Richard Sokoloff, Attorney At Law

2019-05-02

Lewisville, TX

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Sued you without properly notifying you of lawsuit
Complaint: Richard Sokoloff Attorney at Law claims to have served me with a judgement that I never received and didn't want to give me any to verify, stated my spouse and I received services and they would not give proof of being served. WHen we contacted the dental place they have no records of what services were provided so no way to verify that this is a legitimate debt. Worse is this was a judgement from XX/XX/2012 and now 6 years later that I have more than the amount they can place a lein from my insurance check, they place one. The lawyers info is XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX This is second complaint, after speaking to his office, his office is no longer answering phone calls and has not sent any of the faxes he said his office would do so this has been 4 months and no updates, he needs to release my insurance funds or I will take the steps of counter suing for the money he placed a lien on. I have contacted another attorney about this.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-04-04

P J S, NY

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-24

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Sued you without properly notifying you of lawsuit
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-12-26

Lewisville, TX

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Notification didn't disclose it was an attempt to collect a debt
Complaint: Richard Sokoloff Attorney at Law claims to have served me with a judgement that I never received and didn't want to give me any to verify, stated my spouse and I received services and they would not give proof of being served. WHen we contacted the dental place they have no records of what services were provided so no way to verify that this is a legitimate debt. Worse is this was a judgement from XX/XX/2012 and now 6 years later that I have more than the amount they can place a lein from my insurance check, they place one. The lawyers info is XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Untimely Response

2018-11-16

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-10

Yonkers, NY

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Medical debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-04

Bohemia, NY

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: Date of service for my husband ( I am the insured ) was XX/XX/XXXX. Debt was paid XX/XX/XXXX after our bank accounts were 100 % frozen ( in violation of New York Exempt Income Protection Act ). Satisfaction of judgment was issued from the debt collector 's office. Shortly thereafter we began to receive requests for further payment under same account number and also requests for different dollar amounts under a different account number. All were requests for same date of service that was already satisfied, along with threats of income execution. Voice mails that were left were never returned however one time we did call and speak to a XXXX XXXX who said he would send documentation. We responded in writing to each request being that supporting documentation did not indicate a second unpaid charge and in some cases documentation from hospital stated XXXX balance due from patient from that date of service. Our last communication to them in XX/XX/XXXX stated that we were disputing the debt and in XX/XX/XXXX we received the same document that they had sent multiple times along with a payment authorization we signed upon admittance to the hospital- still not indicative of a second charge from this date of service.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-11-22

NY

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Collected or attempted to collect exempt funds
Complaint: I received hourly phone calls from this Law Firm - Finally being taken off guard I answered my phone since they never left a message and I had not idea who this was. There was a man at the other end on the phone insisting that I owed monies - so I requested he go the legal route and send me something in writing, Which I received X/XX/2017. - consulted with the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and was given a letter to send to them basically stating that my only form of income if my Social Security monthly and additionally the claims had been resolved by my insurance carrier. The harassing and threatening phone calls have NOT stopped and I am at my wits end. I did check with the BB and see they are not licensed with them for all I know they could be illegal. Can you help me?
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-10-30

Queens, NY

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Medical debt

Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language
Complaint: On XXXX XXXX I was contacted by a XXXX XXXX who when telling me details of a medical debt immediately became abusive as I explained that secondary insurance was provided to the doctor. She did not even attempt to investigate or validate that fact. started yelling and talking over me. on XXXXXX/XX/XXXX17 She once again became abusive and threatening once I asked her where can I file a counter claim because monies were paid to the provider that should not have been. she became abusive that threatened legal action if I did not immediately paid her. I advised her I would file a complaint.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-10-19

Palm Coast, FL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-03-22

Bohemia, NY

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Medical

Threatened to take legal action
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2017-02-22

Harrisburg, VA

Incorrect information on credit report

Credit reporting:

Account status
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-11-29

Brooklyn, NY

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Not given enough info to verify debt
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-10-17

Bronx, NY

Taking/threatening an illegal action

Debt collection: Medical

Attempted to/Collected exempt funds
Complaint: I set up a monthly payment of XXXX $ and two months it was taken out of a prepaid card the next month XXXX was taken out of my account and I called to resolve the issue. They send fax my statement which I did about 4 times they never received. I was speaking with a XXXX or XXXX, now another representative calls me to accuse me of lying. She hung up the phone after threatening me while I was asking for the company email or personal so I can send her the proof. Her name was XXXX. I have attempted several time to call her back and no response I also found the company phone number no one answers as well.
Company Response: Company believes the complaint is the result of a misunderstanding Closed with monetary relief

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-08-30

Nyc, NY

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: Medical

Not given enough info to verify debt
Complaint: I was contacted my a member of Richard Sokoloff 's office who threatened to sue me regarding XXXX outstanding debts ( less than a year old, less than {$300.00} each ). I was not notified via written mail details of the debts they were collecting to attempt, or over the phone. Due to the fact I was caught off guard by her phone call and scare tactics, I provided my credit card information to her over the phone. After researching the XXXX name, Richard Sokoloff, I realized that there are many outstanding complaints on him and that he was in fact censured and has been been disciplined by a state licensing authority. This office needs to be shut down, before more consumers are hurt and taken advantage of.
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-06-30

NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Complaint: I filed for divorce in XXXX XXXX. My ex has not lived with me and my son since XXXX XXXX and has since been living with her boyfriend. Apparently she had XXXX in and around XXXX XXXX and decided to keep the insurance checks instead of signing them over to the doctor. Please keep in mind that the health ins policy was in her name, through her job, and that she was the patient. In XXXX XXXX I received a collection letter to my home from am Attorney Richard Sokoloff. I have a recorded conversation where I explained that I have nothing to do with this debt and to remove me and I provided them with her address. I have sent several letters both regular mail and certified asking for them to prove this debt or remove me and I still have no response.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-06-22

Bohemia, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: I was put into collection for XXXX medical bills and they are reporting on my credit reports which is affecting my credit score and affecting me in obtaining credit. I was on medicare at the time and I paid my {$140.00} out of pocket deductable. Everything else was paid by medicare. I sent a Cease and XXXX response back to the collection agency as under the 1977 Fair Debt collection Lractives this should have never been put in collection nor put on my credit reports. I am complaining because I do not owe these XXXX medical debts and how can they put me in twice for XXXX different medical bills when I was only responsible for the {$140.00}. I want this removed off my credit reports.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-06-21

Bohemia, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Complaint: I was placed in collection from a collection agency for XXXX medical bills. I had medicare at the time and my out of pocket expense was {$140.00} which I paid to XXXX. After that any bills that were incurred were paid by medicare. I have XXXX collection accounts on my credit reports that should not be there. XXXX is for XXXX and the other XXXX is for XXXX. First off how can this collection agency place me for collection twice? is n't that double dipping? As I mentioned earlier I paid the initial {$140.00}. I should have not been placed in collection for these XXXX medical bills. I contacted Medicare in regards to this issue as it is affecting my credit and was told both bills were paid. I am disputing this information on my credit reports as I want them removed as they are affecting me in obtaining credit.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-06-17

Bohemia, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: I was on Medicare at one time and this medical bill was paid through medicare. I had to pay the XXXX {$170.00} out of pocket deductible which I did. Now I have XXXX medical bills that are in collection. Medicare confirmed they paid these bills in full. The other question is how can an attorney sue me for medical bills for XXXX different doctors? Is n't that double dipping? I do not owe these XXXX medical bills and want them removed out of collection on my credit reports as it is causing my credit to be affected negatively.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-06-16

NY

Taking/threatening an illegal action

Debt collection: Medical

Sued w/o proper notification of suit
Complaint: The office of Richard Sokloff sued me without the proper notification. I have n't lived at my old address since 2013. I have my new lease from my new place to prove this. Before they sued me a rep there threatens me that they were going to get a judgment although I was n't at judgment stage. ... They now have a judgment illegally.
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-06-14

Bohemia, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: I have XXXX items that are in collection on my credit report. I do not owe these debts as I had medicare at the time and I met my required deductable. {$140.00}. I was put into collection for a dr 's office and cardioloigist visit. To clairfy this they both are trying to collect a debt from me when I confirmed with medicare that they paid these bills. I should not be in collection as it is ruining my credit score and report. I keep getting letters from richard sokoloff ( atty ) that is trying to collect this debt. I wrote to the atty 's office as well and explained I spoke with medicare and it was confirmed that I met my annual deductable and they paid these XXXX accounts.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-04

Brooklyn, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: The office of Richard Sokoloff in XXXX NY has been sending me threatening letters for months. As per their instruction, I have called over 25 times and left 16 voicemails to dispute their false claim ; no one has EVER returned my call. I have already settled this debt with my insurance and the hospital as there was an error on their end to begin with. Yet Richard Sokoloff and his office have yet to cease sending me threatening letters. I have a spotless credit report and rating. Such harassment should not ever be tolerated. He should be disbarred.
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-04-28

Bohemia, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: I continue to receive notices with an increasing level of hostility from Richard Sokoloff Attorney at Law XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX. Concerning a medical bill for XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$370.00}. This bill was paid directly to the provider XXXX and XXXX on XXXX XXXX, 2016 in full. On several occasions, after receiving letters demanding payment, I have called the above office and have informed them that this bill has been paid and I owe the doctor nothing. Today when I again called this attorney to inform them that I had already paid the bill and that they should stop harassing me, a XXXX XXXX told me I had to submit proof that I have paid the bill or they will not stop. I responded that it 's their job to make sure they have accurate information before calling and sending letters of demand. XXXX XXXX proceeded to yell at me, told me it 's my job to prove I 've paid the bill and then she hung up on me. I find it unreasonable for this attorney to continue to harass me, for a bill that 's already been paid.
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-03-25

NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Complaint: I have been contacted 3 times by a collection agency related to a hospital visit in XXXX XXXX. I responded to the XXXX letter dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX as well as the second letter dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I wrote formal letters to the agentXXXX, requesting detailed information on the bills he was writing to me about and to date I have received no detailed legal response to my queries. The original XXXX communications from XXXX indicated balance due of {$2000.00}. I responded to XXXX letters formally, requesting additional information as to the validity of the claim and I provided copies of my medical insurance identification cards each time. I also CC 'd copies of these letters, via XXXX mail, to XXXX XXXX the claimant. I delivered these letters, in person, to XXXX XXXX 's office at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NY XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX and XXXX XXXX, XXXX and had them signed for as proof of my response. I will be happy to provide you with copies of these letters. I received the third collection agency notice from the collection agent, XXXX XXXX, yesterday ; his letter is dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX. This latest letter indicates that the amount due is {$300.00}, not the original amount of {$2000.00}. Have they have utilized the information I provided in prior communication to file their claim to my medical insurance company? I do not know, but the claim amount communicated is now only {$300.00}. To date I have not received a letter from my medical insurance company indicating an " amount you owe '' regarding claims XXXX XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX may have filed. In XXXX letters to XXXX XXXX I stated that payment in full to XXXX XXXX XXXX will be made immediately should : 1. The authenticity of the bill be provided, 2. XXXX XXXX inform the that the paperwork from XXXX XXXX XXXX was filed correctly, 3. That XXXX XXXX payment was denied for valid reasons, 4. That they had filed a routine Level I appeal as to the denial of payment, if they had actually filed a claim. I am XXXX in NYS and in terms of medical insurance and my pension I am an employee XXXX. We have excellent medical insurance coverage and I have never had an experience like this in the past. The truest problems that exist are the fact that I have not been provided with proof as to the validity of the claim, that the claim has been filed with my insurance company, that it has been denied by my insurance company, and if denied by my insurance company that they have filed a routine appeal. None of my questions have been addressed by either XXXX XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. When I checked my credit report today, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, it listed XXXX claims by XXXX XXXX as " In Collection. '' This clearly is having a negative impact upon my credit rating. The claims on my credit report indicate XXXX unpaid bills in the amount of {$250.00}, {$610.00}, {$250.00}, and {$900.00}. These bills reported to the credit reporting agencies total the original amount of {$2000.00}, not the {$300.00} bill I received from his office yesterday, XXXX XXXX. Please note that {$300.00} is not listed above. I intend to write a third letter to him today and deliver it to his office on Monday, XXXX XXXX, XXXX as proof of valid, legal communication regarding this matter. I am utterly clueless as to what is going on regarding this matter and I have taken painstaking legally responsible action in this matter It is important to note that I have received no answers to any questions I have posed to XXXX XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX via XXXX, email, or mail. Thank you for your time and attention in this matter. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX
Company Response: Untimely response

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-01-06

Bohemia, NY

Taking/threatening an illegal action

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

Seized/Attempted to seize property
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Untimely Response