855-393-3793

I had a Jonathon Duke call from Legal Caring services saying he is going to serve me with papers at home or at work so I need to make myself available for the next 24/48 hours. If it's at work I need to have my supervisor available to sign as a witness and if I'm at home I need to have 2 forms of ID ready. If I dotn sign for it it will be like not showing up for a court date. He gave me a number to call back 1-844-282-7814 for more information. I have not called back since it is late. Anyone else have this happen? How do I know if it's a scam?

"How do I know if it's a scam?"  REAL process servers do NOT give you a heads up - they just show up.  The "2 forms of ID" is also baloney, as is having to have a "supervisor available to sign as a witness."  Refusing to sign for a summons or other legal documents does not equate to "not showing up in court".  All these threats - which are illegal, by the way - are the scammer's attempt to scare you enough so that you'll pay either a bogus debt, a debt that's already been paid or even a debt that is owed - but not to the caller.  

Per the FDCPA, you should not pay any caller who refuses to MAIL - do not accept email/fax/phone - proof of debt and proof the caller has the legal right to collect said debt.  Refusal to mail this documentation to you within five days of their initial contact is yet another violation of federal law.

 http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

Consumers across the country report that they're getting telephone calls from people trying to collect on loans the consumers never received or on loans they did receive but for amounts they do not owe. Others are receiving calls from people seeking to recover on loans consumers received but where the creditors never authorized the callers to collect for them. So what's the story?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as debt collectors. It may be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and a fake one. Sometimes a fake collector may even have some of your personal information, like a bank account number. A caller may be a fake debt collector if he:

is seeking payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize;
refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number;
asks you for personal financial or sensitive information; or
exerts high pressure to try to scare you into paying, such as threatening to have you arrested or to report you to a law enforcement agency.
If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:
Ask the caller for his name, company, street address, and telephone number. Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay! Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They may make up another debt to try to get more money from you.

Stop speaking with the caller. If you have the caller's address, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.
Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know whom you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft – charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name.
Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
Report the call. Contact the FTC and your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers. Many states have their own debt collection laws in addition to the federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights under your state's law.

Swanson Walker was shut down by the New York Attorney General.  http://wivb.com/2014/05/01/state-shuts-down-lockport-collection-business/

They called saying they are the irs and will file a law suit against me and I need to call them back right away

Call from Legal Caring Services left on my landline answering machine.  Caller identified himself as Christopher West - same as others complaints - someone would be out to my residence (neither the intended individual nor the address identified) within 48 hours to serve a summons.  Advised he had attempted to serve the summons before, and that I was in danger of failure to show for a court date.  Finished the call advising a phone number that could be used if I wanted further information (855-288-2472).  Out of the blue..

Today is January 8, 2015.
I received a call on my land line. Asking for my brother in-law. He is disabled and I am his Power of Attorney.
Different phone number
844-792-9105 ID said Berkman Reidel.
Said he had a summons for him for breach of contract. He said he had opened a credit card (Discover) in 2004 or 2006. I said NO he hadn't.
Then he said I was a scum bag, that I had opened a card in my poor invalid brother in-laws name. Called me all kinds of names. I asked him for information, which he would not give. So I told him I was done talking. He called 11 Times in less than an hour. He called back and said when did your brother in-law change his social security number? I said never. He proceeded to tell me that he had gotten a new social security number off of a woman who died in 1996.
My husband got on and talked to him we gave him our attorneys name. Asked for his name and address, but he would not give it. I googled the phone number while my husband was telling him he was a scam artist and a scum bag. There were all kinds of messages like these for this new name and phone number. My son just called and said my daughter in-law had just gotten a call from them. And my son called back. Said the breach was for 5th / 3rd bank. He called them and talked to someone who said that they do not do business with anyone from Berkman Reidel.
Please be careful. My phone is set to record his call too. NO BEEPS.

Just received a call from these people so I googled it to find out if it's legit from the posts I've seen here I'm calling BS and blocking the number but I would LOVE to have them show up at my front door to "serve" me [***]!!! I've got perfect credit! Ignore these [***]!!!

I got a call from 8448582905 kenneth stone to advise he would be delivering a summons to me to appear in court and if I cared to know who was filing against me to call this number. This message was on my visual voice mail and dated 1-14-2015.

Swanson Walker & Associates Inc.  aka Legal Caring Services

http://www.bbb.org/upstate-new-york/Business- ... t-ny-235970600/


This Business is not BBB accredited
Swanson Walker & Associates Inc.

Phone: (855) 393-3793
556 S. Transit Rd**Returned Mail, Lockport, NY 14094 http://www.swansonwalker.com/
! There is an alert on Swanson Walker & Associates Inc. !
BBB has seen a major increase in collection agencies starting business in the Upstate New York area over the past several years. In an effort to keep consumers informed about which collection agencies are operating in accordance with federal and state law, we have asked for specific information from all collection agencies located in our service area, including proof of licensing, bonding, and or registration required by NY state or other governments where the business is located, as well as proof of licensing required by any state in which the business operates. This collection agency has not responded to our requests. BBB advises consumers to be aware of their rights in regard to collections. This includes New York States law prohibiting any collection agency from collecting on Payday loans in the State of New York. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) outlines prohibited behavior when attempting to collect a debt, and outlines specific rights for consumers. There are penalties for agencies found in violation of the Act. BBB advises consumers to become familiar with their rights under the Act, which can be found at ftc.gov.To file a complaint with BBB at bbb.org/complain.

According to information in BBB files, this business is no longer in business.

Mail sent to the business on 11/10/2013 was returned by the U.S. Postal Service as Attempted - Not Known.

BBB® NR Rating
On a scale of A+ to F

72 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 8 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type     Total Closed Complaints
Advertising/Sales Issues     2
Billing/Collection Issues     65
Delivery Issues     0
Guarantee/Warranty Issues     0
Problems with Product/Service     5
Total Closed Complaints     72


Government Actions

AG Shutdown Of Collection Agency
Date of Action: 5/1/2014

A.G. Schneiderman Shuts Down Debt Collection Business, Secures $10,000 Fine



Swanson Walker & Associates Repeatedly Violated The Law By Harassing Customers

Schneiderman: Collection Agencies That Bully Individuals Will Be Held Accountable

BUFFALO – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that he has shut down Swanson Walker & Associates, a consumer debt collection agency located in Lockport, New York. The owner, Sean Millard, entered into an agreement with the Attorney General by which he was required to shut down the business and pay a $10,000 fine. The Attorney General’s Office, the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission Sentinel Network had received dozens of complaints about the tactics the agency used when attempting to collect repayments.

According to complaints, Swanson debt collectors repeatedly and persistently violated the law by (i) improperly calling consumers at their places of employment; (ii) improperly accusing consumers of check fraud and violations of the penal law and threatening consumers with arrest or imprisonment; (iii) falsely representing that a lawsuit had been, or would be filed; (iv) improperly disclosing consumer debts to third parties; and (v) improperly threatening to seize a consumer's property, freeze bank accounts and garnish wages.

What government actions does BBB report on?
Advertising Review

According to consumers, Legal Caring Services is a collection agency.  In March 2014, BBB requested that they provide details of the "legal caring" services they provide.  They did not respond to BBB request for information.

Additional Information

BBB file opened: December 18, 2012
Business Management
George Allen
Mrs. Ashley Miller, Director of Operations
Contact Information
Customer Contact: George Allen
Business Category

COLLECTION AGENCIES
Alternate Business Names
Legal Caring Services

They called a couple of days said they were trying to serve papers on me in 24 to 48 hours but they called from 844-573-0325 .I've tried to call back but no answer from John Hicks

This all stems from one giant scum bucket in the WNY area that goes by the name of Sean Millard. Look him up, hes been shut down several times, then goes and opens comapanies in other junkies names so he stays behind the scenes. Ive been in contact directly with AG Eric Schneiderman and his assistant AG Karen Davis. They both know allllllll about Mr. Millard and his illegal threatening tactics. The reason his one company, Matthews Middleton & Associates has been shut down and he was forced to pay a $10,000.00 fine. I have been on this guys tail for the past 5 months or so, following him from Matthews Middleton, to Swanson Walker & Associates, to Heilig Fleischer & Associates, all the way through a Winterburg Mcmichaels & Associates. Im on to you Mr. Millard and so is the NY attorney generals office. I promise you by the time we are done with you, youll be sitting in a 8x10 cell. Youve taken advantage of way too many people and it must stop.

If consumers understood the banking world and understpod loans and financing is a privileged not a right pull ur cr see that its ur job to tell ur creditors if u moved or change bank accounts for ACH drafts there not mind readers let's not blame bill collectors in why u can't psy ur debt

This is May 2015, they have not been shut down as of yet.  They don't cal me by name but they are coiming to serve a summons on me at my home or place of employment (and if it is at work, I am to have the head of security present).  I am 70 years old, am blind, had two heart attacks and one stroke. I do not need this added stress for absolutely NO reason.  I have received a total of 7 calls from them and they all say the same thing.

They were shut down by the NY AG a year ago under the name of Swanson, Walker and Associates:

http://www.insidearm.com/daily/debt-collectio ... lection-agency/

They have remorphed and are now operating under the name of Legal Caring Services. Report them to the NY AG's office: http://www.ag.ny.gov/

Received a call today from this so called Jonathan from legal care services with a call back number of 855 556 3440?? it's a shame he can go around doing this to people! thank you everyone for your comments

I just received the exact same message. Very calm and cool but stumbled all over his words.
This guy needs to get a life!

As of Aug. 2015, Legal Caring Services still exists and are running this scam. I got a phone call, and recognized it for the scam it was immediately. I've been on both sides of summonses. I worked for a lawyer decades ago serving summonses, and the last thing you wanted to do was to notify the person that you wanted to serve the summons on, since they would be able to avoid you if you told them you were coming. After the the law shop closed I had a long period of unemployment, ran my credit cards up, and had a debt collector after me. Ironically, I had a summons served on me, and of course they didn't call ahead to see if it was convenient for me to have the summons served. I suppose these extortionists will call me again, but I will be ready with all sorts of withering insults and invective, since I don't believe they will ever serve any summons regardless of any threats, and I don't have anything better to do than argue with them since I don't work anymore, and have no assets they can take anyway.

I have been receiving calls from these people for months warning me that I'm going to be "served"...but give no reason as to why. Today I recieved a VM from a Stacy Andrews telling me she was going to come to my house or place of work to summon me to court. I refuse to allow her in my house. I've read about the company & it appears its a scam. If she calls again or shows up at my house-i will call the police and report her/the company to the better business bureau.they have been harassing me & I'm tired of it. I've been ill & am currently waiting for a donor to have transplant surgery and I don't appreciate nor will I tolerate the constant harassment by this company & their continual threats.

Wow!!! Exact same amount I was told for a check n go in Texas and never ever been to one.  I let him act like he had complete control then I said excuse me investigator, but I want to let you know you are a complete Moron.  Call me again and I will put an air horn to your ear.

Missed call from number. Called back, immediately put on hold. Hung up and looked the number up. Glad I did.