Did you ever pay bennet law? I was involved in a shoplifting incident at target. They sent me the same letter saying if I don't pay the $500 they will sue. Did they leave you alone?

Our employees are not minimum-wage, college students.  They are trained and monitored carefully, and are subject to scrutiny and disciplinary action for any of the alleged wrongdoings described above.

You are actually incorrect...

We don't buy debt... ever.  We are hired by our clients.   The whole pennies-on-the-dollar reasoning does not apply here, as we do not own the debt.

We DO identify our client.  We DO say, "We represent [name of client]."

// Mike Bennett




We monitor and review calls to make sure no employee is rude.

Our empl

My son got caught shop lifting from target  they never gave him a cretin amount of time to pay them for the theft it went straight to Bennett law offices. i thought they gave you a chance to pay before they send it to a debt collector.

and no you can not pay onlone

My Attorney is pursuing the same matter on my behalf.  The Letter breaks laws in itself.  Not to mention the phone calls.  If you're child does not get away with it and the Police is not involved, there is nothing they can do, but threaten.

Said they were from the US Census Bureau

I got one too in Louisiana on behalf of target for 250$

I have received a letter from here saying that they have been pursued by Target corporation to pursue recovery of civil damage as well. I have called the number and it says that it is a wrong number and no longer available. What should I do ?

I received numerous calls from Bennett Law and each time I explained to them that they have the wrong person. Evidently the guy that stole merchandise from Walmart has the same common last name as me so now I'm on bennett the bottom feeders hit list. All of the employees I've spoken with were extremely rude and racist. I am an african american and it is obvious due to my speech patterns over the phone. I had one lady named Lynne tell me that "my people" are notorious for not paying their bills. Another lady representing Bennett Law told me the majority of deptors are black and mexican. I don't know if she was trying to guilt me into paying by dis meaning my ethnicity or just trying to intimidate... I have filed complaints with the Utah State Bar and have recordings of all derogatory comments. I have never dealt with such an unprofessional outfit in my life.

Actually the call I received from the Bennett Law PLLC was from a number 929-231-4863 asking me to pay an amount to Target as I was accused of intentionally damaging merchadise while employed with the store.  This was an accusation with not prove of any unlawful act on my part and I told them they needed to provide proof of this debt and proof of my actions to cause this debt to which they told me that to will contact the store and get back to me the next day.

thanks for that post. that explains it all.takes weight off my shoulders and many others im sure.

There are two sides to this.  Please read to understand.  

I am NOT a Bennett employee and I am currently being harassed by Bennett's phone dialer and his minimum wage employees.  Here's the scoop:

Bennett Law is a law firm which practices in collecting "non-collectable" debt.  They are bound by the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  What Mike (Michael) Bennett (or his representatives) do is purchase "bulk" debt - that's debt that Walmart, Target, whoever - have been unable to collect.  Bennett buys the debt at a discount.  Walmart has thousands and thousands of bad checks or civil claims - (shoplifting, etc.) they try to collect on and... when they give up they sell those "cases" in a bulk package (hundreds of legal claims or "cases") to Bennett at a discounted rate.  For example, Bennett buys $100,000 in bad debt for pennies on the dollar - say $5,000 and now Bennett Law can legally claim they own the debt and attempt collection on it.  All of this is perfectly legal and it is how most of the large retail players work.

Bennett is very careful in the wording they use when they call or write.  They have to fully comply with the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or they can face stiff fines and penalties.  For example, in a phone call you will never hear them say "we represent Walmart."  They don't!  The own the debt and they represent Bennett not Walmart.  So.... through very careful wording they "imply" things to amplify the fear of those they are speaking with.  They will say, "I represent a law firm and we are within our right to pursue legal action if this isn't taken care of."   All of this is true.  They own the debt - they can take you to court, if they choose (although for small amounts it usually isn't cost effective).  BIG NOTE: They can also add a ridiculous amount of fees, penalites, interest, and charges and continue to pile the charges on as long as the debt is not paid... that's the law and it's on their side.  WORD OF CAUTION:  Once the total amount (original debt plus fees and penalties) becomes substantial enough it IS worth them taking it to court to get a judgment against you.

I know this because I worked, for a time, on the phones doing this exact thing - only I was not the high-pressure jerks that most of you have to deal with.  I found that people are generally reasonable, and if you give them a payment plan they can afford they will pay what they owe.  It took a couple of months setting up payment plans with people but once I did this I had the highest collection rate in the entire office - and I was the employee with the least amount of time on the job.  I was also an adult, supporting a family.

If you are receiving these calls - your problem is that most of the reps are college kids who like the "power and control" of pushing people around.  Additionally, most the phone reps are paid on spiffs and commissions ("whoever collects the most today get $100 cash" or "weekly high rep gets an iPod") so they want to collect as much as they can as soon as they can.  It's this type of office environment and employee mentality that causes all the pressure and all the tricky wording.  Frankly, it works - and Mr. Bennett makes a great deal of money from it.

MY CURRENT PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT WITH MR. BENNETT:

The problem I have now is that they have my cell number...mistakenly - because they are looking for someone they think is my daughter.  I find it quite deplorable - even deceptive for them to call someone they think is a relative to try to find the person who owes the debt - particularly when the person they are seeking is an adult and not a minor.  (I can understand calling the parent of a minor as the parent IS legally responsible.)

Repeatedly I have told them on their recording that they have the wrong person.  Repeatedly they have said they will take my number off the list...BUT repeatedly I continue to receive their calls.
SO... today I tried again... I called their direct number in UTAH (801-432-2935), spoke to a rep, got the reps name, and told the rep to remove my number.  She agreed and said it takes 24 hours.  I also let her know that:
1 - If they continue to call I will bill them $50.00 for every annoying phone call I receive beginning 24 hours for now... and I WILL take them to small claims court if it continues.
2 - If I receive any more calls I will file a formal complaint with the UT State Bar Association against Mr. Bennett and his practices.  I will file a complaint each and every time I receive another one of their annoying automated calls.

HERE IS THE LONG & SHORT OF IT - IN FAIRNESS TO BOTH SIDES:
1 - Don't be bullied by the rep you speak with.  Know the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and tell the rep you won't be bullied or intimidated and that you will file a complaint stating the rep is violating the Act.  Reps can lose their job if they don't comply with the law
2 - Don't buy things that you can't afford.  
3 - Don't write bad checks or shoplift.  If you get caught, MAN UP, and pay the fines and fees.  You knew the law - you took the chance and YOU got caught.  Suck it up and pay or stop your whining and moaning about these kinds of calls or letters.
4 - If you have a debt, be an honest person and pay it.  Ask the rep to work out a plan with you and strip off all the fees and penalties.  Bennett would rather collect something than nothing and there will be extra fees - the extras are because you didn't pay the original debt.  But you can work out a payment plan...
5 - If the rep won't work with you, ask for the rep to send you "validation of the debt" - then use the associated claim and reference numbers and mail them even $10 a week (not cash!).   If they turn your checks back then I guess they don't really want your money anyway - and you have something to show the judge if you do end up in court... that you WERE trying to pay what you could and that Bennett wouldn't work with you.
6 - Call Mr. Bennett directly - 801-432-2935 and work something out.  Let Mr. Bennett know that you too will file complaints against him and his organization with the Utah State Bar Association if they don't start treating you in a legal, non-threatening, non-harassing manner.
7 - File a complaint with the Utah State Bar Association.

Mr. Bennett - Your employees don't have to be ASSH0LES!!  Work with people - see if setting up plans doesn't actually yield you more over the long run than the high pressure harassment crap that you do now!

AND...for God's sake... take my phone number off your damn dialer!!!

801-432-2935
877-749-2510
877-749-2590

I don't believe that Mr. Deloney is still associated with Mr. Bennett's practices.

There are two sides to this.  Please read to understand.  

I am NOT a Bennett employee and I am currently being harassed by Bennett's phone dialer and his minimum wage employees.  Here's the scoop:

Bennett Law is a law firm which practices in collecting "non-collectable" debt.  They are bound by the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  What Mike (Michael) Bennett (or his representatives) do is purchase "bulk" debt - that's debt that Walmart, Target, whoever - have been unable to collect.  Bennett buys the debt at a discount.  Walmart has thousands and thousands of bad checks or civil claims - (shoplifting, etc.) they try to collect on and... when they give up they sell those "cases" in a bulk package (hundreds of legal claims or "cases") to Bennett at a discounted rate.  For example, Bennett buys $100,000 in bad debt for pennies on the dollar - say $5,000 and now Bennett Law can legally claim they own the debt and attempt collection on it.  All of this is perfectly legal and it is how most of the large retail players work.

Bennett is very careful in the wording they use when they call or write.  They have to fully comply with the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or they can face stiff fines and penalties.  For example, in a phone call you will never hear them say "we represent Walmart."  They don't!  The own the debt and they represent Bennett not Walmart.  So.... through very careful wording they "imply" things to amplify the fear of those they are speaking with.  They will say, "I represent a law firm and we are within our right to pursue legal action if this isn't taken care of."   All of this is true.  They own the debt - they can take you to court, if they choose (although for small amounts it usually isn't cost effective).  BIG NOTE: They can also add a ridiculous amount of fees, penalites, interest, and charges and continue to pile the charges on as long as the debt is not paid... that's the law and it's on their side.  WORD OF CAUTION:  Once the total amount (original debt plus fees and penalties) becomes substantial enough it IS worth them taking it to court to get a judgment against you.

I know this because I worked, for a time, on the phones doing this exact thing - only I was not the high-pressure jerks that most of you have to deal with.  I found that people are generally reasonable, and if you give them a payment plan they can afford they will pay what they owe.  It took a couple of months setting up payment plans with people but once I did this I had the highest collection rate in the entire office - and I was the employee with the least amount of time on the job.  I was also an adult, supporting a family.

If you are receiving these calls - your problem is that most of the reps are college kids who like the "power and control" of pushing people around.  Additionally, most the phone reps are paid on spiffs and commissions ("whoever collects the most today get $100 cash" or "weekly high rep gets an iPod") so they want to collect as much as they can as soon as they can.  It's this type of office environment and employee mentality that causes all the pressure and all the tricky wording.  Frankly, it works - and Mr. Bennett makes a great deal of money from it.

MY CURRENT PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT WITH MR. BENNETT:

The problem I have now is that they have my cell number...mistakenly - because they are looking for someone they think is my daughter.  I find it quite deplorable - even deceptive for them to call someone they think is a relative to try to find the person who owes the debt - particularly when the person they are seeking is an adult and not a minor.  (I can understand calling the parent of a minor as the parent IS legally responsible.)

Repeatedly I have told them on their recording that they have the wrong person.  Repeatedly they have said they will take my number off the list...BUT repeatedly I continue to receive their calls.
SO... today I tried again... I called their direct number in UTAH (801-432-2935), spoke to a rep, got the reps name, and told the rep to remove my number.  She agreed and said it takes 24 hours.  I also let her know that:
1 - If they continue to call I will bill them $50.00 for every annoying phone call I receive beginning 24 hours for now... and I WILL take them to small claims court if it continues.
2 - If I receive any more calls I will file a formal complaint with the UT State Bar Association against Mr. Bennett and his practices.  I will file a complaint each and every time I receive another one of their annoying automated calls.

HERE IS THE LONG & SHORT OF IT - IN FAIRNESS TO BOTH SIDES:
1 - Don't be bullied by the rep you speak with.  Know the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and tell the rep you won't be bullied or intimidated and that you will file a complaint stating the rep is violating the Act.  Reps can lose their job if they don't comply with the law
2 - Don't buy things that you can't afford.  
3 - Don't write bad checks or shoplift.  If you get caught, MAN UP, and pay the fines and fees.  You knew the law - you took the chance and YOU got caught.  Suck it up and pay or stop your whining and moaning about these kinds of calls or letters.
4 - If you have a debt, be an honest person and pay it.  Ask the rep to work out a plan with you and strip off all the fees and penalties.  Bennett would rather collect something than nothing and there will be extra fees - the extras are because you didn't pay the original debt.  But you can work out a payment plan...
5 - If the rep won't work with you, ask for the rep to send you "validation of the debt" - then use the associated claim and reference numbers and mail them even $10 a week (not cash!).   If they turn your checks back then I guess they don't really want your money anyway - and you have something to show the judge if you do end up in court... that you WERE trying to pay what you could and that Bennett wouldn't work with you.
6 - Call Mr. Bennett directly - 801-432-2935 and work something out.  Let Mr. Bennett know that you too will file complaints against him and his organization with the Utah State Bar Association if they don't start treating you in a legal, non-threatening, non-harassing manner.
7 - File a complaint with the Utah State Bar Association.

Mr. Bennett - Your employees don't have to be ASSH0LES!!  Work with people - see if setting up plans doesn't actually yield you more over the long run than the high pressure harassment crap that you do now!

AND...for God's sake... take my phone number off your damn dialer!!!

801-432-2935
877-749-2510

I also am getting calls from bennetts law firm.i had made some purchesses through a home food delievery company. my checking account was hacked and we had to close it.didnt realize I still had items out any way know these people are calling and being ugly to me. I will gladly pay what I owe and tried to work out pmts for what didn't go through my bank account. but they say no.so I called the food service place and all they will say is you will have to talk to bennetts. so I left a message for this lisa to call me back last Friday and haven't heard from her yet I guess they will call me fussing be cause I haven't gotten back in touch.they keep saying jail and other things on these  3 pmts mybank didn't honor due to my account being closed.its not like im trying to avoid anything send me a bill and if I owe it ill pay it off in pmts. but they refuse to send a bill.i have done business with this food service for along time and always been a good customer. but know they have lost my business.due to hiring someone this rude..

A lady called my work. Said I owed Cash Store. I called the cash store, they said I didn't owe anything. I was paid in full back in 2010. So don't know if I should believe this?

I have supposed 3 accounts and my attorney needs a updated stAtement so they could help us.  But they refused to send us one and said we had to send a email requesting one.  But under the federal fair debt they by law have to give us one

They use some small time lawyer in Nevada Marty Sadderwaite, always check the statue of limitations on debts.... class action against these folks would stop them in federal court

They called today asking to settle a debt of $882.79, when i asked for confirmation of debt and documentation the rep Christian refused saying they dont have to send me proof of anything. I offered to pay them $75.00 a month towards the debt, they at first said no they couldnt do less than $150.00. I said take it or leave it. they agreed. I then gave them my credit card number and agreed to the $75.00 a month. I then asked for a confirmation number as well as documentation of our agreement to pay off the debt in monthly installments. They flat out refused again. I asked for a supervisor and got a rude snot named "Lynn Thomas" who kept on trying to talk over me. I informed them that I have a right to know exactly what I'm paying off in the form of documentation and they needed to send it. She then switches up their story and says my debt collector refuses to take installments and will only accept payment in full. So my payment arrangement was null and void. I also asked them to send me documentation of them refusing to accept my payment arrangements towards settling my debt. They once again said no. This is such a scam! You expect me to fork over almost $900.00, and you cant even send me a letter of our agreement?? What type of people are they? I'm utterly upset and worried now that they have my credit card number. I need to report these people, but i'm not sure where. I'll have to research it. BEWARE of these people.....

Listen... all they are doing is "threatening" to sue. Sure, they could sue you. Will they? Probably (most likely) NOT. But it's legal for them to suggest that they "could" sue, because they could... and scare you a little, and ask you to settle out of court. That way, the company (Target, Wal-Mart) might get a little extra $$ for their budgets. And the lawyers probably work off a commission, so that it's no skin off the retailer's nose.

Ignore the letters, block the phone calls... and cross the civil suit bridge with a lawyer only if you ever get to it.

Mr. Bennett,
i am sure you are a nice guy and this is how you earn your living, however you really should use reciepts for payments so your *bad debtors* have a running total  to work off of, and not every one is familar with bottom feeding collectors, so to threaten them each time you call just makes them less likely to pay.. just sayin.

Calling for my Son, on a bill he does owe, how ever since he doesnt have a bank account i offered to pay for him since they are threatening him often, they refuse to send reciept of payment, they "only send out paid in full letters"  really then why do you accept payments, as for any payment, purchase or service a reciept is expected if your Law Firm/collection agency can not provide those things then you should go back to being a regular old law firm.  your unprofessional little girls on the phone should have no right to try and intimidate me since i am paying it with my card and should keep her snide comments about my son's debt and how long the debt has been owed, as with all collection agencies a little respect to a consumer or debtor would get things done just as well. I am going to reccomend to my son not to pay them anymore and lets go to court and have the judge decide on payment issues, since they continue to threaten court and credit bureau dings what is one more threat.

Do you have a oregon state bar license?

I am tired of the s*** that we get from them! I called trying to resolve this nicely and practically just got cussed out, I am extremely pissed and this is the 3rd time i have got a letter the first time we sent it back with wrong address written on the envelope return to sender...we got it back within a few days and today got another letter not only was the collector i spoke to a complete bi*** but she also made it out like i was stupid and didn't know to send it back and bitched at me telling me i shouldn't be opening other peoples mail! It only had my address and cleaning band L written on the front... kinda hard to send it back to the correct person if they are unknown... I simply wanted my address removed and was as nice as i could be... It says some s*** about toyrus i think they need to learn to get there s*** together and stop aggravating people with there letters and phone calls! I mean really all the way in Utah that is no where near me..

I have been fighting this for  months !  My ex has even received letters for me.  He is convinced they are real.  I have contacted the state attorney general's office.  There is not much they can do because most of the companies are owned by off shore companies and get your information from public records and a website called lexi dexi.  They are a scam and are phishing for credit card numbers and checking account info.

While this company did not call me, I can vouch for a fact this Number is Bennett Law PLLC, they are the most crossed sleaziest company I know. They are unprofessional, they tell you one thing and then say something different a few days later as in my case. I was even accused of Threatening this firm! Because I had spoke with a FDCPA attorney and advised her that they had advised me that the fees were return check fees and attorney fee's (I have the letter by the way in cold hard black ink). I was advised to advise them they had violated the FDPCA, and that the costs were way more then the debt and to advise them to dismiss it and write off, this didn't go over very well as I said I was accused of threatening and intimidating the firm!  Mr. Bennett I don't care what you think about me and what you say your firm is a Joke your not a law firm your a debt collector, and a pretty damn poor one at that. Now start representing your self as such!  To the rest, avoid this law firm if they are calling you on behalf of a debt or a civil matter, in fact for that matter who would use a Debt Collector to go after someone in a civil matter!!!! Outrageous!

Can you pay online

This office has been calling me since Oct 2011 claiming I made a purchase on walmart.com and my card didn't go through and they claim they need to collect the debt. They first started calling my cell phone and now wont leave my partents alone. they wanted my debt card number over the phone however i refuse to give it to them so they keep harrassing me. i just told them to send me a bill and then ill pay it (actually i have no intentions of paying it) i hope this harrassment stops soon

http://www.bbb.org/utah/new-business-reviews/ ... dan-ut-13001018

File your complaints here with the BBB..

http://www.bbb.org/utah/new-business-reviews/ ... dan-ut-13001018