I too have been targeted by this law firm / collection agency on a supposed "bad debt"
On July 30, JBC Legal sent me a letter indicating that I owed $167.03 from an unpaid bill to "Virginia Dominion Power" Since I had not lived at the address listed (or in Virginia at all) since June I became suspicious. I immediately called to refute the claim. When I contacted them, they immedialtely wanted a credit card number so I could pay off the said "bad debt". When I told the person on the phone that I was disputing the claim, I was immediately transferred to a voice mail box to leave a message.
I also decided to contact the company via mail. I sent them a certified letter refuting the claim, telling them that I had not lived there since Dominion Power had told me my account was paid in full, and that I had given Dominion Power a forwarding address and no prior contact to pay this supposed "debt" was made by them. I requested that they send to me any verification of said debt, plus a copy of any previous warrant of judgement against me in this matter, including a record of previous contacts made to me to settle this matter. Since then, I have not heard back from them.
I filed the letter and happened to run across it again today. I decided to do a more thorough investigation into JBC Legal Group. And look what I have found.
I've done some searching at other internet resources and have found quite a shady trail following JBC Legal group. Both Minnesota and West Virginia Attorney General's offices have lawsuits against JBC Legal Group. However, JBC Legal's website CLAIMS that the West Virginia suit has been dropped. This is from JBC Legal's site:
Http://www.jbccollect.com/en_us/Inthenews.html? 723200432049
*snip*
West Virginia Attorney General Dismisses Class Action Lawsuit
The class action lawsuit brought against JBC Legal Group, P.C. And its Principal, Jack Boyajian for residents of West Virginia has been dismissed by the Attorney General's Office by Norman Googel, Assistant Attorney General.
Excerpted:
"All matters in dispute have been compromised and settled in good faith on the terms described in the Agreed Order... That the Court dismisses this action..."
*snip*
Simply the way they present this on their website, along with the complete lack of information on the site, suggests fraudulent activities. Then additional research turned up these results:
Case Dismissed? Hardly
West Virginia Still Pursuing JBC Legal Group
September 9
Staffers in the West Virginia Attorney General's Office were dismayed when they checked the Web site of JBC Legal Group and found it boldly proclaiming: "West Virginia Attorney General Dismisses Class Action Suit."
In fact, says Attorney General Darrell McGraw, nothing could be further from the truth. His office continues to accuse the collection agency of abusive practices.
On July 30, Kanawha Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib, Jr. Issued an order preliminarily enjoining JBC Legal Group, its owner, California lawyer Jack H. Boyajian, and senior staff lawyer Marv Brandon from collecting debts in West Virginia.
The order was issued by the court without a hearing after consideration of the affidavits and exhibits filed by Attorney General McGraw's Consumer Protection Division in connection with its suit and Motion for Temporary Injunction against JBC.
McGraw's office filed the suit on July 28, charging that New Jersey-based collection agency JBC was engaging in a wide range of unlawful debt collection practices in West Virginia, including the following:
Threatening to file suits to collect time-barred debts;
coercing consumers to pay debts by threatening arrest and criminal prosecution;
accusing consumers of criminal fraud;
refusing to verify debts when disputed by consumers;
sending threatening written communications on lawyer letterhead stationery when no lawyers had any meaningful involvement in the alleged claim;
collecting debts without a license and surety bond as required by the State Tax Department.
In August, JBC reportedly tried to move the action to a federal court, but McGraw said he was successful in keeping the case in state jurisdiction, in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County. McGraw says no other pleadings have been filed, and JBC's representation that the Attorney General's office dismissed its suit is false.
"JBC's false announcement that my office dismissed its suit represents a deliberate effort to mislead the public about its fraudulent practices. I have asked JBC to correct the falsehood and am awaiting its response, " McGraw said.
*snip*
These guys have a LOT of nerve, but it is clear that they are violating the rights of consumers by using strong-arm bullying tactics. If they do not bother me anymore, I will let it go. If they DO send me another letter, I plan on going directly to Dominion VA Power to verify that I do NOT owe them money. Then I plan on contacting the VA Atty General's office, NJ Atty General's office (where JBC Legal is located), and the MD Atty Generals office - which where I live, and also the home of NCO Portfolio Management, the company that they claim to be representing.
NCO is a publicly traded company, so this could potentially get nasty.
0 comments