Fake process server calls

ComplaintsCollection AgenciesThurston and Associates

Complaint

0
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

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  • 0
    tj
    If they keep calling you, but fail to send you the FDCPA "g" letter withing 5 days, notifying you of the debt, and that you can dispute and request verification of it, then they are in violation of FDCPA (and similar state laws), and you can sue them.
  • 0
    tj
    Reports consistent with a fake "debt collection" extortion racket, complete with fake "process server" calls to relatives, and threats.

    Check your credit reports, as this type of scammer often gets information from illegally pulling credit reports.  Report fraud attempts to FTC and your state Attorney General.

    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-704-215-4691

    "Got a call from this number and the caller tried to ambush me with an opening line of asking if i was going to be home tomorrow because legal papers where going to be served on me tomorrow. My first thought was that this was a joke, because I had not gotten a demand letter from anyone. I asked if I could record this conversation and she freaked out saying she was not giving me permission to record. "

    "I, along with members of my family in Minnesota and Kansas have been receiving calls from this company looking for people and claiming to have a case number and everything."

    http://www.ripoffreport.com/collection-agency-s/thurston-and-associa/thurston-and-associates-fake-9b506.htm
  • 0
    tj
    Several different companies show up with that address.

    That is usually an indication that it is a mail service or mail drop.

    This type of scam almost always hides behind mail drops.
  • 0
    Felicia
    | 6 replies
    I've read all of your comments. But I too was contacted by a process server, I called the number I was given 1 888 242 1315 and it appears that I owed a debt to household finance, it was legitimate and I did owe the company. I made payment arrangements. At first I contacted household finance to only find out that my acct had been sent to this collection agency, Thurston & Associates. So folks, I'm here to let you know that they are real and if you owe a debt no matter how old it is, these ppl will locate you no matter where you are!!!!!
    • 0
      jUSTIN replies to Felicia
      So big deal! If you owe pay. My question is why do they have to lie and pretend to be process servers. ...Why not just send you collection letters...I have a problem with LIARS.
    • 0
      Gwen replies to Felicia
      | 1 reply
      Got news for you Felicia...you've been had. I have a family memeber who's a lawyer and this is his specailty. First, the job of a process server is to deliver document, for which he or she is paid a fee. The process server has no idea what kind of information the documents contain, only the name and address of the person to whom it is to be delievered. And the main reason most companies use process servers is because the person who' being used hs been hard to find. What process server is going to call the person being served and tell them what time he or she is coming to their home or place of business? Do you think any would show up for work or be at home? It's like someone deciding to rob a person's home and leaving a note telling the homeowner exactly what time they're coming. Second, your comment about if you owe a debt, they will come after you no matter how old is also false. Every state has a statue of limitations on how long a collection agency has to collect on a debt and doesn't matter how many times the debt changes hands. For example, in Maryland, the statue of limitations is 3 years for revolving debt such as credit cards. After that, a collection agency, even if the debt is legitimate, can no longer use the court system to collect on the debt. Collection agencies use these tatics because a lot of people don't know what their rights are under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act and fall victim to unscrupulous agencies on a daily basis. So people, if you are being harrassed about an old debt, check your state's statue of limitations first.
      • 0
        Chris Wilkinson replies to Gwen
        I never call on the first attempt.. I leave a door tag with a number so you can call me back. .. I want you to call me back and arrange service so I don't have to come on your job..i too received a call from a blocked number claiming this nonsense you were told.. Can I tell you just how fast they got off the phone When I said who is it you serve for because I serve and I've not heard of you lol.. Also.. It's against the federal fair credit reporting act for me to identify myself as a process server or that you have an outstanding debt... It's a violation of your privacy .. I generally say I have a delivery of important time sensitive documents..  It doesn't imply you have a debt so in case I'm talking to someone that is claiming to be you but isn't I don't disclose anything I'm not supposed to..
    • 0
      Joseph A. Giallanza replies to Felicia
      Not sure why you post such erroneous info. So, I will proceed under the assumption that you are totally ignorant of the laws, and hope that you do not work for one of the pretenders.

      First of all, anyone wanting to serve you with papers (certified court documents), regarding any type of a debt claim or criminal action will contact a Process Service in the State where the papers are to be served. I always used the Sheriff's office. Process servers do not "forewarn you of impending legal action," especially by telephone!

      Secondly, if you have a debt that is more than 7 years old, and no judgment against you has been obtained and/or extended beyond the 7 year limitation, the legal right to demand collection has expired. Finally, after a debt has expired beyond the 7 year limit any low life debt collection agency can obtain your financial records and use whatever means they deem necessary to try to collect any amount they can obtain from those who may not be aware of the facts mentioned herein.
    • 0
      Tess replies to Felicia
      Actually each state has a Statue of Limitations on debt so that is not exactly not true.  Also, process servers nor the Sheriff call and warn you before you are served.
    • 0
      Earlier replies to Felicia
      How long ago was the debt incurred. You did not say. I didn't know that HFC was still in business. If it has been over 7 years you may owe nothing
  • 0
    Mack
    Felicia

    This is an unethical way to try to collect a debt. If a debt is past the statute of limitation it is uncollectible.  If they call u tell them not to call back and to send the requirement in writing. If you make a small payment to them you have reactivated the debt. I have filed a complaint with the Texas Atty Generals office and the FTC. They are not bonded to collect debt in Texas.
  • 0
    Phyllis
    I just received a call from somebody claiming to be in the court processors office for Hillsborough County, FL, but the phone number was a West Virginia number.  The man said he was trying to locate my mother to serve a court summons.  I told the man that my mother lives with my sister, but I do not have a phone number nor address for her since my sister is keeping all family from contacting my mom.  I decided to look up the company THURSTON AND ASSOCIATES, which he claimed had filed a court summons to be served to my mom, and I was brought directly to this site.  UNBELIEVABLE!  Well, legitimate or not, I wish them luck in finding my mom because my sister keeps moving and changing her cell phone number to keep any family members from contacting her.  Since having POA over my mother, my sister has let all of my mother's accounts be charged off and my mother has even lost her home due to foreclosure thanks to my sister spending my mom's Social Security for whatever she wants instead of taking care of my mother's affairs.  Dept. of Family Services has been absolutely NO help!  Many complaints have been filed, but they aren't concerned that an 80 y/o woman is being exploited.  SAD.
  • 0
    tj
    | 1 reply
    Or you are a shill.

    This type of scam routinely uses shill posts to try to deflect consumer complaints and try to make the "debt collector" sound "legitimate".  Your post has the same goals.

    There is really no reason to engage in highly illegal phone threats by fake "process servers", as reported by many others, EXCEPT if the "debts" are being faked.
    • 0
      Distressed replies to tj
      i AGREE.....DON'T believe that you have to take harassment form a DEBT COLLECTOR, MY issue is, pay your bills if you can and when you can. Don't live outside your means, get extra work to pay your debts, but if you get sick or have a sudden fatality like I did, I was hit by a drunk driver, no fault of mine, I was doing everything right, I couldn't work for over 3 years, had no money, depleted my savings, had insurance but it depleted after I couldn't pay the premiums. Debt collectors started harassing me, I couldn't pay. I don't have to put up with their nonsense. I told them my situation. They don't care, you can't get blood from a turnip, if I don't have it, I can't send it. I received $110 from a lady one day for doing some paperwork for her. I had no food in my house and a overdue water bill of 69.60, what do you think I did with the money. I paid my water and bought cat food to eat so I could survive for another 3 or 4 weeks. I ain't sending what little I have to a debt collector. If I ever get back on my feet, I will pay but calling me 3000 times a year ain't gonna get you nowhere.
  • 0
    tj
    | 1 reply
    "somebody claiming to be in the court processors office for Hillsborough County, FL, but the phone number was a West Virginia number."

    That alone is an indication he is lying.


    "The man said he was trying to locate my mother to serve a court summons"

    Fake "debt" extortion rackets routinely make "process server" calls to relatives, rather than directly to the targetted victim.  It is part of the act of pretending a "lawsuit" has been filed, and also serves to embarass and intimidate the victim, while claiming the "process server" isn't a "debt collector".


    Despite your mother's problems with her POA daughter, it is likely due to the implied threat and pattern of other complaints, that this is a scam and a con.

    Want to find out?  Contact this "court processors office (if it exists) for Hillsborough County FL.  If you can't find that "office", contact the clerk of the court, and see if any "lawsuit" has been filed.  No real process server would be serving any summons if no lawsuit was filed, so if there is nothing filed against your mother, you know you have a scam.

    File fraud complaints with FTC.
    • 0
      Verginah replies to tj
      yes this is a big scam, be smart. My husband is a Legal Process Server. He doesn't call people with 800 numbers before he serves them. He just finds out where they work or live and serve them, He has told me countless times, that if you let them know your coming. they will leave or not answer their door. The element of suprise is the nitch of a process server. My husband never ever calls before hand. and also, his documents are never sealed, he always has visible paperwork and knows what is contained in the paper work, so this idea and line of bull that the process server doesn't know what is in the document or whom its from, IS A LIE, A SCAM TO GET YOU TO CALL THE 800 number probably some bottom feeder debt colletor, so they can try and slick you into sending them your last few dollars...don't call the 800 number, tell them to serve you so you can see whom is coming after you and take it to an attorney. I gurantee they want show up but if they do, call the police cause its still bogus and don't take anything from them....if it wasn't some type of scam, the process server would knock on your door with legal papers, not call you and tell you to call a number. poppycock.
  • 0
    Nicole
    I just got a note from my landlord the other day stating I should call 1 888 242 1315.    They claim they are a company called Thurston and Associates according to the answering machine.  First of all the last time I actually owed debt, there was paperwork to back that up and period.  I didn't receive any proof of anything yet!  I do not trust people that have nothing to go by.  Until I receive a subpoena, I cannot trust these ppl.
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