Is Gerald E. Moore and Associates Calling You?*

Is Gerald E. Moore and Associates calling you? Here’s what you need to know.

When you fall behind in your bill payments, chances are that you’re already stressed and feeling out of control. So when your accounts are turned over to a third-party debt collector and the calls begin, you may do anything to make it stop, including agree to payment arrangements you can’t afford. At such an emotional time, it’s easy to forget that you have rights and protections under the law.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was enacted in 1977 to curb abusive debt collection tactics. It protects consumers by prohibiting debt collectors from using tactics like the following to collect a debt:

• Calling you at inconvenient times, such as before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. your time
• Calling you at work after you make it clear that your boss doesn’t allow such calls
• Swearing and yelling to intimidate you into paying
• Threatening to have you arrested or sent to prison
• Calling non-stop with the intention of annoying and harassing you
• Discussing the debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney
• Ignoring your request to cease communications

Company Profile: Gerald E. Moore and Associates

Some debt collectors act as if the FDCPA doesn’t exist. Gerald E. Moore & Associates is a law office in Atlanta, GA, that specializes in debt collection. It also maintains a network of attorneys throughout the country who act for it in areas where the firm’s lawyers are not licensed. Records kept by the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website turn up multiple instances of Gerald E. Moore & Associates being a defendant in FDCPA violation cases.

Next Steps to Take

The phone number for Gerald E. Moore & Associates is 1-866-252-9284. If this number appears on your caller ID, be warned that a debt collector is trying to contact you. If they speak to you in a dismissive or condescending manner, make unrealistic payment demands, or call you at work after you’ve asked them not to, see a consumer attorney.

Under the FDCPA, Gerald E. Moore & Associates must stop contacting you after you engage legal counsel with regards to the debt. An attorney will also help you sue them if the unethical tactics continue, and you could be compensated up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as actual damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees. You have rights, and should not hesitate to use them.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 3:13-cv-05060-PGS-DEA from United States District Court, District of New Jersey.

Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Gerald E. Moore & Associates or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.