Complaint Review: Joseph Steven And Associates - Ventura California

Please, anyone effected by these folks: call the County of Ventura's District Attorney's office, Special prosecutions they do have a website: google Ventura County District attorney, select divisions from the menu at the left. They have been in contact with me and are actively seeking others to speak with. It's not even the money at this point....it's the ethics of this firm that need to be exposed. The good news is that if anyone searches their name: up pops the Ripoff Report: THANK YOU

The only ( NH) recourse for non payment on a court judgement is a non compliance order....which simply means they lock her up til she gets current. I tried that prior to hiring JSA. Due to a bogus financial statement, payments were set at 50/week on an 8500 judgement. She didn't stay current with that. Not wanting to send her to jail, and it being difficult to prove the statement was bogus, I opted for the collection agency. In the future, I would recommend anyone with a difficult to collect judgement just sell it and take the loss and the cash up front. Reports filed with the DA's office and BBB. Suggestions are welcome, and I really wish I could post my email here! JSA is aware of this, reads it, and has treatened me with slander......kinda hard to do if it's the truth. Thank You Ripoff report.

It does my heart good to hear that the collection agencies are scamming the creditors as well as the debtors. Maybe this will deter more creditors from using shady operations such as this to collect on their debts. What I'm confused about, however, is why you contracted with a collection agency to collect on a judgment debt in the first place? Why didn't you just hire a lawyer to initiate garnishment proceedings? It seems like this would have been alot simpler, cheaper, and more efficient. Heck, the sheriff will likely do most of the work for you!

It does my heart good to hear that the collection agencies are scamming the creditors as well as the debtors. Maybe this will deter more creditors from using shady operations such as this to collect on their debts. What I'm confused about, however, is why you contracted with a collection agency to collect on a judgment debt in the first place? Why didn't you just hire a lawyer to initiate garnishment proceedings? It seems like this would have been alot simpler, cheaper, and more efficient. Heck, the sheriff will likely do most of the work for you!

It does my heart good to hear that the collection agencies are scamming the creditors as well as the debtors. Maybe this will deter more creditors from using shady operations such as this to collect on their debts. What I'm confused about, however, is why you contracted with a collection agency to collect on a judgment debt in the first place? Why didn't you just hire a lawyer to initiate garnishment proceedings? It seems like this would have been alot simpler, cheaper, and more efficient. Heck, the sheriff will likely do most of the work for you!

It does my heart good to hear that the collection agencies are scamming the creditors as well as the debtors. Maybe this will deter more creditors from using shady operations such as this to collect on their debts. What I'm confused about, however, is why you contracted with a collection agency to collect on a judgment debt in the first place? Why didn't you just hire a lawyer to initiate garnishment proceedings? It seems like this would have been alot simpler, cheaper, and more efficient. Heck, the sheriff will likely do most of the work for you!

Told me on the 20th of July they had sent payment on funds received in December and January on July 18th. No payment to date. Rude man threantened a lawsuit because of the ripoff report info posted, then hung up on me. On hold 30 minutes, no answer....DO NOT DO BUSSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE. There is a very good reason they have an F rating from the BBB, it was B just a year ago.

Told me on the 20th of July they had sent payment on funds received in December and January on July 18th. No payment to date. Rude man threantened a lawsuit because of the ripoff report info posted, then hung up on me. On hold 30 minutes, no answer....DO NOT DO BUSSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE. There is a very good reason they have an F rating from the BBB, it was B just a year ago.

Told me on the 20th of July they had sent payment on funds received in December and January on July 18th. No payment to date. Rude man threantened a lawsuit because of the ripoff report info posted, then hung up on me. On hold 30 minutes, no answer....DO NOT DO BUSSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE. There is a very good reason they have an F rating from the BBB, it was B just a year ago.

Told me on the 20th of July they had sent payment on funds received in December and January on July 18th. No payment to date. Rude man threantened a lawsuit because of the ripoff report info posted, then hung up on me. On hold 30 minutes, no answer....DO NOT DO BUSSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE. There is a very good reason they have an F rating from the BBB, it was B just a year ago.

I'm surprised. I've heard of collection agencies pulling tricks on debtor as I'm sure you have, but this is the first time I've learned of a contracted debt collector trying to get money from both ends - so to speak. Ripping off the debtor, and ripping off the person who contracted them. Sheeees!

I'm surprised. I've heard of collection agencies pulling tricks on debtor as I'm sure you have, but this is the first time I've learned of a contracted debt collector trying to get money from both ends - so to speak. Ripping off the debtor, and ripping off the person who contracted them. Sheeees!

I'm surprised. I've heard of collection agencies pulling tricks on debtor as I'm sure you have, but this is the first time I've learned of a contracted debt collector trying to get money from both ends - so to speak. Ripping off the debtor, and ripping off the person who contracted them. Sheeees!

Received proof from the debtor yesterday, the last 2 payments to satisfy the debt were made in December 06 and January 07, the debtor gave me a supplemental check for the (small) final balance. Interestingly, the debtor showed me her payment schedule: there were 2 additional payments scheduled which were in EXCESS of the debt, that she did not pay. She had faxed notice for them to stop debiting her account. Also, her check copies AND statements reflect that the payments were deducted from her account PRIOR to the contract dates, often times putting her in a negative balance situation. I spoke with a rep yesterday AM from JSA ( pleasant party identified himself as Mr. Pummel) who informed me that the payments had been received and cleared, a check is scheduled to be issued to me mid July. When I asked on MANY previous occasions since October 2006 and later while seeking payment history info, I was told there were NO more payments received. Suddenly there ARE? I was told they 'hold' payment for 30 days.....but these were paid Dec and January. He had no answer. I do have from April 2007, a payment history from JSA, given to me by a former employee. This document CLEARLY shows JSA reversed the last two payments as NOT clearing, in January and February 2007. This is NOT true. I did apologize to the debtor. NO ONE deserves these people and it was a poor decision to contract them to begin with. Their rating with the Santa Barbara BBB is currently listed as "F". I am awaiting a check mid July for the final payment from JSA.....I have serious doubts it will be received. Will update. Thank You

Have you demanded proof from the debtor? Seems to me the debtor should have receipts, cancelled checks, cancelled money orders and such if the debt was paid in full. What I don't understand is how the collection agency could decide how much of the debt had to be repaid. You own the debt and if they told the debtor that they could stop paying in the future, they should have obtained persmission from you before telling the debtor that.

Upon visiting their website: debtinator.net/# I see that they reference this website, complete with a link to the "Goodbusinessbureau" . Enter the site: Follow the link under "breaking news" and you will come to a phony page all about the Ripoff Report, Entitled GoodBusiness Bureau. Try it. The page linked to the JSA website is the ONLY page of the "site". You cannot seach companies, as the link says, however you can use the link to get " your name removed", for $ 49.97...... Google the Good Business Report....you will see what I mean. Thank You for helping....Still gathering more information, along with court outcome, will post updates.

You should go online and pull up your state laws regarding collection agency's. MGL chapter 93, section 24. Licensing of collection agencies. MGL chapter 93, section 49: Debt collection in an unfair, deceptive or unreasonable manner. Outlines prohibited activities in debt collections. Also just to let you know, if a company is hired to persue a JUDGMENT and they intend to enforce it, they MUST take whats called assignment of the judgment.. This document is very specific not to be confused with an AFFIDAVIT, acontract will not be sufficiant either. From what I read online it appears that another company had a similar thing happen when they contracted this Agency. Their name is JOHN PULLIAM MASONRY CO located in PERRIS, CA. The small claim case number is MS186663 out of VENTURA COUNTY CA. You