Florida first Financial Group is harassing my daughter

Not sure what SOL this would come under, as florida has 4 or 5 years so the SOL may not have passed. There is a possiblity they still may sue her. Sorry, but she shouldnt have been driving without insurance so legally she may be responsible for this.

Not to mention, that is pretty standard for towing, it's an expensive proposition. I *love* AAA!

They shouldn't be calling at work, though. She needs to tell them to Cease & Desist calling her at work. Although they may expedite collection proceedings as a result. Driving without insurance is highly frowned upon so she probably won't get much sympathy in court. She needs to work out some kind of payment plan with them or they may sue and go for a wage garnishment. She should also try to go for a settlement offer and scr ape together those funds (probably no less than half) to take care of this so she can move on with her life.

If it is a collection agency calling and they are giving you any information at all, provided you aren't pretending to be her, then that is a no-no and it may give her some wiggle room.

No, I am not pretending to be her. She told the "lawyer"/bill collector that she authorized him to talk to me because she didn't understand what he was saying and his threats scared her. That is all. We are contacting the towing company and try to settle with them. She knows she was at fault and got a ticket for it and paid it. She has insurance now for her license-because she has not car and is all caught up with it.

Florida First Financial actually was shut down by a Florida court case. They have been calling many innocent victims as attorneys and process servers. The state is currently investigating with criminal charges. You need to call the Tampa Bar Association and ask for Jennifer Crawfield and file a complaint with the state, she is currently handling the illegal cases against Florida First. Her number is 1-800-940-4759.. Dont wait, once victim was able to settle out of court for 100,000$ so you may also be entitled to damages.

Florida First Financial which is owned by Reed Lienhart are not attorneys. They are bill collectors which pose as policeman, attorneys and process servers. Make sure you report them to the State of Florida Bar! I just reported them also for the same thing, the more people who come forward the better chance the state has to make this guy stop his illegal activities. Jennifer told me that if enough people come forward she will direct file with the state for criminal charges against Reed Lienhart

At the very least make sure they are collecting the correct amount and they have a legitimate debt. Even though she should have never been driving without insurance, that still doesn't give any CA the right to threaten and harass...like what was said above, depending on the nature of these threats you may have some bargaining power. Firstly send a debt validation letter. By law that will stop the calls because they can't continue to collect until the properly validate it.

If they are going to sue then they will sue...so you have nothing to lose by fighting it as much as you can. I understand being very short on funds and being a single parent (I was a single parent before I met my husband). It may be that they will not accept a payment arrangement (after getting validation please), and then it may actually be in her best interest to let them take her to court because since she is struggling the judge will take that into consideration and can likely order a payment arrangement she can afford (likely even the one she initially asked for and got turned down.)

Apparently Goldenbast didnt read the last post. They were shut down by Florida courts!!!! They cant even legally call you, sue, you place your account on the credit bureaus! They are a scam

CALL TAMPA UNATHORIZED PRACTIVE OF LAW

Ask for JENNIFER 1-800-940-4759

well since the OP was from one month ago alot can happen.still alot of places still practice illegaly even when ordered shut down.BASS & ASSOCIATES is a prime example.these places just change names or move.it isn't out of the realm of possibilty.they should still be reported to the number and person you posted.just to be safe.

Apparently guest didn't check his/her facts well. I am sure that not only *did* Goldenbast read "the last post", she double-checked for at least ONE reliable reference to verify such anonymous allegations. And, like myself, found NONE.

Yes, there have been lawsuits against them in the past, notably in 1997 (for Unauthorized Practice of Law). Yes, that was 12 YEARS AGO!
"http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=fl&vol=alpha9703\wk3\fl_bar_86513&invol=1"

I looked in LexisOne and could only find one case from the Appellate Court (normal cases are not usually online) from 2007, with the debtor alleging abuse over the phone and requested phone records in Discovery, which were given. The appeal was made by FFFG against an Order to Compel Discovery that demanded home addresses of FFFG employees. Said Compel order was overturned.

But, there they are, as big as life, still with an active business license since 1989. Anonymous allegations made on various complaint boards is hardly reliable testimony.

NO ONE has sued them in 2009, and the lawsuits from 2008 and back mostly have to do with insurance and antitrust issues. Since they still have a State License, I feel safe to assume that they weathered those lawsuits just fine.

Quote:

Florida Case 06-CA-004950 settlement that bands Reed Lienhart from practicing consumer collection in any form or manner. Last court case activity 2009

I suggest finding another skip tracing system

I looked up the case for the appellete courts, and it was not over turned. They lost it and lost their apeal on the fact they call consumers as deputys and attorneys. If you had read the entire complaint you would of seen that Reed Lienhart and Terry Smith signed an injunction from posing as illegal attorneys.

I also just talked to the state this week they are in the process of charging Reed Lienhart and will be sending many ex employees supeona's. As for still having a license, this means nothing the banking and finance has no authority to do anything, they cant even revoke a license, or do anything other than send letters. Isnt the USA great place to live!

Lawsuits are listed in a website that only members can access! I am sure there are many suits filed against them in counties all over the state! If you need a Florida Lawyer to go after these creeps PM me!

Thanks to all of you for your information and opinions. SZo far, we haven't heard from them since we sent the debt validation letter. I will keep you all posted.