Dec 12, 2013
Although this number has a San Antonio area code and prefix (210-399-xxxx) it appears to actually be from a person or persons working on behalf of a collection agency out of Illinois. A bogus name is given at first; i.e John Green, Tony Rich, John Levin among others, however, the number is associated with a Mr. Ray Buchanan. He uses "strong arm" tactics in his practices that include revealing personal information to outside third parties, impersonating law enforcement officers, threats of imprisonment and arrest and other violations of the FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT (FDCPA). Further research seems to indicate Mr. Buchanan works as a collections' agent for PN Financial (& Associates) out of Illinois. The principals of PN Financial are ... 1) Nelson Macwan (President), 2) Frank Grossman , 3) John Sullivan, 4) Greg Swider. They list multiple locations and phone numbers out of Illinois.This is what I have found out about PN Financial:
Government Actions
On January 11, 2012, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a suit against P.N. Financial Inc. and Nelson Macwan, individually and as President of P.N. Financial Inc. (hereafter Defendants) for violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, the Illinois Collection Agency Act, and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Madigan alleges the Defendants revealed information about a debt to a third party, impersonated an attorney and failed to reveal their true identity as a debt collector, and made threats about false lawsuits. In addition, the lawsuit purports the Defendants made false threats of seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of property or wages. Furthermore, Madigan claims the defendants harassed consumers about a debt at their workplace and revealed information about the debt to co-workers. Additionally, Madigan alleges the Defendants used abusive or profane language, made unauthorized withdrawals of money, failed to send first notice of debt, and misrepresented the nature of the debt. The lawsuit also reports that the Defendants disclosed social security numbers, abused access to credit reports, and made unauthorized collection of debts.
Madigan asks the court to prohibit the defendants from violating the Consumer Fraud Act and the Collection Agency Act. Additionally, Madigan requests the court to declare that all contracts entered into Consumer Financial Protection Bureaubetween the Defendants and Illinois consumers by the use of methods and practices are unlawful and rescinded and required that full restitution be made to said consumers. Madigan also requests that the Defendants be permanently enjoined from engaging in the impermissible use and obtaining of consumer credit reports. Furthermore, the lawsuit asks that the court assess a civil penalty of $50,000 per violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, additional penalties of $50,000 for each act committed with intent to defraud, as well as penalties of $10,000 per violation committed against a person 65 years of age or older. Finally, Madigan asks that the Defendants be required to pay $1,000 for each willful or negligent violation.
If you have received a call from this company or any of it's agents that have violated , in any form, your rights in accordance with the FDCPA please report them to the following agencies ... FTC, local consumer protection agency or your states attorney's office.