OMG! I received a call last night. My 14 yr old son answered the phone. I hear "He's not here right now." silence.... "A *legal* matter!?" I took the phone. "I am his wife, may I help you?" Wish I had a recording....' "Hello. My name is Steve and I am calling to inform you the DH will be arrested tomorrow at work for grand theft." >> panic feelings begin<< This guy proceded to tell me that it was for default on a rental contract for which the merchandise was not returned. He claimed that "his client" is willing to allow "his firm" to obtain (1) $1200+ today, (2) give DH the bill of sale and (3) drop the charges. He repeated that if he did not get cooperation *today* that DH would be arrested *at work* tomorrow. I asked,"and they know where he works?" "oh, yes, the sheriffs office confirmed that today." He claims that he needs to go to another office to get the file and calls me back. He gives me the information to give to DH. 18007735322 x 777 Steven Vai Allen, Lewis & Associates ---- He asked me if we could pay this today. I told him, that this was not MY problem. DH and I are divorcing. He asked "did you purchase your house jointly" (strange question at the moment.) No. why? Because my client is also going to seek a judgement and get legal fees and court costs and would have put a lien on the house. yadda yadda. No matter how much I have learned here, I wasn't thinking straight. I gave the man no information (except that we were divorcing). Later, when relaxing it dawned on me that in my panic, I hadn't thought everything out. First thing I did was to go to my computer and go to www.budhibbs.com . There they were! This jacka$$ is a collector! OMG! Shall we all count the violations: (1) never identified that he was a collection agency and the mini miranda. (2) threatened that my DH would be arrested tomorrow. (Of course it isn't true) (3) LIED about the sheriff verify the work location (4) used intimidation tactics saying that the arrest would be done at his place of work even though he admitted that he knew the home address (5) The last bill from this was a couple of weeks ago for $600 NOT $1200 (6) using wording that left the impression that he was a lawyer or a law firm, when in fact, he is not. (7) the implication that DH (the consumer) committed "grand theft". (8) the use of deceptive means to coerce payment of the debt! I told DH to proceed to the court house first thing today and get the small claims forms. I am going to get ready to sue this ba$tard! Thank GOD! for all of you and this website. If it weren't for you, I would have been afraid that he would be arrested all day today! How dare this idiot do this. I called the Dept of Finance in FL to complain. They said that since the debt is here in SC, I have to complain here. Starting that process. I hope I NEVER hear from these folks again. (Yes, I am sending C&D immediately!) BTW, DH contacted OC and they were shocked that this is the tactic being employed by the CA they hired!
Also name the OC in your suit. They are responsible for these acts just like the CA is. Get a recorder immediately.
Are you and your hubby really divorcing or is this something that you just pulled out of the air to use against the ca?
Just curious . Did he return the item? Does he still have it? If so, can he return it now? Or is it too late?
Okay, I was confused, I thought dh meant dear husband. He must still mean something to you to help him out with this. They can file theft charges on your husband, it is done all the time here. The oc has to do that though, I don't believe a ca can.
Re: LOL He no longer has the property. I did warn him that this would bite him. I did not then, nor do I now, excuse his mistake. However, that does not absolve Allen, Lewis and Assoc.! I call him DH because I do still care about him. I simply cannot live with him. (Too irresponsible) I know there are times when he needs to pay the piper. I am trying to get better at not rescuing. DH called the OC today. Only the OC can press the charges and they have no desire nor did they have the intent to press charges. They only want their money. DH offered to pay them directly. They said that would be against their contract with CA. Then DH told them what CA did. They were horrified. Who knows, if they fire the CA, he might be allowed to pay them directly. The CA is in JAX, FL. They have not registered with SC. (They don't have to when collecting.) However, if they sue, they must register first. CA said suit and charges were prepared and ready to file. This is a lie. Time for debt validation and C&D.
