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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:20 am Subject: Need opinion on Westbury Ventures

Today I received an e-mail (text below)from Westbury Ventures saying they are going to use "Check Recovery" to get their money. Is this legal? Apparently what they do is search on any bank accts with a person's ss# and withdraw whatever they wish.

This despite the fact I have contracted with T&C and have already paid a fortune to these people--more than the original loan amt.

Attention Valued Customer:
>I am contacting you because you have one or more payday loans that have
>gone into collections. I have made numerous attempts to get in touch with
>you regarding repayment of your account(s). Since you have demonstrated an
>unwillingness to voluntarily settle the debt, you have been referred to
>Check Recovery. This automated system is actively looking to locate any
>valid bank account associated with your name and social security number. If
>such an account is found, Check Recovery will move to recover the entire
>balance due at once.
>If you would like to have control over how and when your loan(s) are
>repaid, please contact me to put a firm payment plan in place. If I do not
>hear from you by close of business 13 March 2007 I will assume you would
>rather have my company take back what you owe rather than paying it back on
>your own terms. You may contact me by phone, fax, or email.
>Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:49 am Subject:

Jan- I am dealing with them as well. I am dealing with a Ryan Hall. I didnt think they could do this especially if its a different account? They cant just take money out of someones account without authorization. I'm pretty sure about that....

Do you still have the same account you had when you had the loan from them?

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:52 am Subject:

I think they can only do it if you have the old account still.....I don't think they can just take it out of any account...

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:55 am Subject:

Thats what I'm thinking.....

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:56 am Subject:

Did you file complaints on them yet? If not, I would do it soon....This company is awful

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:00 pm Subject:

I would talk to my bank and let them know what is up so they are aware of it and maybe can help make sure that this doesn't happen. Just a thought, my brother was concerned about someone dipping into his account without his knowledge (think I mentioned this on another thread), but his bank put a type of hold on his account to where he had to let them know when he wrote a check, to whom and how much it was for, plus if he wanted cash, he had to physically go to the bank to get it, and they did not let any automatic withdrawals go through unless he told them what ones were allowed to go through with his permission. Don't know if your bank can do that, but it is worth a try. I know it sounds like a pain in the backside, but might be worth it for a short time, until you can get this cleared up anyway.

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:09 pm Subject:

Or they some can set it up where the only Electronic withdrawls that can be done are from your debit card...

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:15 pm Subject:

Thats a good point 2nband.....and Leah....

I had a hold/block on my account I think I had to pay a fee for that service but it was worth it.....

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:18 pm Subject:

I don't know that he had to pay a charge for his or not, but hey, even if it is a couple of dollars, I would think it would be worth if for a while.

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:26 pm Subject:

Without a court order, no one can touch your accounts without your permission. I would send a copy of their email to the Attorney General of their sate. I wouls also inform your bank of this monetary threat.

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:27 pm Subject:

I will call Westbury and ask about how they could possibly act on this without a court order.....

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:29 pm Subject:

I have no doubt he will call LOL Smile

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:31 pm Subject:

There are check revovery systems out there but from the research I just did...all it is is a company that eletronically withdrawls the money if you bounce a check to a store or some place like that...but as far as a collection agency being able to go in and take your money it says nothing of the such....

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:32 pm Subject:

I just got off the phone with them...in small print, in your contract, they said that you agreed to give up your account(s) untouchable status, meaning you gave them permission to dip into any account that they find. If this is true, it is bullsh#t.