Paul Stassinos Law Office, Bella Ward fraudulent billing, requesting fees not entitled Fair Oaks California

After measurements for dental work, was dismissed as patient because I could not make it to appointment after being measured for crowns, repair, etc. Permanent disability, chronic pain prohibited me from returning at that time and after missing two appointments, received notification that dentist was dismissing me as a patient.

Still wanting to continue with this dentist, I called to explain why I was out of touch having missed the appointment in which we were to go over the treatment plan, I was graciously invited to return and continue with my dental health goals I agreed once I was well.

During this time, I was quite ill and primarily confined to bed when I received a letter from the Law Office of Paul Stassinos informing me that payment for my last appointment had not cleared the bank. It requested remittance of the $118.00 plus $25.00. I contacted the number on the letter which was a PO box in Fair Oaks and during this call when I attempted to explain that I was not aware that the check had not cleared because mother and fiance was helping with mail, bills, etc.

Considering that the previous appointment was primarily evaluation which included procedures necessary for the measurement for crowns, veneers, and other dental repair, I wanted to know the details of the visit. Were there aspects of those procedures that were still pending considering I had not returned for presentation of the treatment plan? By association I wanted verification of what the bill covered. I explained that I would be corresponding in writing asking to verify what the debt entailed, but needed a short time due to health.

During this conversation, I didn't completely finish anything I attempted because after the first couple of sentences the reply I received from Bella Ward was, I'm sick of hearing that. I did however offer my phone number which was not previously available and said I would followup, which I did.

I called again in approximately three weeks to make sure they were aware of my situation and when I spoke to Ms. Ward was subjected to further rude commentary that was little more than brow beating. Also, the $118.00 bill no longer reflected the additional $25.00 that was on the original letter from previous month and I was now being told to pay in excess of $500.00.

In the next two calls that I made to the law office, I requested that I not speak to the same person and followed up with Tanya who identified herself as the receptionist. She was very polite both times, remembering my previous call and explanation. When I told her I was feeling better and would be sending correspondence within the next week or so, she told me she would make a note of my call in my record.

Four days later, I left a message for Bella Ward to inform her that a letter was going out the next day. I received a call back the next afternoon and was told to pay over $500.00, adding something to the effect of how nice it must be if she could decide not to make her car payment. She repeatedly referred to payment owing in excess of $500.00 and asked, do you want me to file the lawsuit papers, do you, do you? I attempted yet again to question or converse but was interrupted with cheeky comments as though she were the only one in the conversation. Why can't you do this, wouldn't it be nice if I were able to do, should I just go ahead and file papers....etc. I could not stand further frustration and had to hang up because it seemed, aside from the aggravation I continue to encounter, collecting the debt in behalf of a client is not the intent of this individual.

Concerned how this had been and would be conveyed to the dentists office I decided to check with them, so this morning, I gave them a call. I wanted to let them know that I intended as always and still wanted all debts with them to be paid in full, however, at this point the interactions with Bella Ward at Stassinos Law Office had degraded to the point of my hanging up on her. I cannot cope with further harassment while getting nowhere.

Not to my surprise, my dentist office manager said they were no longer in control and as always was amenable and professional. She was also kind enough to share the information she had received as reported to her thus far and told me that the attorney's office had;

1) sent me a letter....(soft inquiry) and received no response.
2) followed up with certified letter...(to my P.O. box), no response.
3) sent second certified letter, no response

****neglected to relay to her 'client' that I had:

1) Called immediately and expressed my desire and intention to bring any outstanding balance with my dentist to 0
2) I had questions about the bill that needed to be addressed
3) Was VERY ill and my letter could not be immediate but was forthcoming
4) Aside from two calls from Bella Ward, (Stassinos Law Office representative,) one was yesterday, which was the day after I called to leave a message that I was sending a letter out the next afternoon, all telephone calls were from me to her, beginning with my providing my phone number.

I have barely been allowed to speak without interruption and in the half dozen times I have called this individual, I have rarely completed a sentence.

Paying for a dental appointment is my responsibility and having lived in this community for 30 years, my health care providers would not be my first choice for beginning my career as a criminal 'passing bad checks.' After being unable to return to continue my very much desired and over due dental treatment, (note: primarily covered by superior insurance policy), because of illness, I to date have yet to see what the treatment plan was!

However, my attempt to address the details of the services of this bill and therefore the validity of the contents, have been fruitless. They have however made me wonder how a letter saying little more than please enclose payment....etc., one phone call, (after I called and provided phone number), can cause the bill to go from $118.00 to $500.00++

Any suggestions or additional info? Also, anything to add to this 2004 class action that I believe did not proceed......
**
The Law Office of Paul R. Stassinos in California
participates in a check collection business. Paul R. Stassinos claims to have offices in Fair Oaks, Modesto and Bakersfield.
We are representing plaintiffs in class action lawsuits filed against Paul R. Stassinos and other defendants for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and other laws.

In this lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege that the Law Office of Paul R. Stassinos is violating the law in several ways. One allegation is that the letters that appear to come from his office are actually sent by other debt collector defendants, who simply pay Paul R. Stassinos to use his name on the letters, even though he is not meaningfully involved in each of the letters that are sent. Another allegation is that the Law Office of Paul R. Stassinos has asked for collection fees to which it is not entitled.

The United States District Court in San Jose, California, has ruled that the law does not permit the collection of prejudgment interest on a dishonored check. The court has not made any other rulings on the merits, and has not yet decided whether either of the lawsuits will proceed as a class action.

Kelcie
Sacramento, California
U.S.A.