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The "law office" of this rent a lawyer collection agency left a tape message at my job, at my home and at my in laws saying I was to contact their office about an important legal matter. Is that not a violation of the FDCPA to divulge that to my in laws? I am sure that this is a PDL that they bought.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:59 pm Subject:

They said a legal matter. Unless they actually disclosed the nature of the call (that you allegedly owe a debt) then it would not be a third party disclosure. However you can get them with the "legal matter" as it insinuates lawsuit to the least sophisticated consumer.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:41 pm Subject:

I have dealt with them recently, they are a collection that RENTS the law office name. It is probably regarding a pay day loan. They tried that scare tactic with me as well. They couldnt even validate the debt with me so i just ignore their calls now.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:26 pm Subject:

If you sent them a validation letter they are violating the FDCPA by continuing with collection activity before providing you with validation.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:32 pm Subject:

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:25 am Subject:

Hey Frogpatch, I got some information for you on this law office:

VINCENT PETER CIGNARALE
LAW OFFICE OF VINCENT CIGNARALE, LLC
5100 TRANSIT RD
DEPEW, NY 14043-4465
United States
(716) 651-0102

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:26 am Subject:

It should be accurate as it is taken directly from the NY Bar Association's website.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:12 am Subject:

I can't send them a validation letter as I do not know what they are trying to collect. I have decided not to return their call as I have read that they call that "accepting the debt as valid." What a lot of happy horsesh-t that is.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:44 am Subject:

What they said is just like PDL vendors trying to charge 1k+% interest. Just because it's on paper, or just because they state it doesn't mean that it supersedes state and federal statutes. Once they establish contact with you (either you call them or they reach you) they still have to send you the dunning notice notice per FDCPA, and you still have the right to dispute within 30 days of receiving the dunning notice.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:22 am Subject:

They might accept it as valid, but not the rest of the world in general according to law. Smile

Just because you call to inquire does not mean they can decide 'ok, this must be her valid debt.' Heh heh..no, I don't think so! (Though I am sure they would like to.)

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:39 am Subject:

Send them a DV with enough information to identify yourself...and just list the phone number they have been calling onto your letter as a "reference"...indicate that you havent recieved anything in writing as of yet.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:07 pm Subject:

Yeah I think I will do that! I have another to send to Alliance Assett who doesn't send anything in writng either.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:56 pm Subject:

Even though they are required to by law.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:16 pm Subject:

At least with them I know what they are looking for. They are collecting for an illegal PDL they say I owe 600 on a 300 dollar loan that I paid back 300 already. Yeah, thats going to happen real soon. Isn't hell freezing over soon?