Around July I received a collection notice from Pressler & Pressler. I Immediately called the number on the paper as they did not provide info as to who the debt originated with on the notice. I was then informed that back in Sept a phone line was put in my name in Orange NJ. I moved from that address in July and was living in Hackensack when the phone was installed. This was the first I had ever heard of it. I requested that the woman I spoke to send me any and all paperwork she had regarding this phone line as well as the form to dispute the debt. She said no problem and I never heard from them again. Until... 2 days ago when I went to make sure funds for a check were in our account and low and behold my balance was zero. I called Bank of America and they informed that a levy was put on the account. I then called the Sherriff to find out that it was Pressler & Pressler. Mind you, where most of these complaints are talking about debts in the thousands, this debt was for 433.35 (fees from P & P included). According to the debt collector at P & P, they sent a summons to Orange in Feb and I accepted it. I have not lived at that address since June. I have lived at my current address for 3 years. When I questioned them about who signed for the summons they said "It was sent certified Mail" I said then SOMEONE signed for it and I would like to know WHO! I was then told it was me. The conversation just went around in circles from there. He asked why i ignored the debt, I explained that I was still waiting for the paperwork regarding the debt. He asked if I filed a Police Report and I said no. Apparently, they won't do anything unless I do that. I also mentioned taht given the fact that the phone bill itself probably didn't total more than 300-350.00, why would I avoid court? I could very easily have paid that off. I still could very easily pay it off, but now that it is a judgement, I want it removed from my credit report as from what I understand, judgements sit there for 20 years.
In the meantime, I have accumulated more than 300.00 in overdrafts and bank fees on my account that according to BOA will NOT be refunded to me. It is the day before Thanksgiving and one month until Christmas and I have two children ages 4 & 9. How do i explain that Santa did not make it this year? I have also been advised that I need to go to Newark (I live in Little Falls and do not drive) to file a motion to vacate the judgement because i was not properly served the summons.
It is disgusting the way they handled this. I am quite certain they KNEW I was no longer in Orange and they delibrately sent the summons there in hopes that I would not show up for court to defend my case. Now I am petrified because all I am rweading online is about how Sheldon pressler has the law in his pocket. I am also infuriated that instead of being home baking desserts for Thanksgiving with my family, I will be sitting on a bus for 2 hours to try and get this straightened out so that MAYBE I can salvage the holidays for my boys.
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