Empire Recovery Group   IE:  Mr. Phillips

What they do is break the law and misrepresents themselves as law enforcement or clerks of some court.  The FACT is they can not issue warrants for arrest nor could they, even if they wanted to file for criminal charges.

Collecting debt is a civil matter not a criminal.  Yes they have a job to do, but just like us we have to; they must abide by the law when doing their jobs.

Please read below the law before you pay what you can afford to pay to a criminal who misrepresent himself at law enforcement:

No debt collector shall collect or attempt to collect a
consumer debt by means of the following conduct:
  (e) The threat to any person that nonpayment of the consumer debt
may result in the arrest of the debtor or the seizure, garnishment,
attachment or sale of any property or the garnishment or attachment
of wages of the debtor, unless such action is in fact contemplated by
the debt collector and permitted by the law; or
1788.11.  No debt collector shall collect or attempt to collect a
consumer debt by means of the following practices:
  (a) Using obscene or profane language;
  (b) Placing telephone calls without disclosure of the caller's
identity, provided that an employee of a licensed collection agency
may identify himself by using his registered alias name as long as he
correctly identifies the agency he represents;
   (d) Causing a telephone to ring repeatedly or continuously to
annoy the person called; or
  (e) Communicating, by telephone or in person, with the debtor with
such frequency as to be unreasonable and to constitute an harassment
to the debtor under the circumstances.

Person called, Investigator Moore from Empire State Recovery. Message was left on my answering machine. Clearly a scam. Number he left was 800-375-3009 with a "claims number" as well.
This is a scam, so don't respond. If there is anything important or vital (which needs to be in writing anyway), I will get it in the mail or through a courier, not my land-line phone.
Hope this helps others.

I received a call from one Douglas Manning and he was a litigator for the company.  He stated that I needed to contact them immediately and give them a check for the balance owed of $5000.00.  I told him I don't have that kind of money and he said they would then sign a warrant for my arrest and to turn myself in for writing a bad check over state lines along with some other charges.  I have recently called the 800-375-3009 and it has a message stating the # is invalid.  Obviously another scam by the collection agency mentioned above.

called my cell, i did not answer.  then they called my hubby's cell & left a voicemail stating they were "special investigators" & i was listed as a party in a "complaint filed with their firm", i needed to call them back within 48 hours to prevent papers being filed. BOO-CRAP.  i have been in finance & real estate since i was 19 years old.  this is a scare tactic to collect money.  they cannot arrest you for defaulting on any loan or credit agreement (except taxes).  dont let these very "special investigators" scare you.  bottom feeding professional panhandlers is all that they are!  i dont give a rip if you owe somebody money or not, lying & trying to scare someone into paying up is not an ethical approach for any company.

Approximately 10:00am on the 12th of August Ms.Paluski called my mother, violated my rights by telling my mother about my private affairs and discussed this debt collection with her without my permission. My rights are protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. Ms. Paluski also emotionally frightened my elderly mother by telling her that there is a warrant out for my arrest for breech of contract and theft, she told my mother I stole money. Ms. Paluski also told my mother that a uniformed officer was coming to serve me and arrest me. They also told her that the Johnson County City Attorneys were involved and seeking to find me and that I was an evader. I have lived at the same address for 4 years and have not evaded anything. I have never been served with anything about a debt from Empire State Recovery. My mother then called me and informed me that Pat Paluski had called and what was said. I took down the number and called her at 1-800-375-3009 ext 108. I asked Ms. Paluski to speak with a supervisor and was told they did not have supervisors.
   Pat Paluski represented herself to me as a Special Investigator like law enforcement. I asked what was going on and she informed me that this debt was from Providian and they were seeking to have me appear in court for breech of contract and theft. I asked what this was about again and Ms. Paluski told me I needed to get with the Johnson County City Attorney before the warrant for my arrest was issued. There is no such office in Johnson County Texas. Ms. Paluski also told me that I could probably get this debt down to approximately $900.00 by talking to the Johnson County City Attorney and that if I did not I would have to pay $3,000.00. I asked what the time frame for this debt was and Ms. Paluski told me it is from 1998,1999 and 2001. I told Ms. Paluski to what she needed to do and her reply was “good luck in court” and she hung up on me. I then called the 800 number back and waited for the next available agent and was connected with a woman named Jodi. I asked Jodi, what is the physical address for Empire State Recovery and was told we are on the 8th floor.  Jodi then connected me with a man named Charles and that he was a supervisor. I asked him what the physical address was and he told me I was yelling at him and he disconnected the call by hanging up on me. I called back and asked for Charles and asked him in the most polite way what his physical address was and he told me that my attorney needed to fax him and he would send all the information to my attorney. I informed Charles I was Pro Se and he would only give me the fax number.

Keeps calling my cell phone, I called them, very rude, faxed me something to pay for $1,100 and don't have a clue what for, no account numbers.  I recently settled a card with Providian; they claim to be with them or Mervyn's.
Very threatening over the phone.

This number called my sisters home and left a message for me to call Ms. Allen. I called the number and they said that I owed money to Providian and was trying to settle this out of court. When I asked to have proff of this debt they told me that I would have to pay $ 2000.00 and they would put this in escrow before I could have any information on this debt. I was supprised at the fact they had my ss and address. But when I kept insisting that I wanted proff of this debt they said that had I settled with Providian directly that I could of had that information but that they do not have the specific information just that this debt has been through collections and now sent to them and that they were trying to serve me papers, which had been returned to them with the wrong address. They kept turning things around that I had said and I would say no that is not what I said. The whole $ 2000.oo in escrow to get the information I wanted was just buzarr especially seeing how that was the same amount they said Providian was willing to settle for.

Bronstein, Shultz, & Peterson L.L.C. Is not close, Unfortunately becuase you may have had a bad apple talk to you do not make a total company bad, this company had to terminated some individuals that were not on the same page as the company when it came to rules and regulations, but you have a country that was founded on hard work, we all have jobs to do to support our family's, I work for this company and talk with consumer's every day and never have a problem, this company is dedicated to not just themselves, but also to upholding a system of rules and regulations, I serve as a voice for the individual that just want to assist a consumer with figuring out a way to clear up a honest loan back in a way that they will be able to do the same thing we are trying to do, take care of home.

I see you few individuals that did not feel that you should have to pay back a honest loan that was given to you are still at it in reference to something you owe, then you slander that company becuase they contact you to advise you still owe a loan that you know you owe. What is the right thing to do If you owe a loan pay It, now If the break a state or federal law then you should seek assistance against them. But I myself work for Bronstein, Shultz, & Peterson L.L.C and i contact consumers and have no problems. I believehat person not just  there is always a medium that can be reached when you contact someone. You always have bad apples in anything you do, you have to just keep reporting them, believe it or not I do not think there is too many company's out there that will put everything on the line for one person so if you report them most of the time the will get terminated. This company was bought out and is under new management.

call from Bronstein Schultz & Peterson...theatening arrest for bank fraud... that was never committed.using the name as Bill Johnson wanting information on family members

Leocat, have you had this issue resolved.  BSP is definitely a scam.

IDENTITY THEFT!!! BEWARE~~~Bronstein, Shultz and Peterson is scam. Do NOT give these people the time of day. I think they are trying to pull identity theft. I owed a payday loan place Money and More which is now out of business. I do owe money to Money and More but this company is not an authorized collection company for them. I was threatened with law suits so I payed them with a debit card over the phone which they told me they also needed my driver license number. 2 days later I get a call from "Doug Manning" says he got a memo on his desk that credit card companies are declining payment (it cleared my bank fine). And says that he wants me to dispute the charge and give him a "check by phone". Well... That sounded fishy to me right off the bat. So now they have my debit card#, my diver license # and now they want my bank routing and account#. Not going to happen, I have my bank investigating..

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.

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.

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.

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.

you lying sobe.   You are harrassing ppl who have already handle their debts.  You are fradulent using info that was obtained fradulaently and will be caught.  You are the only one that owes anything, claiming to be some entity when you have no right to be collecting from ANY of these people.. YOU ALSO HAVE COMPLETEL WRONG INFO INCLUDING NAMES OF SUPPOSED DEBTORS, WRONG AMOUNTS, harrassing ppl with THREATS OF WARRANTS FOR DEBTS THAT NO LONGER EXIST, THREATENING CO-WORKERS OR AQUAINTENANCES THAT WILL BE SUBPOENA'D.  WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS FRAUD AND AGAINST THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CREDIT LAWS.  YOU CLAIM YOU DO NOT USE A MAILING ADDESS BUT USA LAW REQUIRES WRITTEN STATEMENT OF INTENTION TO COLLECT ANY DEBT.   BE AWARE DOUGY SIR -   WHAT IS DONE IN THE DARK SHALL COME TO THE LIGHT!

How do I get a hold of your company?  Why did you change your phone numbers?  I'm trying to get my olds debts paid off.

I've been paying my debt to these guys since 3-09, now it seems they have changed all there phone numbers.  I can't get a hold of anyone reguarding my debt.  Is this some kind of scam?

I was told that this agency is closed now so no one would have to worry about these people ever harrassing them. I guess the attorney general got a hold of this company and shut them down.

Pay your bills on time you would not have to go thru having anyone contact you, that is what I learned to do back in the 90's. You put all your complaints on here as if they are taking from you, your the one taking from the bank and every tax payer that end up paying higher taxes becuase of the bank. I can't beleive the things you'll put on here as If you were really threatened.

I received a phone call May 20, 2009, from Douglas Manning who stated he was an attorney wanted to contact a party I know.  I was told if the party did not respond that an arrest warrant would be issued.  I was to have the party call 1-800-375-3009 and then extension 110.  The party was to refer to case number BW3108CXXXX.

I just got home from a long day at work and then attending a night class when I hear a message from this company stating that there is a civil suit against me which freaked me out. I called Investigator Davis back and left him a message. I don't know why they are trying to scare people saying that they have a civil suit them.

thank you for posting your story i was also contacted by this same man. I have posted my story on here under the name relieved reader. I really thought this was serious matter until i read these stories. Exspecially yours because of the name of the man that contacted you. Once again thank you for posting you story on here.

I also recieved a call from a Douglas Manning that said he worked for ERS and that he had a civil suit against me. He said that if i didnt make payment arrangement that there would be a warrant for my arrest served. He claimed that I owed a bank for a credit card, the amount he quoted was no where the amount i had ever had on a credit card. I was really upset and worried so I called my husband and told him what i was told. He said they couldnt do that. I also called my local sheriffs dept. and was also told they could not do that. I dont remember ever having a credit card with this company that he was claiming i did. I am planning on reporting this company and having this matter checked out further. I really am glad i found this info here cause I was really worried and upset about all of this.

these people called and threatened to have me arrested for a card that I have no recollection of.  I asked if I could get their company address and proof that the debt was mine.  They would not give me any information.  I told them to do whatever, because I am not giving money to them without written proof that I owe these debts. I talked to several creditors, by law creditors have to give written notice, and they have to supply me with their address.

a mr realzo? called my cell phone number looking for a bernadette jenkins file number bn1305...they reached the wrong number there is not bernadette jenkins at the number he called 716-912-6733...maybe he dialed the wrong number. however please remove that number from your files-you have the wrong number for bernadette...

I got the same msg that christina posted on nov 6. It was for my mom who lives in fl and I live in Cali. I knew something was off when he called from a ny # but the name of the company was showing as "unknown name". I immediately searched the 800 # and found this site.

This collection agency does not do it's homework before calling and leaving almost humorous, threatening phone calls. Ending the message with "good luck". What a joke! I actually feel sorry for people who have to do this for a living. I guess they should've listened to their parents and stayed in school.

A man just left a msg on my cell regarding someone I have never heard of in my life and stating that there is a civil matter, that he is an investigator, and left a ref number...said his name is K? Williams, that he is a claims investigator, and to get back to him before this matter goes any further.  He ended the call with a very odd sounding "Good Luck"  I called back to let them know they had the wrong number, but got a bad feeling before an agent answered and hung up...then I checked here and realized I was right.  Just in case this person exists and ever visits this page, the name he left the msg for is: Yvonne Denman, case number BR1645.  Not sure what to do since they didnt call for me.  Was it a way to get me to call back?  Sounds like they are the kind of scum who would use such methods.  (Also, they called a second time using *86)  Who knows...maybe I will just ignore them.

My girlfriends mom got an answering machine message that a full investigation had been completed on my social security number and that the investigator had to make a decision by the morning. I needed to get an attorney and get in touch with them immediately as I was in violation of the law and could go to jail after I was filed against in the morning. My girlfriends mom freaked out and called me. I researched before calling and what a joke this company is and what tactics. Shame on New York for letting them operate.

I was so upset and frightened that an investigator called me about a civil suit against a person that closely sounded like the name of my colleague at work. I called the number and they were closed. I was confused why law enforcement would have an 800 number so I looked it up. Ironically, I happen to work with the Northeast region at my job and thought that I did something wrong.  Ironically, I got a call today at my job from a guy that sounded close to the guy left me the message below stating that I was the runner up in contest and stated I won a prize for something I filled out a piece if paper at a theatre (he happened to be calling from a NY number). Then I go home and hear this message on my voicemail. I happened to give him my email address and he verified my information he had, i.e my home address and asked (to claim my price) if I was under single status. he promised to send me an email letting me know about this prize and I was hurrying up because I can't really take personal calls like that on my work phone. I never received an email. I am scared this guy illegally obtained information-they sound exactly the same.

THIS IS THE MESSAGE STATED-THE TONALITY WAS THAT OF AN INVESTIGATOR INVESTIGATING A SERIOUS, UNKLAWFUL MATTER.

Wednesday 7:41 pm PT
"This is an important message for Troy E Byrnes. My name is Investigator Davis. I am calling from the investigation division of ESR. There has been a civil complaint filed here in my office nameing you as the respondent. It is imparative that I speak with you or your attorney in regards to this complaint while it's still in the investigative stage. My number is 1 800 375-3009. Your case number is ___. If I do not receive a response in regards to this matter within 48 hours your files will be a status of FAIL TO COOPERATE and further action will be taken.

Rec'd voicemail stating 'you have a civil complaint filed against you, please call this number within 24 hours', so i called and they insisted that it was in regard to an 'old credit card debt' from 1999, that I owed 3589.64, but an out of court settlement was offered in 2004, and i never responded, and another notice was sent to me in January of 2008, and I didn't respond to that either. Advised them that I would have called if I'd gotten the letters. They have my SSN, old address, new PO box address, and phone number that I've only had since June. They want 525.00 TODAY, or I'm being garnished...I'm not sure what to do. I know all my old credit cards are paid off, and this isn't a credit card debt, but I don't know what else it is. They faxed me a letter, on letterhead, stating a settlement amount, do I have any recourse?