ellis crosby threatened arrest if I didn't pay back

Sherry, this website has a lot of information about various companies who are regularly involved in unfair practices. You can check the various threads in this forum and keep yourself updated.

Also, if you have any query regarding debt consolidation and related issue, you can post it here and the community members will gladly reply it.

Ben

Ellis Crosby & Associates are currently under investigation for their unethcical practicing. They constantly call people at work/home and threaten with arrest. What people don't know is that it's not illegal to be in debt. However it is illegal to write bad checks, which is basically what was done if it was a payday loan company. However, usually arrest only happens when you are running around to BestBuy, Circuit City, and the mall buying things with no money. I/we all understand about messing up on paying back that loan. But...let me tell you...you have to be served with papers by the Sherrif and appear in court, where usually the Judge will tell you that you have 3 weeks to pay it off.

Something that like usually happens...but a collection agency cannot threaten with arrest. The next time you get a phone call. Tell them that Ted Crosby and the investagators are currently pending their arrrest for making threatening phone calls while they have been told to cease their harassment. Ted Crosby (owner) has been served with papers and had to appear in court with sooo many complaints. The Court Papers (that he was served with) are someone in this forum.

Just to let you know, not in every situation was the payday loan via check. Most is done automatically on-line and through faxes. No phone conversations take place. No check is authorized or exchanged with these parties. In incidences like this, there is no check fraud/bad checks written. If the loan becomes in default, this is a bad debt issue and should be treated as such. Many of these collection agency are threatening to prosect people for check fraud, tell them to bring it on.

I was just using the check fraud with other companies as an example. I know that the payday loans companies do most of the business on line.

When writing the hot checks to all the electronic stores, then maybe you'll get the police after you.

But when Ellis Crosby & Associates threaten with arrest, that is what is getting people scared.

I was just making sure people knew that the police are not coming after them.

sheree, welcome to the boards!
A lot of us went through the same unfortunate junk with Ellis. I was one of them and their threats were so out there, that I actually laughed at them over the phone. I told them to come get me. (I work on a military base). :-) So good luck to them.

Their threats are as the other said, simply a ploy in order to scare you into sending them your hard-earned money. DON'T DO IT. Instead, report them to the Florida Attorney General, the ACA and FTC.

Hey girl- I didnt know you worked at a Military Base. Thats funny! Id like to see them get through that one.
If they ever came here the lawyers would be like, who are you and whats your business?
I cant wait to find out what kind of trouble they are in

LOL! Yea, it was hilarious because when they called and said they were Investigators, I thought they were joking with me! Because I work with the real deal and rule number one is: you don't tell people you're an investigator up front. :-P
If they came to "arrest me" they'd be shot at the guard gates! Yay!

I'd like to see the company get caught in a major news-worthy scandal :-D

i was contacted by this company yesterday. the same thing has happen to me that happened to yall. if anyone knows the address to this company please reply all i have is a toll free number. 1-800-491-8615

I read somewhere where a payday lender tried to have charges brought up against a consumer for check fraud because the check they wrote at the time they took the loan did not go through when the payday lender presented it for payment on the consumers payday. (1) The consumer was not arrested, but had to go to court. (2) The judge threw the case out because the payday lender knew at the time they accepted the check that there were no funds on deposit. Because of this, the consumer could not be found guilty for check fraud. The payday lender willfully accepted the check knowing that it was not good.

Alot of payday loans are taken over the internet and all transactions are done through automatic deposit and ACH debits. Ellis Crosby told me because I had taken the loan over the internet with no intent to repay it that I had committed a serious federal crime, internet and check fraud. They are so full of it, but at the time I thought they were serious and that I was being arrested. I am so glad I found this forum, everone here has been awesome.

Tracy-

Quote:

Mikey, I thought post dated checks were illegal, but as far as ACH debits, they fall under the EFTA, electronic funds transfer act. They are scheduled to be taken on the day the consumer's payroll is directly deposited. It would be like calling in on your payday and authorizing a check by phone or ACH debit. Either way, my bank closed my account because I had too much overdraft activity. I had no idea that I still had a payday loan that was outstanding. When I got the call from EC, they made it very clear that because I closed my account that I commited fraud. They said I had no intention of repaying the loan and that that was criminal. Yea right, not according to my attorney. (1) my bank closed my account, not me and (2) I had a history of paying the payday lender so there is no way they can prove that I took the loan with no intent to repay it.

Tracy-

Even if it had been you that closed the account, that doesn't constitue fraud. I understand that post payday places are trying to get their money back, and they'll do so by any means necessary. It says in all the contracts that they will do as many as necessary each payday to get their money.

Why is it then, that when we tell them we can't pay till such and such a date, that they say no. But attempt to get their money back anyway. And then after being explained that when they attempt to retrieve the money, it's sinking the account deeper in debt because of no money.

I only changed accounts because Erin Kennedy with Sonic told me I could only do a Western Union payment. And if it wasn't paid back that Monday it would go to wage assignment. It didn't occur to me that they would do this...seeing how Yolanda Green also told me the same thing.

My loan has been paid back, but I'm sure if I got Crosby on the phone I would be getting the same harassing message.

Somewhere...there is a loop hole in their lending business. Having the bank in Ireland and going by Ireland laws. But having the credit company in Texas. So...does that mean since the credit company is the one giving us the money. And they're located in Texas...so wouldn't it be US laws.

It goes round and round and round with these companies. Having the credit company in the US, the actual bank in anouther country, and the call center in Canada.

It gets confusing to most I'm sure...

-Mike

I think the reason why the bank is in Ireland and the payday loan company is in Canada is so they can elude our state's usary and lending laws. There are alot of payday lenders getting sued because they are violating state usuary laws. Doesnt matter what US state they are in, if they do business with a consumer in Texas, then they have to abide by Texas law.

Makes no sense to me, if a non-us company is doing business in the US, then there has to be some kind of US laws governing them.

I got a call from sonic about my defaulted loan. I got a letter stating that they are going to contact my payroll department for their money. Can they do this?

I got an email from them saying the same thing, that they are going to contact my payroll department. This was about 4 months ago and nothing has happened. I dont think they could actually garnish my wages without some kind of court order, so I contacted my Attorney General in Texas. They werent very helpful and told me to contact an attorney. I spoke to an attorney who said they would have to take me to court and obtain a court ordered judgement in order to garnish my wages, but he also said that if I agreed to some kind of wage assignment, then they could use that document to coherse your payroll department into paying them. I dont know if wage assignments are legal and I sure dont remember signing one when I took out a loan with Sonic.

Audrey, as Tracy said, there has to be some court papers before your wages can be garnished.

Have you thought about paying the debt as it is hurting your credit file? Ask them to validate the debt so that you can consider paying it in easy monthly installments.

WOW!! I just received a call from a Mr. Hunt from Ellis Crosby and he was telling me all this stuff, he had no idea what he was talking about. He goes "You have until 3:30pm today to pay this loan off, if you don't the authorities in your county will come after you." and I was like "Well, what can I do, what's going to happen then?" and he was like, "I'm not exactly sure." And all this other stuff and he told me that I have to find a friend who has a credit card (because I don't have one) by 3:30 today to pay.. I got off the phone and immediately had to go outside to smoke a cigarette.. I was SO worked up.. I know I can't come up with the money by 3:30 today. I was so worried that I was going to lose my job because I filled out the application for the loan on my work computer (even though I was off work at the time) UGH.. I'm so worked up!
And then I found this website and I feel a TON better. So, they won't arrest me at 3:30 today? And they won't call my payroll dept to automatically deduct it from my paycheck?

Hi christina24

Feel rest assured that they won't call your payroll department for deducting amount from your paycheck. We have been hearing similar kind of complaints since 4 months and so far we have never heard of any legal actions taken by them. On the contrary, Ellis Crosby has undergone many legal actions by the Florida State Attorney General and their chances to do business are very slim.

However, if you have a debt owed to your creditors, you should make sure that you will have to pay it. You won't be able to skip your past debt but you will pay it within the legal norms.

Regards
Roxette

How did they know I even had a debt with the company that I have one with?

Sorry that was me who posted, I forgot to sign in.

I so cant not believe Ellis Crosby is still up to it. Christina, I feel for your girl, I went through the same thing as you did.

Rest assured, they can not do anything to you and they can not touch your paycheck. They are full of it! Read all through these forums and you will find out you are not alone.

yeah, i have been reading. i wish i would have know this stuff before they called me.. i could have been the one scaring THEM and not THEM scaring ME.

Main thing Christina is dont agree to pay them anything if they get you on the phone again. If at all possible, do not take any more calls from them. Let them call and leave messages all they want, but try to avoid actually talking to them.

Just keep in mind - they can not and will not do anything to you, so dont feel like you are in trouble or are going to be in trouble if you dont take their calls.

I just called the company that I owe money to and he told me that my debt was purshased by a collection agency called CollectEdge!!! He said he never heard of Ellis Crosby & Associates! What a bunch of frauds. I just want to know how Ellis Crosby knew that I had an outstanding balance with the other company.

Christina 24, have you sent them a letter stating that you refuse to do the communication over the phone and prefer to do it only through mail.

As per the fdcpa law, they are required to stop contacting you after receiving your letter.

No, today was the first call I received from them.. actually the first call AT ALL about this debt.

aahhh! i keep doing that. that was me above.

Christina, I have heard the same thing, the original creditor says the debt has been purchased by CollectEdge or Elin or whoever, but Ellis Crosby is the ones calling to collect. I wonder what is going on. How does Ellis get all our personal information and information regarding the debt?

It's very simple Tracy, Ellis purchased the debt well in advance.

well, why didn't the the original company that i owe to not know who Ellis is?

Creditors should know whom the debt has been sold to. Because they are the ones who are discharging it. If, in your case, the creditors are not aware of it..It is absolutely illegal.

I'm surprised that Ted Ellis Crosby & Associates believes he is still
going to get away with this.

Someone from his company knows of this website. Someone from his
company knows that I've called to inquire about employment. Someone
from his company knows they're in legal trouble and have quit. ...

So far ...to date..about 3 people have from his company have quit. Tammy for one
has not been at her desk, nor has she returned my phone call. Aaron
Free, who use to be the receptionist is long gone. And there is one
other person (I left my notes elsewhere) that I don't remember their
name.

I'm hoping that everyone that has dealt with Crosby is going to file a
complaint with the Better Business Bureau and with the Florida Attorney
Generals Office.

Trying to collect on a debt is one thing. But impersonating an officer, saying you're an attorney, telling people you're a private investigator, even saying you're with the attorney generals office--
telling people they're going to get arrested...

...none of that helps.

Seems like each day, even after we finally hear of charges being
brought, and these employees leaving...there are more calls of threats
going towards the be people being in debt.

I wonder what he would do if someone started harassing him or his
family. Harassed him or his family in a way that brought tears or even
frightened them in a way that they couldn't go home at night. Wouldn't
he want the same thing....justice?

Writing hot checks it illegal. But mistakes happen. That payday loan that most of us took out ended up getting us in trouble. The loan company tried to retrieve their money at 4AM. Our payroll doesn't deposit our check till 8AM.

Crosby wants to hear none of it. Nor do they want to work out any sort of repayment method. Again..there is no debt jail. Being in debt is not illegal. But yes, of course...knowingly writing that hot check is illegal. But why is it then...when we ask for help, or a way to repay it..they say nope...you owe us $1100 for that $300 loan by 2...otherwise you'll be in jail by 3.

Even if you don't want any part of the legal precedings pertaining to Crosby, you can at least make a written (emailed) complaint agains him.

I hope everyone affectted by Crosby and his investigators does something to put him to a stop!

Regards-
Mike

In addition to mikey's comment=

Think of this too. If you take a payday loan out online...do you actually write them a check? No. Typically you send them a copy with void written over it. There is no actual check written. Would be tough for them to prosecute.

In addition, if you do write a check, in most states, someone accepting a post dated check- which all payday checks are, is illegal because the person taking the check is aware that the funds are not available.

In addition, the companies that threaten jail/arrest/suit, if they have no intent to do so, or no power to do so, is completely illegal.

This was done to me, a collection agency told me, and my dad and my coworkers that I was going to be arrested at work for intent to defraud. Now they have a lawsuit against them from me.

It is important for all of us to document everything--- stay positive, keep your cool and pay when you can and only what you owe and know what tactics these collectors do!!!

Does anybody know if the pay day lenders can garnish wages and take certain steps as this to get their money back?

Crystal-

Welcome to the forums. They cannot garnish your wages unless they get a judge to court order it. They can however do a wage assignment. You would have to of signed a paper. Those however---were done away with in 1985. Not very many people understand that these are voluntary now, and if they were not signed in person, then they are void.

I would take every measure, however, to repay back the loan as soon as possible. Some payday loan companies will simply renew the loan each payday, tacking on that pesky fee of $29 per $100 borrowed. This can add up to an exspensive loan.

Regards-
Mike