Complaint Review: FREDERICK J. HANNA & ASSOCIATES - Internet Internet

John: good points for the most part.  I would add a couple things about settling with Hanna.  I do know for a fact that they refuse to sign settlement agreements (they will sign a "consent order" with you, which is the same as agreeing to let them have a judgment against you).

The other thing debt collectors do is the offer letter "bait and switch."  The offer letters they send out pretty much always have a catch like a "received by" date.  That way, even if you do pay them (less than 100% of what they are charging you - as full settlement), they can just deny that they received the payment by the due-date time and re-sell the (remainder of the) debt.

Another problem is proof of ownership of the debt after a charge-off of the debt.  Hanna often misrepresents that the original creditor still owns the debt, after it has been sold and bought by Hanna or another 3rd party debt collector.  If they don't show proof of ownership (and they NEVER do), then you can never be sure you are paying the right party, and that you won't be sued/collected on again by another debt collector for the SAME debt.

When it comes to Hanna the only thing to do is completely stonewall them, send a do-not-call letter, answer their lawsuits, and "lawyer-up" if representing yourself is too stressful.  They are truly one of the dirtiest businesses out there and the one thing you can trust them with is to take your money AND screw you over every time.  Talking to them on the phone and/or paying them just makes it worse.

You can always settle directly with the original creditor, but that won’t stop Hanna from suing you either if Hanna is lying about who owns the debt.  It is my understanding that they only sue in GA where they are located, and are just a (powerless) out-of-state debt collector in all other states -- which means that they can be ignored and stonewalled with do-not-call letters and/or FDCPA lawsuits (if they won’t stop).

It's not just Fred Hanna. Almost all collection agencies that deal in old credit card defaults are highly nasty/aggressive and their collectors are prone to using underhanded tactics.

Here's a general rule of thumb when dealing with debt collectors: Any promise made over the phone about payment terms or settlements for less should assumed to be a lie unless those terms are backed up in writing.

If you just accept their verbal promise over the phone and cut them checks, there is nothing to stop them from coming right back and demanding more money...or (as in your case) they'll resell your account to another collection agency which will restart the collection process all over again.

You'll have no documentation that the account was ever Paid in Full. The only thing you can prove is that payments were make on the account.

Here's now the process should work:

Negotiate a settlement for less...like 25%

Get a settlement letter on their letterhead confirming that the account will be Paid in Full once this agreed-to amount is paid. Once you get this letter, THEN it's safe to pay. Pay ONLY via a USPS money order and NEVER give them your checking account numbers.

Photocopy everything and keep in your perm. records in case another collection agency comes back in 4 years and tries to collect on the same debt.

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Also, check out info from Bud Hibbs.  He has a lot of good advise about dealing with debt collectors.

It looks like Rip Off Report redacted my links on how to fight debt collector lawsuits for Hanna and Zwicker, and for help blogs.  For help with the lawsuits you can do a Google search for a book and webtsite by Allen Harkleroad titled “Stick it to sue happy debt collectors.”  The help blog I linked is Next Level Unlimited Credit.  I do not have any stake in any of these sites, I am just posting to try to help other consumers.  I do understand why Rip Off Report redacts links though.  

The Georgia Supreme Court says Hanna is a "law firm," so you have to submit a bar complaint vs. them (and not a consumer complaint with the state OCA or federal FCC -- but fine if you do that too anyway). You may submit a bar complaint vs. Fred Hanna (the owner of the "firm") and any atty. that may have contacted you that also violated bar rules for atty.s:

(Call and ask for a bar complaint, and if they have them online):

State Bar of Georgia

www.gabar.org

104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

(404) 527-8700

(800) 334-6865

FAX: (404) 527-8717

See below for info. on where to look for sample do-not-call letters vs. Hanna, and how to fight Hanna lawsuits and WIN (feel free to post on here too for more info.):

Info. for fighting Hanna lawsuits:

(((Redacted)))

Hanna consumer complaints and blogs:

(((Redacted)))

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/Frederick-J_-Hanna.aspx

Submit a Georgia bar complaint vs. Fred Hanna and other Hanna attorneys:

http://gabar.org/contact_the_bar/

from www.budhibbs.com

Fredrick J Hanna & Assoc.

Georgia Receivables

2160 Kingston, Court, S.E., Ste. 0, Marietta, GA 30067

Bud Says                         Consumer Comments Below

It seems that Hanna will lie on court affidavits about his position and most affidavits attached are bogus in the information stated. Fred J. Hanna is NEVER to be trusted, his court filings should ALWAYS be challenged.  Fred is concerned about one thing; separating you and your money.

Contact me for referral to a local consumer law professional if you are involved with Hanna.

CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email  the details w/your location.  Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.              Email for Assistance 

contact Bud and sue the pants off these low life scumbag debt collectors