately put me throught to Mrs. Braswell, again. I identified myself and asked her the same question. After going back and forth several times, she finally told me my acct hadnt gone to the legal department YET, but would at 5 pm that evening. I questioned why she would call and threaten to garnish my wages when she clearly had no authority to do so and she screamed at me that when I was ready to pay my d**n bill and stop playing games to call her and then she hung up on me.
This company is unbelievable. Their practices are illegal and misrepresenting themselves as an attnys firm is morally wrong.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Nathan
milwaukee,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
file a complaint with your attorney general
#7Consumer Comment
Sun, August 07, 2011
I doubt if the BBB will do nothing but litigate your complaint. BBB has no authority to force a settlement. I suggest filing a complaint with your state attorney General. I would also file with Federal Trade Commission.
If they call, record the conversation. Go to the FTC.gov site and read about the federal Debt collections practices Act. Know your rights. Demand debt validation (proof of debt). You must demand it within 30 days of contact.
Now there are National association of consumer Protection attorneys (NACA). They will some times take a case on contigency. You also can go to Debtorboards. They are a (.com) on the internet. They have people that will listen and advise. Some are attorneys. The advise is free. They do not scam or phish you. They helped me several years ago. When I had identity theft.
I would suggest you record them. Check your wiretapping laws in your state. You also can get info by going to youtube and typing in DEbt collectors. Some of it funny. Example Arnold calls a debt collector.
I wish you the best. DO NOT GIVE THEM BANK INFO. There threats are nothing. Get them on tape making threats and get an NACA attorney. Keep us informed.
Anywhere USA
Audubon,Pennsylvania,
United States of America
Tried the same with me.
#7General Comment
Mon, August 01, 2011
Hello,
I understand your pain. These people attempted to use scare and bully tactics with me as well. Really bad idea...they obviously did not "investigate" me enough. I work in the criminal justice field. I received a call from an "Agent Yolanda" a few days ago threatening to file charges against me for check fraud on a payday loan that I allegedly took out in 2007. The funny thing is that I never had an account with the bank this loan went into and I never even have lived in CT at any time in my life.
I reminded the idiot on the other end of the numerous felonies that they were committing by claiming to be representatives of the police. 18.05 US Code Title 5 sec 141 clearly states that anyone engaging in interstate financial transactions with the intention to deceive by means of identity impersonation constitutes a felony under the federal statute.
I really hope they were recording me when I explained this to them. The so called 'Agent Yolanda" was not phased by this information and had several scripted responses.
I filed the necessary complaints with the Attorney General in my state and I also filed a criminal complaint with the District Attorney's Office where I live (have lots of friends there).
Don't worry...these morons will continue to use these tactics on unsuspecting people..they are digging their own graves. Remember how I said in the beginning it was a bad idea to mess with me?
They now are being prosecuted where I live because of the complaint that I filed and the judges and prosecutors that just happen to work with me in law enforcement. ( we all went to the same college and grad schools)
GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND GOD BLESS...P.S. Next time just hang up.
peacemaker
Pierre,South Dakota,
United States of America
RSA
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, June 29, 2011
I have been contacted by these same people and They had also given me until 4pm to pay a 100.00 i didn't have, but my account would not have been closed, it would just stopped it from going to "law enforcement". I was scared and thought that they were like FBI or something, when they said "Agent" However, I now know that they are only a collection agency and have no authority. However, then can garnish wages, but they have to go thru court proceedings and file a judgement and send it to your employer. I've been dealing with Agent Cooley, who has been more professional then the others, but still thinks I have all the money in the world to fork over for this bill they say I owe, but refuse to provide me with proof. I have filed a complaint with the BBB.
we will see what happens then.
msmontecarlo
USAYou need to close your bank account
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, April 27, 2011
You need to go to your bank an close your account and go to another bank . You just gave a scammer your bank account # you should never do this . Go to your bank and close the account do this right away
msmontecarlo
USADo not give them any imformation
#7Consumer Comment
Tue, April 26, 2011
The caller is a scammer.The next time they call tell them that they are nothing but a scumbag scammer and hang up . IF they call at your work press the hold button. I would tell this woman a very bad curse has been out on her .
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Did a search
#7Consumer Comment
Sat, April 23, 2011
And they were sued in 2010 in Arizona. Never EVER talk to or pay a third party debt collector. You do not need money to hire an attorney - just go to www.budhibbs.com. He has a link to Attorneys who deal with these types of scumbags. Good luck and get even!