Zwicker and Associates: Are they very difficult to deal with?

Mandy, debtors are not all people who go out and pay for a bunch of crap that they can't pay for or don't have any intention of paying for. I used to get paid over 500 dollars a week working in EMS as a paramedic. I have done that most of my life, I had a few monthly bills, a credit card, insurance, cellphone, etc. But in September of last year I was in a car accident, which left me with extensive spinal injuries and I am currently unable to work, unfortunately I'm still in a uphill battle for disability and my rather sizeable savings account is almost depleated (I had several thousand saved up) I was never able to get any settlement out of the accident as the other driver managed to drive away and was never found. Now I'm almost broke, I have debt collectors calling me out the wazoo (medical bills)

Do you think I decided to wake up on the first of september last year and say, hey I think I'll see about getting rear ended at 70 MPH on the way home, let the guy run away and leave myself disabled so I can rack up medical bills not pay them. I don't think so. Some of us can't help the but cope with the hands that are dealt to us, I barely am.

actually, " :) ", some of us get harassing phone calls coming from zwicker regarding people who are unknown to us. but, you're right, illegal harassment is just "their job."

huh?

Today I had a conversation w/someone from Zwicker and Associates. I haven't rec'd a letter from them stating that they are taking over my account and I let the ZWICKER REP know that. She then said she found it hard to believe I hadn't rec'd it yet...I told her how the heck could she know that, since ZWICKER just contacted me this past Saturday & they have a 5-day grace period before they even have to mail out a letter notifying me that they are in charge of one of my debts. We argued about that for a bit when I told her "why are we even arguing about this, I'm calling you aren't I." So then I asked her for the acct # and the balance, which seemed higher than it was just 2 days ago when I rec'd my last statement from the original creditor. I asked her that if the entire debt was in fact mine, what options would I have. SHe said I could pay over 6 months...so I said cool, I'll give you send you 10% today and 10% in 2 weeks, no problem. Then she wanted my bank account, and I said uh-huh, I'll mail you a check AFTER I get documentation. Then she said uh-huh, they didn't need to send any documentation of the payment plan until I made a payment. She then said Western Union, and again, I said uh-huh, I've read all kinds of horror stories of them emptying your bank account & stuff like that. So, again I said I'd mail her the check. She then said, how about overnight? I said cool. She said "is it gonna get here by Saturday?" I said I dunno but if I got a tracking #, I'd give it to her, then she retracted the overnight mail & said either Western Union or pay by phone or nothing. I said, well if you give me mailing it overnight, we're good to go. She started to argue again and I was beginning to get a headache so I just told her "look, we aren't getting anywhere and I'm calling you although I don't even have any documentation of the debt and who you really are. How about this? I'll wait to get documentation in the mail & we'll go from there w/the payment plan." And I hung up. She then called back and said "you're trying to dictate the terms of this and so now I'm only giving you 30 days to pay this back or I am going to personally make sure this is going to litigation." Wow, and I'm one of the people that are trying to pay it back. Imagine what they are saying to the ones that really don't have the $$$. This "lady" (if I can even call her that) was upset 'cuz she wasn't gonna make her commission right there on the spot. I guess I'm gonna have to wait to get there letter and then send them a certified letter back so they can verify all the stuff they have is right and then IF it's all legit, ask to be sent to another collection agent and not this girl that was on a power trip today.

Hello , I have a couple questions for anyone who hopefully can help me out. Since June of this year I started receiving phone calls from Zwicker and Associates a Debt collector. For a student loan that I apparently have (Loan was apparently taken out in 2002) with them now I have asked them to send me documentation regarding this loan and they still have not. About a month ago I sent $200.00 Western Union to them and then every month after I was going to send them $50.00 I am not working and have told them this repeatedly but they seem to turn it around and say that if we don't send money and pay it if full then we will go after the co signer which happens to be my father. Since this whole thing started I have spoken to four different people regarding this matter each of them i have said the same exact thing and each one of them tells me that the one who I spoke to prior to them do not work with that company anymore. No I don't really no what to do I told this lady that I would send her some money western union but she told me to save my money and not to send it in, and that she was going to take litigation against me. I have done some research on this company and it seems that alot of people have this problem. Please offer any information you feel that will help me with this situation.
Thank you
William

Profane post deleted - Mike

If Zwicker is giving you the run around on your student loans then call the original guarantee agency the can usually pull your account back out of Zwicker, I have worked with Zwicker and student loans for many years you are not the first one to have problems with them. You should be able to rehab your student loans to get out of default if you are sending on time monthly payments you should be able to get into that program make 9 on time payments and your loan will then be out of default. But all fairness to Zwicker they do get commission on the debt that they are collecting, and we all have to eat!!! I know your posting is old!!! But it might help it might not!

i have enrolled all my debts to credit solutions. i thought this company wll help me get out of debt and will protect me from harassing calls from collection companies. one of my accts is now with zwicker and associates. they called for a setlement throguh credit solutions but i told them i'm willing to settle for half the amt. the credit solutions called them back and zwicker made a settlement plan: pay2k first then 850 bucks mnthly, then settle after 6 months. they told creditsolutions that if i don't settle this they will put me to litigation. they're saying that they've been making settleent offers but i always decline. the issue is that, this is the first time i heard of this company. how can i fight back????

We recently paid off our Chapt 13 bankruptcy debt. We had an outstanding student loan for our daughter(s)(three in college at the same time) through AES which they immediately turned over to TERI without our knowledge. Here's the problem. In the 3 years it took to pay off the bankruptcy we did not receive anything from either place regarding our debt. We figured that after all was said and done we would be able to begin repaying this debt. Now Zwicker is telling us that they are collecting this debt for their client (TERI) plus they have added interest and charges because we are automatically in default. Is it true that these loans are purchased for pennies on the dollar and that Zwicker stands to make a lot of money trying to collect the full amount? We have offered them a substanial amount and asked if we could be forgiven the balance. They said "their client" will not accept our offer. I have asked repeatedly for proof that TERI had obtained their services to no avail. They say they will send something but I haven't rec'd it. Any advice?

The original lender was Bank One and then AES I guess because it was an education type loan. Not really sure why it began to change hands so many times. Basically this was an education loan in our daughters name and we co-signed for it. This debt was ours not hers. Bank One suggested we use her name to make it easier on us obtaining this loan because we were over extended in our monthly obligation.

Dont listen to the people that are saying to pay this law firm! They are probably just as shady as the law firm themselves...One thing that can help you is to record your calls with this firm and obtain proof of the illigal tactics that they use!

I am dealing with them now on a student loan that was mishandled by the loan company and the school...You should also look into finding a lawyer that will work with you to fight them. I personally have a strong case that in the end I may end up coming at them with a counter suit! So I wish you luck but always back yourself up be smarter than these scums!
Also i suggest checking out the movie "Maxed Out:Hard TImes"
It will help you get in these sumbags heads!

Joe

If this has been violated in any way get help to fight them!

15:1692 Fair Debt Collection Act

Zwicker and Ass. Called to give me an settlement for my student loan, and I paid it now they won't send me a receipt. When I called they said they can't talk to me and hang up. Now I have to pay the rest of my balance. :evil:

Sallie Mae is my Lender and they too keep giving me the run around. When I asked to speak to a manager the "phone keeps getting disconnted accidentlly" :evil:

Has anyone been sued by Zwicker?

I received a call today as well from Zwicker. I was told they're getting ready to take me to litigation. Although, this man whom we've ben speaking with is really trying to help us. I still feel that i need to have everything in writing. Wants me to pay $$$ which I have no idea where to get. Can they really garnish wages?

All Debt Collection is a scam and is legal extortion. They are asking you to pay a debt with a debt. Federal Reserve Notes are Debt Instruments, as they are not backed by anything except the credit of the Citizens. It is total lack of consideration. It is relatively easy to make the collection agencies cry! :wink:

isnt it funny how pple that are in debt are always the victim,omg this omg that,be responsible,i have problems just like everyone else,but never look 4 an excuse or sum1 else 2 blame,u pple owe $$ but its never ur fault,sum1 plz tell me how that works,bcuz i really thinkin bout runnin up my credit cards,not payon them,and then blamin the world 4 y i cnt pay them back,most of u pple on here talkin bout how collection agencies are rude & disrespectful are probably the same pple who call up cursin & actin like every1 is against u.MAN UP!!! If sum1 calls u tryna collect on sumthing u owe $$ on,try & wrk sumthin out & if rep gives u a hard time & wants more than u can afford 2 pay find 1 that will wrk w u..but stop all this bs,own up 2 ur problems dnt run 4rm them.i say 2 say this,STOP THE MOFO CRYIN & PAY UR DAMN DEBTS.

Paul, that troll was plum ignorant, either they're too lazy to spell or they can't spell, period. Sounds like gibberish to me. I guess his momma and daddy are ignorant as well since they taught him everything they know.

I am a single mother who just graduated college without a stable job so I have been behind on my credit cards, but I've received a letter yesterday from these people stating that they are collecting $$$ for my creditor and it will result in a law suit. It is really stressing me out because I have other financial obligation to take care of my soon-to-be newborn, so I can't afford to settle or make payments to them right now. Has anyone actually got a law suit against them by these lawyers?

Zwicker and associates is a Law firm, they are not a collection agency. when you don't pay your bills, this is usually the 2nd recovery stage, beginning with collections and ending in this. they can garnish your wages, they can and will put leans on your house, and they can calll for the balance in full. I advise anyone to take this seriously. If they quit calling, then the attorney has your case, will send through certified mail documents calling you to court, if you owe your debt and need help look in debt consolidation companies or HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT. They can save you over half your balance if you work with them...avoiding their call and voicemail means you are not disputing the balance and do not want to voluntarily take care of the balance. thats when they proceed forward

After talking to some professionals, it was recommended that I file for Chapter 7. My question is, who do I put on the documents? My original creditor or Zwicker & Associates? If the debt has been charged-off, how do I claim it without knowing from one day to the next who owns the debt?

I just received a call from Zwicker & Associates and they were so rude. She gave me information about my house and who was on the deed. They told me Discover does not settle and if I don't pay they will seek legal action. She totally fricked me out.... This entire process of getting myself so far into debt has stressed me out and I never want to do this again!

ZWICKER SENT ME A LETTER ON TWO UNPAID CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS (I FELL ON HARD TIMES LAST YEAR) I RESPONDED, BY CERTIFIED MAIL, REQUESTING THEY SEND PROOF OF THE ACCOUNTS. NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN. THEY BOUGHT BOTH ACCOUNTS AND ARE TRYING TO GET BACK THEIR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR. IF, ANYTHING, I WILL PAY BACK THE ORIGINAL CREDIT CARD COMPANY, WHICH ANYONE CAN DO--GO THROUGH THE ACCOUNT RECOVERY DEPARTMENT AND WORK DIRECTLY WITH THEM

THEY ARE LOW LIFE COLLECTION AGENCY.

It is unfortunate that our legal system does not close companies like this down.
Yes. I have credit card debt that has been paid religiously until job loss. Zwicker does have some reasonable individuals but for the most part the ones I have talked with have been absolute jerks. It seems they feel they will get farther and force payment by implementing abuse,threats, intimidation, lying, manipulation and pushing the envelope as far as needed.
What these idiots do not understand is basic human behavior.
People do not respond to their abusive tactics.
They can`t actually follow through on many of their threats and by the way it is illegal to do many of the things they are doing. I would recommend to all reading this site to get a tape recorder and tell them you are recording them also. They will say Ok.. be sure you have tape running when you ask for permission. If they say no ..hang up.
If everyone did this in dealing with them maybe in a few months a collective class action suit or proof of their consistent illegal tactics may help put them out of business.

Vicki...obviously you had to have graduated at the bottom of your class since you are obviously too stupid to read and follow the forums TOS on solicitation. Guess we could report your incompetence to the PA Bar association. Maybe your time would be better spent chasing ambulances - ND

Vickie, Vickie, why don't you get a job? Then you won't have to be soliciting business on this site!!

Okay, I do owe on a Discover card that I faulted on because a Debtor Consolidation group told me too. Well, when I told Discover that they immediate sent me to Zwicker. I canceled the DC because they told me every debtor would settle with them. So, I called Discover and told them what happened and they said I had to deal with Zwicker. Well, of course they have made a balance of 5K to over 9K now. I have had many conversations with a nice woman at Zwicker, but last month I told her that there was, NO way I could come up with 1K in a month, she said okay. Well, I just got a call Monday from another person from Zwicker, and he said he has verified my employment and they are now going to sue and garnish my wages.

My question? I was really trying to consolidate my debt to try to pay them off. We had a medical emergency this year, which cause me to have 12 weeks without pay. If they do in fact sue me, how long does is it going to take to send me to court (if they are) and would the judge see that I was trying to pay my debt and work with me?

They have sent me paperwork, telling which card its for and I know its my debt. What can I do?

Guest send them a DV letter, send it CMRRR.

What are DV letter, send it CMRRR Letters?

Do I Still send a DV Letter if I know that debt is mine, they sent me a letter with their information with the balance, or is this a DV letter? Sorry, this is new to me.

Thanks

Jessica why are you paying these idioys with your credit card? Don't pay them another penny.

Zwicker & Associates, what can I say except I think they are VERY unethical. I sent them a Cease and Desist and they turned around and sent me a Notice of Arbitration from the National Arbitration Forum! I tried to settle the debt but they are insisting that I provide them with my bank account information before they can present the settlement to Chase!!! Is this really legal or ETHICAL??? Can someone please tell me how to get them off my back before a judgement is leveled against me???

I have been in the collection industry for over 14 years. I am not working to help people that are unfortunately thrown into the mess of collections. I have worked for most of the major agencies in the country and have owned my own. If you need any help contact me at: email deleted. I know all the ins and outs of these companies.
[samebox:fea482ffb6="paulmergel"]sorry no personal or solicitory emails.[/samebox:fea482ffb6]

I want my money now! What if you don't have it? Then you can't pay yet. What's the worst that can happen? They sue you, they get a judgment, you still don't have the money, they still have to wait.

But be careful who you trust for advice. Only you know whether you truly owe the money, and if you do owe it then it's quite likely that judgment will be against you - the system works pretty well. If you send what you can, they will take the money and the balance will go down.

I do not recommend paying someone else to counsel you. You can end up paying someone 40% to cut your debts in half, then you've paid 90% and your credit is worse because it took you 5 years instead of 3. And you could probably negotiate 60-80% on your own!

Not to mention the fact that some of the debt "settlement" companies themselves are out of business. Look up "Hess Kennedy" - the Florida Bar put them out of business because they were taking your money and keeping it! And recently a Texas company with a name like Debt Freedom Relief or Freedom Debt Relief or something actually went BK (now THAT's ironic!) and those who had thousands on deposit will be lucky to get hundreds of it back.

At least if you pay your creditor directly you know your balance will go down. Keep copies of all canceled checks in case you have to prove it later.

Zwicker and Associates is the most amazing jerks that I have ever found in the world. They feel they are above the law. I am going to find out. I don't think they are. I think they can be beat at their own game.

Zwicker and Associates is the most amazing jerks that I have ever found in the world. They feel they are above the law. I am going to find out. I don't think they are. I think they can be beat at their own game.

Beware of this "Law Firm" (they like to call this collection agency this to give themselves credibility) this is nothing more than a low class intimidating and mostly a fraudulent company. Unfortunately they are a very borderline law firm (this is where our legal system starts to go down the drain).This is a highly abusive company that employs not only the lowest of harassing and intimidating practices but also the lowest quality of people. What all of you do not know is that during company training, all collection agents are taught every possible intimidating practice possible. Their main goal is to collect even if you do not owe anything. Yes! Believe it of not, they get high bonuses only for collecting money. And because consumers are usually unaware of their rights, it could take years if you are lucky to recover overpaid accounts or to clarify and resolve the problem. Also they are instructed NOT to clear and notify all credit bureaus of settlements under ANY circumstance.
One example is this man call Joseph Bradley (resident of Pelham NH, and I think he is in St Petersburg Fla. now) from the Andover MA agency. This individual, the most despicable ???thing??? (I will be offending the human race of I call him a man) used the most corrupted tactics you can imagine. Personally he stated that his favorite pastime was to harass elderly people to see if he could get them to die of a hearth attack during one of his countless calls. He used to get credit records and extremely confidential information of anyone who crossed his path to scam them for money. In front of hundred of people he used to joke how much fun was to make people miserable and the power he had screwing up people even if everything he was demanding was a lie. The funny thing is that companies like this hired a man who was convicted of stealing phones from Verizon while he was a low end salesman and selling them in E-Bay furthermore he took confidential information from the same clients and to sell to scam artist so they could open fraudulent accounts. This man has been fired from every job he has for being an a..hole and a scammer. Zwicker and Associates knew all of this and commented this is the kind of collector they need. Can you believe!! If this company calls you hire an attorney immediately and put a stop to their practices. One more advice, tell the scum collector ion the phone that you are recording the conversation and DO SO! You see how his song changes immediately.

You should return their calls so that you know the company they are collecting for. Besides, they are a collection agency and are bound by federal laws. The debt must be validated in writing within five days after placing the first call. If you have not received anything in the mail, send a debt validation letter to their mailing address and wait for their response. Don't pay anything until you have everything in writing and in correct shape. Be aware of the fdcpa laws that protect you from the shady practices of the collection agencies.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm#809

Fred,

If the collection agency has been hired by your credit card company, they must notify them to stop collections. You will understand that the CA had been doing their job assigned by the creditor. But if the CA is making a false collection call, use your legal consumer rights or hire an attorney to stop them from calling you further. Keep copies of your payment agreement with the credit card company in safe place. They are an important proof of your efforts.

Hi ProudMomma

Welcome to the forums. Please contact the customer care cell of Zwicker and Associates and ask for a statement showing the details of your payments.

You can thoroughly check the statement and confirm about the payments made towards your debt.

Regards
Roxette

Hi Linda

Send them a cease and desist letter though certified mail with return receipt requested. It will explain that you wish to get all the collection activities stopped or face legal sanctions under the applicable Federal and State law.

You can give this cease and desist letter the utmost importance that it can deserve. Once Zwicker & Associates have received your letter, they should not call you anymore regarding the debt. If they do so, they will have to face legal actions.

Regards
Roxette

Hi onthego85

Welcome to the forums.

It is very necessary that Zwicker and Associates updates the particular account with the credit bureau and the account should be shown as 'paid'. Otherwise, it might happen later that some other collection agency will try to recover the same debt from you.

Make sure that you stress on getting your account updated with the help of lawyer.

Regards
Roxette

Hi Chris,

After the check has been cashed, have they updated your credit report with the three bureaus? It is very necessary for Zwicker and Associates to do this otherwise another collection agency will come later asking for the same debt.

Keep all the receipts of your payments in safe place for later proof. If they are unwilling to update your file and keep asking for money, you might have to discuss with your attorney.

Regards
Roxette

Hi Mel

You might be placing this question to Zwicker and Associates. Please contact them at the following address:

Zwicker and Associates, P.C.
800 Federal Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-686-2255

If you have any debt related queries, please feel free to discuss in this community forum.

Regards
Roxette

Hi Fred,

Do you have anything signed in paper with the credit card company. If the company is collecting money for your accounts, they must give you the statements showing your pay off. Other than that, if the collection agency is hired by your creditor, they (CC Co.)must be informed that the payment arrangements have been made with them and as a result, the CA should stop all collection attempts on you. If the CA is genuinely hired by them, calls must be stopped. And if they are trying to make a fraudulent collection attempt, use your legal consumer rights mentioned in the FDCPA.

Talk to your credit card company and have every arrangement made in paper. You must have records of all your efforts in resolving this debt account.

Regards
Roxette

Jenn - Did you ask Zwicker and Associates to validate the debt? They cannot make any collection efforts on you unless they prove that they are dealing with your accounts and you need to make payments to them.

They need to provide necessary details about your accounts showing the total amount of your debt, the interest accrued on it, agreement letter that the creditor has assigned the collection agency to collect the said debt. They are also required to prove that the said debt is within the Statute of Limitation period. They also need to provide a copy of the original signed agreement letter showing that the creditor has extended credit to the debtor during the period.

I will suggest you to pull your latest credit report from the three bureaus and know the latest standing of your account. If it appears in your credit report that the said collection agency is assigned to collect the debt, then you will have to make payment arrangements with them only.

You can take the help of the debt consolidation program in your case because the consultant is trained to handle these kinds of situations and he will work to keep your interests protected.

Moreover, the debt consolidation program will offer you some benefits which have been exclusively designed for the welfare of the consumers.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/benefits.html

You can sign up in this site to get in touch with the consultant and work actively to clear your debt problems with this collection agency.

My firm use Zwicker and Associates all the time to collect on credit card debts if i where you i would pay them they do not screw around

Always make sure that Zwicker & Associates follows the lines of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.