Are You Being Called By Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc.?*

Are you being called by Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc.?* Here’s what you need to know.

Judging from the headlines, it seems that many third-party debt collectors will do absolutely anything to settle a debt. They call you incessantly, approach your employer and co-workers, and threaten legal action, all the while hoping that you’ll never clue in that you have rights and what they are doing is illegal.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

Prior to 1977, abusive debt collectors were making so many consumers declare bankruptcy that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, was passed. This consumer protection law makes it illegal for third-party debt collectors to use tactics like those below to intimidate you into paying.

• Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in the your time zone
• Maliciously reporting inaccurate information to the credit bureaus
• Trying to collect after you have formally disputed a debt
• Using profane and abusive language
• Discussing the debt with anyone but you, your spouse, your attorney, and any debt co-signers (if applicable)
• Refusing to validate the debt and prove that they are authorized to collect it

Company Profile: Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc.

If you are being called by Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc., information about the company is below.

Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Tampa, Florida. It was established in 1999, has less than 10 employees, and is managed by President, Martin Feyes. There have been numerous complaints against this company on consumer protection forums, and according to court files viewable at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, consumers who believed they were being harassed by Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc. sued the company to stop its communications and demands.

Alleged Violations against Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc.

Wesley Dale Rogers vs. Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc.*

According to PACER, on December 28, 2004, Alabama resident Wesley Dale Rogers contacted Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc. regarding a debt that had recently been assigned to it. He later complained that when he attempted to explain why the account had not been paid, he was greeted with extreme rudeness and hostility. The agent allegedly stated that this was not an “account” but rather a “bad check” and at that point, the call was disconnected.

When Mr. Rogers called back and said he wanted to settle this account, the agent allegedly said in a very rude and condescending manner, “Oh, so now you want to pay.” Mr. Rogers said that he had not received any notices because of his recent move. The agent allegedly responded, “That’s not my problem.”

Mr. Rogers asked for information on how to settle the account. The agent allegedly responded, “With cash.” When he asked if it was possible to make partial payments, the call was disconnected a second time.

Frustrated, Mr. Rogers called the collection agency that formerly held his account to verify that Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc. was an actual legitimate business because of the alleged belligerent and verbal abuse of the agent. An employee named “Grace” verified it was a genuine company but had received numerous complaints regarding its actions when attempting to collect a debt.

Feeling harassed by Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc., Mr. Rogers hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt
• Using profane and obscene language
• Using oppressive and harassing means to collect a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Threatening legal action that could not be taken

The matter was later resolved.

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for this collection agency is 1-813-226-0788. If you see it flashing on your caller ID in response to an incoming call, it means that you are being called by Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc.. If they are rude and verbally abusive during the debt collection process, hire a consumer attorney right away. If you file a claim against Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc., you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation. No matter how much you may owe, you still have rights that a collection agency cannot violate.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:05-cv-00002-WS-D from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Southern Division.

Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Murphy-Martin Recovery, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.