topic Re: Smith Reid & Associates in Rebuilding Your Credit

Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:59:20 GMT

I wasn contacted by Smith Reid and Associates about an onld CC debt. They say I owe around $850, I checked my credit report because I wasn't aware of the account and apprenently it was a Charge Off on an old Capital One for $75!

They have not listed address on their website. Hasn anyone heard of them? Any advice on negociating with them? $850 is insance foe a $75 charge off.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

gdale6 — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 22:32:04 GMT

Whats the DoFD of the account, is the CA reporting or just Cap-1?? are the TLs updating monthly?

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

RobertEG — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 00:47:11 GMT

Was their initial communication with you via phone or letter?

Have they advised of your dunning rights? If so, when?

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 01:06:42 GMT

This is the first I'm hearing from them today and by phone. They called both me and my wife.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

RobertEG — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 01:16:31 GMT

Then a DV would be timely.

Yuo can request debt validation, and as a part therof, include a request for itemization of the alleged debt.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Shogun — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 11:51:23 GMT

I agree with RobertEG that a DV would be timely, however I also read in another thread of yours concerning this debt that they said they were from the county and we're going to serve you papers. Usually CAs that behave in this matter do not go by the letter of the law. I would send a DV but wouldn't hold my breath that they would properly respond to it.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:48:28 GMT

Don't pay them! They are a scam collections agency. They will create a false validation letter. It's a bottom feeder collections agency. They tried to collect on a closed Bank of America account which had a zero balance on it stating that I owed 1200 dollars when I did not. They spoofed my called ID to indicate the local courthouse when calling my house and claimed to be a sheriff and asked if I would be home to serve me with a judgement. It was all a scam. They claimed no knowledge of this by saying it was a 3rd party that contacted me however other customers (google this collections agency) reported the same illegal tactic. I reported them to the FTC, The Bernardino county district attorney's office and the IC3 internet crime bureau. I would advise you do the same to help document this and to put a stop to these con artists. Remember, it is up to THEM to validate and prove the debt according to the fair collections act, which by the way, they don't know it.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:49:42 GMT

Smith Reid and Asssociates is a scam collections agency. I have reported them to law enforcement for trying to extort money from me.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 20:42:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Smith Reid and Asssociates is a scam collections agency. I have reported them to law enforcement for trying to extort money from me.

a firm called Smith & Associates just contacted a relative of mines' business (her and I worked together for a while) stating they were trying to serve me papers. They left a 855 number and a file number. When i spoke with them, they stated they're attempting to collect a debt from 2005-2006 on an old Citi Mastercard. I've never had one of those. They claimed they were after 6k if it went to court as judgement or $2900 if we settle now. They said they've mailed papers to me and notices many of times. I said I've never received. I asked for Debt validation, dates of delinquency and date of last activity and contracts..etc. They got tired of me and hung up on me twice. I'm guessing they're a scam, but even if they were legit...am I not good in this case with Florida SOL? And it's never appeared on my credit reports.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

RobertEG — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:49:04 GMT

The original post did state that it appears to be a valid debt based on a Cap1 charge-off that remains unpaid.

Perhaps this debt collector has a bad rep, but in this case, it might be a bit exteme to advise ignoring them as a scammer.

I would at leat place them under a cease collection bar by sending a timely DV, in which I would also request the name of the OC and an itemization of the asserted debt.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 22:01:04 GMT

IF you can get them to provide and address request debt validation - but experience says you'll never get an address - nor will they send anything you request by phone.

I had calls from a similar firm. I simply told them that I knew that there was no suit pending (I work at a law firm and checked court files to see if anything was filed against me). I also told them they were in violation of FDCPA for threatening action they weren't going to take.

I also reported to my state's attorney general with the phone number and all information.

Suddenly - the calls stopped. Once they realize you know your rights and they can't scam you they will quit. They want to scare you into paying over the phone.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 23:20:40 GMT

I'd like to deal with it if it was legit and I just don't remember the cc. I gave them correct address and requested everything so I don't know much else I can do except wait and see if they send anything. I also checked all records in the 3 surrounding counties where I live and didn't find anything on me. Don't know that that means anything but... I don't know that I'll be able to get an address as they hang up on me. In my experience...I've never had a CA hang up on me. Normally they remain on line trying to haggle funds out of you or set up a plan. They don't hang up because that's their commission or payout. These guys hung up on me twice and it's a little odd that it's always the same guy to answer. Normally in past w/ CA's ...I always get differnt people answering.

RobertEG: "I would at leat place them under a cease collection bar by sending a timely DV," What do you mean by this? Isn't the DV something they need to send to me once I requested?

Thanks

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

RobertEG — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 08:35:33 GMT

A request for debt validation is detailed under FDCPA 809(b).

If it is sent within 30 days after dunning notice or prior to any dunning notice, then its legal effect is to impose a cease collection bar on the debt collector, which remains in effect until such time as the choose to respond. The legislative intent of the DV process was primarily to give reprieve to consumers of continued collection activities until they have received validation of the debt. It is not a requirment for the debt collector to validate.

No, a DV does not set any period for their response, or require that that provide debt validation.

They can choose to simple cease further collection activites and never respond.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:40:39 GMT

The statute of limitations on debt collection in Florida is 5 years. Because Smith Reid and Associates is a fly by night renegade organization, they should already know this but. They are depending on you the consumer to be ignorant of your states debt collection laws and succumb to they're scare tactics and pay up. If they call again, inform them of Floridas debt collection laws and file a complaint with the FTC and the CA Atty Generals office.

Re: Smith Reid & Associates

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:23:23 GMT

I'll review this...FDCPA 809(b). I'll make sure to address them correctly if they make contact again. Thank you for the insight guys