Take that Emerald Marketing LLC!!!

This isn't so much a question as it is a success story, dealing with Emerald Marketing LLC. in hopes to help others that may be in a similar situation I was in.

Here's a rundown of the story:
I was (and still am) going through some financial issues (thank goodness I found this website!) and made the horrible mistake of taking out a Payday Loan with Emerald Marketing. I thought it was the solution to my problem but I was oh so wrong! After making a few "finance" payments my bank account became tapped out. I work full time and go to school full time and I am responsible for all of my finances, I don't get a cent from my family so, paying this loan back became extremely difficult...

I suppose EM got tired of waiting so then the harassing phone calls began... Long story short, one of their reps called my work asking for me. When I picked up the phone, he informed me of the thousands of dollars in legal fees, things I could be prosecuted for and all of that phone "tough guy" stuff they like to say. He told me that if I paid in full today (my $260 dollar loan now was a $460+ one) I could avoid all of that. I told him that I didn't have the money and to not call my work place, as I was not allowed to receive personal calls and told him to call me on my cell phone when I get out of work. He then claimed that he could "call whatever number he wanted" and said I had 24 hours to call him back to arrange a payment other wise they would submit the legal papers and would garnish my wages... Needless to say, I was livid! I did my research and was now armed with knowledge! 24 hours rolls around and sure enough, he calls my work again and my manager says to me "there is a guy on the phone for you and he is pretty irate"... I told my manager to tell him that I wasn't available and to call me at my cell number after work hours. Well, I guess it all went through one ear and out the other and he calls back 5 minutes later asking for me again. My manager told him again that I wasn't available so he asked to speak to our book keeper. My manager transfered him and he asked her to confirm my employment and then said he would be sending some "legal documents"... At this point I was practically foaming at the mouth... I immediately took a break and reported them to the Nevada Attorney General, the Florida Attorney General, the BBB and the Federal Trade Comission and I also spoke with a family friend who is an attorney for some advise.

After I finished reporting their practices, I wrote their customer service head a nice little email that went a little something like this:

"To whom it may concern,

I was recently contacted by a Mr. (name removed) regarding an outstanding loan with your company on October 26th of 2010. During our phone conversation, Mr. - informed me of my debt, but also threatened me with legal action, fees and garnishment of my wages. When I informed him that I was at work and wasn't allowed to receive calls there he claimed that "he can call whatever number he wants" and ignored my request to stop when he called again today. He called a second time today to speak with our book keeper when he found out I was not available. From my legal counsel and my understanding, this sort of behavior is not legal according to the FDCPA and various state laws. If you beg to differ, please provide me with the appropriate literature that says otherwise. I wanted to let you know, it was not my intent to let my account fall into such a state but with the economy being what it is, I am having difficulties paying. Your company's methods of collection are far from ethical and I have reported this matter in detail to the Florida and Nevada State Attorney General, the BBB and the Federal Trade Commission. I am awaiting their action and I am also speaking with a personal attorney about this matter as well.

Since my oral request to cease calls to my work phone number was ignored, consider this my written request to cease and desist all phone calls to my work number. If you need to contact me via phone, you may only call (---) --- ----, dated this the 27th of October, 2010.

Thank you,

M... O..."

Sure enough, within an hour, they sent me a response stating that although they "admit to no wrong doing" they would write off my balance and mark my account paid in full which EM included a written statement for via PDF in my email for my records!

Is there any way possible to file a class action lawsuit against these bullies? Harassment is harassment no matter what and I have read plenty of stories about these guys doing the same thing to a lot of other people... It'd be nice to give them a run for their money and with any luck get these guys shut down!

All I can say is good riddance! I will NEVER deal with a payday loan company again. Even though it felt great to get them at their own game, I never want to have to go through an ordeal like this again. If you're thinking of getting a payday loan (especially online) DON'T!

I love this website by the way and I hope to make full use of it to get all of my finances back on track and start living debt free!