I Got a Call From Hoffman Schwartz & Associates Saying I Owe a Debt. – SAG

“Dear Steve,

I got a call today on my cell phone from phone #404-893-4113 with the message”This is so and so with Hoffman (?) and (?). I am calling in regards to a compliant from Bank of America regarding check fraud. Please call me or have your legal representation contact me within 24 hours or I will have to file charges with District Attorney’s office in Louisiana”

First off I haven’t lived in Louisiana in ten years (I live in TX). Second I haven’t had a check account with Bank of America in 5 years (it was opened in TX. As far as I know there isn’t Bank of Americas in Louisiana). I’ve only had that cell phone for 5 years. Has anyone else gotten this type of message? If they wanted me for check fraud, wouldn’t BOA contact the District Attorney’s office directly and file charges? Seems like one of those debt collector trying to scare me? I try doing a reverse lookup on the phone # but no information found.

SAG”

The Answer:

Dear SAG,

I called the number, you can hear my call below.

Now I could be wrong but a search online did not locate anything for a collection agency called Hoffman, Schwartz & Associates and the only Hoffman, Schwartz & Associates I could find was in area code 913, Kansas City. This 404 number was from Atlanta.

As you will hear it just goes into a general mailbox. That sure doesn’t sound like a professional debt collector. I actually called back and tried some different extensions and the system hung up on me.

If it is, as I suspect based on your information and my call, a phony debt collector, they are getting a bit more clever with a better answering message.

My gut reaction is that this is a variation of the phony collector scam going around. Read “A Debt Collector Keeps Calling Me From 212-500-0839 And Says I’ll Be Arrested. – Lavern” and listen to that call.

Did the voice that left the message sound foreign?

UPDATE: Turns out I got the name spelled wrong. It is actually Hoffman, Swartz & Associates and their site is hoffmansa.com.

Big Hug!

I Got a Call From Hoffman Schwartz & Associates Saying I Owe a Debt. SAG Stein and Associates rsacollect.com Rosenthal Stein & Associates Rosenthal Phony Debt Collector Paris Tauriac Nicole Marie Fountain Hoffman Swartz & Associates Hoffman Schwartz & Associates debt collector Belinda Gibbons 404 893 4113 debt collector ask the get out of debt expert ask the get out of debt expert
@GetOutOfDebtGuy

Update: June 15, 2010

As a comment stated below, apparently Hoffman Swartz & Associates is now Rosenthal Stein & Associates and did forget to remove the name Hoffman Swartz from their description. Thanks Leesa!

I Got a Call From Hoffman Schwartz & Associates Saying I Owe a Debt. SAG Stein and Associates rsacollect.com Rosenthal Stein & Associates Rosenthal Phony Debt Collector Paris Tauriac Nicole Marie Fountain Hoffman Swartz & Associates Hoffman Schwartz & Associates debt collector Belinda Gibbons 404 893 4113 debt collector ask the get out of debt expert ask the get out of debt expert

“There are no “up-front” fees at Hoffman Swartz & Associates” they say on the Rosenthal Stein site.

The new domain name is rsacollect.com and is owned by:

Digital Compass
2870 Peachtree RD NW
Suite 492
Atlanta, Georgia 30305

And guess what, they also own the domain name hoffmansa.com.

Apparently Belinda Gibbons is the President of Hoffman Swartz & Associates and probably now Rosenthal Stein & Associates. – Source

According to Georgia records Belinda Gibbons is the secretary of the company and the CEO is Paris Tauriac and the CFO is Nicole Marie Fountain. – Source

According to the State of Georgia, Rosenthal, Stein and Associates was incorporated on April 29, 2010. – Source

If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.

Check out your debt relief options using The Amazing How to Get Out of Debt Calculator. It's free, easy, and anonymous.

Other Related Articles to Read

  • Doanique

    I also got a call from Hoffman Schwartz. I actually did take out a payday loan so I guess this was legit. I didn’t like being threatened with arrest because of check fraud. I ended up setting up a payment plan of which they associate neglected to tell me that a monthly processing fee would be taken out. She kept trying to get me to pay more than I could afford. I still can’t afford the payment and now with the additional fee it is even worse for me. They won’t let me pay any other way. I shouldn’t have let them bully me into payment. But I didn’t want to take a chance that they could arrest me. I guess I should have talked to a lawyer before I made arrangements but I was scared. Can I debt colllector threaten you like this?

    thanks

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      How much are the charging as a processing fee?

  • Steve

    This is their other collection agency, they have Hoffman, Swartz and Associates and they have Barnes, Givenski & Assoc llc. Check their address which is bogus as well, but they are the same 4514 chamblee, their office is located in Marietta, Ga after checking various sources, will update you their real address, having investigator verify their real location. Look on their other business name articles Hoffman Swartz & assoc. you will see this person listed as the secretary for the business also. *********DONT PAY THEM EITHER WAY THEY ARE SCAMMERS AND ARE NOT LICENSED TO DO BUSINESS IN ANY STATE********

    Business Name History

    ——————————————————————————–

    Name Name Type
    BARNES GIVENSKI & ASSOC LLC Current Name

    ——————————————————————————–

    Limited Liability Company – Domestic – Information

    Control No.: 10056522
    Status: Active/Owes Current Year AR

    Entity Creation Date: 8/11/2010

    Jurisdiction: GA
    Principal Office Address: 4514 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd
    #262
    Dunwoody GA 30338
    Last Annual Registration Filed Date:
    Last Annual Registration Filed:

    ——————————————————————————–

    Registered Agent

    Agent Name: Gibbons, Belinda
    Office Address: 4514 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd
    #262
    Dunwoody GA 30338
    Agent County: Dekalb

    _______________________________________________________________________

    Business Name History

    ——————————————————————————–

    Name Name Type
    HOFFMAN, SWARTZ AND ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED Current Name

    ——————————————————————————–

    Profit Corporation – Domestic – Information

    Control No.: 09078817
    Status: Active/Compliance

    Entity Creation Date: 11/12/2009

    Jurisdiction: GA
    Principal Office Address: 2045 Mt. Zion Road #328
    Morrow GA 30260
    Last Annual Registration Filed Date: 3/10/2011
    Last Annual Registration Filed: 2011

    ——————————————————————————–

    Registered Agent

    Agent Name: POTTER SIEG, LLC
    Office Address: 315 West Ponce DeLeon Avenue
    Suite 440
    Decatur GA 30030
    Agent County: Dekalb

    ——————————————————————————–

    Officers

    Title: CEO
    Name: Paris Tauriac
    Address: 3814 Augustine Place
    Rex GA 30273

    ——————————————————————————–

    Title: CFO
    Name: Paris Tauriac
    Address: 3814 Augustine Place
    Rex GA 30273

    ——————————————————————————–

    Title: Secretary
    Name: Paris Tauriac
    Address: 3814 Augustine Place
    Rex GA 30273

    ——————————————————————————–

  • Odis

    In posting of 29 Mar. 2011, I said the company that answered phone at (877) 206-8031 identified themselves as Barnes, Jabinski and Associates. Seems I was wrong on that comment.
    I filed a complaint with the Atlanta Metro BBB on 15 Mar. The BBB sent the complaint to company Hoffman, Swartz and Associates. On 22 Mar. I sent a follow-up to the BBB stating that company at phone number above answered with Barnes, Jabinski and Assoc. Well excuse me, Hoffman, Swartz responded to the BBB complaint on 29 Mar. 2011.
    They said my complaint was being taken care of, I would receive a letter in the mail saying the debt was paid in full. Would be sent to my address. They also stated to BBB the reason I could not find Barnes, Jabinski and Associates is I had wrong name. It is BARNES, GIVENSKI AND ASSOCIATES. Excuse me for the error!! I was sure when I called the number on 21 Mar. the Auto system said Jabinski (Jibinski?) not Givenski. But, that’s what they say. Odis.

  • Odis

    In posting of 29 Mar. 2011, I said the company that answered phone at (877) 206-8031 identified themselves as Barnes, Jabinski and Associates. Seems I was wrong on that comment.
    I filed a complaint with the Atlanta Metro BBB on 15 Mar. The BBB sent the complaint to company Hoffman, Swartz and Associates. On 22 Mar. I sent a follow-up to the BBB stating that company at phone number above answered with Barnes, Jabinski and Assoc. Well excuse me, Hoffman, Swartz responded to the BBB complaint on 29 Mar. 2011.
    They said my complaint was being taken care of, I would receive a letter in the mail saying the debt was paid in full. Would be sent to my address. They also stated to BBB the reason I could not find Barnes, Jabinski and Associates is I had wrong name. It is BARNES, GIVENSKI AND ASSOCIATES. Excuse me for the error!! I was sure when I called the number on 21 Mar. the Auto system said Jabinski (Jibinski?) not Givenski. But, that’s what they say. Odis.

    • Steve

      This is their other collection agency, they have Hoffman, Swartz and Associates and they have Barnes, Givenski & Assoc llc. Check their address which is bogus as well, but they are the same 4514 chamblee, their office is located in Marietta, Ga after checking various sources, will update you their real address, having investigator verify their real location. Look on their other business name articles Hoffman Swartz & assoc. you will see this person listed as the secretary for the business also. *********DONT PAY THEM EITHER WAY THEY ARE SCAMMERS AND ARE NOT LICENSED TO DO BUSINESS IN ANY STATE********

      Business Name History

      ——————————————————————————–

      Name Name Type
      BARNES GIVENSKI & ASSOC LLC Current Name

      ——————————————————————————–

      Limited Liability Company – Domestic – Information

      Control No.: 10056522
      Status: Active/Owes Current Year AR

      Entity Creation Date: 8/11/2010

      Jurisdiction: GA
      Principal Office Address: 4514 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd
      #262
      Dunwoody GA 30338
      Last Annual Registration Filed Date:
      Last Annual Registration Filed:

      ——————————————————————————–

      Registered Agent

      Agent Name: Gibbons, Belinda
      Office Address: 4514 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd
      #262
      Dunwoody GA 30338
      Agent County: Dekalb

      _______________________________________________________________________

      Business Name History

      ——————————————————————————–

      Name Name Type
      HOFFMAN, SWARTZ AND ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED Current Name

      ——————————————————————————–

      Profit Corporation – Domestic – Information

      Control No.: 09078817
      Status: Active/Compliance

      Entity Creation Date: 11/12/2009

      Jurisdiction: GA
      Principal Office Address: 2045 Mt. Zion Road #328
      Morrow GA 30260
      Last Annual Registration Filed Date: 3/10/2011
      Last Annual Registration Filed: 2011

      ——————————————————————————–

      Registered Agent

      Agent Name: POTTER SIEG, LLC
      Office Address: 315 West Ponce DeLeon Avenue
      Suite 440
      Decatur GA 30030
      Agent County: Dekalb

      ——————————————————————————–

      Officers

      Title: CEO
      Name: Paris Tauriac
      Address: 3814 Augustine Place
      Rex GA 30273

      ——————————————————————————–

      Title: CFO
      Name: Paris Tauriac
      Address: 3814 Augustine Place
      Rex GA 30273

      ——————————————————————————–

      Title: Secretary
      Name: Paris Tauriac
      Address: 3814 Augustine Place
      Rex GA 30273

      ——————————————————————————–

  • Odis

    From Texas. Hoffman, Swartz and Associates are a Debt Collection Agency based out of Atlanta, Ga. Address and phone from website is 4514 Chamblee Dunwoody Dr. , Suite 262, Atlanta, GA. 30014. Ph. (866) 496-9922. The website says they specialize in Consumer Debt Collection, Bad Check Recovery and Professional Skip Tracing.
    I received numerous calls from phone number (877) 206-8031. These calls came in in late 2010 and on into 2011. They were calling my cell phone. On 07 Mar. 2011 I called the number I listed above and the automated system answered with Hoffman, Swartz and Assoc. Said to dial an extension if I had one. I had 309 which was left on cellphone messages. Person who answered identified as Investigator Adkins. She was female, seemed friendly enough. Proceeded to tell me all about it. Said had a debt that my daughter incurred. This from 20 Feb. 2007. From Grapevine, Texas. Was a payday loan done over the internet. From a place called Cash USA or Cash America?? Said she obtained the loan in her name, used SSN number and place of work info. IF She did not respond and pay it off, Felony charges would be filed. Would be court and attorney fees plus repayment of loan with interest. Total was about $3,400.00 by the time she got thru. Said a warrant was being issued for her arrest. I asked how much she owed, what would it take to get the matter cleared. $555.04 she said. I paid it on 07 Mar.
    Adkins said she would mail the paperwork to me, letter with all info on it and saying debt was paid in full, no further action would be taken, etc. Well, it’s 29 Mar. 2011 and no paperwork received.
    I called back to the (877) number I listed above on 21 Mar. This time the automated system answered with “This is Barnes, Jabinski and Assoc.” I dialed ext 309 and Adkins answered, BUT now I was talking to a different company?? She said I will get on it immediately and get that paperwork in the mail. Took my address again, as I said no paperwork as of today, 29 Mar.
    When I finished, I dialed the number listed on the Web for Hoffman, Swartz (866) 496-9922. I had not dialed this number previously, I had dialed the 877 number given me on cellphone messages. The same automated system answered, said it was Hoffman, Swartz. If you know your parties ext, dial it. I dialed 309, not response, it wasn’t there. I then used the name lookup index. You punch in the 1st three letters of the last name of person you are looking for, I punched ADK. There was no listing for that name.
    I then dialed back to (877) 206-8031 and went to the name index, I punched in ADK and it said dial ext. 309. But?? I was talking to Barnes, Jabinski not Hoffman, Swartz.
    There is no listing in the Atlanta area for a firm call Barnes, Jabinski and Assoc. The 877 number does not come up on any indexes I tried. Hoffman, Swartz exists and their phone number, the 866 number is listed.
    I say, if these people call you, pay attention to what they say and write it down, record it. Then turn it in to every agency (BBB, etc.) that you can. And by the way, the BBB in Atlanta lists Hoffman, Swartz and Associates. Their rating by the BBB is ‘F’ Likely F-

  • Odis

    From Texas. Hoffman, Swartz and Associates are a Debt Collection Agency based out of Atlanta, Ga. Address and phone from website is 4514 Chamblee Dunwoody Dr. , Suite 262, Atlanta, GA. 30014. Ph. (866) 496-9922. The website says they specialize in Consumer Debt Collection, Bad Check Recovery and Professional Skip Tracing.
    I received numerous calls from phone number (877) 206-8031. These calls came in in late 2010 and on into 2011. They were calling my cell phone. On 07 Mar. 2011 I called the number I listed above and the automated system answered with Hoffman, Swartz and Assoc. Said to dial an extension if I had one. I had 309 which was left on cellphone messages. Person who answered identified as Investigator Adkins. She was female, seemed friendly enough. Proceeded to tell me all about it. Said had a debt that my daughter incurred. This from 20 Feb. 2007. From Grapevine, Texas. Was a payday loan done over the internet. From a place called Cash USA or Cash America?? Said she obtained the loan in her name, used SSN number and place of work info. IF She did not respond and pay it off, Felony charges would be filed. Would be court and attorney fees plus repayment of loan with interest. Total was about $3,400.00 by the time she got thru. Said a warrant was being issued for her arrest. I asked how much she owed, what would it take to get the matter cleared. $555.04 she said. I paid it on 07 Mar.
    Adkins said she would mail the paperwork to me, letter with all info on it and saying debt was paid in full, no further action would be taken, etc. Well, it’s 29 Mar. 2011 and no paperwork received.
    I called back to the (877) number I listed above on 21 Mar. This time the automated system answered with “This is Barnes, Jabinski and Assoc.” I dialed ext 309 and Adkins answered, BUT now I was talking to a different company?? She said I will get on it immediately and get that paperwork in the mail. Took my address again, as I said no paperwork as of today, 29 Mar.
    When I finished, I dialed the number listed on the Web for Hoffman, Swartz (866) 496-9922. I had not dialed this number previously, I had dialed the 877 number given me on cellphone messages. The same automated system answered, said it was Hoffman, Swartz. If you know your parties ext, dial it. I dialed 309, not response, it wasn’t there. I then used the name lookup index. You punch in the 1st three letters of the last name of person you are looking for, I punched ADK. There was no listing for that name.
    I then dialed back to (877) 206-8031 and went to the name index, I punched in ADK and it said dial ext. 309. But?? I was talking to Barnes, Jabinski not Hoffman, Swartz.
    There is no listing in the Atlanta area for a firm call Barnes, Jabinski and Assoc. The 877 number does not come up on any indexes I tried. Hoffman, Swartz exists and their phone number, the 866 number is listed.
    I say, if these people call you, pay attention to what they say and write it down, record it. Then turn it in to every agency (BBB, etc.) that you can. And by the way, the BBB in Atlanta lists Hoffman, Swartz and Associates. Their rating by the BBB is ‘F’ Likely F-

  • Suzyp97

    NEVER EVER AGREE TO PAY A DEBT THEY HAVE NOT PROVED IS YOURS IN WRITING They are required by law to do this.

    Collection Agencies that USE ILLEGAL SCARE TACTICS do it because THEY CANNOT PROVE anyone owes any money at all They want you to panic and just pay them without question. And they DO NOT WANT YOU TO DISPUTE THE DEBT. Once you dispute it – they either VALIDATE or stop collections.

    THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS
    HANDLE IT CORRECTLY AND THEY WILL END UP PAYING YOU

    READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE
    You can also post your questions here http://www.collectorsexposed.c…
    These links are to attorneys for those being scammed http://www.naca.net or http://www.consumerjustice.com…

    Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!
    The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

    Dealing with Debt Collectors
    Http://www.budhibbs.com/First….

    Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
    http://www.budhibbs.com/statut…

    Recording calls from Debt Collectors – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
    http://www.budhibbs.com/record…

    From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
    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 (http://www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (http://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 http://www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
    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
    February 2009

    File complaints with

    Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassist…

    Your State Attorney General
    State Attorney General is every state they have offices

    Link to all State Attorney General Websites http://www.naag.org

    If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link http://www.NYDebtHelp.com
    This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices. HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!

    Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index…. If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list. You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.c… !

  • Suzyp97

    NEVER EVER AGREE TO PAY A DEBT THEY HAVE NOT PROVED IS YOURS IN WRITING They are required by law to do this.

    Collection Agencies that USE ILLEGAL SCARE TACTICS do it because THEY CANNOT PROVE anyone owes any money at all They want you to panic and just pay them without question. And they DO NOT WANT YOU TO DISPUTE THE DEBT. Once you dispute it – they either VALIDATE or stop collections.

    THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS
    HANDLE IT CORRECTLY AND THEY WILL END UP PAYING YOU

    READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE
    You can also post your questions here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php
    These links are to attorneys for those being scammed http://www.naca.net or http://www.consumerjustice.com/consumer/searchattorneys.aspx

    Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!
    The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

    Dealing with Debt Collectors
    Http://www.budhibbs.com/First.htm

    Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
    http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm

    Recording calls from Debt Collectors – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
    http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm

    From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
    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 http://www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
    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
    February 2009

    File complaints with

    Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

    Your State Attorney General
    State Attorney General is every state they have offices

    Link to all State Attorney General Websites http://www.naag.org

    If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link http://www.NYDebtHelp.com
    This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices. HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!

    Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list. You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0Reply !

  • Khalyde

    Wife got called by an affiliate of Hoffman Swartz an agency called Kaufman Hymes pressured my wife into giving them my debit card account # for a payday loan. They provided no documentation of the loan amount, creditor,etc.. and Hoffman Swartz started debiting my account for$188. Luckily I had transferred to a separate bank account. How should we proceed with these debt collectors. I would pay but don’t threaten my wife with fraud. Additionally, don’t the payday loan contracts usually have arbitration which has not been offered.

  • Khalyde

    Wife got called by an affiliate of Hoffman Swartz an agency called Kaufman Hymes pressured my wife into giving them my debit card account # for a payday loan. They provided no documentation of the loan amount, creditor,etc.. and Hoffman Swartz started debiting my account for$188. Luckily I had transferred to a separate bank account. How should we proceed with these debt collectors. I would pay but don’t threaten my wife with fraud. Additionally, don’t the payday loan contracts usually have arbitration which has not been offered.

  • Tlc916

    I keep receiving these calls from all different kinds of numbers saying I owe on a payday loan. The man had my social surety number, address, cell phone number work number and my pleace of business and home address. This is very scary has far as am aware of I used one payday loan and paid it back with another collection agency. I am wondering if my personal information is out there due to be applying online for on payday loan before.
    Here are some of the numbers that keep calling me.

    Nick Stevenson 760-582-0313

    678-971-2031 and so may more with 678 Area code.

  • Tlc916

    I keep receiving these calls from all different kinds of numbers saying I owe on a payday loan. The man had my social surety number, address, cell phone number work number and my pleace of business and home address. This is very scary has far as am aware of I used one payday loan and paid it back with another collection agency. I am wondering if my personal information is out there due to be applying online for on payday loan before.
    Here are some of the numbers that keep calling me.

    Nick Stevenson 760-582-0313

    678-971-2031 and so may more with 678 Area code.

  • Sharijerkins

    I also recieved a call from Hoffman, Swartz & associates claiming i took out a Payday Loan.And have been threatened with jail time, etc. They have harrassed me continually for over 6 monthes
    now. These people are fraudulant. It is scary they have all of my personal information. Including my phone number at work!

  • Sharijerkins

    I also recieved a call from Hoffman, Swartz & associates claiming i took out a Payday Loan.And have been threatened with jail time, etc. They have harrassed me continually for over 6 monthes
    now. These people are fraudulant. It is scary they have all of my personal information. Including my phone number at work!

  • RVJ

    I received this exact same phone call. How interesting? I called back and spoke with someone and it turned out to be a debt collection.

  • RVJ

    I received this exact same phone call. How interesting? I called back and spoke with someone and it turned out to be a debt collection.

  • Steven J.

    I called someone and got a lady and asked where to send my money order and she gave me this address, this is the location they are working from, 2759 Delk Road, Suite 2550, Marietta, Ga 30067,I called information on property to see who business is listed at that address and they gave me Insight Recovery Solutions so you might want to report this location also and not the one they have listed as their address, from my research that is not even an ligitimate address. LOSERS!!!!

  • Ann Strickland

    I received a call from Hoffman Swartz, 678-466-7936. First they talked to my 12 year old son and told him that I have a check fraud scam pending and I was getting ready to go to jail. So he gave the phone to me and I was told the same thing. I told the guy that I would not discuss anything with him over the phone and to not call back. My son was very upset but I told him this can be an ugly world and it is full of bad people. I am out of work and am putting in at least three applications a day so is it possible for these terrorists to get
    information off the web and then use it to harass you? Is is possible to sue these people for fraud themselves?

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      It sounds like you might have a valid Fair Debt Collections Practices Act violation. You can find a consumer attorney from the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

      Steve

  • Leesa

    They have gone to Rosenthal Stein and Associates now! When they did cut and paste on their site they forgot to remove the Hoffman Swartz and Associates line from their write up.

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      Good catch. I just posted a big update to the original article above with new information on owners and your great tip.

      Steve

    • Leesa

      They must of checked their page and realized the error, curiosity got me today and I checked it, it’s been updated to show Rosenthal Stein instead of Hoffman Swartz. Also a little thing I noticed was when I use my Firefox and right click then click on settings it asks me if I want to allow rsacollect.com to access my camera and microphone, thank goodness I don’t have either one on my computer.

      Thanks for all your hard work Steve!!

  • MSG

    I have been dealing with Hoffman Swartz over the past couple weeks. I have been doing alot of calling and research and for those who care, here is what i have found and done.. The actual website for these guys is: http://www.hoffmanswartz.com . They claim to be attorneys and not a collection company (a direct contradiction to their website)however, they do have a legal department that i imagine could file charges. State law where i am says they CAN file fraud charges for anything that is not settled with-in 20 days of the date on the check. The company site says they will give debtors 90 days. Anyway… i got the call blah blah blah, and called back. i made the payment set-up for the balance on the acct that they said had inflated to almost $1800.00. i asked why the draft payments that were coming out of my bank acct were not applied and they said they had been. They tried to (prior to contacting me) tried to draft themselves a payment using only 1/2 my acct number and said that they could use the fact that that came back as an invalid acct # to file additional charges (i dont know about that). so i set up the payment. i then called the original payday loan company and asked about the acct. they gave me the name of the company that purchased it with the acct number and i called that company. they stated that they sold the acct and gave me the new owner information. i contacted them and they told me the balance was NOT $1765.00, rather $1040.00. they contacted HS and adjusted the balance. they also advised me that the draft payments that had come out of my acct had not been applied to my balance and instructed me to file with my bank fraud charges against the original collection company (in process now). it appears that company created 2 accts, sold my bank info to one company who was taking money from my acct and the other one to a separate company for collection.
    Anyway… my balance was said to be adjusted and they were to proceed with the new acct balance as previously arranged here is what i sent following that call: Mr. Paul White, Claims Investigator
    Hoffman Swartz and Associates, Inc.
    Debt Collections

    Per our conversation via phone this morning, since this latest call was not recorded, just sending a quick recap.
    Yes, i understand the balance on this acct (deleted for posting) has been adjusted to $1040.00 per the acct owner as paid in full AND yes, i do understand that in addition to the acct balance that there will still be the $10.00 legal/processing fee added to the payment for a total debit of $1050.00 from my checking acct through Bank of America processed as a debit/credit transaction using my Visa debit card on Monday June 7, 2010 per the bank release of funds deposited to this acct. Also, as agreed, if there are any issues/problems in the processing of said debit, you or your company will contact me immediately and i will purchase and postmark within 24 hr period, a cashier’s check or money order in the amount of $1050.00 payable to your company to satisfy this debt in full.

    Thank you for your time and i apologize for the inconvenience and delay in the processing of this payment.

    i never received a response. I did get a phone call yesterday from Mr. White asking me for the contact info I had for the other company as the info they had was no longer valid and they have some major issues with the balnaces being forwarded for collection are not the balances actually owed on multiple accts in their office. i provided them with the info i had.
    The money has since been taken from my acct and i still do not have my settlement letter stating acct closed and paid in full, so, i sent this this morning: Mr. White,

    Good morning.

    Im writing in reference to the payment that posted to my Bank of America checking acct in the amount of $1040.00 for the collection acct your company has been holding.

    The money has been removed from my acct and has been received by your office to satisfy the debt in full as discussed, however, i still to date have not received the letter promised stating that the debt has been satisfied in full and acct has been closed.

    I need the letter promised forwarded to my address as promised now that this debt has been satisfied. If not received, i will need to look into my options as far as being reimbursed the money that was taken from my acct to satisfy this debt.

    Please let me know if there is anything that i can do to assist you in supplying the debt settlement letter as promised to me in a sufficiently acceptable amount of time. To date, your company has had 3 full business days to provide the receipt.

    Thank you

    I dont know if it will work, but, was worth a shot. Maybe, something in here will be useful to someone else…

    MSG

    • John

      Do not pay these goons. They are a jack in the box collection agency, they are not licensed in any state at all I checked, this is required,they are not registered with ACA, because real collection agencies do. The do not have a stable address, I checked the on the website no such address. Paris Tauriac is the owner per GA secretary of state. File complaints with the FTC and shut them down. There machine is bogus because they dont file lawsuits, report this to your local news channel this has to stop! Fight back and stop paying them a dime! BOGUS COMPANY

  • Jeanie

    Check your state. Many states have laws that place pay day loans in a debt collection catagory and it is to be collected as a normal debt would be collected. They cannot threaten things like check fraud in many states. The fair debt collection laws apply to the third party firms collecting these debts. Below is a link to the fair debt collections Act. It is a federal act which means it would apply to any jurisdiction in the US.

    http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf

  • janie

    I just got another call from them! He said my debt was lowered! And than they tried to take another payment from my credit card and it was declined! When I told him that my uncles is an FBI agent and that I was having him and the DA look into it for me he started yelling at me calling me a lying bitch and started threatening me! I called my uncle and he said no company can yell at you like that!

  • Renee

    My mom got a message from Brittany Michaels with Hoffman, Schwartz and Associates. She immediately asked me to verify my social security number before she even identified the debt the alleged debt that she was collecting. Michaels became extremely aggitated at my line of questioning regarding her company. I asked if her company is a third party debt collection company at which she replied they are. I then asked her for the company’s address and fax number at which she reluctantly gave after making statements to the affect that I had no intentions of resolving the matter or I would be trying to “cease” her. I then asked Michaels if she was going to state the mini miranda and she came unglued stating she wasn’t finished with her conversation. I told her not to call my relatives anymore and to expect a fax from me as I don’t wish to be contacted on my cell phone because I pay for my minutes. Because she was so rude, I ended the call abruptly after making my statement to her. It was apparent to me that Ms. Brittany Michaels was not aware that she was speaking to a fellow bill collector who is well versed in the FDCPA and will not be pushed around. This collector gives bill collectors a bad name.

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      Renee,

      Oh that is so ironically funny.

      Steve

  • janie

    I would be careful bc I got the same phone call and I gave them my credit card and they took 240 from me but than everything started sounding fishy so I looked into and its not a real company and I contacted the DA here and he’s looking into it for me! But so far its a fraud company so I wouldn’t give them any money!

    • Rick

      Wow they are trying to get $800-$900 from me, my original pay day loan was $200 or so, so I told them to take off the fees and I would consider paying they wouldnt so thats where we left off and I havent gotten any calls from them since. Keep in mind its not really a company its a couple of guys who got together and bought some bad debt accounts from pay day loan companies who gave up trying to get there money. So they find you and call you trying to scare you into paying by making u feel guilty–scare tactics, whatever. Anybody can do it just set up a merchant account that can recieve debit or credit card payments and go out and find some bad debt to buy, add interest, fees, attorney fees, court cost, whatever sounds scarey enough and start callin. You can make a good penny off this because the discount you get from the pay day companies and the fees you add on to it can make some good profits. They added about a thousand bucks of fees on to mine, I just lol at them, never will I give them that much!

  • dcrodd6

    I have been receiving calls from Valorie Swartz, who’s been retained by Hoffman, Swartz and Assoc and she’s had to leave messages, but the 1st one was very comprehensive and detailed with information that shouldnt have been left on a general phone message system. I finally received a call from her again and she was saying that she had spoken with me about wanting to get a few paychecks before settling my debt…of which I knew nothing about and had never spoken to her. She transferred me to someone else named Donald Jones and he was rather rude. He was telling me that my brother and sister knew me and that he wasnt interested in whether or not I knew about the debt, that I needed to pay and the amount that he gave was considerably lower than the amount that Valorie gave and when I questioned the different amounts…he seemed to be agitated and started telling me what could be done because I needed to take care of it…and so I ended up telling him that I knew nothing of what he was talking about and that I was NOT to be called on my job ANYMORE all the while, he constantly yelling and making threats…so I hung up. I havent been called back, but I do know that when he memtioned my siblings and I asked what social security number they had, he told me that they couldnt give out that type of information…IMAGINE THAT. Good luck to you all…!

    • Rick

      You had to have a pay day loan back in the day that wasnt completely satisfied, and they(Hoffman, Swartz and Assoc) are trying to make some money off you after buying your bad debt. Donald Jones and another guy I cant remember his name was the ones who contacted me. Most likely the company you delt with in the past was PAYDAY2GO which has now stop doing pay day advances and are now a consulting firm for pay day loans contracts. PAYDAY2GO or some other pay day loan company sold your contract for whatever they could get for it and gave the buyer legal ownership of your debt-=So that they can chase you as if you got the loan from them–and tack on fees to make alittle more profit off you.

      • Nish

        Rick, this is the same company that called myself referencing my mom who DOES NOT have an outstanding payday loan. When I called the guy back: Paul White same phone #, ext 2201, he didn’t try to verify anything before trying to give out information and he couldn’t even get the “file” pulled up to tell me what he was calling about. He couldn’t even remember the name of the person he had referenced when he left the message and I told him who I was. Better yet!…the SAME company called my aunt and told her that her best friend was trying to deposit a check in her name. When she simply laughed at them and hung up, a few days later, the SAME company called my other aunt and told her that the same friend was trying to do the same. They’ve all spoken about this and they know better. Not fraud? Sounds like they got you and you’re trying to make yourself feel better about it. Word to the wise though…don’t let these people get you. Totally bogus.

  • http://Website SJB

    i have this recieved multiple phone calss from the number 866 496 9922 ext 2700 also 678 466 7038, 770 702 3900 i hVE Talked to brenda hoffman and a Miss Synthia and Darrel jones and Jim BarField Angela Fox and a women who would give her name also they would also stutter multiple times and change there stories constantly,i recieved a call just as everyone else has, about a payday loan and that happened 4 years ago after calling the loan place they stated they never delt with a law firm named hoffman and swartlz and assc. they had all my information and my friend’s information, tonight i deciede to keep calling them later on through the night they kept hanging up on me and there swearing got very offensive they would not except mail in payments only debt cards or pre-paid wal-mart cards and at 10:51 called again they were in a car and kept switching phones around and kept saying something about a pizza place and became very vulgar and made sexual refrences towards me. They were talking about pleasure not business. talked about smolking joints and being drunk.. kept changing places like paris and amsterdam, kept inforcing that they were a real law firm and real people. THIS IS NOT A LEGIT COMPANY. i have recorded all of my phone conversations and told themm i was recording the conversation.

    • Rick

      The company you are getting contacted from is a Pay Day Loan attorney, and yes it is legit. When you took out the pay day loan you had to give them a routing number and a account number so they could deposit the loan into your bank account. But in the agreement you were responsible for letting them withdraw the amount in increments or all at once from the same account, so thats why they are calling it check fruad. Its the same as writing a bad check, its just done electronically instead of physically. The amount will balloon, because the attorney agreed to add his legal and court fees to the amount so pay day loan doesnt have to pay to chase anyone down for the loan. For example a $250 loan will after attorney fees balloon to $800-$900, then if its allowed to go to court and you wait to get served $1000-$3000 depending on the courts ruling.

      • Terri

        I am pretty sure that this company is just trying to scam people who have had to get payday loans. I have also had the pleasure of speaking to the same people listed in the comment from sjb but just a little variation. I wonder, Rick, where do you get your information. These people lie about everything, they have been calling me for over a year and I just keep messing with them and recording there conversations and when I tell that I am recording them they hang up. I have done reverse lookup and searched their address and nothing comes up. PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM BULLY YOU INTO TAKING MONEY OUT OF YOUR ACCOUNT. IF YOU OWE A PAYDAY LET IT GO TO COURT. I wonder how many people they have bullied to send them money. Don’t let them make you believe they have all this secret information you yourself can find out alot about someone if your willing to pay a fee. If you are using a payday loan your credit is already poor most likely so if this company is legit just let it go to court and you will have 30 days to dispute it and if they win, you can set up payments with the court and send them a check. I have asked hoffman and swartz many times for documentation to show that they are legit and have never recieved anything. DON’T FALL FOR IT.

      • Rick

        There is nothing to fall for, the firm or debt colleting company you are getting calls from is a legit debt collector. They called me to, and I checked on them to see who they where because I thought it was a scam too. But when they finally gave me the information I looked through some old papers and found that some years ago I did deal with a pay day loan company. The problem I had was the fees that they tacked on was too much, triple the original loan of about $200. So I told the guy that I would pay the loan but all those crazy fees you can forget it. So the guy gave me the same line about the bad check, and fruad and all that mess trying to use the scare tactic on me. Bottom line is this, the company that gave the loan is no longer doing pay day loans, I contacted them and found this out. What happened is the pay day loan company sold all its bad debt for considerably lower than original cost, and the firm is going after anyone who was in that pile of bought bad debt-like telephone bounty hunters in a way. They tack on there so called attorney and court cost, which actually is there profit and try to scare you into paying the full amount. The amounts will end up civil infractions in the court so it is cheaper to scare you into paying then to actually take you to court. I ask him to send me a copy of all the paper work so I can verify it but apparently that cost too much. So I told him I will wait for the summons to go to court and he never called back again. So basically if they can get a couple of people to pay up they still will come out ahead, but wow what firms will do to make money..

      • Heather R Olson

        I was bullied into paying part of the loan.  I was threatened so much, I work for a bank and was scared to death I would lose my job.  I am no idiot either and I had no idea what this was until I paid it and then started doing some research!  I ended up hiring an attorney to go after them.  I am also going to dispute the charge through my debit card and get the funds reversed. 

  • http://Website Teri O’Keefe

    Hoffman,Schwartz and Assoc left a message on my work phone regarding a claim of fraud using my social security number and that they needed to make a recorded conversation with me. They left phone 1-866-496-9922 ext 2700. I am not returning the phone call due to the fact that I received a call like this before. I consulted with my attorney after the phone call had gotten harrassing and threatening and he advised me that a legimate debt collector cannot make threats of jail etc to you it is against “the fair debt collecting laws”. He advised me never to speak to anyone who makes threats of any kind and to simply hang up.

  • http://Website Michelle

    Does anyone have a physical address for these Hoffman Swartz and Associates. I just got off the phone with them as well. They refused to give me an address or direct dial #. They called from 866-496-9922 x 2215

  • janie

    I got the same call from the same company from a john andrews from number 1 678 466 7910! Saying if I didn’t do a payment agreement or pay in full he was calling the district attornany! Is this a scam or real?

  • Kristi Jones

    I just recently recieved a phone call from Hoffman,Schwartz and Assoc. They called my previous employer and left a message saying that I needed to call them regarding a possoble fraud against my social security #. When I called the number I talked to a Donald Jones who was saying that he was the supervisor,I also was cursed at many times during the conversation.When I told him that I was recording the phone conversation,we got disconnected.He kept telling me that I owed a depbt from a payday loan,but didnt mention a date or who it was through.When I told them I wasnt going to give out my Acct. info. he got angry with me and kept saying that it was a courtesy call,he didnt have to call and tell me I was being processed for a felony and fraud,then he hung up on me again.He called me back on my cell from a Witheld # 3 more times,I dont answer witheld #’s,he left me 2 voicemails and the last call was at 8:30pm saying he was still in the office processing paperwork.I called back the next morning,couldnt reach anyone else but him,so I offered to give him my current address so he could send me the info,and that if I had a debt,I would send a money order to them.He then told me that they dont accept mail in payments and that he was proceeding with processing,and hung up the phone without getting any of my info.Ive called the payday loan company,my debt was from 5 years ago,they have no recolition of them sending it to them for collection,ive called the atty. gen office and the BBB on them.What should my next steps be,Im tired of being harrased and cursed on the phone all hours of the night. Thanks

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      You might want to contact your local district attorney office as well.

      Steve

      • M.J.Miller

        I, too, have been contacted and because a gentleman (and I use this term loosely) threatened me with immediate prosecution and arrest, I foolishly gave him my debit card number. After I got off the telephone, my husband suggested I call my county district attorney. They said this is definitely a scam and I needed to contact the fraud division of my state’s attorney general’s office. In the first place, if I had not paid off my payday loan (which I had), the statute of limitations had run out. The original loan was over 4 years ago. I have written and filed a formal complaint with PA’s attorney general’s office earlier this week.

  • rick

    Got a call from these people today. Claim I owed from some payday loan from two years ago. Asked the amount of the loan, say they dont know exactly. Cannot find any info on these Hoffman,swartz people. The link on here hoffmansa.com isnt anything. Having my bank varify if said loan ever took place. I dont recall doing one. All sounds kinda fishy.

  • Anthony M. Quatroni

    Received a similar call today. Hoffman, Schwartz, their number is 1-866-496-9922, ext. 2700. Called them and got a live person with the same spiel. A deep, gruff male voice who then wanted my credit card number after he told me about my Bank of America bank account. I don’t have this account and told him that I would not give him my credit card info. As most of us know, anyone who contacts you by phone with any kind of spiel and the asks for credit card number, soc. numbers, etc. is most definitely a scam artist. The wind up was that he got very angry and threatening. I then told him off and hung up. In closing, I am convinced that this outfit is not a collection agency after this person gave me convoluted story about a check that was declined at my bank and that they needed my info to investigate. Hope this info is informative and helpful.

  • Meg

    Add me to the list of people getting unwanted calls from this Hoffman Schwartz. They have called me at work several times and I have told them not to call me at this number and they said they wouldn’t but did anyway today. They finally told me which debt this is and it is, indeed, an old payday loan debt which I cannot and now will not pay so they threatened to serve me with court papers today. I’m not holding my breath! I happened upon this website when I typed in so I thought I would share. I will be monitoring to see if I receive any future calls and have to get the law involved. A second or third party debt collector is not allowed to call you at work if you send them a request in writing not to call.

    Meg

    • mel

      I am having the same issue. Please tell me what finally happened, because I don’t know who these people are and they are very threatening and they don’t seem to want to show me any proof.

      • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

        Mel,

        Send them a written certified return receipt requested letter today asking them to show proof of the validity of this debt. You need to do this in writing within 30 days of first being notified. Asking them on the phone does nothing.

        Steve

    • http://Website Carrie

      Meg, did you ever get court papers? I was threatened with that today from them.

      Carrie

  • Amy

    I just recieved a call today from my cell phone from a Hoffman Swartz and Associates stating that I owed a debt and a they had filed a complaint against me. The numbers were 1-800-509-0708, 1-866-496-9922 (Ext. 2205). I really don’t know who these people are and I have know idea why they are calling me and making harrasing threats over the phone. I am really disapointed. This has been the second time they had called me within the last 3 weeks and I’m getting sick of it. The first call I had was from a Karen Bane (Senior Auditor) and this time was from a Mr. Barnes. What should I do about this? Please help !

    Amy

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      Amy,

      I’d call them back and ask them what it is about. You need more information. Ask for specifics without admitting you owe the debt.

      Have you checked your consolidated credit report to make sure there is no outstanding debt that someone might be attempting to collect?

      Steve

      • Amy

        Ok, I will call them back and ask them what it’s about.

  • Beth

    I have gotten numerous calls from the same person, Antonious Barnes, from 3 different telephone numbers(404-893-4113, 800-559-0708 Ext. 1110, & 866-496-9922 Ext. 2205)stating that a credit union I used to do business with has filed a complaint against me for check fraud. When I called the credit union to see what was going on, they assured me they had not filed a complaint. When I spoke with Mr. Barnes about this he said that it was related to the credit union. He clearly states on my voicemail that it is. After googling these numbers on the internet, I have found numerous complaints coming from these numbers, all relating to check fraud. Mr. Barnes did not identify his company until our 3rd phone call. When asked for documentation for this allegation, he said his office does not send any correspondence via U.S. mail, only by fax or email. When I gave him my email address, it took 3 days for him to send me anything, then it was only a form letter typed by him. It said nothing about a complaint, only that it was a debt from a payday loan, which I am still questioning. I need to see a copy of a check, because I do ot have one. When I speak with him on the phone, he says he is going to turn it over to the Commonwealth Attorney for a warrant against me. He has used profane language with both me and my husband numerous times. I have contacted my Attorney General and Consumer Protection Agency. This guy is making me very uncomfortable and I am not sure what to do next. I don’t like being threateded or cursed at.

    • Beth

      I left out that Antonious Barnes claims to work for Hoffman, Swartz, & Accociates(Hoffmansa.com).

      • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

        Ah, I see why I didn’t find them the first time. It is Hoffman, Swartz & Associates. Thanks for the website address, hoffmansa.com.

        Steve

      • Aroz1968

        I wa getting calls from Barnes, Givenski, now its from Atlas Law Group, are they the same or two different  places 

      • Aroz1968

        I wa getting calls from Barnes, Givenski, now its from Atlas Law Group, are they the same or two different  places 

  • william

    I received a call from the same outfit – Hoffman Schwartz – claiming that I took out a payday loan in Texas five years ago. I called them back, and spoke to an associate who gave me the details about this alleged debt that I owe. The frightening thing is that they have my social, which was purportedly used by someone to obtain the loan. They “found” me by doing a skip trace on my social. Any and all information you get on this outfit would be very helpful – and might put my mind at ease.

    Thanks

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      William,

      What phone number did you call and what was the name of the person you spoke with?

      Steve

Google Plus Submit a Tip Ask the Debt Experts