Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
Below is a news release about a debt collector who used unlawful means to pressure citizens with difficulty meeting their financial obligations. This case sets a criterion, which lets creditors, debtors and especially debt collection agencies know that crossing the line between good business practices and brash and abusive collection's tactics shall not be tolerated in Florida.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
__________________________________________________________
July 2, 2007
Debt Collection Agency Sued for Abusive Tactics
~ Jacksonville company allegedly impersonated attorneys, government officials
to threaten clients ~
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today filed a lawsuit against a Duval County collections agency, alleging that the company employed abusive tactics to collect debts from its targets. The complaint cited multiple incidents of improper debt collection practices used by Jacksonville-based Bass Prelitigation Services, bringing to light the egregious behavior that prompted the Attorney General’s investigation.
“Debt collection agencies should never resort to threats or intimidation as the means by which funds are eventually collected,” said Attorney General McCollum. “Consumers under financial burdens deserve our protection and consideration, not the predatory nature of these allegations.”
The investigation into the company’s practices was initiated when the Attorney General's Economic Crimes Division received numerous complaints from the Better Business Bureau. Consumers claimed the company used aggressive and illegal tactics to collect on its accounts, including impersonating attorneys, threatening arrests and collecting illegal fees greater than the amount originally owed. Employees even allegedly posed as investigators affiliated with state or government agencies.
Company owners Frank and Evelyn Jackson and a related company, Jackson Phillips & Associates, were also named in the lawsuit which was filed today in Duval County Circuit Court. The complaint cites numerous violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act as well as concomitant violations of the Florida Consumer Collections Practices Act and the Federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. The Attorney General’s Office has requested that the company immediately cease operations and be permanently prevented from operating in the state of Florida. The complaint also seeks consumer restitution for victims who paid more to the company than they owed and more than $1.2 million in penalties.
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Evelyn out
