Complaint Review: JC Christensen And Associates INC. - Sauk Rapids Minnesota

All I can say is WOW!   What gumption from an organization that touts on their website  "Employees at JC Christensen & Associates, Inc. have all attained  certification under the Professional Management Practices System of ACA  International, which testifies to their commitment to adhere to the strictest standards in their industry."  What a Joke.  Just look at their tactics and fines it they should tout that our "thugs are trained by watching several hours of Andrew Dice Clay prior to calling their victims"

It is obvious that you should not talk to them at all on the telephone.  Send them a validation of debt letter as recommended by others in this thread.  One caveat is that you don't have to ask for validation of the contract for "your mother" as once probate has passed there is no legal attachment to the heirs of an estate.  These scummy guys will try to imply to all family members as described in this thread in order to get one sucker to get scared by their thug tactics.  Send them a validation of debt letter that you as and individual are contractually obligated to the debt. 

If they continue collection efforts against you not only should you follow the advice of others in filing complaints where they can get fines but you should also get a consumer lawyer and sue them for damages.  Losing a loved one is traumatic enough and you should not  be harassed by collectors who should know the law (trust me they do) and are causing you even more grief. 

The following letter is the first step in disentangling oneself from the clutches of this outfit. The next step if they are not thus dissuaded will be to appeal to the victim's State's Attorney General office and the American Collectors Association and his or her local State Bar Association for instructions as to how to file, the proper forms to do so, and what other information is pertinent . The branches are itemized below this letter. By Certified mail - return receipt requested [Date] , 2009 [Name and address of elevant Christensen branch] Re: [Name of creditor] Account # ______________ To Whom It May Concern: This will serve as your legal notice under provisions of federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), to cease all communication with me in regard to the debt referenced above. If you fail to heed this notice, I will file a formal complaint against you with the Federal Trade Commission who is responsible for enforcement, the State's Attorney General office and/or the American Collectors Association or local State Bar Association. You are also notified that should any adverse information be placed against the credit reports as a result of this notice that appropriate actions will be taken. Give this very important matter the attention it deserves. Sincerely, JC Christensen and Associates, Inc. PO Box 519 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 320-534-4340 215 N Benton Rd Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 800-235-2731 http://www.jcccollect.com/jcc.php 200 14th Ave E Sartell,, MN 56377 866-245-5344 PO Box 1952, Southgate, MI 48195-0952 866-768-5813 10330 Regency Parkway Dr, Omaha, NE 68114-3774 402-397-3009

These people also continue to call me for someone I don't know, on a daily basis. I went through the past actions just from the State of MN and found the following: J C CHRISTENSEN & ASSOCIATES, INC Lic# CA8000173 Against: Collection Agency Location: SAUK RAPIDS, MN Action: Other/Consent Signed: 7/10/2008 $1000 Fine File # CA 2801987 MJK Allegation: Allege dept collector engaged in the use of obscene or profane language or language where the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader. J C CHRISTENSEN & ASSOCIATES, INC Lic# CA8000173 Against: Collection Agency Location: SAUK RAPIDS, MN Action: Other/Consent Signed: 11/24/2008 $5000 Fine File # CA 2802602 MJK Allegation: Allege debt collector engaged in unfair and unconscionable means in an attempt to collect a debt.

I just thought I would inform you that JC Christianson was sued by the State of Minnesota for violations in collecting debts. I don't remember what month this happened in, but they were fined. I found the information on the Minnesota Department of Commerce web site and clicked on enforcement actions. I guess if they want to persist, give them the address to where your mom is enternally resting and tell them that is where she resides now. They will need to collect from her since these are not your bills. I guarantee they will go away the minute they are told where this address is. Good Luck

Debtors are required by law to submit all bills to the estate before probate. Once Probate has closed - the debtors can no longer collect on this debt. When my father-in-law passed and about a year after the estate was settled, everyone in the family started to receive bills from one his doctors. Since they did not submit these bills during the probate period - the family had no legal obligation to pay them.

When a debt collector first contacts you, your first step should always be to request validation of the debt per your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Send them a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt stating: Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am requesting written validation of this alleged debt, which includes a copy of the original signed contract with my/my mother's signature Per this federal law they must provide written validation within 30 days and they must cease collection activity until they send you written validation. Do not let them scare you with bogus threats during this period. This will give you breathing time to explore your options. --------------------------------- FYI: This issue should have been handled during the probate of your mother's will...