916-241-4626
CA, US
Dave
Dave
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
Received a harrassing cal also from "Bella".
Threatened my Fiance with a lawsuit, stated she would "Find out where I worked and garnish my wages".  When I called back, she claims I had a dishonored check to Domino's pizza for over 200 dollars...  Not sure about you, but I have NEVER paid more than 30 bucks for pizza for my entire family!
after searching the web, it appears this company (Law offices of Paul Stassinos) routinely harrasses people and makes false claims.
Rosie
Rosie
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
Got a call at our office for one of our employees- new her legal name not the name she goes by- red flag #1. The callers name was Gary and he was very rude- red flag #2. He would not give me any information about why he was calling or where he was calling from- red flag #3; until I told him I owned this business and would not give her this message unless I knew who was calling and why. Then he told me he was a lawyer from the firm of Paul Stafinos. The whole call was so weird that we went online to check the number. Scam artist…!
jo
jo
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
got a message left by Gary Peters. Said "We need to communicate." Like I knew who he was or something. Never heard of him before. Very rude and at the end told me or "Alex" to have a good day. I don;t even know nobody named Alex. Scam Alert... not even calling this one back. Thanks for all the messages.
C
C
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
I received a call from Gary Peters Law offices in Sacremento.  Turns out it was a collection agency. These people are bull dogs. I had a debt of 70.00 that I legitimately owed  and wanted to pay(firt time I had heard of it was when they called) but they were asking for almost 900.00 and not willing to validate the amount.  I asked over and over very politely to get them to send a bill.  They will not produce an address or any valid contact information.  Their phone number is not published.  They have threatened me with lawsuits, humiliation at work, wage garnishment and called me names like deadbeat. I wrote to 7 on your side about it.  If you have the same experience please write in also.
Tim
Tim
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
Was also called by Gary Peters, would not work out payment arrangements for debt owed .  Threatened me with a lawsuit and told me I was in for far worse than that if  I didnt come up with the 1100 dollars . This is  four times the amount originally owed .   He told me to go to church to get the money in one lump sum and to get right with God !   On December 11th 10:42 am 2008 I told him I was recording the conversation, He said he didnt want to play these games , A lawsuit was in the works !       I believe this too is a collection agency that is using every trick in the book to make people feel cornered and demeaned to a point that the person feels they have no way out!
Debbie
Debbie
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
Keeps calling us. Gave name as Gary Peters, says we need to communicate. "It's no big deal." I have no clue what is about and I am not going to call back. If it is that important send me a letter. I don't owe anyone anything, so I can't imagine it is for collections.
Jessica
Jessica
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
Got a call from ERIN at the phone number 916-241-4626 . She called me letting me know that I had bounced a 40 dollar check last month for Pizza Guys and that I now owed her company 188 dollars and that I could't just pay the 40. She also said she would call me every day until I paid.She was very aggressive, very rude, and argumentitive. I could not get a word in edge wise. I told her I would Gladly pay my debt and she kept raising her voice and yelling. I asked her why is she being so rude and mean? She then told me that she wasnt being rude, just firm and what was mean was me eating a free pizza. When I called her back to let her know that I spoke to the manager at Pizza Guys and he agreed to let me pay the 40 bucks, she said this to me "NO YOU DIDNT, NO YOU DIDNT YOU CANNOT JUST CALL THE MAN WHO MAKES THE PIZZA THIS IS A CORPORATE MATTER" then she said "You will pay this, You will Pay this, I will call you every day until you pay this" I told her to send me a Bill and she refused, stating she already sent one. I never got a paper bill or even a phone call from Pizza Guys. This lady sounds like a scammer to me. I'll pay my debt to Pizza Guys - Not to her.
doug law
doug law
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
received call from Erin. She was the rudest person and i was being nice at first. Demanded my name and where my fiance was and told me that "he had better call me right back" I asked where she was calling from she told me this was a legal matter and that she was calling from Sacramento area. I asked her what company she worked for and she snapped out at me and said " this is not customer service do you understand me. Nowhere in my job title does it state that I need to handle customer service problems . Now you get my number to Doug right now and he had better call me back. What a @#%$#@
I told her that customer service people get calls not make them and im really sure that they dont yell at or threaten people nor would they withhold their companys name and then I hung up. She called right back and i just answered and then hung up. What can we do against jerks like this? That kind of treatment will get NO MONEY OUT OF ME.
Jenny
Jenny
2011-06-06 21:07:03
Unknown
Received a phone call from someone named Bella at this number.  When I returned call she said they were going to sue me but would not give information or let me speak to a supervisor nor would they give me the firm name.
bob
bob
2011-02-05 19:54:32
Unknown
i got a call from gary peters it was refreshing someone could be understanding. he offered to reduce the debt which hey I owed it LIKE YOU. Plus i did a few payments. It sucks but be real
Very Annoyed
Very Annoyed
2010-02-09 22:37:34
Debt Collector
Received a call from this number. They left a message saying..."this is Erin from the lawyers, please call back.....re: legal matter. Upon my call back, they Erin answered the phone as "Legal Dept", in an attempt to sound intimidating.
They sound like a completely fake company-attempting to collect money by misrepresenting themselves. What losers!Don't waste your time with them!
Sadie
Sadie
2009-11-19 05:44:10
Unknown
This company is SO crooked!  I had emergency surgery and a check of mine bounced with my school.  When I finally got up to getting caught on my bills, I had a letter stating I owed treble damages and owed this office 1200.00.  My original bill was 250.00.  I contacted Gary Powers and he said the school would only allow me to pay 1/2 now and then I could make payments, but a hold would be put on my school account and I would not be able to attend next semester classes until the entire bill was paid.  Well, the next day I went to my school and asked if this was true... they said "no" please just take care of your check and all holds will be off in 20 minutes.  I did this, and I have paid for next semester classes.  Gary Powers lied, and this company can not be trusted.
lamet
lamet
2009-08-14 20:01:46
Unknown
even IF THEY ARE LEGIT LAW OFFICE - THEY ARE VIOLATING FDCPA


Dealing with debt collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html

Statute of limitations by state ? always double check directly with your own State Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm

Recording calls from debt collectors ? always double check with your own State Government website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm

From FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.


Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you?re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor?s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.

Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.

Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn?t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they?re told (orally or in writing) that you?re not allowed to get calls there.


How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?

If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter ? even if you don?t think you owe the debt, can?t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don?t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector ? in writing ? to stop contacting you. Here?s how to do that:

Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a ?return receipt? so you?ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don?t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people ? but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written ?validation notice? telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don?t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don?t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don?t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.


What practices are off limits for debt collectors?

Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:

use threats of violence or harm;
publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
use obscene or profane language; or
repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:

falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
misrepresent the amount you owe;
indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren?t; or
indicate that papers they send to you aren?t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:

you will be arrested if you don?t pay your debt;
they?ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don?t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:

give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn?t; or
use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:

try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt ? or your state law ? allows the charge;
deposit a post-dated check early;
take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don?t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don?t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.

Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don?t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:

Social Security Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
Veterans? Benefits
Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
Service Members? Pay
Military Annuities and Survivors? Benefits
Student Assistance
Railroad Retirement Benefits
Merchant Seamen Wages
Longshoremen?s and Harbor Workers? Death and Disability Benefits
Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can?t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney?s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector?s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General?s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General?s office can help you determine your rights under your state?s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government?s portal to financial education.
Laura
Laura
2009-08-14 19:19:42
Unknown
Wow, glad I read all of these before I do anything or not do anything.  Thanks people for the heads up!!  Appreciate this web site!  Now I know how to deal with this Gary that's for sure!
amv
amv
2009-07-24 16:08:13
Debt Collector
Gary Peters is a MANIAC!!!!!!!!!!
Savant
Savant
2009-06-18 18:46:39
Unknown
916-241-4626
Googling this number brought up many sites. But at the top was a sponsored ad to Addresses.com, a reverse phone number lookup service, owned by Intelius.

Next we perform a whois search on Addresses.com and come to find all contact information is protected, except their name servers.

Name Servers:
  ns1.intelius.com
  ns2.intelius.com
  ns3.intelius.com

These guys are attempting to drive people to buy their services, don't bother, it's a tricky scam.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
2009-03-08 03:06:01
Unknown
Dealing with H&R Block is not correct of what ROXANNE. Stated. If you owe an amount $250.00, they can't change the amt due t$ 999.00. Interest is about 10% per year and that don't even add to about $1000. BE careful as theH&R are scammers. Too. They filed unauthorized tax refund on me and they shady business under investigation.

I learn not to REVEAL Anything to these clowns. Also do on a need to know basis dealing with collection agencies. The less you tell them, the less proof they have to try to harass and collect. They mad because they don't have a lot of info to sue or collect as it may backfire on them. Play dumb like they do. And all they can do is hang up and hopefully not call back. BUT NEVER GIVE OUT INFO INFORMATION, RECORD CALLS< AND LOGGED ALL CONVERSATIONS YOU WILL BE THE WINNER ON TOP OF THESE CLOWNS!!
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
2009-03-08 03:00:32
Debt Collector
These people been calling phone and they stop calling. The best way you handle these jerks is "DON'T ADMIT TO ANYTHING or Even if they call for a relative. YOU SHOULD STATE THEY HAVE WRONG PHONE NUMBER! DON'T Pay THEM nothing!! They buy old account they are way past STATUTE OF LIMITATATIONS (SOL)from like late 80's to early 90's and will try to trick you into paying an old debt. Also contact the California STATE BAR and Due a complaint sincethey are lawyers, also get a restraining order and have it served by a processor, sheriff, or server. And also send a certified letter to them jerks. RECORD Phone calls and leave on your voice that all calls to you may be recorded. This lets anyone know who calls you phone that the calls may be recorded. ALSO CHECK YOUR State's SECRETARY OF STATE Website and see if they are registered to collect, if not make a complaint and send "CEASE AND DESIST LETTER" stating them to stop all contact unless the company will sue or to stop all collections effects etc; FIGHT BACK Against THEM. You can sue them for defamation of character for put false info on your credit report and fine that from $1000-2500 for each FDCRA violation. Also you can contac the creditor directly and get copies to back you up and let the credit be aware of these jerks. They make stop doing business with them! GOOD LUCK!!
cdElDoradoCounty
cdElDoradoCounty
2009-02-02 23:36:44
Unknown
Law Offices Of Paul Stassinos
5150 Sunrise Blvd B6
Fair Oaks, California, 95628

Phone:  916-241-4626

This is the company's info for anyone interested
cdElDorado
cdElDorado
2009-02-02 23:24:49
Unknown
My sitation is simular to MJ's. I had a $250 check that bounced April 2008. In June 2008 I received a certified letter from this company. It said I need to pay $999 immediately or the price would go up to $1500. I called the number and left a message for the company to call me back. This guy Gary called me back and was extremely rude and spoke to me as if he was a carney in a carnival. I told him he could speak to me like an adult and didn't need to act so animated. He told me I have to pay the money immediately. If the money was not received by 5pm the next day, I would owe $2000 and he would sue me in court. He continues to leave stupid messages on my cell phone.

I spoke with Roxanne at H&R Block a couple weeks ago(that is the company I owe $250 to). She told me she would call me back and let me know what she could do. A week later I called her back and she said the best that the collection company could do is charge me $600 and I would need to pay it within the week. She said I should have paid it when they were asking for the $25 service fee. I told her they never billed me that low of a fee. She told there was nothing more she could do.

I expressed my concern to her about the way this company is collecting money for the returned checks that H & R Block sends to them. She didn't seemed too concerned. I will be contacting the BBB about this Law Office and the way they run their practice.
BLAH!
BLAH!
2009-01-22 01:02:58
Unknown
So is this legit or a scam?  I've been getting all these phone calls too.  I'm going to have someone look into this.  This is rediculous!!!!
tiffany
tiffany
2008-11-18 22:41:27
Unknown
Have received 3 voice messages from this number, a man named Gary. Not sure what to do, I have read all of the above complaints. I will try to get their company information and as stated above report them to BBB. I'm glad this website is here.
Li
Li
2008-11-14 20:08:36
Unknown
Sounds like a complete scam to me.  Never ever ever give out soc sec numbers, credit card numbers, banking info or anything else EVER to anyone over the phone.  Reputable collection agencies will never act this way.  Identity theft for sure!!
MJ
MJ
2008-11-12 18:16:27
Unknown
The same thing happened to me Kaila.  I myself work at a law firm, and told me he has no right to be calling me at work. He's charging me 400 dlls., for a bounced check of 90.00. I told him I would pay, but he yelled at me and told me he was going to sue me and called my husband and told him he was gonna keep calling me, and that I was making bounced checks behind his back!!! and he harrased us, and kept cursing at my husband. This man is horrible, appears to be nice, and is a NIGHTMARE!!! I myself will be filing a complaint against him.  Callers BEWARE OF THIS "GARY PETERS"
Kaila
Kaila
2008-09-23 20:21:11
Unknown
A man named 'Gary Peters' contacted my apartment complex and was searching for information. My apartments in turn called me to report that there had been an odd call from and 'old' man. I am 20 years old so obviously I was concerned. I called the number back and stated that I was creeped out that some unknown man had my apartment number. 'Gary' stated that I had every reason to be 'creeped out' and told me that I was being sued. Wouldn't give me any information but kept repeating my social security number. Then asked for a credit card number to pay my balance, still refusing to tell me why the balance was owed, I ended the call.
what?
what?
2008-08-20 19:32:38
Debt Collector
very rude.  wasnt sure why he contacted family members, asked him to stop calling.  we'll see...
Rosie
Rosie
2008-06-23 22:13:07
Unknown
Got a call at our office for one of our employees- new her legal name not the name she goes by- red flag #1. The callers name was Gary and he was very rude- red flag #2. He would not give me any information about why he was calling or where he was calling from- red flag #3; until I told him I owned this business and would not give her this message unless I knew who was calling and why. Then he told me he was a lawyer from the firm of Paul Stafinos. The whole call was so weird that we went online to check the number. Scam artist?!
Stanley
Stanley
2008-04-04 23:56:26
Debt Collector
Is a law firm - number goes to "Bella". Checked State bar is active law firm.
Airam
Airam
2008-04-03 04:24:34
Debt Collector
*** After Bella rudely hung up on me,I called back to get more info on the debt i apparently owe. I requested the control# & full company info & mailing address to send payment. Bella said she would make it short & sweet then would hang up since i was becoming a problem for them! (WAIT HOW AM I THE PROBLEM, IF IM CALLING IN GOOD FAITH TO OBTAIN INFO TO MAKE A PAYMENT??!!!) Bella stated they only take payment via debit or quick collect, never offered to mail or give full invoice/collection letter info!! After asking how I was becoming the problem when i was calling back to get more info on this debt, she hung up on me.

***CALLERS BEWARE, DON'T MAKE PAYMENT WITHOUT SEEING AN INVOICE OR COLLECTION LETER. BELLA NEVER SUPPLIED COMPANY MAILING INFO, AND THIS COMPANY DOES NOT COME UP WHEN YOU SEARCH THEM ONLINE. ANY REAL COLLECTOR/REAL BUSINESS WOULD HAVE GIVEN THAT INFO IN ORDER TO OBTAIN PAYMENT.BEWARE OF THIS CALLER/PHONY LEGAL COMPANY!!
Airam
Airam
2008-04-02 21:40:38
Unknown
looks like this Bella is on a roll....i see im not the only one on the attack. I'm glad to see a website of this nature reporting such bad business practices. I would report to BBB if you can get full company details. I dont have them but will do if I can obtain their contact info.
1-512-410-0000 1-205-530-3039 1-800-732-9312
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