No message just hangup.

just filed a complaint with both the FTC and the Kansas Attorney General's Office.  

Mark Morales made several calls today to me, my son, my mother and my former employer leaving details of his alleged claim against me.

I returned his call only to hear his foul language and threats to take my personal belongings and then have him hang up on me.  I called back for a supervisor and that person did much of the same.  

The people at Russell, Reynolds & Ingram are NOT attorneys, nor do they have a legitimate legal department.  They do pull your credit report to see what assets you have and what other bills you have not paid and they will reveal all the little details.  They don't care to hear both sides of the story, they just want money and they will do or say anything to accomplish their goal.

If they have called you and harrassed or threatened you in any way, shape or form.  You need to file a complaint with the FTC and the AG's office.  Don't just let them slide by.  This company has already received one court order against them by the FTC.

I will also more than likely seek out an attorney to file against them for damages.  I haven't checked yet to see if there is another class action lawsuit against them.  Please don't let these types of people to get away with what they do.  Water may roll off your back, but think of other defenseless one's who may not be as strong, like the elderly or sick.

I for one, am tired of debt collectors not being regulated by the government.  I was a victim of ID theft over ten years ago and that still haunts me to this very day.  It's unrelated to this case but I still have debt collectors calling me about those debts that had police reports filed on them and were closed seeking additional payment.  When I tell them about the reports they want a copy.  Police departments normally don't hang onto these records that long and if they do, place them in cold storage.  Yet I still have to deal with removing them from my credit bureaus on a regular basis.  Anyone can place a claim on your credit report, they don't have to have proof.  It's about time that stops.

my daughter-in-law was harrased by the same *company* rri* at work and at home she was verbally abused they said they were even police threatening 2 arrest her and throw a lawsuit on her and we have called the place the she so called had a bill with they denied her of her having 1 and this rri i have read up on there nothing but a scam and rip-off oh yeah just today she recieved a letter from this company rri we live in ky come on now do they not have anything else better 2 do than screw ppl out of there money they neesd 2 get a life and a real job

'Paul Stone called me 5 times in 2 hours....First saying my son owes the debt (he is a minor) and then to tell me I owe the debt...represented himself as an attorney working for Russell, Reynolds and Ingram. I canceled this membership 10 months ago, which I was told i could do when signing up....he proceeded to tell me I was stupid, and to get off my butt or he would take my assets from me, told me to get the money from my family "who love and care about me so much"....take out a payday loan, pawn stuff.....blah blah blah.....After an internet search i have filed a complaint with the FTC and I find it rather amusing now....Just sitting here waiting for him to call me again.....He hangs up on me and when he calls back he says "Did you hang up on me?"......it's gonna be a fun night!

I too have received a phone call from this company, a Mr. Martinez, saying that I owed for a gym membership, that I did not sign up for. I was offered a two week free memebership to a new gym in the area, but never actually signed up for anything.  He was very rude, called me a dead bet, loser and some other names. He alswo threatened to file a judgement against me and have all my credit accounts closed til I pay him...what an A%$. He has called more than once a day telling me to get a lawyer because he was taking my butt to court....I guess we will se about that. Thanks to all of the advice found her I plan to file a complaint against them and the gym I supposedly signed up for too. I have also called the local news channels to do a story on them and the gym.

Wow. This company did the same thing to me. Told me I owed $500 and to pay it or they would file a lawsuit against me and take me to court. They have called me multiple times in a row, using a threatening tone and language. They have harrassed me at my place of work. They have harrassed and verbally abused my family and friends - Disclosing that I supposedly owe a "debt" - and when asked to verify he claimed he would not "go back and forth" with me. Called me Lazy and other derogatory names! I have never heard anyone speak in this manner in a professional setting. Something is very fishy with this company! I was livid after being talked to this way, but now see that this is just a scam. I have filed an FTC complaint and plan to send a letter to RRI as well as ESAC.
UNBELIEVABLE.

FYI - These people are outrageous con artists.  The attorney Robert W. Bird who works with them and was sued right along with them has a long history of such scams.  The following is from the Attorney General's Office of West Virginia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Norman Googel
Phone: 304-558-8986


Release Date: March 20, 2002  
McGraw Secures Settlement with Beckley Health Spa


March 20, 2002



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Norman Googel
1-800-368-8808
304-558-8986



ATTORNEY GENERAL DARRELL V. McGRAW, JR.
SECURES SETTLEMENT WITH BECKLEY HEALTH SPA



Attorney General Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. recently secured a settlement with L.A. East Fitness, Inc., a Beckley health spa, relating to the company's unlawful debt collection practices. As a result of the settlement, West Virginia consumers will receive approxi-mately $43,756.95 in canceled debt relief and refunds from L.A. East.

Attorney General McGraw's office opened an investigation last year after numerous former spa members complained about receiving threatening telephone calls and letters from Roberts & Roth Corp., a Florida collection agency, and Robert W. Bird, a Florida lawyer who was also retained to collect L.A. East accounts. The Attorney General's investigation revealed that neither Roberts & Roth nor Bird were licensed to collect debts in West Virginia.

The Attorney General's investigation also determined that both Roberts & Roth and Bird had violated numerous state and federal laws while collecting debts for L.A. East, including impersonating lawyers and court officials to coerce payments; threatening arrest or criminal prosecution; calling consumers repeatedly at home and work; wrongfully disclosing consumers' indebtedness to employers and other third parties; and making false threats to sue or take other actions prohibited by law.

Many consumers complained directly to L.A. East about the abusive debt collection practices but were informed, incorrectly, that there was "nothing we can do about it" once the accounts are referred outside for collection. However, L.A. East severed its ties with the Florida debt collectors after Attorney General McGraw's office intervened. The Attorney General's investigation also found that L.A. East violated debt collection laws directly by threatening to increase consumers' unpaid account balances by up to 50% before hiring the Florida collection agencies.

The settlement with the Attorney General's office also requires L.A. East to refrain from hiring unlicensed collection agencies and from threatening to add debt collection and other fees onto consumers' unpaid balances. L.A. East must also promptly investigate and take action on any future complaints it may receive about outside collection agencies.

Attorney General McGraw stated, "West Virginia law prohibits debt collectors from using oppressive and abusive tactics to coerce consumers to pay debts. Moreover, outside collection agencies must obtain a license through the State Tax Department before collecting debts in West Virginia. My office will continue its vigilance to make sure that debt collectors do not use unlawful tactics when collecting debts from consumers."

Any persons wishing to file a complaint about a consumer matter or to alert the Attorney General's office about unfair or deceptive practices may do so by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-368-8808, or by printing a complaint form from this web site.

He's completely full of it. Bottom feeder at best.  He has a host of serious complaints against him with the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida...I believe 10 in the last 36 months alone! He's been sued for millions as you will read in other posts.  Also, for those of you who don't know....Al Reed, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Morales....their all the same guy. Put a block on your phone.

now thart i have read all of this and i also contacted the fair federal trades commission i so want to call these butt holes back and threaten them the way they have threatened me.

The same exact thing just happened to me! I spoke with Al Reed, who advised that by the looks of my credit I don't pay my debts, therefore he wouldn't send me a copy of the invoice that I supposedly owed and procceded to ramble off my SSN and was reporting my account to the credit bureau and hung up!

He called me too and told me that I had committed a felony because of my debt and that he was going to send the police for me. He was an a***ole and I told him he's not going to talk to me like that

I keep getting messages at work from a Jose Morales at 877-415-0158 saying I should call him or have my lawyer call him.  Very rude.  Haven't called back yet.  Been looking for information on who this might be.  All I can think of is some emergency medical bills I haven't been able to pay yet.

that number is 1-877-415-0158

He threatened my daughter with dire consequences (Mark Morales) He hung up on me. He hung up on my daughter, was hateful and as I said, threatening. She never even got a letter from this firm.

RUDE PEOPLE CALLING DEMANDING MONEY OR ELSE THEY WILL FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU.

Thanks Alfafa for the info. I have used all of your advise and would like to thank you. I will let you know the out come with these despicable people.

Mr Mark Morales with Russell Reynolds and Ingram called me about a debt that was supposed to be affiliated with an ambulance service and stated I owed $1,000.00 dollars and said if I did not pay it now he would put a lien on my financed vehicle. i tried to gather more info from him on the alleged debt as well as information from him and his company at which point he hung up on me. I have just sent him a letter to dispute this alleged debt VIA certified mail with return receipt requested. Thanks to user "Alfalfa" mentioned in his or hers blog. I also filed via online a complaint with FDC, again thanks to user Alfalfa.

RRI, Inc.
8343 Roswell Rd. Suite 375
Atlanta, GA 30350
888-484-3306
Fax
888-684-7405
http://www.rriagency.com/

Diana--

Stay OFF the phone with these people! You said at the beginning of your post that they contacted you regarding a debt which you may or may not owe, then told them when you were pressed for payment you didn't have the money to pay it. They are obviously trying to coerce you into admitting that you are responsible for a debt that you may not owe at all, and could be recording your conversation. They CANNOT collect on a debt without proof that you legitimately owe it...and that responsibility lies with them and NOT you. Don't let them tell you otherwise!

IMMEDIATELY dispute this alledged debt VIA certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything. Per the FDCPA they have five days to respond. If RRI continues to harass you or attempts to get a judment without validating this alledged debt, you can sue them for statuatory damages.

Today's Date

Your Name
Your Address

RRI, Inc.
8343 Roswell Rd. Suite 375
Atlanta, GA 30350

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL

Dear {insert name of collector or company},

I am writing in response to your (letter or phone call) dated {insert date}, (copy enclosed) because I do not believe I owe what you say I owe.

This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company on this matter therefore, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 809(b): Validating Debts:

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

I respectfully request that you provide me with the following information:

(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);
(4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in (insert name of your state).

Be advised that I am fully aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For instance, I know that:

Because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30 days of receipt of your dunning notice, you must obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your expense;
you cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by the original contract or state law.

You do not have to respond to this dispute but if you do, any attempt to collect this debt without validating it, violates the FDCPA.

Also be advised that I am keeping very accurate records of all correspondence from you and your company including recording all phone calls and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.

I have disputed this debt; therefore, until validated you know your information concerning this debt is inaccurate. Thus, if you have already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit Bureau (CB) then, you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2. Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the judge and request the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with the FDCPA.

Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they are also aware of my dispute with this debt.

Signature here
Your Printed Name

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/Disputing ... ute-letter.html

a guy named Mark Morales called regarding a debt that I may or may not owe
and he got smart with me on the phone and asked me why I don't go take out
a payday loan to pay this debt back I think that is not his place to say. said if I did not pay today I will be sent to court for a judgement and he would talk to me then I said I don't have the money to pay this and he said well i tired of having this on my desk so we will just take legal action and hung up. very rude both times I have talked to him.

Go to the Federal Trade Commission website and file a complaint.  These people are not allowed to harass you.  They may not call you more than once in a day and they cannot threaten you with any criminal action.  In certain situations they can take steps to collect money owed, but most of the people they threaten, they cannot actually sue.  It is a violation of FDCPA to state they can take an action they know they cannot take.  Please google FDCPA to see what third party collectors can and cannot do.  It sounds to me like these people are violating FDCPA continuously and you can actually sue THEM for violations. Also, companies who employ this collection agency should be aware of their history as they too can be held liable.

This guy "total jerk" Eric Ellis, just called me and was abusive to me about an apparent bill that I may or may not be responsible for....he was very short and said he was taking me to court and I would have court fees atty., fees,  and that he was callng the credit bureaus as soon as he hung up! He then hung up on me! I cried until I thought to look them up on the net. I have never been treated in such a horrible manner.

My manager received a call from this same number from a lady by the name of Kim Walsh (as she said) and she refused to give any details. She just said it is confidential and I need to call her. When I called the person on the line was not friendly at all and did not even want tell me who they are and what the do. I was worried that there may be something fishy here. So, I left a call back number for Kim to call me back and right after I went searching them on the Internet. No I understand, don't return their calls and report their abuse if it happens to you as well.

A lady by the name of Kim Welse just called regarding confidential business matters.  Phone is 888-280-1887.

After reading here, I will not be returning the call.

***** This Company is a SCAM *****

************** COPY OF COURT ORDER- GOOGLE Joe Hunt & FTC ***********
Court Enters Final Order in FTC Action Against Florida Debt Collectors
A federal court has entered a final order against a Florida debt collection agency, its principals, and its attorney, settling a Federal Trade Commission action that alleged that the defendants violated the FTC Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) while collecting consumers? debts.
The FTC?s complaint alleged that the enterprise used misleading dunning letters and abusive telephone calls to falsely threaten that consumers would be sued, their property seized, and their wages garnished if they did not pay the money that the defendants said they owed. The complaint alleged that the collectors often shouted and used profanity and other abusive language to carry out their collections.
The stipulated final order, among other things, permanently bars the defendants from falsely representing the character, amount, or legal status of a consumer?s debt, that their collector is an attorney or represents an attorney, or that if the consumer does not pay, the defendants can or will file a lawsuit against the consumer. It also prohibits them from violating the FDCPA in any way, including by disclosing a consumer?s debts to any third parties, using profanity or other abusive language in collection calls, or by continuing to attempt to collect a debt before providing verification of the debt to consumers who properly request such verification. The settlement also requires the defendants to provide consumers with a toll-free number and mailing address to file complaints, promptly investigate each such complaint, and take steps to cease, resolve, and cure any violations of the court order or the FDCPA.
The defendants are Rawlins & Rivera, Inc. of Florida, Rawlins & Rivera, Inc. of Georgia, Ryan & Reed, Inc. of Florida, Ryan & Reed, Inc. of Georgia, RRI, Inc., the corporations? officers, Janis Brust, Joe L. Hunt, Sr., Joe L. Hunt, Jr., and a Florida lawyer, Robert W. Bird, whose letterhead was used for many of their collection letters. The settlement contains a monetary judgment of $3.4 million, which represents the total amount the defendants took in through their allegedly improper debt collection activities. The settlement requires the defendants to sell property and transfer the proceeds of the sale to the FTC. The remainder of the $3.4 million will be suspended based upon the defendants? inability to pay.
The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the stipulated final order was 5-0. The order was entered by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, on January 14, 2008, along with an order dismissing Shannon Hunt from the complaint.
NOTE: Stipulated final orders are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation. A stipulated final order requires approval by the court and has the force of law when signed by the judge.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,600 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm..
MEDIA CONTACT:
Frank Dorman
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674
STAFF CONTACT:
Seena Gressin
Bureau of Consumer Protection
202-326-2717