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Report: #189102

Complaint Review: Merchant's Credit Guide - Chicago Illinois

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: Somewhere in Georgia
  • Author Confirmed What's this?
  • Why?
  • Merchant's Credit Guide 223 W. Jackson Blvd Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.

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I have received several calls from this company. They are "offering" a settlement of over $7,000 less than what is being reported on an old debt. I don't deny the debt, but there are extinuatung circumstances involving it. But here is where it gets interesting...

I received a letter from the state about my retirement and pension information. The computers were hacked and my personal information was compromised back in Febuary '06. They told us, as state employees, to request our credit report and review it. I did. About the same time, I received the first of many calls from MCG (sometimes twice a day!) I told them to send this "offer" to me IN WRITING before I would do anything with them. They tried to get around it, but I won. I got the "offer" in writing.

I then started looking at the letter, I accessed this site (again, typing in the merchants credit guide, ripoffreports came up), then looked at my credit report from Experian. There was an "inquiry" on my report that just happens to be the same month of the security breach of the state computers! RED FLAG!!!!!! There is NO file on my credit report with them as the "collector". MCG isn't getting a CENT from me!

BTW, I try to type in merchantscreditguide on my address bar, the site can't be found.

Should be interesting when they call me after not getting their money. Wonder how long it will take them to get the message?

Tracey
Somewhere in, Georgia
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 04/28/2006 03:49 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/merchants-credit-guide/chicago-illinois-60606/merchants-credit-guide-ripoff-phishing-for-bad-credit-reports-chicago-illinois-189102. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
2Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#2 Consumer Suggestion

Tracey, File FTC complaints online..AND..

AUTHOR: Steve - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, May 01, 2006

Tracey,

Go to Ftc.gov and click on the file a complaint tab. It is quick and easy. Do this on each violation, as it is the number of complaints filed that initiates enforcement.

Also, read and print out the FDCPA and the FCRA while on the FTc site. They are both fairly short and only take a few pages to print.

Then send a CEASE COMMUNICATION letter as per your rights under the FDCPA. Send it by certified mail, return reciept requested.

Here is the contact info:
Agency Details

Merchants Credit Guide Co. aka/CFB Financial III, LLC
223 W. Jackson Blvd., #900
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 360-3000 888-249-4134-
Fax: (312) 360-3024
Also:
1308 State Highway37
West Frankfort, IL 62896
Phone: (618) 937-4665
Fax: (618) 932-6127

CFB Financial III, LLC
Barry P. Siegal, Agent for Service
55 W. Monroe St. #500
Record Office: 223 W. Jackson Blvd., #900
Chicago, IL 60606

Web Address: http://www.merchantscreditguide.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Check this out:
Head Debt Collectors:

Daniel F. Burtis, President

Michael Fromknecht, President

Gregory Fuchs, Vice President

Edwin S. Burtis, Secretary, Treasurer

Kenneth Hill, VP Operations

Bud Says?

Rarely has one organization generated the number of complaints that this one has. Consumers coast to coast are complaining about Merchants Credit Guide Co. attempting to collect on debts that are time barred by statute. Agency owner and President Greg Fuchs, Daniel F. and Edwin S. Burtis are a class action law suit waiting to happen. Merchants is a bottom-feeder who purchased and is attempting to collect on debts that are ten, twelve, fifteen years old and longer. These slimy dumpster divers have taken the slime to yet another low, with their illegal practices.

Merchants is collecting for it's own subsidiary; CFB Financial III, LLC (IL LLC) on debts so old, most are time barred by statute meaning they can no longer be litigated, they can no longer be placed on your credit reports and the slime at Merchants and CFB Financial can be sued for their illegal debt collection practices. Some Citibank accounts were originally charged off back in the 90's, which tells me that owner's Burtis likely paid just pennies for them. Their debt collectors are poorly trained, making threats of actions they cannot take and we are receiving many complaints of time barred debts appearing on credit reports. The good news is you can sue these idiots and may even be able to recoup legal fees in your suits. What the Burtis's are doing is not new or even unique, just a different spin on an old consumer scam, to rip off unsuspecting consumers. Consumers a warned NOT to fall victim of the scam.

Now is the time for consumers to go after this low-life, sleazy bottom feeders that lie and steal money they are NOT entitled to. Anyone having inside information on Burtis and the lawbreakers who work for him get in touch with me. We are seeking any information available on Fuchs & Burtis such as where they live, what they drive, church, organizations, family, connections, anything at all, get it to us. This also includes the sleazy employees working there; let's focus on them to see who and what they are, when they are not on a crime spree. Many complaints are for accounts consumers do not even owe, however the idiots at MCG have a lot of trouble understanding that. Wonder what their drug testing policy is?

Anyone being contacted by Merchants Credit Guide is urged to NEVER send them money, they are a scam. All of the debts they are attempting to collect appear to illegal. You do NOT legally have to pay on a debt that is time barred. If Merchants Credit Guide Co. has accessed or placed information on your credit bureau report(s), they may have committed a crime. You may be able to collect a fee of $1,000 from them AND have Merchants Credit Guide pay your attorney fees.

Fuchs, Burtis and their goons are liars and con men, let's hold them accountable. If you need a good consumer attorney, I recommend the experts at: www.naca.net

You may want to consider legal actions against Fuch, Burtis and Merchants if warranted. Tape record their calls (where legal) as tapes go a long way in court settlements. This group of dumpster slime won't be around long, let's hasten their demise by going after their illegal debt collection practices.

Contact me if you have personal information on Gregory Fuchs, Edwin S. and Daniel Burtis or the other goons working at Merchants Credit Guide Co and CFB Financial III.

I also recommend you visit the Ripoff Report for more: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff171912.htm

AND: http://chipford.com/ripoff/merchants.htm

Compliments of: budhibbs.com
I hope this helps. Check ot all of the other complaints on Rip Off Report on these goons.

Good luck.

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#1 Author of original report

I think I wee wee'd in their cornflakes!

AUTHOR: Tracey - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, May 01, 2006

They called today. I spoke with "Rich". I told him upon receiving their letter, I also received my credit report and they were not the agency of record. He yelled at me telling me that the company in Atlanta didn't have my file they did. I was like, well that is not what my credit report says, I go by that. He then hung up on me!

I'm fixing to send them a nice letter telling them not to contact me again. AND I am recording the dates and times that they call, and any times that they don't leave a voicemail, but call 2-3 times a day.

Time to file with the BBB and what ever other agency there is!

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