I got a call today on a check from over 3 years ago that i KNOW that i paid off. they claim that i havent but i have changed bank accounts and I have no idea where to even look. They gave me 2 days to find the info or they claim that i will get a summons. Any ideas????

[dcashwell3]

Dee jay, you should read this. giovelawofficeexposed.com/burgess.htm

I did read that article but what do I do??? Do I just ignore the phone call???

These people are criminals. Don't pay them a dime!

Link deleted as per forum rules - Mike

and I owe nothing to anyone! Of course they are too cheap to allow me to return a phone call to their 800 number, apparently Hawaii is off limits. So I found THIS board, called their direct line and told them to mail me some sort of proof but that they were NEVER to call neighbors looking for me. What nerve! Who knows what they are after but I owe nothing to any companies. I smell a scam.....

In the future I'm not going to follow the advice of this group. I got several calls from Burgess and after ducking them I sent a cease letter as suggested. Shortly after that I was served at work -went to court and the judge ordered me to pay not oly the outstanding amount that they were collecting on but additionally ordered me to pay an additional $850 for legal fees and expenses.

[PassionHunting]

Tim, while writing the cease and desist letter, did you give some room to the CA that they can contact you only in writing. BTW, under the federal laws, even after sending the cease and desist letter, the CA is required to contact you for once notifying about the legal actions. It seems that there was some communication gap between you and the CA and as a result this incidence occurred unfortunately.

Read the section § 805. Communication in connection with debt collection [15 USC 1692c] from the FTC website and clear your doubts.

Ive gotten calls from them too, but havent been able to get back wit hthem

I also have followed the advice to ingore this "crooked" company. I was served papers and now have a judgement place against me for a credit card that i thought i paid off years ago. I should of checked the SOL. I guess if it is within the SOL then it needs to get paid.

[IncredibleHelp]

Check whether the judgment is in your credit report and in the records of the local county. Make sure that it is legal in all shapes. Also see whether the judgment was filed before the SOL expired on this debt. I am wondering how this judgment happened without your appearance in the court. Just wondering if this company is showing you fake legal papers of judgment? Check everything before sending your money.

I recieved a call from burgess stating that i had a bad check from 4 years ago in the amount of $237 and they are only asking for that amount, no fees included,(they said they'd waive them for me) gee thanks. But my concern is that this is a 4 year old matter and they want payment made out to them not the original institution that the check was made out to. Why should THEY get my money?? They wanted me to make a payment over the phone but i told them no way will i do that, they then told me that i could pay by money gram through walmart and that the money gram should be payable to burgess law offices. Should i ignor this???? What are my rights? It;s been 4 years???

[GunsNroses]

Pinkey, check your state laws to confirm the expiry of the SOL period. If the debt is past the SOL period, the CA and the OC cannot force you to make a payment. But if it is within the SOL period and the OC has hired CA for collections, you can work out arrangements with the creditor. Tell them that you want to send your payments directly to them and don't want to deal with the CA. If they accept your proposal, your file will be pulled back from the CA.

hello guys, they called me today for the first time regarding an old direct merchant bank card that the SOL is about to expire, the message they left is if i dont answer they will take legal action etc, my question is: Is this a Collection Agency or a Law Firm acting as a Collection Agency ? i will send them a debt validation letter this monday !

[keystrokes]

Whether it is a collection agency or a law firm, use this time to get the debt validated by them. If they are doing genuine collections, you can decide about your future move or else the SOL will expire by that time. As far as I know, it takes around 90 days for them to validate a genuine debt unless they have something to give you in short time.

I was contacted today by Douglass Burgess office and threatened to pay a debt which they claim is 4 years old. They told me that if i did not give them my checking acount info today that i would be going to court. I asked for written documents they said they would send them but i would not recieve them in time and they are sending a county sheriff with a summons within 48 hours.... they whole situation sounded so strange to me bc i have never been contacted before and now all of a sudden i have to pay instantly... sounds weird and illegal.... does anyone know what the SOL time period in MA is?> and any advice on what i should do next?

[keystrokes]

I find the collection procedure used by the company to be highly unprofessional. Post your complaints at the Ag's office and the FTC. Contact the original company you have the debt with. They are a lot easier working with. I believe the debt is still within the SOL as per the laws in MA