I was terminated from a job for theft of cash, which I did not take.  I'm fighting the charge in court.  No arrest was made at the time, though a report was taken by the police.  Approximately a month later I received a letter trying to collect 5x the amount the store says was taken.  The letter quoted a shoplifting statute in my state.  I was not accused of or charged with shoplifting.  My attorney said it doesn't apply to the situation so not to pay it.  The calls claim they've tried unsuccessfully to serve me with legal papers, no one has attempted to serve anything to me

This number is calling me and saying that I'm "Brandon Memert" and that I owe child support and divorce money, and I'm a girl and a kid! I don't know what's going on, they harassed me two years ago and stopped and it just started again.

If your dad already paid them, then you need to go see a attorney with the canceled check  or a copy of and any and all information pertaining to this. Harassment is not cool, and by phone involves TCPA and FDCPA laws.  It could cost them more for those violations then they say you need pay a second time and then some!  I'd look for one that knows the FDCPA and TCPA laws.

I was with a group of girls who stole from a small business store in a mall. We were arrested (the total stolen items about $101) and given a court date, before our court date we got a letter demanding that my family pays about $200 or we will be sued. My dad payed it. After court we were sentenced to 24 hours of service work. Recently about everyday my parents get a call from this number for a fine and telling us where we can pay it. If we don't pay they threaten to sue, my question is what do they want from us. I'm 14 years old and am really scared!!

This number calls everyday and no one says anything.  Son was in a walmart store with a neighbor kid whom he shouldn't have been with but he begged my son to walk with hime.  The friend then goes and try to steal and of course they say my son was the watch out.  Let alone a watch out person my son don't even like to get a belt to the bottom...lol...these people are crazy.  No merchandise was taken and police wasn't not call.  Just there hired security. Needless to say my boy was in big trouble and he don't see that kid no more.

Caught shoplifting and got a ticket went to court played my fine $250. Now this company is saying I need to pay $600 and if I don't I can go to Gail or my fine will go up too 5,000  and  the amount I stole wad under $50. What can I do ?

I need help I shoplifting at h.e.b  and they called the police but I was not arrested just gave me a ticket went to court played for what I did under $50 the amount now later these guys came at me with 250 I thought by law I had to pay by law I missed 2 days on paying it now there charging me 600. Now there stealing from my children's mouth to eat  if I had 600 why would I have done for what I did if there is anyone out there who can help me by giving me advice well be so happy I have no one to turn to I don't  know what my rights I don't want to leave my children behind if I have to go to Gail  I made a huge mistake and I regret it .who ever reads this don't shoplifting no matter if it's a little candy stealing is wrong I apologize to everyone out there thank you.

I'm getting calls from this # on my cell phone and so "Binged" the # and found this site. I never answer and no messages are left. The only incident of shop lifting in my family was my son stole a candy bar and was caught when he was 6 yrs. old, that was 33 yrs ago, he has been a policeman for the past 15 yrs, plus he's a war vet. I simply don't answer  calls from people I don't know but am wondering how they got my cell number, which I never give out..

Just because this or any other law firm contacts you does NOT mean that someone had brought legal action against you or that they will bring legal action against you.  They can act as a debt collector, but they have more success because they use a law firm to represent them.  Please note that most law firms will probably not bring a suit against you for a small debt, let alone one for less than $5000 to $10,000.  It costs them too much money to bring suit.  Further, even if they sued you and win and obtained a judgement against you, if you don't have any assets for them to seize by judgement, then it is a waste of their time and money.  As a result, they probably won't bring suit against you if you have no assets for them to take.  You are entitled to a certain number of assets that are exempt from judgement, such as a car and your home, a certain amount of personal property and jewelry, etc.  It depends on your state and the type of debt, i.e., debts owed to the IRS or local or state governments, child support, etc - your otherwise exempt property could be seized for these type of debts.  You need to research the law in your state.  Therefore, if the debt is small, i.e., less than $10,000 (or can be $5,000) and you have no assets, then it is a total waste of money for a law firm to sue you. It costs money to sue, file pleadings, show up in court, etc.   Also, remember that owing a debt is not a criminal offense.

demanding money

I am embarrassed to say this but there was a bracelet at spencers that i thought was super cute. I had money but all of it was almost gone and me and my friends were going to go eat. I bought a glow ball for $25 and the bracelet was $10 but i took it. Well, not technically, i gave it back before i left the store. He held me there, called my guardian, and harrassed me. He said if my grandma came to get me within 30 minutes no legal action would be taken. She was there within 15 but he said he would take action but no letters were recieved. However, I keep getting these calls and I only answered once and from the stories i read above, it isn't serious. what should i do? should i continue to ignore it? I haven't even told my parents that they called yet...

they call non stop

leave half messages

never say a persons name

so frustrating!!!!!!!!!

These people are ridiculous, they call me 5-8 times per day and leave messages, I have called them back and advised them of the fair debt collection act which states they CAN NOT make contact with a person more than 1 time per day whether it be by actually speaking with me or leaving a voice mail, they did not seem to care and wanted to tell me that if I didn't pay their fine for a $5 pair of earrings my son tried to steal and that they got back and they were not damaged so they were still able to sell. that they would take me to court, I asked them what my name was and they could only tell me I was "-------'s mother"  I had to laugh because they can't sue a minor and they can't sue "---------'s Mother" either, my son got this deferred through the courts and did what he was supposed to and it's over....so they can continue to call and leave me multiple messages every day because I have enough physical proof to sue them

dont send anything to  these clowns.....
they are just out to extort anyone and shake them down with lame scare tactics.
DONT LET THEM SCARE YOU!!
they have no right to do anything under the law so dont worry that something will happen.
when they call insist they have the wrong number and when you see their propaganda in the mail just write 'return to sender' on it and say that person dosent live there.

its like if you were spammed on your computer and its states 'send us money to get this virus off your computer'.....same thing.
but what they do is known as extortion which is against the law and a far worse charge than some petty left BS.
these so called 'lawyers' do not follow the protocol the bar assoc states they follow and therefor are just bottom sucking scum.
tell these fools to stick it up their ambulance chasing,scum, low life a**.

They call constantly with blocked Caller ID, and ask for someone who has never had this number (I've had it for 22 years). I reported them to the Registry, but doubt anything will happen since no company ever seems to be fined. Palmer being attorneys should now the law. I can't help if they are too stupid to get the correct phone number for the person they want to extort.

they keep calling my number for a Jamal Jackson, and I don't know anyone with that name. They give a case number, but it means nothing to me. When I called back the number that called me, it was an automated message that didn't really help me, it just asked how I wanted to make a payment...

my bf was caught stealing 7 dollars worth of chicken wings from jewel osco. He complied and the securtiy office said no charges would be pressed. No police was called. later he received a letter from this firm for 250 dollars. we dont know if we should pay or not its alot but this doesnt seem legit we dont know what to do if we pay will that settle it? please help!!!

wow these people need to seriously f*** off

Upset- You need legal advice - as of today! They did not press charges. No police were called. This is a cross between blackmail & extortion. Please go visit your local police station, take the letter & talk with a detective. Hey! It's free. Remember! Nothing was taken & police were not called.

My daughter, normally a good child, good grades and on the honor roll, involved in community service, and sports. She got caught taking a $5 item, while carrying over $100 in cash with her, they did not press charges but I got a letter from these Palmer people for her to pay $250 which is a lot, but you do the crime got to pay the price! So I told them she would be making payments, which they told me they would add a $10 fee to each payment.  Well I told them she would pay $250 and only $250 because that was an outragous amount anyway, well what do I get, another letter in the mail now saying she has to pay $500!!! When I called they said sorry she did not pay the whole amount now she owes more!! Well needless to say my daugher will only pay the $250 and that is it!!! If they want to persue it, we will see what the judge will have to say!!

Who r these people and how did they get my unlisted number and how do make the stop calling

They are Palmer, Reifler and Associates, a glorified debt collector. They threaten 1.2 MILLION lawsuits a year, yet actually bring about 10 to court... Their business model (as a debt collector) is to use their status as technically being a law firm to trick you into think they are in the process of suing you, hoping you will get scared and pay the original debt plus the HUGE fees that have tacked on to it. They get to keep a commission of up to 30%, and there are multiple class-action lawsuits pending against them for extortion and other illegal practices. Don't be afraid of these guys... THEY WON'T DO A THING, all bark and no bite!

Why not return the call? Maybe they need some information from you in order to provide the refund.

Received letter demanding 500 dollars for shoplifting, and never shoplifted.  Police were even there, and had no reason to take me in, because I took nothing.  They detained me and harassed me, and had me sign  3 forms, and I just wanted out of there. They never gave me a copy of the forms.  2 weeks later I get a letter demanding 500 dollars for a civil penalty from an atty called Asen, in New York.  I showed the letter
to a City Prosecutor, who told me it was extortion, and not to pay it.  I did not want to think about it, so I sent the check in anyway, with a letter, stating I knew this was extortion, and no shoplifting was done, and
I was doing it to get them off my back.  I sent the letter and the check with a signature proof card,and someone had to sign for that check in the mail, and on the check, I wrote, as I was told by the prosecutor, " cashing this check relieves me from any further harassment, or civil penalties, fines, including any fees used by Kohl's to have their surveillance room
staffed full time, and any other recovery fees they might dream up, etc, etc....  I received another letter
one week after that, apologizing for charging me too much, and they error ed, and made a mistake.
I wrote on the letter, send me a refund, I already paid you the 500 dollars, and how groce they were, to
make such a mistake and allegation.    Now they are calling me on weekends, insisting I return their
call, at 866-768-0844.  I think not, and they owe me a refund.  Any suggestions???? Any similarities?
Any info would be appreciated.

SO Im reading all of these letters and this law firm is at the lead , ,WHAT do i do........ who should i write

WE ARE GETING CALLS FROM THIS # ALL THE TIME

HOW TO STOP IT

DONT KNOW PEARSON THEY ARE CALLING ABOUT.

I got this call from the law office of Palmer and Something Associates. My daughter tried to walk out of a Clairs store at the mall with a necklace and earrings totalling $17. They are charging me $250 through these attorney's, PLUS my 11 year old has already seen a judge and is waiting for a trial to see how much of the $1,000 maximum fine we have to pay.
She has never been in any trouble, always been an honor student, and is the best kid in the world. She tried to follow the example of the 18 year old baby-sitter who apparently has a history of this stuff and is getting the same treatment in court.

In June I took my daughter and some friends to the mall. They were caught shop lifting. Total amount $8.00. I was told no legal action would take place. I gave them my number, name and the girls name on a piece of paper. The lady said I may or may not recieve a letter in the mail. She said it was an easier way then pressing charges and having them arrested. I think my daughter has learned her lesson. I made her tell her father & grandparents. Pretty much took everything she has away. Her summer vacation was over just as fast as it started. Steeling is something I think she will never do again.

tHESE PEOPLE ARE RIDICULOUS, MY DAUGHTER TOOK A BOTTLE OF NAIL POLISH, WHICH THE STORE GOT BACK AND NOW I AM RECEIVING PHONE CALLS FROM THIS "LAW FIRM" CALLED THEM BACK AND WAS TOLD IF I PAY $200 RIGHT NOW IT WONT GO TO COURT, HAHAHA TAKE ME TO COURT. ITS A CIVIL LIEN, I WONT PAY. mY DAUGHTER MADE A MISTAKE AND IS VERY EMBARRESED BY WHAT SHE HAS DONE, HAS ALREADY BEEN PUNISHED BY ME, HAD TO WRITE ESSAYS AND LETTERS AND TAKE A SHOPLIFTING COURSE WHICH WAS 75.00. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, THE STORE GOT THEIR STUPID NAIL POLISH BACK. LEAVE US ALONE.

Ditto to the stories above - these guys are just crooks trying to scare people into giving them money.  My daughter took a $3 pair of earrnings - what can I say kids make mistakes, long story short they earrings were returned all was settled and I start getting phone calls and letters.  Well I started calling them back and threatning them...asking for the names of the people I spoke with and the dates, and letting them know I had contacted an attorney about legal action, in truth I did contact the state atttorney generals office to file a formal complaint.  We need to stop these guys!