In PA and in a JAM about Payday Loan

shawn, I'm so sorry this is happening to you! Do you have an address for Southern Tier Agency? I do believe that since they are attempting to collect money from you, that you can send them a request for debt validation in writing.

I have had private number phone calls lately from Patrick Corbett Law. They have yet to tell me who they are collecting for. The worst part of this is that they have called family members that I am 150% certain I never listed on any of my payday loans. They called my 76-year-old dad and scared him to death. He told them they must have the wrong person, it could not be me. God love him.

They have even called my exhusband of 18 years. Will they not stop at anything.

Has anyone dealt with this company before? I need some direction on how to deal with them. They are threatening family members that I will be prosecuted. At this time I still do not know who they are representing. I saw on the internet where this law office "rents" out their name to these shady collectors. Please advise.

I am not an expert on this, but know that this collection agency is breaking the law by harassing you and your family members.

Have you sent them a validation letter that will also have a clause in there to cease and desist calling and harassing you and your family. You can also file complaints as well within your state.

Hopefully someone out here that has all the laws and so forth will give you exactly what you need to fight these people.

hang on and someone will be back i hope soon to give better directions.

motomom, I did a search on the internet and found some interesting information on Rip Off Report. Let me just post a portion of what one said:

The debt collection Law Offices of Patrick M. Corbett dba/ Southern Tier Agency is a scam. Anyone being contacted by these fools should tape their calls, demand debt validation in writing, report ALL threats to the NYS Bar (see information below) then contact me assistance and referral to a consumer law professional, capable of introducing ????Rent-A-Lawyer' Corbett to the joys of litigation.

Attorney Patrick M. Corbett and Southern Tier Agency are just another chapter of a very old, illegal and sickening con game to take monies they are NOT entitled to, on debts that usually cannot hold any legal basis for collections.

I checked out both names on the BBB and nothing comes up. Surprised? No. I want you to go to these two links and see for yourself what is said about them. There is also information at the bottom of one of them to where you can file a complaint against these guys.

Also, have you received anything in writing from them so that you have an address to send a debt validation letter to? Probably not. It sounds as though it's just some yahoo trying to collect on old accounts. Check these out:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/321/ripoff0321156.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/313/RipOff0313443.htm

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-841-7793

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-579-9640

This is only one of many phone numbers used by Corbett's "Law" Office:

Corbett Law Office
Patrick Michael Corbett
Dba/Southern Tier Agency
2265 George Urban Blvd.
Depew, NY 14043
Phone: 800-504-5734
or (716)-681-3838
Fax: (716)-681-2892

Also:
92 Ontario Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
(716) 903-1144
Caller ID: 888-579-9640
Caller: Corbett "Law" Office
Caller Type: Collection Agency

Here's a suggestion: PAY IT BACK! You took out the loan. I'm sure they will work with on payments if you work with them.

Here's a suggestion: PAY IT BACK! You took out the loan. I'm sure they will work with on payments if you work with them.

Common Sense, to whom is your rude comment directed?

Check out the sites that cannr has suggested. You can get a ton of info from Ripoffreport.com.

I got a call this morning (no caller id no.) for a young lady that said she was with VCR(?). She stated that her call was an attempt to collect on a debt from 2002 on a Citibank Universal Card. The balance was $3000, but with fees and all it was up to $8,000 now, but they'd settle for $3,000. She couldn't give me an account number or anything....just said they had checked my credit report to see how I was doing. She gave me a call back no. 888-291-6973 x 553. She had to know by today what I was going to do OR ELSE! I pulled my credit report and lo and behold Southern Tier Agency from Depew, NR pulled my credit yesterday. I checked them out on the internet and everything I saw was bad. There was absolutely nothing that I could connect with my credit report that matched anything Nena Semone of VCR referred to. What do you recommend that I do? Thanks!

Are these people for real? I did a payday loan too, and I have paid back some to these people, but I never received a debt validation in writing. They claimed to have tried to debit from my account and the funds were available, but they're claiming they weren't. One more thing.....these people are VERY aggressive to the point of being almost rude on the telephone. They say they're CCR and Associates and that they participate with attorneys (or some kind of national network), but this person I spoke with (Lisa) did say that they are with the Southern Tier Agency...scammers or not, or a combination of both?

This company is calling me and harassing me as well stating that I have 48 hours to pay off a loan from 2006. It's the week before Christmas(which I am not able to even buy for my son)and I have absolutely nothing to give them at this time. They are consistently calling and threatening. I want to make arrangements with them but they basically tell you it's their way or nothing. Are these idle threats and scare tactics or what?

These people are ruthless.
The phone number 888-291-6973 is attached to many aliases.
I did a LOT of research yesterday and contacted a couple of the people I found to be associated. Here's a list of what I found so far.
When you call that number they answer "CCR and associates"
There is a court document on line that also links that phone number to Corporate Collections Services in Ohio. I sent them an email and the woman, Shirley Smorado claims to not be affiliated with CCR. I told her I didn't believe her.
I then got an email from a Mr. Paul Sims in New York. He said that he got several emails from Ms. Smmorado regarding me and wanted me to call him. Here's the thing. The company name he gave me doesn't exist--"Check and Credit Reporting, Inc" in Cheektowaga, NY. The phone number he gave me is 866-798-7130. The address on the email doesn't exist. The street number and street do but the Suite # does not. 3806 Union Rd. Suite 155.
I did a little further checking on Mr. Sims and found out that he is associated with Patrick Corbett and Southern Tier Agency so you can link ALL of those "company names" and people together. I'm sure there's more.

I was threatened that my husband would go to jail for check fraud if we did not agree to their payment plan to clear up this payday loan. This payday loan is over 2 years old and I offered to make smaller payments as we are elderly and on a fixed income and send a money order or pay cash and they will not accept it they want a debit, credit card or check from the bank. I refused to give any information to them. I cannot afford an attorney so where do I go from here?

bick1, what is the name of the company?

They can not put anyone is jail. Debt is a civil matter not a criminal one.

Are you in PA? if not, what state?

I received a call stating that there is a case and they gave the number. When I called they answered CCR & associates. They wanted my account info or credit/debit card info. I asked for something in writing and she said she could only email me. Is this for real?

Sounds like a collection agency. Do not give them any information. If you can get an address, send them a debt validation letter.

Everyone, read the FDCPA. Anyone who has been threatened like this can sue for $1000 per threat or wrong doing by these collection agencies. You can not be threatened with jail !! If you have that recorded or in writing you will win $1000 in a court case against them.

After reading all of these posts I was really worried about dealing with these people, but I knew I owed the debt. I called them and told them about my hesitations and they faxed me a validation and their proposed payment plan in FIFTEEN MINTUES. I settled my payday loan for $300 less than the full balance and then they gave me a paid letter to prove it. thanks for all the advice!!

There trying to get 900 dollars out of me for a 60 dollar loan and cant get any info about them threw the internet what should i do

CCR associates is Patrick Michael Corbett Law Firm (Southern Tier Agency) out of Buffalo, NY., who does collections on defaulted payday loans:

Corbett Law Office
(Patrick Michael Corbett)
Dba/ Southern Tier Agency
2265 George Urban Blvd.
Depew, NY 14043

Phone: 800-504-5734
800-795-0831
or 716-681-3838
Fax: 716-681-2892

92 Ontario Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
716-903-1144

11 West Main St
Suite 400
Lancaster, NY

Send them a cease and desist letter. You can find an example here.

CCR isn't licensed to collect in PA. And PA has laws that make it a criminal offense to threaten criminal charges against someone to collect a debt. Report it to the state AG immediately.

Oh great so this is a scam? They told me the county was going to file felony charges against me is this really a scam? and really if it is it takes a ruthless person to be a collector but a cruel one to be a fake one!!!

They can't do anything and there are no felony charges.

They are illegal collectors. They probably got your info from an old debt and are now trying to collect it using scare tactics and harrassment. Do not give them a dime and report them.

I don't know if I would go so far as to call it a scam since there is a real debt they were hired to collect and PA allowed out of state lenders to legally make payday loans until Feb. 1. But from what you describe their tactics were illegal and you can sue them under both the FDCPA and PA law. At the very least, you should report them to the PA attorney general.

Isn't it possible to tell them you only work with the original company and they must stop harrassing calls

I dealt with them for the first time today and SOuthern Tier said CCR and Associates bought this debt from them but CCR claims just to be a mediator? Long story short I do owe the amount and accepted payment arrangements. I asked for an address to mail payments to and they said I could only pay by cc or check. So I said youre refusing my payment and they said yes we are going to have to. I said ok and hung up. I dont give out bank info anymore.

I recvd a call from a Mrs Taylor with the Summons and Complaint division of CCR. She states that if I don't make a payment they are going to file the summons. I originally scheduled a payment with them but then after thinking about it called back and asked her to cancel. She said that the payment is already with the Atty's office and they cannot cancel. She said to let it bounce and then I would have to send a payment by Federal Express. So of course, it bounced and now she said that I need to make send an overnight payment or else I will get a summons. I live in Ohio and I know that I do owe some money on an old payday loan. Any suggestions?

What pdl was it? I would venture to say there is NO summons.

PDL is CashnetUSA. The address she gave me was 2265 George Urban Blvd Depew, NY.

Sounds to me anyone on here is just looking for a reason not to pay their bills. Great example to set for your kids. This is partially why America is in a recession. People borrowing money with NO intentions of paying them back. I hope you're all really proud of yourselves.

I am assuming the "common sense" comment was from an employee of one of these scam artists. Regarding the "pay it back" comment. Obviously, these people are bottom feeders and real debt collectors do not prey on people and threaten them with criminal charges. If these were true debt collectors, they would not be hesitating to send a validation letter in the mail, and give the return address.

I got a voice mail message from someone - left not name saying it was urgent. I called back the number - 888-872-7992, the menu identifies the company as CCR & Associates, and comes across as some kind of Law Firm. I talk to some lady, who says I owe a pay day loan from 2005, and that I now owe $760. So I ask for paperwork on this, and she gets a little snippy, but says she'll send me an email. I get one the next day, and the letter head says Check & Credit Reporting Inc. with an address 3806 Union Road, Suite 155, Cheektowage, NY 14225 and a number of 866-673-1759. So just for S & Gs I call the number, and get the CCR & Associates menu again.

send this rent-a-lawyer a DV letter.send it certified mail return receipt.they are not a law firm at all,but a scam pdl collector.

my mother in law received a call from 866-680-4506 and told her i was being sued by them.she told them they had the wrong number i do not reside there.so then a man called back and she didnt answer so he left a voicemail saying he was from CCR & Assoc and said that I had an outstanding debt that I owed and that if I did not call him back, legal action would be taken against me being sued possibly including jail time . He also blabbered on about my SSN being looked at for fraud. I do not live with her and it is against the fdcpa passed by congress for them to call her because she is a third party. I owe NO debt to them!!! When i tried to call and discuss it a Nicole Johnson she told me i was "God damn rude" because i said they didnt have the right to go down the phonebook and call people looking for my realitives that it is against the FDCPA. She also called me a "c*nt" before hanging up on me.
Apparently, this company can be found under all sorts of names, has mutiple people calling under multiple numbers. They find old debt (or none at all in some cases), and illegally harass people for payment.

Some of the names used:
- Miles Gaines
- Ms. Singleton/Precious Singleton)
- Mr. Stone
- Ms. Robert/Jill Robert)
- Tom McCue
- Gary Anderson
- Ms. Blade
- Mark Durham/Mike Pickett
- Paul Sims
- Josh Walker
- Nicole Johnson
- Sherida Moss
- Ms. Broadway/Porsche Broadway
- Mr. Stuart
- Mrs. Porter
- Victoria
- Michelle Costello
- Ms. Washington
- Penny/Lisa Gibson
- Jessica Caputti
- Anthony Jacobs

Some of the known numbers associated with them:
(866) 798-8508
(866) 795-6669
(866) 680-4506
(866) 916-9069
(866) 916-5257
(866) 916-7512
(866) 673-1761
(800) 841-7793
(866) 798-7130
(888) 291-6973
(888) 308-1941
(888) 672-1853
(888) 672-2575
(716) 206-0678
(716) 206-0689
(716) 681-3362
(716) 681-6704

an uncle that i have not talked to in over 10 years called my grandfather yesterday and he called me to tell me that ccr and associates is claiming they have a lawsuit to send out on the 7th from a payday loan someone got in my name and they were prosecuting me. I have just got off the phone with them and made arrangements to pay and they are supposed to be faxing me information but I wanted to know what I was dealing with and I got this. This is creepy and is just horrible. I have already made arrangements but now I feel like I am being scammed all over again. What are my rights and what should I do.

you are being scammed.this place is also called PATRICK LAW GROUP.a rent-a-lawyer that is a scam collecting on old pdl's.
ifyou haven't given your bank or cc info.don't.they can't and won't do a thing except call and violate the FDCPA.if you did give the bank info.put a hard debit block on the account.any money that goes to these shysters will just fill their pockets.

i have not given them any info and i wont i told them i would send a payment and they were supposed to fax me the info. One of the names that they gave me was a Ms. Blade and their phone # is 866-916-5333 and the fax they gave me was 716-683-0276. A lady I spoke to today called herself a Mrs. Jackson. Where do I go from here since I told them I would pay.

I have already posted one message. no I have not given this Ms. Blade with CCR and Associates to cc or bank info but I did agree to pay back because I was told if I did not I would be in a jail on felony charges. After reading all of this I am very confused. A family member that I was close to did this to me, this is not my debt and I have a family to take care of. What should I do? Can they sue or throw me in jail if I do not pay. When I asked for proof that this was mine to be faxed all she wanted to fax was docuements for me to pay. I have no proof I have nothing other than a paper that they want me to sign saying I will pay or go to jail.

I have already posted a few messages on here. This Ms. Blade from CCR and Associates keeps calling me and even though this is not my debt when i was first told I would be sued and will be faced with jail time I did say after I got proof sent to me I would pay. This was over 2 weeks ago and they still have not faxed proof but they continue to call and say the same thing. I have gotten different callback numbers for them each time they call and they are not saying they will file charges anymore it is just take care of this or else. I am not trying to make excuses but I will not pay something that is not mine and I refuse to be scared any more by these people. What should I do. At first they tell me they will not send anything or fax then they tell me they will and they never do. Also, I have never recieved anything from then or even regarding the debt they claim they will sue for which is a payday loan I never got. Where do I go from here and what are my rights, and if they are in the wrong, who do I contact to get them to leave me alone.

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were in ohio and we went to those payday loan places,weve been paying back are loans but we got in a bind,and the bank messed everything up,so we closed the account .they ran everything thorugh and said we have you for fraud.we can take you to jail,and take your kids ,it was check n go ,cash advance,check smart,loan places ,we offered to pay a little at a time like $5.00 to $20.00 a month untill we can pay it off ,they said we cant do that ,we will see you in court and we will win, what can i do i dont want to go to jail, or loose my kids

they are blowing smoke at you.they can't and won't do squst to you.just hang up on them if they call again.it's not worth your time.

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what would you do if you got a loan knowing that it was something you needed to live,ok if you didnt have it to repay it back ,what would you do.you have to keep a roof over your head and food in the house,and your hubby is retired and you have a personal issue that caused you to not beable to work ,what can you do to live

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wow...ive been being harrasssed by a man named ken hewitt...guess what company he says hes from....bingo ccr and associates...

you should learn how to spell...then maybe take out a payday loan!!! ha ha