Called By Collins Law Offices, LLC? Here’s What to Know*

Called By Collins Law Offices, LLC? Here’s What to Know*

In a difficult economic climate, many consumers find it impossible to pay their debts. Some of them are chased by debt collectors who scream, threaten, and even expose the debtor to their friends and family. When debt collectors go this far, you have grounds to sue.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, protects consumers when third-party debt collectors become too ambitious and aggressive. It prohibits the use of methods like the following to coerce you into paying.

• Threatening legal actions they cannot take,
• Revealing details about the debt to anyone but you, your spouse, or attorney
• Telling you that you can be arrested and imprisoned if you do not pay
• Contacting you directly even after you’ve hired an attorney
• Disguising the fact that they are debt collectors
• Using profane and obscene language

Company Profile: Collins Law Offices, LLC

If you are being called by Collins Law Offices, LLC, a firm overview is below.

Collins Law Offices, LLC is a debt collection law office in Tonawanda, New York. It opened for business in 2005, has fewer than 10 employees, and is managed by owner Timothy Collins. Legal records at the PACER website suggest that consumers who believed that they were being harassed by Collins Law Offices, LLC obtained counsel to help them fight back.

Alleged Violations against Collins Law Offices, LLC*

According to information on the PACER website, in or around September 2006, Collins Law Offices, LLC began calling an Arizona consumer to collect a credit card debt.

On or about December 12, 2006, a collector allegedly left a voice message stating that he needed to talk to the consumer that day concerning some legal proceedings, and that if he did not hear from him today, he would be signing off on the paperwork to be submitted to the Pima County Clerk’s office.

Another voice message was received on or about December 21, 2006. This one essentially repeated the December 12 message. It was followed by a similar call on or about January 5, 2007.

When the consumer called back, a collector allegedly told him that the original balance on the account was $486.00, but that with interest and penalties, and court costs and attorney’s fees, the balance was now at $8,200.00.

This party allegedly demanded that he make payment arrangements on the account, and suggested that he either borrow the money from a relative or from his 401k plan, or pay with his upcoming tax return. When the consumer refused to do so, the collector allegedly became threatening and abusive towards him and made fun of his heart condition.

When told that his employer might fire him if his wages were garnished, the consumer provided some postdated checks, but later engaged an attorney and put a stop payment on them. Collins Law Offices allegedly agreed to “remove the post-dated checks we have on file” but tried to cash at least one afterward.

Feeling harassed by Collins Law Offices, LLC, the consumer took action by suing the company for:

• Using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

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Hire a Consumer Lawyer

The phone number for this debt collection agency is 1-716-622-4395. If you ever see it on your caller ID, it means that Collins Law Offices, LLC is trying to collect from you. If they use abusive and stressful tactics to get you to pay a debt, hire a consumer lawyer and file a claim against Collins Law Offices, LLC. You could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation. When it comes to consumer rights, even debt collection attorneys must obey the law or face consequences.

Additional Resources

• Your rights under the FDCPA
• Free FDCPA Evaluation!

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 4:07-cv-00057-DCB from the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

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 Collins Law Offices, LLC or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.