314-382-3223

On Monday, November 30, 2009, someone from this number contacted my mother.  He told her that he was doing a background check on me and my husband for a legal issue.  When she asked him how he got her number, he said that the info he had showed her cell number as our primary residence number (total lie I have never used her number for anything except as an emergency contact on medical papers).  Anyway, he told her to have me contact him as soon as possible at (877)382-3223 at Ext. 200, he even went as far as to give her a case#.  When I contacted him, he told me he was a litigator for this Smith-Klien and as a courtesy he wanted to contact me before he turned it over to the lawyers.  He said it was concerning a check that was written at one of those check loan places, and that I was in breach of the contract and owed 660.00 and I could go ahead and take care of the amount to avoid further action being taken.  I explained to him that I had not used one of those places in probably 6 or 7 years and did not know anything about the matter.  He kept telling me he was trying to do me a favor, but pushed the issue of paying the amount.  I just told him that I would have to speak with my attorney about the matter, and that I would just have her to contact him about the case.  It all seemed really weird to me, that if I had been in breach of contract on a 660.00 check that I would have been contacted by a prosecuting attorney or something.  But what really has me concerned is the fact that, someone from the (314)382-3223 tried to call me yesterday, but I missed the call.  When I tried to return the call, the call could not be completed.  Then today, this same man called my mother again, he told her that he still had not been able to reach me or my husband, and that we had not called him as well(LIE!)  I don't know what the hell is up with this company or this man, but they are S.O.L. if they think I am just going to give them 660.00 for a check that may or may not have been written 6 or 7 years ago.  They sound like a bunch of scam-artists and after reading other posts, I'm going to let them know about it tomorrow, as well as contact the Missouri attorney general concerning the harassing phone calls to both me and my mother.  They are going to be very sorry they tried to scam me, but to everyone else don't give them any information.  They are not legit.

This person discloses stating the he is an investigator for the saint louis courts and will be filing petition against me and need to tt me immediately ....gv info to a child ...this is a 3rd party collection office and he is in violation of the fdcpa and each person should report his mr steven dat ext 207 to the fcc and the attrny general "FILE COMPLAINTS"

You and Kristy (the post before yours) need to read some of the other reports.  Apparently there are scammers who call demaning payment of a long-forgotten loan.  They threaten you with legal action, and they aren't willing to share the details of the loan with you.

Its a scam.  There is no over-due bill.  Hang up on them and report them to the DoNotCall list.

This guy called me twice today.  In the first call he asked for Erin then when I told him he had the wrong number and he said he meant Neiva.  Again I told him he had the wrong number and he said that Neiva called him two days ago from my number.  I don't know any Erin or Neiva.  He started to get angy and said Either Neiva or myself were F*cking with him.  I told him I've had my phone number for 6yrs and the he said what ever and hung up.  Then he called back 1hr later askingfor Neiva again. Told him wrong number again and he asked how long ive had it,  I told him 6yrs,  like I told you an hour ago and he said hes never called me before and I called him out and he said he was looking for this person for and investigation then hung up.   I never gave him my name.  That may be the key.

This in in reguards to us getting a phone call from this same man named Steve! He has called our house today and told me that my wife owes money on a check advance loan and that they have information pertaining to it. This man was yelling at my wife on the phone to the point that I had to get on the phone and put this man in his place... This man proceeded to yell at me and tell me that they were going to take my wife to jail and that she was lying to me about getting a loan. This guy has faxed us information reguarding the loan but the picture of the person in the id they gave us isnt my wife! We got the same story about this guy being a debt collector....About a week before they started sending my wife stuff they sent one in her moms name that hasnt been with us since october 2009 Be cautious verify anything you need to with the court before you agree to pay anything contact your attorney.

We are having the same problem with this a$$hole!  He has threatened to have the Sheriff show up for me and that I had violated federal laws and would be taken to jail.  Really?!?!  He comes off as an intimidating a$$hole, threatens you with a bunch of lies, has said he worked for the courts, said he was a litigator, and has said he was an attorney!  I researched his address since his correspondence was from a PO Box and it appears he has moved around alot, looks like he is now off of HWY 30 in High Ridge... while working for the court, being a litigator and an attorney.  Hmmm?!?!?  Sounds too like he is in cohoots with some payday advance companies to try to scam money from people.  Also, you can't talk to him... he starts yelling and get's even more smart-a$$ and ignorant.  Did I mention he is an a$$hole?  I have already reported this (just last week) to the Atty. General and BBB.  If he continues to call me and threaten me I will be filing a harrassment complaint with the Sheriff's office as I have already told him to quit calling me.

Smith Klein & Associates Inc.
5239 Brown Ave. Ste 105
Saint Louis, MO 63115
(314) 382-3223

I use to work for this collection agency and I turned Steve Gilbert (his real name) over to the Atty General, Division of Finance and FBI for claiming to be an "investigator of the court", telling individuals he had "warrants for their arrest" & he "was right next door to the court house". I even sent all the info to every one of the TV stations (channel 2, 4 & 5) & NOBODY would listen. The previous owner of this company is Reggie Smith who served time in prison for killing a drug dealer. Everyone of the employees have prison records for murder & drug convictions & according to the law, anyone with a felony conviction cannot work in this capacity where they have access to someone's ss #, dob or other personal information.  You need to proceed against this agency legally. I was fired from this agency for refusing to tell debtors that I was an investigator, I had warrants for their arrest, I was sending DFS out to seize their children till the debt was paid in full.  After almost 2 yrs (I was terminated 2 weeks before Thanksgiving in 2008) I'm still bitter that they're still in business.

I use to work for this collection agency and got fired 2 weeks before Thanksgiving 2008 because I refused to call people and tell them I was an "investigator of the court", "had a warrant out for your arrest", "I'm having DFS come and seize your children if the debt isn't paid".  Steve''s real name is Steve Gilbert and he's a crack head.  Everyone who works for this company has a prison record for murder and drugs and according to the law once your convicted of a felony you cannot work in an environment where you have access to someone's ss #, dob or any other personal information.  I turned this company over to the Division of Finance, FBI and Mo Atty General and tried to get the major news stations (channels 2, 4 & 5) to investigate but NOBODY WOULD LISTEN. And it pisses me off that after 2 yrs these [***] are still in business.  Also, the owner of the company is a scam artist also.  He's not listed with Secretary of State as the owner of any of the companies, they're all in the name of his girlfriend who's being sued by the Mo Atty General for scamming people in a health spa.  And when I did a back ground search on his name, his name has only existed for the last 4 years and he's 57 yrs old.  So what happened to his credit history and personal information for the first 52 yrs of his life??? You need to take legal action against them.

I use to work for this collection and Steve's real name is Steve Gilbert.  I was fired 2 weeks before Thanksgiving 2008 because I refused to violate the FDCPA by telling people I was "an investigator of the court", "I had a warrant for your arrest", "I'm having the sheriff to come out there & arrest you", etc.  I filed complaints with the Mo Atty General, Division of Finance and the FBI & NOBODY WOULD LISTEN. I even asked the major news channels (2, 4 & 5) to pretend they were returning a call & specifically ask for Steve & see what he says, & again nobody would listen.  The previous owner of this company is Reggie Smith, a convicted murderer.  Everyone who works for this company has a prison record for either murder or drugs.  Which by law states anyone convicted of a felony cannot work in a capacity where they have access to someone's personal information such as ss #, dob, etc.  The "new owner" is a scam artist also.  The name he has provided has only existed for 4 yrs & none of the payday loans he claims to own are in his name.  They're in the name of his girlfriend who is being sued by the Mo Atty General for scamming people on a health club.  You need to take legal action against Steve Gilbert & this company.

I use to work for this collection agency and Steve's real name is Steve Gilbert.  I was fired 2 weeks before Thanksgiving 2008 because I refused to tell people I was "an investigator of the court", "I have a warrant for your arrest", "The sheriff is coming out to arrest you", "I'll have DFS seize your children until this debt is paid in full".  After I was fired I filed complaints with the Mo Atty General, Division of Finance & the FBI & as far as I know, NOTHING WAS DONE because they're still in business.  The former owner, Reggie Smith is a convicted murderer & Steve has convictions for being a crack head.  Everyone connected to this company is either a convicted murderer or has drug convictions which is why I didn't fit in.  I also tried to get the major tv stations to investigate (2, 4 & 5) & again NOBODY WOULD LISTEN.  The new owner who purchased the company around July 2008 is a scam artist also.  None of the payday loans he claims to own are in his name.  They're in the name of his girlfriend who is being sued by the Mo Atty General for scamming people on a health club membership.  And when I did a back ground search on him, the name he's using has only been in existance for 4 yrs.  You need to take legal action against them.  It pisses me off that after 2 yrs these [***] are still in business & so flagrantly illegal it makes me sick.

I find your "BLOG"  not only totally fraud, but insulting to use good collectors who return millions back to clients that have unpaid & bad debt. If you feel you need to tell lies & publicise them on the internet you no better than someone who steals from creditors & financial institutions. I too was an employee for Smith, Klein & Assoc. You were the worst collector I had ever worked with. unethical, unrealistic, & formost. You need therapy !  Thats why you lost your job..  Tell the truth "MARIE GUGLIELMO"       YOU JUST SUCKED AS A COLLECTOR ! So now you Are trying to make the employees of smith klein & Associates look bad..    Shame on you.. Get a job & stay off the internet wasting everybodys time,... & for the record       Reginald smith, owns : Smith,kLIEN,  & Assoc. NOT Smith, Klein & Assoc..  see how klein is spelled in both names..  Its different..    Get It Right Marie & Get some medical help   You need meds !

This agency / Smith, Klein & Assoc.  is a ligitimate  full service "Collection Agency" That outsorces all legal claims to hundreds of attorneys in the United States. This agency was bought out on August 15th 2009.and is under Complete New Ownership & Management. For verification please see the Missouri  Secretary of State records. This agency has no ties what so ever to the original owner : Reginal Smith,  Any claims, complaints, or problems pertianing to the origianl owner Reginald Smith have been resolved, with the proper agencies. For information on how to contact Reginald Smith or to register a complaint pertaing to mr smith or his tactics. Please contact the Missouri State Attorney Generals office.

Nobody,would listen "Marie" because all your accusations are Figments of your imagination & your just plane NUTS.. Please get medical attention..As soon as possible..

1) Never assume they have a VALID DEBT OR LEGAL RIGHT TO COLLECT
 
2) Debt collectors MUST FOLLOW your STATE laws regarding licensing.  Check your Secretary of State for licensing requirements for ANY collection agency that contacts you

Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS

READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE

You can also post your questions here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum/   NEW URL!    

These links are to attorneys for those being scammed www.naca.net or http://www.consumerjustice.com/consumer/searchattorneys.aspx


Dealing with Debt Collectors
Http://www.budhibbs.com/First.htm    
    
Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm

Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm


From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
    use threats of violence or harm;
    publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
    use obscene or profane language; or
    repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
    falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
    falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
    misrepresent the amount you owe;
    indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or
    indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
    you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;
    they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
    legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:
    give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
    send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or
    use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
    deposit a post-dated check early;
    take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
    contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don’t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don’t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don’t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
    Social Security Benefits
    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
    Veterans’ Benefits
    Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Service Members’ Pay
    Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits
    Student Assistance
    Railroad Retirement Benefits
    Merchant Seamen Wages
    Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Death and Disability Benefits
    Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
    Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General’s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad
February 2009

File complaints with

Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices

Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!
    
Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html  If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list.   You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0

I read your comments Will and I have no fu..... idea who you are.  If I'm such a "liar" and misleading, how is it that all these complaints lists Steve's and the EXACT way you all do your collections?  Hopefully this company will be put out of business once and for all.

Hey Nano....isn't funny how all these people are complaining about the way Steve and the gang do their collections?  But I'm nuts and need medical help???? Don't think so

MARIE,     Smith, Klein & Associtaes. is now a full service collection agency, As of 8/15/2009 We outsource 100 of accounts weekly to attorneys all over the US  We have done nothing wrong in the past & we handle our business in acciordance with all laws & regulations.   We have no problems with the Attorney generals office, BBB  or any other complaince agency;'s in any state..  Do your home work..  Thern get a life. Stop bloging about your past problems & move on.  If you continue to slander this office you might find yourself with legals issues as well.

Attorneys are a great thing "when needed"! Keep in mind that attorneys are after the same thing as the debt collectors.. Your money! So either pay your debts or make suitable arrangements to pay your debts. Or throw your money to an attorney..but your debt is still unpaid!

Thank you Karen Zeno for your comment.  It's not considered "slander" when your speaking the truth and identifying yourselves as "officers of the court" is a felony.  So what several of us did was make copies of these complaints where Steve Gilbert is identifying himself as such and resubmitted them to the Mo Atty General and Div of Finance.  Bon appetite! Guess you forgot about the 25 collectors who quit after 2 hours to 1 day when they realized the teqnique you guys were using.  We've also given the authorities their name and addresses so they can verify the claim.  So witch, don't threaten me at any time.