Complaint Review: Merchants' Credit Guide - Chicago Illinois

I received the Ken Hughes call this week. When trying to return the call I got the infinite hold loop, and upon googling I found this report. The following is how I handled my particular situation, and is perhaps worth a shot for some... I called the Chicago (312) number to actually talk to someone, who promptly put me back into the hold loop. I called back and told the person that I knew the transfer they were planning for my phone call was just a ploy to get more information from me, and that I was aware they were a collection agency. I then said that apparently I needed her to at least pass on the message that I was not aware of the reason for their initial call to my house. At this point I was transferred to "the manager." I had to explain once more the purpose of my call. then he asked for my phone number. I figured they already had that, so there would be no harm in providing it. What he said next was a little relieving...the record to which the phone number was attached belonged to someone I had never heard of...which of course meant that I was none of their business. He immediately said he was removing the phone number from the record, which I can only assume he actually did. So as I mentioned earlier, this resolution can only work for some: those whose names aren't actually in MCG's database.

What EVERYONE needs to do is fight back against these fraudulent scammers. I suggest we all just call them back, morning, noon, and night and ask for Ken Hughes. Call them and tell them what we think of them. Every time they call you, call them back 20-fold. That's the only way these clowns are going to learn. Make their job VERY unpleasant. These people deserve no courtesy. They know who them work for and what they do. Give them ZERO courtesy back. Fight back and annoy and harass them as they have you.

Stephanie, MCG is the worst of the scummy characters in this business. They are junk debt buyers and of the worst kind. They by very old out of stat paper for less than a penny on the dollar. They are major violators of the FDCPA and FCRA. The first thing you want to do is write a "debt validation" request where you challenge the debt, and DEMAND to see something you signed to create the debt and an account history. Be sure NOT to give any personal or employment info, as the file may be incomplete, and they may not have items like your SS#, DOB, Employer, etc.. So there is no reason to give them anything. Send this letter by certified mail, return reciept requested, and put the certified# on the letter itself. Keep a copy for your records. Most likely they will go away as soon as you challenge them. Here is the REAL contact info for them. Agency Details Merchants Credit Guide Co. aka/CFB Financial III, LLC 223 W. Jackson Blvd., #900 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 360-3000 888-249-4134- Fax: (312) 360-3024 Also: 1308 State Highway37 West Frankfort, IL 62896 Phone: (618) 937-4665 Fax: (618) 932-6127 CFB Financial III, LLC Barry P. Siegal, Agent for Service 55 W. Monroe St. #500 Record Office: 223 W. Jackson Blvd., #900 Chicago, IL 60606 Web Address: http://www.merchantscreditguide.com Head Debt Collectors: Daniel F. Burtis, President Michael Fromknecht, President Gregory Fuchs, Vice President Edwin S. Burtis, Secretary, Treasurer Kenneth Hill, VP Operations Bud Says Rarely has one organization generated the number of complaints that this one has. Consumers coast to coast are complaining about Merchants Credit Guide Co. attempting to collect on debts that are time barred by statute. Agency owner and President Greg Fuchs, Daniel F. and Edwin S. Burtis are a class action law suit waiting to happen. Merchants is a bottom-feeder who purchased and is attempting to collect on debts that are ten, twelve, fifteen years old and longer. These slimy dumpster divers have taken the slime to yet another low, with their illegal practices. Merchants is collecting for it's own subsidiary; CFB Financial III, LLC (IL LLC) on debts so old, most are time barred by statute meaning they can no longer be litigated, they can no longer be placed on your credit reports and the slime at Merchants and CFB Financial can be sued for their illegal debt collection practices. Some Citibank accounts were originally charged off back in the 90's, which tells me that owner's Burtis likely paid just pennies for them. Their debt collectors are poorly trained, making threats of actions they cannot take and we are receiving many complaints of time barred debts appearing on credit reports. The good news is you can sue these idiots and may even be able to recoup legal fees in your suits. What the Burtis's are doing is not new or even unique, just a different spin on an old consumer scam, to rip off unsuspecting consumers. Consumers a warned NOT to fall victim of the scam. Now is the time for consumers to go after this low-life, sleazy bottom feeders that lie and steal money they are NOT entitled to. Anyone having inside information on Burtis and the lawbreakers who work for him get in touch with me. We are seeking any information available on Fuchs & Burtis such as where they live, what they drive, church, organizations, family, connections, anything at all, get it to us. This also includes the sleazy employees working there; let's focus on them to see who and what they are, when they are not on a crime spree. Many complaints are for accounts consumers do not even owe, however the idiots at MCG have a lot of trouble understanding that. Wonder what their drug testing policy is? Anyone being contacted by Merchants Credit Guide is urged to NEVER send them money, they are a scam. All of the debts they are attempting to collect appear to illegal. You do NOT legally have to pay on a debt