866-345-4590

It's a scam, and those threats are false and illegal. Federal law prohibits a debt collector (let alone crooks posing as debt collectors) from making false threats, including lying about lawsuits. The same law requires a debt collector to validate a debt at the consumer's request.

Here's what I suggest you do. First, read this background information on Kingman Cole & Associates:  http://budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/marshall_ziolkowski.htm  As you'll see, Bud Hibbs notes that the address used by these shysters is a private rented mailbox at a UPS Store location:

Kingman Cole & Associates, LLC
6558 4th Section Rd #321
Brockport, NY  14420
Ph: 866-345-4590
Fax: 716-635-6192

(Renting a private mailbox at a UPS Store or Mailboxes, Etc. location is a common tactic used by debt collection scammers. Besides, how many real law firms use a UPS Store mailbox?)

Second, even though these illegal threats are laughably ridiculous and false, you should move quickly to report Kingman Cole (or whatever name they're using this week) to following federal and state law enforcement agencies:

1) File a complaint with your local police (most police departments can take reports over the phone). Be sure to tell your local police that the caller falsely claimed to have been retained by your county court to collect money from you.

2) Alert the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov  When you fill out the online report, be sure to give the FBI the same information that you gave your local police. I would particularly emphasize that the extortion attempt was made over the telephone (wire fraud is federal crime).

3) File a complaint with your state's attorney general. Give them all the same details. The contact information for each state's attorney general is at www.naag.org  (Many state attorneys general have online consumer complaint forms.)

4) File a complaint with the New York Attorney General at http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/consumer_issues.html or call 800-771-7755

5) File a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission at https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

6) Since these shysters appear to have a rented mailbox in Monroe County, New York and claim to be a law firm, New York's Seventh Judicial District, which has jurisdiction over matters pertaining to attorney misconduct, should be notified. You can file a complaint with the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Seventh Judicial District by calling or writing with the details of this incident:

Attorney Grievance Committee for the Seventh Judicial District
50 East Avenue, Suite 404
Rochester, NY 14604-2206
(585) 530-3180
Fax: (585) 530-3191

7) Even though the Better Business Bureau has no law enforcement authority, it's still a good idea to file a complaint with them. Here's the BBB file on Kingman Cole & Associates -- http://search.buffalo.bbb.org/codbrep.html?ID=161847483 -- unsurprisingly, the BBB gives them an "unsatisfactory" rating.  To file a complaint with the BBB, just click on the "Complaint" link on the left side of the page.

You also more have than ample grounds to sue. Check out these websites for more information about protecting yourself from outlaw debt collectors and suing them for violating your rights:

http://www.naca.net/debt-collection-abuse/
http://www.fairdebtlawyers.com/
http://www.myfairdebt.com/
http://attorneysforconsumers.com/
http://www.westcoastlitigation.com/
http://www.theadvocateslaw.com/
http://www.consumercounselgroup.com/
http://www.budhibbs.com/First.htm
http://www.creditlawnetwork.com/

If it's legal in your state to do so, you may want to record any future phone conversations with them. (In many states, it's legal to record your own phone conversations without telling the other party that they're being recorded; in other states, you have to disclose to the other party that you're recording the conversation.) Stores such as Radio Shack sell very affordable phone recorders.  Also, be sure to save any voice mail messages that you may receive from Kingman Cole.  And if they call again, tell them nothing other than that you've reported them to federal and state law enforcement.  If they threaten you again, file a fresh round of complaints.

Hope this helps.

And in case anyone doubts that Kingman Cole's "office" at 6558 4th Section Rd in Brockport, NY is just a UPS Store rented mailbox, check this out:  http://www.theupsstore.com/locations/locdet.asp?strCenterNum=MBE1145

Funny how almost all major creditors use a PO BOX alot of you may not know this because its been sooooooooo long since a payment has been made to any of your creditors. Hey but dont take my word for it im just a stupid bill collector right? Check it out and you will see for yourself!

As I'm sure you know, a UPS Store mail box is NOT a post office box. There are substantial differences between receiving mail at a post office box and receiving mail at a private mail box at a Mailboxes Etc or a UPS Store.  Someone who claims to be a lawyer should know that.  

Try proving me wrong; go rent a p.o. box at your local post office and use it for your scam's mailing address.  I dare you.

Threatened to send me to jail If I didn't pay $2178.68

It's a scam. See my message above from July 29 for information on reporting these crooks to federal and state law enforcement.

In these times of people losing their homes and jobs and can't even afford the gas to get to work, it's good to know that their are a few  still doing well. I was just scammed about a bill that was paid years ago. I am disabled, almost bedridden and I guess you might say I am one of those legitimate hardships. I had taken my medication earlier and when I got the call that I was going to be arrested tomorrow, I didn't know what to say. Not everyone is familiar with the collection laws of their state. That's what they (the scammers) depend on. I fell right in and now I'll have to sue to get back at them. Maybe they'll have a bed for me in court or in jail. Stay amazed. There really are people that are poor and can't pay their bills, even though they shouldn't have made them. They may actually have been hungry enough or in enough pain to use a credit card, even though they knew they couldn't pay it. Especially when the interest on a credit card jumps from 12% to 29% like magic. All you have to do is miss a payment then read your mail.
Right now most people are doing all they can to keep a home and eat.
I'll pray for you tonight to continue to do well. Maybe a few others will also.
And remember there are a lot of people out here doing without a lot of what they need so you can keep your job and feed your family. Is your number listed on any of these pages?
Your name?
I didn't see it.
Must have missed it or something.
I think, just maybe, when people can have a roof over their heads and enough food to feed their families and get a little medical attention when they need it for their families and themselves, and feel more confident about keeping a job, it will be easier for you to do your job. So, continue to do unto others.
And by the way, I don't hide behind my religion. I try to live by it.
If you get a chance, Matthew is a pretty good book to read. (It's in the New Testament[Of the Bible]).
Don't work too hard.
God Bless all!

OMG! I just went to pay some bills & guess what?! My mortgage company, M&T banl uses a PO Box!! I can't believe I've been scammed for the past 19 years! And that's not all. I looked at the address for my insurance, another major company, Allstate, and you guessed it, they also use a po box. This is incredible. My car loan is through GM, yep another scam. They too use a PO Box along with my electric company. How could I have been so blind for so long. Thank you all for enlightening me and all the others.  And here we thought we were dealing with people who were on the up & up. Scam after scam after scam. Unbelievable! That's the last time I'll ever pay a bill. SCAMMERS!

Stop wasting your time getting out of your bills and get a job and pay it!!! How come everyone remembers the bills but acts like its some scam this is ridiculous pay it and there wouldnt be no calls to you!

I read through these post periodically & find them so laughable.  No disrespect to those facing legitimate hardships but come on!  I've been collecting for bank of america for 17 yrs & still find it amazing that whenever debtors are told they need to pay back the money, their immediate response is they are being scammed. Who's scamming who? If they spent 1/2 as much time working towards paying back what they owe as they spend trying to get out of paying bills, they would be rich.  I can't believe people actually believe the stories on these type boards. I've read everything from debtors who cry harassment because they received a phone call, to ones who claim "scam" because they see the name of an agency they dealt with mentioned here, to the best one...the lady who said she was being scammed because she called & asked for a certain collector & was put on hold. She claims it was the same person who then picked up the phone & id'd as the collector she'd asked for.  Are you people kidding me! You consider this being scammed & harassed???
Here is what I've learned about debtors in my years of experience.
1. It is never their fault. Even if they havent paid a bill in years, it's because of last weeks car repair or their 2 week lay off that they still can't pay. 6 months from now it will be a death in the family or the price of gas.
2. They would never borrow from friends or family yet creditors are expected to fork it over & get screamed at when payment is due. Geez, could it be that their F&F WON"T loan to them because they know they're deadbeats????
3. The ones whose vmail message ends with "have a blessed day" will never pay.  They are the ones with the filthiest mouths who hide behind religion. What about "Thou shall not steal." Doesn't the bible say to pay your debts?
4. Being nice to a bill collector & responding to calls will get you a long way. If you don't want the calls & lawsuits, RESPOND! You'd be amazed at what can be worked out to YOUR benefit if you would just respond. Being rude & hanging up only fuels the fire. I have no desire to help anyone who is outright rude. Don't you realize that the same bill collectors that you are screaming at for "harassing" you because they dialed you number once & tried to help you avoid wage garnishment or having a judgement placed against you, are also the ones who have your social security number, know where you live, know where you work and have a list of your relatives AND neighbors. Think about it! Be nice!
5. The bill is always owed.  The ones who claim they don't owe the bill always do. They know it & we know it.  22 year old debtors suddenly develope alzheimers. They really believe claiming no knowledge will get them out of paying the bill. Guarenteed they will have more than one deliquency on their credit report. Forgot'em all did ya??!!
6. They always have plenty of money to pay for their cell phones, satellite TV, internet. Why? Because they get everything else for free. They charge up thousands of dollars & don't pay it back while living the good life. In the meantime, the rest of us working stiffs end up paying higher interest rates & taxes. Again, who's scamming who?
7. Being old will not get you out of paying your bills.  You were on a fixed income when you took out the credit, you are still on a fixed income. Pay your bills. Atleast you know what you have coming in month to month. Most of us don't.
8. Debtors will post on boards like this as a way of "cleansing" themselves. It's like therapy for them.  They accuse every bill collector, every collection department, every collection agency, every law firm of scamming them. No matter what business is out there, there will be dirt posted by deadbeat debtors who find it necessary to bring them down with them. It makes them feel justified for stealing the money. If they can get a bunch of other debtors to agree with them then they've gotten back at the creditors for asking for their money back. ATTICA ATTICA ATTICA! I'd challange anyone to find ANY collection outfit that DOESN"T have a bad reputation according to the internet postings. Get my drift? Make any sense? Believe me. They aren't all bad. In fact, rarely if ever are they. They just have one thing in common. They've all asked for the money back. Such a crime.
9. Debtors think all credit is interst free. No matter how deliquent the bill is, no interest or late fees should be charged. If that were the case, who in their right mind would ever bother to pay a bill on time??? I know I wouldn't. Read your contract stupid. You pay late, there is a penalty. That penalty grows month to month. Do the math. You are no exception just because you moved or forgot or any other excuse you're using to try to get out of paying.
10. Debtors only answer their phone the 1st time. After that, they hide. Why? Because they're liars. They know they're wrong. They know they owe. So they stop answering the phone thinking the bill will go away. They make promises they have no intention of keeping, so they run & hide like little girls. They lie & say they're unemployed yet never seem to be home between 8 and 5. Why is that? Don't you know we have ways of finding you anytime anywhere if we choose to? Do you really want your neighbors called & your employer & your church & corner grocery store? You want to talk about harrasment? Stop answering your phone. See what that gets you. When we STOP calling is when you really need to worry.

Your analogy fails miserably because, as I pointed out above, your company is not using a P.O. Box.

A UPS Store private mail box (or "PMB", as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service refers to them) is not the same thing as P.O. Box, which is rented from the U.S. Postal Service and is subjected to far more stringent rules of use.

PMBs are the preferred option for many scammers because the Postal Inspection Service, arguably the country's most aggressive law enforcement agency, doesn't take kindly to crooks using post office facilities.  But I'm sure you're well aware of that.

What's more compelling than your speech is the brief news article about the Kingman Cole scam published in the Times-Record newspaper of Ft. Smith Arkansas on July 11.  The comments from the New York Attorney General's office are particularly interesting:  http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2008/07/11/news/news01.txt

And Kingman Cole made TV news...and not for anything good:

http://www.4029tv.com/news/16846787/detail.html

Golly! Things sure got quiet! Something tells that Kingman Cole is due for another name change.  ;o)

My question is how do they manage to get all our information & put a judgment against us illegally. I owe on a credit card & was contacted by this company. They had all the correct information, everything matched. I don't deny that I owed it but couldnt pay it. They sued me & put a judgment against me but now I'm reading here that it's not even a legitimate company. Can a judgment be reversed? Does anyone know? How do they get past the court? I can't afford to hire an attorney. I had another bill with another collection agency & read a lot of the same negative things about them as well yet they are listed in the stock market (NCO). Can that be if they're not a real company? Anyone know?

Though I suspect that this message was posted by someone associated with the Kingman Cole scam, I'll answer the question for the benefit of anyone being targeted by these crooks.


It's hardly news that many, if not most, financial scams hide behind and/or launder money through a legitimate business front. NCO is a real company and, as you noted, publicly traded. That doesn't mean, however, that their methods are always legal.  NCO is a serial violator of federal debt collection and credit reporting laws.  For example, a few years ago the Federal Trade Commission sued NCO for multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act; apparently, NCO was deliberately reporting false information about consumers to the credit bureaus. NCO was fined $1.5 million by the federal government.

The point is, just because a company may be a legitimate business entity doesn't mean that its conduct and methods are legitimate and legal.  Just ask NCO's victims, Enron's victims, or Kingman Cole's victims.

I recieved a phone call from these people and they did not know my address....what a joke. This is the address I got from them whether it is good or not I have know idea.
4th Section Road
Suite 321
Brockport, NY
14420

My dear, you sound a bit burned out! You really should try to
get another job, as you sound desensitized...my experience was that
many people were placed in collections because other people did not
want to fix a specific problem...not everyone in collections is
a low life...you need to give people more respect. Not everyone is
a liar. But be glad they are, or you would be out of a job...

For an investment of around $50.00 at Radio Shack or other electronics dealer, buy a tape recorder and an activation device for your telephone.
Some states have strict rules on the use of these(some only one party need know of the recording, some states require both parties know of the recording.)When you answer a call, the recorder starts recording automatically. The collector says, "this call is recorded for your protection" just say, hang on a minute I'll record also. They never believe you yet you have notified them that you are recording. Once you have a conversation on tape of them saying they are sending over the sheriff to arrest you, or that they are a lawyer(when they are not)or some other stupid comment in order to harass or intimadate, the games all over !!Take the recording to a real attorney(they'll take your case for nothing at this point). If you do happen to end up in front of a judge. like I did, he is very, very interested in hearing that tape. I did this for five years and then took my "library" of tapes to an attorney. I retired last year at the age of 51 in a pleasant climate with absolutly zero debt. The funny thing was, the collection agency had the wrong person just like I told them about a thousand times !!(on tape) My attorney ?  He will retire next year. Soooooo- to all of you self righteous, ego driven, my sxxt don't stink collectors out there; keep calling guys--I LOVE YA !!!!!!!!!!

Good advice. Here's a guide to each state's laws regarding recording one's own phone calls: http://www.rcfp.org/taping/