Complaint

+1
Debra M. Persiano
Country: United States
I got a call today at home from a man stating he was a process server for Collin County DA's Office and he is with the Sheriff's office and needed to come serve a warrant on me.  I was shocked and asked why?  He stated do you live ....are you still at this address are you now at this address and I stated who are you?  He again, stated he was from the county going to serve court papers on me today. He gave me a toll free number for what he stated was the county's office which is 1 866.872.6116 gave me a case no. which he called a Cause No. 008307-TX. I called the number was transferred to a Mr. Fisher's office who stated that law suite in the amount of $6,214.24 was filed in Collin Co., Tx and that warrant was out for me.  He then after back and forth said let me get more information from my secretary and state this was for an outstanding debt in from Capital One a credit card that I obtained several years back and had disputes over interest charges etc.  He stated that if I did not want to go to court or jail that I could pay $1,951.00 in full by end of business today and this matter could be cleared up.  I explained that I recently lost my job etc.  Anyway, he stated that I needed to call him back by EOB today or they will serve the papers.  Ok, so that was a heads up for me.  I called the DA's office nothing is filed on me as of today, after searching PMG it is clear that they do not practice best practices for collections and have been in trouble for this before back in 2004.  I need someone to give me advise. I want to pay off my debt, I don't want this type of collections to continue this upset me, made my blood pressure raise, this type of collections are not the right thing to do.  Had they called and ask to make arrangements or give me an opportunity to clear the matter, rather then threaten me by taken legal action, or harassment stating they are sending a sheriff over today.  This is wrong, bad business, and should not continue this company is bad news.

Comments

  • 0
    tj
    Apparently intentional third-party disclosure, through an employer yet, is part of their scam.  

    Clear evidence of access to skip-trace databases, searching on relative information, and then employer information on those relatives.

    https://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8668726116

    "Roy Fischer (sp) called and left messages on two separate occasions on my home phone that he wanted my help to get in contact with my adult son. I did not return the calls. Then he called MY employer (HR dept-4500 employees) and left a message with them to have me give my son a message to call.Needless to say, I was livid. I called and spoke to the idiot Fischer and he was ugly to say the least. They do not answer the phone with any company name and when I called back and asked what the name was, they  would not tell me. They did say that they knew that I was not a debtor because they do not call debtors directly. This leads me to believe that they are contracted to cause grief to family members in order for the family member to pressure the debtor to call."


    More false threats of arrest.

    http://www.callercomplaints.com/SearchResult.aspx?Phone=866-872-6116

    "Caller Type: Debt Collector
    Phone Number Owner: Roy Fischer,PMG
    Phone Number Report: Those people called telling that I have 2 counties in 2 different states looking for me as if I was a fugitive . When I contact the police and the DA it was untrue. They called criminal, eggshell, idiots and I'm. Going to jail for what I do not know. "
  • 0
    tj
    Alternate mailing address is a mail drop:
    220 Newport Cntr Dr 11 211
    Newport Beach, CA 92660

    http://local.yahoo.com/info-21038681-mail-roo ... ort+Beach%2C+CA

    http://www.mailroomnewportbeach.com/

    The Mail Room
    (949) 644-6245
    220 Newport Center Dr. #11
    Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • 0
    tj
    Similar M.O., connected to Cleveland OH, and Buffalo NY area.

    https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/mR0ZVZf7RACdrgjKPUD0-w
  • 0
    tj
    Another possible indicator that they are fabricating phony "debts" and targeting them at people they think they can con:

    Where names on complaints can be identified by gender, the number of femaie names is unexpectedly high.  They may be targeting femaie victims, perhaps having found them more responsive to their threats.

    Similar patterns of gender-targeting of fraud have shown up with "inflated magazine subscription" scams, which also include a coercive "debt collection" step.
  • 0
    tj
    Another address for PMG shows up in Corona CA, on a site dealing with consumer debt problems.

    http://www.creditreportproblems.com/Portfolio_MG_LLC_PMG.htm

    "Portfolio MG, LLC (PMG)
    2276 Griffin Way #105-167
    Corona, CA 92879
    Telephone: 866-872-6116
    Fax: 951-256-3787
    "

    Phone number ties it to earlier reports:
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-872-6116

    It's just another mail drop.
    http://corona-ca.yellowusa.com/Mail_Boxes_Rental_and_Receiving.html
    "POSTAL HEADQUARTERS
    2276 Griffin Way Ste 105,
    Corona, CA Zip Code92879  
    "
  • 0
    tj
    BBB now shows 2 complaints, and rates them "D":

    Note contact name, "Wayne Swanson".
    Also note additional DBAs, "HGG", and "Horizon Global Group", matching recent fictitious name registration.

    http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/PMG-100090372
    "...
    PMG
    140 North Maple Street Suite 107
    Corona, CA  92880
    Tel: (866) 872-5550
    Fax: (951) 256-3787
    ...    
    Contact:     Wayne Swanson -
    Business Start Date:     N/A
    Company ID:     100090372  

    Nature of Business:
    This company's business is Loan Companies
    ...
    Company Rating D
    Our opinion of what this rating means:
    We have enough concerns about this company (for example, their offer, customer complaints, advertising, etc.) that we recommend caution in doing business with it.
    ...
    No. of Cmpl Type of Response
    ...
    1 Agreeing to perform according to their contract
    1 Refusing to make an adjustment
    ...
    Additional DBAs
    Horizon Global Group
    HGG
    ..."
  • 0
    tj
    Searching on "horizon global group".  Looks like they have a new number, tied to their new name.

    http://phoneowner.info/Number.aspx/8668728399

    "doordie replies to Shane
    10 Apr 2010this is horizon global group, corona, california, but i cant find an address for them
    ..."

    Calls under 866-872-8399.
    This is another number traced to PMG, with similar complaints to the others.  

    Complaints against other reported PMG numbers stopped about a month ago.  Complaints against this number start March 11, about when the other complaints stopped.

    Note earlier complaints mentioning PMG, with recent complaints mentioning HGG.
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-872-8399

    Note "complaints" from "debra", "bill k.", and "lucy" which include "details" on why failing to pay PMG immediately is now a "disaster".  Note "you would think obama would help us out", along with the "ex" scenario.

    Both appear written with the intent to create the perception that people should have settled instantly, and outlines PMG's "best case scenario".  Note implications in "lucy" complaint, implying both a threat to sue in their initial contact letter, and that you have to settle within 30 days.

    Most debt collectors would not mix those messages in the same letter for fear of being sued for overshadowing the FDCPA dispute language.  Implication is also that failing to dispute within 30 days makes the debt "valid", which is deceptive.

    Similar suspect spoofed "complaints" were already noted earlier tied to 866-872-5550, by "ted" and "stacy".  Again, note the phrase "i thought obama helped with this s**t", and the "ex" scenario, the similar crafting of the scenarios as certain outcomes, playing up how much it would cost to hire an attorney ("$2000 on $1800 debt") along with the similar name styles, "ted", "stacy", and now "debra", "bill k.", "lucy".

    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-872-5550

    Like the earlier spoof postings, it appears that these have been crafted to deceive consumers who might search on their number.  This deception fits into their similarly deceptive calls, both targeted at creating panic and payment without questioning the validity of the alleged debts.


    Looks like "Tory" "with the County Assesors office" [sic] is leaving messages again.  

    They appear to have backed off of claiming to be with "DA's Office" or "Sheriff's Department", yet are still cloaking their threats in a phony "government employee" impersonation.  

    Laughable if you actually have any knowledge of government, since "Assessor's Office" employees don't generally "serve papers" especially in their role as county employees, but probably effective against the "least sophisticated consumer", so by that standard, violates  FDCPA and the Rosenthal Act.

    Verified to be impersonating a county employee again.

    "I called my county assesors office this morning to see if they had a "Tory" working there and I was informed that they had no employee by that name."

    "Bobbi
    7 Apr 2010
    I got a call from this number last night. They blocked the call so it showed up restricted on my caller id so I didn't answer it and they left a message. When I listened to the voice mail the woman leaving the message said her name was "Tory" with the County Assesors office and left me a case number and said that last night was my last chance to contact her before they move ahead with legal action. I didn't trust the message to be fact because the call came at 7pm which is late for the assesors office to be open. Also, my ex-husband called to let me know that he had gotten 2 restricted calls and both messages left on his phone were from the same person looking for me. My ex and I have been separated for over 5 years so I'm still not sure how they would have gotten his cell phone number. I called my county assesors office this morning to see if they had a "Tory" working there and I was informed that they had no employee by that name. Now my question is since I didn't call back and now I guess they will take me to court can I use the fact that she misrepresented herself as my defense. Any advise?
    Caller: HSBC
    Call Type: Debt Collector
    ..."

    And now "Rick Davis" is pretending to be with the "County Assessors office" [sic] but calling from PMGs phone number, acting as the usual abusive debt collector.  (The "County Assesors Office" doesn't have "debt collector" twerps on staff.  If they did, the County Assessor would be out of a job come next election.)  

    Again, the usual call to arange "service", on a family member not at that address or even in that state, so it wouldn't be valid service even if attempted.  Usual indications of skip-trace relative access, with threatening of relatives as a debt collection tactic, hidden behind spoofed "County Assessor" identity.

    "Why So Nasty
    14 Apr 2010
    I received a call today from young lady who ask If I would be home tomorrow for service.  I asked what this was about and she refused to give me any information. They were not looking for me but a family member who doesn't even live in my state.  She gave me a number to call.... I called this number and a man named Rick Davis answered claiming to be from the County Assessors office.  I ask him how he got my name and number and he refused to answer this question, as a matter of fact, he became very nasty.  He started attacking me personally saying things like, I was just sitting around watching soaps and that my mother must be very proud of me because I'm fat etc..... It  was very clear that Rick Davis is nothing but a nasty little debt collector who will stop at nothing, even personal attacks on someone who has no debt being collected. I believe that this NASTY LITTLE FUNGAS of a man named RICK DAVIS should be very careful of how he treats people when their down and out during these times..... He must work on commissions, why else would another human being treat another such as he does.  I think that he should be very careful how he speaks to people, who knows, he might be in the same financial situation one day!Call Type: Debt Collector
    ..."
  • 0
    tj
    http://www.callhunter.com/numbers/8668728399
    https://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8668728399

    Meta-search complaint profile by date:
    http://www.mycallbot.com/numbers/8668728399
  • 0
    tj
    Note that the suspect "debra", "bill k.", and "lucy" complaints appear to have been "seeded", posted as the first complaints against this number.

    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-872-8399

    The "ted" and "stacy" complaints were also near the beginning of complaints against the earlier number, within about a month of business start-up.

    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-872-5550
  • 0
    tj
    Both attempts to seed "complaints" (within a month of start-up, as well as when they recently changed their number), crafted to influence perception of their legitimacy among consumers who might search on information tied to their phone number, indicate the likelyhood that they have run this scheme before, and were already aware of the role complaint forums serve in undermining deceptive schemes through sharing of information.
  • 0
    tj
    Based on timestamps (within 5 minutes) and style (both all upper case), it appears that both these are posted by the same person.  The second is consistent with other spoofed "complaints", based on apparent goal to create a similar perseption.


    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-872-8399

    "...
    BUDD HIBBS
    1 h 27 min ago
    IT LOOKS LIKE LAMET (aka budd hibbs)NEEDS TO GET A LIFE
    ..."

    "ANDY
    1 h 22 min ago
    I GOT A CALL FROM THIS NUMBER SAYING THEY WERE GOING TO SUE ME FOR A OLD CREDIT CARD I HAD THAT I COULDENT PAY ON NOW DUE TO THE ECONOMY. I OFFERED THEM PAYMENT THEY REFUSED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW PEOPLE SAYING THING REGUARDING THINGS OF THIS MATTER SO I TOLD THEM DO WHAT U HAVE TO DO. 3 DAYS LATER I WAS SERVED A JUDGMENT FOR 3 TIMES THE AMOUNT I COULD OF SETTLED FOR. NOW THEY ARE TAKING 35% OF MY PAYCHECK EACH WEEK. LOOKS LIKE I LEARNED MY LESSON FROM THESE A**HOLES.
    ..."
  • 0
    tj
    "3 DAYS LATER I WAS SERVED A JUDGMENT FOR 3 TIMES THE AMOUNT I COULD OF SETTLED FOR. "
    Amazingly fast for a court.

    " NOW THEY ARE TAKING 35% OF MY PAYCHECK EACH WEEK."
    What state allows garnishment of 35% of paychecks?
  • 0
    tj
    Probable additional spoof "complaints".  Note "Chad", all caps with another "Obama" comment.  

    Several other "complaints" are questionable, but too short to classify.  They have basically tried to control the thread tied to their new number, although lamet's postings diffuse the effect.  Postings appear to have two different styles or "voices", separate from attempts to craft the fictional "complaints".

    Goal of spoofed complaints appears to be to provide disinformation to supplement their deceptive direct collection tactics ("you could be arrested", "I'm with the DA", "you're being sued, "the assessor's office" wants to serve you, etc).  They know their deceptive threats are resulting in searches on their number, so they are trying to control what targets find when they search.  In fact, they are trying to control search results before they even have complaints.

    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-872-8399

    "CHAD N
    6 Apr 2010
    THESE GUYS ARE A BUNCH OF BLOOD SUCKING VAMPIRES,THEY ARE GARNISHING MY WAGES FOR A BILL THAT MY IDIOT WIFE CHARGED UP 3 YEARS AGO FOR A $300 LIMIT! WHERE IS OBHAMA WHEN I NEED HIM???!!"


    Again, note attempt to distort perception of the legal process.  Supposedly, two weeks ago "Tom" hadn't been served, yet already he has a judgement.  
    "i wish i could go back 2 weeks ago and responding before i was served "

    Note "justification" for having searched out this board and posted, "to see if later anyone had any info as far as knowing if i can get the judgement off my credit as soon as its paid in full".


    "Tom replies to Bobbi
    12 Apr 2010
    i would have just contacted them yourself to see whats going on,seems like your spending to much time around the problem instead of not dealing with the problem directly.i wish i could go back 2 weeks ago and responding before i was served but i did what you did and not there are rendering judgement against me for the full balance when i had a chance to settle for half and going to ruin my credit.the only reason why i ever check these message boards is to see if later anyone had any info as far as knowing if i can get the judgement off my credit as soon as its paid in full. GOOD LUCK"
  • 0
    tj
    Similar complaints against another So. Cal. debt collector, World Wide Recovery, in Santa Ana CA.  Complaints back to 2008

    Abusive collection, threats of lawsuits, third party disclosure and harassment of neighbors, co-workers or relatives, possible fabrication of alleged debt (no knowledge of original creditor when challenged), shill postings responding to complaints.

    https://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/7143805875
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-897-9079
  • 0
    tj
    http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/shekinah_inc.htm
  • 0
    tj
    Spin-offs:
    http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/shekinah_inc.htm
    Newport Financial 2222 Michaelson Newport Beach Ca
    Primary Service 2155 Bellflower Long Beach Ca
    ABC Services 1801 Katella Anaheim Ca
    Coast to Coast 2629 Manhattan Redondo Beach Ca
  • 0
    tj
    A Corona connection:
    http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/shekinah_inc.htm
    "Here is the phone number in the Corona Office. 951-479-9603 Direct line to David Brown (aka) Noble. To just hit the floor for anyone to pick up 951-734-9100 trust me call I guarantee you they will violate any law you need. Put it this way Mr. Brown still thinks if a debtor makes a payment the statuteof limitations starts all over. FYI they do not send first demands and they are reporting illegally on the credit reports
    "
  • 0
    tj
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-951-479-9614
    "DC Brown & Associates, Corona, CA"

    Similar con:
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-735-9988

    Still in operation in May 2009:
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-951-479-9612

    And under this number up to the present:
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-951-340-3080

    Note threats of arrest, threats of lawsuits, and calls to relatives disclosing "debt" and making similar threats.

    More complaints up to the present.  
    Still in operation in Corona CA.
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-951-340-3073
    "Brown & Associates", 1655 E. 6th St., Suite AD-4, Corona, CA  92879
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-951-479-9610

    Business license:
    http://www.ci.corona.ca.us/index.cfm?section= ... d=579&id=630037

    Lawsuit against Shekinah:
    http://fairdebtcollection.typepad.com/fair_de ... awsuit_fil.html
  • 0
    tj
    "1655 E. 6th St., Suite AD-4, Corona, CA  92879" is probably a mail drop.

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