Are You Being Called By Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC?*

Are you being called by Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC?* Here’s what you need to know.

It’s not surprising that debt collectors have a widespread and negative reputation, as the collection tactics they use are often legally questionable. The amount of yearly complaints to the Federal Trade Commission is all it takes to confirm that illegal collection tactics are practically the norm. Fortunately, the law is on your side.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, was passed in September 1977 after hundreds of consumers opted to go bankrupt rather than deal with debt collectors any longer. It made the activities like those below illegal when committed while collecting or attempting to collect a debt.

• Using profane or obscene language
• Discussing the debt with anyone except the consumer, their spouse, their attorney, and / or any co-signers
• Discussing the debt with your family, friends, and co-workers
• Failing to identify themselves during each communication as a debt collector seeking to collect a debt
• Pretending to be police officers, government officials, or any other law enforcement figure
• Harassing you even after you dispute a debt

Company Profile: Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC

If you are being called by Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC, information about the company is below.

Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC, is a debt collection agency located in Atlanta, Georgia. A specialist in payday loan collections, It was established in 2009, has less than 10 employees, and is managed by owners Wyteria Dorsey and Michael Thornton. In February 2012, the company entered into a settlement worth $15.5 Million Settlement with the Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection after thousands of consumers complained of abusive treatment. Civil litigation records viewable at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that many consumers who believed they were being harassed by Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC sued the company and in some cases received generous-sized awards.

Alleged Violations against Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC

Plaintiff vs. Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC et al*

According to PACER, on or around January 12, 2012, an Illinois resident received a phone call from a Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC representative named Megan Cox in an attempt to collect a debt. Ms. Cox told her that she was attempting to collect a consumer debt owed to DJR Group in the amount of $450.00. When Ms. Ballard replied that she had retained an attorney regarding her debts, Ms. Cox allegedly replied that she must pay the debt or make payment arrangements immediately.

On or around January 16, 2012, a collector who identified himself as Agent Jones allegedly called the Plaintiff’s workplace and left a message stating that a fraud investigation had been started against her because of the outstanding debt owed to DJR Group. He allegedly added that if she did not pay that day, he would pass her case to the Solicitor’s office to garnish her wages and she would have a felony on her record.

On or around February 12, 2012, Agent Jones called again and allegedly told The Plaintiff that unless she made immediate payment arrangements, she would arrested for a felony. He also alleged threatened to contact her HR department and let them know how she acted, as well as have her in “front of the judge.”

Feeling harassed by Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC, The Plaintiff hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA by:

• Using abusive language
• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt
• Failing to identify itself as a debt collector in all communications
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Harassing her by phone

A judge later awarded The Plaintiff $3,000 in damages, $6,833 in attorney’s fees, and $570 in costs.

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for this collection agency is 1-877-774-3597. If you see it on your caller ID when the phone rings, it means that you are being called by Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC. If they use abusive language and threaten to have you arrested if you don’t pay immediately, hire a consumer attorney. If you file a claim against Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC, with your attorney’s help and win, you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation, as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and damages. An attorney will help you protect the rights that the law grants to you as an indebted consumer.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case: 1:12-cv-01243 from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern 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 Dorsey Thornton and Associates LLC, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.