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."
Comments
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.
Posted by: J. Hicks | November 28, 2006 9:10 PM
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
Posted by: Bill McLeod | November 29, 2006 9:59 PM
how legit is J.A. Cambece Law Offices? I see negative reports about them
Posted by: Steve | April 20, 2007 5:01 PM