877-285-4919

The number 877.285.4919 terminates to one Bryan and Benjamin Law Center...IT IS NOT A LEGITIMATE LAW CENTER in the State of New York AND...I got this number from: 716.748.8926, which terminates to JW and Associates, a.k.a. Prescott Barres and Stewart...another bogus company.

BEWARE OF THESE PEOPLE!!!!

They called my employer,calling like their police,leaving messages.IS THAT LEGAL?

I got a call from te "Bryant & Benamin Law Center," supposedly located in Buffalo, NY. They threatened to sue me and put a warrant out for my arrest (I live in central Texas!) if I didn't pay an old payday loan immediately. They wanted me to pay it at 3 TIMES the cost of the initial loan. They also call from the number 716-803-8818. Then they called me 2 weeks later, from the same number, saying they were "Prescott, Burns & Stewart." The following website lists all practicing, licensed lawfirms in the United States: www.martindale.com. What do you know, neither of these firms were found. They are TOTALLY ILLEGAL, ILLEGITIMATE and are just trying to scam people out of whatever money they can get. I read on another site that they have been traced to a shopping center in Buffalo, NY!

Called once telling my husband they were setting up a court date for me for fraud because I had taken out a loan for $2000, closed an account and not paid off loan. Scared us because I did change banks this year, but got no loan. Told me to call back but I didn't.Then left  a message from Marci Matthews of Prescott, Barnes, and Stewart saying that she had spoken to me (wrong) and that I had returned her call(wrong) and said I had said I wanted restitution instead of this going further. She gave a docket # 146 907 - FEE. Caller ID  said unknown caller and listed no #. The #s she told me to call back were different each time. The first time it was 800-187-7285  (last 4 digits same as my #), This time 877-285-4919. My husband is in poor health and doesn't need the stress this incurs, nor do I. I truly HATE these people.

Got a call from this number yesterday stating that i will be summoned to court if i dont pay $100 by the end of this month (two days) of an unknown $1000 debt. The name she gave me was Bridgett and represented Bryant & Benjamin Law offices. She got a little irritated when i told her that i had no credit card or checking account, and advised me to get a pre paid debit card and call her back the next morning. I dont know what to do.

They left me a message telling me that someone has referenced me as a contact number for a debt.  I have never co-signed for anyone and do not even know about any collections.  Prescott, Barnes & Stewart - 877-285-4919 extension #109, docket #150146-700.  I have reported these people before and now they are calling me again with another number.

Do you have physical mailing address for these people? I ask because the Ohio Attorney General is putting out a bulletin on these charlatans and they need accurate information. PLEASE...if you have ANY RELIABLE MAILING ADDRESS FOR THIS BOGUS FIRM, SEND IT ALONG!!!

NEVER....REPEAT...NEVER give into threats by these worthless scum-bags. What they are doing is illegal and when they are caught, they will all be headed to jail!!!

This same firm has been calling me for the last past couple of weeks. I asked them to provide me with written proof of the debt that I owe. They emailed me something on their letter head. I still did not recognize the nam of the company nor the amount owed. They called me at work and the connection was lost. They sent me a threatening email. I responded by disputing the amount owed. They called my supervisor and told him that I been calling them and harassing them. I couldn't believe it. There must be some law that protects the consumer. Anyway here's the address listed in the email they sent to me.

Prescott, Barnes & Stewart
255 Delaware Avenue, Suite 2A
Buffalo, NY 14202

that address is a mckinnon collection agency...... scumbags all the way!!!! i used to work for him, he violates the fdcpa all the time..... all his offices do!

These people have been trying to contact me for some time. They leave nasty messages saying I will bu summoned if I don't call them back. I have NEVER received a letter of any kind from them. I have no way to verify if they are who they say they are. I have no idea what to do with these people!

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

I started getting calls from this number a few days ago - are they kidding? Something about something that needs to be "put back" into a checking account? Was I born yesterday? I just ignore them and I have yet to receive any hard copy documentation in the mail from any of these idiots so that tells me right off the get go that they are illegal. One more reason for me to keep a landline - they don't blow up my cell minutes! However, I do believe I may report these jokers to my government agency.

I've had the same threatening calls too! They called my brother and told him they were sending the police over!  Everyone, please report them to the FTC via the links posted above and to your local Attorney General.  The other phone number my aunt got was 224-531-4144.  I'm going to do a search for this number.  Some guy named Jay Watson.  I wonder if he works for the McKinnon collection agency that "never a victim" mentioned in the July post?

I have this company known as Prescott Barnes and Stewart calling me wanting a rediculous amount from me or they will summons me to court.  When I asked for a mailing address, I was told that they do not except payment by mail and that payment could only be by credit card.  No information can be found on the computer but I was given a hot mail e-mail address.  HOTMAIL!?!  And when I asked them to send me information on thier company, they told me that they can not reach my e-mail account which is funny because everyone else can.  I am not going to send payment unless they can come up with hard edvidence that there company does actually exist.  Just because they know I have a bill doesn't cut it.  Even the garbage man knows that.

Prescott Barnes and Stewart were researched by a consumer attorney that my sister works for and were found to be bottom feeders and scumbags, They lie, steal and cheat. Don't send them any money Report them to your local police and attorney general, if they continue to harass them, get an attorney and hunt them down and sue them

received message on my landline from Margaret Rydell saying that my mother needed to give her call regarding a case number.  i called the number back and told them that the person they asked for did not reside at this number.  They asked me if I was a relative and could I give her a message.  I said no I'm not giving any messages and that I'm not doing their dirty work.  I obviously gave my mother the message who promptly called my sister (an attorney) and gave her power of attorney.  I just drafted a letter tell them not to contact me anymore (will send it certified) and I filed a complaint with the FTC and my state's attorney general.

I got a message from the same number saying it was Prescot, Burns, and Stewart. A recorded message saying I had a bad check. That's not even possible.  I may call them tomorrow and give them a bunch of false information to make their job a little aggravating.

My supervisor received a call from 'Prescott Barnes & Stewart" telling him to tell me, I guess, to call their firm as I had an item returned to my account.  Stated I was to call immediately. I have no idea what they are talking about AND to call my supervisor has put me in a very bad situation..employees can be terminated for calls like this.

They called my sister in law,  trying to information about me the funny thing they had her new number and I did not This is the number 716-803-8818 If you are a company why is it listed unpublish