Pay Day Loan

Hi Veronica,

If the collection agency that you are dealing with is Ellis Crosby & associates then don't make any payment right now. They have been banned for 90 days by ACA.

For more information on this topic please view the following post.

Quote:

This same thing just happened to me on 7/22/2005. I was caught off guard as well because the gentleman by the name of Mr. Robuck told me that Apollo Funding had 2 charges against me and then he threatened me with arrest. I thought about it over the weekend and then I contacted an attorney that I have known for 3 years and he told me to contact the Attorney General's office for the state that I live in. I did and they have jumped on the case. I also kept the message that he left me on my job. I was also told that they are not licensed to collect debts in the state of Maryland and I also called the company that sent the information to the collection agency and let them hear the voice mail and they were totally shocked.

Hi asbell1

Welcome to the forums. It is true that Ellis Crosby and Associates is using every unfair mean to harass the consumers and sometimes trying to recover the non-existent debt.

They have been banned from making collection efforts for a period of 90 days starting from June 01, 2005. During this period, you are advised not to make any payments to the mentioned company and trace all the necessary evidences of their illegal collection tactics.

You can record all the telephonic conversations, save all the letters of correspondence, file complaints to the FTC and the state general office and request them to take immediate action.

[quote=thirdeye]Hi Veronica,

If the collection agency that you are dealing with is Ellis Crosby & associates then don't make any payment right now. They have been banned for 90 days by ACA.

For more information on this topic please view the following post.

Quote:

Hi Veronica

Welcome to the forums. As per the fdcpa law you need to contact the collection agency only when the creditor has sold your debt to them. But if the collection agency is working on their behalf, then you have the full right to contact your creditors at any point of time.

However, please make sure that you do all your correspondence in writing through certified mail so that you can trail it for necessary proof.


Following is the address to contact Ellis Crosby

4494 Southside Boulevard, Suite 200
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Duval County

I was contacted today August 8th, by this same company. My loan to begin with was three hundred and I made at least four seventy five dollar payments. They call me today and said I owe six hundred and eighty dollars. I also do not dispute I got a payday loan from them but I do not owe them this much. When I too questioned them they hung up on me. I tried to call them back repeatedly and they said it was out of their hands and I would be arrested. I KNOW I don't owe them this money. I may owe them like thirty dollars for a missed fee but no six hundred. What should I do?

Hi BethN

Welcome to the forums. As per the fdcpa, you can use your consumer rights and ask them to validate the said debt. They need to furnish the proper details of your accounts before they claim for any payment.

If you browse this forum with dedication, you will feel yourself stronger and will learn better ways of how to deal with personals from Ellis Crosby.

Regards
Roxette

Should my request for debt validation be in writing then? Also, I guess a main concern is can they really have me arrested? I have two small children at home that I am the sole provider for and this worries me. Thank you for your help.

BethN,

Your request for debt validation SHOULD be in writing whether it is via fax, mail (preferable only if you have a PO Box), or email. That way, you have valid, tangeable proof.
I asked for validation, however and they refused. In my book...no validation=no money from me.

They CANNOT arrest you. Nor will you be arrested. It's their stupid attempt at intimidation.
The only thing they could do is pass the info your county's courts and have a legal court hearing...but they won't do that either because they're harassing people while under suspension.

Ever since I sent a letter to them, I haven't heard from them since.

Wow...I received a call today VERY similar to all those listed above...I actually had 2 loans which I had been paying my renewal charges for religiously until I just couldn't do it anymore at which point I closed my checking account at the advisement of the attorney who is doing my bankruptcy (an inevitable!)
I contacted this company and requested their fax number to send my request for debt validation and the guy jumped down my throat. He said I had no idea of why they were suspended and that this call wouldn't get me off the hook...I told him I didn't expect to be let "off the hook" and he got really angry with me. He then asked me to "stand by" while he pulled up my info. I then hung up. I too never received any email or call from either FSM Group or Platinum B. Services, which are both companies I had the loans with. Ellis gave me my "case" numbers, and threatend to take my companies hard drive because I applied for the loans while at work. I guess I'm just not sure how to proceed with this and what I should do, they gave me the info to pay through Western Union but now that I've read all of this information I would be afraid to send them ANYTHING! Who can I complain to about this? My attorney has already told me that these loans are eligible for my bankruptcy, but I don't need anyone trying to take my money and threatening to arrest me. They called my payment an "out of court settlement" which tells me they would SUE me before they'd arrest me...but Again, what do I do????

What exaclty should I ask them when requesting a debt validation, and what info do I give them?????
That's my post above too, I'm scared I guess...but don't know exactly why....

Hi Tabitha

Welcome to the forums. When the collectors are insisting you to pay the debt, you are required to know the complete details of the said debt.

As per the fdcpa law, the debt collectors are restricted from threatening and using unfair methods for recovering any debt. They can't threaten you with jail and misrepresent your accounts.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/fdcpa.html

Please ask them to validate the debt as it is your legal right to know the latest standing of your debt account.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/validation.html

After they have received the debt validation letter through certified mail with return copy requested, the following information of your debt account should be submitted:

• The details of the account.
  
  
• All the calculation should be shown of the amount that is owed.
  
  
• Any copies of the papers to be furnished that shows the payment agreement.
  
  
• Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable
  
  
• The original creditor needs to be identified.
  
  
• The Statute of Limitation needs to be proven for the collection of the debt.
  
  
• The license of the collection agency applicable in the state is to be furnished along with the license numbers and Registered Agent
  
  
• Proof of the agreement that the debt collector has purchased the debt or has been hired by the creditor to collect the debt from the debtor as this is the basic contract law.
  
  
• Complete payment history showing the details of the creditors, payment history, amount of the debt, break up of fees/interest should be provided in paper.
  
  
• A copy of the original signed loan agreement between the debtor and the original creditor establishing the debt between both the parties also has to be produced.
  

Thanks...but again, what information do I give them when requesting a debt validation, and what exactly am I to ask them? These people are so ruthless!

Tabitha

Tabitha, please read the letter posted in the thread give below and ask them to provide information on the following points which I mentioned above in my post.

http://forums.debtcc.com/forums/about2779.html

Regards
Roxette

Ok..thanks for that bit of advice, I'm sure I can figure out, just as i'm sure they won't bother replying to me!
Basically I wanna know if these **ckheads are
A)Going to get my harddrive & B)Have me arrested
I'm in the process of filing for bankruptcy, so I know if I wait long enough it'll calm down, but these people are insane!!! I filed my complaint with the FTC today, and am in the process of filing one with the Illinois AG...Can anyone tell me off the top if this company is licensed to collect in the state of Illinois or not?
Thanks again!

First I want to tahnk everybody for their very useful and helpful information. Second, my loan was also through FSM Group, I am starting to wonder if FSM and Ellis may have something to do with each other? I was also screamed at and when I told them I had my proof of the payments I had made and how much I actually owed they would no longer speak to me.

Tabitha - They just try to scare you by taking your hard drive and jails etc. But they will really not do this because the law is against them. So, you be rest assured and take the stronger side while dealing with them. Don't get intimidated which is very important. It is they who are guilty so why do you need to scare?

I don't have an idea if they are licensed to collect debt in Illinois. I will let you know soon about this. Even if they are allowed, they can't take any action right now.

I got a phone call from a MR. Robuck who said he was going to put me in jail. They won't give me any information re: the phone # to FSM group or account number.I asked them to mail me a debt validation, and he stated that i had already been mailed one months ago. Which i was not, an now I can not find a phone number for FSM Group anywhere..can anyone help me find that number

Hi Jenrum73

Welcome to the forums. Please contact FSM at the following address:

FSM Processing Inc
11 East Gregory, Suite 200
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
Phone 1-866-516-9300
Fax 866-516-9700

If there is anything that I can help you with, please do not hesitate to post it in the forums.

Regards
Roxette

Can anyone tell me, is Ellis still suspended from collecting? What info are they currently giving other debtors for paying via western union? Are we all being given the same code cities and states?
This company scared the **it out of me!!!!

you've all been so helpful...i contacted Summer at the Florida Atty. Gen's office and it sounds like we are ALL doing the right thing. To anyone who used Platinum B or even FSM group...don't bother trying to contact them, they won't do ANYTHING...our accounts were sold to the "highest bidders" and that's who Ellis is....unfortunately they are the ones we must deal with. I'll see if I can find the post with the contact info for the Atty Gen's office, and I'll add it in....Go to them, they WILL help us...
In the meantime if anyone can tell me if Ellis can collect in the state of Illinois I'd greatly appreciate it!

I love trying to help people out. So in trying to gain information about the company (acting as cheerful as possible) I called the company and asked for their website.

Anthony, the receptionist, who wouldn't give his name until I asked for it, quetsioned why.

He asked if I had been contacted and I said no. He then asked if I work for an attorney's office. (I actually work at a hospital billing office. lots off gibber jabber going in the back ground, and the caller id shows

--- Billing & Third Party Collect

anyway...he (Anthony) said he was confused as why I was calling. Still acting cheerful as can be, I said I was calling about career oppurtunities and wanted to know more about the company and see if anything is available.

Anthony said he didn't beleive who I said I was, and I said..would you like me to fax you a copy of my driver license. He said..."Now you're being funny" I told him no...you're going to get a copy when I apply anyway, right?

so anyway... I think we should all call at the same time and bug the shit out of these people until we get some answers. One person doesn't help. 1000s of people calling can help. It's not harassment when we're trying to get some answers...right?

I was transfered to Mr. Greenburg




Sincerely
Mister Big
(Detroit Area) Michigan

I just pulled this off the ACA Website... A moment we can all SMILE over...

http://www.fdcpa.org/?cid=6710

Ethics Suspensions and Expulsions
Published: Tuesday, June 21, 2005
ACTIONS OF THE ACA ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE

Ellis Crosby and Associates in Jacksonville, FL After a thorough investigation, complete examination of the record and full discussion of the issues, the ACA Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee has terminated the membership of Ellis Crosby and Associates. The expulsion took effect on August 9, 2005.

YAY! They have gotten what they deserved. But does that mean they are over and done with ? What will happen with our files?

::raises glass::
GREAT detective work everyone! And I am certain that all our complaints to the appropriate companies helped out! Thanks for the info Tabitha!

Mikey...LMFAO! Awesome job turning it around on them! Hilairous! :-D

Ok...but the question is...what does all of this mean for us?

I say at the count of three we ALL call them and give them a taste of their own medicine...

c'mon....1 2 3 ;)

it means call and ask for Ted Crosby. Act cheerful though. they'll think you're a news reporter or someting else. if you act ditzy enough, you could even pretend your inquiring about an intern position. not that interns are ditzy...but they're currently under survailance according to online news stories and from previous phone calls i have made.

i'm currently trying to do a search and see if there are any attorneys in the area that are on the criminal side suing them.

soon as i find out who, i'll post it...so everyone can call and offer their thoughts/stories/info/complaints. there might be another lawsuit coming up.

Tabitha - As it is clearly known that the membership of Ellis is revoked so they are restricted from doing any sort of business activities anywhere in the United States. On that note, they can't collect debt from Illinois also.

Hello, I just wanted to share that I had e-mail from the American Collectors Association (ACA), who have terminated the membership of Ellis, Crosby and Associates from their organization. ACA explained that, although Ellis, Crosby's membership in their organization has been terminated, ACA hase no legal power to keep them from conducting business. I was advised to contact the BBB, FTC, and Florida Attorney General's office, all of which I have done. I encourage anyone who has been contacted by Ellis, Crosby to tell them you are recording the conversation, demand WRITTEN validation of the debt, and follow up with a cease and desist letter, sent via certified mail with signature upon delivery requested; if they contact you via telephone after you have sent this letter, they could be sued and fined. They are unscrupulous, immoral, illiterate, dirty debt collectors and nothing more....not lawyers, law enforcement officials, probably not even high school graduates! :x

Thanks for the update, tippy!
I wrote my letter to the FTC, and hopefully that's another letter towards getting this "business" shut down for good!
I might call and mess with 'em anyway! Blocking my number first, of course!

I just want to make sure I have this all straight. They are booted out of the ACA but they can still try to collect monies? Like I have stated before, I owed FSM like thirty dollars and Ellis was asking for six hundred eighty, can they try to collect on six hundred eighty? Also, how do I contact the FTC and others?

OK everyone I just efiled my FTC complaint, now what else should I do? Should I even bother trying to contact FSM? Or just Ellis? Everyone has been so helpful I could not have done it without everyone!

Hi BethN

We all know that battles can't be won in one man's army. We do need support and stand united to fight against oppressive and unfair practices happening around us.

You have done the right thing by filing your complaint at the FTC. You can also file your complaints at the BBB, DA's office and request for immediate action.

At this point contacting the FSM will not be much helpful to you because your accounts are dealt by Ellis Crosby.

Regards
Roxette

delete this message please.

wrong post

Ellis, Crosby, and Associates is still collecting. Earlier this morning I called to see if Ted Crosby was in to speak with him regarding the recent news. I keep getting told he's not available...I inqure to when?...etc...etc. Well, I called back an hour after that, and I hear dialing. Like an automatic dialer. I say hello, and I get this gentleman asking for "John Smith", and I just said OK...he does on to say this is so and so calling I need to let you know I"m calling to collect on a debt..dadida...I quickly say, are you on an automatic dialer. I'm calling in. He says you've got the wrong number and releases. I hear again...another beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep...and get this girl. Who says hello? are you trying to call in. YOu need to hang up. I ask for her name, and she says hello...hello...I can't hear you. I asked for Mr.Crosby again, and then get disconnected.

Sooo....by this conversation, Ellis, Crosby, and Associates is still collecting.

And just FYI to everyone....

IT IS NOT ILLEGAL to be in debt. YOU CANNOT go to jail over a debt. Only way you COULD EVER go to jail, is if a judge ordered you to pay this...say 90 days to pay it off...(usually never goes this far) and you fail to pay. You'll either sit in jail to serve the time, or until someone comes to bail you out (=to the amount you owe, plus fees.)

Now...does anyone know if a debt collection agency has gone that far. taking it to court, and having a rep from the company appearing?

I've heard of judges allowing you pay, given enough time...and if you miss 2 payments (from the judges calander) you'll sit in jail for 5 days to learn a lesson, get back out, and continue making payments.

Ellis is still collecting, and I find it weird that when I call in, I intercepted their dialing system.

beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep.

even if there were allowed to collect, that's not safe. I should have not received "John Smith's" name!!!


Mister Big
Detroit, MI

Mikeyindetroit - If a collection agency has provided sufficient proof of the debt and has not been paid by the consumer, then he can take legal action. Now, the court might determine the various options on how you can pay the said debt. If it still is not paid within the allotted time, then the court will take legal action against you.

But, I assume that Ellis will not be able to put your case in the court as they are going through legal surveillance. They need to be authentic in order to put charge against you.

I was saying that you can't be sued. I was just saying that it's not illegal to be in debt. You could risk it, and take your chances of waiting the 7 years or however long it takes for it to fall off your credit. Some places will fight even longer than 10 years.

BUT companies cannot say we're coming to get you, that's another story. YOu have to be served with papers and appear in court, before getting arrrested. Each state is different...if you're bouncing checks (written out to wal-mart, kmart or whathaveyou) thats another story. the sherrif could come out and pick you.

but credit card companies, or loan companies cannot say that.

usually when you bounce a check, you'll get those calls from the bank saying to deposit money into your account. you'll know for a fact if you've done some major booboo's and the sherrif is sitting around the corner from your home watching for you.

I fully agree with your justification. Everything has a legal process and it has to be done accordingly. Nothing should be verbal. Instead, it should be served with a legal hard copy.

You can refuse phone calls, and all offers or "this is what we're going to do next" phone calls should be mailed to you. That way you have it documented, and can show an attorney if ever need be.

Now...if you have one of those phone tap recorders... you can use that. They claim to. And any incoming call coming into your home can be recorded (sometimes even without their knowlege depending on the state.)

those tap recorders cost about $3.99 from radio shack, and the recorders themself run about $25.00 from various stores, as long as it has a mic input.

documentation always helps...especially if they are not threatening or trying to take legal action. they may have violated some law when they've been trying to collect off you if certain things are not said, or if they use certain language with you.

"Before beginning with our call Mr.SMith, I do need to let you know this is for such and such..and we're trying to collect on a debt. Any information you provide to me can be used to collect that debt."

usually something like that has to follow EVERY phone call...when they call you.

Mikeyindetroit - this valuable piece of advice will be helpful to many of our community members.

Hi,
On 8-15-05 at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon I received a phone call from a Steven Price that claimed to be an investigator. He told me that this conversation was being recorded. He stated that I took a $200.00 loan out with ecashnow. Then he told me that if I did not pay $605.00 by 4 o'clock my time that the law enforcement will then come and detain me. So he stated that I needed to get a lawyer. Yes I did take out an loan for the amount of $200.00, but they are trying to get $605.00 from me. He pull up a criminal report to see if I criminal recorded and I do not. so he said that they can take 2 payments of $302.50 and I would have to come up with the 302.50 by 4 o'clock today. If I didn't come up with the money or call him back then they would assume that I would run from this and get me detained with the law enforcement. The phone number that he had given me is 800-491-8615 ext:227. I called the number and the company is Ellis Crosby & Associates. Is this an collection agency? And do they have the right to threaten you like that? Also will I really get detained and go to jail over $200.00? Please let me know what I can do about this?

Hi mguerrero2 - I have posted my suggestion at this thread. Please have a look.

http://forums.debtcc.com/forums/elliscrosby-assoc.html

is the company also called Ellis, Hawthorn and associates.

i don't beleive so. they answer the phone ellis, crosy, and assoicates.

dick greenburg seems to be the manager answering all "supe" related calls. but it's almost always a voicemail if you request to speak to someone (other than the "investigator"

Hi I got a call yesterday at work from a David Wakefield from Ellis, Crosby and Associates. I first got the call and my bosses son had answered it and said the guy was really rude and said that he had a legel matter to discuss with me and that I needed to call him back asap. And than I got the same message on my vm of my cell phone and so I figured I need to call this person back. I called back and talked to him and he said that I had an outstanding loan with a US bank which I dont even think thats who my loan was through and than he said that there was a court date on that same day at 4:00 est at San Diego Superior Court which is on the west coast and that he called me at 1:30 - 2:00 and I asked him well shouldnt i have known there was a court date today so that I could have attended and he said it was to late. He than said that he had to take another call and put me on hold and came back on the line and said that it was the company on the other line and they didnt want to accept any payment plans because I had closed my account and that they wanted to go on with legel proceddings. I than asked for the number to the company and he refused to give it to me saying that it was a conflict of interest and that he couldnt do that for me and than he proceeded to say that the owner of the company was sitting in front of him at his desk and that I couldnt talk to him either. He than said that if I didnt make a payment that day that he would contact my local police and have them come and arrest me and so almost in tears because I am a single mom with two kids under the age of 2 I was stressing about how I'm going to get the money so I had to bury my head between my legs and ask my boss to give me the money in which he agreed. I called them today to get moneygram information and tried to send them 200 dollars this afternoon and it wouldnt go though thank godness because now I know it wouldnt have got to the right people anyways. What do I do in the meantime.?????????

DO NOT PAY THEM!!!

I would suggest contacting an attorney. Their practice of making threats is getting out of hand. You need to tell them...this call is being recorded, ask for their name, their company, and the company they represent. If they hang up, you can either ignore it, or simply call back the LD # on your cell doing the *67 and tell them not to contact you anymore. That you have an attorney.

YOU CANNOT get arrested. You have to be served court papers.

Just like getting attacked by a guy, and you fill out the personal protection order. If the Sheriffs can't find them, they'll just put a flag on their plate. You can't get a failer to appear or any type of lein against you unless you've been served.

I suggest you do speak with an attorney though.

Keep on eye on this forum. But also...do plan on paying back the debt the original lender.

STAY AWAY FROM ELLIS, CROSBY, AND ASSOCIATES!!!!

Do not pay them! They are in violation of the codes for this act. They are being shut down and be sure to tell them that when they call you agian. The Attny General of Florida is AFTER YOU ELLIS AND CROSBY

What time does Ellis, Crosby, & Associates open? It's a little after 10am eastern time, and no one is answering.

Hmmm....

They called me as earily as 930am texas time!
Sounds like WE HAVE WON OUR FIGHT!

Well...they could just be ignoring incoming calls. The extentions provided to persons with accounts there should know it. Any legal calls will be directed to a voicemail box. But it's weird that even with all the extentions that I've gotten...Tammy 201, Steven 221, Dick Greenburg 291, etc...you think someone would answer.

It could just be a day off.

Time can only tell. We'll see what happens. Now everyone that has accounts there, plan on getting harassed by another agency. Not really harassed, but just wanting their money.

Who knows..maybe the government will seize all the accounts from Ellis, Crosby, & Investigators and clear all accounts. That's a long shot, but who knows.