I wish bass and Associates name was here

Attorney General Sues Agency for Debt Collection Abuses


TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Charlie Crist today filed suit against a Jacksonville-based collections agency and its owner over allegations they repeatedly threatened consumers and imposed illegal fees for owed debts. Ellis Crosby & Associates, Inc., and Ted Ellis Crosby are charged with victimizing more than 120 consumers through multiple violations of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Florida's Consumer Collections Practices Act.

The investigation was initiated when the Attorney General's Economic Crimes Division received numerous complaints about the collections agency from the Better Business Bureau. The complaints alleged that the company was using aggressive and illegal tactics to collect on its accounts, including posing as law enforcement officers or attorneys, threatening arrest by military police and collecting illegal fees greater than the original amount owed. Several complaints even alleged that individuals with the company represented themselves as lawyers with the Attorney General's Office.

"Few words could adequately describe the appalling nature of the tactics used against these citizens," said Crist. "People facing the pressure of paying a debt should not also endure fabricated threats and intimidation. The predatory nature of these actions demands our immediate attention, and the victims deserve immediate relief from these attacks."

Further investigation by the Attorney General's Office revealed that Crosby, 27, of Ponte Vedra, specifically trained and instructed his employees to use the malicious tactics. Among the victims was Anna Massey of Jacksonville, who was contacted by an employee of Ellis Crosby claiming to have a videotape of her husband cashing a bad check. The company told Mrs. Massey that the police were on their way to her home to arrest her husband Billy. Although Mr. Massey tried to explain to the company that he was not the individual with the debt, the company continued to harass him and his wife, demanding personal identification information and immediate payment of the debt. The intimidation tactics stopped only when Mr. Massey threatened to contact authorities.

The Florida-based company also targeted victims in other states. Chris Williams of Ohio was contacted by the company regarding a payday loan of $200, demanding immediate payment of $989.42. The company threatened arrest if the payment was not received, informing Ms. Williams - who was eight months pregnant at the time - that she should know "they don't give very good prenatal care in jail." Unable to confirm that the payment she sent had been received, Ms. Williams was afraid to go home for fear of being arrested. Eventually she spoke with local police and determined that there was no warrant for her arrest.

To date, the Attorney General's Office has received more than 120 complaints about the company, and more complaints continue to come in on a regular basis. Because the company is continuing its improper practices, the Attorney General's Office is seeking an expedited hearing to impose an immediate temporary injunction to halt the unlawful activity.