6512091825

This company refuses to send me the documentation that I have requested, yet they continue to call me and ask for payment.  If you have (or can get) selective call forwarding, forward their calls to a telephone number that you know is disconnected.

End of problem!

So I just found out I won my lawsuit against these scums!!! whooo hooo!! My debt was for $300 - they tacked on over $700 in "civil penalties" (lol) refused to send me verification, very loud and rude and demeaning on the phone, called NON stop even after I sent a letter stating DONT CALL ME. yeah, so anyhow, I won my lawsuit. heres what went down- they aquired the debt- making original creditor obsolete, waiving the debt, deleting the debt from my credit files and never can resubmit it, they cant sell the debt, sending me confirmation that it is deleted from credit file, (so the debt will never show back up again!) they are also ordered to pay my attorney fees in full($2500)  as well as $5000 cash to me. Dont let them bully you! They are doing it to tooo many ppl and they need to know they cant. they violate soo many rules. this is the law firm i used- didnt cost me a PENNY! They dont get paid until you win, then by law- the collection company has to pay.  www.krohnandmoss.com

excellent at this stuff and FAST! everyone should ban together and shove these scammers down the drain!

I also received a phone call from 651-209-1825.  I was sent a letter earlier in the month.  I didn't know about the bill.  I called the phone number on the bill and told them I was irritated and mad because I didn't know about it.  She wanted me to give her checking account information on the phone at that moment but I was on my lunch break and would mail it.  I lost the letter to mail the check off so had to do research to find out who to pay.  Finally found it and called another collection phone number given to me and took care of it.  Not even two hours later this very, very rude lady called me from 651-209-1825 called and when I told her I had already taken care of it she told me that I was a liar and that she would turn it over to the attorney.  I kept trying to tell her and she kept interrupting me and called me a liar.  Then the rude lady hung up on me.  Very unprofessional.

Goggins & Lavintman, PA  
1450 Commerce Drive, #270
City : Mendota Heights
State : Minnesota
Zip : 55120

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phone No.  800-390-6590 612-688-5900 651-209-1825  
Fax 651-688-5920  

  gogginslegal.com
nsegal@gogginslegal.com  
 
 

Notes
Junk debt buyers/collectors  


When a debt collector REFUSES to provide info and send it in writing as REQUIRED BY law IT MEANS THEY HAVE NO PROOF!  

THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE ALL COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS

HANDLE IT CORRECTLY AND THEY WILL END UP PAYING YOU

READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS  AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE
Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    

The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

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

All the debt collection help websites will tell you -

Never ever give a debt collector your bank account or credit card #'s!!

They will empty your account and max out your card..

Never ever agree to pay a debt collector on the phone - All agreements must be in writing! Verbal agreements will be forgotten as soon as you hang up.

Did you demand proof first?

They are debt collector - they may have some attorney's that work there- BUT THEY A JUNK DEBT COLLECTOR - They are BREAKING FDCPA LAWS to COLLECT ON TIME BARRED DEBTS!



They are covered by FDCPA and they are VIOLATING THEM


Goggins & Lavintman, PA  
1450 Commerce Drive, #270
City : Mendota Heights
State : Minnesota
Zip : 55120

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phone No.  800-390-6590 612-688-5900 651-209-1825  
Fax 651-688-5920  

 gogginslegal.com
nsegal@gogginslegal.com  



Notes
Junk debt buyers/collectors  


When a debt collector REFUSES to provide info and send it in writing as REQUIRED BY law IT MEANS THEY HAVE NO PROOF!  

THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE ALL COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS

HANDLE IT CORRECTLY AND THEY WILL END UP PAYING YOU

READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS  AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE
Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    

The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

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

YOU PAID THEM?    WITHOUT PROOF IT WAS YOUR DEBT?  

YOU WERE RIPPED OFF and NOW they are coming at you FOR MORE MONEY!  


Goggins & Lavintman, PA  
1450 Commerce Drive, #270
City : Mendota Heights
State : Minnesota
Zip : 55120

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phone No.  800-390-6590 612-688-5900 651-209-1825  
Fax 651-688-5920  

 gogginslegal.com
nsegal@gogginslegal.com  



Notes
Junk debt buyers/collectors  


When a debt collector REFUSES to provide info and send it in writing as REQUIRED BY law IT MEANS THEY HAVE NO PROOF!  

THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE ALL COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS

HANDLE IT CORRECTLY AND THEY WILL END UP PAYING YOU

READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS  AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE
Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    

The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

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

only their employees have a nice call from these jackals..  

total fabrication by an employee.

DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY!! I received several phone calls from this company and when I did call them back I was quickly shocked! A rude woman identifying herself as "Bethany the legal aid" was rude and short with me. They claimed I had several outstanding checks that needed to be paid, but when I asked for the bank name she claimed she only had my routing number and not the institutions' name. I then asked that she send me a written invoice with a copy of the said outstanding checks. She told me that they had already sent several in the mail, even though I have no recollection of receiving any correspondence from
them. I informed her that I would nor be giving her any accept information over the phone, and if they wished to collect on the debt all they had to do was send me written proof that they indeed had the debts claimed. She then hung up on me!! DO NOT SEND THEM
MONEY!!! SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!!!!

My wife received a call from Kevin Johnson as well, they got really unprofessional with her on the phone and sounded just like the other posts on here, if anyone finds out anything else about this bogus law firm please post it.

I got a call from them today at work.  they left a cryptic message about a debt.  I had talked to them 6 months ago.  I called back and "Tom" started out reasonable.  I told him that I had talked to someone there before, and had proof of payment for the bad debt.  he started yelling at me, saying i never talked to anyone there, and told me to shut up and then he hung up.  i called back and was luckily got "Tom" again.  All i got to say was "is this Tom?", and he started yelling again.  i never got a another word in.  he gave me a fax number to send a copy of the proof to, then hung up.  Soooo RUDE!

Plain and simple - if you owe a debt - pay it! Then collectors would have nothing to call you about.

Remember that Collectors are people too - its not like they take the job because as children they aim to be one some angry debt collector. Also keep in mind that the job is hard, they spend the majority of their day speaking to people who are mean/rude/vulgar from the minute they pick up the phone. People who are upset at their situation - no money, not able to afford to get by - tend to take it out, even on the nicest of collectors - only because they do not wish to be reminded of present circumstances.

Collectors are just doing their job - albiet some do it unproffesionally, but the point remains the same - if you paid the debt to begin with, it wouldnt make it to a collection agency/attorneys office.

In terms of fake agencies - Google the company name, check out their website, call the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in their state - If they were fake - why would someone waste their time working for them?? I know I wouldn't go to work if I knew the company I worked for was just out to scam someone!

In terms of letters - an agency only needs to notify of the debt being placed with them. When you recieve that letter you have 30 days to dispute the validity of the debt. The letter will tell you the steps you need to take to do so. It will also advise you that if you do not dispute it in that 30 days, than the balance is owed.

Payments over the phone - are you all aware that if you give a company permission to take money from your account on a certain day - and they remove it on a different date - you can sue the agency! Most agencies will tell you they only accept payment over the phone as a means to help you - with that payment set on the account, the client; i.e. The store, the bank, the company you owe, can see that you have intention to take care of it before they move the account further. (Another agency or an Attorneys office) If you do not have an active account or are still not comfortable with it - MoneyGram or Western Union is usually an option - and you can call the collector back with the tracking number as proof you sent it.

Also keep in mind that agencies/offices do keep very good notes. What you say is documented on your account, so if you have been repeatedly rude to collectors at the same company - of course they will have the "harshest" collector there call you next. That is their job - to assist you in finding a way to pay the debt that you owe. It is NOT their fault that you bounced the check, ran up a credit card bill so high that you cant afford to pay it, or terminated phone service and owe an early termination fee. It IS their JOB to collect the money.

Their notes also document things like payments - when to run it & for how much. If there are multiple payments, all are documented in the notes from that conversation. If you set a payment plan with many payments, you will generally recieve a notice in the mail 7-10 days before the payments process's to remind you.

Also keep in mind that just because you havent heard from anyone about a debt in a significant amount of time, does NOT mean it went away. It generally means that the account was moved to another agency/office. Eventually, they WILL find you again. Collectors will utilize what services they need to, to locate a debtor.

All and all - if you dont want to deal with collectors - than pay your bills/fees/accounts/overdrafts and so on - then we would all put collectors out of work! :)

I received a call from this company on 10/11/2010, the person did identify themselves but do not recall the name of the atty's office they said they were representing for a collection agency. I was told that I had to take care of a bad check that was written at Hy Vee in May 2008.  I asked for proof, to send me a copy of the check, was told that they did not have to do that and would not. I asked for the address on the check, was told that it is a PO Box, which I never had a PO Box and the bank listed was one that I never banked at plus I rarely shop at Hy Vee, nor do I write bad checks, so there was an error and they had the wrong person, the person said doubt it but said if it was not my check then not to worry about it, it would just sit there and hung up.   I suspected this was a fraud attempt and when I googled the phone # that verified my suspicions. Be careful there are nasy people everywhere.

i spoke to 3 ppl and one was a supervisor and they were rude as hell!!!!!!!!!!!! hung up and laughed and were extremely

I just got a call from a lady also stating she was from Goggins. She said I owed on a bounced check that I wrote to the American Red Cross. I told her I never contacted the ARC and had never written any checks to them. I asked who she was and would not tell me her name. I also asked how she got this number and said that it was given during an investigation in an attempt to collect. She asked me if I was so and so and I said that was not my name. Although the name was very close she was pronouncing it incorrectly She asked me if I lived in Norfolk, VA and I said no. She then said she would take me off the list and when I pressed her for more information she told me there was "no reason to get upset if I was not so and so!" I told her that there are lots of scammers out there and if she called again, I would call the police. At that point she hung up.

They just called my cell phone and left me a message (calling me by my nickname- not full name) saying that the message contains personal and private information and to listen in private. She then stated that she was from Goggins and Levitman and to call her back. She was very blunt and didn't even list any of my information, which they probably don't have because they don't even know my full name. Garbage.

I have received calls from them yearly for the last 3 years in Jan-Apr.  These people also snapped at me for asking for proof and for asking to speak to the Lawyer in charge.  That harsh lady said that there was no way possible for me to talk to the Lawyer about the said debt she could not communicate in paper form or talk about over the phone.  Phishing  or simply fishy.  NO money from me without proof and no marks on my credit.

Wow.  This phone number has been calling me too.  The first time they called, they spoke with my husband.  They asked for me but were willing to talk to him. They told him that I had bounced a check in 2006.  They told him that they had mailed several statements that had not been responded to.  In fact they had mailed nothing.  He checked with the bank name that they gave him, and the bank said that I had closed that account and there was no outstaning balance.  He said they got rude with him  when he told them that he would contact his attorney.  They didn't call back for a year or a little more.  Now they are calling me every other day and leaving messages.  I refuse to speak with them or call them back.  They have no information on this "bounced check" and are unwilling to give me the info.  They even stated that they do not have the copy of the check.  I want to know how to make them stop calling me.

Thank u 4 the information.

Thank u, thank u, thank u!