contract?
Complaint
Adrienne Lampkin
Country: United States
I signed up for a credit card machine for my company with Momentum. The machine didn't work half the time, even after they sent a replacement. I canceled my contract with them and sent the machine back. Now Northern Leasing says that I had a contract with them and they are suing me for over $4000.00. Northern Leasing says I still have to pay for the remaining term of contract.
Comments
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/zx0MFd7uLgBMWAjKo4KsMw
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/reZKaBCjWAAWpgjMcyg-CQ
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/3dwfRxGY9gAWuAjMUu7uXg
Here is their BBB report, rated "F":
http://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/business-rev ... -york-ny-37657/
"BBB Rating
Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of F on a scale from A+ to F.
Factor(s) that lowered this business' rating include:
877 complaints filed against businessFailure to respond to 16 complaints filed against business10 complaints filed against business that were not resolved
Factor(s) that raised [sic. They are rated "F"] this business' rating include:
Length of time business has been operating.
BBB has sufficient background information on this business.
This company leases various business products, including credit card processing equipment. The majority of complaints against this company pertain to the company's lease, which specifies that the lease cannot be cancelled, and the lease requires 30 days notice prior to the renewal date in order to cancel it.
[NOTE THIS:]
Many consumers have noted that they either were not given access to the full lease at the time they purchased the company's services, or when presented with a 'copy' at a later date, indicate that the document is different from the one they signed.
Consumers report extreme difficulty dealing with customer service, and also indicate that throughout this process the company continues to withdraw fees from their accounts. The Bureau advises consumers to read all leases and written contracts thoroughly and carefully before signing them.
..."
Lot of good that will do if they forge or alter the contract anyway.
They appear to be running a "contract termination fee" scam. That actually works best when the product is junk.
In particular, note allegations of deceptive and fraudulent sales practices, including witholding pages from the contract which are added later, or similar allegations of contract alteration and forgery.
Contact FTC, your state Attourney General, the New York Attorney General, and the FBI or other law enforcement. There are reports that they back off when contacted by state AGs. The NY AG should have a thick file on them by now.
http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneid ... ormer-customers
"...
April 23rd 2012
A.G. Schneiderman Sues Business Equipment Company For Ripping Off $3.5 Million From Former Customers
New York-Based SKS Associates And Northern Leasing Systems Drained Millions From Bank Accounts Nationwide Without Warning
Lawsuit Seeks Restitution For Tens Of Thousands Of Defrauded Former Customers
Schneiderman: We Will Fight To Ensure An Honest Marketplace; Deceptive Business Practices Will Not Be Tolerated
NEW YORK– Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a lawsuit against a group of New York City-based business equipment leasing companies that fraudulently siphoned millions of dollars from their former customers, including mom-and-pop stores and other small businesses. Northern Leasing Systems, Inc. and its affiliates, which lease credit card processing machines and other equipment, carried out a deceptive scheme to drain over $10 million in unauthorized debits from the bank accounts of over 100,000 former customers up to 11 years after their equipment leases had expired, ultimately retaining at least $3.5 million.
To disguise the scheme, Northern Leasing and its affiliates, Lease Finance Group LLC, MBF Leasing LLC, Golden Eagle Leasing LLC, and Lease Source-LSI, LLC, used a shell company, SKS Associates LLC, to deliberately mislead customers in an attempt to avoid any harm to Northern Leasing’s business reputation. Tens of thousands of former customers were shocked to discover automatic debits from their bank accounts, by a company they had never heard of.
“These companies engaged in a series of deceptions to squeeze unauthorized fees out of their former customers up to a decade after their contracts expired. We will seek both restitution for defrauded customers and substantial penalties from the companies to ensure justice and accountability prevail,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “My office will do everything in its power to ensure that New York’s marketplace is honest and fair. Deceptive business practices will not be tolerated.”
..."
Are they claiming they already have a judgement against you, presumably without even notice of any lawsuit? Or are they just making general threats?
Although this is an alleged business debt, and not a consumer debt, and therefore not covered by FDCPA, if it affects your personal credit report, it IS coveredy by FCRA, which allows you to sue for damages, and also allows courts to award attorney fees, so you might find attorneys who take these cases on contingency.
You might try www.naca.net to find a consumer attorney in your state.
In addition, file fraud complaints with FTC and your state Attorney General, and also the New York Attorney General, and send a copy of your original contract and a copy of the forged contract as evidence of the forgery.
The New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against them several months ago, in connection with unauthorized charges one of their companies made years after contracts had terminated.
http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneid ... ormer-customers
" April 23rd 2012
A.G. Schneiderman Sues Business Equipment Company For Ripping Off $3.5 Million From Former Customers
New York-Based SKS Associates And Northern Leasing Systems Drained Millions From Bank Accounts Nationwide Without Warning
Lawsuit Seeks Restitution For Tens Of Thousands Of Defrauded Former Customers
Schneiderman: We Will Fight To Ensure An Honest Marketplace; Deceptive Business Practices Will Not Be Tolerated
NEW YORK– Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a lawsuit against a group of New York City-based business equipment leasing companies that fraudulently siphoned millions of dollars from their former customers, including mom-and-pop stores and other small businesses. Northern Leasing Systems, Inc. and its affiliates, which lease credit card processing machines and other equipment, carried out a deceptive scheme to drain over $10 million in unauthorized debits from the bank accounts of over 100,000 former customers up to 11 years after their equipment leases had expired, ultimately retaining at least $3.5 million.
To disguise the scheme, Northern Leasing and its affiliates, Lease Finance Group LLC, MBF Leasing LLC, Golden Eagle Leasing LLC, and Lease Source-LSI, LLC, used a shell company, SKS Associates LLC, to deliberately mislead customers in an attempt to avoid any harm to Northern Leasing’s business reputation. Tens of thousands of former customers were shocked to discover automatic debits from their bank accounts, by a company they had never heard of.
“These companies engaged in a series of deceptions to squeeze unauthorized fees out of their former customers up to a decade after their contracts expired. We will seek both restitution for defrauded customers and substantial penalties from the companies to ensure justice and accountability prevail,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “My office will do everything in its power to ensure that New York’s marketplace is honest and fair. Deceptive business practices will not be tolerated.”
..."
Cut your losses and get a real job.
I SIGNED THE CONTRACT ; 48 payments # monthly $ 60 00;
there was a automatic draw every month$ 60
i got sick have serious issues towards my health; i they withdraw extra 18 payments $ 66.00 which comes to ; 18x66= $ 1188
plus i retured there equipments also 3 years back;
still i am receiwing hrassment calls/letters; demanding more money;
would you suggest some thing about;
i will much appreciated;