Berkley Klein Associates, Elite Billing, Mike Matthews Threatened court action, arrest, imprisonment if I didn't pay a disputed debt from years ago Internet 

On April 17, 2013, I received a call from a number that was identified as Milwaukee County, and the caller identified himself as a deputy sheriff.  He claimed he needed my current address in order to serve a summons to appear in court.  I provided the information, believing I was legally required to do so, and asked if he knew what this was about.  He said he did not, but gave me a toll free number (listed elsewhere in this report) to call and see if I could resolve the matter before he had drive out and serve me with the summons.

The number I was given answered as Berkley Klein Associates, and I was transferred to someone who said his name was Mike Matthews.  He confirmed the previous caller's identity as a deputy sheriff, and said they were taking legal action against me for check fraud in 2010.  He said that, if I did not resolve the matter immediately, legal action would continue, and that I could be arrested, jailed, and sent to prison if convicted.  Being 100% disabled due to a work injury in early 2011, and the fact that it appeared I was contacted initially by a law enforcement officer, I decided it would be better to deal with these people rather than go through the logistical nightmare of having to go to court.  For the life of me, I had no idea I had bounced a check, nothing shows up on any bank statements I can find.

After repeated questioning, Matthews revealed that CashNet USA was claiming I owed them $1,295, and that Berkley Klein was a lawfirm representing CashNet USA in the pending legal action against me for check fraud.  He said that CashNet USA had opted to go that route to collect on the debt, since multiple electronic checks were rejected and the account was found to be closed on electronic checks I allegedly authorized authorized.  As with another report regarding collections on behalf of CashNet USA, this smelled like a scam at this point, but this was allegedly a law firm, and I had every reason to believe that I had been contacted by law enforcement to deal with this immediately.  During the course of the conversation, Matthews led me to believe he and the firm he worked for were located in upstate New York.

So, I explained I was disabled and on SSDI, and that this disability made it extremely difficult, at best, to appear in court.  He said I could avoid any further legal action if I paid the $1,295 their client claims I owe them.  Eventually, we hammered out a payment plan to resolve the debt.  About the only smart thing I did was use a credit card that expired the following month.  I had also asked for a few things in writing, including proof of the debt owed, proof of who they were, and proof they had CashNet USA's authority to collect the debt on their behalf.

As of this date, nothing has been received in writing.  Matthews called back yesterday, from 210-446-4708.  He had previously said Berkley Klein was in New York, but the call was from San Antonio, TX?  The message he left on my machine was that he was seeking a replacement credit card number,  When I tried to call that number, as well as the toll free one, both went to voice mail.  I checked my credit card statement, and the transaction from them for a payment shows the name Elite Billing POS.  A company named Elite Billing is being investigated in my area for scams and fraud, if anyone can find them.  I then called CashNet USA directly, and asked them what was going on.  They denied any knowledge or relationship of any kind with Berkley Klein, Elite Billing, or Legal Services.  

I'm in the process of finding out what my legal remedies are.