Benjamin Chaise & Associates treats clients like a serial debtor West Hills CA

I contacted Benjamin Chaise & Associates after a colleague recommended them to assist with debt collection. After speaking with Adam Greene, he sent me the following email:

"It was a pleasure speaking with you.

This is Adam Greene from the offices of Benjamin, Chaise & Associates. We are the nation's premier international debt recovery service provider. Our company offers a contingency-based debt collection service.

With years of well-versed experience, our goal is to recover your monies in the least amount of time possible.

By providing us with your past-due accounts, it will leave you more time to focus on your future business while we get you the old monies that you are still entitled to. We will take on any accounts over $500.00."

Initially, they took on a case that ultimately went unresolved for over a year. After making no progress, they offered to file a lawsuit after 2–3 months, but only if I paid $1,000 upfront, with no guarantee of recovery. At that point, it became clear their approach lacked both effectiveness and transparency.

More recently, I returned to them regarding a second client who owed a balance to both me and my colleague. This time, I spoke with Michael Hoffman. I explained the scenario and provided all requested documentation in a well-organized Dropbox folder, which included subfolders containing invoices, proof of partial payments, WhatsApp message exports, screenshots, and PDF files. Michael indicated the organization was confusing for them, so I created a dedicated folder for open invoices—essentially walking them through the process.

When a representative named Melanie Blanco contacted me, she stated she was unable to find proof of payment noted on an invoice. I directed her to the WhatsApp Export folder and reiterated that everything had already been provided. She told me she had reviewed the folder and only found messages. I then asked her if she had seen the screenshots and PDFs, even copying it into another folder for easier access. Only then did she acknowledge the file and claim: "This file was not in the folder before." I responded saying  all of this was provided  and she needed to actually look through the folder and look at the files. 

Shortly after, I received an email from Brianna Ross, Compliance Manager, stating:

The call you had earlier today with our representative, Melanie, was completely out of line and exhibited a level of unprofessionalism that we cannot and will not tolerate. Melanie was contacting you simply to clarify the information you submitted, so you could properly validate your claim. We are not magicians. Without proper clarification and accurate documentation regarding your accounts, it becomes extremely difficult—if not impossible—for our office to effectively assist you. We were not present when the events surrounding the debt occurred, and without all the necessary details aligned, we cannot properly engage or communicate with the debtor on your behalf. 

While we value every client relationship, we do not depend on any single account—especially when no payment has been made for services rendered. It is important to remember that our office did not solicit your business; you contacted us seeking assistance. We extended our services on a contingency basis to help you recover a past-due balance, not to be subjected to patronizing or disrespectful behavior.

After more than 2.5 years on the initial file and minimal progress on either account, they dropped the case, stating they were unable to collect. In reality, everything they requested had already been provided, and I was left with the impression that their team was disorganized, inconsistent, and far from proactive.

Additionally, it seems that when their representatives are proven wrong or corrected, the company is quick to deflect blame or accuse clients of misconduct—rather than taking accountability for poor internal communication or oversight.

My experience with Benjamin Chaise & Associates has been disappointing. Despite providing complete documentation and consistent follow-ups, the lack of communication, poor case handling, and ultimate failure to deliver results raise serious concerns about their reliability as a collection agency.

For reference, here is an excerpt from an email I received from Michael Hoffman (extension 594):

It was a pleasure speaking with you! This is Michael Hoffman from the offices of Benjamin, Chaise & Associates, the nation's premier international debt recovery service. We specialize in fast, effective, contingency-based debt collection, allowing you to focus on what matters most—growing your business.

With years of experience, we are committed to recovering your money in the shortest time possible. By entrusting us with your past-due accounts, you can focus on future business opportunities while we recover the old funds you are still entitled to. We handle accounts over $500.00 in total amount owed.

Our standard collection contingency rate is 35%. However, to kickstart our partnership quickly, I’m pleased to offer you a reduced rate of just 30% to get the ball rolling. This is a limited-time offer, so I encourage you to take advantage of it promptly!

Furthermore, while the standard success rate for other agencies typically ranges from 20% to 30%, our success rate stands impressively between 65% and 80%. This is due to our tenacious proprietary techniques, which enable us to recover more for our clients.

Getting started is easy! Simply reply to this email with an invoice showing the balance due, and I will promptly send you our authorization forms for your signature. Depending on your preference, these can be emailed or faxed.

Our goal is clear: to swiftly and efficiently recover your past-due accounts and ensure you receive what you are owed as soon as possible.

To learn more about our services, please visit www.benjaminchaise.com.

If you have any questions, contact me directly at (844) 733-4770, Ext. 594.

I look forward to your prompt response to ensure timely action!

Unfortunately, my experience did not reflect the professionalism, clarity, or success rate they claim to offer.