LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR SAMPSON LLP

2017-10-12

NY

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Other debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: I received a collection letter from Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP over two unpaid tolls amounting to {$10.00}. The collection notice also added {$50.00} in fees. The tolls were incurred over a year ago. I made multiple efforts to pay the tolls around the time that they were incurred, however I was told multiple times that there was no record of the money owed so I could not pay. I sent a letter via both postal mail and fax explaining my previous efforts to pay, and I enclosed the full amount demanded in order to evidence my good faith effort to pay the debt. By not allowing me to pay the debt, and then subsequently sending a demand letter which includes fees and other charges, this firm is engaging in an unfair and deceptive trade practice. After I sent the letter to the firm, they made no effort to investigate this matter or contact me to resolve this in any way. The letter is dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX and the checks were cashed on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. Additionally, this firm is violating the FDCPA by sending letters that would confuse the least sophisticated consumer. The letter clearly states that no lawyer has reviewed the account or made a determination as to the legal status. However, the letter also cites the statute which provides for payment of tolls, and then straightforwardly concludes that I owe this money as a result. It is plainly misleading to state that no attorney has made a determination yet state a legal conclusion.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-09-05

Garland, TX

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Other debt

Threatened to arrest you or take you to jail if you do not pay
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-08-29

Jupiter, FL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I called and spoke with company in XXXX. I gave the employee an updated address to mail me something about the amount owed. I emailed XXXXXXXXXXXX about not receiving the letter. It is a little confusing because the letter has fraud as XXXX charge but when I did a search on XXXX XXXX XXXX 's website there is an document that has XXXX. I think it is in the official records search. Text from email : To whom it may concern, Please forward this email to the appropriate department. I was told on XX/XX/XXXX that a letter was being mailed to me. I still have not received a letter. The online payment number that is provided on the letter dated XX/XX/XXXX is XXXX. There is also another question that I have that I asked an employee at the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX about a corrected document that shows on a search that has XXXX as the charge but the letter mailed to me in XXXX has Fraud Insuff Funds. Please look into this. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-08-22

NY

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: There was a violation from the XXXX XXXX XXXX. Which was n't mine because the vehicle was stolen. I notified them and the account was sent to collections. I disputed the collections with the collections company Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP back on XX/XX/XXXX and also on XX/XX/XXXX I have called twice and still no resolution to collections matter. I called today XX/XX/XXXX and they stated it is still under review. I tried also calling the XXXX XXXX XXXX and they referred me back to collections, I do n't believe I should have to wait 3 months for a reply on debt that is not mine. I want it cleared up asap.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-08-14

Itasca, IL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: I do not know

Debt was paid
Complaint: I called company to dispute the debt as it is my right under FDCPA, and agent from the company refused to accomodate my request. They claimed I owed the State of IL because of late taxes, but they refused to provide me with a verification of debt. I believe this company violated one of my rights under the FDCPA
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-08-09

Virginia Bch, VA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-08-08

TX

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Other debt

Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Complaint: Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP have sent documents demanding {$290.00} for nonpayment of approximately {$15.00} ( as best I can tell ) of unpaid tolls. Tolls should have been paid through my toll tag account as per their billing police with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Repeated attempts to resolve the issue have not been productive. I am continually told to call somebody else or put on hold. Asking to speak to supervisor does not work it appears they simply find a phone to pick up and lay on the desk with no answer ( I can hear voices speaking in the background but nobody on the phone. The agency refuses to give me a reason for why tolls were not billed or I was n't notified of the issue. Instead they try to shift responsibility to their client despite they themselves giving their own phone number for resolution. I 've stated repeatedly that my purpose is to find a reasonable accommodation that simply does not amount to extortion, but have not desire to do so.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-07-24

Naples, FL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt is not yours
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-07-20

Ft Belvoir, VA

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Other debt

Seized or attempted to seize your property
Complaint: We owned a piece of land in XXXX County, Texas for the last 10+ years. We paid taxes on time yearly. Someone suddenly claimed the possession of our land and won the ruling. The County courthouse judge issued the Final Judgment and granted them the possession of our property without looking at the fact that we have been paying tax for the last 10 years! However, XXXX County continues trying to collect taxes from us even though they said we are no longer owning it!!! We have called, mailed, and faxed them many responses explaining the issue with the judgment. We repeatedly asked them to stop abusing us with threatening letters to foreclosure and damage our credit. We told them we would file the complaint with your Bureau and they still do n't care. We have been stressed out and exhausted from those abusing from State Government Entities in XXXX County, Texas. PLEASE HELP!!!
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-07-12

Columbus, OH

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Other debt

You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-06-28

Country Lakes, FL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-06-23

Kelly Usa Br, TX

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-06-21

Missouri City, TX

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Other debt

Seized or attempted to seize your property
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-06-21

Galena, OH

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: I received a letter several months ago from Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson stating they represent the state of New York Thru Way and that I have XXXX in unpaid tolls through the State of New York through the XXXX XXXX XXXX. I called and sent them a letter advising that I have never been through the state of New York and that those tolls could not possibly be mine. I requested by telephone twice and in writing evidence including dates and photos and they will not provide me with such. I advised them that I will not pay anything until they produce specific evidence as I have never been through the state of New York. The collector I speak with at this point invariably gets nasty. I have to assume this is a fraudulent attempt to collect a debt and perhaps someone is impersonating the law firm? They keep giving me the account number XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-06-21

Three Bridges, NJ

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt is not yours
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-06-12

San Jacinto, CA

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Other debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: In XXXX 2016 I received a letter from Lineberger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LCC, representatives for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX indicating that on certain dates in the months of XXXX through XXXX 2016 I made toll rides on the XXXX XXXX XXXX and at the time of the toll rides my account was at a XXXX balance. In talking with both the XXXX and its debt collection agency, Both these agencies instructed me to obtain documents that indicated that I owed the debt ( debt totaling $ 1600+ dollars ). Nither of these two agencies provided the information I requested in my written communications. After making one payment of {$580.00} the collection agency decide to make me an pay-off offer of {$530.00} which I did. So I paid of the $ 1600+ debt, I made a total payment of {$1100.00} with my XXXX . Then one month later, I get another demand payment letter from Lineberger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LCC, that two other toll violations made in XXXX ( which by the way were not originally included in the $ 1600+ invoice ) indicated that I owed an additional violation debt of {$160.00}. I wrote to the collection agency that I was protesting the invoice and the violations. I provided information regarding the licenses associated with the tolls, account statements, rental car receipts, etc. that proved that the travel dates indicated on the voice for which the violation occurred did match with the account statement showing the date entry, time entry, travel route, vehicle ID, and toll fee. My biggest problem and that neither one of these agencies responded to my request for more information. I was told by each representative ( verbal and written communication ) that I could make a request for more information, either through fax or written correspondence, which I did but as I said, to date, I have not received any documentation proving how I might owe the debt. This passing the buck back and forth between the two agencies when trying to get information has become very stressful. No one wants to pay such a large fee without any record of proof. As I said I did pay {$1100.00} of the $ 1600+ owned but now XXXX wants more .... without providing any documentation that supports their claim.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-05-18

Liverpool, TX

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: On XXXX XXXX XXXX , I received another collection call for a debt owed by a XXXX XXXX . There is not and never has been a XXXX XXXX at this number. I have received monthly calls from multiple debt collectors, and feel very harassed by this. Not one debt collector will divulge the originator of this harassment. I do not feel that these debt collectors are using due diligence when they continue to co ntact persons not affiliated with the debtor.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-05-16

College Sta, TX

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-05-02

Bluemont, VA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: My husband and I live in northern XXXX and visited XXXX for six weeks this past XXXX . We use toll roads on a regular basis here in the north, so we have an EZ-Pass transponder in our car. We made sure to have that in the car for the time we were in XXXX so that we would be in compliance with the new toll roads that have been instituted in XXXX since we last lived there. Last week we received a collection letter from Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP , dated XXXX XXXX , 2017 , informing us that we immediately owed them {$79.00} for unpaid XXXX tolls. We were stunned since we thought we had been in total compliance. When I called XXXX , we sorted out that we have an EZ-Pass and not an EZ-Tag so we had not been charged the tolls we thought we had been paying. He said we had been mailed a bill on XXXX XXXX , 2017 , which detailed the tolls and fees. We never received that letter. At the time, our mail was being forwarded from XXXX to our temporary address in XXXX ; apparently that letter went astray. The letter we got from Linebarger , Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP claimed on the front to list a Detail of Violation Notices, Fees, Fines & Costs on the back, but all it listed was a single line with the invoice number, the XXXX date and a total of {$79.00}. Nothing else. Against our will and to de-escalate future fees, we have paid this bill. We are very upset at the procedures followed by the XXXX in this matter. In the first place, a single letter is hardly sufficient notification of a debt for most people. If there is only going to be one notification, it should be sent Certified Mail. If that seems an onerous expense for the XXXX , then at the very least a second and third notice should be sent before a collection letter. We live in rural XXXX and find that at least two to three pieces of our mail do n't make it to us each year. Yes, one piece of mail from a particular source can certainly go astray, but it is much less likely to happen to two pieces of mail from the same source. It is also inappropriate that we have not received a detailed, printed accounting of the tolls and fees that we have just paid. For the amount of money apparently added on to our tolls for the privilege of receiving a collection letter, it would be nice to know how much of that is actually toll charges and how much is XXXX and collection agency fees. Also, when I called to pay the invoice, a recording said that we owed {$79.00} but that that amount may not reflect the full amount due. What does this mean? That once we have authorized a payment of {$79.00}, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP , are free to add additional fees to my bill now that they have my credit card number? It made us pause before giving our credit card number, but we were basically being coerced to do so by a guarantee of additional fees if we didnt versus a possibility of additional fees if we did so. Hardly a fair choice.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-04-12

PA

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: I do not know

Debt is not mine
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2017-04-11

Chicago, IL

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Indicated shouldn't respond to lawsuit
Complaint: Currently, my husband and I are being sued by a law firm representing the City XXXX XXXX Water department. We filed a Chapter XXXX in XXXX XXXX . Our rental property was included in this bankruptcy. However, fro m XXXX - XXXX un til the bank took possession of the house, we were charged for the non-meter water account. We received notification from the City reg arding this debt. Each time we forwarded the information to our Bankruptcy attorney who assured us that he would handle it. Clearly, they did n't take care of it because we was later sue d two yea rs after our BR was discharged. I 'm being ignored by the water department and the attorney working on behalf of the City of XXXX is trying to use a sledge hammer approach to handle this account. Moreover, I 'm filing this complaint against XXXX XXXX because he committed an ILLEGAL ACT under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) by stating twice in an email. XXXX XXXX , falsely claimed that because the debt was tra nsferred ( a judgement entered against us ) was final and there was nothing we could do because our time have lapsed. Therefore, we lost our de fense. Which was a total fabrication on XXXX XXXX 's behalf. The fact is, we still had the opportunity to file a motion to set aside the default with the City o f XXXX , which we did.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-04-07

Plymouth, FL

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: I received a letter stating I owed XXXX $ on XXXX/XXXX/17. I now received a letter again stating I owe XXXX on XXXX/XXXX/17. I called the company and they stated they charged an " Admin '' fee and a " Collection Fee '' to my account. According to the FDCPA, " they ca n't charge more than the amount described in the original contract or what is permitted by law. ". This being said, the original amount is XXXX XXXX unless there are charges that were added to that as well. They are asking for money not associated with the debt, which is inflating the amount due. I am more than happy to pay my debt, but I will only pay the right amount due.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2017-03-31

IL

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Threatened to take legal action
Complaint: I just received a letter from Linebarger, Googan, Blair and Sampson LLC. I have tried numerous to do payment arrangements with the State of Illinois, I just went back to work in XX/XX/XXXX after being out of work for 5 months, then I tried to get through to the law firm but I am waiting on hold for several minutes, then automated system asked me to out to put in the reference number but I never get to speak to anyone. I should not be charged any collection fees, the State of Illinois also informed me in writing they would take my taxes which I am okay with but State of Illinois should be more willing to work with people. I was out of work and unemployment did not cover all of my bills.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-27

Lewisville, TX

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Debt was discharged in bankruptcy
Complaint: I received a letter from a debt collector that i previously advised that the debt was discharged in bankruptcy. I sent them the case information in the mail. I have since received 2 additional letters.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-23

Brooklyn, NY

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: I would like to report an incident with the Collection agency Linebarger Gogan Blair and Sampson LLP. Ive looked up the other reviews of this company. How is it possible this company is still operating? This is n't a business consumers CHOOSE to deal with. So these reviews do nothing but provide everyone a place to commiserate. Who is doing something to correct this problem? I have all my calls with them recorded and can be found here in the dropbox link below. I have attempted to take care of a supposed toll violation with them and they have made that impossible to do by not providing me with the information of the infraction. I tried to handle this with the NYS thruway but they said after its in collections that Its out of their hands. I received no prior notifications of this infraction and the NYS thru way informed me this was for an infraction from XX/XX/2014. I have repeatedly asked to speak to a Supervisor at LGBS firm and i actually got one representative trying to pretend HE was the Supervisor. I believe this is clear from the Phone calls. Please find my Phone recordings of my attempts to address a Violation notice I recently received from this firm. XXXX Call 1 - I reach XXXX - Call 2 XXXX I call and again XXXX answers - ( Starts at XXXX minutes ) Call 3 - I reach XXXX ' ( supposedly ) ( starts at XXXX ) Then im transferred to 'XXXX ' as requested ( Supposedly ) Call 4 - I reach XXXX Call 5 - I reach XXXX - after 2.5 hours im transferred to a supervisor named XXXX Call 1 - I wanted to know what my violation and what collection letter was for. XXXX provided only adversity to my questions threatening to hang up on me when I asked him for details which I have the right to know before paying such a request. He states that " I wont argue with you, sir '' when I tell him I want to know what the collection is for exactly. Call 2 - After a 21 minute wait. ( go to Call two, start at XXXX minutes ) XXXX answers again. I asked to speak to a supervisor named XXXX. ( I had called again prior to this call and a female told me to call back and ask for XXXX who is the supervisor ) XXXX answers then puts me on hold and hangs up the line after short time after being put on hold ( music playing in background ) Call 3 - I call back. 'XXXX ' Who clearly is XXXX answers. I ask to speak to XXXX. Im 'transferred ' to XXXX however im clearly put on hold which is obvious by the ON HOLD tones every minute rather than the Music playing in background. After a wait of 5 minutes of being put on HOLD. XXXX ' picks up and sounds exactly like XXXX and XXXX before him. Obviously this is XXXX. Call # 4 - After asking for a supervisor im put on hold for over an hour and half after which point their firm is closed at XXXX. Call # 5 - I again ask for a supervisor - Im put on hold for 2.5 hours. I finally get a supervisor and he is unwilling to answer any of my questions regarding who to report to if I had a problem with his employees. He refuses to answer stating that he needs my account number first before he can address anything. He tells me he can not address anything till he pulls up my account. He can not find it. I ask him who then do I speak to if I have a problem with one of their employees. He then hangs up on me. Clearly this person, XXXX as well as his associates are preventing me from reaching a supervisor to resolve the matter or there is no supervisor OR the supervisor is just as irresponsible as the employees. Purpose of this report is to try and correct these situations from persisting but it seems they keep going on with no repercussions. The company will undoubtedly respond : COMPANY BELIEVES IT ACTED APPROPRIATELY AS AUTHORIZED BY CONTRACT OR LAW. Lets see v
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response