Is RJM Acquisitions Calling You?*

Is RJM Acquisitions calling you? Here’s what you need to know.

A challenging economy has caused many Americans to experience financial hardship. Some have even lost their jobs or experienced life situations that create financial problems, such as divorce, making it more difficult for them to pay their debts. It’s an unfortunate situation that has resulted in people being abused and harassed by collection agencies, even though the law prohibits unethical debt collection practices.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed on 1977 to protect consumers from predatory debt collectors. Those who were being hounded by third-party collection agencies could now demand validation of any debt, dispute it entirely, and tell the agency to stop calling them. Debt collectors were also penalized financially for pulling stunts like those listed below:

• Using the phone to harass someone (e.g. using an autodialer or calling and hanging up when the person answers)
• Failing or refusing to state in each communication that they are debt collectors trying to collect a debt
• Using obscene, profane, and threatening language
• Calling someone who has disputed the debt or ordered them not to call back
• Calling at inconvenient times and places
• Threatening legal actions they cannot take or have no intention of taking
• Discussing a debt with third parties other than their spouse, their attorney, or any co-signers

Despite the law, many debt collectors use whatever means they deem necessary to collect the debt.

RJM Acquisitions LLC is a collection agency located in Syosset, New York. It was established in 1996 and is a smaller agency with less than 10 employees according to its corporate profile on Manta.com. A search of the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system verifies that RJM Acquisitions LLC has been sued for allegedly breaching the FDCPA while attempting to collect debt payments.

Alleged FDCPA Violations

According to PACER, sometime before 2012 a Colorado resident incurred a financial obligation to the Bank of America that later went into default. Ms. Scott’s account was allegedly later purchased by RJM Acquisitions LLC, which proceeded to try collecting it.

In February 2013 RJM Acquisitions LLC allegedly communicated information regarding the account to Experian, Equifax and/or Transunion, credit reporting agencies, stating that the balance owing was $1,465. In February 2013 Ms. Scott spoke to RJM Acquisitions LLC representatives about this account, and was told that the information would stay on the credit bureau reports until it was paid off.

During this conversation, she disputed the account. She stated, “I don’t owe that much.” The representative allegedly replied, “That’s what the bank told us was owed.” They added, “What do you feel you owe?”

“Not that much,” Ms. Scott replied. She added, “I don’t know the exact amount but not that much. That’s too much….I don’t agree that I owe this.”

RJM Acquisitions LLC allegedly failed to advise Experian, Equifax and/or Transunion that the account was disputed, and now reported the outstanding balance as $1,445.

The complaint she filed via her attorney alleged that the actions of RJM Acquisitions LLC violated FDCPA 1692e preface, e(2)(A), e(8) and e(10) by using deceptive means to collect a debt. She also accused the company of using unfair means to collect or attempt to collect a debt in violation of FDCPA 1692f preface.

A judge later ordered RJM Acquisitions LLC to pay the consumer $2,000 plus attorney fees.

If the number 516-714-1310 appears on your caller ID, RJM Acquisitions LLC is trying to contact you about a debt you allegedly owe. If you dispute it, they are required to report that information to the credit bureaus. Failure to do so is a violation of the FDCPA, and could result in the company being ordered to pay you statutory damages, court costs, and attorney fees.

Do not let yourself be abused by unethical debt collectors: see an experienced consumer attorney, and force the agency to pay you instead.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 1:13-cv-01438-WYD-CBS, from United States District Court, District of Colorado

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