Thomas K Bamford - real or not?

Thomas K. Bamford is listed as a member of the Dallas Tx Bar Assn, licensed in 1951.

Bamford, Thomas K - Attorneys Office (214) 343-6364 10610 Metric Dr # 110, Dallas, TX

Bamford, Thomas K - Bamford Thomas K (214) 747-6713 1700 Commerce St # 1040, Dallas, TX

Any of that sound familiar? Btw, when you pick up the phone and say hello, and the voice says, "Mr. Guest's husband, please...", your response should be, "who's calling, please". Don't ever give out information over the phone to an anonymous caller, even whether hubby is home or not. If you don't get a satisfactory response to that question, including the full name of the caller as well as the name of the company, make a note of the date, time, caller id information, and the substance of the call - a call from a debt collector that does not include meaningful disclosure of the name of the debt collector is a violation of the fair debt collection practices act. Also look into using call trace from the local phone co. You can also use an answering machine to screen the calls.

So, anyway, if you do get a responsible answer to "who's calling...", say, "I'm sorry, he's not available, can I take a message?" If they say, "never mind, I'll call back", tell them, "no, don't call back, you can leave a message or a number where you can be reached, but do not call this number again." If they call back after having been told not to do so, that's another violation.

It's not necessarily a debt collector, by the way, they could be trying to identify someone whom they think is a witness or a potential defendant. I can't help wondering what Hubby told you about it.

Sorry, forgot to put my name in - using a new browser and the old one would just do it for me :oops:

I'll first ask who's calling. Then she'll just say "Ms. Davis." I'll ask with what agency and she'll again ask if he's there. When I ignore her interruptive question and ask a second time who she's calling on behalf of she'll just say "attorney's office" - I'll ask what attorney, (as there are many across this great United States) and she'll either get exasperated and turn rude or she'll just say "I'll call back" and hang up before I can tell her not to!

If I let the machine pick up, she won't leave a message at all.

She has never once in the 10 or so times I've answered told me if she has a first name, who she works for, or where. I found everything I know from doing a reverse search on the phone number.

I'm not sure, but think this one might be over a really old charge card my husband had with penney's. I get all the collectors mixed up.

My hubby's a Lutheran pastor, so we make VERY little money - and have substancial debt from our college and early marriage days when he was in grad school. We live in Iowa, have never traveled alone since we've been married - and never to TX, and I highly doubt this could be related to anything but people wanting money from us - that's the content of 90% of calls to our home phone. Maybe this can help keep you from wondering what I was told by my husband.

If I got "Mrs. Davis", I'd stop her there and say, "Full name, please". Keep a log of these calls; the first one constituted contact to your husband, and the debt collector has five days in which to get a written notice of rights under federal law to him. Call trace is pretty useful, though it's an extra cost item, and you shouldn't use it if you think there's no way you're going to file suit. But I just got a batch of info in the mail today in response to a subpoena to the phone company, and it's all in official form that can be used in court. It backs up the client's log, and proves the debt collector is lying, in an independently verifiable and incontrovertable way. heh heh heh.

Btw, and assuming you've got caller id, what if, when you see that number come up and you answer the phone, instead of saying "hello", you said, "First Lutheran Church of Davenport (or whatever your church is called), how may I direct your call?" (Davenport's the only place in Iowa I've actually been to.)

If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to email me privately. Jesus helped me when I needed it and told me to "pay it forward". So I've got a soft spot for "professional christians". My email address is posted in my profile on this website.

Yes, they'll answer the phone, "law office". But these are only collectors. Under the law, a debt collection lawyer is a collector and falls under the fdcpa. I completely agree with Virginia-Legal-Defense.

Also check you states laws. In my state, Texas, the collector must state their real name, not some "handle".

Collection lawyers only exists because they do not have to be licensed as a collector and to attempt to put forward the psychological idea that "the stakes have been raised". Rubbish. They must follow the law as any third party collector.

There are some states in which debt collectors must be licensed. It's a violation of the laws of the state in which the purported debtor resides for an unlicensed debt collector to be calling, where a license is required.

I just wanted to say that I have also had calls from this Ms. Davis. I like so many others do not answer numbers that I do not know. I noticed several calls from Dallas but ignored them. Then this Ms. Davis left two messages that she was from the law offices of Thomas Bamford and that we needed to return her call. I was very intrigued as to why a law office would be calling us especially from Dallas. So I got on line to see what I could find about this law office. I am glad I did I won't be calling them back

MR. Bamford i got your letter in the mail concerning a credit card bill. I won't be able to have the money until the beginning of Decemeber. If you don't mine waiting that long.. I can't afford it right now

LaTasha

Mr. Bamford and his company is not affiliated with this website. You need to contact them directly and explain your payment problems.

Regarding this number and its "attorneys office", I am not sure if they're a collection agency, they're trying to get me to pay a CC debt, I am willing to pay them but under my terms, however they're not taking what I'm offering, and they're also asking me to pay interests. This is a 3 or 4 year old CC, and they also said they will take me to court...Please HELP

Thomas K. Bamford

Address: Suite 1040
1700 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Map & Directions

Phone: (214) 747-6713

Fax:
E-mail:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attorneys

Attorneys:

Bamford, Thomas K.


West Practice Categories:

Collections

I got a call from someone here today as well.....2nd one and they said I needed to call back. It came from an attorney's office so I did. Unfortunately the message they left was so hurried that I could only understand the call back number. After calling back they had no record of my number.....I forcefully told them to take me off their list as I have no outstanding debts and the gentlemen proceeded to hang up on me.

I recieved a letter from This person, address a little diferent from the others, 1201 Richardson Dr, Ste 201 Richardson, TX (214) 343-6364. The letter states that unless we respond and yada yada yada...That they assume we would prefer legal action be taken. But we have received no calls. Ours too is a few months old, and they acknowledge That becasue of interests , late charges and other charges that vary from day to day the cost is higher and the additional liablitlties and attorney;s fee will cause it to be even higher. Will it benefit us to respond adn try to get all the excess charges removed? But I cannot afford a one time reduced payment, The card was not at the limit when our financial problem caused our money to be used to keep our lights on pay doctors, pharmacy , medical labs bills, than pay the CC which we bought gas only on. It is not a gas CC. I know we owe the bill, but I think the CC companies actually causes people to get out of the ability to pay because of all the excess charges added. it puts the payments too high, and most people cannot do a 1 time pay at a reduced price. Advice?

Glad I'm not the only one feeling harassed

this guy has suddenly started calling my work. says hes an attorney, keith scott. this call was the first time anyone could get a number from him and he also said he was from thomas k banford. this was his third call. i have no clue what it might be about, i have recieved nothing in the mail for anything...if it was truely important shouldnt he have my home numbers? and he was horribly rude to my employees. that alone makes me want to kick his butt. anywho, does anyone know if this is the same firm? any info would be appreciated. thx, mel

How do you stop them from calling? Thats my question! Short of changing your #!

This is a collection office ... The owner is mike gravesthe real name of the company is graeline he lives in plano, tx on threehouse....the only person at that firm that is an atty is thomask bamford who is about 90 years old comes in the office once in a while... The collector kim davis ... Is kim green she lives in dallas this is a former gm of that company ... Ask to see thomas k bamford or go tpo his real office on commerce in downtown dallas........ By the way tape all conversations when a person calls and sysy there an atty and you have 1000.00 per violation you can get from the atty general.... Good luck

This sounds like one of those collection agencies that "rent" an attorney's license. I have heard of this and found a father and daughter attorney team who did this. The company that was using their license violated so many laws. The daughter lost her license for a few years and can't practice and now has to go in and request her license back when the suspension is over. And her father gave his up all together because of his age. This family of attorneys was making money from the CA and not paying attention to how they were using their license.

Your right they pay him 50k a year i know i did contract .... He is never in the office ... Most of time in hospital very old .... Mike graves owns graeline financial in richardson texas...... That is the collection agency using that atty name and letter head.....

I guess at his age he probably wouldn't care or even know what they are doing with his license. This is very similar to company's "renting a bank" to get away with certain types of loans.

I am having the same problem with this lady who calls all hours of the day and night at work and home claims her name is a ms davis and she works for an attorney very very rudd person she says my husband and i owe money to a credit card company which is orchard bank well i can not get them to send any kind of paper work what so ever but they want us to send money is there a way to stop these calls? and my number is unlisted and they got it any way any advice is helpful..

1. Attorney Thomas Bamford has actually been on the Texas state bar since 1956, not 1951.

2. I've worked for them, I know "Ms. Davis" personally. She isn't rude or mean, until you start giving her attitude.

3. In Texas, collectors are allowed 1 registered "handle".

4. The different addresses, stems from changing offices. There's nothing shady about that.

5. If you don't like attorney's offices calling your house. Stop charging up your credit cards and not paying them back on time. It's really that simple. No one put a gun to your head and made you sign that contract. Be an adult, live up to your responsibilities.

6. I find it humorous, you debtors have a forum to discuss how to get out of paying your bills. Have fun with that one.

Sincerely,
3rdPartyCollector
-Attorney Thomas K. Bamford's Office.

3rdParty ~ Most of the people here are not trying to get out of paying their bills, they are tired of being taken advatage of, tired of having collectors be rude to them and treat them like crap, tired of the threats, tired of scammers, and are trying to find ways to pay what they owe with trying to live and provide for their families. As on another thread, bad things can happen to good people. Life happens and people get behind or cannot pay certain things or have enough money to live on and that is when things are turned over to a collection agency. Does that give the agency the right to be demeaning to someone, threaten them, try to take every penny they have and leave them with nothing? Just because you work for a collection agency/attorneys office make you better than me or anyone else that might owe debt due to something happening in their lives. Does it give you the right to judge any body? Does it give you the right to put people down and threaten them? I don't think so...you put your pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. You come on here with your high and might attitude and you are not any better than I am so you need to get off your high horse! I hope that you don't ever find yourself in a situation where you get behind or can't pay....well maybe I do just so you can see what it feels like to be threatened and degraded. This forum is here to help people find a way to get out of debt and pay their bills will taking care of themselves and their families. yes, there are people that come one here and try to get out of paying something, but if you read some of the threads, you will find where that person was repiminded (sp) for doing that and is encouraged to pay their debt and that this was not a place to go to get out of paying something. It is people like you that give collectors a bad name. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from people who have fallen on hard times. You would be surprised how much more you might be able to collect in the long run if you worked with people when they are down and treated them better.

Now get your nose our of the air before it rains and you drown.

UUUGGGG People like this just irritate me to no end!

I find it humorous that he signed on post that he works directly for that office!

Ooops, gues I ment to say "out of the air" nor "our of the air". Been one of those days and am so ready to go home!!! Baaaad day today!

I find it funnier you don't read anything and realize what this forum is actually about.

ladygrace - if you need to, send a request for a debt verification letter. If they verify the debt and you confirm it is yours, do you best to work out a payment agreement. And if they pull the crap that they are a law firm and don't need to verify the debt, stick to your guns. Per the fdcpa, by definition, a law firm is a debt collector when that is what they do on a regular basis.


Know your rights: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/

Jeff,what is weird is I read 100 topics and always get the same useless answer"Pay your bills". No response to their violations of state or federal law. No offer of validating a debt,no offer of support to assist in a case of mistaken id or theft of id. These people are highly boring!

I have a response to their violations, sue the collector, the owner, and the attorney for multiple violations. I pray a case like this one falls into my lap. I would sue them and file a bar complaint against the attorney who rents out his name.

texaslawyer, you are the sort of attorney I hope to be some day soon.

ok...

I do work for thomas bamford. thus i speak like i do.

if you're tired of bill collectors calling your house just tell them they have the wrong number. if they continue to call, they're in violation.

ignore your debts then at that point and have them fall into default. perhaps a judgement on your credit report will help you out, i don't know.

as for the attorney that keeps calling these types of law offices "rental attorney's"... ALL attorney's are rentals.

i don't claim to be better than anyone else. infact, i have had past due debts. the difference? it only took ONE phone call for me to clear the matter up/work out an arrangement/pay my bill in some fashion or another.

something you people need to realise, is that attorney's don't call you when the bill is first overdue. infact ALL of the debts placed in an attorney's office were first called by the company who owned the debts collection division. if you want a low monthly arrangement. work that out with them. attorney's aren't in the business of refinancing debt. so don't let it get that far, and you won't have problems with attorney's. simple enough?

Ok realize is spelled with a z isn't it???
1- No one here is trying to get out of paying their debt
2- Do you really think it is ok for a bill collector to call and threaten to have children taken away, jail time, etc???? NO IT IS NOT!

here are some other debt relief tips:

1. if you own a home and have a good payment history look into payment deferral or a refinance.

2. always try to pay the balance, yet if that isn't possible ask for a settlement. be adamant, they'll come down more than you'd think.

3. if you need a low monthly arrangement and you have a credit card you could roll the balance on to. do that and then work out a low monthly arrangement with that creditor. this clears up the past due debt and turns it into good credit on your credit report.

4. Borrow the money from a friend/relative. pay them back and get your account out of an attorney's office.

5. if you're living on a fixed income.(ie... social security/disability/unemployment.) tell the people this right upfront. most attorney's will back off and work out a good deal.

6. verification of debt isn't a stall tactic or even a reality after the first 30 days. you have 30 days for respond to the initial correspondence. after that, attorney's aren't entitled to verify anything. usually they request that you send your dispute in writing along with why you're disputing it. providing proof that the account is placed in error or invalid never hurts.

7. STAY IN TOUCH WITH THEM. this is probably the most important thing you can do. you want to stop getting beat up on the phone? establish a good relationship with them from the start. ignoring the calls only furthers their "tough guy" approach to collecting the money because they feel they may not be able to work out anything if they can't get the money RIGHT NOW.

i have more tips, this is just a start. hit me up if you need more help.

I was advised to send a letter stating : Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act, please do not contact me regarding my account.
My mother and I have been repeatedly harrassed by many of them. They are rude and extremely disrespectful. Look up this Act on line as well as on Wikipedia -the Free Encyclopedia- and look up debt buyers. It's been known and there are cases that these companies do not care about the consumer or do not wish to negotiate on any terms. They are there for themselves. They show no compassion. They like to use scare tactics to get what they want. Don't be afraid. You have rights too. There are difficult times in our lives where were are unable to pay all our bills, so we only pay what we MUST pay to survive-food, shelter, clothing... Then when we want to get back on track as to paying our CC bills, we come to find out that our bills have been tripled. How do they expect us to really pay now? If they really wanted their money they would simply ask for the original balance. But they want MORE MONEY...they want to PROFIT out of your difficult circumstances. They are evil, selfish crooks. You won't go to jail. You have to show them that you too are aggressive and will fight, and do not give them your checking or savings account numbers. They will try to set up a monthly payment to be deducted automatically, but instead they will take out as much as they can fast. If they won't accept what YOU can pay and that you will send a check to them, then don't continue the conversation.

Yesterday, I began representing a lady who received a threatening collection phone call from a "Ms. Houston", "Mr. Bamford's secretary", last Saturday. I somehow don't think that Mr. Bamford (age 83, a licensed Texas attorney since 1951, a State Bar address different from that listed on "his" collection letter) employs a Ms. Houston. I am still investigating. If you have any information that you would like to provide, please email me at ***, or call me

Personal info removed for your safety - Mike

I have recieved calls form Ms. Houston also claiming to be with Mr. Bamfords office. The suspicious thing is that the company who was collecting on this particular debt says they still own it, so how can Bamford say they are the collectors on it too. Two collectors can't own it at the same time.

This is to 3rdpartycollector: You are not telling the truth. I moved to a new town and was assigned a new phone number. It is my assumption that I was given a phone number that had previously been assigned to a person that your "attorney's office" is trying to locate because your "office" has called me nearly every day since I've had the telephone number that was assigned to me in April. I have informed the person on the other end from your "office" that I am the new recipient of this telephone number but they just keep hanging up and calling back asking the same stupid question. They call 2-3 times a day. If this persists, I will file a lawsuit against your "company" including
restitution for any and all costs associated with it. Wise up and do a better job of investigating phone numbers before your repeatedly harass the wrong people. :evil:

Dixified,send them a full cease & desist letter certified return receipt.If they continue to call,record if it is legal in your state.If it is not legal in your state,start a phone log stating date,time,number,and what was said during each call.Turn over your evidence to an attorney for lawsuit.Another idea to gain you some peace & quiet is to call your phone company to file harassment against this company which would allow them to block number at the phone company office.

These people call me 4-6 times per day. I spoke with them and told them I could not take care of the debt at the moment, and they tried pressure me into making promises to pay them. I asked them not to call me at work, but they do it anyway. That is against the law since I told them my company doesn't approve of it. Not to mention, he has called my FUTURE mother-in-law and harassed her. These people are awful, and I cannot believe that they operate under the guise of an attorney's name! I owe the money, and I fully intend to pay it, but I would love to screw these jerks to the wall. :!: :!:

I am having the same problem with Mr. Banford's office. They called my cell when I was out of town on Saturday, and when I returned home, I found that they had also called my parent's house, my grandmother's house and my COLLEGE ROOMMATE from 8 years ago. How is that even possible? Anyway, I called them back and they are EXTREMELY RUDE there. They want me to pay a very old credit card that I didn't even remember about. I told them that my ex husband was supposed to help with it, but didn't, they said they didn't care. They want me to pay a lump sum that just isn't possible in my financial state. I asked what happens if I can't pay (I asked to make payments and they said no) and he said he would turn it over...but wouldn't tell me to whom, or what happens then. I'm a little nervous b/c I want them to quit harrassing my family and friends, but can't pay the amount they are asking. He also said he needed to hear back from me by Wednesday, then he hung up on me! What do I do!?!?

There is a Ms. Brown at Mr. Bamford's office who is very rude. She called my house for my son on many occasions and was told he moved. She said that this was the only number she had and will continue to call no matter what till he calls her back. I told her it was harassment for her to continue to call my home and she said the calls would continue. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Section 1691d: A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Ms. Brown please stop calling.

[color=DarkRed]Profane post deleted. IP under observation - Mike[/color]

Guest, depends on what the "legally binding" contract says whether it will "hold up in court" or not. So what, if there are some deadbeats? That's not generally a criminal act. However, I've seen many a collector hauled into court for breaking the law, and having to pay up for various violations of state a federal law.

Yeah! You are right, they DON'T call when the bill is first late. Noooo....When my husband lost his job and I had to try and support both of us, the first thing I did was call the creditors and you know what? How funny, not ONE would work with me to lower payments so that we would not fall behind. Why? Well, gee, because I was current and oh by golly, so sorry we can't help you if you aren't behind...I'm not making that up either! No, FIRST I have to be behind...THEN they want to try and work out a payment plan...of course this is AFTER they tag on a couple grand in fees! Imagine that. So, you know what, screw em. What do I care now, hell my credit is screwed anyway now.

If you do work for them, then why the hell can't you guys give me the info I have requestd TWICE? I kept my end of the deal by paying if off, now I need something from YOU all and you won't budge? Quick to take the payments but not send a simple payoff letter? Or how its going to be taken off my husbands credit?

If you have tried to work with any lawyer and have feel they are "bullying" you or treating you badly, call the State Bar for lawyer of your state. Someone there will advise you what your rights are, what you can and cannot do, what steps to take and how to take them.
Be sure to mention the content of your conversation. For example, a request for more information on the debt, their lack of response to questions, and so on.
The State Bar will give you advise. Be sure to follow it and keep records of all conversations. Ask the Bar what further steps you can take to prevent further harassment.
This law firm seems to think they can treat people anyway they please. Fight back.

Ist of all this Thomas K Bamford is a francise of Collector America in Denver Co. They and Rannefeld & Associates in Addison,TX
Bamford is locate in Richardson,TX.Both collection agency want u to this they are all Attorney that a bald face Lie. THEY ARE COLLECTORS Using alias names.The atty theyowns the THe Bamford Firm is 90 yrs old.THe other guy who owns Rannefeld is not An Atty Bill Estrich he cant pass the bar exam. The Atty at Rannefeld in Addison he an Family law attywho live in Ft Worth Tx. his Name is Blue Rannefeld. Both are scammers don't pay them anything they areliers and cheatand treat there employees like crapp.I hope you guy file againest them with fair debt collect act, and with State of Tx attorney general. They lie on there employees

Wow...right around the corner from me. Want me to pay them a visit? I have a few Italian friends whose middle name is "The". You know....Jimmy "the" Knife, Victor "the" Gimp...... :twisted:

I have been talking to a Ms. Houston VERY VERY rude person. I have a returned check(had some major medical bills) she is demanding payment today(Wednesday) she will not wait until Friday wehn I get paid. She says it will go to the DA tomorrow am and that i will have huge problems. I would like to avoid this so I called and asked to speak with attorney Bamford so that I can explain the problem and see if he would wait until Friday. She said he was in court all day and would NOT speak with debtors. I them asked for the owner Mike Graves. She hung up. She called back and gave me money gram information. I have to pay it to graeline not attorney bamford's office. They told me DO NOT pay Friday if i can't today they will sue and not accept it. I CAN pay Friday, should I or wait to see if they really sue me?

I continuously get voice mails from this same company demanding my lawyers name. Well my attorney is the state attorney genreral of florida. My husband fell and fx his neck and has a spinal cord injury. My income fell to just mine. i struggled paying what i could pay. But because while he was in the hospital i was late on some payments. So the bill started adding up. I called 2 of the banks and tried to make arrangements. one of them was providian that agreed to wipe out all of the late fees etc if i gave her 600.00 payment that day. So i did and you know what happened they lied and payments continued to climb. and also the payment i gave them caused me to neglect another bill which i just could not do. So the more i tried the more bank of america and providian made me a failure. my other creditors worked with me and i am still paying them today. It is tough deciding to buy meds and groceries and just work to live. This can happen to anyone. While the banks get help from our government when they are in trouble , there is no one we can turn to when such an emergency arises. Thank you to the creditors who work with me and shame on the banks whom have taken advantage of people and the bill collectors that cant get a better job than harass sick american people. Keep calling i have caller id and if i dont know the number you can ring all day. And for the one that calls my job , well you will be recorded and sent to the florida state attorney general.

Calls my phone every 12 hours. I had never been late on a bill in my whole life until last year when I was stricken with an illness, then I lost everything, my business and any income I had. I am in the process of trying to get disability, which I have explained to these people, and this past year has been the worst year of my life, I am very very sick and what little help I can get is from my mom. How disgusting that these people would harrass a sick person on the verge of barely getting food day and night. I did send them a payment for $400 and have explained to them my illness and they even called every 12 hours while I was in the hospital! I cannot believe people like this can even sleep at night.
Do they think I don't want to pay my bill?!?I went 47 years without ever being late. Do they think I want to be sick and be in and out of the hospital?! All I can say is wow, there will be a special place for these people when they die.

Get their address. Send them a letter saying you are very ill and disabled. You have no assets and no income. Tell them they are not allowed to contact you anymore.