I was contacted by this law office, first from a Mark and then from a Mr. Mack for a debt that I settled with Clout Financial back in 2004. The account was charged off as bad debt in 2003 but I guess the cc got it and so I settled it. Now when Mr. Mack called trying to pull out all the stops telling me he's been doing this for 13 years and he has kids my age and he'll garnish my wages, put a lein on my car loan (didn't think that was possible, thought you had to own it first) etc., Afer telling him off and calling him unprofessional, I faxed him a letter asking to only be contacted by written correspondance and that I had settled that account-I even sent a copy of my bank record. I asked for 60 days to investigate what happened to the payment and even offered an additional settlement to get it resolved quicker. Since then I received a call from their office once but I didn't make it to the phone in time. Other than that, I haven't heard a thing. They never sent me anything in the mail-EVER! I am trying to contact the cc I paid in 2004 as well as the original ccc to get this issue fixed a.s.a.p. Although if they do try to take me to court I feel very confident about what I have to show that I closed this already. Unless they try something shady like never contact me and get a default judgement, but I don't see how that's possible and I'd have to fight it tooth and nail. The man told me they only have to send out one letter by law so if the address is bad its just too bad. When I called I asked them how they got my cell number and I was told off of my credit report. Well, my address is up to date on my credit report, too. I don't know how they get away with this either. I'm in Ohio now and do not know if the SOL is up either.

Was his name Thomas Mack?

I was a former collector who worked there. I can tell you it is nothing but a drug mill for losers. They are trained to lie and threaten lawsuitson every call. The manager does drugs openly on the floor, Burgess never shows up except to collect a check. On payday the drugs flow like water, everyone wants to buy or sell some, pot is smoked openly in the parking lot. Need any thing to get you going...we got it! The people are sick, most would never last in a real job, this place is for losers.

I just got off the phone with someone there and they said if they don't hear back from me within 6 hours the attorney is going after my icome tax this year. Can they do this?? Don't I have to go to court first!!? What do I do?

[cajunbulldog]

To: Worried guest
They must first prove their case and get judgement before they can ask Irs to do a offset.Relax,read up on The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act and get ready for them to pay you for their actions!

[jeannie]

This afternoon I began doing a lot of research after a phone call from a debt collection agency. Here is what happened to bring me here.

Phone number left on answering machine asking someone to call, not saying who (my husband or myself) needs to call. So I went ahead and called. I am told there is a debt in my husband and my names for 505.90 from an old bank account. Now I personally know nothing of this. I explain this to the collector who identified herself as Lynn Parker (not sure if this is a real name). She read off my address asking if it were correct. It was. She said several statements had been sent to us. At this point I am angry with my husband thinking he must have opened them and not told me about them. (found out later no statements have been sent but he has spoken with this same woman about a month ago who told him he had to pay up that day or we were being sued.) She wants to talk about the account with me and I tell her again I can't say anything about it because I have no knowlegdge of its existance. I need to speak with my husband. She said "If you want to get rude with me, fine. With the touch of a finger I can have a garnishment order set up by tomorrow for you." Once again, I explain I am distressed because I need to speak with my husband but I do not like being threatened so I would like to speak with her supervisor. She says she is the supervisor so there is not one other person I can speak with. She tells me she has no supervisor. I said, "Someone had to hire you so how do I get in touch with that person?" Then she actually says "Are you an idiot? I mean are you a blooming idiot lady? You can go ahead and talk to the president of the company" I realized I was not dealing with a rational person so I let her finish with her "idiot" tirade. Then I reminded her she offered to get me the information about the company president. She said "Yeah, I'll get you that information, this is how...." and hung up. I was very unhappy and realized I could not even look up who this company is because never once did they identify themselves. All I got was a name, if that was even her real name. I called back. This time I got a man who calls himself "Keith Nelson". I explained to Keith the situation and that I was calling to make a complaint about "Lynn". He supposedly took the complaint then proceeded to attempt to collect this debt that I don't know about. Again, I tell HIM the same thing. I have to speak with my husband. He tells me I am playing games. He needs a number HE can reach my husband at. No, not giving him the work number, sorry. He said fine, I better get in touch with my husband and me or my husband HAVE to call him back by 8:30 tonight or HE will start garnishment of pay tomorrow. I asked him for the company's address. He said they sent us bills, its on those. I told him I have not seen those bills so I needed the address. He told me that is not their fault, I need to find the bills and get the address from there. I ask him the name of the company. He says CRS. I had to ask him twice what it stands for: Capital Recovery Services, he tells me and reminds me to call him back by 8:30.
Through research I was able to connect Capital Recovery Services to an attorney by the name of Douglass Burgess. Is this attorney the same one you all are speaking of? And what can be done about this? If you have read this far THANK YOU!! I don't know if it is the same company that you all are talking about and I need an address. Any suggestions? The phone number I have is 1-888-397-9500 but again, he refused to give me an address. Thanks.

J

[bonnie652]

I had a thought as a potential victim of this scam. Instead of every individual seeking personal representation, (and the costs involved)why don't we all get together and file a class action lawsuit ????

Please reply to email address removed as per forum rules - Mike

Thx
and good luck

I never took the time to look up the 'Law Offices of Douglas R. Burgess, LLC until today. I'll have to say I'm a little shocked and worried. Several months ago I was contacted by a woman trying to collect a debt on an outstanding check from years ago. I admit I wrote the check and it did in fact bounce, but I tried to pay Circuit City with cash and I couldn't due to the fact that Certegy took over as soon as they recieved the check... long story short. I hadn't heard from any collection agency of any kind for years since I moved. When she called I couldn't afford the full amount and she requested that I ask around to find someone to assist in paying and call back. It slipped my mind. Awhile later I was contacted by a Mr. Carson I believe is his name, anyway. Mr. Carson was extremely rude to me and threatened me with a lawsuit and I calmly explained to him that I was willing to pay the debt if they would send me out a letter proving that he wasn't just some weirdo asking for my money. I never recieved a letter. Later he called again, this time I agreed to pay $25.00 a month as soon as I got the letter I requested. I went ahead and sent the first payment and still no letter. A couple months later, he called again. I explained why I didn't send any other payments after the first and he said he would fax a letter. So I drove to town, (out of the way) and picked up a $2.oo fax, then drove home and called him back. At that time he told me that he couldn't accept payments from me any longer and I would see them in court. At that time I contacted a lawyer in town and asked them about the situation. They said that I was okay and I'd just have to wait for it to appear in the courts and/or until the account was sold to another collection agency which is what usually happens. So, at that time I contacted the office of D. R. Burgess by phone once again and requested to speak with Douglas R. Burgess himself. I was told that was impossible. So I asked to speak with someone of equal standing. They hung up on me. So I called back. For about 3 hours I called until finally I spoke with a woman who claimed to be the lead parallegal. I explained that I wanted to take care of the debt the best I could and that I just needed some form of proof that the company existed I quetioned her asking if she would do the same. I at that time aslo requested a statement after they recieved the payments so that I knew they had. Well... this is turning out to be quite long. I was looking online for them today because I glanced at the paper they did finally send me and the amount is not what they stated over the phone. It isn't even the amount that Certegy gave me. I did pay Certegy for awhile and had the amount of the check down. I told that to the D. R. Burgess office rep and she said that they didn't have to verify the actual amount already paid, they bought the loan and it states the full amount of the check and that is what I had to pay to them. She finally agreed to the amount I gave her from certegy over the phone, but it isn't the amount on the paper I've recieved from Burgess. Actually the amount after adding what I've already paid to Burgess doesn't add up. I have not paid them this month and I'm not sure I want to after reading a few of these sites. Please, if you do in fact get this. Contact me and let me know what you think.

Sincerely

Sav.

I too have received a call threatening suit. When they offered to settle this supposed $783 debt for $400, I got suspicious, nobody takes 1/2 for a debt that is still owed, supposedly.

So I did some research myself, found this site. With very helpful information including a sample letter you can send, which I have.

giovelawofficeexposed.com/burgess.htm

These debt collectors are losers. They can't do shit to you. I have owed so much in credit cards over the years, all due to a health issue. My debts were written off and charged off. These low life collections rimrods buy you debt for pennies on the dollar....(say you owed a credit card company 10 grand and that company charged off and written off this debt). Now the collector buys this info for like 50 bucks.....then under law, can say you owe any amount of money. They can say they will cut you a deal @ 50% off. If you pay, then they made a shit load of money.
I've been getting calls for years from tons of collection companies. My mom has been harrassed many times as well. I immediatly send out by certified mail....a cease and desist letter with a return signature receipt for my records. By law, they can only contact you one more time after they receive the letter. Any more than that, then you need to file complaints with aca international....who is like the bbb of collection agencies.

I have been fighting with low life collection agencies for a few years now and little by little am getting my credit repaired by sending out cease and desist letters and other complaint letters. Lmao,,,,,these low lifes telling me i owe them money on a debt that has been charged off, written of and the statue of limitations have expired on. I call their bluff with form i find online and send to them all. An hour ago, i received a call from burgess ca saying i owe them. I am calling their bluff today and sending a cease and desist letter. I would be more than happy to see them in court if they wish to push the envelope. I have learned about these agencies and there illegal and deceiptfull practices and i use the law to my advantage to take legal recourse and they all have backed down except for 2, which i have filed motions to see them in court.........they decided not to go.

Just the threat to sue you is illegal. You may also want to look into you states statue of limitations on debt collection for open accounts. If the debt they are trying to collect is past the statute of limitations then they can not collect or sue you. Also ck you credit report. the 7 years +180 days dtarts on the first day the deliquency happened and they only have 90 days from the that date to report it to the credit bureau.

I was contacted by the Burgess Law office and a Ms Crandall, she literally made me cry threatening me with a law suit and garnishment of my wages. I have also had dealing with a gentleman Nick Fuitko who works there and likes to pretend he is a sheriff or police officer. He has stated that he is coming to arrest me. come to find out he is in NY state and i'm down south.

[puddlejmpr]

S.
That is a complete no no for Mr. Nick to do that, unless he is really a police officer. I would contact the FTC and make a complaint. Also contact your states AG or DFI. And if you really know that he is from NY, contact that AG also. I would do that as soon as possible.

I feel so bad that these kind of people are doing this to you. Kind of reminds me of Bass & Associates. Just stand your ground with them and let them know that you know your rights and also let them know that you have files complaints to the different states and the FTC. These people need to be stopped!

I just got off the phone with Eric from CRS, he would not give me his last name, said there was no need for me to have it. He threatened me with a law suit, garnishment of my wages. He says that they've mailed me paperwork, I've never recieved this paperwork. Does not give me the chance to say anything talks right over me, and yes they are suing. Any suggestions on how to stop this harrassment

just heard from burgess law office. threatened litigation at very first contact knowing full well the sol had run (my sol means you are sol!) they left messages with friends and family, threatened to sue and seize, and all the while never sending anything in writing. wonder why? finally got a faxed verification (that i paid for, of coarse) that turned out to be nothing but a letter by them stating the same things they had been saying over the phone. big whoop. knowing your rights is the best defense, if you do they can not get over on you. i hope this is over but i would not put anything past these dirtbags. i informed them the sol had expired and they then agreed they could not take me to court but she still said they would refer my case to the attorney. what does that mean? does anyone think i should still send in a formal dispute letter?
email address removed as per forum rules - Mike

[waterbug811]

First and foremost do not get into arguments with them over the phone. If they are reasonable, they will listen, if not, then do not waste your time.

Second, yes you need to send them a cease and desist pointing out what you stated above. Send it certified with return receipt.

If they continue, then you should seek the assistance of a lawyer. Have you contacted the AG in your state as well as theirs? This has always worked for me. I think they are in NY...which is where I live. The NY AG is superquick with getting a response from collection agencies...at least in my own experiences.

Good luck.