Someone from the Law Office of Bradley Rephen & Associates called my home today and left a message for my father who passed away in August from cancer. My husband and I did not recognize the number so he called it back to see what it was regarding. The man who answered the phone stated that he was calling to collect on bad checks that were written in late 2008 and early 2009 and that my father was responsible for them. My husband informed the man that my dad passed away in 2007 and could not have written the checks and that his wife (my stepmother) or my stepsister must have been the ones writing the checks. My husband told the man that we have had no contact with them since my dad passed away and knew that they had moved several times but not where. The man would not even let us give him what information we had on them before he started accusing us of knowing where they were and that we were in collusion with them to write bad checks. He was very harassing in his tone and language. Wanted to know personal information about why we did not speak to them anymore. He then told us that he was filing charges against us for the debt. Since I am aware that he cannot go after me for any debt related to my dad, since I am not his next of kin, his wife was, he didn't get very far with me. When he said his clients intended to pursue action against me personally for the debt I asked him for information regarding who the debtor was and I was told that he could not give me that information because it was attorney client privilege. When I told him that I knew that I had a right to know who was attempting to collect a debt and that I had a right to question the validity of the debt, he did eventually give me the name of a check processing place but would not give me any contact information for them. I was lucky that I knew my rights but he may have been able to scare other people into paying. BEWARE, this company MUST provide you with information regarding the debt and you have the RIGHT to question the validity of the debt. ALWAYS try to deal with the debtor directly as they will usually be more professional and helpful than this firm will. I called the NextCheck processing company and was able to resolve the problem with a 10 minute very polite phone call. Don't be taken advantage of by this company!
0 comments