Fake process server calls
Complaint
Quintin L King
Country: United States
I have received numerous calls from this "company", all of which start with a request for address verification for Process serving. Intimations that a law suit has been filed (the Company, to the best of my knowledge is in Florida, I live and own a business in Illinois). What process server doesn't have an address? These people call constantly and wont reveal the name of the entity for which they are collecting unless you "confirm" your address and last four of social. I am formally filing a complaint with the FTC and the Florida Dept of Financial Regulation, but wondered if anyone has had experience with these people?
Comments
They just sued a large group of collection agencies in California running the same scam.
It this is leaking out, they need to get on top of it.
You should have done your research on these clowns before typing your reponse. Their collections practices completely violate the FDCPA, and someone filing a complaint with the FTC, and in this case, with the Florida Secretary of State is completly appropriate.
It is apparent that they are trying to collect on debts that have passed the statute of limitations and have not correctly identified the debtor, like John Smith.....good luck with that one.
Also, it could take years before enough FTC complaints or complaints to the state would force a collection agency to close- depends on how slick they are.
Victoria- remember this:
Provided you are collecting on a valid debt (not out of the statute of limitations for that type of debt- according to the state the debtor resides in) and provided you have properly identified the other person on the end of the phone as the correct debtor:
" A good collector will listen to the consumer and use their head to gain the debtor's confidence - not their emotions or their mouth". Nobody wants to listen to a smart ass.
Being an effective collector is pretty simple. Just follow this simple rule of life:
"Do unto others, as you would have done unto you."
Have you considered working at Macy's?
Honestly the statute simply means they can't sue you for the debt anymore. It doesn't just simply make the debt vanish into thin air like some magic trick. Please let me borrow some money from you. I want my debt to dissapear like that with you.
Thanks in advance!
You failed to notice that this "Thurston" dissappeared off the face of the earth after FL AG got too many complaints of illegal deceptive and threatening collection. Most consumer complaints here claim the "debt" is bogus. They had to shed that name and cobble up another.
So much for your so-called "debt".
The collection tactics being reported against this "debt collector" exactly match a common pattern of fraudulent collection practices designed to extort payment even from people who owe nothing.
There is no justification for pretending to be a "process server", pretending to have "filed a lawsuit", and all the other BS. It's just a con.
The FTC has recently sued one cluster of debt collectors, alleging numerous violations of law.
http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/1123142/index.shtm
"For Release: 10/26/2011
At FTC's Request, Court Orders Debt Collection Operation to Stop Deceiving and Abusing Consumers
FTC Alleges that Defendants Targeted English- and Spanish-Speaking Consumers, Posing As Process Servers and Attorneys
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has halted a debt collection operation that allegedly deceived and abused consumers – making bogus threats that consumers had been sued or could be arrested over debts they often did not owe. As part of its continuing crackdown on scams that target consumers in financial distress, the FTC charged two individuals and seven companies in a Corona, California-based debt-collection operation doing business as Rincon Debt Management. The court order stops the illegal conduct, freezes the operation's assets, and appoints a temporary receiver to take over the defendants’ business while the FTC moves forward with the case.
Operating since March 2009, the defendants have been unjustly enriched by at least $9.4 million, according to documents the FTC filed with the court.
..."
And, despite your claim, more likely than not you probably do work for the company. Every few weeks their shills show up, trying to undermine the credibility of consumer complaints.
First contact your local police to file a complaint. Then contact FTC and your state Attorney General. FTC has recently sued several debt collectors pulling this same scam, and the NY AG has been cleaning up similar collection scams in the Buffalo area.
Maybe your right. BUT... How can over 100 people say the same thing, and it not be true?
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...WELL VICTORIA-I'D SAY YOUR A DAM DUCK!
YOU AND THEM AIN'T NO DIFFERENT.
It's open season on fraudulent collection rackets.
https://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8007072318
Usual MO:
"Guy told my parents there would be a warrant for my arrest. Had my maiden name (years ago that was my name)"
-----------------------------------
Connection to California:
MERRILL T MILLER
18575 RANCHERO RD.
HESPERIA CA 92345
MERRILL MILLER
5732 OLD CHENEY
ORLANDO FL 32807
RICK PUGH
5732 OLD CHENEY
ORLANDO FL 32807
----------------------------------
Reported employment ad:
COLLECTORS (Orlando)
Looking for strong minded, quick witted individuals to work as a team. Computer, customer service, and clerical skills a plus. Excellent opportunity for advancement. Hourly and/or commission positions available.
Company Name: Rite Coast Financials
Phone: 1-800-707-2318 ext. 1003
Available: Immediately. Full Time. Part Time.
Apply to this job in person: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 5732 Old Cheney Hwy. Orlando Fl 32807.
-------------------------------------------
KAM FINANCIALS INC.
1417 N. SEMORAN
SUITE 108
ORLANDO FL 32807
Registered Agent Name & Address
CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY
1201 HAYS STREET
TALLAHASSEE FL 32301 US
Officer/Director Detail
Title DTR
MILLER, MERRILL T
5732 OLD CHENEY HWY
ORLANDO FL 32807
----------------------------------------------
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-878-9345
"Johnson
22 Jan 2010
My Maiden name is very common (Johnson). My mother received a call from an individual asking for me...only with my Maiden name. She asked the individual what this was regarding. The caller then asked where they would need to send the Sherriff to deliver a court summons on case 2010-00####-0. The caller would not provide his name and said that his company was M & E Associates. He told my mother to have me call them at 1-888-878-9345.
We googled M & E Associates but could find nothing related to Legal or Collections. We also tried reverse phone number lookups on 1-888-878-9345 but could find nothing.
I tried to call the number the following morning but received a voicemail stating that if I knew the extension of the case worker to enter it now or to press "0" to be connected. I pressed "0". I got a recording that stated all associates were busy and to leave a message. I left them a message with my cell number.
Before they called me back they called my Mother-in-Law's house and made the same statements as the night before. I called them again and someone answered after selecting "0". The man asked for my Case number. I gave it to him. He said that he had to transfer me to "legal". A man named "Kaden?" took the call. He asked me for the last four of my social. I gave it to him. He said that I was not the person he was looking for and to disregard.
At first I was relieved that everything seemed ok. After thinking about it more and discussing with my family, things seemed PHISHY. My mother, mother-in-law, and I all live in different counties. We filed police reports in all three counties. The Sherriff's Deputies were most concerned that this could be a Phishing Scam or an attempt to Steal my identity.
..."
Connected to Miller, at an address in Hesperia:
M & E ASSOCIATES INC.
16501 WALNUT ST, 9.
HESPERIA, CA 92345.
Phone: 888-878-9345.
Fax: 888-878-9346.
Contact: MERRILL MILLER, OWNER
E-mail: ISGLLC@AOL.COM
Caller: M & E Associates
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/pennsylvania/paedce/2:2011cv06984/450969/
Plaintiff: STACEY CASSIDY
Defendant: THURSTON & ASSOCIATES
Case Number: 2:2011cv06984
Filed: November 8, 2011
Court: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court
Office: Philadelphia Office
County: Delaware
Presiding Judge: MITCHELL S. GOLDBERG
Nature of Suit: Other Statutes - Consumer Credit
Cause: 15:1692 Fair Debt Collection Act
http://www.corporationwiki.com/Florida/Orlando/merrill-miller/66291668.aspx
Related:
Rite Coast Financial
Cam Financials Inc.
Five M Financial Inc.
Knox Financial
Alm Acquisitions Inc.
Buchanon Capital
Jacob J Adamo
Rick Pugh
Merrill Miller
Kam Financials Inc.
https://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8007072318
The Processed Server Office, LLC
http://www.corporationwiki.com/Florida/Orland ... c/67361141.aspx
Another name:
Levine, Cohen and Associates
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-227-7904/8
Looks like they are making up LLCs to create the perception of "process server", and "law firm", consistent with consumer complaints.
Disputed the charges with my cc company and they will not remove it. They have released payment to Thurston and Assoc.
What can I do?