Complaint

+1
paige
Country: United States
I am being sued by Mary Jane Elliott in Novi, MI for a Washington Mutual credit card that I have never had.  I asked for verification of debt at which they laughed and said they would sue me.  Sure enough, I have received the summons and complaint.
I called JP Morgan/Chase who purchased Washington Mutual who said I do not now or have I ever had an account with Washington Mutual.  They also said that since Washington Mutual has very publicly went under, many unscrupulous collection agencies and low-level attorneys are using Washington Mutual's name and harassing people.  
If you search Mary Jane Elliott on the internet you will see that this pathetic agency is fraudulently suing many people!

Comments

  • 0
    tj
    | 3 replies
    Most bottom feeders who sue consumers are looking for default judgements.

    Be sure to respond to their suit.  You would be wise to contact an attorney with expertise in FDCPA and consumer debt law, since it is likely that they have, or will, violate FDCPA, allowing you to countersue for statutory and actual damages, including attorney's fees.

    For example, they were required to notify you of your right to dispute or request validation of the debt within 5 days of their original contact (if by phone), or included in their initial letter.  In addition, if you did request validation within 30 days of receiving that letter, they were required to cease collection activity until they provided it.  If they continued collection activity, including sueing, without providing validaiton, you might countersue under FDCPA.

    Note that violations of FDCPA are independent of whether any debt is even owed.  You still need to respond to their lawsuit, however if they sued with no basis or nothing to indicate you were the correct debtor, that also might allow you to sue them under FDCPA.

    You might try www.naca.net
    • 0
      KB replies to tj
      | 1 reply
      Thanks tj, I need this information. They are trying to sue my mother for my account saying that her name s on it and I know it isn't. This accunt is overy 11yrs old and thyhave no proof of the account, even the judge was suprised that it is still circulating. I tried calling to get some information since only my name is on the account and got nothing.
      • 0
        tj replies to KB
        IYou aren't going to resolve this by calling anyone on the phone.

        You and your mother should get an attorney.  Accounts this old often have problems with availability of reliable information from the original creditor to substantiate the debt, and if you challenge their claim, they may not be able to prove it's owed.

        At over 11 years old, this account may be past SOL in your state, and you may have the case thrown out of court for that reason, but that is a defence you need to raise for the court to decide on that basis.

        In addition, if they knowingly filed suit after SOL had expired, they may be in violation of FDCPA, for which you could sue THEM.  If they filed suit against your mother, and she was not actually on the account, then she might also be able to separately sue them.

        You might try www.naca.net to find a consumer attorney in your state.
    • 0
      Kari replies to tj
      I had a credit card back in 2002, and MJE has just sent me a garnishment for my tax refund. However, this is the second year she has done this (shame on me, I didn't do anything last year because my mother had just passed and I was so out of it). But, now I am ready to do something, but I don't know what I can do? I would like to make a settlement, but it sounds like she will take my tax refund forever? Should I contact the court and request a hearing?

      Thanks!!!
  • 0
    jlb
    Curious; if this attorney isn't legit, how could she take me to court two months ago, or attempt to (it never happened because I took care of the matter before the court date was set).
    This is extremely disquieting, to find that she's suing people without legal basis.
  • 0
    RJohnson
    | 4 replies
    The very same thing is happening to me by the very same collection agency! I plan on fighting it on my own without an attorney. I plan on answering her fraudulant summons by filing one against her for violating FDCPA. In reading other complaints on-line about this agency it appears that many people are filing complaints with the state atty. General. I will be doing that and going after her for damages. I have had enough!!There is alot of talk about a class action suit.
    • 0
      Sandy replies to RJohnson
      | 2 replies
      Class Action Law Suit I would like to join!!!!  I am fighting her right now in 36th District Court, her and her crew are true bottom feeders and yes they do violate FDCPA I have a court date of 5/2/12
      and this informationj will prove helpful.
      • 0
        deb0612 replies to Sandy
        Have you heard anything additional to this class action lawsuit?  My husband and I would like information we are READY to join.  Same issue as so many of us.  Writing attorney general, BBB and whoever else will listen.
      • 0
        kimberly sego replies to Sandy
        I would like to join I am paying her 50 a month for a credit card account that I had over fifteen years ago she suied me and I have to pay thousands of more dollars of which thee account was 8oo some know she wants my husband and I state income tax return help please
    • 0
      kimberly sego replies to RJohnson
      Please help I have been paying her 50 for a credit card fifteen years old know she also wants my 450 dollar tax return can anyone tell me what do
  • 0
    tj
    Whqt is "legit"?

    You go to law school, you pass the bar, you pay your dues, you're "legit".

    Nothing stops you from filing suit against consumers with no basis to believe they owe some debt.  Your client says they do, that's enough for you.

    Most debt collection lawsuits end in default judgements either because the consumer never responds, does not even know how to respond, cannot or believes they cannot afford an attorney, or never even got served.  Default judgements are the bread and butter of debt collection attorneys.
  • 0
    Know a little something...
    25 years experience tells me alot of what's been said is true in some shape or form.  You can sue anyone for anything, IF you wish to, the problem is you better have good evidence when it gets to the magistrate or judge?!  One responder is correct, default judgments are the "bread and butter" of a suit.  IF you don't follow guidelines, 21 days after your served, to respond", you default, but still then you can ask to set-aside the default and still fight for ones' rights!  I've been in the field along time and can tell you as many "good" suits that are filed, usually outweigh the "bad" ones, but knowing which is which, is the tricky part!  Anyone who needs help, let me know  dq_legal@ymail.com
  • 0
    cjss
    I just wanted to let anyone who owes Mary Jane money that I just got a lien placed on my checking account a couple of weeks ago by Mary Jane Elliott.So please be careful. I wasnt notified by my bank or by her. I was blindsided by this.I happened to check my account on line and seen I had $0.00 balance. I had also two checks that bounced. My husband is disabled and im on unemployment,we also have two kids and money is tight. As of right now my bank hasn't released the money to her. The funds are still froze.
    I'm not sure if its against the law for her to freeze social security money and unemployment money.
  • 0
    Beware
    This bottom feeder will file a garnishment against your state tax return without obtaining a writ of garnishment.
  • 0
    robbed
    | 1 reply
    Yep, You hit it right on the head reffering to her as "bottom feeder"
    Just got a garnishment disclosure myself, after I have already had a consent judgment to pay monthly payments. Dont know how she can STEAL my tax return when the judgment is to pay monthly , which I have done so and also am not behind any payments. I hope she rots in hell for all eternity
    • 0
      kimberly sego replies to robbed
      What to do I have been paying 50 a month know she wants my husband and I. 450 tax return anything I can do
  • 0
    AM
    SHE CAN'T FREEZE YOUR HUSBANDS DISABILITY CHECK
  • 0
    Tim S
    Yes, My checking and saving account were Garnished.  Once I contacted Mary Jane Elliott they told me that is was from a loan I had with Capital One and that I defaulted and that Atlantic was trying to collect on me.  I call ed Capital One, not only DO NOT have any oustanding debts with them, but the Three Credit Cards that I have with Capital One are all in good standing and Cap One has no issues with me or my accounts.  This is total Crap.  Come Judgement Day she will get hers!!
  • 0
    Errol N
    I just got a letter from Mary Jane last week about a settlment on a defaulted Bank of America credit card that defaulted 4 years ago.  the account hasnt reached it's SOL yet (michigan is 6 years)  so i have no leg to stand on there.  I contacted her office in response to the settlment letter and talked to a guy name sam.  i started offering a settlment of 20% which they denied.... eventually i offered 50% of the balance and they were still demanding the 1200.00 which is like 70% of the account balance.  the letter states that i have until may 4 to settle the account, but yet these people refuse to settle with me!  I already have a consent judgement from another creditor that i am dealing with..... I DON'T WANT ANOTHER ONE!!!!  i don't know what to do. really.  if summoned i do plan on answering.
  • 0
    Papa-Mike
    If any income is co-mingled in the same account as a person on disability, the account can be garnished.

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