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Malcolm S. Gerald & Associates

Submitted by Not so Lucky on Mon, 01/30/2006 - 13:38
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Today I received a letter from these people and they want payment sent to them at Malcolm S Gerald and Associates 332 South Michigan Ave, Suite 600 Chicago, Il 60604, but they have an address in the upper left hand corner PO Box 1058 Oaks, PA 19456. Thats when the first red flag went up. Then I checked them out on the BBB site and they have a unsatisfactory record with the bureau. I am going to hit them with a debt validation letter.


They are awful. Someone from there called my phone this morning and said the call was concerning information that I contacted HER for. and that if I didn't call back she wouldn't be able to get me my information. WHAT A BOLD FACE LIE!!
I called the company and the supervisor was so unprofessional and basically claimed I was making it up... What would I have to gain by doing that? I supposedly was on the line with the owners "wife" and told her they have other complaints with the BBB and she said "oh I know exactly what that's about..." and proceeded to tell me about this man and what his complaint is.
There has got to be a whole lot of illegal stuff with them, just shown in my experience with them today alone!
Ugh! Everyone RUN!


Submitted by on Thu, 02/09/2006 - 07:31

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I am so glad I found your postings. I almost gave these people my credit card information, but I always google bill collectors to see if they are on the up and up because there are so many cons out there. So, should I ask these people for a debt validation letter?


Submitted by on Thu, 02/09/2006 - 16:20

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Definitely tkomom2, it is your right to get your debt validated. Besides, the federal laws also put stress on it so that you are aware that you are being contacted by a collection agency with legitimate purpose. All the details about your accounts that took place with the original creditor must be mentioned to you very clearly. If you find any of the items to be incorrect in the statement, dispute it. The information must be verified with the original lender before further collections can be attempted on you.


Submitted by curlycarl on Thu, 02/09/2006 - 16:50

curlycarl

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tkomom2, have your base covered by sending a debt validation request in writing to the company's mailing address. In case, if the company ever pursues a legal action against you, this letter sent to them will be your strong defense to prove that you took every responsibility to pay off the debt. But the company has failed to give you any information till date. Reviewing this, the judge will make a decision that will be always favorable to you. Send your letter through certified mail / return receipt requested.


Submitted by curlycarl on Fri, 02/10/2006 - 10:43

curlycarl

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I worked for this company for 9 1/2 and they were always on top of validating debits. If it is a credit card debit those are harder to obtain from the clients as these are usually second and third placements. But as far as a medical debit those are itemized statements. Malcolm s gerald and associates were always on their p and q's when it came to these matters and if there are concerns you should really direct them to the correct people so they can be resolved. Unless they have changed sinceI left. But they had a policy for us collectors to use and that was sympathy to the debtor and empathy to the client.


Submitted by on Wed, 11/15/2006 - 20:00

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Thanks Shelly for your words on this subject. If the person with this issue would like to contect me directly, I would invite the opportunity to assist you with any issues you may be having. Feel free to contact me directly at (I am the president of Malcolm S. Gerald) We have been in business for 44 years and our history is collecting money in a professional matter. I hope you opt to contact me so this issue can be resolved.

[color=darkred][size=2]email address removed per forum rules.[/color][/size]


Submitted by on Thu, 11/16/2006 - 11:45

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for your info regardless if it is paid at the agency or the creditor once it is in collections we get the fee anyway.


Submitted by on Thu, 11/30/2006 - 19:05

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Did you ever follow up with MSG? I used to work in their medical department as well and was a supervisor. I know I always tried to resolve patient issues. If someone did not get an IB or validation then I would look into it. I cannot speak for the retail side though.


Submitted by on Thu, 01/04/2007 - 16:08

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I understand; these characters are calling my mobile phone early am, weekends, several times consecutively, then hanging up. I have NO outstanding credit card debt or open loans at this time. The only thing I might be able to contribute their harassment to is an old credit card (Corvette MasterCard) through a company acquired by HSBC.

I was on Title-10 orders (protected by the soldiers & sailors relief act) but they refused to lower the interest, send me statements, or allow me to access my account billing information via the web. After networking with other soldiers and our legal services I was convinced HSBC was an organization lacking both ethical and moral fiber; let alone regard for the law. Needless to say, I paid the card balance and terminated membership.

I think these calls may just be another case of bureaucratic incompetence.
Good Luck, My Friend!


Submitted by on Sat, 06/23/2007 - 09:00

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the company called my home and got my soc. security no.. which was a big mistake on part and then said the call was not concerning me then asked to speak to my husband and he did the same thing. we are truly sorry we did that.. we called the attorney gen. office immediatly and they are sending us papers to fill out.. DON'T EVER GIVE OUT YOUR SS. NUMBER.. LEARN BY OTHERS MISTAKES.. don't know what will happen over this mistake..


Submitted by on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 11:46

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I got my letter from our lovely Malcolm S. Gerald and Associates, Inc. As mention before their address in Chicago, but yet the other address in the upper right is a P.O Box in Oaks, PA (I have a few CA's in Oaks, PA seems to be a popular place for CA's to hang out).

Anyway its for my HSBC also. The strange thing is I opened my HSBC account in March 2007 and Pay on time each month till my Feb. 2008 (due in March) statement when I was slapped with a $100 fee on my account which made me unable to make my min payment ($130 at the time). Then after 2 months of calling my cell phone 10 times a day (which I didn't answer cause I knew it was them) every day. I guess they turned me over to this CA. Well guess I will start paying them. I owe like $500 so it shouldn't take too long.


Submitted by allogagan on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 15:48

allogagan

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i admit its one rights to ask for the letter...but it really knock my nerves when they say.."i know you guys sent me letter,it must be somewhere around but can you please send me another..and ill pay thru my Credit card" its really an awful situation for collectors..and if we try to explain they HU![/img]


Submitted by on Sat, 05/24/2008 - 06:39

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so is this agency legit at all? cuz i been making payments to them becuz they said i owe them or watever...after reading all these feedbacks makes me think its not a legit company and they are taking the money i paid that easily


Submitted by on Thu, 06/19/2008 - 18:50

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All of these messages are outragous this company is definitly on the level. Me being a FORMER employee that had been "fired" has absolutly nothing to hide. So if they call you about a debt, chances are you owe it....So pay it.


Submitted by on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 22:24

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All of a sudden, I received a call from a man that wanted to speak with me and get my SS#, Bday and physical address. LOL I obviously didn't give him any information or even let him know he was talking to me. When I called the number back to get some info, this woman answered. When I asked her simple questions such as the name of the company, address, license number, local phone number, etc., she literally started yelling at me!! Saying that I was wasting her time and for me to just give her my info so she could look it up. Yeah right. I couldn't believe it. So then I just said that she just confirmed that their company was a fraud and she started yelling at me again! lol I just hung up.


Submitted by on Wed, 10/01/2008 - 16:17

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How can you tell if debt collectors are real or not? what is a validation letter?


Submitted by on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 15:42

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Again I wll state, we have been in business for 46 years and hold the appropiate licenses to do business. I am always available to speak directly about any concerns to how we do business. Feel free to call me. David


Submitted by on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 08:00

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we'll call you david.if you'll allow US to tape the discussion.i bet your offer is shaky at best now.


Submitted by paulmergel on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 08:19

paulmergel

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These people called me the other day about a credit card debt from the early 1990's. I explained to the woman the debt had been paid long ago. She went on arguing with me about why I did not have a record at my finger tips about this debt.....but she didn't know the debt was nearly 20 years old....even after I explained to her several times.

She then proceeded to recite to me my name, address, and entire social security number asking if it was correct after each bit of information. I immediately flipped out. How dare this company/employee call unknown individuals and give out my address & social and ask if that is correct. They don't know who I am.

I spoke to her supervisor, a Mr. James Virgats. James was more than happy to argue with me and explain the woman was verifying my identity, and tell me I was just mad they found me. Uneblieveable.

James denied it, argues it, and flat out lied and once said it never because hw as listening down the hall. He seemed to understand the ATM machine doesn't give him his PIN # for a withdraw and ask him if it is correct, but he couldnt understand where his employee went wrong providing my personal information, including entire social, as if to set me up with identity theft.

The actions of this company were inexcusable, unacceptable, and I am appalled at their haphazard disregard for my information.


Submitted by on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 18:54

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I got a letter and I called to pay they to told me that I could not pay with anything but by plastic that to me is funny you would think they would want you to pay it would not matter how they got it and if they been in business so long how did people pay when there was NO plastic like there is today come on if they wanted to get paid I feel like anyway would be good dont you?


Submitted by on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 17:10

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They are just pressuring you. They will not get their commission unless and until your payment reaches their office, clears, and is entered into the system. Money is money, as long as it's green, they'll take it. BUT, with a statement like the one you mentioned, I would not trust them. That sounds like a scam. They want your credit card or banking info so they can extract more money out of you. Over and over I hear stories that make me very glad that I never talk to CAs on the phone.


Submitted by Chrys Henderson on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 21:52

Chrys Henderson

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I suggest you all look up the statute of limitations for your applicable state and tell dear Mr. Malcolm and his collectors where to insert their headset once you are done with the conversation. You do not have to pay debt that is considered too old by your state, every state has laws that govern the time which a person or company can file suit to collect a debt. In general it is about six years from the time the debt was written off or the last date of activity on your credit report. Check with your state to see what the laws are where you live. The creditor can still file suit against you for payment once the statute has expired, but you can ask the judge to dismiss on grounds it has expired. These vermin are calling you just to get you to pay up some zombie debt that is uncollectable and they are taking their shot as they rummage through the garbage to get their three cents on the dollars. They are the bottom of the slime pit..

Do NOT admit that you owe the debt if the vermin contact you and do not agree to make any payments. Simply tell them that the "statute of limitations has run out on this debt and do not contact me again." If Mr. Malcom's vermin continue to contact you then send a certified letter with return receipt requested telling them not to contact you about this so called debt again. By acknowledging this debt you stand the risk of starting the clock all over again and give them the legal right to file a lawsuit against you to collect. Again, do not agree to anything, laugh and hang up.

I hope this helps and Mr. Malcom, I hope you shove your PC where the sun does not shine.


Submitted by on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 10:15

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I received a letter from Malcom S Gerlad and Assoc for a debt. I requested a debt validation letter, and the supervisor sis not even know what a Debt Validation letter is. They already took $500 of my money. I intend to put a stop payment on any future payments. they are nothin but common thieves. They are a fraud!


Submitted by on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 20:06

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I worked for these people, too and it was the worst experience of my life. The owner comes in, counts his money, doesn't care about his employee, then leaves in his BMW that reads "live now" to get on his yacht and go to his summer home. Biggest Jerk I ever met. I brought in about $2M in gross receivables, and got a Christmas bonus check for $12.50. I mean, come on. I think he belongs in jail.


Submitted by on Thu, 10/15/2009 - 21:39

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Wow, things have changed because when I was a supervisor there 10 years ago. Our bonus was based on our earnings and I recieved $$ in the thousands for x-mas and a couple hundred every month with a bonus and commisions. That's what hard work will get you. Guess you did'nt work quite so hard. sorry for you! THIS IS A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS. It is unfortunate that some people do not keep track of their bills or are in denial or perhaps a mistake was made by your creditor not this collection agency. They are not "vermin" either they are regular people doing a JOB! Statue of limitation runs on a grey line. It does not apply in all cases so beware.


Submitted by on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 13:06

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I just spoke with a rep and gave him my cc info. As we were about to complete transaction I googled him and saw all the bad reports. I then told him he did not have my permission to process and will contact my bank immediately. I don't know if they are legitimate or not but in this day and time who can afford to be ripped off when they are trying to get out of debt?


Submitted by on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 17:03

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Help me..
I received a letter from this company says that i'm in debt for a $ 1092.00 from the publisher guide(another scammer company) last 6 months, i close my credit to prevent this because they won't let me to cancel my order.
i'm just a international student with limited fund, and because of this my life feels so threatened
any solution on how to deal with this? I desperately need help from you guys


Submitted by on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 12:11

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