800-916-0542

***Here are the full details as to everything that had happened with me and Mr. Hill with Howell and Associates***


On July 17, 2009 at approximately 8:30 am Mr. Hill with Howell and Associates had called my husband’s cell phone (we are legally separated) stating that he needed to speak with Jennifer Allen by 10:30 am on that same day to pay an Ntelos cell phone bill that had been turned over to their “law firm” of $835.00(Old Ntelos bill amount) + $300.00(fee for Howell and Associates taking my payments) = $1,135.00 or else I would be taken to court and a legal hold would be placed on my account. He kept harassing my husband to pay the debt over the phone using his banking information but my husband kept telling him that he is not going to pay that and he will have me call him back. My husband called me at work and told me about it and gave me the phone number that Mr. Hill had called from, which is 813-929-7382. I then called that number and asked to speak with Mr. Hill..when the representative had put Mr. Hill on the phone he was very angry and asked me why did I call the 813-929-7382 phone number. I told him because that is the number that my husband had given me. He had a big fit and got very angry because I had called that particular phone number, he told me in the future if ever I need to call for any reason, I must call the 1-800-916-0542 phone number. So after he had made his speech about the whole phone number problem, not once did he verify who I am, he just started going over the whole account with me that I owe. He told me I could pay the $835.00 that I owe Ntelos in full right now or I can set up payment arrangements of $378.34 for 3 months. (Which would include their $300.00 fee) I explained to him my situation that I am currently legally separated and going through a divorce and I am a single mother of my 2 year old son and that I recently moved out of my step father’s house and into my own apartment and I have to pay rent of $700.00 plus all of my other bills. He didn’t care at all he just said that he wants his money by 10:30 am or else he was going to take me to court and put a legal hold on my account. I was so scared that he would really do this and then I wouldn’t have any way to pay rent or my other bills so I told him that I would go try to call some of my family members to see if anyone could help me out in any way possible and he said “Ok but hurry up and call me back by 10:30 am because I have a court case today.” I went and called some of my family members but no one can help me out at this time. I then called back to Howell and Associates and Mr. Hill was the one whom answered the phone saying “Howell and Associates, how may I direct your call” (I thought this was a little odd that the big shot lawyer would be answering the phone this way..Where is his secretary?but anyways) I asked to speak with Mr. Hill and he said “him speaking” I explained to him that no one in my family can help me out at this time and there is no way possible I can afford to make payments of $378.34 per month for 3 months at this time. He said “What mommy and daddy cant help you out” (very rudely) I told him that I do not have a father and he exact words were “Well that sucks, how about mommy” I told him “Like I said when I called you back sir there is no one that can help me at this time due to their tight money issues and the economy and there is no way that I can even afford those payment arrangements” he then said “Well then I guess we’ll just have to take you to court and then put a legal hold on your account and take all of your money w/ court fees, legal costs, the Ntelos bill itself, and our fees then you wont have any money and then you’ll really be crying.” I instantly started crying then because I didn’t know what to do and he just kept yelling at me and trying to put me down.  I kept begging him to make some other type of payment arrangement but he said “It doesn’t matter anymore mam’ because the law firm of Howell and Associates will get our money regardless of what you say. After he hung up on me in my face I then began to research them and found a great number of complaints on https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-916-0542 where this company was also harassing and threatening other people just as myself. I also found this website where the Attorney General of West Virginia has a lawsuit out for Howell and Associates: http://www.wvago.gov/pdf/press/2008_Consumers ... onPractices.pdf
On July 20, 2009 at approximately 4:35 pm I had called Mr. Hill again to tell him that I would like to cancel the authorization for payment I had given them on July 17, 2009 and he said that he had already cancelled the payment because he doesn’t want to deal with someone like me each month and he would much rather just see me in court and getting all of my money taken away. I told him that he was very rude and unprofessional and that it is not right the way he is treating people and he said “I do not have to treat you with respect because you’re a debtor.” I then asked to speak with someone higher up than Mr. Hill and his exact words were “How many time do I have to tell you there is no one higher up than me?” I told him that there has to be someone higher up than him there and he said “I have told you 5 times already there is no one higher up than me that you can talk to..The only person would be the CEO and he would not take a call from a person like you” I said “A person like me, well what is that supposed to mean?” He then said “He doesn’t take calls from people like you, he doesn’t take calls from debtors and that’s exactly what you are is a debtor” I told him that I would like to speak with the CEO then and hear those exact words come from his mouth and said “Look just shut up blondie, you’ll definitely get yours” I said “First of all Mr. Hill you have no idea what I look like and you need to stop with your harassment and threats and how in the world would you even begin to call this customer service?” He actually started to chuckle and said, “Exactly, this is not customer service because you do not deserve customer service because you are a debtor and debtors do not deserve any type of service.” After that I told him that I had this entire conversation recorded and that he was going to be in trouble for the way he was talking to me and threatening me and he said” Alright well that is against the law to record someone without their consent first so be on the lookout for the deputy that will show up to your job with a warrant out for your arrest” and then he hung up on me.

Where did you have Dish Network - what state?   What is the contact number for the Dish Network office you contacted?

i got a call on 7-26-2009 saying i owed $301 to ntelos from a "mr. hill".
well, upon calling this guy back he answered the phone in the manner of a secretary which automatically let me know this wasn't legit. he threatened to take me to court if i didn't pay immediately. so i told him i don't have the money and that i would contact him the next morning. so between this time i looked up their website and all they are is a debt collector. not a law firm. so i have reported them both to the attorney general in Virginia where the debt took place as well as my current residence in Colorado. needless to say he was not very happy when i told them i did this.

What exactly did he say to you? I need details because I also reported this to wavytv10, the VA attorney General and the NTelos manager whom told me that Howell and Associates have been fired from representing Ntelos so we need to get down to the bottom of this

Greg Well's Arrest Record from a year ago.  Three charges.  He was arrested in November of 2008 also.  Go to http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/default.asp?/Online/qdisp/bn=08067374 to see a picture of the little weasel.  

Individual's Charge Report

This report includes:  Aliases   Cell Location   Charges  
 
Name:         WELLS,GREGORY JAMES
DOB:          02/10/72
Booking #:    08067374
Arrest Date:  11/08/08
Race:         W
Sex:          M
Ethnicity:    N

LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME SUFFIX BOOKING NO.
Wells  Gregory  James    08067374
STATUS BOND CASH FINE PURGE
 STATUS - *RELEASED*    3,000.00   .00   .00   .00  
STREET ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP
10119 DEERCLIFF DR   TAMPA   FL  33647-  
RACE SEX ETHN POB DOB ARREST AGE SSN
W  M  N  CA  02/10/72  36    
EYES HAIR BUILD CURRENT AGE HEIGHT WEIGHT SOID SOID NAME
BLU  BRO  MED  37  600  185  00644348  WELLS,GREGORY JAMES  
OBTS CAUTION IND CAUTION REMARKS
 2901212730      
  ALIASES DATE OF BIRTH SOC SEC NUMBER
   WELLS,GREGORY JAMES   02/10/72    
 ATTORNEY ADDRESS PHONE
HOWELL AND ASSOCIATES      800-916-0542  
NEXT OF KIN ADDRESS RELATIONSHIP
    0    
EMPLOYER OCCUPATION ADDRESS
HOWELL AND ASSOCIATE  ARBITRATOR    NA  
ARREST AGNCY ARREST DATE ARREST TIME BOOK DATE BOOK TIME
SIRP  11/08/08  01:50  11/08/08  05:06  
ARREST LOCATION JURISDICTION
5223 ORIENT RD   HC  
CELL LOCATION
DOES NOT OCCUPY A CELL - RELEASED ON: 11/08/08 AT 09:38 - REL: SURETY BOND  
    NO. CHARGE DESCRIPTION CLASS COURT DISP  BOND BP FINE CUSTODY DAYS CHARGE COUNT CHARGE TYPE  
 1   FELONY BATTERY   F3    31   SB    2,000.00   B      1    1   PC  
REPORT # CT-CASE # DATE AGENCY OBTS NUMBER CHARGE CODE CRA NUMBER
08012500    0821917   11/08/08   SIRP   2901212730   BATT7015    1281519  
 NO. CHARGE DESCRIPTION CLASS COURT DISP  BOND BP FINE CUSTODY DAYS CHARGE COUNT CHARGE TYPE  
 2   CRIMINAL MISCHIEF $200 TO $1000   M1    31   SB    500.00   B      1    2   PC  
REPORT # CT-CASE # DATE AGENCY OBTS NUMBER CHARGE CODE CRA NUMBER
08012500    0821917   11/08/08   SIRP   2901212730   CRMS2000    1281519  
 NO. CHARGE DESCRIPTION CLASS COURT DISP  BOND BP FINE CUSTODY DAYS CHARGE COUNT CHARGE TYPE  
 3   OBSTRUCTING OR OPPOSING AN OFFICER WITHOUT   M1    31   SB    500.00   B      1    3   PC  
REPORT # CT-CASE # DATE AGENCY OBTS NUMBER CHARGE CODE CRA NUMBER
08012500    0821917   11/08/08   SIRP   2901212730   COPS1000    1281519  
 

Information provided should not be relied upon for any type of legal action.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office - 08/10/2009 @ 13:40:09

OK, hopefully you can help me, too. My daughter was contacted in June by a "Rem James" with Howell & Assoc about a move-out bill she had not paid, could not pay & which I (being co-signed on the acct) had instructed her to talk to the creditor about reducing to something reasonable we would not have to fight over. She got a letter from H&A on the debt so called & told Mr James her mother would take care of it. She gave me his number, I called him & arranged to pay a reduced amount. It was too easy, I know, but I was anxious for it to go away. Since I allowed them to acess my bank account (another no-no!) I'm amazed they didn't go for more than the $1400 we agreed on (2 pmts of $700).
This month I got a collection notice for the same debt from another, local, collection agency (for the full amount, of course!). I called them to say I'd already settled the debt with somene else, to which they replied they were the only collection agency that company dealt with. I told them I needed some time to collect the proof together & am sending them a letter requesting a copy of the original debt & the creditor's contact info. I want to ask them how Howell got my daughter's information.
Meanwhile, I've tracked down the time & duration of the phone call & the withdrawals from my bank account. Of course, the 'checks' on file at my bank say the deposits were made to CH&A's client account, but no mention is made on the payments for whom the debt was collected. :-(
AND, when my daughter handed the deal off to me, she did away with the letter she received. I tried to call them last week & got their answering greeting - "leave a message, we'll call you back."
SO, I've searched the web for info on this outfit & the most helpful is on this thread. Today, after reading many posts here, I tried to call again (fire with fire): Disconnected. And they have another address & phone posted  (813-632-2900) - also no good. Big surprise!

There's my tail of woe. My question for you is, "how do I go after these guys?" I know you've posted a lot of info throughout this thread. I sure wouldn't mind getting a class suit started here in Missouri. Or I'd join one if I could find it. Can you tell me how to proceed? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Winthorpe & Associates Inc.
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10563 Coral Key Avenue, Tampa, FL 33647 zip code
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(813) 907-8858


This is Howell's new name.

My call came from the "big man" himself: Gregory Wells (business must not be too good)
Charles Howell & Associates, Winthorp & Associates (they just changed names)  
Very interesting read (see link)!
http://www.wvago.gov/press.cfm?fx=more&ID=450

I took them to court last year and won just over 2000$ and alot about what you guys are say it what happened to me. I'm from ohio and printed off that WV thing and showed it to the juoge along with all the info on what happened in my case. They keep my evidence. I go back to court in sept for adebtors exam so the'll ether pay up or go to jail.

I just received a phone call from him today 8-19-10. The number on my caller id for them is 813-907-8895. Try that! I as well was harrsed by him and told that he is going to tell his client to sue me for the amount owed them plus court costs and attorney fees. I ended up hanging up on him because I knew if I said anything back it would have been ugly and my kids are around so I just hung up. I will however after reading your story and many others be contacting my lawyer. Im not one to let things like this go!

Just got a call from the same guy. The x-employee from Winthorpe. He thinks that because he has ran his old employer into the ground on the internet that he will be able to take their clients.These guys collected over 63,000.00 for me last month. They even helped me with my contracts so that we could avoid having collection problems in the future. How many collection agencies would do that? They did what they said they would do. I was even able to go back and do work for the same companies. That was a miracle.. IF SOMEONE HAD A HOUSE REPOED IT WOULD BE PUBLIC RECORD. I know that because my wife is in real estate. THE TAX ASSESSOR HAS NO RECORD OF THE DEFAULT. The rest of the info is most likely fiction as well.

I worked for this collection agency briefly a few years ago. The office was in Lutz, Fl. Ive worked in collections for many different agencies, and never saw an agency like this one. The collectors constanly broke the laws laid out by the FDCPA. The collectors would get on the phone and threaten harm to people. The tactics used were nothing short of extortion. The collectors were completely unprofessional. I was paid to sell the service and was told to lie to everyone I talked to. The owner is a convicted felon in Tampa. I won't say his name because I am fearful that he may try to physiclly retaliate against me as he is a violent offender. Pay no mind to these people and their idle threats. From what I understand the company was dissolved as a result of a class action lawsuit aganist them.

Same exact thing happened to me.. Omg!! I was
referred to him by a close friend, so I'm assumed everything was legit.
Obviously, he is getting over on people.. Wow.. I'm only out $300.

What a loser......Pay your bills and you wouldnt need credit repair. Next time use the $300 and pay some of the bad checks off you have written for pizza, grocerys, etc.....

You cant go to jail for civil fool......................

I sent Winthorpe and Associates 24 accounts and 18 of them were collected in 3 weeks. I did recieve 2 calls from the debtors and they were upset because Winthorpe tracked them down and tried to get me to let them make small payments. Winthorpe told me about the assets they have and I called them back and told them I needed all my money. Winthorpe collected both of those accounts. If anyone calls and they are placed with Winthorpe refer them back to them. I am a nice guy and these debtors have almost caused me to go out of business. THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY PROMISED AND WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL. ONCE AN ACCOUNT GOES 60 DAYS THEY ARE GOING STRAIGHT TO WINTHORPE. They get the job done.

I hate that so many people have had trouble with this guy, but glad to know there are people out there trying to do something about it.  I had a run in with Gavin Alexander of Winthorp and Associates Inc.  He called me on 12.21.2011, right before Christmas, telling me that I owed him $246.68 in collection fees, that he was going to put a lien on my house and that when he did the bank would want to foreclose on my loan and that I would lose my home.  He insulted me and told me that when he was through with me I was going to be a changed person.  I had no idea what he was talking about.  When I asked him for some kind of verification, he insulted me again and hung up.  This happened in North Carolina.  He said that he was collecting for a local company in Lumberton NC called Southern Heating and Air.  I hope that he is caught and put behind bars.