This company called me out of the blue and pressured me into paying over $100 for a power bill they claimed I owed. Mr. Rodgers, the man I talked to, could not give me any concrete proof they were not scamming me, but said if I did not set up patment plans right then, the amount did would go on my credit report. When I said I would not have the money until the 1st of next month, they told me they would not start taking payments out of my account until then, but could not send me any information until I gave them a credit/debit card number. Since my debit card was set to expire before the next month started, he wanted my checking account number. Being scared of having this go on my credit report, I gave him the information he wanted.
After hanging up, I called my bank to let them know what happened. They told me to call my former power company to see if I did owe from an unpaid bill. When I called the power company, they said I had paid in full and my account was closed with no outstanding balance. They also suggested I call the third party provider that supplied the power. The supplier said there was an outstanding balance. It is not possible for this to be my fault. I am only responsible for paying the power bill which comes to my house. I am not responsible for deciding how that money gets divided up between the power company and the supplier. Not can I even if I wanted to. So because of PDM's high pressure tactics and threats to my credit report, they now have access to my checking account. It will cost me a great deal of time, effort, and money to close that account and open up a new one, where if they would have let me research and call around first, I could have cleared this mistake up. Especially since I never got any letters or warnings before this call.
Leah1234
Highspire,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, September 19, 2017
The Commissioner of Banks (Commissioner) is charged with the administration of
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 93, sections 24 through 28, inclusive, applicable regulations found at 209 CMR 18.00 et seq., governing the licensing and supervision of debt collectors. Pursuant to the authority granted by Massachusetts General Laws chapter 93, sections 24 through 28, the Commissioner has investigated the activities of Professional Debt Mediation, Inc. (Professional Debt Mediation or the Corporation) with an address of 7948 Baymeadows Way, Jacksonville, Florida to determine if Professional Debt Mediation has engaged in the business of, and/or is continuing to engage in, acts or practices constituting violations of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 93. Based upon such investigation, the Division of Banks (Division) hereby issues the following CEASE DIRECTIVE (Directive) as a result of the findings alleged herein.
A. FINDINGS OF FACT
No person shall directly or indirectly engage in the commonwealth in the business of a debt collector, or engage in the commonwealth in soliciting the right to collect or receive payment for another of an account, bill or other indebtedness, or advertise for or solicit in print the right to collect or receive payment for another of an account, bill or other indebtedness, without first obtaining from the commissioner a license to carry on the business, nor unless the person or the person for whom he or it may be acting as agent has on file with the state treasurer a good and sufficient bond.
B. CEASE DIRECTIVE
BY ORDER AND DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKS:
Dated at Boston, Massachusetts, this 17th day of May, 2013
By:
David J. Cotney
Commissioner of Banks
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
His BS on Linkedin Professional Debt Mediation, Inc is a full service third-party collection company that has been in business for over 17 years. The major portion of our portfolio is residential lease collections throughout the country. We represent several management companies as well as owners, many of whom has been long term clients. we pride ourselves on providing our clients the best return on accounts placed with us, the highest level of customer service and unparallel professionalism. Historically we have proven to be better than our competitors in almost every side by side comparisons.
Our goal is quite simply: We dont strive to be the biggest accounts receivable company, we strive to be the BEST accounts receivable company!