Cohen and slamowitz

All they claim I owe them is 1400 from 2003. It will cost them more than that to sue me

I'm not sure it will. Especially if you don't show up. I think they only get expensive when both sides hire lawyers, etc. Cohen and Slamowitz ARE the lawyers. Plus they tack their fee onto the amount they're suing for. (In addition to whatever they get from the Original Creditor for collecting the debt)

I wish I only owed 1400 I owe Discover $13000, according to them.

Crap. Did you dispute the amount. Is it a valid debt. how old is it. In my case they get nothing from the original creditor, because they bought the debt from them. The original creditor who ever that is , is out of the picture

I haven't done anything with it yet, I just got the letter yesterday. And the debt isn't very old. Some portion of it is valid, I think. I had been paying for a while without going over what was actually on it because I was afraid to see how much was being spent. (Which I know was bad on my part, and I paid for it, and still am)

If you look on Bud Hibbs web site he speaks of these people. They are bottom feeders who prey on people. They are very vicious. There is also a web site regarding Junk debt Buyers which names them as well

Lawyers or not, they must follow all laws. They are actually held at a higher standard by the system, so document everything, and save all letters, and if it is legal in your state, record all phone calls when speaking to them.

I was recommended not to do any talking on the phone to them, do everything in writing. As far as recording conversations go, I believe in NY you only need 1 parties permission (yours) to record a phone call. Most cell phones have the capability to do this. Check with your carrier or user manual, if you talk to them on your cell.

Thanks Davz. These are the lowest of the low from what I have heard

I have the luck of having to deal with them too. I got a summons from my court. I answered it. the debt is valid. at first they refused payment plan, now they will do a plan with 1/3 down and they will make a payment plan for me in order to do this they want my paystubs. I do not want to give them any paystubs they dont seem to be trusting so i dont want to give them any info like that. was planning just sending a monthly payment i can afford and see what happens. I figure I am at least trying to pay the debt down and not ingnoring it. this should help if it does go to court. any comments?

That's a personal decision. One company did that with me. By there calculations I could not afford to send them anything. I still insisted on making payment arrangements. Have you tried telling them an exact number that you can send in every month? Tell them that you are uncomfortable with sending them your paycheck, but can verbally give them the information? Would that be more acceptable to you? I can't promise they will agree but it is worth a try, they may suprise us and work with you.

This company is the worst of the worst. Do not give them any of your banking info, and do not pay them with a personal check. They have the reputation of leving your bank account. They will cause you lots of problems.They will take all your money. You need a court order to levy a bank account, and somehow they manage to get one. They pretend to send you summons and then tell the court you failed to amswer. I am not sure how they do this , but they do. Googke them up, and read the stories. Be very careful how you deal with them. Please keep me posted

Oh they can and will levy accounts although to be fair apparently they wait until they get a judgment against you, force a garnishie on your account and you miss a payment on the judgement before they actually do it, also according to what i am learning (the hard way) they can only access a bank account once per judgement... if thats wrong someone please tell me lol i cant afford to learn that one the hard way.

Kim, Have they levied your account. Please share your experience with them.

Well lets see... my experience:

When I was 23 I had a credit card with Discover bank. While with my exbf, we ran the bill up to 1000 dollars.

I tried making payment arrangements with Discover, they kept losing my payments and charging me extra fees until the bill was doubled... then they sold the account to our friends C&S CA/LO from hell.

The CA contacted me with a paper which looked almost identical to a court order... when I called them they claimed to be representing Discover (discover claims account is sold directly to them) and that the account had been sent to court. Tacked on another 500 to the bill for court costs.

I tried to make payment arrangements, being at the time a collector myself it should have been easy... but they wanted it paid or settled. No compromises.

Finally this spring I was served with a court order which I complied with through the local marshall. I was late with one payment due to moving confusion, which is when the levy and seizure of the funds in my bank account, and the serving of the garnishment on my employer went into effect.

I was sent a notice of garnishment two and a half weeks ago from my employer... the funds were taken out of my account this monday past.. and the marshall deigned to send me a letter notifing me of this fact which was recieved today.

WONDERFUL eh?

So that's my story... even CnS says they can only seize assets once, and from here on out my payments will come directly from my paycheck. Best part is after this i should be down to about the amount I originally owed. *shrugs* The ex? He got off scott-free since the account was in my name, although to give the devil his due he did give me 300 towards the debt.

The only advice I have for anyone dealing with these guys is pretty simple, and it works in all debt situations.

CnS dont threaten they promise. They will go to court and DONT assume you will be notified!!! My notification was being served with the Judgement by the marshall. (That's how I knew the difference between the real and fake court orders.



Verify the debt. I knew mine was legit, so I dont mind paying it.

Even if they refuse arrangements, they wont refuse payments... and proof of payment will save you in court.

Use POST OFFICE $$ ORDERS!!!! (I cant stress that enough,. They keep your private information private, and are guaranteed funds with built in proof of payment.)

KEEP YOUR PAYMENT RECIEPTS!! If there is ever a question of payment they can save your bee-hind, especially in court or with credit reporting agencies. If someone asks for proof send them photocopies, NEVER originals.

Well, your comment above makes me think that you are employed by this company. You are way too generous in your explanation of them.