Harassment

[NadineBauer51]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

I received a call from a law office yesterday (Attorney Hecker's office in Robbinsville, NJ) to inform me of a bill overdue from 2000, an old credit card I had closed. There was a balance on the accout of about $300. The man I spoke with (not a lawyer) was more than happy to arrange a payment plan with me, and we did so. He then said that he had to send me over to a specialist who would approve the payment plan, so he transferred me over to this other guy. This man (his name was "Mr. Vincent") absolutely exploded on me. He called me all sorts of lovely names (worthless, idiot, etc..) He asked me if I was retarded for not being able to work full time. I tried to explain to him that we all just got our hours cut at my job for the budget's sake and he said I must be a real moron who couldn't do my job right and that's why they cut my hours. He went on and on for about 7 minutes and refused my payment, telling me my balance was now $2600.00, then hung up on me. I was stunned. I didn't say 5 words the whole time to this man. I want to file a complaint against him & his "law firm" but I don't know where to begin...I've never done this before. Any suggestions?
Thanks...I appreciate any help!

 

[Esquire555]

if the account was closed, why do you owe them money. Get an attorney to give those guys a call, then they'll start shaking.

 

[Prpledrms23]

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/rules/fair-debt-collection-act.html

check out this website, read it all but esp. section 806 and 808.

 

[NadineBauer51]

Thanks!

State of PA

Thanks for that website info...that's great info!

Does anyone know how I can go about filing a complaint against this person & his company, and with whom do I file?

Thanks!

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

This man (his name was "Mr. Vincent") absolutely exploded on me. He called me all sorts of lovely names (worthless, idiot, etc..) He asked me if I was retarded for not being able to work full time. I tried to explain to him that we all just got our hours cut at my job for the budget's sake and he said I must be a real moron who couldn't do my job right and that's why they cut my hours.

My response:

Damn!

If I wasn't an attorney, I KNOW I'd make a terrific "deadbeat" collection agent!

Mr. Vincent sounds like a man after my own heart.

IAAL

 

[Ladynred]

WHEN in 2000 did you last pay the original creditor ?? PA has a 4 year SOL. It you last paid before June 2000, then the SOL has expired and you can tell the jerk playing 'lawyer' to go piss up a rope !

 

[tyorjohnny]

TN
I had the same kind of call from (Hecker's Law Offices) the name of the man was Mr. Walker.
He insulted my husband, and as I was in the background talking to my grandmother who was visiting, Mr. Walker told my husband to "tell his wife to shut up!)
The debt was from at least two years ago, and was paid off (so we thought)
We do not have any reciepts, I mean, it was two years ago and was suppose to be settled.
So anyway, he hung up on my husband but then called right back.
I answered the phone and he called me every name in the book!
Asked why I wasn't working, I told him I did not have a car, he proceed to tell me that we needed to move from the "sticks" to a real city so I could walk to work!

He also told us to borrow the money from family, when we told him we had no family that would loan us $4000.00 he said that we were lying!
I told him that he (Mr. Walker) could lend us the money if he was so worried about it.
He was HORRIBLE!

So, NadineBauer51
What did you ever find out?
Please let me know.

 

[TiredandCranky1]

Yup that was harassment

Definetly you should find an attorney to settle this and see what can be done about shutting down their jobs. Let them go with out work for a while. It would serve them right.
I just love it when they ask if someone will give you the $, I have actually told them that they could because they obviously don't know what it is to have to decide if you want lights or food. I also like it when they ask if you could sell anything. I actually told one woman I could pimp her out on 2nd and Marquette Street, she hung up on me .
Anyway don't sit back and take harassment, do report them.

 

[Ladynred]

The bottom line is that these jerks at Heckler (ironic name, huh ??) are breaking the law. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), with which you should become VERY familiar (www.ftc.gov) prohibits them from harrassment, abuse, making threats of anything they cannot or do not intend to do, calling you at or and/or excessivley, and unconcionable means to collect a debt.

Send them a cease and desist letter telling them they are to cease all PHONE calls and communicate with you by MAIL ONLY. If they ignore it, they're once again breaking the law.

Lastly, if you know its them on the phone DO NOT ANSWER IT - but if you do, record the call so you can get their violations on tape. You might even tell them you're recording, watch how fast they hang up - the worm turns. Keep a log of every call.

File complaints with the FTC and your State Attorney General's office.

 

[tyorjohnny]

I did file a complaint with the BBB.
Mr. Walker has not called back since then, but I am waiting with tape recorder in hand

 

[TheInformer]

More Inspiration from Hecker's Law Offices

This agency has been harrassing me, my family, my neighbors, and my workplace over a debt which was actually paid off back in 2001. I have tried explaining this to them over and over to no avail. At first, I talked to a woman, but after I told her that this had been settled previously, a Mr. Vincent got on the line. Mr. Vincent was very belligerent and condescending from the very minute he got on the phone. At one point, I asked him to kindly allow me to speak without interruption, and without speaking over me, and he says, "It's MY turn to talk now, you'll only talk when I say you can!!" He insulted me and told me that he could call whoever he wanted any number of times during the day, and that it was my fault this was happening. (He even called neighbors I don't even know or speak to!) I interrupted his tirade and told him that I knew what my rights are as a consumer, and he was not legally allowed to call more than once per day; he could not continue to call anyone if they requested he stop doing so, and that he could not disclose any information anyway. I also told him he would need to validate the claim (provide written proof that this was a valid claim). He began screaming that I didn't need any validation, and I told him that it was my legal right to challenge this. I also told him that I would send his agency my request in writing via certified mail, along with a cease and desist request, and he screamed "Your letter won't be welcome here!!". I told him that unless he provides validation of this debt to me in writing, I would consider the matter closed. Mr. Vincent identified himself as a lawyer, yet he sounded like a whining, screaming teenager, and he got really angry when I didn't back down. I have seen several other posts/complaints on this agency; they go by other addresses/names, but the phone numbers are all the same. Here is what I was provided with before Mr. Vincent got on and began his tirade: Lawrence Hecker Attorney's Offices, 650 College Road East, Suite 1800, Princeton, NJ 08691, Phone 800-884-0860, or 609-779-6600. I have also seen this agency under 1 AAA Drive, Suite 103, Robbinsville, NJ 08691. Anyway, I have my letter typed and ready to be sent.

 

[crazpony]

File a complaint with the FTC Federal Trade Commision

 

[Ladynred]

Makes you wonder why they don't all pop a blood vessel and have major strokes with these childish tantrums they throw. A "lawyer".. yeah.. sure.. in his dreams ! Mispresenting himself as lawyer is also a violation of the FDCPA. I suggest you keep a log of the conversations and note every violation.

 

[TheInformer]

State: PA

This website is really great!! Check it out:

http://www.budhibbs.com/BudAsk.htm

 

[TheInformer]

Update

Well, it has been almost two months since I sent my certified letter to Hecker and Associates. Haven't heard a thing from them-- no phone calls, letters, nothing! I am keeping my tape recorder handy just in case...!