Anyone ever dealt with a group called Legal Mediation Practices?

[furkidz3]

They have called me a few times, when I am not home and left messages. They even called me at work asking to verify my SSN. I told them not to contact me at work and that I would not verify anything over the phone. I wanted all contact to be in writing. She put me on hold to get her supervisor and because I was at work (in a children's hospital ICU room) I hung up. I did not have the time to be put on hold.

They have left a 1-800 number on my answering machine at home, so I think it might be a collection agency. All they say in their message is to call them back at this number and that their office is making a final determination. "Good Luck"  What?

I live in Texas. Has anyone dealt with them before?  Is it an attorney's office that is trying to collect a debt? Or should I call them back and talk to them, so I don't get any rude surprises?

How do you get a debt collector to stop calling and send all correspondence through the mail when you don't want to talk to them (otherwise you may validate the debt by talking to them) or when you do not have an address and they won't give you one?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Hi furkidz3. I suggest that you DO NOT call them under any circumstances, until you find out what's going on. And perhaps not even then.

You'll need to brush up on the FDCPA(Fair Debt Collections Practices Act). Type that in the search box. I've seen comments that you can demand they stop calling you and only communicate with them via mail.

Secondly, do you have ANYTHING in the mail from them? Showing you where they are from? I just did an advance google search on 'Legal Mediation Practices', and see a LOT of hits on a particular collection agency in Jacksonville, Florida by that name.

What is that 800 number? We can search who that telephone number belongs to using a reverse directory.

[Anonymous]

I've just learned, that in the state of Texas, there is no licensing requirements for a CA to conduct business withing the state.

HOWEVER..... a company MUST post a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 to do business in the state.

"Section 392.101 of the Texas Finance Code prohibits a third-party debt collector or credit bureau from engaging in debt collection in Texas unless the third-party debt collector or credit bureau has obtained a surety bond and filed a copy of the bond with the Office of the Secretary of State."

Here is the search url to see if a CA has been bonded in the State of Texas:

http://direct.sos.state.tx.us/debtcollectors/DCSearch.asp

Results on searching for Legal Mediation Practices: "No records found: Please check your fields and try again."

I'd be glad to help, but I'm stuck without further info.

[furkidz3]

Thank you, Silviatob,

I am at work now and do not have additional info with me to post until I get home and look at my paperwork. (which will be around 830pm CST)

I will post whatever additional info I find tonight and wait for replies.

Thank you again. I was so scared when I told the rep on the phone that I would not verify anything and that I did not want to discuss anything over the phone.

This forum has kind of given me some b***s when it comes to talking (or not talking) to these people. I used to just unravel and tell them anything they wanted. Now I know better.

[Anonymous]

You did the right thing by refusing to give him any info over the phone. There are a lot of real vultures out there.

I've learned not even blink until I've come here, and posted in detail about my particular problem, and wait for replies.

[Anonymous]

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furkidz3 wrote:

Thank you, Silviatob,

I am at work now and do not have additional info with me to post until I get home and look at my paperwork. (which will be around 830pm CST)

I will post whatever additional info I find tonight and wait for replies.

Thank you again. I was so scared when I told the rep on the phone that I would not verify anything and that I did not want to discuss anything over the phone.

This forum has kind of given me some b***s when it comes to talking (or not talking) to these people. I used to just unravel and tell them anything they wanted. Now I know better.

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Hi furkidz3. You live in a good state as far as SOL. You might have an idea on what debt they might be trying to collect on. Im taking it that this CA does not show on your CR.

I would call Them from home & get the person that is calling & say " hello mr. miss XXX at name of company......I need to tell you that this call is being recorded"  They have no idea if it is or isn't. Tell them that they are not to call you at any #   everything in writting and if they keep calling  that you will record all calls & turn it over to your attorney!

If they still call make a note of date,and time. File a complaint with your AG office and the FTC 

www.ftc.org

You did very good in not giving them any info. I do know what you mean about freaking out when you get a call like that!

Message Edited by HappyDays on 11-13-2007 11:27 AM

[Anonymous]

One thing I didn't think of and should have: order a credit report, from all 3 Credit Reporting Agencies. See if you can spot them on it.

I didn't even know I had 3 collections on my credit report until I pulled them, as I've had no contact from them ever. I pulled my cr's from annualcreditreport.com. They are the free once a year thingy you can do.(I think I got that right. Someone pls correct me if I'm wrong.

[furkidz3]

I know what you mean about SOL in Texas. I believe it's 4 yrs. Yay!!

I think this company is sneaky in that they just say "call us back, good luck" and don't say anything else. It peaks your curiousity and makes you try to figure it out on your own, tempting you to call for further info.

I pulled my 3 credit reports the first week in October, so I will look those over for clues as to whom might be calling me.

I also hope I get something in the mail pertaining to this place since I told them I want to be contacted by mail only. Maybe they listened.

If I can't figure out what it's about, I will call and not agree to any payment. I will only ask what they are calling me for and ask for their mailing address.

[Anonymous]

Hmmmmm....do you have any charge offs or other collections in your credit report? Any really really late lates?

(I'm grasping right now)

[furkidz3]

Sorry Silviatob,

I appreciate your brainpower on this.

I was not able to find anything at home so far on this possible collection agency.

I do have alot of baddies in my credit portfolio that I am beginning to sort through.

I am back at work today and will not be leaving until around 730-800pm again.

I am off tomorrow and will spend more time researching this and if I come up with anything I will post on this thread again and look for responses to follow.