MRS Associates Violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Harassment, Threat of unintended legal action, and did not validate debt after several written requests Cherry Hill New Jersey

This company stated that I owed over $6000 more than I truly owed. They called me at work after being notified on several occasions that I could not receive calls at work. They did not validate the debt after several written requests. They threatened legal action on multiple occasions over a 5 month span. The company failed to respond to an investigation by the Attorney Generals Office. I was sick of their deliberate, willingness to operate outside of the law.

After research on the Fair Debt Collection Practices, I decided that I would eventually "win" this. I made several attempts to resolve this and when I was finally told that when the Legal Counsel (Mr. McCusker) would get back to me when he felt I was a priority by the Operations Manager, Phillip Bonds, I decided to make myself a priority.

I Sued MRS for several violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Although I could have hired an attorney and sued in District Court (for a lot more money), I opted to file in Small Claims Court to avoid dragging this out and avoiding legal fees. For the small filing fee of $40, and a half day of work, I enjoyed the satisfaction of hearing this company admit to doing wrong and they offered me an out of court settlement!

The attorney that MRS sent to the hearing stated MRS had never received a written request for validation of debt. I had kindly copied for MRS and the Judge the 3 written requests for validation of debt that I had sent MRS. It was then that the attorney began to understand he wasn't meeting a toothless, idiot that he could pull the wool on.

When he made the first and second offer of settlement, my response to him was "The judge will be calling this case soon. I am not desperate and this is strictly principal. This company willingly, knowingly and deliberately operated out side of the law." Then I waited for his response. He decided to get on the phone with his client so he could get authorization for a little higher settlement.

Although I know the amount settled upon is a drop in the bucket and it still has not resolved the way they treat others, I strongly recommend filing a suit of your own. It will atleast make you feel better to be able to see a little bit of justice. Maybe if enough people stand up to these jerks, they will learn they are not above the law and must operate within the boudaries set-forth by our government.

Had Mr. McCusker simply answered my calls and responded in a courteous, professional way, they would have never had to write a check to me! By the way the settlement is not signed, maybe I should request a direct apology for the blatent lack of respect presented to me before I sign off on the settlement. By the way - Mr. McCusker and MRS - Thanks for paying my house payment this month! Yours Truly -

T
Louisville, Kentucky
U.S.A.