| Alfalfa 2008-03-07 11:17:29 Debt Collector |
Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd.
695 Rancocas Rd.
Westampton, NJ 08060-5626
Phone: (609) 518-9000
Fax: (609) 518-9442
Web Address: www.phillips-cohen.com
Bud Says...
West Virginia Sues New Jersey Bill Collector
Congress may have severely toughed bankruptcy laws, to the detriment of consumers, but state officials in West Virginia say bill collectors can't threaten and harass debtors. State Attorney General Darrell McGraw is taking an out of state collection agency to court, saying it may have violated West Virginia law.
McGraw has filed suit to compel Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd., a New Jersey collection agency, to comply with the Attorney General's investigative subpoena.
The Attorney General began investigating Phillips & Cohen's' debt collection practices after receiving complaints from consumers that it was threatening consumers with jail, discussing the alleged debts with persons other than the consumers, and attempting to collect money for debts that have already been paid.
Phillips & Cohen is not registered to do business in West Virginia and has not posted a bond, a requirement for all collection agencies doing business in the state.
"Rogue collection agencies will not be allowed to harass and threaten West Virginia consumers," McGraw said. "Any consumers who receive repeated telephone calls from debt collectors or have debt collectors threaten them with jail or criminal prosecution should contact my Consumer Protection Division."
Story from www.consumeraffairs.com
*********** CONSUMER WARNING: *********** EXTORTION IS A FELONY IN ALL STATES. IF A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTS IT, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE OR THE FBI. GIVE THEM THE NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND EXTENSION OF THE DEBT COLLECTOR COMMITTING THE CRIME.
extortion
n. obtaining money or property by threat to a victim's property or loved ones, intimidation, or false claim of a right (such as pretending to be an IRS agent). It is a felony in all states, except that a direct threat to harm the victim is usually treated as the crime of robbery. Blackmail is a form of extortion in which the threat is to expose embarrassing, damaging information to family, friends or the public.
See also: blackmail robbery theft
CEO Matthew Phillips is a loser for allowing his goons to grease their pockets with so many FDCPA violations. This (non-law firm) collection agency appears to be a cess-pool of misfits and lawbreakers that prey on consumers with their lawlessness. NEVER give them any information on your bank/credit accounts, or post-dated checks. YOU WILL REGRET IT!!
http://www.budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/phillips_cohen_collection_agency.htm