The Boston Globe is reporting that J.A.Cambece Law Offices, PC has agreed to pay $75,000 and implement procedures to protect consumers following an investiation from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Thomas F. Reilly, the attorney general, alleged that representatives of the J.A. Cambece Law Office PC violated state and federal debt-collection laws by using profane language, placing calls to consumers at improper hours, making unauthorized communications with consumers at their places of employment, and failing to provide proof of the validity of debts.
The settlement “imposes restrictions on this firm to protect consumers from abusive practices,” Reilly said in a prepared statement. “It also sends a message to the collection industry that abusive tactics will not be tolerated.”
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I am having problems with this law firm. They are calling all of my neighbors and asking them to get a message to me. The debt they are trying to collect has already been taken care of through a Credit Counseling Firm.
Bill Responds:
I’m not sure what you mean by “taken care of through a Credit Counseling Firm.” Something’s not right.
It’s important to remember that credit counseling is – for the most part – voluntary…on both sides. Creditors do not have to participate if they do not want to.
However, there are also scam artists out there who pose as credit counselors. These clowns will take your money, and claim that they will “settle” with credit card companies for pennies on the dollar. What they are really doing is waiting for the consumer to make monthly payments into a bank account and to build up a balance. However, the first payment, or the first few payments go right into the pocket of the “credit counselor” as their fee. In many cases, consumers end up in bankruptcy because they are mislead to believe that the “credit counseling” company (or debt management company) is “taking care of things” when in fact, they are being put into a more precarious financial situation.
If this is you, please see a local consumer protection attorney ASAP.
Good luck,
—Bill
how legit is J.A. Cambece Law Offices? I see negative reports about them
Cambese is still using abusive tactics. I received a call from a Joe Miller who was verbally abusive to the point that I had to end the conversation by hanging up on him. I have a court date this month and they still called to harass me. Who can I lodge a complaint with? I have been very ill and tried to work out a payment plan with Providian. When they wouldn’t work with me, I told them I would call a credit counselor and Providian lied to me and told me they DIDN’T work with those kinds of companies. My $5k debt is now up to almost $10k and now I have Cambese calling me. Please advise.
Thanks so much.
Bill responds
Collectors should understand that being verbally abusive only causes more harm, and exposes their employers to expensive (and usually avoidable) legal problems.
I’m not sure why you would be getting a call when you have a court date. But rather than send this information on this public site, you should confer with a local attorney about your options.
I do not know if you’re in Massachusetts – if you are, please feel free to email me directly (or use the Contact Us link on the right).
If you are not – please contact a local bar association for a referral to a good ocnsumer protection attorney near you.
–Bill