Complaint Review: Phillips & Cohen & Associates - West Hampton New Jersey

 If I have LEGALLY satisfied all my debt obligations, then I don't need you OBAMAnites telling me what to do. If I get HARASSED continually by these type of people then they are going to hear from a REAL Law Firm .............. I'm sure they have had that pleasure before ..........

Thanks to tn BBB of NJ the matter was handled with a little more manners and listening.

Thanks to tn BBB of NJ the matter was handled with a little more manners and listening.

Thanks to tn BBB of NJ the matter was handled with a little more manners and listening.

The difficulty that I have is the term "bottom-feeder". Interesting that those who insist on using this derogatory term, are generally those who do not feel it necessary to pay back their debt obligations, as they willingly and voluntarily signed up for (i.e. credit cards, signature loans, in-store credit cards, etc.). Instead, they immediately assume that any and all individuals engaged in the business of legitimate and ethical debt collection practices, are by nature evil, ignorant, abusive people. This is simply not true. Reports such as those found on this website never address, recognize or educate the consumer that the "bad guy" is not necessarily that individual reminding YOU of a debt YOU legitimately owe. Now it is true, that no one at any time and under any circumstance has the right to harrass or abuse a consumer by virtue of the fact that they are a "debt collector". But that is the exception, not the norm. Debt collectors are professionals engaged in a very difficult, stressful, career. And yet, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC NEEDS DEBT COLLECTORS!!! How do you imagine that credit granting entities make up the cost of those individuals who DO NOT pay back their debts?? By raising interest rates, fees, and any other means to make up the cost of those who for whatever reason STOP PAYING THEIR BILLS!!! I have been involved in the collections industry for over 15 years, and have countless stories of working with individuals who had fallen behind in their financial obligations, helping them out of seemingly bottomless pits of financial hardships, and back on the road to credit recovery. I have spent hours educating consumers on how to protect, repair and regain their credit. I have been told countless times "thank you, I didnt understand, now I do"...I could go on and on... Not everyone who falls behind in their debts is a "deadbeat" and certainly not every debt collector who steps in to address that situation is a "bottom-feeder". By the way, those out there considering the legitimate profession of professional debt collection to be a "cesspool of bottomfeeders"....how is your credit?

Answer to the comment: Thanks for the insite. I paid them by quick pay. I havent heard from them as of yet but I will see what will happen in a few weeks as it get close to the payment date. I would really like to sue the nasty you know whats. so I am hoping that they call to harrass. I have a complaint in at the attorney generals office and the fair trade commission. So I will see whats happens. Thanks again

Answer to the comment: Thanks for the insite. I paid them by quick pay. I havent heard from them as of yet but I will see what will happen in a few weeks as it get close to the payment date. I would really like to sue the nasty you know whats. so I am hoping that they call to harrass. I have a complaint in at the attorney generals office and the fair trade commission. So I will see whats happens. Thanks again

Answer to the comment: Thanks for the insite. I paid them by quick pay. I havent heard from them as of yet but I will see what will happen in a few weeks as it get close to the payment date. I would really like to sue the nasty you know whats. so I am hoping that they call to harrass. I have a complaint in at the attorney generals office and the fair trade commission. So I will see whats happens. Thanks again

Answer to the comment: Thanks for the insite. I paid them by quick pay. I havent heard from them as of yet but I will see what will happen in a few weeks as it get close to the payment date. I would really like to sue the nasty you know whats. so I am hoping that they call to harrass. I have a complaint in at the attorney generals office and the fair trade commission. So I will see whats happens. Thanks again

Answer to the rebuttel : My mistake it is the Fair Debit Collection Practices Act. Public Law 104-208 110 stat 3009 Sept 30 1996

Agency Details Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd. *** 695 Rancocas Rd. Westampton, NJ 08060-5626 Phone: (609) 518-9000 Fax: (609) 518-9442 Web Address: www.phillips-cohen.com >>> Bud Says... West Virginia Sues New Jersey Bill Collector Congress may have severely toughed bankruptcy laws, to the detriment of consumers, but state officials in West Virginia say bill collectors can't threaten and harass debtors. State Attorney General Darrell McGraw is taking an out of state collection agency to court, saying it may have violated West Virginia law. McGraw has filed suit to compel Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd., a New Jersey collection agency, to comply with the Attorney General's investigative subpoena. The Attorney General began investigating Phillips & Cohen's' debt collection practices after receiving complaints from consumers that it was threatening consumers with jail, discussing the alleged debts with persons other than the consumers, and attempting to collect money for debts that have already been paid. Phillips & Cohen is not registered to do business in West Virginia and has not posted a bond, a requirement for all collection agencies doing business in the state. "Rogue collection agencies will not be allowed to harass and threaten West Virginia consumers," McGraw said. "Any consumers who receive repeated telephone calls from debt collectors or have debt collectors threaten them with jail or criminal prosecution should contact my Consumer Protection Division." Story from consumeraffairs.com, courtesy of budhibbs.com website. CEO Matthew Phillips is a loser for allowing his goons to grease their pockets with so many FDCPA violations. This (non-law firm) collection agency appears to be a cess-pool of misfits and lawbreakers that prey on consumers with their lawlessness. NEVER give them any information on your bank/credit accounts, or post-dated checks. YOU WILL REGRET IT!! >>> *********** CONSUMER WARNING: *********** EXTORTION IS A FELONY IN ALL STATES. IF A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTS IT, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE OR THE FBI. GIVE THEM THE NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND EXTENSION OF THE DEBT COLLECTOR COMMITTING THE CRIME. extortion n. obtaining money or property by threat to a victim's property or loved ones, intimidation, or false claim of a right (such as pretending to be an IRS agent). It is a felony in all states, except that a direct threat to harm the victim is usually treated as the crime of robbery. Blackmail is a form of extortion in which the threat is to expose embarrassing, damaging information to family, friends or the public. See also: blackmail robbery theft >>> When dealing with collection "lawyers", always file a Bar Association complaint against them. I file one the first time they contact me whether they violated or not, as they surely will. Guaranteed! Just make something up. It gets them in the system to back up someone elses complaint. Just a way of making them go away.

Rhodesie, This is exactly why I always tell people to NEVER speak to a bottomfeeder on the phone! Speaking to a bottomfeeder will NEVER produce positive results for you! NEVER! It will ALWAYS make things worse. Education is the key. Knowledge is power. The second mistake you made was making a payment plan. When you did this, you legally validated the debt. They no longer have the burden of proof on them. Remember, the legal burden of proof is on them to prove that you owe them the money. You never have to prove that you don't. And, nobody can garnish your wages without first suing you and winning and then getting a judgement, and then a garnishment order. It is an expensive and time consuming effort for them. That is why they hire lowlife to harass and intimidate people. The act you are speaking of is the FDCPA [Fair Debt Collections Practices Act]. I have never heard of the Fair Trade Act in relations to collections. Here is what you need to do now. IMMEDIATELY close any bank accounts that you have paid them with! Open a new one at a DIFFERENT BANK! This procedure is very important.

IS THE FAIR TRADE ACT? PLEASE CITE THE LAW & WHEN IT WAS ENACTED.

This company is the most nastiest debt collection angency and should be put out of business for not following the Fair Trade hearing act. The first time this company contacted me was via a phone call , no letter of intent. The person was as demanding and nasty making all kinds of threats with no compermises. I gave into the first demand and made a payment via the phone by check which they had the nerve to charge an extra $5.00, we set an agreement that payment would be made on the 23rd of the month to follow. It was being recorded ect. not even 3 days later a nasty demanding call was made to us again demanding another payment. I told them we were in verbal binding contract that was recorded and next payment would be on the 23rd of the folling month as agreeded upon. The response was They dont have to abide by that commitment they can collect any time. This went on for the next month. This month they called my husband at work and threatened to garnish is salary for the balance. Knowing that a verbal contract is binding and they accepted the payments as agreede to I called the Federal Trade commision filed a complaint. I also got legal advice on how to stop the harassement which is so against the law.