anyone interested in a class action law suit?
Date: Wed, 12/07/2005 - 22:19
Citibank was the only creditor that refused to work with me when I had almost no income and was paying the divorce attorney her hefty fees. I called them as soon as I knew I was in trouble. I did the responsible thing with all of my creditors. Citibank made me feel like a deadbeat who is just sitting on a stack of money and unwilling to pay, and they still do that. Citibank was the only creditor that immediately called in the entire debt. Then sold my account to a bunch of hacks.
I am preparing letters to Attorneys General of my state and the states in which I have knowledge they operate out of, as well as several members of Congress sympathetic to "the poor", and Citibank for the following reasons:
1)Their harassment has included shamelessly contacting third parties.
My first husband, who I divorced 15 years ago and have never lived with since then, causing psychological harm to my children as this stirs up old animosities with him, myself, our children, and his wife of 15 years!
My 70-year-old father who is retired, diabetic, and on a fixed income--he does not need to be worrying about me!
When I confronted one of the callers she tried to say they can do that because they did not know how to locate me. I said, "What do you mean?? You have been calling me for a year now at home and on my cell! You know exactly where to locate me!" She then turned tail and accused me of being a lawbreaker and told me it was "in (my) file" that I had "obtained my card under fraudulent circumstances." And can I pay my balance in full today? Yeah, let me just dig in the couch for some change.
2)Repeated unnecessary and harassing calls. On a typical day I get at least one call every hour almost on the hour. On some days which I guess are critical to them (hmm..they run a contest at the office? First of the month?) I can get 25 calls between 8 am and 9 pm. I get these calls on my home phone and cell phone while I am taking my child to school, driving, working, talking to clients, seeing my counselor, in church, putting my children to bed, etc.. When I answer (not that often I assure you) they demand payment that day, in full, and accuse me of "never (having) intended to pay that debt, (I) just took their card under fraud and was never going to pay on it anyway." I have told them repeatedly what my situation is, and am no longer going to tolerate their stupid schoolyard bully tactics. Whoever trains this bunch must want to see the company go belly up. If I won the lottery and could pay this debt tomorrow, I would make damn sure every penny went to Citibank and ZERO to Academy Asscrack Services!! I would hate to think I helped any one of these idiots keep their job. Excuse the bad language. I pray for them, I really do.
3)Loud and abusive language from the callers, anonymous sounding voice mails, hang up calls.
4)Implying that I have a lawsuit against me that is "on the desk" of an attorney's office, also "notification" of a lawsuit "pending" in a county that I do not even reside in. Threats that the sheriff will be at my door.
5)Using false names. One woman has identified herself both as Lisa Bell, and the next day, what I suppose was her "evil twin" Laura Murphy.
6)Repeated threats to attach their debt to my home that was foreclosed since they said that "Citibank bought out Countrywide Home Loans." This is news to everyone I have spoken to.
6)Threats of garnishment of wages. Good luck. I made less than poverty level this year.
Do we still live in America?? I am interested in hearing from everyone who has had these experiences with Academy. If we get enough of us together, we can file a class action lawsuit and put these scumbags out of business!! They have done everything but tell me Guido is on his way over to break my kneecaps. Just because a person has financial troubles does not meant that they lose their Constitutional rights and protections under Federal and state law.
We could win up to a half million dollars under FTC regs. If Citibank could be found culpable, who knows?
I live near the Law Offices of Jeffrey Feiger. I have not been in contact with him, but would love to present this to him if I can get enough support for a class action suit. He is a fighter, he does not shy away from controversy or cases of nationwide interest, and is always fighting for the underdog. He intends to run for the office of State Attorney General in Michigan. I believe that this case is an ace in the hole that will benefit his campaign as much as it would benefit all of us.
Michigan's Governor is Jennifer Granholm. She had both Democrats and Republicans to vote her into office because of the superior work she did as Michigan's State Attorney General. I believe that we have a very good chance here of having our case heard and decided on fairly in my state.
If you agree, please reply to the post. I will keep checking back here.
No one should be allowed to conduct business the way Academy Services does. Let's wipe them out and make room for a legitimate company to employ honest people who abide by the laws of our states and our country!
Email address removed as per TOS - Vikas
we want to be part of it
We have noticed a lot of collection agencies doing the wrong thing. Till now we have been a passive community, maybe its time to take a more active role.
We have a budget of $2000 each month available for community activities.
we would like to be part of this.
Vikas.
Hi LisHdsn Welcome to the forums. I am sorry to hear about
Hi LisHdsn
Welcome to the forums.
I am sorry to hear about all your troubles. Many of us here are facing the regular turmoil of illegal collection activities.
After hearing from you about Academy Services, I wish to know if they have ever put info about your accounts in writing. They need to give you the details of your accounts in writing as being stated in the fdcpa laws. If the debt is requested to be validated and they have failed in doing so and in spite of that, they make regular calls causing disturbance to you, you absolutely need to file charges against them. Besides, you have so many other reasons to look for legal help.
All the points mentioned by you are being faced by a major portion of the community. If any CA calls up and tries to place the contact, the law states that the debtor and the CA needs to be identified properly so that the accounts can proceed further to settlement. Those companies like you mentioned are involved in making illegal money and that is the reason they try to intimidate innocent people. Do not stay back. Show your stronger side and consult your lawyer for this purpose.
To make your battle stronger against these types of CAs, do file your complaints at the FTC, BBB as well as the state attorney general office. The authorities intend to take legal actions against companies only after they have received large number of complaints. I am hoping that your complaint will instigate the matter faster.
Waiting to hear from you.
Regards
Roxette
LisHdsn Have you sent a cease and desist letter to Academy Se
LisHdsn
Have you sent a cease and desist letter to Academy Services? After receiving the C&D letter, they are legally restricted from calling you further.
I have also been contacted by Academy Services. What should I do
I have also been contacted by Academy Services. What should I do? I am worried on how to handle them.
Hi Roland, Welcome to the forums. Read the Federal laws on
Hi Roland,
Welcome to the forums.
Read the Federal laws on debt collection and know about your consumer rights.
There is nothing to fear as long as you are willing to pay your past debt. If the collection agency is violating the laws, you should take legal counseling.
Read the post of LisHdsn and realize that you too can act strongly just like she did. Do not get tensed but take the actions for which you have the legal rights.
Regards
Roxette
acadamy services
Suddenly starting receiving calls from Acadamy Services. I called them back and was told I had a debt from 1999 from AT&T. I have absolutely no recollection of owing AT&T any monies. I tried to explain that to the guy and asked him to send me proof of the debt ($190.00) and told him that once I had that proof I would be glad to pay. The man started yelling at me saying that I was refusing to pay and that it would be going on credit record and in the background I could hear a lady yelling at him telling him what to say. Can you say unprofessional. Anyway, can someone instruct me on how to go about dealing with this. I've worked very hard the past few years in cleaing up my credit and would not like to see it ruined by a $190.00 debt that I don't even think I owe.
Hi vislands Welcome to the forums. It is your legal right
Hi vislands
Welcome to the forums.
It is your legal right to request for a debt validation from the collection agency. Please request for this info at their mailing address. Once they have received your letter, they are required to send you the account details in writing within 5 days.
No collection agency can insert any negative comment in your credit file without legitimate reasons. Keep a check on your file to see if any illegal activity is taking place.
If the collection agency calls you again, talk to them with confidence and tell them that you have sent your request for a debt validation. Without this information, you refuse to make any payments to them. Hopefully, they must stop calling you before your debt is validated.
Regards
Roxette
Academy Services
I just got done speaking with the shady "professionals" at Academy Servies- they keep calling my home asking for someone who my husband and I don't even know, and when i tell them the person is not here, they just keep calling back. I called them back this morning and I stated that we had informed them many times that the person they are looking for does not reside with us, and that if they keep calling i will press harassment charges. The jerk who has been calling and threatening us over a person we don't know then said, "I will remove your number from our list but don't threaten me!" And hung up on me!!! I called again and spoke with another rude person who offered me no help as to why our number would have been involved in this, so i am going to see if there is any way to press any kind of charges just to show them. I did an internet search and came up with this post- any legal action, I would love to take part in!!!
Send a letter demanding that they not contact you at all, and ma
Send a letter demanding that they not contact you at all, and mail it return receipt.
Quote:
I called again and spoke with another rude person who offered me no help as to why our number would have been involved in this |
Not it matters any, but 3 reasons come to mind...
a) you have a number that a debtor used to have
b) your name is close match for a debtor
c) you have a number that a debtor/3rd party gave as a contact number for debtor
If you want to sue, start looking for an atty at naca.net. You can't sue them for being rude, but if you can prove they threatened you or called you excessively, you may win a few bucks.
Steve Baker is VERY mean and not helpful at all. He yells and sc
Steve Baker is VERY mean and not helpful at all. He yells and screams at you not letting you say a word at all. He should be fired and not allowed to talk to the public ever again. It is a surprise he has any social life.
Got a call from Paul at 1-866-227-0605 today....
This might have been the first time they tried calling. I think somebody called yesterday from there.. but this guy today, the woman here who took the message for me (I was out of the office) said that he was rude. I checked up on the number and found several instances of people getting calls from this number. I currently go through Debt Reduction Services who pay's 2 accounts for me. Should I contact them regarding these people??
Got another call.. might have been left on our answering machine
Got another call.. might have been left on our answering machine from a Holly Sharp from 1-800-220-0605 at extension 2517. Same people probably. F Em.
I am 82 years old and receiving bills in a grandauters name who
I am 82 years old and receiving bills in a grandauters name who I have not seen for 3 years. I talked with her and she has no idea how they got my address as she lives in MA and I am in FL. I offered to pay the bill $662 but she says she does not owe and never gave my address to anyone. Please advise