Is Thomas George Associates Ltd calling you? Here’s what you need to know.
If you are so deep in debt that many of your accounts have gone into arrears, eventually debt collectors will start to call. And keep calling, as getting your money is part of their job. Don’t let them intimidate you into payment arrangements you can’t afford, however. If they pressure you, you have the legal right to tell them to stop.
Your Rights Under the FDCPA
Debt collectors can be persistent and even hostile when trying to collect, making it easy to forget you have rights as an indebted consumer. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, prohibits the use of harassing collection tactics like the following:
- Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. your time
- Calling you at work when they know that your employer prohibits such calls
- Trying to collect an amount not authorized by law or by the original creditor agreement
- Using profane or obscene language
- Threatening you with consequences or actions they can’t legally take or have no intention of taking
- Calling non-stop with the intention of annoying and harassing you
- Using profane or obscene language
![Thomas George Associates Ltd. Harassment Lawyer]()
Company Profile: Thomas George Associates Ltd
Thomas George Associates Ltd is an insurance carrier and collection agency located in East Northport, New York. It was established in 1970 and is a family-owned business run by David T. Vacca, Managing General Partner. A search of court records at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, indicates that Thomas George Associates Ltd has been accused of collection practices that violate the FDCPA.
Alleged Violations against Thomas George Associates Ltd
Michele Cassale vs. Thomas George Associates Ltd
On or about January 13th, 2016 Thomas George Associates Ltd sent a collection letter to Michigan resident Michele Cassale attempting to collect a debt allegedly owed to Guardian Life Insurance. Ms. Cassale had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in July 2014 and included this particular obligation. She was ultimately discharged on October 15, 2014.
Because she no longer legally owed the debt, Ms. Cassale refused to pay it. She hired an attorney and filed a lawsuit accusing Thomas George Associates Ltd of the following FDCPA violations:
- Making false representations and utilizing deceptive means in an attempt to collect a debt
- Using unfair or unconscionable means to collect a discharged debt.
The matter was later dismissed.
Hire an Attorney
The phone numbers for Thomas George Associates Ltd are 1-631-261-8896 and 1-800-443-8338. If either number shows up on your caller ID when the phone rings, it means that a debt collector is attempting to reach you. If they insist on attempting to collect a debt discharged by an earlier bankruptcy, hire a consumer attorney. Pressuring you about an uncollectable debt is against the law, and a judge could order the agency to pay you $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. Never assume that owing money means you have to tolerate mistreatment: the law confirms otherwise.
*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 4:16-cv-10984-LVP-APP from United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
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 Thomas George Associates, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.