Wow! What a day today. I receive a phone call from my mother while I am on break at work. She tells me that a "John Davies" was looking for me and that he was from the County Clerks office in a neighboring city. He stated that he was 20 minutes away from me at my old address and that I needed to call his law firm regarding a lawsuit against me. I call and a woman answers, "Corporate". I give her my case number that Mr. Davies had provided my mother. I am connected directly to a Meaghan. This woman tells me that there is a civil case against me and that I am being served papers that will force me to attend court, have my wages garnished, non-existant house mortgaged, blah, blah, blah, HOWEVER, if I settled with her for $2000.00 then Mr. Davies will not serve me papers. Well being 28 and scared out of my wits, I leave work halfway and drive home. I borrow the settlement money from my mother and before I call back "Meaghan" with my bank info, decided to Google the company's name that the woman provided me with, BM Group. The research woke me up. I called my county Distict Attorney Consumer Fraud Division who pressured me NOT to pay this group because all their claims were unlawful and dishonest. I was advised strongly to call the FTC and my local law enforcement. I reported to both, one resulting in my ID to be on high alert and the second as a peace of mind. Meaghan called me back and I told her everything that my DA told me as well as what the FTC lady told me. Meaghan tried her hardest to convince me, from obtaining my DA's number to call my bluff to convincing me that she would send me proof of their legitimacy ONCE I had made the transactiom, I was lucky enough to prevent myself from making a big mistake and puttin myself in a lot of financial trouble. I told her that I would be more than welcome to meet Mr. Davies at my local police station and be served. I got a mumble or two and then Ms. Meaghan hung up. Haven't heard from them, even though I was told that I will be served by the end of the day. I am so lucky that I called my county DA, and please advise all of you to do so. This group has no legit information on them. Scary part is that they know all my information which I know is listed on my credit report. Scarier is the fact that they aren't even listed on my credit report as a collection company. Scariest fact is that this Meaghan acknowledged all these complaints and most likely are trolling around scaring innocent people. I saved my $2000.00!!!!!

It's a scam. Got a call from "John Davies" who claimed to be from Alameda County, California. He gave me what turned out to be a fake file number. He called from a blocked number, but told me to call 877-978-4564 to update my address with them so I could be served with legal papers. He had a 2 year old address for me. I called my county operator, who connected me to the Alameda County Sheriff's office. The clerk looked up the file number and showed nothing in my name. He then connected me to the Sheriff who said he'd gotten the same call and challenged them to meet him at the Sheriff's office. He said they hung up on him. I called the scammers back and was told some woman from a nearby city with my same last name (someone I'd never heard of) listed me as an emergency contact. Why this would have anything to do with my so-called process serving, I have no idea.

In a nut shell, DON'T GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION. THIS IS NOT REAL. YOU CAN VERIFY WHETHER THERE ARE PAPERS AGAINST YOU WITH YOUR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
---------------------

BM Group is Bertrand Management Group of Ontario, CA. They have had a number of lawsuits filed against them by consumers for violations of the FDCPA. I strongly encourage you to contact one of these lawyers that has gone up against them:

Todd M. Friedman (216752)
Darin Shaw (251037)
Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.
369 S. Doheny Dr. #415
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: 877 206-4741
Fax: 866 633-0228
tfriedman@attorneysforconsumers.com
dshaw@attorneysforconsumers.com

Bertrand has used a lawyer by the name of Jonathan Lau of the Stepp Law Group of Irvine CA to defend - but they always settle and pay the consumer.

Here's another consumer attorney who has gone up against them:

Joshua B. Swigart, Esq. (SBN: 225557)
josh@westcoastlitigation.com
Robert L. Hyde, Esq. (SBN: 227183)
bob@westcoastlitigation.com
Hyde & Swigart
411 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 301
San Diego, CA 92108-3551
(619) 233-7770
(619) 297-1022

Bertrand has also used Michael I. Goode of Irvine CA to defend some of the lawsuits that have been filed against them - but they always settle and pay the consumer.

Here is a law firm that has a case still going against them so this lawyer might really want to hear that they are still up to the same despicable tactics:

Joseph R. Manning, Jr., Esq. (State Bar No. 223381)
THE LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH R. MANNING, JR.
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
4667 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 150
Newport Beach, CA 92660
PH: (949) 200-8755
FX: (866) 843-8308

Mr. Manning's client was harassed by Bertrand in the most outrageous manner. It was really horrible beyond imagination.

And here's one more law firm that has sued them for illegal collection tactics:

Tammy Hussin (Bar No. 155290)
Lemberg & Associates LLC
6404 Merlin Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Telephone (855) 301-2100 ext. 5514
thussin@lemberglaw.com
08/02/13 2:38 PM

I filed a job application online that required me to enter my social security number which I foolishly did and this company has been calling me since.  They are now checking my credit report.  They called and said they need to serve me papers and wanted to know my address.  I asked who wants to serve me and they wouldn't tell me.

Thanks for standing up to these people Stevetaylor best friend.  This people have no shame in their game. Harrassing people at work twice a day.  When they can't get a hold of that specific someone they ask to speak to their boss or owner of the business. When they were told that the person employed there are not allowed to have personal calls. And not just that they threaten to send someone with papers to serve my hubby at work between the hrs of 9-5 very next day if we didn't comply with them. So I called them back with a case number. I spoke to a non professional Susan of BMG GROUP.  She states that I need to pay if I wanted the process server to not come to my hubby's place of employment. I told her that this debt was paid a yeaR ago. So she said that I refuse to pay. So before she hung up, she said see you in court.

So after that day I've did a little research talking to attorneys and so fourth..they did a little trace and found that this company violated more then one fdcpa law. My attorney ask if I would to proceed in sueing this company for personal damages. I'm thinking I should, maybe I'll win and pay them to get off my a**.

Got a call from a guy named Steve Taylor. Looked him up and he is clearly a skiptracer. Heres a pic of the balding fellow :http://www.linkedin.com/in/skiptraceconsultants and his other website http://www.skiptraceconsultants.com/   . This guy left me a message stating he had papers he needed to give me and to call him before I was charged $100.00 no show fee. He then proceeded to call my mother and a prior business partner in a different state saying the same thing to them. My prior business partner told him he would not give him any of my contact info and told him he couldnt charge him $100 for something he has nothing to do with. Steve Taylor then told him he was acting like a baby. Steve Taylor continued to call my mother harassing her with papers for me threatening to charge her $100 for every failed attempt. I called the number he left and they answered "corporate office". Asked to speak to Steve Taylor and they transferred me to a Mark. Mark says "Steve Taylor is a process server, what do you want from us?"  I reply, "You guys are calling me what do you want from me?"  He goes, "Steves a process server."  So I say well should we just leave it with a "Good luck Steve, Ill see you soon?" He flips out and yells "Whatd you say ? whatd you say?" So i just said " Tell Steve best of luck , maybe I'll see you soon."  

I looked up the company and was shocked to read it may be a scam. They have never once left a message claiming to collect a debt or anything. All they ever tell me or my family is that they have papers to give me followed by threats of what will happen if we dont comply.

thats funny because they were harrasing my brother trying to find me, so i gave them a call back, they wanted to settle my chase credit card i owed 1500 for 600. so i agreed and gave them my account info so they can debit it out, but im in the middle of a bancruptcy. and i made a big mistake. but then again i was scared of being sued. help i dont know what to do...

You sound like a do***ebag collection agent yourself. Who the hell else would defend those dirtbags?

you are right god people do fall on hard times!!! But its no scam when you owe a bill or someone and they want it back period! That is no scam that is just owing up to what you owe and either take care of it or you dont.... So when people say it's a scam i laugh cause maybe the method to collect may be a little grey but at the end of the day if a person still owes something im sorry that is not a scam and 95% of the world knows that they need a defense to not own up to and acknowledge it and get a sudden case of memory loss when it's brought to their attention that's a scam if you wanna go there

A message was left on my home phone today by a female process server for the "plaintiff" Warren Gomez. She said that she was calling to confirm my address (which she had) so that I could be served. The message included my "docket" number and the phone number: 909-212-5580. This is the same number mentioned in another post. The caller said that if I didn't call back to confirm then it would be assumed that the address that she has is correct. Here's the thing; I'm paying on a debt. I didn't file for bankruptcy. I did, however, start using the services of Take Charge America. I'm wondering if there's a connection between all of us. Is anyone else who has posted here using Take Charge America? No one can check your credit report without your social security number so how are these scammers getting their info? Also, to Payer who posted on Aug. 17, 2011: Good people do fall on hard times.

When I read the "The economy is bad cause banks gave out bad loans and credit cards to people who knew that they had no intention on paying it back" statement....it made me chuckle a bit. How do you know that each person that is in collections got a loan  or a cc with no intention of paying it back? Some of us get cards and loans b/c we need the money. We have to buy things. We have no choice. We have every intention of paying it back, but cant find the funds to do so when the bill becomes over whelming Economy sucks, people have been at of work for two years, its no wonder that people cant pay their debts.

I hear and read these post's ok so maybe there way of going about thing may be in correct but
here is the thing....The economy is bad cause banks gave out bad loans and credit cards to people who knew that they had no intention on paying it back....That a scam and fraud period point blank! Collection companies would not be in business if people paid back what they owed but instead you rather act like you don't owe it and think it will fall off in 7 years that is whack and your just like these agencies that are calling or chasing you! Weather you fell on hard times or not if person owes money period they need to pay it back but instead there is an excuse as to why that the real truth  so again the method may be horrible! but your no different from them your scam to the system cause your refuse to pay what you are really stealing? Collections are doing what they get paid to do collect live up to what you owe and lets get this economy back to where it needs to be on top stop crying harrasment..... fraud and scam when in reality  people who dont pay bills period!!! are scam-ing as well.

Yep. Total scam, 100%. They called me about 9 months ago with threatening messages. Calling with "papers from the county..." They just called again with the same crap. I asked for their website and she claimed it was "under construction" and that I wouldn't find it. That's garbage! A legit company would have a website with all of their information in addition to a listing in the yellow pages, which they are NOT listed. In fact, when I asked where they were calling from, they gave me a different name from what was left on my voicemail.  If these people are trying to rip us all off, they could at least be SLICK!! They are so stupid. Don't bee fooled ny their threats of having you served with papers. It's all nonsense. Not to mention, on my cell phone, the missed call was from the numbers: 000-000-0000. LAME.

they called me and left a message on my machine. they got my name wrong and threatened me with further action that was not going to be in my best interest, whatever that means. I am not even going to call them back.

I just received a call from this number and said that I'm being sued by Chase. I know that I owe them but it's all credit card and unsecured bills. When I told him that i can't give them any information before I speak to my lawyer, they just said "have a good day in court". Do I believe them?

I received a call for "the homeowner" of (my address) regarding a woman to whom I previously rented a room.  I called the number the caller provided and explained that I was not the person to whom they should be speaking and that the tenant moved out several months ago.  I further instructed the caller to not call me on my cell phone again as it cost me minutes.  She argued that it did not cost me minutes if I did not answer, but, of course, that is untrue as she left a voice mail message and it cost me minutes to retrieve it.  She argued with me and then hung up and refuses to take my calls.  I want to explain that I will file a lawsuit if she continues to harass me.

They called me 4 times already, and each time asked for a different name. I was getting really tired of it. When I asked them to take my phone number off their list, they didn't even question it. If you get the calls from them, just ignore them or just ask them to never call you again.

Called cell phone with following script along these
lines: "Regarding Geraldine McCowan" and they have "time
sensitive documentation issued through the
County.  If you have further questions contact legal
department pursuing this at 877-589-6231.  Please
refer  to YOUR pending case number xxCAxxxxxJM.  
If you call before 5 pm/6 pm pacific time we'll be
glad to take information on your address and
PRESENTEMPLOYER to be issued 1440 E south street"
message cut off.  Could be skip tracer, no name of
caller left, message cut-off at end so you have to
call back.  Slipped up saying they would take
address/present EMPLOYER.  Don't know Geraldine
McCowan..  There is no East South Street
in my County.

These people are a scam.  They will give you a case number and have your personal information but I have no doubt they obtained it under shady circumstances.  When I asked for a website they told me that they did not have one.  I check the BBB and couldn't find anything.  I was given two phone numbers for them and they both go to the same place.  888-712-3106 and 909-212-5587.  The lady who answers the phone claims her name is Stacy.  Her voice mail says "This is Stacy and I am the assistant to Gayle Simon and this office."  No company name on the Voice mail.  First time she answered told me she was Gayle's secretary and transferred me to Gayle.  After I worked out a payment arrangement for an old Chase credit card with I told her I wanted it in writing.  Only personal information I gave them was a e-mail address.  Gayle said she would e-mail me the details.  After not hearing back from her I called back.  Got Stacy again and she told me Gayle was busy.  I called back again and this time Stacy told me that all she does is answer phone calls for 5 different businesses.  When I told her that her voice mailed stated that she worked directly for Gayle she hung up on me.  They now only answer the phone if I call them from a blocked number.  They are a SCAM.  Don't be fooled.

BERTRAND MANAGEMENT GROUP
3296 Guasti Rd., Suite 100
Ontario, CA 91761
Phone (909) 212-5587 Fax (909) 212-5599
www.bertrandmanagement.com

Same MO as everyone else - Represented them selves as legal firm SIC is listed as management administrators or collection group. I did not find a business listing for this group. They called me at work and did not follow the Rosenthal Fair Debt collection Practices Act.  The phone numbers seem to be Ontario.  No results with BB search.

1-888-712-3160, 909-212-5580

They are a fraud, scam. I don't owe anything, & they said that for 4% of the debt (that I supposedly) owe, they would stop calling me. They used the same premises as above. It is 4 peopel (1 African American female, 1 male, & 2 operators - male/female). They called my family, tenants, work place (>10 times). They are harassing me. They are impersonating legal offices/clerks. Called the cops on them - if they are going to serve you w/ a subpoena, they don't need your permission. Have told them that I am recording all of their conversations & reported them to the FTC.gov & Consumer Protection Agency. They are based in Ontario, CA.

Give this number out to your friends/family & ignore them & better, yet prank call them back.

I and my family has been getting similar calls. Recently my daughter received a call at her house that someone is going to serve subpoena for me. I just laughed and curiously enough searched Google to find your research, that is highly appreciated. I called (909) 456-1856 the number that was left with my daughter. Someone called John answered "Corporate Office..." on further inquiry he revealed that their office is located on 12598 Central Ave, Ontario, CA. When I mentioned that I will stop by and who should speak to there, he hung up. I will place another call tomorrow and then subsequently call FTC.

Thanks Cris

same thing is happening to me. Are these ppl legit or what? Im wondering if they are going to sue me like they said (I do owe Chase money)or is it a scam?

Wow. All of these things happwened to me. I want it to stop!!!  Most of all, I'm glad that I found out that I'm not alone.  Thanks!

I told them the same thing, SERVE ME!!   But, still they have not. This has been going on for about 6 months now and I am sick of it. I have reported them to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and CA Atttorney General because they violated every right I have as a consumer. Please go to the FTC site and file a complaint against these people and get shut down. www.ftc.gov

Did they actually serve you with papers?  What are they suing you for?

IF THEY CALL THE POLICE ASAP!!  I have already contact the Securities Exchange Commission, FBI and the Police.  This company claim be  ?Blackstone Financial Group LLC ?  They are not!  I contacted Blackstone Financial Group LLC  today [www.blackstone.com ] and spoke to the Legal Department and they clearly said these are imposters, They also cited that they have had many complains about thi illegal activities and that they have a pending case against this shady con artists that claim to be Blackstone Financial Group LLC .

IF YOU HAVE ACCESS to radio, TV or news report this company and expose them for the fraud they are!
They are running a scam to get your information and ruin your credit as well as steal your money!
Here is what they tried to do to me:

I got 3 calls in one day on my cell from this company and they left a voicemail. Lines: "Regarding Geraldine McCowan" and they have "timesensitive documentation issued through the
County. That legal action would be taken against me if I did not call.  If you have further questions contact legal department pursuing this at 877-589-6231.  Please refer to YOUR pending case number xxCAxxxxxJM.   If you call before 5 pm/6 pm pacific time we'll be glad to take information on your address.
They called 3 times and left the same message only changed the name of who they were looking for.  I did my research and found out that they have ripped off and conned hundreds of people out of money.  I have a 788 credit score and don?t owe anyone any money, I have never had any legal trouble and I am not sure how they got my number.  I called the (877)589-6231 and a lady answered the phone, ?Corporate Office?. I asked what the name of the company was and she responded, ?Blackstone Group? I asked what kind of company it was and she was vague and asked if I had a case I said no, I am simply looking to find out why you are illegally contacting people and fishing for information? She hung up! I called again and a ?Steve? answered the phone ?Legal Office?, I asked what kind of legal? He responded ?Law Firm?,  I asked what kind?  He responded ?Active Litigation?  I told him I was recording the conversation and Investigating the company for fraud be hung up the phone..
I then looked up Blackstone Group and called 6 of the offices in various states,  none had any affiliation with the (877)589-6231 I spoke to the legal department at the REAL Blackstone Group and they mention they had many customers that had called complainant about fraud. And that legal action would be taken against these thieves, con-artists and importers?..  BE Careful people!  They are registered in Ontario but have moved around to 8 different addresses,  as the Blackstone group but no information is available about who own the company or type of business.  They are simply fishing to steal your information and rip you off.  IF they contact you call the police and the Securities Exchange Commission and file a claim or they will keep calling you and trying to rip you off.

These people need to be stopped if they get a hold of the elderly or simply uneducated people they will steel all of your money, they make up lies that you owe money and threaten you to steal your money.  THEY ARE A FRAUD.  BEWARE
Gary Stevens is one of the con artistsi may speak with it looks like they have 4 people working in the office and from what I have found they move around a lot!
Went to California Bar Association web site, neither Jason  nor Gary Stevens Esquire or Sarah Godina are attorneys. I also called Orange Co Superior Court, Civil Division and there is NO case. My next call was to the Federal Trade Commission  1(877)-FTC-HELP and I filed a complaint. The lady at the FTC said if enough people file complaints they will investigate them. PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THE FTC NOW!!
She also said to not give them any money, it THEY ARE A SCAM. She also told me to file a complaint with the California Consumer Collection Agency 800-952-5210. They were closed, I will call again tomorrow.

I know that they broke a couple of laws...
1. They are not attorneys, so they may not represent them selves as attorneys.
2-They call themselves the BlackStone Group- they are not they are a fraud !
3. They never stated that they were debt collectors.
4. They never mailed me anything. In California they have to mail you a letter in an effort to collect a    
  debt five days prior to a phone call.
5.They are a FRAUD BE VERY CAREFULL call Consumer Collection Agency 800-952-5210 and Federal Trade Commission  1(877)-FTC-HELP as soon as this happens to you and be sure to call the police and any news station you can find.. THIS WILL BLOW UP IN  THERE FACE!
THIS IS ANOTHER LISTED ADDRESS FOR THE COMANY THOUGH THE NEW ADDRESS IS NOT THIS ONE, THEY HAVE SINCE MOVED!
BLACKSTONE GROUP
1950 Sterling Ave
Ontario, CA 91761 -7636
(909) 456-1240 and (877)589-6231

IF THEY CALL THE POLICE ASAP!!  I have already contact the Securities Exchange Commission, FBI and the Police.  This company claim be  ?Blackstone Financial Group LLC ?  They are not!  I contacted Blackstone Financial Group LLC  today [www.blackstone.com ] and spoke to the Legal Department and they clearly said these are imposters, They also cited that they have had many complains about thi illegal activities and that they have a pending case against this shady con artists that claim to be Blackstone Financial Group LLC .

IF YOU HAVE ACCESS to radio, TV or news report this company and expose them for the fraud they are!
They are running a scam to get your information and ruin your credit as well as steal your money!
Here is what they tried to do to me:

I got 3 calls in one day on my cell from this company and they left a voicemail. Lines: "Regarding Geraldine McCowan" and they have "timesensitive documentation issued through the
County. That legal action would be taken against me if I did not call.  If you have further questions contact legal department pursuing this at 877-589-6231.  Please refer to YOUR pending case number xxCAxxxxxJM.   If you call before 5 pm/6 pm pacific time we'll be glad to take information on your address.
They called 3 times and left the same message only changed the name of who they were looking for.  I did my research and found out that they have ripped off and conned hundreds of people out of money.  I have a 788 credit score and don?t owe anyone any money, I have never had any legal trouble and I am not sure how they got my number.  I called the (877)589-6231 and a lady answered the phone, ?Corporate Office?. I asked what the name of the company was and she responded, ?Blackstone Group? I asked what kind of company it was and she was vague and asked if I had a case I said no, I am simply looking to find out why you are illegally contacting people and fishing for information? She hung up! I called again and a ?Steve? answered the phone ?Legal Office?, I asked what kind of legal? He responded ?Law Firm?,  I asked what kind?  He responded ?Active Litigation?  I told him I was recording the conversation and Investigating the company for fraud be hung up the phone..

I then looked up Blackstone Group and called 6 of the offices in various states,  none had any affiliation with the (877)589-6231 I spoke to the legal department at the REAL Blackstone Group and they mention they had many customers that had called complainant about fraud. And that legal action would be taken against these thieves, con-artists and importers?..  BE Careful people!  They are registered in Ontario but have moved around to 8 different addresses,  as the Blackstone group but no information is available about who own the company or type of business.  They are simply fishing to steal your information and rip you off.  IF they contact you call the police and the Securities Exchange Commission and file a claim or they will keep calling you and trying to rip you off.

These people need to be stopped if they get a hold of the elderly or simply uneducated people they will steel all of your money, they make up lies that you owe money and threaten you to steal your money.  THEY ARE A FRAUD.  BEWARE
THIS IS ANOTHER LISTED ADDRESS FOR THE COMANY THOUGH THE NEW ADDRESS IS NOT THIS ONE, THEY HAVE SINCE MOVED!
BLACKSTONE GROUP
1950 Sterling Ave
Ontario, CA 91761 -7636
(909) 456-1240 and (877)589-6231

The caller said they were from Blackstone Group.  They called my parent's phone number.  They did not give the standard debt collector "This is an attempt to collect a debt"  disclosure statement.  They gave a California case number but did not know the county in which it was filed.  They said it was a courtesy call and that they were going to send a process server.  I called them back to make a time arrangement and they tried to settle the debt instead.  I did not give them any personal info.  They said it was about a Chase credit card.  I told them to go ahead and send the process server tomorrow.  No server came.  I told them not to call my parent's phone number anymore.  They told my mom she would have to get a cease and desist order against them to get them to stop calling her.  I looked up my case number in several california counties and couldn't find it.  I did look up the Blackstone Group as a search in civil cases in Sacramento County and lots of civil cases have been filed by a company with that name.  It seems there is a Blackstone Group out there that does actually file cases against people.  I can't tell if the people that called me are legitimate or not.  In any case, they are using improper procedures, so if they do sue me, I will countersue.

Called cell phone with following script along these
lines: "Regarding Geraldine McCowan" and they have "time
sensitive documentation issued through the
County.  If you have further questions contact legal
department pursuing this at 877-589-6231.  Please
refer  to YOUR pending case number xxCAxxxxxJM.  
If you call before 5 pm/6 pm pacific time we'll be
glad to take information on your address and
PRESENTEMPLOYER to be issued 1440 E south street"
message cut off.  Could be skip tracer, no name of
caller left, message cut-off at end so you have to
call back.  Slipped up saying they would take
address/present.  Don't know Geraldine
McCowan.EMPLOYER.  There is no East South Street
in my County.

THESE B*****DS ARE TAKING ME TO COURT NEXT TUESDAY I DODNT BELIEVE THEM BUT I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE ...MAYBE ILL WIN THE CASE