Comments on: Broke-Ass Student Just Got a Whole Lot Broker

By: LarryXA

LarryXA — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:08:56 +0000

Thx, this has definitely made my day!

_______________________
wtf

By: AC

AC — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:13:13 +0000

I don’t know if you are still reading replies or not, but THE EXACT same thing just happened to me yesterday and I’ve been like a mad woman researching everything I can about this and how to handle it. I am curious to know how you responded in your answer because, like you, I only have three days left to file my answer and there is no way I can afford a lawyer so I am trying to navigate this on my own. I did go to the Legal Aid Society website and found some referred agencies that may be able to help me or whom I can at least consult with (hopefully) before my time is up, but that will require at least a days worth of work as well. I can’t believe these companies are allowed to get away with this stuff. If they think I’m going to sit by and idly take it, they better think again. I am so glad I found your blog because at the very least, it helps to know I’m not alone, but even more important, you’ve helped me figure out certain steps I need to take and that has been a huge help. OK, I’m going to continue reading now. (Btw, I’m also in NY.)

By: jamesbain

jamesbain — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:16:45 +0000

I spoke with my attorney about a firm from Portland, Maine attempting to collect an almost 5G Citicard debt and he alerted me to an interesting fact, which I recommend you follow up on. These “collector/attorneys” often file in small claims court. If and when they do, and the amount collectible through small claims is less than the entire amount owed, the moment this is before the judge, it is sufficient to have it dismissed by pointing out that the amount presented as owed is actually less(because small claims allows only so much to be recoverable…) than the true amount. The judge, according to my mouthpiece, will order them to take it to the proper venue, usually district court, which costs more in fees, etc.. Naturally, if you are sued there, it is imperative to go down the checklist of validations which will/will not establish your responsibility and provide you with a clearer course of action.
As with anything I say, don’t take my word for anything-do your homework and remember what Von Clauswitz said; “Fools learn from their mistakes; the wise learn from other people’s mistakes”
Terrific blog. Further proof we are learning to be a cooperative, rather than competitive, species…How much time do we have???

By: GL

GL — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:27:30 +0000

I came across your site while researching collection agencies. I believe someone is overcharging me and now is threatening to take me to a collection agency if I don’t pay up. It’s awful that there are such greedy, unethical weasels in the world, but I’m glad you’re turning your experience into something constructive. Thanks for sharing your story with us and warning us. All the best to you, and bad karma to the weasels of the world.

By: aaron

aaron — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:37:32 +0000

Thanks so much for the link to the real credit reporting place. I have been paying for this… I don’t get a credit score but I never have really cared about knowing that anyways. Pay cash…
also, so sorry to hear about your legal problems. Gotta hate firms/agencies like that. Keep us updated!

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:13:23 +0000

One thing with annualcreditreport.com is to check one credit bureau every 4 months. Then, you can be consistent with checking your reports with enough frequency, for free, to see any weird patterns that pop up.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:31:15 +0000

There should be an automatic assignment of your costs and court cost to this kind of complaint, and the onus ought to be on them that they’ve served you with the details of the debt and have gone through reasonable steps before being able to do this.

By: TF

TF — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 07:07:24 +0000

I believe I know the law firm. Either that, or one just like it with a NJ /NY address, has tried to contact me too to attempt to collect a debt I don’t owe, on an account I don’t have.

Hang in there.

By: Searching

Searching — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:29:11 +0000

So, who was the “law firm” who filed this? Is the lawsuit over, so you can talk about it yet?

Though, I suspect I know who it is…

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 03 May 2007 05:02:56 +0000

Centurion Bank attempted to sue me for a credit card debt they bought from another 3rd party collection firm. My lawyer sent a response to their complaint, which was filed in my local district court. I denied all clauses in their complaint, which my lawyer was instructed to indicate in the response. This put the ball in their court. Centurion would have to validate the debt since I denied all clauses in their complaint. The original creditor couldn’t validate the debt, which was sent certified mail. Centurion dismissed the case without prejudice.

Credit is not money! Congress defines money as a medium of exchange. Federal Reserve policy states that credit is the postponement of the payment of money. If you do the homework, you’ll find out that numerous court cases have repeatedly said that banks cannot loan its credit and that all loans of credit are ‘ultra vires’ (unlawful).

Why do you think a bank cannot validate a debt? Because the one who funds the so-called loan is the only one can validate the debt. You, the borrower, provide the asset for the credit card or bank loan. The credit card company is perpetrating fraud with the help of the “bought-out” congress. When a bank advertises it loans money, it is practicing false advertisement.

Stank firm people. Everyone should wear a shirt that says “Who funds the bank loan?” This would really shake up banks.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:12:47 +0000

DO
NOT
TALK
TO
CREDITORS
ON
THE
PHONE!!

If you do nothing else, if you don’t go over to DebtorBoards.com and educate yourself, if you don’t take advantage of ANYTHING ELSE in the FDCPA, PLEASE, start insisting on written communication!

Their statement that they can’t find anything over the phone is almost useless. A written acknowledgment that they have nothing would. If they wrote back to a request for validation saying they had nothing and then sent you another demand for payment dated one day further out – that’s continued collection activity after failure to validate, effectively a $100 check.

THE PHONE IS YOUR ENEMY.

By: tim

tim — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:04:24 +0000

I’d counter sue in small claims court. If they don’t show, you’ll win.

The scumbags are mass mailing small claims court lawsuits in anticipation that a certain percentage of people will not show. Notice that $5000 is the limit for small claims in New York.

Don’t forget to include all the court costs added when you counter sue.

If your campus does not have a law school, check to see other local campuses which have a law school. Normally, they’ll, all them wantabee prospective lawyers, provide free look over of a small claim’s court claim.

By: Patty

Patty — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:11:07 +0000

What is the statute of limitations on debts in your state? I know here it’s five years and then you cannot be sued.

By: Allen.H

Allen.H — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:21:27 +0000

What a bummer, I’ve had this kind of issues with my ISP that wouldn’t just give me my account details (for how long I’m contracted and such..) because THEY have registered me under a WRONG ID number. But it’s nothing comparing to your case i guess.

But if there is so much evidence on this company being a total scam you have good chances to win the case, no? maybe you should even counter them after you get the first case settled?

Allen.H

By: david

david — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 23:02:02 +0000

just came across your site, cause i just signed up for igobanking.com and wanted a review of it. i have been using INGdirect for a while but their interest rate isn’t the highest anymore, so i figured i’d switch. but igobanking doesn’t look as easy to use as ingdirect. i’m still not convinced about going with INGdirect’s new checking account either. writing electronic checks? hmm. have any thoughts on that?

anyways, i’m sorry you’re going through this lawsuit bullshit. i hate lawyers. hope you get through this okay. stay positive!