Last week, we received a telephone call from a company, documented on here, insisting we stay home for two hours to be served with litigation papers.  Upon tracing the company back and speaking with them, it was discovered a woman named Mary Shelton, in 1994, used my first initial and the same last name as a reference to obtain credit with a credit card company, therefore, they felt it may be me and felt justified in threatening me, fully knowing my name was not Mary Shelton.  They were advised it was not me...they were rude. The company, on that date, identified themselves as WSA, out of Chicago.  I was able to track them to a local office.  After hours of pursuing it, I received an apology and assurances of account correction and my name and number would  be removed from their database.

Today, we received a telephone call from telephone number 702-357-9775 (which we traced back to a Sprint/Nextel telephone number, from a company called "Mandatory Arbitration," threatening to sue us within 24 hours for a debt.  If we pressed "9" we could speak to a loud person.  The person asked if we were "Mary Shannon."  We advised we were not.  She refused to give any further information, to escalate the call to a supervisor and hung up on us.  We called the original number back (which was captured on caller ID) and it rang twice, then gave "reorders," a fast busy sound.  We consider these to be terroristic telephone calls, as they are threatening an action against the person answering the telephone.  We encourage any person who receives  such calls to call their local law enforcement agency and report terroristic and harassing telephone calls. Innocent people who some person chose to use a name similar to theirs as a reference twenty years ago should not be subjected to ongoing and continuing threats.  This is harassment and stalking...we will be reporting it to local, state and federal authorities.

If you are being harassed by bill collectors, you can sue them directly.  There are legal organizations which will file suit for ongoing harassment (calling after hours,  threatening to arrest, etc.)  

If the individuals are private investigators, you can file complaints through their State licensing board, as private investigators cannot threaten arrest, in most states.  They can serve legal papers ordinarily for small claims court.  And, finally, they cannot threaten private individuals who are "references" or stated as "references" for credit applications, including family members.

Bottom line is harassment is harassment.  Threatening and  terroristic telephone calls are illegal in most states.  Also be sure and call your State Department of Consumer Affairs...if they have a unit which deals with telemarketing, bill collecting, etc.  And, be sure and file a complaint with the Office of the State Attorney General.

Finally, take your concerns to your legislators, so state legislation can be developed for severe penalties for these individuals, who are violating state and federal laws.

http://www.bbb.org/blog/2013/11/fake-debt-col ... wsuits-arrests/

Despite promising not to call again, Mandatory Arbitration has called on several occasions since, continuing to threaten and harass.  

Today, on December 9, 2013, I received a call from "Mandatory Arbitration," once again, from the same telephone number, 702-357-5775.  Again, it was a threatening telephone call.  I pressed 9 in order to speak to a "customer service representative."  No one answered within ten minutes and I was transferred to a voice mail.  I called the number left upon the recorded voice mail message.  A woman answered and I asked to speak to a supervisor.  She wanted to know the "case number."  She demanded to know if I was "Mary Shannon."  I stated I was not and wanted the harassing telephone calls stopped. She hung up on me.  I called back and again asked to speak to a supervisor and was placed on hold for over thirteen minutes after providing the case number 2013-149020, which was furnished in the telephone recording.

The collector wished to know the last four of my social security number, which I refused to give.  He wanted to know if I lived on Havasu Drive.  We established Havasu court was located in Lake Havasu, Arizona.  He was advised I did not live on Havasu Drive nor did I reside in Arizona.

The calls were particular aggressive as they stated they would be coming to my home to "take action" with me.  It is disconcerting, as the individuals spoken with over the telephone were hostile, argumentative and rude.

I called 888-743-9314, the number left for me to call.  I asked to speak to a supervisor.  The individual was hostile, yelled at me and stated they were going to go ahead with the "action against me."  I called back and spoke to "Investigator Jones," who advised he was with the "Legal Department."  (I had asked to speak with the legal department."  He advised he would take my number out of their system.

During the phone calls I was advised their office was located at 800 5th Avenue, #4100 Seattle, Washington.  That address belongs to Premier Law Group.  I have called them at the telephone number reflected upon the attached link. http://linktown.king5.com/biz/premier-law-gro ... /98104/40267920  The secretary was kind and at this time, is attempting to find a partner with whom I may speak.

Jason Epstein of Premier Law Group was interviewed and advised the address is simply a virtual office to establish a presence in Washington.  The same suite number is shared by approximately one hundred companies and is operated by an organization called Regus, which charges $60 a month for such a presence.In turn, they receive a live receptionist who answers the phone, and mail forwarding service.  

They can be contacted at regus.com and perhaps through them, we can find the name of the individuals who are participating in these unfair debt practices.  In the meantime, there are attorneys who are willing to take action against these individuals, once identified.

I called Regus at 1-972 865 4600.  Mandatory Arbitration is one of the customers who possesses a virtual address at that location.  Regus was reluctant to provide any information about their "leasees."  They did agree to pass on a message to the owners of Mandatory Arbitration to contact me directly.

This is the third threatening call in two weeks.  All calls came from 702 numbers.  The first address was tracked back to these numbers is a "virtual office." (Storefront)  A police reported is being filed in the morning and a complaint has been filed with the Washington State Office of the Attorney General.  We will be filing another with the Nevada State Attorney General.

A call was once again made to Mandatory Arbitration, at 213-550-4678, asking where I could send the money.  The woman who answered had the same voice as the above telephone calls. She asked if I was Mary Shannon and I advised I was not. Clearly, she had my telephone number logged in her database. She asked why I was going to pay for her...and I stated to keep them from calling me, harassing me and my family and that they were frightening my family.  I asked where I could send the money.  She said they could only take it electronically with a credit card.  Visa, Mastercharge, American Express.  I explained I didn't have a credit card.  Where could I send a money order or cashiers check, since she stated people "sent in bad checks."  She stated, you can send it to  "1420 5th Avenue" (Suite 2200?)....then suddenly stopped and hung up the phone.  It was the voice as answered the phone numbers above.  

This new address provided is yet another one of Regus' properties in Seattle, located in the U.S. Bank Centre.  Will check more on that...I suspect they are fairly close by, if not located at this address.  Again, this site has virtual offices, as well and will not release the information as it is proprietary.

The true name of the company is Mandatory Security Arbitration Services.  It lists the above virtual office at 800 5th Avenue, as their address (again, note it is simply a forwarded mail and telephone service.)  They have had many complaints at the Better Business Bureau     http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/busines ... 0969/complaints

Additional Notes
Complaint Category: Improper collection practices

Complaint: This company contacted me Saturday morning saying they would issue a warrant if I did not contact them in the next 48 hours about a returned check item. I get calls like this from different companies at least twice a week. They are always trying to collect on an old paid off payday loan so I know the drill by now. When I called them back they hung up on me 3 times and I left them two messages. It amazes me that companies like this continue to exist that obviously violate so many Fair Collection practices. I always turn these companies into the FTC and my state attorney general but they continue to harass me.

Complaint Resolution: Company failed to respond to BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

10/29/2013Billing / Collection Issues | Read Complaint Details
X
Additional Notes
Complaint Category: Failure to substantiate charges

Complaint: A REPRESENATIVE FROM MANDATORY ARBITRATION CONTACTED ME FOR THE FIRST TIME OVER AN ALLEGED DEBT FROM 2007. THE REPRESENATIVE WAS RUDE, POORLY INFORMED, AND SPOKE OF MATTERS THAT ARE CLEAR VIOLATION OF LAW AND IT MANY POINTS TRIED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AS A CRIMINAL AND NOT CIVIL MATTER. "2 COUNTS PENDING AGAINST ME". I INFORMED THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I HAD NOT NOR HAD I EVER OBTAINED A ONLINE CASH LOAN. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY WAS SENT OR PROVIDE ME VALIDITY OF THE DEBT. I HAVE PULLED ALL MY BANK RECORDS FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS AND I, AS I KNEW, HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY SUCH LOAN. THE REPRESENATIVE WAS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WAS CAUGHT IN LIES SEVERAL TIMES. THEY WOULD GIVE ME NO INFORMATION AS TO HOW TO DISPUTE THE CLAIM, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, NOR WOULD THEY TELL ME ANYTHING ALTHOUGH I CLEARLY TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS EITHER A CASE OF FRAUD OR THEY WERE INTERNET CROOKS TRYING TO OBTAIN MY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION. THE COLLECTION AGENT HAD MY ENTIRE SS# BUT NO OTHER CORRECT/RECENT INFORMATION.

Complaint Resolution: Company failed to respond to BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

10/03/2013Billing / Collection Issues | Read Complaint Details
X
Additional Notes
Complaint Category: Improper collection practices

Complaint: Mandatory Security Arbitration Services contacted a family friend (emergency contact person) advising I must to contact their company at XXX-XXX-XXXX regarding an arbitration claim, an alleged debt collection attempt. They disclosed my name, address, and social security number to my family friend. What ever happened to protecting privacy in alleged consumers in debt collection cases? I am concerned with Mandatory Security Arbitration Services breach of privacy. Upon receipt of the message, I contacted Mandatory Security Arbitration Services in July 2013 and was informed to submit a payment of $200.00 or I would be subject to an arrest warrant due to lack of payment. I am stunned how this company can submit a warrant for my arrest when the company is located in Seattle, WA and I reside in Nevada. I am disappointed with their scare tactic; however I am aware that an arrest warrant has to be signed by a judge! In fear of my freedom, I submitted a payment of $100.00 in July 2013. I have documented several conversations with customer service representatives with Mandatory Security Arbitration Services. During our initial conversation, I was informed payments are submitted electronically ONLY. I inquired on a payment address to complete further research on the company who just seized $100.00 from my household. ** ****** stated, Ive told you before; we dont take paper payments, and disconnected the line. Please bear in mind, management refused to speak to me. I spoke with *** ****** ** ******* and ** ****** on 8/20/13 to request evidence of payment, my request again was declined. I was informed the receipt would be emailed when the payment was submitted. I have waited over 20 days for a receipt that has not been delivered electronically as stated. Each representative refused to provide their operator number, first name, business license number or corporate office contact information. I am confident this company is a scam! They deliver unfair business practices in arbitration, and to make defendants pay court costs and undetermined civil penalties. Not to mention, arbitration deprives individuals of their right to a trial before a jury, and channels disputes into a system that's friendly to business.I have expressed I will contact a lawyer regarding the declined request of my evidence of payment. I have ran out of options. Can you please point me in the direction for help? Thank you.

Complaint Resolution: Company failed to respond to BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

- See more at: http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/busines ... h.XuTaL9pC.dpuf

They are not listed as a corporation, nor do they have a Washington State business license.  

Documentation on Investigator Harris, t the telephone number listed by the Washington Better Business Bureau indicates the telephone number to 410-417-5279, in Ellicott City, Maryland, with service through Weblink Wireless.  The phone is still in operation and a message was left for Investigator Harris to call back.  

Do file a complaint with the State of Washington Attorney General's Office.  They are taking complaints about this organiza tion seriously and respond back quickly.  It is offensive that a collection organization can take a derivative of a name from a credit application, twenty years ago, and harass everyone who may now live in the area, with that same last name, on a daily basis, with threats and demands of payment.  It is a form of stalking.  

In the meantime, there is a great new organization within the federal government. We are pleased to announce Mandatory Aritration has been added to their database.  Fill out your complaint at this address...and they will start working on it!  https://help.consumerfinance.gov/app/debtcollection/ask#currentPage=0

Steve - Says they are with Mandatory Arbitration, he first called about 2 weeks ago, going to have me served, nothing. I asked for copies of what I supposedly had in collections with a Check cashing company, never got an email, like he said. He called me 2 more times, I told them send me what "fraud" I committed, nothing. They call from this number yet, tell you to call back a 602 area code. Steve sounds just like the gentleman in Maryland, hmmm. Do pay them anything, I never got served, nor the info I requested from them to show me & I never went to this CheckMate Cashing Place for a payday loan. SCAM

I used to work there it is a scam they are collecting on old debts that the statue haS PASSED ON. IT IS ILLEGAL TO COLLECT ON THOSE DEBTS. THEY ARE NOT INVESTIGTORS THEY ARE A BUNCH OF CON ARTIST. THERE OFFICE IS LOCATED IN CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA OFF MONROE ROAD. IF U HAVEPAID THEM CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE STATION AND FILE A COMPLAINT.....

phone nor email or fax is legal proof! It needs to be sent via the us mail lol!

One important thing to remember if these losers have any of your personal information such as your social security number, date of birth or drivers license make sure you register with identity protection notify the credit agencies as well as your banks!!
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credit reports:  Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports

Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action

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Section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf requires 3rd-party debt collectors to give debtors written notice of debt (the key word is *shall*) :
"§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing?
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer?s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor."
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A Collection Agent May Not?

Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

Misrepresent Him or Herself

  A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.

Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass

  A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.

Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit

  A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.

Use Abusive or Threatening Language

  A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.

Publish a Bad Debt List

  Publishing the consumer?s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.

Contact By Embarrassing Media

  A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector?s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.

Contact a Consumer at Work

  A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.

Seek Unjustifiable Amounts

  A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.

Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney

  A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.

Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request

  If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.

Communicate With Third Parties

  A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer?s debts with third parties other than the consumer?s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.

Bills.com FDCPA FAQ

Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:

Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?

  Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.

I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?

  No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.

A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay

  This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.
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Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans

Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010  FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

? filed under: Press Release

The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.

According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.

The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim?s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims? relatives, friends, and employers.

I got the initial call a few months ago concerning a payday loan that I supposedly did in 2008. The man attempted to use intimidation to get me to acknowledge this debt. Now it might be valid but how can I remember something 5 years old. I asked that he send me a copy of all supporting documentation and I will look at it and possibly retain a lawyer. Got real nasty and stated they would garnish my wages. He also stated that he had sent a certified letter to my address and of course I never got one.I told him I was neither admitting or denying the debt until I got documentation and I hung up on him. Needless to say I never got any mailed paperwork either. Fast forward to today and go a similar call from a woman this time and I told her pretty much the same thing, I needed documentation of the debt. She got real nasty and then stated she knew what type of vehicle I drove and she had the VIN#. WTH??? I told her the same thing mail information to my address and email me as well. That was 3 hours ago and of course no email.!! SNAKES!!!

I received a call from ?investigator Harris? today.  I called him/her back and she asked me to hold for a guy named David Kate I believe.  He proposed that I had some kind of debt from 2003 which is false.  The trick here is you cannot give them anything to work with.  They are acting like cops and attempting to extract information that they can and will use against you.  

Shut up and don?t tell them anything.  Ask for a letter of debt validation, tell them they cannot contact you on the phone anymore, get their address and send a cease and desist letter.  (You have to send a letter telling them to stop calling)  

I have won a few thousand dollars over the last three years on do***e bags like this.  They are preying people who get scared of them and then these scum bags intimidate people into admitting debt that doesn?t actually exist, or has already been paid off.  

Google your rights and if they are foolish enough to send you a letter with their ?business? (which the first thing out of your mouth should be asking for a letter of debt validation sent to you) then you can sue the s*** out of them.  It?s an easy 500-1000 dollars and no cost to you if you do it right.  Record all the calls, take notes and don?t play their games and admit to debt that isn?t yours.  

Lastly even if you do owe money from many years ago you cannot make it go away be working with these predatory collectors.  They buy your old debt for pennies on the dollar and pass it along to other debt collectors forever.  Regardless if you paid it or not.  Once you have gone years and debt is in default you should stop talking to debt collectors and simply get a fair collections act lawyer to advise you.

Received a call from "Investigator Harris" trying to collect on a payday loan they said was unsatisfactory from Dec 2004- jan 2005. They both stated if not paid they would have to proceed with legal action. However, Investigator Harris or Investigator Morrell must not know much about the law that protects the consumer. That would be me. Most states have a statute of limitation regarding these types of loans. I live in Alabama and the statute of limitations here is 6 years. When I informed Investigator Morrell that I had done my research and new my rights and they were inviolation of my rights by trying to collect on a debt that is almost 9 years old, she got extremely rude and then hung up. Don't think I'll be getting that call again.

I also received a call from a Investigator Harris, whom called my jobs, and it is about a bill that I have paid off 7 years ago. He is nothing but a harrasssing man are a computer that has my work number and not my new number.

I received a call from Investigator Harris at my job on something that was already paid 3 years ago.

Investigator Harris.    References "affidavit"  says the "affidavit does contain information that can impede you from moving forward due to court action".    

When you call the # you get VM for "Investigator Harris with District Arbitration"

Whatever.  Sounds like a poor attempt to simulate a legal office to collect a debt.  However, they are asking for the wrong person.

For the record, an Affidavit "is a written sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. Such statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's signature by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public or commissioner of oaths. The name is Medieval Latin for he/she has declared upon oath. An affidavit is a type of verified statement or showing, or in other words, it contains a verification, meaning it is under oath or penalty of perjury, and this serves as evidence to its veracity and is required for court proceedings." (wikipedia)  

In otherwords, its a piece of paper with a statement of fact on it.   It can say "The sky is blue".   It means nothing on its own, it can be entered as evidence in a court case, it is not a document needed to file a court case.   This "Investigator Harris" is most likely a 3rd party collector.