Lighthouse Recovery Associates

I just received a call from LRA collecting a payday loan I had. I told the person I would like to make arrangements and because I could not make a payment today she told me that she would foward it to "Legal" and that my employer would be notified. My question is can they contact my empoyer legally and harass and try to emabarass me at work or can I do something to stop this?

I have been receiving calls from LRA and them saying they are going to contact my employer and take the money from my paycheck. Can they do this? From what I am reading, they cannot.

No!

Contacting your employer would be third-party disclosure. That's illegal. Threatening to attach wages or other property without a valid judgement in hand is likewise illegal. You might want to start recording their calls. Those recordings might just come in handy when you sue their asses for their willful violations of FDCPA. Go here to check the recording laws for your state.

these people are absolutely 100% horrible first they wouldn't provide me with a debt consolidation letter they called my job within a 15 minute time span threatening to embarass me and get everyone they could to help accomplish this .The lady that has been calling me is Patty Smith (if thats her real name) 866-520-1240 at ext 7550 she is the most unprofessional debt collector their is. She stated the debt validation letter was null and void and that they didn't need to provide it to me even though she admitted to sending it. O have since filed a complaint with the BBB and the attorney generals office ,these people need to be put out of business.

I think it's unfortunate a collection agency respond at all in a forum such as this one. There is not much that can be done to overcome the stigma associated with debt collection, no matter how compliant the agency tends to be with the FDCPA and local laws. I am appalled at the post calling someone a moron, and I can probably assume that debt collector rarely complies with honest and lawful debt collection. It is debt collectors such as this who create the stigma and make it more difficult for those of us doing an honest job. I agree consumers should repay their debts, but the fact they are in debt makes them no less human than the collectors dialing their number. Plus, in my experience, most debt collectors are in debt themselves, and ALWAYS fight the system when dunned for their debts. I could go on an on, but that is all I have to say. I collect debt for a living. Whatever debt collector is on here posting rude comments as if you are a "god" in this business should spend your precious time collecting from those who are willing to pay voluntarily, and let an attorney handle the rest.

unfortunately yours is a voice we don't hear too often.there are good decent collectors,but the places as well are to blame for the tactics they employ.those places get blasted here.

You guys who are complaining about this company are just a bunch of low life individuals who have nothing better to do with their time than to get payday loans then complain cuz they can't pay them back...u guys all suck and obviously can't get loans through banks cuz ur credits are just f***ed and i just feel bad for u ppl that all u can do is just complain about not being able to pay back ur own bills...good look, u guys need it.

You can't spell and don't have periods, just like your chick,,,,yes the baby is mine.

another humanoid(sigh)be still my heart.btw notice the spelling.one of the reasons why you should stick to threatening over the phone.

Okay, I had a pdl that I wasnt able to pay. Lighthouse Recovery requested information from my HR which prompted me to actually do something about it. I admit that I was wrong in not paying.. having said that, I validated that i did indeed owe money. I requested, in writing from them what I owe and what arrangements we made to pay this debt. Lighthouse, after you talk to them are REALLY helpful. I really cant believe Im saying this. I do not work for them, Im just stating the truth. I owed $400.00. I've agreed to pay a downpayment of $150 and then $75.00 thereafter, interest free until it was paid in full. The letter states all of this information. Having said that, because i've been good for all the payments so far, I spoke with my rep, named Cliff Cundiff, and he agreed to waiver that last $75.00 of my payment and settle for $75 less than the original amount. For the most part, collecters suck, but I do got to say that LRA at least gives you the time of day to listen, work with you, and even give you a break. I will NEVER get myself caught up in the payday loan headache ever again... it may be the worst thing you can do. Live and learn I guess.

that's great.you are the one they worked with,but if you read the entire thread.everyone else has a scenario totally opposite of yours.this little post won't change people's minds about this bottomfeeding scuzz.

I hate to say this Paul but his last sentence says it all. Cliff Cundiff, and he agreed to waiver that last $75.00 of my payment and settle for $75 less than the original amount.

Unless that agreement was in writing, I see him getting more calls and more collection letters for the $75 plus a huge interest fee. I highly doubt it is over for that poster.

after reading the post over again.i do believe the term shill comes to mind.they would never do payments much less waive the last one.thanks for bringing that up pokertramp.proof of a shill.

Like I said, I requested in writing all this. I have all documentation to cover myself. LRA does have a positive BBB rating, and Cliff is really not a prick so long as you keep to your word. I guess after I pay my last payment, we'll see what happens. but at least I have all documentation in writing and receipts with confirmation numbers as well as debit card transactions should I ever be continually harrassed going forward. And because I was so paranoid about them debiting my checking account, I actually just bought a green dot debit card and ONLY put in whats due every month. If you guys want his information, I will be happy to let you know..or you can ask for him directly. For the most part collectors are bottom feeders... and he even admits that, but what he also said was, so long as the other person validates the debt and is willing to make a conscientious effort to settle, that they are more than willing to work with those in financial hardship.

the last part of your post is ridiculous.it is not up to the other person to validate.it is up to him.i would be leery,very leery.again read the entire thread.he worked with you because you didn't question him at all.no they are not licensed,and can't validate an illegal loan.which is what the collect for.be prepared to be contacted by them again in the future.i guarantee that will happen.

I dont know why I need to defend myself, but the fact that an adjective such as "shill" comes into play really bothers me... Like i said, if you want to get in touch with me, leave me your email addy and I will personally contact you proving that I DO NOT work for these people. Nor would I ever want to. I cant stand debt collectors...Im just letting you know that these guys actually agreed to a payment plan with me so long as I kept to my word.

I cant speak for all the collectors that work for LRA... Im sure there are pricks there.. probably most of them are. But in my experience, Mr. Cundiff was very helpful. If you need proof that Im not being "shill" i can show you, you can call me at my company phone proving I dont work for them, Im not a friend of Mr. Cundiff... etc... I live in Chicago. They are in Colorado. I was embarrassed and pissed cause they faxed my company directly asking for verification of employment of me. Thats why I said, "i need to stop putting this off"

Im not here to bad mouth anyone falling behind on bills cause Im the poster child for that... All Im saying is that of the creditors that I've heard from/dealt with, Mr. Cundiff was by far the MOST understanding. Hands down.

Trust me, Im probably the most cynical person in the world. Im not better than anyone here. Im just saying, there are actually people that are willing to help and listen if you just reason with these folks.