@Anonymous: Thanks that was a good read. Thank you. One more thing to add to your list.  

When a 3rd party collector was calling me, he broke the law over the phone and when I nailed him on it, he said: "Dixie you don't have any rights under that act this is a business debt and it's open season on you"

HE WAS SO WRONG! I just got off the phone with the FTC.

People, don't fall for the excuse that if this is a business debt "you have no rights" because you do. The fair debt practices act protects all consumers whether they own a business and this is a business debt or whether this is a personal debt. The law applies to everyone.

These 3rd party debt collectors have a right to work and do their job, they have to do their job according to the law. Make sure they don't take the easy way out, breaking the law to bully you in order to collect.

No one objects to legit third-party debt collecting but people do object to third-party debt collectors breaking the law.

The FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf treats the INITIAL CONTACT between collector and debtor (first call, first letter, first whatever) as a special event. Legit collectors per section 809 of the FDCPA *must* tell you at initial contact, or send you paperwork within 5 days of initial contact, the following:
1. $amount of debt,
2. name of the current creditor (which may differ from the original creditor who might have sold your debt),
3. a statement that that debt will be assumed to be valid unless you dispute in writing within 30 days,
4. a statement that that if you do dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must mail you written verification of the debt,
5. a statement that if you ask the collector in writing within 30 days, the collector must send you the name and address of the original creditor if it's different from the current creditor.
If you don't get the 5 disclosures, orally or in writing (you do not have to ask for them, the FDCPA requires collectors to provide them), treat the collector like you would any SCAMMER.
Note that 3,4,5 must be done *IN WRITING* so you will need to ask an address from your collector. If s/he refuses to give you one for any reason, treat the collector like a SCAMMER.
The collector can threaten court action at initial contact but the FDCPA requires that the collector actually take you to court if the collector threatens it. Threatening court and not going through with it (coercion) is illegal.
If they say the FDCPA does not apply to them because they own your debt, the debt-owner exemption only applies to the original owner. A 3rd party who buys the debt for the purpose of collecting debt is treated as a debt collector and not an owner and must obey the FDCPA as explained in this FTC Staff Opinion letter here http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/letters/arbuckle.htm
You can tape phone calls per your state law described here http://www.fairdebtforconsumers.com/Recording-Laws-Summaries.html
You can tape, then sue collectors (google "fdcpa attorney") for violations described in sections 805, 806, and 807, per section 813 of the FDCPA.
Has the statute of limitations for your state http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/SOL-by-State.html expired on your debt? If expired, don't pay.
Collectors generally have to be licensed by your state to practise (collect debt) in your state and you can find out by calling your state Attorney Generals Office. Ask if a license is required and does this collector have one. If not licensed, don't pay and file a complaint with your state AG.
Read useful debt-collection FAQs from the FTC here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm
The debt collection process explained in plain English http://www.consumeraffairs.com/debt/fdcpa.html
Be aware that scammers are using bought/hacked/phished loan application data to extort payments for fictitious debts from victims and victims' families and friends.
The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The FBI warns again http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releas ... nt-payday-loans
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php as appropriate.

Re. "Do you expect people to load up their credit limits and not pay?", I expect the banks to *NOT* offer insane credit limits to people so they won't get into financial trouble. You know, like the insane LIAR LOANS that banks gave out to unqualified borrowers just so the banks could earn the insane $fees on them and then quickly sold them to sucker-investors on Wall Street to get the LIAR LOANS off the banks' books before they blew up?

I agree, look up Amanda Soutter in Collin county court records. She does their licensing. Makes you feel good huh?

FUNNY I'M A DEBT COLLECTOR CALLED TO COLLECT A DEBT ON A HEATHER HARRIS I CALL HER AT 469-368-6406 & SHE PICKS UP I ASK HER TO VERIFY HER SS# WHICH SHE DID NOT DO & THEN WOULD NOT TRANSFER ME OVER TO MANAGER OR SUPERVISOR!!!! WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW IS IT THAT A DEBT COLLECTOR IS RACKING UP ON DEBT & SHE WORKS AT A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY???? WHO IS SHE TO COLLECT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S DEBT WHEN CLEARLY SHE OWES A DEBT HERSELF IT SHOULD JUST BE WRONG THAT A DEBT COLLECTOR COLLECTS ON OTHER INDIVIDUAL'S DEBT WHEN THEY HAVE DEBT IN WHICH THEY ARE TRYING TO AVOID PAYING THEMSELVES!!!! HEATHER HARRIS YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL DEBTOR YOU SHOULD BE FIRED FOR OWING A DEBT & WORKING AT A COLLECTION AGENCY SHAME ON YOU

PS
I was a commissioned sales person with Burt & Associates.
Although the tactics seem harsh, they work.

One last comment... Jerry is now retired so trying to contact him at Burt is highly unlikely.
It would be easier to pay your bill rather then spend time on here complaining.

Not asking you to buy it...
It is a fact that many people don't pay their bills. You may be one and that is why you are here. Burt & Associates provides a critical service for companies across the country. Do you expect people to load up their credit limits and not pay? If so, you along with many other people are also looking for "Obama Bucks". The train will end and your free ride will also end.

Pay your bill and only spend what you have in cash! Credit should only be used for Houses and Cars. If you can't pay in cash for other items you don't need it.

Not buying it shill

To be honest, I was paid very well while working at Burt & Associates.

Pay your Bills!

How much were you paid for this post?
Not enough IMO.
Shill !

I just want to say a thing or 2 about Jerry Curtis and Burt & Associates.
I worked with Jerry starting back in '98 and ended my career with him in '05. Despite all the negative comments above, Jerry is a very fair and generous person. I admire him as not only a boss but a true friend.
Congratulations Jerry for the fine work you and your agency have done!

Last advice to all.... Pay your bills and you will not have to face the fury.

If Burt and Assoc is calling you unfairly - contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov

when Ralph was a child i use to anal rape him everyday after school . His mother was a prostitute so money was tight. Just not his rectum. Just ask Jerry Curtis

Send them on a wild goose chase.  In my case the person they called me about someone who owes me money.  I called back used my name and told them I wanted to go afer the party they are currently representing and belive it or not the idiots called me back saying they could help me........

I will be looking forward to having those home numbers.  Please post them.  These guys need a taste of their own.  They have actually brutally harassed innocent employees, including myself, of the company I work for.  What they do is wrong.  I'll be waiting for those numbers.

CALLED AT 4 AM ON MY HUSBANDS CEL PHONE.. RUDE.. AND.. WE ARE PAYING ON THE DEBT.

LOL He another stretch face clone of Jerry Jones ! They have harrassed me for 3 weeks!

Good God ! Did Jerry Curtis go to Jerry Jones Plastic Surgeon ? That facelift looks horrific !

The Best Info Yet! FIGHT BACK ! f they harrass you with calls, do the same!!

Jerry Curtis-CEO/Owner of Burt & Associates

(He personally answers this phone for his other company CRM Profix Software) Phone 214-384-6616 See his pic at

http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_CEO/2009/Sept ... rry_Curtis.aspx

Richard Steele aka Rick Steele aka Ralph Davis aka ...claims to be the current Owner/Manager is his information follows:

Richard K Steele
3500 Cockrill Dr
McKinney, TX 75070-2421

Burt & Associates
6700 Pinecrest, #150
Plano, TX 75024 USA
is owned by:


Cade,LLP
6700 Pinecrest, #150
Plano, TX 75024 USA

which is is owned by:

GP Cade, LLC     
General Partner     
6700 Pinecrest, #150
Plano, TX 75024 USA

Wich is owned by ..you guessed it ...Jerry Curtis

Texas State Secretary of State shows that Jerry Curtis is in fact the owner.

Glenn Snyder is their lawyer.. Call and waste his time too...He will admit what morons thay are!    
421 E Airport Fwy, #115
Irving, TX 75062 USA
972-594-1133

Home/Cell Phone Numbers for all including relatives to be posted shortly.

Also see CP Cade, LLC 6700 Pinecrest Drive Ste. 150, Plano TX its Jerry Curtis again...  check out these phone numbers as well on google:

469-368-6435
469-368-6400

Here?s an idea to get even with the collection agencies and telemarketers.  Give out the collection agency phone number to solicitors or telemarketers.  The telemarketers will be calling the collection agency and costing both companies money.  Collection agencies are required to  have a toll free number so if you give that out it will cost the collection agency a lot of money if they keep getting calls on that line.  If enough telemarketers get the number you could have their phones tied up for eternity.Give them this number : 800-755-7111

Also Anita Kotrlik claims to be an owner. Please post any phone numbers you find for them or their relatives or neighbors

REPORT THEM TO THE TX ATTORNEY GENERAL AS WELL AS YOUR OWN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL,  


Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

if YOU ARE LOCATED IN NY - ? use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE?S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!


1) Never assume they have a VALID DEBT OR LEGAL RIGHT TO COLLECT
 
2) Debt collectors MUST FOLLOW your STATE laws regarding licensing.  Check your Secretary of State for licensing requirements for ANY collection agency that contacts you

These guys enjoy breaking the law. Decency is unknown to them. Harassment is their game.

Chairman, President, and CEO    Jerry Curtis
Controller    David Castillo    
VP Collections and General Manager    Rick Steele
VP Brad Davis    
The above are the real names of the Burt & Associates Executives. Call the at extensions 204-210 on their 800-755-7111 phone number and harass the real culprits .I will post their home numbers soon. Have Fun!

U guys are morons. Pay ur debt and no one will call you

Contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov

James King says that the brother and parents of a corporation's owner are liable for the corporation's debts!  I cannot wait to see how this one turns out.

idiot bill collectors-James King_
called repeatadly at work- gave me my home address, and said they were going there, asked if that was my blue honda out in front of work-BTW-had no proof of the debt