866-681-7320

This number keeps callling and will not stop even when I have asked tem to stop.  States that he does not have to stop and I have no right to ask him to stop. He also states that I am in litigation and he is trying to resolve but claims he is not a debt collector.  I have researched this number and even the address in which he gave me and can not find anything this man states to be true.  Apparently he has no clue about the laws, even though he states he works for a law firm.

I got a call from this man today as well.  States he's from Barnes, Prescott, & Stuart.  The call doesn't seem valid nor does his conduct.  I'll be recording these calls and sending them to my lawyer.  

For laws and rules on how often and when collectors can call you refer to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) interpretation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Section 806(5).

What address did he give you?  I too am trying to find this "law firm" but can't find anything.  I'm going to keep a log and start sending things to my own lawyer.

this is the address that they are giving.
Prescott, Barnes & Stewart
255 Delaware Avenue, Suite 2A
Buffalo, NY 14202

do you have a debt from any one that it may have been turned over to?  may need to reach the new york county clerks office

They called my mothers house and told her why they were trying to contact me.  They give her details of the call.  They have no right giving out any of my personal information.

When I contacted them back, they put me in contact with a Mr. Williams who says he is the owner of this company.  He refused to give me the address to where he was.  He also refuses to give me any information regarding the account.  He just gives me an amount and tells me to pay it.  I requested a copy of all the items as to why I owe so much money.  

He refuses to give it to me because he don't like me or my attitude.  He is not in the business to like people or their attitudes.  He also cussed at me.  I told him that I was recording this conversation and he said he didn't give a F***.  He said he didnt care if I paid the debt back or not.

So until i can speak with someone else regarding my case, do what they have to because I refuse to talk to this jerk again.

If they continue to harass my mother I will take my own suit against them

Do yourself a favor and pull a credit check on yourself.  That alleviates so much problems.  That way you know where you stand.  I pull one every 6 months just so that no one can say I owe money.  Obviously it is a scam.  They have to have proof and also an account number.  Tell them to blow.

the address provided by another poster indicates this scam debt collector may be operating out of NY

FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THE NY ATTORNEY GENERAL ASAP  
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!


Yes they are REQUIRED BY LAW TO MAIL YOU INFO ON THE DEBT - they cannot just call and demand PAY NOW or ELSE..

They refuse to send anything because they CAN'T - they have nothing..  



THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE 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

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

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

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

The number this same company is giving is 877-285-4919
and they are constantly leaving messages at my job. I'm away from my desk 99% of the day and this is a bit annoying because they are say they are calling FOR prrscott, Barnes & Stewart. The woman gives her name but not the name Margaret Rydell of the compaynt she's calling from.

I was searching the net looking for anything I can find on this company and then I noticed the 800 # match this Burns Prescott & Stewart. He cursed at me as well, telling me that I am in litigation. GUESS WHAT else, he called my Mom and was telling her all this stuff.  He called my Aunt's house and left a message as well. All I can say is WOW. I almost sent this guy some money with a prepaid Visa. WOW keep going thru mind.

I received a call from a Mr. Stone about a loan from back in 2007. He threaten me saying he was a Fraud Investigator and that I will be arrested for fraud if I do not pay this debt.He behavior is stranger for a businessman, he cursed at me among other things. The voice mail says the name of the company is Burns Prescott & Stewart. When I asked him what was the name and address of the company he told me that the name of the company was Abbott Recovery and the address is 255 Delaware Ave. Buffalo NY 14220. I'm wondering how many offices do these ppl have. When I searched for Abbott Recovery another company popped up and it was NOT a debt collector it was some sort of lab company. I asked him for an invoice of the money that is owed and he told me that they don't send out invoices, that was for the company that I took out the loan to do. He also demanded that I give him my debit card/banking info and if I didn't he was gonna sign off on a warrant for my arrest. I DID NOT COMMIT A FRAUD, I LOST MY JOB and was unable to pay! He also contacted my Mom and Aunt stating to be a Fraud Investigator and called them several times and left messages. The number he's calling from is  1-866-281-7320. I want to know if these ppl are a SCAM, I am a single mother on public assistance and cant afford to just be giving my baby's money away to some scammers. TIMES ARE REALLY RUFF FOR ME RIGHT NOW. I only receive $270.00 a month and they want $100.00 per month for 5 months. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THIS! I know that they have violated all type of Debt Collector LAWS.! Are these people SCAMMERS

I did a search on the address. and this is what came up

Durham Staffing Inc
Melting Point
Kinetic Film Enterprises
Wellcare
Buffalo Pro Firefighters

I have been receiving calls from "Prescott Barnes and Stewart" and "Prescott Meyers and Stewart."
They also have left the phone # 877 285-4919 .
The individuals identify themselves as Margaret Rydell or Nancy Chermont (?) or Matthew Weatherfield and they leave a "case number" that you must use to identify your "case." The case number always ends in the letters FED.  or US, to make it appear official.

A web search for this "law firm" turns up nothing at all. There in NO such law firm with this name.

These folks are certainly NOT a law firm as their name and message indicate. So, immediately you know they are lying.
I would strongly suggest that anyone receiving calls from these folks immediately contact you state attorney general (just go to your state government web site and look for state attorney general). and file a complaint. All can be done online.

Once the attorney general contacts them, these folks will leave you alone.

I have been receiving calls from a Joe Turner from this number. He has threatened me that my info has been turned over to his legal department. When I told him that I was in a dept program, he told me that he did not work with those kind of people and that they were going to fax something to my job so I could be garnished. I had my dept relief people to contact them and they would not give them their fax number nor any info about their attorney. Can these people actually bring charges against you or garnish your wages? Or they even ligit? They also use unorthodox practices in getting in touch with you. They are using the name Abbott Recovery.

Well let's see Pauline Fontenot or Pauline Franklin 8328 Carver Rd
Saint Rancisville La 70775 225-301-3794. Why don't you go ask someone other than the internet about your issues...If you would have resolved the debt in the first place you would not be getting calls...So sorry for your trouble and wish you lots of luck with your financial obligations in the future....

Louisiana Wage Garnishment

Louisiana uses the federal wage garnishment guidelines. Wage garnishments are effective immediatly upon service of the garnishment on the employer. The amount withheld is 25% of disposable income. 401K or other retirenment funds are not counted as disposable income. Deductions are to be withheld from every paycheck and are remitted by the employer at least monthly. The Garnishment stays in effect until the full balance due is paid, including all attorneys' fees, interest, court costs and so forth.

I received calls from this company as well as an email. They have been calling from 716-803-8818 though when asked to call them back they give me 8772854919. Callers name is Nancy Fairmont.

I was receiving calls from them and I jumped. Worried about my credit I was willing to settle this debt. They claimed it was for a pay-day advance I took. Regrettably I had partaken in a pay-day advance before, but this was not these guys. I pushed to get some kind of paperwork sent to me, but they insisted the offer would expire and the cost would become so much greater. I set up for two payments of $200 to be taken out on two different days. The first went through without a hitch. Then about 2 weeks later I received fraudulent charges on my card, the same one I had given them. I immediately had the charge disputed and the card cancelled. All was taken care of when suddenly I got curious and researched the company. That led me to you guys and led to me immediately disputing the charge of the $200. Upon calling I was told it was not the company that charged me and that it was the 80th time I have called and to stop. This was my first call to THAT number. I should have been smart enough to check the credit record. This shows that with a little persistence these people can get someone to believe false statements. Please don't be got by Barnes Prescott & Stewart or Vantage Point or whoever they claim to be.

Received this scam phone

Pauline, this is a lie......ignore them they can't touch you.

i also received a call from Prescott Barnes et al.  I read the other comments and this is exactly what they told me...i felt pressured as well but after researching i canceled my card..they will not get a DIME from my account.....