Schachter Portnoy, L.L.C.

2019-09-18

Lewiston, NY

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: On or about XXXX a credit was taken out card through XXXX XXXX, I had made payments through Schacter Portnoy LLC, for quite a while ( yeah, I defaulted ) not my proudest moment, one day they had some issues with their system, they were in the process of changing things over with how this was all managed. I called to check on the status, they reflected the payments resolved. ( couldn't find the debt ) seemed like the same thing to me. So fast forward, to XX/XX/XXXX and I am in the middle of closing on a house, and I'm told a judgement needs to be dealt with. So, judgement, what judgement, my lawyer tells me its with XXXX XXXX XXXX, and I call them, they advice that all maters are through Schacter Portnoy LLC. ( XXXX, XXXX and XXXX ). I have been in the process of buying and selling homes for the last 2 years, and nothing has popped up during this process until now. So the date of rendering on the judgement is listed as XX/XX/XXXX but the date listed as the date of filing the judgement is listed as XX/XX/XXXX ... ... What is that all about, how is that even possible? So if all that isn't screwy enough, I did mange to speak to someone reluctantly at XXXX, they didn't want to talk to me about this at all. Yesterday they told me that the last date of payment on file was listed as XXXX, to the best of my knowledge this thing went away in XXXX, maybe XXXX on a stretch. I can tell you with absolute certainty that nothing has been payed as I didn't even know it still existed. Portnoy tells me that I owe them {$5100.00} but they will except {$4300.00} ( mighty nice of them ) but the debt listed on the Judgement ( in my hands now, as of this morning after many phone calls to the county ) is {$6300.00} plus XXXX in costs. {$6400.00}. This only came to light is I was closing on the sale of the house and this is holding it up. So if I pay it, I will never see that money again. If I screw with this to long, it can torpedo my sale. My current credit score is XXXX, I am not a guy that doesn't pay his bills, and why isn't this XXXX issue showing up on my credit, at all? Need your help, something is very very wrong with this whole thing. Oh, and did I mention that XXXX XXXX XXXX seat is in XXXX, where the house is. They judgement was filed in XXXX XXXX New York. The tittle search company also confirmed that this whole thing is shady.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-16

Phila, PA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-04-14

Phila, PA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-03-08

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-02-01

NY

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Sued you without properly notifying you of lawsuit
Complaint: On XXXX XXXX of this year, I was served a Summons and Complaint from Schachter Portnoy, LLC, regarding a debt I owed their client, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. Prior to this, I received no communication, either via phone, or letter, that they purchased the debt from XXXX XXXX ( formerly XXXX XXXX ).
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-12-19

Ocklawaha, FL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from an attorney 's office, Schachter Portnoy, LLC located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Princeton, NJ XXXX that I owed a debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted a letter to the law firm formally disputing the debt and asking for proof of this debt. ( See attached letter ). Also, on XX/XX/XXXX I ran my credit report to investigate this claim, and all reports from each credit reporting agency reported ZERO accounts in default, zero late payments and had absolutely NO record at all of a debt to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. ( See attached credit reports from each agency dated XX/XX/XXXX ). On or about XX/XX/XXXX, I was in the process of purchasing a home, and my lender, XXXX XXXX ran my credit report and at this time, yet again, there are no records of any late payments, or any outstanding debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. ( See attached lender report ). You can imagine my surprise that only 6 short weeks later, I was declined a refinance application because my credit report was now reporting this loan in default for well over 90+ days, and it significantly dropped my credit score and my lending qualification. Furthermore, I never heard anything back from either XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX or from the law firm, Schachter Portnoy. It was only a year later when I was preparing to refinance my mortgage on XX/XX/XXXX, that my lender advised me that there were now two delinquent accounts reporting negative information for a total debt in the amount of {$5600.00}. It was XXXX 's responsibility to report this to me immediately, and they never did. To date, I have still not received proof of the validity of the debt. However, I have since learned on my own that I am listed as a co-borrower for this debt. Therefore, my issue is not the actual debt. It is the fact that the lender never reported this account on my credit profile in over 7 years. At no point did the lender notify me that the original borrower was behind. The lender NEVER sent me invoices or notices of the account being late. The lender NEVER gave me any opportunity to work with the original borrower to bring this account to a current status. The lender then defaulted on this account and sent it to collections. After a year of this debt being parked, it was only when I went to apply for a refinance that the collection law firm posted this debt with all if it's late payments on my credit profile. Then, a year after the account defaulted they reported all the late payments on my account. This directly goes against the Fair Credit Reporting Act which requires lenders to send notice before reporting negative information to credit reporting agencies. This lender, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX regularly extends credit and regularly furnishes information to the consumer reporting agencies. In fact, it was regularly reporting information on the original borrower. At no time over the course of 7 years, did it EVER report any information on my credit report. Furthermore, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX failed to notify me and failed to give me any opportunity to bring this account to a current status. I was never provided with any written notice or communication from the lender, including any billing statements, late notices, etc. Thereafter, I disputed the debt with the collection law firm representing XXXX XXXX XXXX and again they failed to provide me with any information on this debt. After parking the debt for a year, they then reporting all the late information to the credit report agencies as I was applying to refinance my home. Therefore, my loan was denied. In addition, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX refuses to speak with me directly after my several attempts to contact them. They always redirect me to the collection firm, Schachter Portnoy who also refuses to acknowledge my claim. All they say is that I owe this debt and I must pay. They refuse to remove the negative information off of my report. They also failed to provide me with any documents of the validity of the loan to date. Lastly, I received a notice from the NJ Set-Off Program ( attached ) informing me that they will now hold my NJ Homestead Rebate to apply towards this debt. Once again, I was never notified about this loan, and now they are taking multiple actions to hurt my credit and hold my tax rebate. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has caused me undue harm by failing to notify me for years about this debt. They should not get away with destroying my credit history when they neglected their duty in notifying me of this debt, and failing to report to me that the original borrower was falling behind.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-12-06

Nyc, NY

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Account status incorrect
Complaint: SCHCHTER PORTNOY LLC took me to civil court for an account purchased by XXXX XXXX. The case was proven that the amount was caused by fraudulent charges with account documents and I was the one who was owed monies on this account. I agreed to close the case after counter suing for the monies owed to me on this account and was informed that this record would be removed from any credit reports. I agreed, because the case was dragging on after they continually did continuances ( hoping for a default judgement is my guess ), and signed a form saying I couldn't take legal action against them for this debt. This was all on the belief that this would be removed from my credit reports. SCHCHTER PORTNOY LLC have shown immoral acts during this time - when the summons was handed to me I was advised to ignore it and I can 'just throw it away ' by the man who handed this to me. I was recently failed an apartment application after they ran my credit report. I see this negative record still appears and believe it to be the main reason I was denied the apartment as well as paying high APR fees on the credit cards i recently obtained. Court : XXXX XXXX County Civil Court Index Number : XXXX Case Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, AS ASSIGNEE OF XXXX XXXX, FORMERLY KNOWN AS XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX vs. XXXX, XXXX Case Type : Civil Classification : Consumer Credit Filing Date : XX/XX/XXXX Disposition Date : XX/XX/XXXX Attorney/Firm ( s ) For Plaintiff - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : SCHCHTER PORTNOY LLC Attorney Type : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, New York XXXX- ( XXXX ) XXXX ext :
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-11-22

Bayway, NJ

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Seized or attempted to seize your property
Complaint: XXXX XXXX XXXX working on behalf of XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) received a writ of execution to levy my and my mothers bank account for a total of {$11000.00} after getting a default judgement back in XX/XX/2018. My mother nor I received any legal paperwork regarding this court filing from the XXXX XXXX XXXX that lead to a default judgement and levy which was granted in XX/XX/2018. Yesterday my mother received a letter from her bank stating that {$11000.00} was attempted to have been collected due to the levy. In XXXX, My mother and I had a stipulation of settlement with the law firm XXXX XXXX XXXX in regards to the XXXX XXXX XXXX account with XXXX XXXX XXXX. In XXXX, I had received a letter in the mail stating that XXXX was being sued in a class action lawsuit from the CFPB and that my loan was included. It further stated that any collection activity must cease until all the accounts are audited. I havent received any correspondence from XXXX XXXX XXXX since the settlement in XXXX until recent when my mother was sent a notice of levy against her account on XX/XX/XXXX. I have been in a legal battle with XXXX since XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX obtained a judgement without sending any paperwork as I have always answered to and appeared in court in regards to this matter. They are still attempting to collect on this debt after my loan was included in the lawsuit that stated debt collection must cease. I have received no correspondence of any evidence of auditing of my student loan account with XXXX as of yet.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-10-22

Phila, PA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-16

NJ

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: I'm submitting yet another complaint which involves XXXX XXXX once again and another third party debt collector. This debt collector is the law firm, Schachter Portnoy, LLC. The last complaint involving XXXX XXXX sending a student loan to a third-party collection agency to illegally collect on my student loan debt was on XX/XX/XXXX. This collection agency or law firm was XXXX XXXX XXXX , XXXX and it resulted with a Notice of Discontinuous Action from this law firm. The CFPB file number in reference to this complaint is XXXX. A Notice of Discontinuous was also filed in the NY Supreme court on XX/XX/XXXX by XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. A copy of this letter, dated XX/XX/XXXX was mailed to my mom and me. However, around the time I received this second letter of Discontinuous Action from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, I also received a letter from Schachter Portnoy, LLC. Their letter was dated, XX/XX/XXXX which is actually two days before the Notice of Discontinuous was filed in NY State Supreme court. I responded to the letter from Schachter Portnoy, LLC with a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX to confirm the validity of this debt. I had sent this letter via certified mail on XX/XX/XXXX. I never got a true response from them on the validity of that student loan debt. The first letter named the original creditor as XXXX XXXX, XXXX. After my response, I received two more letters from Schachter Portnoy, LLC : the first was dated, XX/XX/XXXX and the second was dated, XX/XX/XXXX. Both letters were in regards to collecting student loan debt and they both now named XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX as their client/creditor. Currently there are several class action lawsuits against XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX because they have so many violations in regards to FDCPA. I'm also aware of the lawsuits that CFPB has filed against XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX. I also came across several complaints and lawsuits against Schachter Portnoy LLC and their many violations in regards to FDCPA standards. From what I understand, they are known to go after based on their being likely to go into default ; not filing answer ; and/or their inability to understand their rights. They're third-party debt collectors and racketeers that violated a plethora of consumers rights by proceeding with collection activity without validating the debt. They usually buy debts that have already been brought and sold a few times over making it difficult to prove this debt. Based on what I've learned by researching this law firm, they also try to coerce consumers into paying these debts. By researching information in regards to XXXX XXXX and this law firm, I decided to write a second letter of validation. This time around, I fax the letter to the office of Schachter Portnoy, LLC on Friday, XX/XX/XXXX. I now know that I can't assume the origin of the debt, I must have physical proof of this debt. On Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX, I received a call on my cell phone from what sound like a, XXXX XXXX. He mentioned he was calling from Schachter Portnoy, LLC. It was difficult to hear what was being said being that it was around XXXX and I was around XXXX center -- one of the busiest areas in NYC. However, I'm pretty sure I was asked about my social security number and my response since it was very noisy and it was difficult to hear was something like, Sorry, I can't really hear you, I will have to call back later. I can't talk right now! I received this phone exactly five days after faxing my letter of validation. Prior to that, I've never received any calls from Schachter Portnoy, LLC until that day. I do believe had I been able to talk to this person that would have tried to coerce me into paying on a debt with no proof that its mines and most likely have passed the statute of limitations. When, I did returned home, I double-checked the XXXX number I received that afternoon and it certainly was from Schachter Portnoy, LLC.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-29

Cinnaminson, NJ

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: I do not know

Seized or attempted to seize your property
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-16

Phila, PA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-11

Brooklyn, NY

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Account status incorrect
Complaint: XXXX XXXX threatened to sue me via Schachter Portnoy. I settled the debt on XX/XX/2018 with the agreement that they will remove the threat to sue as well as the account from my credit reports. No changes have been made.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-11-04

Gloucester City, NJ

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Account status incorrect
Complaint: To whom it may concern, In the spring of XXXX, while I was still in school, two of my student loans went into delinquency. In early XXXX those loans went into default. At that time the law office of Schachter Portnoy , L.L.C . began collection on the loans. We agreed upon an amount and I have been paying it ever since. I was writing to see if I could get this delinquency or negative mark off of my credit report. It has affected my life ever since and now I am trying to buy a house and it is making this difficult. I have kept current on everything else in my life and this is the only blemish on my credit report. After speaking with a loan XXXX and explaining my situation he also said the way this appears on my credit report doesnt seem quite right. At the very least I would like the status of this to be changed. I have tried to contact Schachter Portnoy and they told me the only thing that could change the current situation was to pay to amount in total and I dont have that kind of money. I do not want this derogatory mark on my credit report for the next 10 years. I have included documents from Schachter Portnoy L.L.C regarding the default and my current standing as well as bank statements showing my payments. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-08-10

Hillsdale, NJ

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-03-23

Wallington, NJ

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: Federal student loan

Not given enough info to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-08

Eddyville, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Credit card

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-03

Wallington, NJ

Improper contact or sharing of info

Debt collection: Medical

Talked to a third party about my debt
Complaint: American anesthesiology of nj pc illegally provided my persona medical information to an entity claiming to be an attorney office, Schachter Portnoy, llc. When I got on the Phone to discuss a payment arrangement I found out that they 'd used a communication tactic and that I was actually speaking with a debt collector. The gentleman on the phone identified himself. I feel.violated by this and hence this complaint. I am allowed under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ) to protect my privacy and medical records from third parties. I did not.give permission to any of my current or prior medical providers to release any information to a third party. I am.aware that Hipaa does allow the release of limited information about me but anything more is only to be revealed with patients authorization.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-02-25

Colts Neck, NJ

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Non-federal student loan

Indicated committed crime not paying
Complaint: I am XXXX of XXXX co-signers on my son 's XXXX Student loans. There are a total of XXXX loans that are now being managed for collection by the XXXX, Schachter Portnoy, LLC. Without our presence, these loans were in court as a judgment against my son for default. He was not able to find work directly following college and could n't pay the loans. They wanted $ XXXX/month, initially. The loans totaled around {$110000.00}. The plan was for my then husband ( other co-signer ), and myself to refinance our home and pay off the loans, but, he divorced me and I lost the home in foreclosure. I was able to do a Short-Sale of the home eventually, but had no collateral. I had to walk away with nothing. I moved in with my mother and have no property of my own. My son, has had XXXX jobs, there is no job security these days. He also has a XXXX daughter and child support to pay. I am the only XXXX able to make payments on this loan and I am retired. I pay $ XXXX/month to a XXXX hole, literally. There is no way this is going to pay off these loans in my lifetime. I have numerous health issues, but they do not fit Schachter Portnoy '' s definition of XXXX therefore, I can not have my co-signer status removed. I have spoken numerous times with the XXXX at the firm about settling for a smaller amount but I have been told it is not their POLICY to negotiate, settle, or consolidate. They take what little State of NJ tax return I get, last XX/XX/XXXX they took every dime I had out of my checking and savings accounts for missed payments. It was either pay them or not eat. I had to show them proof that all my bank funds were from my XXXX, so eventually, they put the money back. I began bankruptcy proceedings last XXXX in order to free up money to be able to make the $ XXXX/month payments. I can not get any outside loans to consolidate or pay off this debt because they have a default status on my credit report, and a judgment against me that prevents my getting credit. I do not have any family with money, so I can not borrow from family as they have suggested. I find their collection practices appalling. They will not work with the consumers. All of my payments go to their fees, interest, and some other filing stuff and not to the principle so the debts are going up, not down. I can not get any answers from them or any help because XXXX is not a federal run loan company. I am suffering. I can not live because of these agencies. They are predators, notoriously deceptive, and should be shut down. I feel that at this point, I am a victim and I want my debt removed or settled with an end-date. There are so many lawsuits and complaints against these XXXX concerns, that I can not understand how they continue to be allowed to stay in business preying on debtors this way, most of them either XXXX such as myself who are co-signers, or XXXX college XXXX unable to pay back these high interest rates, fees, and principles. Please help us. We are in desperate need. We just need help. Help has come for Federal loan borrowers, but for private and State loan borrowers, especially in New Jersey, there is no help in site. I do n't understand why. We are just as important, just in dire straits. Please, help us.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-11-15

Staten Island, NY

Taking/threatening an illegal action

Debt collection: Credit card

Threatened to sue on too old debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-10-03

Weirton, WV

Taking/threatening an illegal action

Debt collection: Credit card

Sued where didn't live/sign for debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-07-25

Phoenix, AZ

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Credit card

Debt is not mine
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-06-16

Northbush, NY

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

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

Debt was paid
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-04-20

Trenton, NJ

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: Non-federal student loan

Not given enough info to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-03-09

Three Bridges, NJ

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Non-federal student loan

Having problems with customer service
Complaint: Case number : XXXX This is a follow-up to the previous complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX and Schachter and Portnoy ( the collection attorneys ). I was in touch with my son, XXXX, the original signer of this loan and the one who was paying this loan through XXXX for many years. He called XXXX XXXX XXXX of the Firm of Schachter and Portnoy and left a voice mail and never received a call back. He attempted on several occasions to reach out to XXXX XXXX but to no avail. This is his loan and he is willing to pay it back, but the creditor needs to be in touch with him, not me. I have provided everyone with his phone number and address and he called and left his phone number for XXXX XXXX to reach out to him and he received no return call. It would be appreciated if this matter would be resolved immediately. Very truly yours, XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response