October 2009 We keep getting letters & calls from a difficult to understand collector from this firm, William James. This is about a debt incurred by my spouse before we were together & I know there has been NO payment activity in years & it is beyond the TX statute of limitations. I called Mr James & he even confirmed the last payment activity was more than 7 years ago. When I informed him, he laughed that I would call to inform them it was beyond the limit- primarily, I'm sure, because they do this consistently & knowingly. He then tried to give me a speech about ethics & morality, but I terminated the call. If I need to register a complaint, I will do so.
September 2009 Rausch, Sturm, Israel & Hornik S.C. Milwaukee These people took me to court over an outdated Target acct. I agreed to a judgment, I contacted a lawyer from the NACA site and was told that would be the best way to end this, but still had some questions, the judge said that if I wanted I could have a trial to present my case. Since the final outcome would still be a judgment I went for it. The trail was set, no one from RSI & H was there and I explained to the judge that I sent them a validation letter, certified, return receipt requested and gave her the green card, asking for them to explain the balance and how they were involved. The judge asked me so you disagree with the amount in question. I said yes. I told her they never explained to me how they got the balance. There was nothing in my file to explain the balance so she dismissed the case with prejudice.
September 2009 Donald Burak, Bensalem, This company keeps harassing me everyday about a debt from over 10 years ago. I have tried everything to make them stop but no luck. they are the most unprofessional people i have ever come across. is there a way to report them.
April 2009 I was called and the caller ID said Atty T. Landis 212-642-3400. The message they left claimed they were calling over a very important matter and that it involved a felony charge that was reported to their office and that it was imperative that I return their call today at 1-800-853-6000. It was hard to understand a lot of what he was saying but he left a business name and it sounded like he was saying Ally Days??? I'm guessing it is these same people everyone else here is complaining about but with a slight change in the phone number so I never returned their call.
March 2009 The below rant seems familiar. Perhaps an employee of Burak or Landis? I can tell you that Mr. Landis is still delivering letters with Donald's name on the envelope.
December 2008 FIRST OFF I KNOW THE ECONOMY IS BAD, BUT PEOPLE STILL NEED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO PAY THERE BILLS AND STOP TRYING TO GET OVER. A LOT OF THESE SCREWBALLS WAIT FOR THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO BE UP SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO PAY. TO ME ITS A MORAL THING, BUT I GUESS DEBTORS DON'T UNDERSTAND. IT'S A SHAME THAT THEY ARE ANGRY AT THE DEBT COLLECTORS WHO ARE JUST DOING THERE JOBS. THE DEBTORS USUALLY TALK OVER THE COLLECTORS INSTEAD OF LISTENING, WHEN THE COLLECTOR IS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING WITH THEM. IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE FOR EXAMPLE: $15,000, TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT AFTER YOU HEAR THEM SPEAK ASKED THEM MAYBE ABOUT A SETTLEMENT OR PAYMENT PLAN. STOP BECOMING FRUSTRATED AND COMPLAINING ABOUT DEBT COLLECTORS BECAUSE OF YOUR OWN IRRESPONSIBILITY, YOU PUT YOURSELF INTO THIS SITUATION OR ALLOWED SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU TO DO IT. ALSO STOP BEING CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEBT COLLECTORS POCKETS AND WORRY ABOUT CLEARING YOUR CREDIT AND YOUR CONCIENCE, IF YOU MADE A LOAN TO SOMEONE I'M SURE YOU WOULD WANT IT BACK. ESPECIALLY IF THEY SIGNED A LEGAL BINDING CONTRACT WITH YOU.
October 2008 Pinnacle Credit Services, Minneapolis, MN hired this Landis law office to collect on a credit card account that charged off in 1999. I have a REAL problem in dealing with slimy debt collectors, however this Pinnacle organization must really be sick. Landis was Donald Burak (same address) and according to your site, still sending out letters under his name. The debt is NINE YEARS OLD! The debt collectors are involved in drugs (Larry Weil, owner?) and kiddie porn. How sick is that? Why would law enforcement allow these people to stay in business? I looked up Pinnacle Credit Services, LLC on the MN debt collection website and they don't even exist. When I called to ask why, the female receptionists got real smart with me. This is a sickening group of perverted jerks who are ripping people off. I sincerely hope your readers are made aware of this so they do not get taken by this obvious scam.
October 2008
I also received a letter on Tom Landis, Esq. letterhead
collecting on a debt. The envelope it was mailed in had the
name of Law Office of Donald S. Burak, Esq. Four Greenwood
Square, Suite 220. 3325 Streer Road, Bensalem, PA 19020.
This is the same office of the kiddie porn lawyer. I read
the story where Donald Burak was busted on kiddie porn and
how the real owner, Larry Weil has a bad drug problem (Percocet?)
and they all are involved in extortion collecting debts.
I'll fax the information to your office. Burak/Landis/Weil
and all the other kiddie porn, pill popping debt collectors
won't get a dime out of me. Hope all your readers agree with
my position, why should we help keep a criminal organization
such as this in business and why are these people not in
prison where they belong?
HN,
We don't disagree as our information is pretty much in line
with your statements. We understand Burak is under house
arrest, wearing an ankle bracelet, awaiting his trial on
possession of child pornography. There is an FBI report
available for those interested. Larry Weil has a reputation
for violating consumer rights under the FDCPA and is known
to have a close relationship with several medications that
are available by prescription. We have received many emails
from current and former employees about his abuse of his
employees and consumers. Our advice is to stay far away from
this organization as they stink from top to bottom.
October 2008 I received a letter yesterday, the envelope said law offices of Donald S. Burak in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The letter inside was from the Law office of Thomas Landis, Bensalem, Pa. They are asking for $17,312.86 for a debt that was written off for $7,981. I will be mailing letter out to them this week. Creditor is Pinnacle Credit Services. I have never had any dealing with them. I did some checking after I got this letter from Burak and Landis. For further info on these men. Both were listed on the Pa Bar. If you go to www.padisciplinaryboard.org it will show you that Burak is inactive and that Landis is active but his license was suspended in Bucks Co. Pa July 15, 1997 but was reinstated on Oct.1, 1997 for a criminal conviction. CAse # 87 DB 97. I could not find out what the conviction was. FYI: the back of their letter states that if you orally ask not to be called at work that it is only valid for 10 days UNLESS you send in written request POSTMARKED with 7 days of oral request. The address on letter was Four Greenwood Square, Suite 220 3325 Street Road, Bensalem, Pa 19020. The address I googled for Landis Law Office was different, but he listed the above address as his also. I have also been getting phone calls from these jokers and the let the phone ring 3 times and then hang up. If you answer the phone they hang up, they never leave a message. I have now been logging the calls. Wish I had done it sooner to document all the times they called and hung up.
September 2008 I have been contacted by this office many, many times. I was told on the initial call that it was lawyers office, when I asked who, the woman, called Judy refused to say. The caller ID said Tom Landis 215-642-3400. I was told that I owed a debt of 3600.00 and I needed to go to Western Union and pay it immediately in order to avoid criminal prosecution and loss of property. I asked what the debt was. The woman stated it was a Credit Card Debt. I told her I didn't know what she was talking about and requested that she confirm the account information in writing, date opened, date of last pay, original balance without fees. She stated she did not have to do that. Extremely rude and obnoxious to me. Told me there was a criminal court date already set and began reading off what she referred to as a docket number really fast. When I said I felt she was violating the law, the phone made some clicking sounds and she got real nice and said, 'by law I am required to inform you this is an attempt to collect a debt.' I told her that I would not speak with her any further. The phone made several clicking sounds again and she began screaming, 'Oh Goddamn, here we go again, another f***ing deadbeat!!' I hung up on her. Then they called me six and seven times a day telling me that I was going to be very sorry if they did not get their money. I stopped answering the phone. Yesterday I got a letter in an envelope, marked Law Offices of Donald Burak. Inside is a letter from Tom Landis telling me that if I did not answer within 30 days, the debt would be revalidated. This debt is almost 10 years old, was no where near 3600.00 and is out of statute by 5 years. What do I do? should I send them a response? They wanted my bank account info, ss# and drivers license number. I refused to give this info and got cussed out.
August 2008
Law Office of Thomas Landis Esq. Four Greenwood Square
Suite 220 3325 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
I Received a collection letter from the Law Office of Thomas Landis Esq I'm first contacted by phone. I was requesting information on the account JULY 16 2008 they said I owed, when I started asking questions another person took over the conversation Mr. Jean Michael and demanded I make payment 2860 buy the end off the day I asked for the original Acct# he did not know it .Jean said I refused to pay the debt and he was garnishing my wages SUING me .HE was rude, vulgar, threatening abusive practices .JULY 22 2008 I sent certified letters to VALIDATION and also request in writing that no telephone contact be made by there offices to my home or to my place of employment that future communications with me MUST be done in writing. They called my place of employment "everyday" my Work and Home. AND STILL CALLING they must stop contacting me I ask them to do so in writing! NEVER provide me with a notice of my rights within 5 days of the first communication
August 2008 I used to work at this agency and I couldn't be happier at the sentence the attorney received! Every time I tried to ask Burak a question he would snap at me (but he would tell us he had an open door policy) Larry Weil, the owner has meetings at the end of the month with all of this employees in attendance and it is unbelievable how he just spews lies...he tells people they can make $100,000 a year and that is purely impossible at his agency. He's a flim flam man from way back. I have witnessed this man high on drugs at work on many occasions. I'm glad I'm no longer there.
July 2008 Just a fresh update for you per the US Atty Office - Donald Burak was sentenced to 97 months for his kiddy porn. Wonder why they didn't go after his work computer? I see Larry on it all the time. Wonder what he is looking at?
June 2008 A scam artist contacted my husband, my father in law and myself today ....they all were linked to your website as scam artists. My person was SO rude and angry and could have been quite scary if I had let her. She threatened to send me to court this afternoon if I did not send a check to her today. I googled the phone number 215-642-3400 and your website came up. I asked her to send me via US post a copy of what she was saying and she said no way I need to fax her immediately or she was going to garnish my wages TODAY. My husband and father in law were contacted about an apparent 1993 debt...which was non existent and which was a scam too. when they googled that number this website came up too. DO NOT GIVE ANYONE MONEY OR CREDIT INFORMATION OR FAX NUMBERS.
June 2008 Just got a letter from Thomas Landis stating they are representing Pinnacle Credit Services, LLC. Wondering if anyone has heard anything about them.
May 2008 IN THE MATTER OF DONALD STUART BURAK, : O R D E R AN ATTORNEY AT LAW : (Attorney No. 022801984) DONALD STUART BURAK of PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1984, having entered a plea of guilty in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey to one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C.A. 2252(A)(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2); It is ORDERED pursuant to Rule 1:20-13(b)(1) that DONALD STUART BURAK is temporarily suspended from the practice of law pending the final resolution of ethics proceedings against him, effective immediately and until the further Order of this Court; and it is further ORDERED that DONALD STUART BURAK be restrained and enjoined from practicing law during the period of his suspension; and it is further ORDERED that respondent comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with suspended attorneys; and it is further ORDERED that the entire record of this matter be made a permanent part of respondent's file as an attorney at law of this State. WITNESS, the Honorable Stuart Rabner, Chief Justice, at Trenton, this 23rd day of April, 2008. Stephen W. Townsend CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT
May 2008 Despite the number of consumers who sent in for us to publish Donald and Cynthia's address and phone numbers here, we're going to decline.
April 2008 Donald S. Burak is out. New head is Thomas Landis. There has been some staffing changes in this office. Call the 800 number. Same unlawful collection practices continue...
After further researching, I have been told that Donald S. Burak has retired. I still have a pending lawsuit against his company. In my previous e-mail, I made public the fact that Donald S. Burak is no longer involved. Tom Clark has been removed also. The new attorney is Thomas Landis. His private practice number is (267) 257-1212. Email address is tom@landislaw.net He is listed with the PA Bar Association.
2007 Ok here is my
frustration. I am not the one they are after but I am
effected daily by calls from these fugitives from morality.
I’ve been trying to “know your enemy” for the past 7 hours.
These comments listed have so much to say with no verifiable
facts to be found on the internet.
I’m not a “Private Dick” so I don’t know all the ins and
outs, but how the heck does one get actual information from
what is said in here and on this site?
I’m not directing to those affected like myself, but those
who work there that have posted. Forgive my nervousness, due
to the fact I am not a lawyer, but with out being able to
back up what you are saying, if we were to make assumptions
based on your entries we could be held liable.
1. I can not verify that Donald S. Burak is even an attorney
– tried PA Bar Association and NJ Bar Association.
2. I can not find a business even registered at the address
given by the website “APM Financial”
3. Could not find anything about Larry Weil. No PA police
reports concerning drugs and no SEC actions taken on him.
Please if you work there give us, who actually want to fight
back not just make random blog entries, something to go on.
Looking at other sites based on the 800-853-4000 phone
number search some claim this website is working with the
same people that are harassing us. Now that may very well
NOT be true based on the fact most people aren’t willing to
actually look to close at web searches just assuming the
first, or only, result they find is the gospel.
In truth the only two things I know for fact after this day
are; 1. That there are parasites that need to be cleaned up
and no one gives us access to legal pesticide. 2. That there
is a rude group of people that believe in humiliation and
degradation to try and collect monies that they have no
right to try to collect according to state statute of
limitations. But hell they can keep calling day in and day
out just to remind us how horrible this world can be if you
have lost, or never had, good income.
2007 Ok, I wondered whether or not to say anything. But, I think I will. I was contacted by these soulless, repugnant trolls in the middle of June. I am a truck driver. And, I had made contact with my step mother who informed me that I was contacted by an attorney. This attorneys name was Brain Grant. Mr, Grant informed me that I had a balance of a little over $5,000 with Direct Merchants bank credit card that I had opened up in 97. Knowing this was out of statute (in Kansas, 5 years) I asked if it was still valid. Mr Grant informed me that an amount of $74.50 was paid in 2004. Resurrecting the account. And, also making me responsible for it. From the beginning. They wanted large amounts of money. Although, Mr Grant was not mean to me in this regard. He did put quite a bit of duress on me to pay large sums. I told him that the amount his client wanted me to pay was impossible. But, I did tell him that I would make a good faith payment of $500 at the end of that week. The worst mistake I ever made. I also told him that if the money wasn't going to be there. I would let his firm know it. They had my checking account routing number, and recorded me saying the amount that was to be taken out. I will not go into detail. But, around this time I had a tragedy happen. I called up their and told them to hold off on the $500. Well, I get a phone call from Mr Grant. Who, asked me "What happened with the money?" I told him that I called them, and left a message. He claims that the voice mail wasn't working. And, that they never got the message. But, no matter. He informed me that now his client wants to go after me for criminal charges.
2007 I received a phone call from this" law office" Then another; this time they told my mother they were trying to collect a debt and I need to responded by 8pm. Moments later they called again to say they haven't herd from me. I called them back, the next day. A man Mr. Barry Perkins told me was from Donald Burak "law office" and he wanted this matter settled. I asked what this was about and he told me you know what this is about you had a car repoed in 1995. I said yes, and I've herd nothing back from them in 11yrs. He told me I needed to pay $25,957.32. Upset I said I don't have that kind of money. He said he was doing a finance assessment. I stated I have 3 kids a single mom. He asked me about child support and I stated I receive none. He stated he didn't care if my kids ate or not he wanted the money. This man made me feel like I was the worst mother on earth. I asked about payment plan he said pay me $15,000.00 and we will close the account. I also asked why this wasn't on my credit report. He convinced me I didn't know what I was talking about because he was looking at my credit report. By now I feel stupid. I'm crying and very upset so he tells me fine we will settle this if you pay me $11,000. He told me if not paid ASAP he was garnishing my wages by 49%. Those guys at Burak are Saints. Really.
2007 Total losers! Received a notice in mid-July showing a creditor of Fourscore Resource Capital on a an out of statute Chase account for $15K+. Sent the validation and cease comm letter immediately, it was received and signed for. Yesterday received a SECOND DEMAND notice now showing the creditor as being Pinnacle Credit Services for $15,K and more! with the same Chase account number. No response to the cease comm letter has been received. I filed a formal on-line complaint with the FTC and faxed a copy of the complaint to Burak. What a total bunch of losers!
2007 I WORK FOR THE LAW OFFICES OF DONALD BURAK THE WORST COLLECTION AGENCY IN THE WORLD. THE OWNER LARRY WEIL IS A PILL POPPING PERCOET ADDICT (allegedly) AND THE UNDER BOSS TOM CLARK IS A DRUG ADDICTED LOSER ALSO AN EX-CRACK HEAD (allegedly) ) THIS PLACE IS FULL OF CONS AND THIEVES I CANT BELIEVE I EVER TOOK THIS JOB. I AM A WOMAN WHO WAS REPEATEDLY SEXUALLY HARASSED. MOST OF THE ACCOUNTS THEY WORK ARE OUT OF statute THEY ENCOURAGE YOU TO LIE TO PEOPLE AND MAKE FAKE CLAIMS ABOUT SUEING CONSUMERS THIS IS NOT A REAL LAW OFFICE ACTUALLY THE REAL NAME OF THIS PLACE IS APM FINANCIAL , SO SAYS MY PAYCHECK LARRY WEIL OWNS TWO COMPANIES THIS ONE AND ANOTHER ONE CALL LAW OFFICES OF LARRY HECKLER IN PRINCETON, NJ I AM QUITTING SOON AND FINDING A REAL JOB I ADVISE EVERY ONE TO KEEP RECORD TAPE CONVERSATIONS IF ABLE TO SO THAT THESE SCUM BAGS CAN BE SHUT DOWN I PERSONALLY TRY REALLY BE A REAL BILL COLLECTOR NOT WHAT THIS PLACE TRAINS YOU TO BE ...THEY USE THE LAW OFFICE NAME AS A COVER TO SCARE PEOPLE TO PAY BILLS. BE AWARE THIS PLACE IS THE OF THE WORST WORST (allegedly)
2007 I was an employee at this law office. Not only is the owner using an attorney "Donald Burak" on his letter heads , this attorney is never in the office and does nothing there ***** **** is using his name for financial and tax purposes only and clearly has admitted this. The owner ***** ****is a know drug addict. his drugs of choice are cocaine and percaset pills , which he comes to the office and falls all over the place. ****** *****, he has as his vice president and sexually harassed every woman that has been employed there any age, race, weight etc. He talks down to every male employee there and threatens people that if they dont have sex with him he will fire them and has been know to do so. I personally was fired for not responding to the sexual and explicit comments made to me. I am half his age and I on several occassions have brought up that factor along with the fact that he is very unprofessional and intimidating. I complained to several managers and nothing was done until the day I was terminated. While there , they force you to violate the fdcpa and all of the consumers' rights and then when a client is in the office they threaten your position if you dont follow a different pitch . They teach you from the day of training and on how to intimidate people, belittle them and they also encourage the collectors to take checks that arent authorized . This is not a trustworthy place of buisiness for collectors to work nor for a consumer to resolve outstanding debts they may have. (Darn - if you had provided an email address, we would have protected your identity and keep those names in there.)
2007 My wife just received a letter from these pathetic people demanding she pay over $9000 for a debt paid when we traded in her vehicle. Of course the address on the letter was wrong. She never lived at the address the letter was sent to. Evidently these pieces of garbage tried to call my family to get info on us. I will be calling monday and recording the conversation. I will be telling them I am recording the conversation and sending certified letters to cease and desist, if no reply in 30 days the debt is invalid and request for information on the debt. If they cannot produce anything, which is very likely that they won't, then I will contact the BBB in Pa.. I will be contacting a lawyer about this as well. I will be suing them for everything that they claim to have, and will try to destroy them for the inconvenience they have caused us. Couple of things wrong here, would have been nice to have an email address to contact you, but alas...
2007 What a bunch of devious, uneducated human beings. I'm first contacted by phone. I was requesting information on the account they said I owed, when I started asking questions another person took over the conversation and demanded I make full payment. His name was Mr. Saxton. When I told him I could not make full payment of $6185.00 he recommended I take out a loan or ask family members for money or I'm going to court. I told him ok, let me know when to appear in court. He didn't like that answer so he started to yell at me, he stated if this does go to court I will be responsible for court fees and the he went on with your a hamster in a cage going round and round and I will be in debt forever if I don't pay this bill. Now a third person gets on line (Mr. Taylor) and says ok how can we work around this. I agreed to a payment plan, now I'm so behind on my bills I can't continue to make such high payments. I'm down to owing 2000.00. Any help out there?
2007 I also work for the law office of Donald Burak. It sucks!! One day Larry Weil is going to cross the wrong person. He makes millions off of the sweat and hard work of his employees. He is really good at hanging the carrot in front of you promising that you will move up through the ranks and make tons of money. Since I have been a manager I have not seen any money come my way and I know that other managers feel the same way. How long does he think people are going to take his b.s. Larry read the writing on the wall.. START TAKING CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES
2007 I WORK FOR THIS AGENCY. THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYEES . MANAGEMENT IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER WORKED FOR. THEY HAVE A COMPLIANE DEPARTMENT THAT JUST YESTERDAY SENT A PERSON HOME FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE FDCPA. THEY TAKE THE APPROACH THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO HELP DEBTORS NOT HURT THEM. I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE THERE If you see the guy from the message below, please remind him he's in paradise. His meds are working as well as yours...
2007 I work for the LAW OFFICES OF DONALD BURAK its the worst place to work they encourage you to lie to people to extort money from them the owner is always high on percocets they use the law office as a cover to just scare people to pay their bills I hate working for this place I plan to quit this week when I get a better job I cant believe I took this job this guy name tom clark who is the boss walks around yelling at people that they better get money in the office or they will be fired, I went to him and told him I had this bill this guy didn't owe and he told me who cares collect it anyway he was furious when he found out I didn't call the guy back Larry weil is the owner he is a pill popper always comes in the office high on drugs they say he is on percocets or something they are so "ghetto" this is in no way a law office I cant belive I took this job
2007 Call from a Rachel Ward at 215-642-3400. I explained everything to her, and offered to call her with a debit card number on Friday to give her a payment of $100- and that $100 was the most I can spare. She would not even consider that and lectured me that this case would have to go to court: costing $1500 in fees on top of the $1300-something he owed on the credit card. That Bill wouldn’t get a job because the employer would see that his wages would be garnished to pay this debt/court fees. She concluded that I would need to call her back by Monday with “at least $400” on a credit or debit card, or she was going to send it to court.
2007 Thanks to your web page I knew exactly what to do when contacted by Mr. Porter of the Burak collection agency. The first to call was a rude, vulgar, threatening lady who would not let me get a word in edgewise. I finally hung up on her when she threatened to take our car and I explained I was disabled and could not walk and her response to that was " you'd better learn quickly, chickie ". I'm 62 yrs of age. I was fuming. Mr. Porter did all the other calls and this is not even my acct. but my husbands. I think they thought they would get more out of a woman but they were wrong. I did all the things you said and they were hanging up on me. Thank-you !!