Are You Being Called By McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc.?*

Are you being Called by McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc.?* Here’s what you need to know.

Some collectors cross the line and use threats or harassing tactics to try to get you to pay what they are demanding. Knowing how to deal with abusive collectors can keep you from being tricked or bullied into a payment you can’t afford. Read on to learn more about your rights in this regard.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed in September 1977 to prevent collection agencies from harassing consumers. Forty years later this consumer protection law still prohibits hostile and deceptive collection tactics like the following:

• Raising their voice and making threats they have no intention of following up on
• Refusing to prove that a debt is valid and they are authorized to collect it
• Threatening to damage your reputation and credit rating
• Ignoring a formal cease communications request
• Calling at all hours of the day and night
• Using profane and obscene language

Company Profile: McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc.

If you are being called by McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc., information about the company is below.

McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc. is a debt collection office located in Austin, Texas. It was established in 2004, has approximately 10 employees, and is managed by its President, Michael P. Rozzen. A close examination of consumer-inspired lawsuits digitized and retained by the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that many consumers who believed they were being harassed by McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc. refused to back down and pay. Instead, they fought back in court.

Alleged Violations against McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc.

Cathy Knox vs. McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc. et al*

According to PACER, beginning in March 2012, McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc collectors, including individuals who identified themselves as “Richard Schumaker” and “Mike Rozen,” allegedly placed repeated and continuous collection calls to Texas resident Cathy Knox. The alleged debt belonged to her deceased mother, but Mike Rosen” allegedly claimed that if she did not pay her mother’s debt, she would be responsible for attorney’s fees and court costs incurred by the company. In a separate conversation, “Richard Shumaker” allegedly claimed to be a private investigator, and said that he was taking pictures of her mother’s house for purposes of securing payment through judgment and that he was “on his way”.

Feeling harassed by McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc., Ms. Cox hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt
• Harassing her by phone
• Pretending to be a private investigator
• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Threatening legal action which could not be taken

The matter was later resolved.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this debt collection company are as follows:

• 1-512-420-0677
• 1-866-296-0677

If you are interrupted by an incoming call from either of these numbers, be aware that you are being called by McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc.. If they deceive, threaten, and harass you to obtain payment, hire a consumer attorney who can assist you in filing a claim against McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc.. If you win your case, you could potentially receive an award $1,000 per FDCPA violation in addition to court costs and attorney fees. Fighting for your rights with the aid of an experienced attorney warns debt collectors that when they go too far, consequences await.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:13-cv-00274-DAE from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

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 McKenzie, Paul & Associates, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.