Weltman, Weinberg Reis Co., L.P.A.

2017-05-19

OH

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Threatened to sue you for very old debt
Complaint: My husband has an old debt from a credit card. We would like to settle and pay once we get in a little better financial position. In the mean time, we habe received many threatening letters fro m Weltman, Weinman and Reis law fir m. They threatened to take us to court, garnish our wages and bank account. With fear of them taking out all our money in the bank that we need to pay our house payment and utilities, I agreed to make fair payments, one for XXXX $ on XXXX XXXX , XXXX $ on the XXXX , and another XXXX $ on the XXXX . This firm took XXXX $ out of our account on XXXX XXXX , XXXX $ out on XXXX XXXX , and another XXXX $ on XXXX XXXX , which overdrew our account and we incurred fees and now do not have any money!!! I am terrified that this law firm will sue us because they call multiple times a day and send many certified letters with lots of legal verbage with writing that looks like we have to appear in court and our bank accounts and wages will be garnished. Because this firm did not take out the correct payments on the dates I approved, our bank account is now in the negative and we have overdraft charges!
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-05-18

Cincinnati, OH

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

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

Timely Response

2017-05-10

Harsens Is, MI

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

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

Timely Response

2017-05-08

PA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: On XXXX XXXX, 2017, I received a letter ( see attached ) from Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA ( hereinafter WWR ) attempting to collect a debt from their client XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX ). Their file number is listed as XXXX. The first issue with the letter is that it does not comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( hereinafter FDCPA ). The FDCPA applies to all debt collectors, of which WWR are. The FDCPA also states the attempt to collect a debt must include the verbiage of " this is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose '', of which this letter has none of that. I will not go into all of the violations that are present with the letter though for future legal action may be taken by me. My main concern is if this firm were to have done even the slightest bit of investigation from the documents XXXX had to have submitted to WWR they would have seen I was not liable for this debt. This debt arises out of a contractor who hit a utility line on my property. At no time when this happened was I home or operating any heavy equipment, which was noted on XXXXXXXX XXXX investigation. In the state of PA, under PA Act 287 section 5, it is solely the contractors responsibility to call to have lines located or the one operating the excavator to call, neither of which was me. Therefore, their threat to take legal action against me is not allowed by law and is against federal law to threaten. Also, after having graduated from XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX, I find it to be a little upsetting, and possibly an ethics violation, to have this XXXX XXXX XXXX use the term Partner under her name at the top center of the letter. This is misleading as if she is qualified to practice law or holding a J.D. degree. Many lay people would associate this as Partners in a lawfirm and she is holding herself out to be a Partner of what?? If they use the excuse they were not trying to collect it from me and are only going after the contractor then this letter is also a violation of the FDCPA. I find it appalling and downright illegal that a firm with this many offices can not even abide by the FDCPA. The proof is in the copy of the letter. A 1L in law school could write a better debt collection letter. My reason for filing this complaint is because this may help someone else who does not have a legal education and is taken advantage of by this firm. It is free for me to defend against these violators of federal law, but for others it may cost them their home, or car, and this firm needs to be stopped. I left a voice mail for this XXXX XXXX XXXX and I received no reply. If this firm decides to take any further unlawful action against me I wanted it documented that they were well aware if they would have done a simple investigation into the matter they would have seen that I legally owe no debt to them or XXXX under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-05-05

Lincoln, CA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Complaint: I am being endlessly harassed by the current owner of my three outstanding private student loans, Weltman, Weinberg and Reis Co. They call me at least 6 times every day and have recently started calling for me at my new employer. Just last week they left a voice mail message in the general mail box regarding my outstanding debt that I owe. I have tried to negotiate with them and offered to enter into a payment plan but they have ignored me and bullied me and are trying to pressure and intimidate me into paying them money that I do not have. I have other federal student loans and they have been easy to work with and I have gone into payment plans on those loans when I ran into hardship. These three loans currently with Weltman and Weinberg I paid on for nearly 7 years until I was laid off from my job. I went to XXXX University and was in a 5 year XXXX XXXX program. The loans in question were taken out in XXXX, XXXX and XXXX. The verbiage stated that I would not have to begin paying on these loans until I graduated and was working, but since it was a 5 year program the original lender ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) began sending bills while in my last year of collegethe monthly payment was {$540.00} per month. I paid this as agreed from XXXX to XXXX until I was laid off from my job after nearly 10 years in that field. I could not keep up with the payments and contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to ask for help or some type of reduced payment plan or forbearance but they refused. As soon as I defaulted they transferred the debt to XXXX. I still faced the same issues and was not able to make any payments to XXXX. I then began the licensing process with the XXXX to become a licensed loan XXXX and as part of the process I need to be in repayment plans on any debts. Once again I contacted XXXX and asked them if they would work with me on some type of payment plan. They refused and a week later my loan was transferred to Weltman and Weinberg. As soon as I got the paperwork from Weltman and Weinberg I contacted them to see if they would work with me and once again ran into a brick wall. They refused to enter into a repayment plan or allow me to make lower payments and told me pay them {$600.00} a month or they would come after me. I am back working but not making as much money and still going through the licensing process. I will get back on my feet soon, but this company is not making it any easier with their constant harassment. Additionally, they have caused me a great deal of embarrassment by calling me at work and leaving general voicemail messages that many of the employees could hear. I believe this company is violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I am also concerned because I looked up the law firm name Weltman, Weinberg & Reis CoXXXX LPA and they are not licensed in California XXXX yet they are sending out letters to me, a California resident on their letterhead. I believe this is also a violation.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-05-03

E Town, KY

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-05-02

Austintown, OH

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-04-28

PA

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Sued you without properly notifying you of lawsuit
Complaint: XXXX XXXX alleges that I owe them {$1200.00}, after becoming unemployed and divorced after leaving an abusive relationship, notified them under the FDCPA that they were to cease contact with me until I became employed again. They proceeded to continue calling me at unreasonable times, and even called my sister and discussed my debt with her. They agreed to stop calling me eventually, and then my ex-landlord notified me that I had been subpoenaed, and when I called XXXX they told me that they could no longer speak with me about the case and referred me to their attorney. They insist they 've contracted my case out, but I think that 's just a loophole to getting out of saying that they sold my debt. Weltman-Weinberg & Reis made first contact with me via law suit, in a different county than I reside, and are suing me for {$1200.00}, but insisted on a phone call & emailed documents that my balance was over {$1500.00}, but they 'd settle for {$1000.00}. The last two statements I have from XXXX has a balance of {$860.00}, as does my record from my XXXX credit report. I also have a receipt from a cashier 's check my mother paid to XXXX a month before the final statement/credit report, and I believe the outstanding balance is reflected by XXXX XXXX 's incompetence to secure my account payment and interest on that balance that should have been paid. XXXX nor Weltman Weinberg & Reis can provide me personally with statements regarding when these balances occurred, and my experience with these organizations sounds eerily similar to two recent federal law suits brought upon this debt collection agency. Please somebody help me.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-04-28

FL

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX my bank account was seized in the amount of {$4600.00}. This was a joint account with current spouse ( married XX/XX/XXXX. I contacted the bank immediately and was given the number to Weltman, Weinberg, & Reis. I contacted them and they stated they were a law firm collecting a debt for the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and there was a judgement entered against me in the amount of {$51000.00}. I said I did not owe XXXX {$51000.00} I only owed them around {$10000.00}, She stated too bad I should have paid my debts, there is a judgement against you, and if you do n't pay now we will put a lien on all of your assets. I asked why I was never notified and she stated that I was served and had signed for it. I asked where it was served and she provided and address on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I informed her that I do not know that address and have never lived there and that I have lived at my address in XXXX since XX/XX/XXXX. She insisted that I must pay and I agreed to make payments to prevent a lien on my assets, in the amount of {$250.00} per month. At that time I requested proof of this debt, amount, and who the original loan was with. On XX/XX/XXXX I received a payment agreement from them stating the amount I owed which was no {$60000.00}, the payment amount of {$250.00}, and due date of XXXX of each month but there was no proof or any other documentation. I sent my first payment on XX/XX/XXXX along with a letter requesting proof, amount, and ownership of the loan ( see attached ). I continued to make payments on time and repeated sending the same letter requesting proof on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and finally XX/XX/XXXX. Between these letters there were many calls requesting this information and I was always promised it would be mailed but it never was until XX/XX/XXXX when they sent another form letter just like the very first but it stated the amount I had paid and the balance they had, but did not identify how or where the payments were applied, the interest, or detail it only showed the date of each payment and the amount {$250.00} ( see attached ). So after I received this document I called the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to find out why I could n't get documentation and they stated they had no idea who WWR was and that they did not represent the XXXX in any way. They disclosed the actual amount I owed them and this was paid. I also tracked down the documents sent to the bank for garnishment, the entire court file used to obtain this judgement, and my Ch XXXX bankruptcy documents which was filed XX/XX/XXXX and final decree XX/XX/XXXX. In the court file there was a document that WWR filed to change my address to this XXXX XXXX address so that they could attach me to it. Public record prior to this had not shown this address linked to me in any way and my address of record at that time was my current one. They did this to make it appear that they had tried to serve me. Also none of the documents to show proof of service were signed by anyone. This address was purchased long after my divorce and remarriage and records show the current residents and owners are my ex and his wife. They 've agreed to provide an affadavit if needed to show that I 've never lived or even beent o this address. Many of my rights have been violated by WWR. They illegally or at best underhandedly changed my address on file to fraudulently provide evidence of service, They misrepresented themselves as an agency representing XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, a government agency, they threatened me saying they would put a lien on all of my assets, and they refused for over 2 years to provide any documentatiojn proving that this was a legitimate loan or how my payments and interest were being applied. In reviewing my bankruptcy documents XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) was listed on schedule as discharged debt and as being notified of my Chapter XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX was just a cover for collection. I have attempted over 2 years to pay and work with these people and gotten nothing but lies and deceipt.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-04-27

E Stroudsburg, PA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

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

Timely Response

2017-04-25

Indianapolis, IN

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official
Complaint: Due to job loss, we fell behind on our credit card payment to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( " XXXX '' ), which then caused Weltman, Weinberg & Reis " WWR '' ), a c ollections law firm to begin to call us and send us letters. We have attached a few of these letters, which implied were coming from an attorney, but really were not. We agreed finally to try to make some payments, and were told by WWR that we would have nothing bad on our credit rep ort. WWR lied to us, as they put a judgement on our credit reports. We read that the CFPB last week filed a lawsuit against WWR for fraud and deception ; which is one of the reasons that we are filing this complaint. After we found out abou t the judgement, we then discovered that XXXX XXXX XXXX was not licensed nor registered to do business in XXXX , and thus did not have any access to the Indiana courts to file a judgement. Despite the lack of legal standing, WWR did it anyway. This seems to be an unfair, abusive, and deceptive business practice by WWR. When we told WWR a nd XXXX that they had done some bad things, and were violating numerous consumer protection laws, they merely sold our account to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( " XXXX XXXX '' ). XXXX XXXX has done nothing to correct this problem, as the employees of XXXX are still servicing the account, and rely on WWR for legal advise. So they continue to cover this up, and have done so for many years now. Now that the CFPB has taken action ag ainst WWR, this would be a good time for the CFPB to investigate this matter, and take appropriate action against WWR, Targ et, and XXXX XXXX .
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-04-14

New Albany, IN

Improper contact or sharing of info

Debt collection: I do not know

Talked to a third party about my debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-04-12

Spfld, OH

Disclosure verification of debt

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

Right to dispute notice not received
Complaint: To Whom It May Concern : Be advised this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice that your claim is disputed and validation is requested. Under the Fair Debt collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), I have the right to request validation of the debt you say I owe you. I am requesting proof that I am indeed the party you are asking to pay thisdebt, and there is some contractual obligation that is binding on me to pay this debt. This is NOT a request for " verification '' or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 ( b ) of the FDCPA. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you. At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have or continue to report invalidated information to any of the XXXX major credit bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX ), this action might constitute fraud under both federal and state laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found or continues to report on any of my credit reports by your company or the company you represent, I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you and your client for the following : Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Defamation of Character. I am sure your legal staff will agree that non-compliance with this request could put your company in serious legal trouble with the FTC and other state or federal agencies. If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested in the following declaration, I will require 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist. Also, during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing of any information to a credit-reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated. If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately. It would be advisable that you and your client assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. CREDITOR/DEBT COLLECTOR DECLARATION Please provide the following : Agreement with your client that grants you the authority to collect on this alleged debt. Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he/she agreed to pay the creditor. Any insurance claims been made by any creditor regarding this account. Any Judgments obtained by any creditor regarding this account. Name and address of alleged creditor. Name on file of alleged debtor. Alleged account number. Address on file for alleged debtor. Amount of alleged debt. Date this alleged debt became payable. Date of original charge off or delinquency. Verification that this debt was assigned or sold to collector. Complete accounting of alleged debt. Commission for debt collector if collection efforts are successful. Please provide the name and address of the bonding agent for Weltman Weinberg & Reis Co in case legal action becomes necessary. Your claim can not and WILL NOT be considered if any portion of the above is not completed and returned with copies of all requested documents. This is a request for validation made pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Please allow 30 days for processing after I receive this information back.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-04-11

Phila, PA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

Frequent or repeated calls
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-04-10

Gr, MI

Disclosure verification of debt

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

Not given enough info to verify debt
Complaint: I was a defendant in a landlord tenant claim which I was found to owe money, the " order granting judgment dated XX/XX/2017 is for {$5400.00} ( which includes damages of {$5100.00}, costs {$110.00}, and attorneys fees {$150.00} ). I borrowed money from my 401k to pay this, and they sent a letter back that as of today XX/XX/2017 I owe XXXX due to interest being charged. This is a lot of interest for 2 months.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-04-07

Euclid, OH

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Complaint: I took my Dad out of a XXXX ( XXXX ) because I found him XXXX, on another occasion I found him XXXX and requested that XXXX be called, and found out that he had the XXXX, and on the third occasion I found him XXXX, and I requested that XXXX be called, and found out that he had XXXX. I was doing a spend-down of my Dad 's funds to qualify him for XXXX., so since it was his money, I decided to use it for his care. He also had XXXX and XXXX insurances. I met with the business manager for a final balance. It was {$7000.00}. I wrote the check on XX/XX/XXXX, took him out of that XXXX, and went to a better XXXX where he got Wonderful care. He was in there before, but had a balance that insurance did n't cover, which was {$4100.00}, and I paid them on XX/XX/XXXX. He was admitted, and XXXX pending, and all of his funds were going to this facility. On XX/XX/XXXX I received another bill for {$3800.00} from the XXXX facility that I took him out of due to neglect. There was no money to pay them because it was now going to the new facility. He was approved for XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX because his funds were down to {$1500.00}. Now he had XXXX insurances, the XXXX listed above, plus XXXX, that could have been billed the {$3800.00}. I had attorneys, and I told them that. My Dad passed away on XX/XX/XXXX, and as stated by my Guardianship Attorney, the balance in his account on XX/XX/XXXX was {$240.00}. I paid ALL of my Dad 's bills and bought everything possible for him to have a comfortable life in the second XXXX. All of my spending was approved by the courts that assigned me as Guardian, as well as my Guardianship attorney. I received the court notice dated XXXX AFTER my Dad passed away. I hired attorneys, and the attorneys in this case did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING on my behalf, and I ended up getting sued for my Dad 's XXXX bill, even with the XXXX insurances. My Dad had XXXX upon entering the first XXXX, so SOMEONE had to sign for him, which was me. Only his funds were supposed to be used to pay the XXXX, not mines. My Attorneys advised that I agree to paying them with MY MONEY, ignoring what I told them about the insurances. I signed under duress because of a threat of garnishment for the entire amount. I made a down payment of {$1600.00} and made XXXX payments of {$150.00}. I missed XXXX payment because my Sister-in-Law was XXXX and I abruptly had to use that money to go to XXXX, TX. Since I missed a payment, my wages have been garnished, with this agency taking over {$300.00} out of each pay. The debt started out {$3800.00} + {$1700.00} for court costs, fees, which would total about {$5500.00}. So far, I have given them {$5500.00}. I went to the collection agency ( Weltman, Weinberg and Reis on XX/XX/XXXX at approx. XXXX. to get a balance quote, and was told that now the remaining balance owed is another {$2300.00}!!!! This debt has been inflated, and I feel is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for unfair collection practices. I was not warned as to the amount that was going to be taken. I should n't have been paying with my funds. I want these payments to stop. This company has A BAD REPUTATION AND MANY NEGATIVE REVIEWS REGARDING THEIR PRACTICE OF INFLATING PAYMENTS AND TAKING EXTRA MONEY FROM PEOPLE, EVEN A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITE AGAINST THEM. I would like to be included in this process. I was advised by another attorney that a " Release of Judgement '' should be filed. Please advise.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-04-05

Harrison Township, MI

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Credit card

Threatened to take legal action
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2017-04-04

7 Corners, VA

Disclosure verification of debt

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

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-29

Decatur, GA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

Called after sent written cease of comm
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-27

Manhattan, NY

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

Frequent or repeated calls
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-20

MO

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Non-federal student loan

Debt is not mine
Complaint: It appears that an old student loan that I have received confirmation from the original creditor was marked as a paid keeps being resold and I keep having the issue reported on my credit reports. I disputed the validity through the credit reporting agency but the debt collector reported the date was valid. I sent a certified letter to most recent debt collector Weltman Weinberg Reis on XX/XX/2017 requesting information about the alleged debt. They have not replied to my letter and the entries are still on my credit reports.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2017-03-18

Dallas, TX

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Auto

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: these company is trying to collect a debt that is 12 years old. It was a lease return in XXXX to XXXX XXXX. They sent me a bill I refused to pay. XXXX charge it off as a profit and loss for tax purpose. This was well past statue of limitation I filed Chapter XXXX in XXXX XXXX and XXXX was part of the creditors matrix. They agreed to 28 % of balance in the Chapter XXXX and accepted payments. I dismissed the XXXX in XXXX XXXX and over two years now they have forwarded my account the this firm to collect the balance that is inflated. They have no legal recourse it is 15 years old just scam artist trying to XXXX mw. I sent them Cease and Desist and asked them to never contact me again. Really XXXX should concern them self with the destruction on innocent people on the XXXX airbag issue.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-08

Bellingham, WA

Disclosure verification of debt

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

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-07

Hazlehurst, GA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Non-federal student loan

Used obscene/profane/abusive language
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-03-04

Philadelphia, PA

Delinquent account

Credit card:

Complaint: I had an account with XXXX XXXX when i was going through a bad divorce, i fell behind and the account was charged off and sent to collections. i am now trying to settle this account with the law firm handling the collection and they are n't giving me any information, XXXX has my balance at XXXX and this law firm is trying to charge me XXXX they wont give me a break down of the charges that got them to that number and they stated that they are charging me interest on this. i would like any help you could give, the law firm handling this matter is Weltman , Weinberg & Reis XXXX ex XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response