McCarthy, Burgess Wolff, Inc.

2019-12-11

Main Office, VA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was result of identity theft
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-12-10

Lowell, AR

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Other debt

You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Complaint: COLLECTOR IS SKIP TRACING AND LEAVING ROBO CALLS TO SEVERAL CELL NO. IN ARKANSAS, A XXXX ACT.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-12-04

Bronx, NY

Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly

Debt collection: I do not know

Contacted your employer
Complaint: I explained several times not to call to my place of work and they keep calling and is causing me problems.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-11-22

City Industry, CA

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

2019-11-14

Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Other debt

Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-11-12

Tarzana, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: I do not know

Debt is not yours
Complaint: This company is claiming myself and my husband owe money to 5 llc 's in nevada for a total of {$2900.00}. This is the collection company info- Mcarthy Burgess and Wolf-XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , Ohio XXXX Phone XXXX Fax XXXX I looked up each LLC -- below -and each company has been out of business since XX/XX/XXXX. Invoice ( s ) : XXXX, XXXX ( NV ) | XXXX, XXXX ( NV ) | XXXX, XXXX ( NV ) | XXXX, XXXX ( NV ) | Balance Due : {$2900.00} MBW No : XXXX I have asked for the original dates that the debts were incurred and the contact information for each company -- they outright lied and tried to tell me XX/XX/XXXX.. which is impossible, as these companies ' have not existed since XX/XX/XXXX. I have disputed these debts and requested documentation -- which as you can see would be impossible for them to have or get considering - the companies have not existed for 11 years.- YOU HVAE PERMISSION TO TALK TO MY COUSIN - XXXX XXXX REGARIDING THIS ISSUE. XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-11-01

Glen Rock, NJ

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-10-22

Medina, NY

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: I do not owe this debt and its not on my credit report. 2. I do not have a contract with this company. 3. They repeatedly call me everyday and leave voicemails. On XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX are the latest.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-10-14

San Tan Valley, AZ

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

2019-10-12

Glendale, CO

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff has called, emailed and sent me letters for weeks to collect a debt that was paid. I've repeatedly asked them for documentation supporting their collections efforts. In response they have sent me the same invoice from XXXX several times that shows paid in full with {$0.00} due. I've pointed this out several times in emails and voicemail messages that this invoice is marked paid in full, but they keep sending me the same paid invoice. I also provided proof that I paid this invoice in 2017. Today they put my name on a collection letter for a debt owed by a company I've never heard of ( XXXX ) and have nothing to do with - completely different from the paid invoice they've been sending me. No one responds directly to the issues raised in my emails or voicemails. They just keep sending the same form letter and paid invoice - until today when they sent me a completely random debt owed by someone else. I'm concerned they will report something to the credit bureaus that I'll have to battle for the next 10 years.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-09-18

Wesley Chapel, FL

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Other debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-28

Beaumont, TX

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-21

Rockaway Beach, NY

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was result of identity theft
Complaint: The company McCarthy , Burgess and wolff, claim that they have tried calling me about this situation, however i have NEVER received communication from them until now, in which there threats for me to pay a debt unknown by me. I have never owned a “XXXX” phone or have done any business with XXXX, also, XXXX XXXX XXXX is not associated with me and i have no knowledge of this whole situation. Attached is the first and only correspondence I received from MB&W. I ask the cfpb to assist me with this matter.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-17

Halyoke, MA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I don't know why XXXX is being so abusive to me pertaining to a business account I set up when I was working in Colorado. However, after making six payments to my plan, the monthly charges increased by 150%, and the plan just was no longer affordable. Then to try to add an additional XXXX collection fee is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The collection agency known as McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff is way out of bounds on this excessive charge, then to send an offer of XXXX stating a 30% settlement is usurious. This collection is abusive and should be reported by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to the Federal Trade Commission. XXXX shows no shame on how low they will operate as a publicly traded corporation abusing American consumers. I believe the public service commission for both Colorado and Massachusetts should be made aware of this abusive collection process. XXXX will be challenged on every violation made under state and federal laws. Accordingly, since XXXX ran up such an outrageous invoice when they could have immediately cut off service, I offer a one time settlement of XXXX to settle this account permanently. This settlement will be made by certified funds on XX/XX/2019, and will be made to the debt collector posted. I will take this to the Office of Attorney General Commonwealth of Massachusetts if this cannot be settled quickly and professionally.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-14

Alta, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: When contacted by phone, explained to the debt collector we do not own the company that they have listed as the debt being owed. The company listed was sold by my in laws eighteen years ago to a man named XXXX. That is all I know. I asked them to please remove me from their phone calls and letters as this debt is not my husbands or mine. This debt is from XXXX to the company XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. My husband and father in law have the same first and last name, different middle name, different social, different address, My father in law passed away three years ago after selling this company eighteen years ago to a man whom I only know as XXXX.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-14

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

2019-08-12

New Britain, CT

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: This collection agency represents XXXX, in order to do what they want, I would have to violate XXXX laws, by climbing on a roof, and risk electric shock.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-03

Columbus, OH

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Complaint: Re : Notice for Proof of Claim Account : McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff # XXXX To Whom it may Concern : This is a final notice and request for proof of claim, Under OHIO LAW U.C.C 1319.12 Taking assignment of debts States ( C ) No collection agency shall commence litigation for the collection of an assigned account, bill, or other evidence of indebtedness unless it has taken the assignment in accordance with all of the following requirements : Credit contracts are non-assignable even if the contract has a clause for assign ability because it violates contract Law. Where there is no fair valuable consideration given, the contract or agreement is void ab inito. The debt is non-transferable. If it is a contract for credit or goes to the character of the parties, it can not be transferred or assigned. No state can make a law impairing contracts, Under OHIO LAW U.C.C 1319.12 Taking assignment of debts ( 3 ) The assignment was manifested by a written agreement separate from and in addition to any document intended for the purpose of listing the account, bill, or other evidence of indebtedness with the collection agency. The written agreement shall state the effective date of the assignment and the consideration paid or given, if any, for the assignment and shall expressly authorize the collection agency to refer the assigned account, bill, or other evidence of indebtedness to an attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state for the commencement of litigation. The written agreement also shall disclose that the collection agency may consolidate, for purposes of filing an action, the assigned account, bill, or other evidence of indebtedness with those of other creditors against an individual debtor or co-debtors. XXXX College v. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX v. XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX. Once the Creditor writes off a debt, it can not be assigned or Collected. Since this is an error I demand that you send me the following proofs. As you are obligated to do in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act. Section 1692 ( g ) : Under the Law, FDCPA, Section 1692 ( g ), you have 30 days to supply these proofs, if more time is needed please contact me by certified mail and I will extend you 15 extra days. I also request to see a certified copy of any contract or agreement between you and XXXX XXXX, XXXX that gave you the right to collect this debt Account No. :XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-07-31

Chicago, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Credit card 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

2019-07-23

Jax, MS

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I was robbed and was told I would be compensated for the faulty system that was installed and it never called the police. Never alerted me and was told that the head office will credit me for this faulty system its 's been more than 2 years I never got the credit promised for payments made for a faulty system. I called XXXX on several occasions trying to resolve the bill each and every time they would place the money I paid on another account and would always cross two accounts into one I would pay my bill and then a week later find out I still owed more money than the last week that I paid. They would take the money I paid and add it to another account and sometimes bill two people for the same bill. They would even bill someone that does not have an account whose contract had ended years ago and reactivate the account in order to get payment. Billing two people at the same time for a bill in order to get money. I called on numerous attempts for a break down of payments only to never get it I requested credit for installation of new equipment would not get it. They would install a system and refuse to come back and maintain it less than a year or even a few months of install wanting the customer to pay for their mess up and charging for any problem with their system. XXXX refused to come out and repair their faulty system refuse to upgrade smoke detectors and would bill customer for their yearly upkeep and would never maintain new upkeep and constantly wanted payment for out dated systems or smoke detectors that should have been replaced years prior. They would say they are not charging then add the service of their system to your bill and when you would dispute it immediately put you in collections and demand payment XXXX needs to be looked into for reactivating old accounts putting customers in collections for service on their system which they refuse to maintain or upgrade. Charging customers for issues due to their mistake. XXXX is fraudulently reactivating unsigned accounts without the customers signature nor authorization and adding upgrade to a non upgraded system. Billing people and ruining their credit who no longer have an active account. Say that they are coming back and it won't be a charge then charge large amounts to the account without the customer signature or authorization. XXXX is notorious for taking advantage of the customers trust in safety would install a system that is faulty and want full price even after the customer has been robbed due to their faulty system. Charging for dysfunctional cameras and also service calls that they should included in the service due to storm and bad weather which is not the customer fault but somehow the bill is being billed.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-07-15

CA

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: Hello, I received a letter from McCarthy, Burgess and Wolff dated XX/XX/2017 stating that they would settle my past due debt for 90 % off of the full balance. Well that letter went into the mail a few days before XXXX, when most people are on vacation and out of town, so when I arrived back home, the expiration date of XX/XX/XXXX had passed by 1 day and I called to tell them this and they said tough despite only making me this offer over the one time of year when people are least likely to be home, especially someone my age. Then only one month later I received another letter for the same debt collector, but the debt had risen from {$3600.00} to {$5700.00}! How is this even possible in one month? They call me all the time and I've honestly been too scared to answer as Iv'e been using what little money I make to settle up other debts, trying to keep my life together. This debt is also for a school ( XXXX XXXX ) that was shut down by the federal government and lost all funding and credit, so my XXXX Student loans for the whole thing are also under investigation. It seems crazy that I should be forced to pay such outrageous money to an attorneys office for a school that doesn't even exist anymore.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-07-13

Fairburn, GA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I was told by a representative named XXXX ( who is no longer employed with the company ) at McCarthy , Burgess & Wolff, that she would allow me to settle my debt with XXXX XXXX at {$360.00} ( original amount was {$430.00} ) and on XX/XX/2019 they transferred me over to a representative that would email me as soon as I made the payment with her billing team. I was transferred over to them to make a payment on XX/XX/2019 which was debted from my account on that day. Since XX/XX/2019, I called XXXX back and she called me back before she was fired from her position. On those ocassions, she kept promising me that she sent me an email that had the terms of this settlement agreement that would state this would be removed from my account and show debt was PAID IN FULL on the receipt. I never received any records of anything from this debt collection agency but was debted for the settlement amount on XX/XX/2019. On each contact with XXXX, she assured me there was nothing to worry about and I would receive her emails in a few hours, as it takes their system a while to send outgoing emails. I agreed Again, waiting all day for the email, no documentation was sent from this collection agency via email or postal mail about my payment and the agreement XXXX and I had on a recorded line SEVERaL times. I called again feeling deceived and spoke to a XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2019, XXXX assured me SHE would, in fact, email me and I would receive an email in a few hours. Checked Spam as well as normal inbox and again, nothing. She also gave me the information about XXXX on a recorded line stating her job loss as well as that she did not actually email me according to the records. I have not received any documentation from this collection agency and demand that XXXX XXXX, as well as MB & W, remove this debt from my report as I have called numerous times and promised it would be removed and made whole after I paid it. I believe this is deceptive business practices and the debt is still appearing on my credit report as of today.
Company Response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-15

Columbia, SC

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I made telephone calls back and forth to XXXX regarding this dispute beginning XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX. I called because after looking at by bill I found I was being charged for services and for phones that were buy one get one free. I was also being charged for the free phone. During this conversation, I was also told I was leasing phones and they were to be returned at the end of the contract period. I told the representative I wasn't aware of leasing phones and asked to speak to a supervisor. When the supervisor came onto the phone I explained the same about not being aware of leasing phones. And, I would never lease a phone when phones could be purchased. The supervisor then said, I would not have to return the phones at the end of the contract period and they would be mines. He stated this information would be put into the system and to remind the representative when the time comes of his conversation. Back in XXXX I lost my job and could not continue to pay the bills and the service was disconnected. I called on XX/XX/XXXX and asked for a detailed bill of what was owed. This representative also stated I was leasing the phone and they had to be returned. I explained the conversation back in XX/XX/XXXX The representative said the amounts changed every month and he could not give me that information and suddenly the phone was disconnected after a long wait. I called back 2 additional times and the phone disconnected. On XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX a collection letter was sent to the company 's email address for everyone to see in the company that I owed XXXX money. However, one of the representative stated during the XX/XX/XXXX call, the phones had been disconnected and no additional charges could be added to the billing. As you can see from the attachments XXXX is still charging me monthly. I don't think it is fair a large business should take advantage of the consumer because they can. And, send letters to a company 's email address for all to see. This company lets you know each conversation is being recorded and I am sure all was said was recorded and they should live up to that. In addition, I should be given an itemized bill as requested. I am also sure the the conversation with the supervisor about me owning the phones was annotated in the system because previous representatives verified the information. XXXX should honor what they say and stop taking advantage of their consumers.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-05

Lexington, NC

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Complaint: The to my personal number from McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff ( XXXX ) the person they are attempting to contact is XXXX XXXX. This is not me, I do not know this person or have any association with this person. The number they are calling has been my personal number for 17-years. I have told their agent that this is nor me and requested that they remove my number from their records. My voice mail greeting now states all the above facts ( I am not the person they are looking for ) with a repeated request that my number is removed from their records.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-04

FL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: I do not know

Debt was already discharged in bankruptcy and is no longer owed
Complaint: Received repetiious phone calls that were intended to annoy, abuse and harass.Threats Threat to do things that can not be legally done ( serious ).
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response