South Florida Paralegal Blog

Last week, a woman called me in tears, explaining that she was being harassed nonstop by a collection agency named Financial Credit Services. They were calling her over twenty times a day and threatening to put a lien on her home. I learned that she was a widow in her sixties, has multiple sclerosis and diabetes and cares for her handicapped brother who lives with her.

When she asked "Mr Ball" (an alias name) what this debt was, he snapped that it was for a credit card from 1989. 1989? Are you kidding me? If this debt was hers, it certainly couldn't be enforced 18 years later. Click here to see a state-by-state list of the limitations on enforcing debts. Furthermore, he refused to be more specific, so how could this woman even know if the debt was hers?    

She became so frightened, she allowed this lowlife to withdraw $600.00 from her checking account, which he wasted no time doing. However, this thief took it upon himself to attempt to steal another $5,500.00 from the same account, which luckily, bounced. In Florida, most people aren't aware that trying to steal money from a senior citizen is a felony. Additionally, "Mr. Ball" broke numerous federal laws regarding collections (FDCPA), by calling over 20 times in one day, refusing to follow up his first phone contact with a letter and by calling her neighbors (can you believe it?) in order to pressure her to call them back. Disgusting! How does this person sleep at night? And why is he not in jail?

I am not a lawyer and I am unable to "go after" this company for her, but I did some research at the hands-down best site on educating the public about collection issues, budhibbs.com. After a few moments, I learned that Financial Credit Services was already in hot water with the State Attorney in Illinois, their home state. We filled out one of their complaint forms and submitted it. I also emailed Mr. Hibbs, seeking his recommendation and he emailed me back the same day with a copy of a letter to fax to the crooks immediately.

This kinda of stuff drives me absolutely nuts! I am so sick and tired of seeing seniors and the poor screwed over by those who have no moral problem with lying, cheating and stealing. It is so important that we, the public, learn our rights and refuse to be abused any longer.

I strongly encourage everyone who is facing harassment by creditors to spend some time at Mr. Hibbs web site!