904-265-8133 - Has anyone dealt with Allen Lewis and Associates?

Did he give you a name of where he was calling from?

904-265-8146
Jacksonville, Florida
odd isnt it?

Im going to track that number to an address hold on

it is unlisted, let me see if i can find anything else out

Allen, Lewis & Associates Inc.***
4040 Woodcock, Ste 132
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Phone: (904) 265-8133
Fax: (904) 265-8168


Check the comments out here : budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/allen_lewis_associates.htm

I strongly believe that Ellis Crosby have started collection efforts with a different name

You are most probably right, but on the page of the owners it says that it is some DEAD GUY, so you never know. allenlewis.com

Also, iwould not put it past them, they also have a diffrent address within the same city jacksonville

How do I deal with these people? This Monday a guy name Zack Thomas started calling my job and even call the financial department of my job. Before Monday I had never heard of them

dianne,
send them a cease and disist letter, read as many forums about ellis crosby as possible. you should also file complaints with the better business bureau, aca, ftc and the flordia state attorney generals office. these people's tactics are just as bad as ellis crobsy and they will try to cause you heartache if you allow them too. demand validation of this debt, before paying anything to anyone!

Allen Lewis...

this is like Ellis Crosby...

but it's actually Ted Ellis Crosby.

I would find out the first names of each of the attorney's.

but yeah, this is weird.

On a website that Bud Hibbs has concerning debt collectors to avoid is states that Jeannie & Robert Hecht are the owners of Allen, Lewis, and Associates. It also states that they are not a law firm as they often represent.

It would be interesting to see if they are family members of Ted Ellis Crosby. Like a married sister and her husband. Especially since their tactics are so similar.

thanks Kathryn

I'll be sure to check out the website.

I have gotten a letter in the mail from these folks too. But no calls

[quote=tthayden]Especially since their tactics are so similar.....[/quote]

I wonder if there's an entrepreneur out there selling these books on how to be a dead beat bill collector?!?!?

lol
How to deal with debt collectors for Dummies

I got a call from this company as well telling me that I needed to pay them back within a few hours or else criminal charges would be filed and that I needed to start contacting my family and friends to find a way to borrow funds. I explained that was not possible and the man told me then you need to call your attorney immediatley because there were two sericous charges pending. I told him to call my attorney and he said that he was not allowed to do that. He got very angry and told me to find a way to pay and we hung up. He then called my parents home and left a message that there were serious legal issues pending and that I needed to act immediatly. My mom was crying and panicking thinking that I was going to jail
The next day, he called me and told me that he was concerned about me because he knew he had upset me and that he was willing to work with me if it helped me to feel better. I told him that I wanted something in writing and that I did not want him contacting my work or my family and he said that he would stop contacting them if I promised to pay. I hung up on him.

Kriss

The next time they contact you, you need to tell them that the call is being record. Ask for his name and his company...and then end the call with, I told you to cease communication. Not only that, but you broke the law by making legal threats towards me. Inquire to what charges, what court, and when they were filed. You may also want to mention that devulging information to others than yourself are illegal as well.

Make sure you start off by telling them the calls are being record. This will probably cease communication with them. You can either tell them over the phone, or in writing that you're asking for validation of the debt.

If you need a sample letter let us know.

Regards-
Mike

Hi Kriss

What Mike said is absolutely legal as per the fdcpa law. The debt collectors are allowed to contact your friends or relatives only once to locate you. Since they were in touch with you, they should not have told anything about the alleged debt to your parents.

Moreover, they need to validate the debt as per the law so that you have a written record for which you will be making the payments. You can't pay towards something that has no written records.

Be strong and get aware of the rules laid down in the FDCPA

If illegal activities still persist, send your written complaints to the FTC, BBB and the State Attorney General office. Necessary actions will be taken accordingly.

Regards
Roxette

I just got a phone call from this company concerning an account where We rented a musical instrument, fell behind in the payments and returned the instrument. They were threatening theft by conversion on an account where the item was returned. They threatened to have my husband arrested tomorrow. I was called a deadbeat and was told I had one hour to go sell or pawn something and call them back. They called my parents and argued with both my Father and Mother, who are in their 60s and called them liars. They said they had mailed letters to me and when I asked for dates they said they mailed one on Aug 12th of this year and they are not required to send me another. They wanted access to my bank account ASAP. Is any of this legal?!!??

They DO NOT have a license to collect.

Next time they call ask for for their license number. Also mention that you'd like validation mailed to you.

This information is suppose to be public. If they say they will not give it out, mention to them that you're afraid you'd be giving money to a fraudulent business.

They are not a law office and do not have a right to threaten arrest. You will not go to jail over this.

-Mike

Thanks Mike. I have no problem setting up payments to pay this debt. But I am calling the company I rented from. I refuse to do business with the mafia of Allen Lewis and Associates.

Rosine

It's good to hear you're wanting to pay this off!

I'm suprised the places that hire them haven't pulled their contract with them. It gives the company a bad name when others find out whose doing their collecting.

"Oh Gee, I better not default on the trumpet. I'll get threatened with arrest."

This company is probably going to be the next company to be under investigation after Ellis Crosby & Associates are shut down.

-Mike

I have had the same problem this week. A guy called and left a message on my voice mail at work 10-7-05. His name was either Zack Thomas or Zack Alexander, couldn't understand his mish mush, and told me I had to call in reference to an account. I called on my lunch break and he told me to open my local yellow pages and find an attorney and that I had broken a contract with his client and he was going to proceed with legal measurements. Then this ignorant jerk yells, like he was talking to someone else, to get a my ex-employer on the phone. This guy is a real jerk and doesn't know his head from his buttocks. I had to call back and was directed back to him and refused to speak with him and he hesitantly gave me to a woman. She was much better to deal with then this "want to be, i think i am a lawyer so that is how I will come off to people". This Mr. Thomas or Alexander really wants people to believe he is an attorney and tries to scare them. After I made a partial payment on 10-8-05 he calls me 10-13-05 at 6:00 pm and yells at me for this payment, come on it took this wanna be lawyer almost 1 week to call about this payment. He told me that he is going to refund my money and that I was putting the shaft to his client then slammed the phone down. I then had to call the same lady I spoke with last week and she even admitted that he had no right to do that. Believe me, this is no law firm and this jerk Zack is no lawyer, all he is is a underpaid gopher that thinks he is important. Once my debt is paid I will contact a lawyer and bring this think up on harrassement charges. BEWARE OF ZACK THOMAS OR ALEXANDER OR MAYBE DOE -- HE IS A COLLECTION REP. NOT A LAWYER DON'T LET HIM FOOL YOU.

Hi debbieC

Due to some of the mischievous activities by some collection agents, the whole firm gets a bad name. Such agents should not be allowed to work in the company and complaints against should be filed immediately.

hello all...just an update, i sent a lengthy email to florida state attorney general charlie crist's office explaining the problem i am currently having with allen, lewis & associates, predominately mr. zach thomas. oh how i hope something is done about this character, in the post it ask if you want your questions or comments sent to the referenced party and i definitely check YES. hopefully maybe this agency will be placed under investigation.

Katie-

The best thing to do right away is send them a validation letter. This will ensure you that they have a legal right to collect on this debt. Not only do they have to own the account, but certain licenses are required to do collect on bills. Please don't be intimidated by this company. They are only a collection company, with a possible attorney on standby for any lawsuits they may receive.

The letter below along with a copy of the letter they sent you will be a perfect thing to send back. By law they will be required to provide all the proof, if they already haven't, before they can start collecting on you.

template below


Your Name
123 Your Street Address
Your City, ST 01234

ABC Collections
123 NotOnYourLife Ave
Chicago, IL

Date:

Re: Acct # XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on
September 30, 2002). Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a
notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC
1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is
requested.

This is NOT a request for ???verification??? or proof of my mailing address,
but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and
Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with
competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Please provide me with the following:

• What the money you say I owe is for;
  
• Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
  
• Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you
  say I owe;
  
• Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
  
• Identify the original creditor;
  
• Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account
  
• Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state
  
• Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent

• Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
  
• Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
  
• Defamation of Character
  
• If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as
  requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days
  to investigate this information and during such time all collection
  activity must cease and desist.

good news to all that are having problems with allen, lewis and associates. on monday 10-17-05 i emailed the florida state attorney generals office in reference to the problem i was having with zack thomas. i just received a letter in the mail along with an affidavit from assistant attorney general james young about this complaint. i will be filling this out with a copy of my receipts and will be sending this back monday. i strongly urge anyone with a problem with this firm to PLEASE contact the florida attorney generals office. allen, lewis and assiciates are not attorneys they are a collection agency and are breaking the rules under the fdcpa in regards to harrassment and implying to be attorneys. on a second note, has anyone had any dealings with national processing with a telephone number of 904-805-0799. i had another payday loan thru another company and it has been sent to these people for collection. i was called thursday by a ms. cece johnson and informed if i didn't pay right then and there that she would file papers with the district of maryland, (maryland is not a district) which tipped me off, and that i have committed fraud and i would be picked up on my job. LOL.....i then asked for her phone number and she gave me the 904 phone #. i then asked for a toll free number and she stated that they don't have one and if i didn't call her back by 1:00 pm that she would proceed with my prosecution. so i took the number and quickly went on the internet to see what i could find out about this company. NOTHING....there is nothing for national processing collections out of jacksonville fl. (the only way i knew it was jacksonville was the area code, the same as allen, lewis and associates. i went on to try and do a reverse look up of the phone number and again nothing. here is the kicker, i quickly wrote up a VOD and called friday afternoon to this 904 phone number and i guess the receptionist was out to lunch and this ms johnson answered the phone. so i non chalantly asked for their mailing address, this lady told me that due to security purposes that they do not give out their mailing address. i then went to lunch and came back and at 1:45 pm ms. johnson calls and asked if i tried to call her. i said "no" and then she recited the phone number that i called from....LOL.... i then said oh yes i called for the mailing address and she gave me a hoopla that it is not given out for their fear that a "defendant" will come after them and she told me that congress passed a law stating that they did not have to have a toll free number for conducting business. so she asked if i was ready to pay my debt to her client thru western union. i said well give me this information so i can pass it on to my attorney and then told her to break down why a $100.00 pday loan is now $310.00. she did that and i said i would pass this information on. for one, this national processing, just like allen, lewis and associates, are breaking so many laws of the FDCPA. so now i will once again file a complaint with the attorney generals office against this national processing company. the only thing i fear is with no physical address and only a phone number, will they be able to locate them. i do know that any collection agency practicing debt collections in that state HAVE to have a license. so i will now file a complaint against this one. again i plead, anyone with this problem with either agency get online and pull up the florida state attorney generals office and file a complaint. i know i owe these debts and i face up to that but under NO circumstances should we be treated like common criminals. i will keep you guys updated.

Hi debbiec

I will go with you on filing complaints against such companies doing shady business. The main thing that strikes the most is the unwillingness to give the physical address. There is nothing to keep the address confidential otherwise how it will conduct business. I guess they want to keep it secret so that they are not caught for committing illegal actions.

You can get some more information on National Processing by going through the thread given below.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/forums/national-processing.html

Do keep us updated as things shape up.

Thanks
Roxette

thanks roxette, i will most certainly keep you guys posted.

debbie

I did some checking around and they have been around since the mid ninties. Ellis crosby opened in 04. Im sure the collectors of ellis had to go somewhere for a job.

Didn't the guy on their website start the company. And didn't he die just recently. He was born in the 80's, so I thought the company was new, or he had started it sometime after graduation.

Where did you find the information on Lewis?

-Mike

This is what is posted at their website,

[color=red][link removed per forum rules-Mike][/color]

On July 15, 2003, Allen, Lewis &Associates suffered a devastating loss. Our beloved Chief Financial Officer (CFO), JJ El-Hassan, died as a result of a tragic accident. JJ was a vibrant young man with a bright future. JJ was only 20 years old, but had already bought his first house, was building a racecar and a show truck. JJ was an avid car enthusiast and loved old muscle cars, especially the 1957 Chevy. His dedication to Allen, Lewis &Associates was second to none, he spared no effort to make deadlines and to do the best job a man could do. He was the ???behind the scenes??? man, the guy most clients never heard of, but who's efforts were evident every time you received a check from us. JJ took great pride in his job and the fact that he could do it without mistakes and with accuracy that was machine-like. JJ is survived by his Sister, Jeannie Hecht and Brother Robert Hecht, the owners of Allen, Lewis &Associates. JJ's Brothers David and Sabri and Nephews Bobby and Gabriel are also employees of Allen, Lewis &Associates. Here at Allen, Lewis &Associates we are a family, a tight knit group. We all mourn the loss of our brother, our co-worker and our friend. Words cannot describe the pain of loss we feel, the emptiness that is left. JJ will live on forever in our hearts and his spirit will forever surround us. His example will stand as the mark by which excellence is measured. Rest in Peace brother; watch over us from above.

Ted Ellis Crosby worked for about 10 Jacksonville collection agencies. I know he was fired from at least one because as a manager, he was caught scamming money, or manipulating "numbers". After his termination he worked for Allen Lewis & Associates before stealing their trade secrets and opening his own agency. He took with him the worst of the worst collectors and eventually hired three ex-convicts as managers. (one was arrested in the office at E.C.A.) (Another fled the state) (The third has kept his nose clean...so far. he really has no choice he has 4 million children, and can't collect anything.)

Ted claims he was the best collector everywhere he went. THis is very hard to believe. He was blessed with some of the worst genetics I've ever seen. There is little symetry to his face (like sloth from the Goonies) he has a narrow pallet which causes causes him to drool a bit when trying to pronouce hard consonant sounds found in words like "luCKy"

He has had braces applied to try to correct the problem, but to no avail. The braces have actually proved to make other Ted Crosby atributes more comical. His voice for instance is that of an 11 year old white trash boy. It's raspy, as if the boy were given shotguns of Marlboro Reds by his parents. However, sometimes in mid sentence his voice begins to crack and the voice of a very disturbing alter-ego emerges. It's the voice of a very femenine prom-queen or debutant...truly bizzare.

You people have chosen to be debtors...I am a debtor too. Pay day loans are a scam and you tried to scam them back and so on and so forth.

Allen Lewis & associates Is collecting debt to save dreams in many cases. Any debtor that sees fot to walk into a "Mom & Pop" music store sign their contract to rent an insturment for their child and not pay for it is a strait scum-bag. In most instances the debtors either refuse to return the insturment, or have pawned property that is not theirs. This is rental theft.

When a collector calls you over issues of this nature do exactly as they say. Don't be the half educated dim-wit that you are with other collectors, because I know that very often they will use every bit of their legal arsenal to see to it that justice is done.

They have every contract from every client signed by every debtor. They have your card and the ability to pull it.

Don't ruin Ameirca pay your justly owed bills, work the menial jobs that are making China, India and Mexico world super powers and knocking the U.S.A. it's ass.

Quit shopping at Wall-mart you morons. If it keeps going this way we will all work 40 hours a week at Wall-mart and on friday we will cash our checks at the back of the store only to find that we owe the store half of our check for groceries and Chinese crap bought during the week. We'll "owe our soul to the company store." Wall-mart now has a banking licence. You will never see your check at all. You'll get a Wall-mart mortgage to by a Wall-mart condo on the second floor of a Wall-mart super center...SLAVE QUARTERS!

Buy a used car that is good on gas, or buy a bicycle from a real bike shop. Shop at thrift stores. Stop calling yourselves Christians while celebrating pagan holidays like Christmas, which help perpetuate your lust for the devils debt.

"Look at all those fancy clothes, but these could keep us warm just like those. What about your soul is it gold...strait from the mold and ready to be sold" Jack Johnson

x-collect

You are trying to be a bit harsh on the people. No one here is trying to escape from their past debts. It is because of this attitude that you have shown in your post is making things difficult.

If you people can just work within the legal lines and quite harassing people, no one will go through such difficulties that you are portraying.

Next time, when you make an effort during collection, remember my words. You will get the money without much trouble.

If you paid your bills then you would not get calls from an agency like this!!! The way to deal with these people is to PAY YOU BILLS!!!!

Miss P

Most of us are concerned in paying off our debts. We are living on tight budget so that we ensure that our bills go paid. We know that the agency will pressurize us to make large payments as money is being owed to them. Those who try to escape the debt will not have an easier way out.

But, things get worsen when illegal methods of collections are used to take away money from us. If such agencies are considered legitimate and they are doing the right thing, they should not have been sued at all. We are complaining against such companies that practice unapproved methods of debt collections. And you should also stand by our side.

maybe this is old news to most, but i just found out that there is an open invesigation going on through the attorney general. so if you've been bothered by this company and if like you need to do so, then file a complaint and help build a case against them. Thanks. P.s. contact the flordia attorney general

You people really have nothing better to do? Pay your bills and people like this are out of business, plain and simple.

Collector X

People are paying their bills and they are sure to pay it to the right company holding their accounts.

The companies doing illegal business are still scamming people. That is why, we all are trying our best to shut them down.

How do you see them scamming people? How are they doing illegal business? Have you ever worked for a collection agency?I have and still do. People have a tendencey to complain when they are brought up on their delinquencies. For example, many people will complain to the BBB as a weapon of vindiction rather than as a tool of resolution. I have seem it many times. People get toghether in a knitting circle like this and cry out VICTIM as you all "console" them and then try to shift the blame onto the lowly collection agency. Trying to shut down an agency? Why would you try to destroy a person and their livelyhood? What about the real enemy? Unchecked spending of other peoples money, ie the credit industry itself. Predatory lending in reference to outrageous credit card rates and bills. However, these institutions will continue to put the plastic in the hand of the uneducated, unwashed masses as a tool of self dilineation. Watch as the majority of these masses file bankruptcy and clog our courts with unreasonable clutter. No collection agency in the world made you go delinquent. Your own lack of financial forethought did that. Quit being a victim and denounce the system that is destroying you.

Listen here Collector X, people have fallen onhard times. From identity theft to job loss. There is no lack of forethought when something unexpected happens. Get off your high horse and come down to earth. collection agencies don't care and never will care about the reason for falling behind. All they are out to do is cause turmoil and make people pay way more than the actual amount and harass family members and their places of employment. I am sick and tired of you collectors protecting each other. Oh, by the way I agree 100% with Ben. If it wasn't for the illegal tactics used by the collection agencies, we wouldn't have to take steps to get agencies shut down. Sit and chew on this for a while.

Mom and twins, you are missing the point. You are blaming the agency and saying all they are out to do is cause turmoil. WHat sense does this make? Causing turmoil serves no purpose other than to get the debtor's *******. Complaints do not get an account paid, it gets it closed and returned to the original creditor. So, your assertations make no sense. As far as the comment about us making you pay way more than the actual amount owed, consider this: A debt is incurred. This debt must be handled by the original creditor until it becomes obvious that the default will not be cured in-house. During this time the original creditor has been sending letters, calling and trying to resolve this.Do you think that is free?Do you think letters mail themselves? Do you think the post office delivers them for free? No, they don't. When you default on an account and it goes to collections it cost the creditor money. This gets passed on to you, as is usually stipulated in your contract. If they have to spend money to collect it, why should it not get passed on toy ou? I am not on a high horse, nor do I look down on debtors, but the attitude you display is that of the typical "woe is me" victim. You have hard times? Call your creditors and explain it to them. Most will work with you. If you wait until it becomes so delinquent that the creditor has no choice but to turn you over to collections then you have no one to blame but yourself. Like I said before, stop being a victim, take care of your responsibilities and do the right thing. If you all did this instead of crying "hard times" there would be no need for my agency and I could go on to practicing Criminal Law instead.

Language edited for clean view - Vikas

Oh yeah...sit and chew on that for a while. heh heh heh

Collector X

There is nothing to deny the fact that collection costs incurred by the creditors have to be paid by the consumer. I will accept an amount being charged on my account considering the fact that the creditor has given me ample time to pay it. Nothing is free here and I know it’s my expenditure. But there are some collectors (not all) that take undue advantage of this fact. If you don't charge excessively on somebody's account, does that mean no other collector will charge and will be thinking just like you? This is not the case and can never be, but you seem to defend for all. And getting frustrated, you curse all of us here. This makes me ask myself whom you want to cover? I guess you! ha ha ha..

There should be professionalism on both ends. There are people who deal with collectors and make payments to them. collection agencies are updating the accounts once they are fully paid. They don't get any complaints. Does that mean all consumers are not paying their debts? I guess not..

Since the collection agencies approach the debtors in the beginning, it will be better if the accounts are presented to us nicely, not vaguely.

Mom of twins, take it easy. I am sorry from his side.

Ok, I will be sure to instruct my collectors to be sensitive to your needs..while you debtors tear the heart out of the small business owner they defaulted on. Where is the fairness in that? Everyone wants kid-gloves when they are confronted, but they don't care about the business owner working 15 hours a day just to get by. I feel no pity for your kind.

Collector X

Being a responsible person, I will suggest anyone to pay their debt if they have. Those people avoiding it are showing their most irresponsible attitude. I thank god, we do not have such people in this community.

You must be agreeing that no business will run in continued loss if they can't make profit. If the small business owner is unable to get money from 1 person in particular, he is making money from the other 10 persons and covering the loss. So, his 15 hours work is not at all going wasted.

The consumer is very well aware of the fact that ultimately, it's their credit that will improve once the account is paid. It is not a matter of collection agency or the creditor. It is a question of the credit file of an individual. It's really sad that sometimes they are not able to take care of their credit file because of the false representation of the accounts. Even if they want to, they can't do it because of some illegal and unfair debt collection methods.

Collector X, see I am not saying that every collector has a problem, but these are the general problems faced by most of the people. You must be dealing with your customers who are paying their accounts. Do you have reasons to turn them down? No.

If these avenues in collection industry can be improved, things will entirely take a different shape. I know you are matured enough and will understand the delicacy of this situation.

Collector X,

Why are you messing up between ???debt collection??? and ???unfair practices of debt collection??? repeatedly? I visit this forum regularly. I see people trying to get helped against uneducated collectors who often break laws. I don't think anybody here is trying to run away.

Consumer Y, the generalizations asserted on this forum are the things annoying me. The stigma attached to the collection industry and the debt collector are completely unfair. I can sight examples from personal experience. A debtor files a complaint claiming we threatened arrest. We go back and check the recording of the conversation, thinking perhaps our collector lost it and said something he should not have. Guess what the recording reveals? A debtor cursing at my employee and telling him that he is going to file a complaint and get him fired. My employee did nothing but explain the debt to the debtor. Now, the debtor files a BBB complaint. Guess what? Regardless of the outcome or what really happened, that complaint becomes a part of our file and counts against us. Even if it was bogus!