866-949-9484

What does the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have to do with this?

I also received this very threatening voicemail as well. What sort of tipped me off that this is a scam is that the caller said a summons would be issued to the home OR place of business at my address. Obviously my address couldn't possibly be a place of business, so they don't even know anything about the details of this "case" against me, which happened to be at a location I've never been to in my life.

I admit I was scared at first and even called them back, but I only got a "generic voice message" and I hung up, not leaving anything, thank goodness. Good thing I live in the west coast I guess since the office was probably closed at the time I called so I didn't have to deal with a live person like some of the horror stories I've read about so far. The stories I've heard about these scumbags are very appalling, where they threaten to even SEXUALLY ASSAULT people? Are these people even HUMAN?

What saddens me is that all this cold calling tactics and shaking people down over the phone and being so threatening about it may actually work on some people who may pay them in fear of this shake down not knowing that these people are just scammers. I really hope this ends very soon.

FGZ didn't call me but my aunt just called me and said this company called her and was hunting for my sister in-law. First thing my aunt doesn't really know my sister in-law, second of all they used her maiden name which she has been married for 3 years. Third they told my aunt was listed as the primary contact number. Like I said my aunt maybe have seen my sister in-law 4 times in the 6 years my wife and I have known each other. Obviously this company needs to learn how to investigate little bit better before they try to start harassing people. These so called FGZ attorneys don't know their a$$ from a hole in the ground. If they are a legit collection agency they would of taken over the debt and all the correct paper work which would have everything they need to find the person which caused the debt. Why doesn't this so called collection agency go after people that has not paid there bills within the decade. Obviously if someone hasn't paid their debt in 10 years they probably not going to pay it. Remember everyone it's not your fault these intelligent folks took over someone else's debt we should thank them for paying our debt. They shouldn't have to worry our president will bail these agencies out. Lisa Ray 1-866-949-9484 ext. 196 was the caller with complaint#.

this people called my moms housed and yelled at my brother that were was i at. And he said that i did not live there, he said that well i need to contact them, becuase i have a warrent for my arrest.The thing is that i had a failure to appear at court, which i just arranged monthly payments starting this month for traffic ticket.. so i thought it was becasue of this same reason. they called my cell phone two because my brother gave them my number, but they did not live no message, anyways i called them back over and over but they dont awnser, it just says to live a message for Fedricks Goldstein & Zoe.

Know does this mean some one stoled my identity? :(

Contact the NY AG at: www.NYdebthelp.com

He is in the process of getting these thugs shut down, and every piece of ammunition will help:

ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO SUES TO SHUT DOWN BUFFALO-BASED DEBT COLLECTION OPERATION THAT ILLEGALLY HARASSED AND THREATENED CONSUMERS NATIONWIDE
Employees Used Verbal Abuse and Sexual Harassment to Intimidate Consumers Into Paying Debts
Latest Action in Cuomo's Ongoing Probe into Unlawful Debt Collection Practices
BUFFALO, NEW YORK (August 18, 2009) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down a Buffalo-based debt collection operation consisting of 13 debt collection companies run by Buffalo residents Omar Smith, Narvell Benning and Keith Marshall (collectively, the "Benning-Smith Group”). Today’s announcement is the latest action in Attorney General Cuomo’s ongoing investigation of unlawful debt collection practices.

According to the more than 850 consumer complaints filed with the Office of the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau, the Benning-Smith Group's employees violated state and federal law by routinely posing as law enforcement officials and threatening to arrest or to physically harm consumers unless they made arrangements to pay the company immediately. Additionally, the Benning-Smith Group made abuse and humiliation a trademark of their collection practices by verbally abusing consumers and, in some instances, sexually harassing them. To date, the Attorney General’s investigation has identified more than a thousand instances in which the Benning-Smith Group breached state and federal statutes. Cuomo’s lawsuit, filed today in Buffalo Supreme Court, seeks to shut down all of the Benning-Smith Group’s operations in the Western New York.

“This company made lies, threats and abuse their calling cards in their efforts to manipulate and take advantage of consumers already facing tough economic times,” said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. “They did everything they could to demean and humiliate their targets, stooping so low as to sexually harass and verbally abuse individuals nationwide. My Office will continue to protect consumers by making it clear that companies like this one will not be permitted to operate in the State of New York.”

According to the lawsuit filed by the Attorney Generals Office, Omar Smith, Narvell Benning and Keith Marshall ran at least 13 debt collection companies that operated out of multiple locations and under various assumed names in Western New York. The Benning-Smith Group operated under several names, including: Abrams, Burke & Associates; Benning and Smith Acquisitions, Inc.; Brady and Caruso, LLC; DebtPayments.com; DebtPayments.com, LLC; Fredericks, Goldstein & Zoe; Graham, Noble & Associates Bookkeeping; Graham, Noble & Associates LLC; Graham, Beagle & Associates LLC; Kingman, Cole and Associates, LCC; Marshall and Ziolkowski Enterprise, LLC; Marshall Ziolkowski Acquisitions, LLC; Lansky, Goldstein, Zoe; OLS Payment Services; and University Debt Collection.

Attorney General Cuomo’s investigation revealed that collectors regularly demanded payment for non-existent debts or substantially inflated the amount owed on an actual debt. Using their false law enforcement identities, collectors coerced and cajoled terrified consumers into agreeing to make payments. Frightened at the prospect of arrest and humiliation, consumers authorized withdrawals from their checking accounts, sent Western Union moneygrams and/or money orders out of fear.

In one instance, a Benning-Smith collector kept repeating the name of a consumer’s daughter, describing various sexual things he would do to her unless the debt was paid. Another collector told a female consumer that if both she and her husband would engage in sexual acts with him, he would pay their debt himself. Collectors routinely called consumers “drunks,” “scumbags,” “deadbeats,” and, in one instance, “a low-life piece of trash.”

The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the New York State debt collection and consumer protection laws prohibit the following conduct: posing as an attorney, threatening lawsuits or other legal action which cannot be taken, saying a consumer committed a crime or will be arrested and talking with third parties except to get location information. These statutes also bar the use of deception and harassment in collection practices. The law further requires collection agencies to send a written notice within five days of initial communication with the consumer explaining how he or she can dispute the debt. If properly disputed, the collection agency must stop all collection attempts and send verification.

Today’s action is part of a larger investigation by Attorney General Cuomo into unlawful debt collection practices. In June, Cuomo obtained a court order shutting down the fraudulent activities of another Buffalo-based collection racket and initiated criminal charges against the owner of that operation. His Office previously shut down two other collectors for threatening and intimidating consumers into paying debts that they did not owe. Additionally the Office of the Attorney General remains engaged in litigation with two debt settlement companies for fraudulent business practices and false advertising by selling misleading debt settlement plans that very rarely deliver the promised benefits to consumers dealing with debt.

Cuomo also launched a website - www.NYDebtHelp.com- that explains consumer rights, allows victims of debt collection and debt settlement companies quick access to the Attorney Generals office to file complaints, and outlines the stages of the Attorney Generals investigation.

The case was handled by Assistant Attorney General James Morrissey and Senior Consumer Fraud Representative Karen Davis, under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General David Sampson.

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2009/aug/aug18a_09.html

said i had walked into bank and got a loan for 1250.00 on dec. 31 2004.said i owed 1000.00 said would settle for 700.00 wonted me to give them my dept card number  . if i didnt they threatened to seaze my bank account take me to court end up coasting me 4500.00

hello i to get these calls they r in truoble with the law 3411 bailey ave in buffalo is there address omar smith is the onwer

I once knew a person that worked for Fredrick's Goldstein and Zoe now known as FGZ and when they try to get u to pay they tell u to send it to Dept Payments they r a scam Omar Smith is the owner he's in trouble all ready they r trying to shut it down soon I hope it happens there are ppl out there that r paying him he's getting there money and they don't even know it wait till tax time comes around ppl will be getting alot more phone calls it is sad that they would go to all the trouble jujst to get money they should just sell drugs its just as bad this needs to stop,,,,,,,

Any party, be it hired by the credit card company, law firm, or not, MUST follow FDCPA law when collecting said funds.  This company FGZ or Frederick, Goldstein and Zoe.. Whatever they call themselves is violating federal law in several ways.
The case with the New York Attorney's office states that by law they are considered a collection agency and are falsely representing themselves, they threaten those they talk to and give court information without intent. Each violation of the FDCPA they make, they owe $1000.00.
Unfortunately these violations are considered minor, but they are still punishable.
Contact the FTC!!!!!!!

Better Off Deadbeat: Craig Cunningham Has a Simple Solution for Getting Bill Collectors Off His Back. He Sues Them.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/2010-01-21/news ... -he-sues-them/1

I have had some dealings last year with FGZ as the refer to themselves now last year and am just now finding out about the scams after trying to get proof of release of debt papers back for half a year now when I settled a debt with them. I still haven't got any papers and am wondering if my debt is really settled or not now.  Reading comments and was wondering what the SOL law you refered to was.  Did you find out anything about the payments you made?

We got a call from this coming collecting a debt from Bank of america.  We paid it off but never received a pay-off letter.  How do I get the pay-off letter.

How do you know they are not at 41 or 44 Bristol Street?  Are we talking about Fredrick Goldstein & Zoe or are you referring to Graham, Noble & Associates?

The same dirt bags has re-opened another scam agency in Tucker,Ga. (3482 Lawrencevillw Hwy, Tucker, ga. 30084)........if your payday loan 100.00 they will charge you up 3000.00 and tell you they will have the police serve you and you would have to go to court and other fees will be added as well!!  They are going by the name WESTWOOD MEDIATION......owner Omar Smith and his brother Edward (Ed)Smith. BEWARE!!!

Girl, they have 2 2189 building 10 company names AFS ACCOUNTS FINANCAL SERVICE NEW TUCKER OFFICE and 1755 THE EXCHANGE SUITE 190 MARETTIA GA. They have moved call FDCPA.

Do not pay these people , i worked there and will bring civil suit against them. omar smith is a fraud. he is robbing people blind. Do not pay them.

www.colddollar.com is my website and we bring jrtkd like Omar Smith to judyoce.

www.colddollar.com is my website and we bring jirks like Omar Smith to justice.

www.colddollar.com is my website and we bring jirks like Omar Smith to justice

www.colddollar.com is my website and we bring jirks like Omar Smith to justice