Newbie! Need Help with Mann Bracken
Date: Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:01
I need some advice on dealing with Mann Bracken LLP. They recently sent some paperwork in the mail stating an intention to pursue a civil claim against me for a Discover Card claiming a debt ($13,000). I don't recall anyone extending me that much credit. I'm in Virginia and they sent a "Warrant in Debt (Civil Claim for Money)" and left another copy that my wife found in the door. I looked up my name on the General District Court website for Virginia and there is a case number with my name. I haven't been served in person by any law officer yet.
After reading the many horror stories about Mann Bracken, I didn't want to enter into any type of agreement with them for fear that they would raid my bank account for some absurd amount and then give me a lengthy runaround about fixing the "oversight." I also fear that they might try get me to agree to pay a moderate amount then come back later and claim "that's not sufficient" renew collection action and try to hit me up for more than the agreement amount.
My questions:
Is there any way I can stop MB?
How can I keep them from garnishing wages or freezing bank accounts? What type of lawyer has experience dealing with them? Can you recommend one in the Northern VA area? Can I successfully fight them without a lawyer?
Is all of this just a scare tactic to get me to contact them?
Do I demand that they produce the original signed contract with Discover?
Are demands for DV's useless once a civil case has been filed? Or can they be requested as part of the court proceedings? If so, how?
I don't trust Mann Bracken and want them to go away. Any help would be much appreciated.
After reading the many horror stories about Mann Bracken, I didn't want to enter into any type of agreement with them for fear that they would raid my bank account for some absurd amount and then give me a lengthy runaround about fixing the "oversight." I also fear that they might try get me to agree to pay a moderate amount then come back later and claim "that's not sufficient" renew collection action and try to hit me up for more than the agreement amount.
My questions:
Is there any way I can stop MB?
How can I keep them from garnishing wages or freezing bank accounts? What type of lawyer has experience dealing with them? Can you recommend one in the Northern VA area? Can I successfully fight them without a lawyer?
Is all of this just a scare tactic to get me to contact them?
Do I demand that they produce the original signed contract with Discover?
Are demands for DV's useless once a civil case has been filed? Or can they be requested as part of the court proceedings? If so, how?
I don't trust Mann Bracken and want them to go away. Any help would be much appreciated.
