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Report: #378415

Complaint Review: Paul J Hooten & Associates - Mount Sinai New York

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  • Reported By: New York New York
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  • Paul J Hooten & Associates 5505 Nesconset HighWay Mount Sinai, New York U.S.A.

Paul J Hooten & Associates Research OLD Judgements beyond the Statue of limitations. They are bottom Feeders and need to be put out of business. Mount Sinai New York

*Consumer Comment: Paul J Hooten is not doing anything unlawful!!

*Consumer Suggestion: Get a new lawyer.

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I pulled up to the gas pump Friday Morning on my way to work, swipped my debit card and much to my surprise it was not approved...so I tried again and a third time receiving the same results. I called my bank to tell them there was a problem with my card (I had deposited $750.00 plus what I had in there so I know what my balance was) The Bank told me there was a hold on my account, I demanded to know from who and why and for what, she said the only thing she had was a legal document that stated if we did not put a hold on your account we would be liable for some criminal act or something to that effect. She told me the hold was placed by Paul Hooten & Associates it was for over Eight thousand Dollars. I had no idea what this was for or why I was not warned or made awaren of this, I was not served papers for court and knew this had to be a huge mistake.

I called Paul J Hootens office and spoke to some woman, Paul Hooten was not available. I had given my name and information, she pulled up a file that said I had two Judgements one in 1997 for $1,400 and the other in 2001 for $2,466.00 plus fees late charges and all the other extras they tac on that totaled over $8,000.00, I told her to give me the information she had, she told me one was for a Hospital bill that was unpaid and the other was from a doctor but could not give me their contact information and when I asked when they hired them she paused and with a nervous sounding voice she said we were hired by C Tek and not directly from the people on her list. I told her thank you for being helpfull and proceeded to call the court to find out who and what they had on file. The one from 1997 was a bill for anesthesiology which my Insurance carrier obviously did not pay and the other was for my doctor who abandoned me 3-4 weeks prior to me giving birth to my First born. Which by the way is malpractice and he could lose his licence for doing what he did. 2 weeks prior to that we went over his bill and he said "not to worry I always bill higher to the insurance company, so just give me $2,500.00 and we'll be even" so we did (Paid In Full!) There must have been a mix up with his office because they were still showing a balance higher than what it really was, long story short we never went to court and we just left it alone. It took us 11 years to find out I had a Judgement, I called his office and the girl said "WE HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS" This was also the case with the Hospital, well we knew this when we sold our house that was one of the bills we had to pay in 2001. If there was a judgement it should have come off.

So after extensive research I found out that Paul J. Hooten gets a hold of these old list of claims does not check them out to see if their valid, and sends out a mass mailing of levy's to various banks with the old docket numbers. Talk about bottom feeders!

I'll be at my Bank first thing Monday morning to give them a heads up on this crook and have them remove the hold then I'm filing a law suit against Paul J. Hooten. PS: IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR ANY MEDICAL PROFESSION TO COLLECT ANY MONIES DUE THEM AFTER 6 YEARS. A LAWER TOLD ME THIS.

SHAME ON YOU!.... PAUL J HOOTEN

anonymous
New York, New York
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 10/04/2008 10:53 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/paul-j-hooten-associates/mount-sinai-new-york-11766/paul-j-hooten-associates-research-old-judgements-beyond-the-statue-of-limitations-they-378415. 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:
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#2 Consumer Comment

Paul J Hooten is not doing anything unlawful!!

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

POSTED: Friday, December 26, 2008

I had a similar situation happen to me. I went to buy groceries a couple months back and my debit card wouldn't go through. I wondered why, because I pay all of my bills and didn't think that I had any outstanding debts. It turns out that Paul J Hooten's office had a levy on my bank account as well!

I tried calling the office, and I got the voicemail too. I never got a phone call back, but when I called again, I was able to speak to a representative. At first I did not know what to expect, I was only given Paul Hooten's name and phone number from my bank, and had no idea what this was for!

It turns out that I had a surgery a few years ago, and the anesthesia was never paid for by my insurance company. The lady in Paul's office gave me the court information and I went to re-open the case. I thought that Paul Hooten was doing the same thing that happened to you, but I found out at the court date that it was all legit. I was told that my insurance company did not pay and left me responsible for the bill. Apparently, several attempts were made to contact me, but I moved and they never got my new address.

It was a few years later when I found out! Paul Hooten's office was helpful and directed me to taking care of the bill. Even though I thought the bill was paid, it never was, and left me paying a lot more than I should have.

I consulted an attorney who told me that a judgment is a legal document that displays the debted amount owed, and is enforceable for 20 years!! It certainly was not Paul Hooten's fault, he was just trying to collect the money back for his clients and I completely understand what you are going through! And, my attorney showed me the Suffolk County Clerk's website that you can search your judgment online! A judgment is public record and can hurt your credit.

I would suggest contacting Paul Hooten's office and being very nice to them on the phone. If you call screaming or yelling, they will probably just hang up on you! Explain to them the situation, and what you can do to resolve the bill. If you're like me, had a surgery and insurance who didn't pay, maybe you should go after the insurance company and not Paul Hooten's office!

Thank you, Paul Hooten, for resolving this matter professionally. I would say to pay the bill as soon as possible, to clear your name and your debt. You are the one who had the surgery and you are the one who is responsible for following up on the bill to make sure everybody is paid. You're probably like me - I got many letters from the anesthesia company and never called them to ask why they were billing me. I thought that it was paid when they stopped harassing me, but it turns out that Paul Hooten was trying to collect.

Good luck with your judgment and your bank account! Once you find out what it's for, you should get your credit report and see if any other judgments or collection items are on it, and if so, contact the company or lawyers office to resolve them. Not only will you make a good faith effort to clear your debts, but you will clean your credit report and your name wont be smeared.

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#1 Consumer Suggestion

Get a new lawyer.

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

POSTED: Sunday, October 05, 2008

""I'll be at my Bank first thing Monday morning to give them a heads up on this crook and have them remove the hold then I'm filing a law suit against Paul J. Hooten. PS: IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR ANY MEDICAL PROFESSION TO COLLECT ANY MONIES DUE THEM AFTER 6 YEARS. A LAWER TOLD ME THIS.""

Not correct as you stated. The statute of limitations for most medical debt (as well as other consumer debt) in NY is 6 years. HOWEVER, once they win a money judgment against you that changes.

Your report indicates that there are TWO money judgments against you. The statute of limitations for ANY money judgment in New York State (small claims or higher court) is TWENTY YEARS (from the date of the award.)

If there are judgments against you, as you indicated in your report, the bank CANNOT remove the holds. The holds are most likely the result of an enforcement order from the court. You need to hire a competent attorney ASAP!

When a judgment goes UNPAID, it is normal for the plaintiff to request ENFORCEMENT of the judgment from the court that granted the judgment. Enforcement orders can include any/all of the following:

levy against bank accounts (as you've just learned.)
lien against any property of value; auto, boat, RV, etc.
lien against any real property.
levy against any State income tax refunds.
garnishment of wages.
levy against State lottery winnings (when the prize is over $1000.)

Also, money judgments may be bought and sold and remain valid and enforceable after the sale.

I suggest you consult with a competent attorney and follow up this matter quickly before any additional enforcement orders are put into place.

Good luck.

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