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02-19-2008, 04:06 PM

I am trying very hard to pay off all my credit card debts. I - being a total idiot went to a debt settlement company. They "suggested" that I not pay my bills, and that they had great relationship with creditors.... What a lie.

Anyway, I am now in a dmp. I'm trying to pay off all my loans 100%. However, Mann and Bracken want a lump sum payment. I do not have the funds to give them the payment. I offered to pay it off through the DMP program. No deal. They said they would continue with the arbitration and see me there.

Is there anything I can do? I tried calling Chase directly. They said I could only talk to Mann Bracken law firm is a collection agency which threatens to take you to arbitration. Read the discussion to know the way out. that they no longer had the account.

The lady on the phone was very nasty. She told me if it went to arbitration I could pay her attorney fees and court cost. All of this is true information. So not misrepresentation.

I think I may be stuck. But I have a budget, and I am trying to pay everyone. That leaves me very little wiggle room when it comes to something like this.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

NewMMC

02-19-2008, 04:07 PM

I live in MI.

skydivr7673 · 02-20-2008, 09:58 AM

hiya MMC--

Tell me something--exacly how does the agency name show up on the letters they send you? Is it Mann Bracken, or Mann and Bracken, or something else?

I am trying to find out some info for you, and in Michigan, collection agencies are required to be licensed or they cannot conduct business there. I searched on your state's website for the following:

Mann Bracken
Mann Bracken LLC
Mann Bracken law firm

Mann and Bracken
Mann and bracken LLC

And none of those searches pull up anything. If they do not have a license in your state, regardless of where their state is, I would tell them to get bent, honestly, because any action they take, be it arbitration, filing a lawsuit, even just calling you or sending you a request for payment letter, all of it is ILLEGAL. They cannot report on your credit files, because the FTC has concluded that doing so is collection activity. They cannot legally do ANYTHING over this debt. Now, that doesnt change the fact of whether or not you owe it, but it means that they cannot collect it.

What you need to do is send them a certified letter as soon as you can. In this letter, tell them that you are hereby requesting that they cease and desist. Tell them that no further contact is allowed, be it in writing, over the phone or by any other means. Of course, lets verify that I got the name right before we do that, but if they arent licensed, I would tell them that they are unlawfully trying to collect a debt without being licensed to conduct any business in your state. Inform them that should they ignore this request you will have no choice but to file suit for violation of federal and state laws.

frogpatch · 02-20-2008, 10:12 AM

Read here how to handle Mann Bracken law firm. The arbritration is a scam!
"http://www.budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/mann_bracken.htm"

03-12-2008, 09:24 AM

My wife and I Beat Them At 1 Arbitration Case.They took us to arbitration on 2 accounts.We had all her coworkers and myself print afadavids on the way they talked to people on the phone.All the threats were listed and we sent them to Atlanta.On the second account we were never notified of the arbitration untill I recieved a summons to court.We setup a payment plan with them and paid 6 payments and now I cant get anyone from Mann Bracken law firm to contct me. Hopefully They Have Closed up Shop but I cant get that Lucky.Hope This Helps.

03-13-2008, 08:23 PM

I too got involved with FDRS (a debt relief system) big mistake. I have been served a summons & have 2 weeks to get up $25,000 or 7,000 & 12 payments of 2200.I don't have it. What can I do?

09-13-2008, 07:02 AM

Amber, your summons will just validate the debt. in your state. I am dealing with Mann Bracken law firm. I send them $50 a month and when they clear the first check, that means they are accepting your payment plan. I even wrote them a letter stating my proposal. They are full of $%$@

09-13-2008, 07:04 AM

What happens when they serve you the summons, that validates the debt. in your state. Once they do that, they can garnish your wages, ect. It takes a lot of debt. to do that though. Usually over 10K

09-13-2008, 12:20 PM

Yesterday I got a FedEx from Mann Bracken saying that I too have an arrbitration. I am working with FDR (Freedom debt relief) and I've contacted them, but I'm still extremely nervous. Has anyone ever dealt with Mann B on something like this? What can I do?

09-13-2008, 10:58 PM

I don't believe a summons validates a debt in any state. All a summons is is a court document that says you are being called to appear in court.

09-14-2008, 10:04 AM

I spoke to MB back in March, just two months after signing on with a debt management company. In July, my son received something in the mail from a junk company about it saying that they could help me. There was a case number. When I looked up the case number on the courts web site, Mann Bracken had filed and I was to appear in court on Sept 3rd. Only one thing.....they never served me. I decided to go to court anyway. I did, no case, no Mann Bracken. Because they did not serve me, no case. However, I do keep up on the courts web site and have found that they've filed again which will mean another day off of work. I know that they looked into my credit report and know where I live, but they are taking me to court in another county where my son lived (he just moved back).
So I'm going to keep track of the web site to see if/when another date is set and will go again summons or no summons.
So far the debt management company that I am working with have been straight and up front with what to expect. Also, being new with this company and not enough funds to get accounts settled, one of my 'smaller' accounts settled last week.

09-16-2008, 10:25 AM

mann bracken law firm
can be vicious. They will settle for less you just have to say the right things. They say they will only settle for 80% or so. They are a collection agency. Not a law firm. They try to scare you by using the mann bracken attorneys. They do have attorneys. But they are a collection agency. As far as debt settlement companies stay away from them. They will tell you whatever sounds good to you. They will ruin you completely. Go with a credit counseling company. Your payment may be a little higher but it will be well woth it.

09-16-2008, 05:14 PM

what are the right things to say to mann bracken law firm
? i would like this to be over. don't want my wages garnised

09-26-2008, 04:16 PM

i received lawsuit from this company too. they gave the paper to my mom on Sept. 01 2008 and they said to call first before calling an attorney.. they wanted to pay $1031.57 plus their attorney fees. I'm 22 and a single mom i only make minimum wage. what should i do? I'm nervous and I don't really know what to do.

10-05-2008, 02:43 PM

Mann Bracken has a weakness-their lawyers. Refuse to deal with their collection agents. These people make $5 an hour if they're lucky and the rest is commission.

You will find a current list of the REAL mann bracken law firm
attorneys at johnpfryedebtlawyer.blogspot.com. Contact one of them and tell them to work things out.

If the lawyer you talk to does not, file a Bar complaint. You will want to file against them in Georgia, your state, and the state of the Mann Bracken office that contacted you.

A couple of mann bracken law firm
lawyers have been disciplined, and Branton could lose his law license at this rate!

Good Luck!

davidw · 10-09-2008, 08:19 PM

What happens when mann bracken law firm
serve you the summons, that validates the debt. in your state. Once they do that, they can garnish your wages, ect. It takes a lot of debt. to do that though.

----- This is BS. Only if the Plaintiff has a court-ordered judgment can any collection activity begin. Furthermore, not all states permit wage garnishment. ALWAYS, ALWAYS dispute the validity of the debt and request verification!!