April 2009    Kingman & Cole may not last much longer. An attorney found their bank account, garnished it and caused lots of checks to bounce. They still owe more than $150k on judgments, can't buy any paper. The few employees left are working accounts that are picked to the bone. They are collecting under Kingman Associates, doubt they will make it much longer. Tell your readers to save their money this agency barely has a pulse.

April 2009    This company has called me repeatedly and threatened to take me to court and throw me in jail, have my wages garnished, a just a long laundry list of things, but being of a law enforcement background they have just hit a brick wall. I have since filed two complaints with the NY BBB and they will not even respond to them. I just recently received another threatening call from them and this time they screwed up by leaving a nasty little message on my voicemail, of which will be forwarded to the state attorney general of New York. Should you have the displeasure of taking to these individuals by all means record the conversation and forward it to the attorney general in New York.

February 2009    KINGMAN, COLE & ASSOCIATES, LLC CLOSED FOR BUSINESS! Amherst New York* Complaining about your Paycheck bouncing  Read more: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/424/RipOff0424639.htm

Brady, Caruso & Associates, LLC  Amherst, NY

First call came to my work number on voice mail message left by a Miss Martin - stated she represented Brady and Caruso, and then stated the case was filed with my county and gave me a case number...stated it was important that I return the call immediately.  I happen to do work that involves lots of court filings and as she did not say it was a personal matter, I assumed it had to do with my work and did not immediately return her call.

She then called again and gave her name as Miss Martin with Brady and Caruso and asked if I had received the message she left the previous day. I told her that I had received the message but that the case number she had left was incomplete and I did not know which file she was calling about. I still did not realize this was a personal call....she stated that the file she was calling about was me....and spouted my social security number at me asking me to verify it....I asked her what this was regarding and she told me they were verifying my information as a summons was being served and unless I wanted the summons server to come to my work, I needed to verify information....I told her to have the summons server sent as I would not discuss personal business at work and on the phone. I told her I did not want her or Brady and Caruso contacting me at my work number and I hung up.

She immediately called back and left another message on my voice mail stating that a summons would be served the following Monday at my place of employment unless I contacted her by 9:00 am the following day.

I then checked with the Superior Court and verified that there has been no filing against me and the case number is not a good number.

On Monday around noon, my supervisor received a call from a Russell Barr @ Brady and Caruso. My supervisor also  did not realize this was not a business call and asked for the case number, which Mr. Barr was kind enough to give him, when he also told Mr. Barr that the case number was not coming up...he was then told that the case number was the legal filing number in a case against me in a collection matter over which I was being sued. My supervisor sent me an e-mail informing me of this and came to ask if there was a problem.

On Tuesday  Mr. Russell Barr (or Barrity?) left a message on my work voice mail identifying himself as the "Senior Partner" of Brady and Caruso and stated that he understood I had discussed my account with Household/Orchard Bank earlier that day with Ms. Martin. He then again repeated that there was a "lawsuit" and my case number..he then gave me until 9:00am New York Time to call.

Now today, I received at work an unsigned letter which had been faxed to my work fax machine (but addressed to my home address) which states they are a collection agency and are attempting to collect a debt. The letter is not marked personal and confidential and gives information which all of my co-workers using the fax machine were able to view.

The good thing about the fax is that it did come on their letterhead so that I can send them certified letters requesting they not contact me and that they validate this debt which I believe to have been discharged in a bankruptcy/divorce in 1996!

February 2009    Kingman Cole scared me into giving them my bank account #. Now I realize I goofed big time. I opened a new account and have transferred all the money to the new account, but I am still being harassed. The account they are collecting on is over 5 years old, past our state law to collect. I have been threatened with jail, being sued for fraud, garnishment of wages, etc. I have been called names. It was suggested that I borrow money from friends or cash in my 401K. I am at wits end. What can I do?

It is legal to tape in your state without telling them. A good tape can be used by law enforcement to take actions against them which could include invoking some of the terrorist laws against telephone abuse. Kingman & Cole, AKA Marshall & Ziolkowski can be located and prosecuted for their actions. The new AG is cracking down on abuse, we need one stupid debt collector to take a hard fall to prove it can happen. No one will care if Marshall & Ziolkowski end up in prison, they have been on a crime wave for far too long. Get the tape, let them talk all they want, we will assist you in contacting law enforcement. No one should be dealing with these idiots STOP sending them money, they are criminal debt collectors.

December 2008    In case you haven't heard, the Kingman Cole scam launched a new "subsidiary" in October called "KCA Medical Collections". The bunko artists at Kingman Cole issued a "press release" (try not to laugh) announcing this new scam. Here is the website - http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200830/1225421464.html

November 2008    The other day my neighbor came to my house saying that the county sheriff called him to check on our house because the sheriff was trying to serve me with a subpoena. The sheriff supposedly left a number and name of a firm to contact. My husband and I were out of town for 2 days so it was possible to miss a sheriff. I called the number to ask why they were serving me. It turns out it was not a sheriff at all. It was a collection agency who somehow got my neighbors name and number. When the collector answered my call, I asked her why I was being served. she said that I was listed as a person of interest in a fraud case.

September 2008    I received numerous calls from these people about a "case". I never received anything in the mail and thought there was something fishy. I finally called them back and after being hung up on 3 times, got online...
I wish I'd looked them up before calling! They were horrible to me and I ended up in tears! When I asked for actual proof that the supposed debt actually belonged to me they gave me the runaround about how once they buy the debt there's no way to glean that information and they weren't going to do it even if there were. They simply kept telling me they'd see me in court. I told them I wanted proof so I could personally verify the information. They said they'd send the verification letter by way of the Sheriff's Dept. and see me in court. They even laughed at me, saying I was becoming the office joke since I kept calling back after being cut off. It was terrible and I wish I'd been able to record the call. My advice to anyone - just don't call them back! They're obviously a scam!!

We are happy that you found this site and are not a victim of their obvious scam. With the current number of lawsuits steadily growing, we expect Kingman & Cole to fold into yet another phony debt collection agency run by Marshall & Ziolkowski. Word out of Buffalo is that a LOT of drugs are done at this location which may help to explain their inability to act professional. Kingman and Cole are a scam, run by criminal debt collectors, consumers are warned NOT to ever send them money or give them access to your banking information, they will steal your money. Contact us for assistance and referral to law enforcement and consumer law professionals. These con artists belong in jail, NOT scamming money they are not entitled to.

July 2008   I have been repeatedly contacted by Kingman Cole who have also called as Kingman Law firm. they also ran my credit as Marshall Ziolkowski Enterprise. They are saying that I criminally used an old credit card to remove goods from stores and that the matter was scheduled for litigation in "less than 24 hours", that was over two weeks ago and they keep calling. I asked them who the attorneys were that worked there. Tim Losman told me their names were Chad Olsen and Paul Stanton. I looked them up with the New York State Bar Association and couldn't find any attorneys by those names. What Can I do?

Kingman & Cole aka Keith Marshall & Richard Ziolkowski are liars, criminals and con men. They are NOT attorneys They have almost as many judgments against them as their partners; the Mackinnon Brothers of Unistates. Everyone is warned NOT to deal with Kingman & Cole, they have a history of illegal debt collections, heavy drug use and extortion. Tape their calls, contact us for assistance, you can go after them with law enforcement and consumer attorneys. Keith & Richard belong in a New York State prison cell, get them on tape, let's end their crime spree and put them away in a prison cell where they belong.

June 2008   I have a rather long story to tell about "Kingman & Cole". They first contacted my mother in law two weeks ago claiming that I owed money on an HSBC card. According to "Kevin Kaufman" she was on the account, his law firm had bought it and they were going to freeze her credit lines if she didn't pay. Then, "Kevin" called my home number and my husband answered. "Kevin" proceeded to tell him that if the debt wasn't paid that day they were going to sue me, garnish his wages, levy our bank account, etc. We know the federal and state laws so my husband began grilling the loser. "What are you talking about" was "Kevin's" only response to each legal point my husband brought up. Finally, my husband told the guy he was a scam artist and hung up. Two weeks go by and there is a message from "Chad Olsen corporate attorney for HSBC" giving the same phone number and extension number as "Kevin Kaufman." "Chad" said that a lawsuit had been filed with my county circuit court and gave a U.S. docket number. Circuit courts are federal and the one who serves us is out of state. It was a total lie. "Chad" also called my mother and law, pretending to be an attorney from our home state. My husband, again, answered the next call. He basically told "Chad" off.  Thanks to this webite and others we knew all about Kingman & Cole. Funnily enough, when they ran my credit report, my husband's and my mother in law's, the name was Marshall & Ziolkowski Enterprise. We all got our reports the day after the first call. The HSBC card defaulted nearly four years ago and our state's limitation is three years. After my husband ended the conversation a woman called who refused to give her name. I answered this time. She started right off by saying the statute of limitations was five years not three. I told her that I knew my state's law, had asked an attorney and we would be happy to talk to them as soon as we got the legally required letter proving that they own the debt. Until then, I didn't want them calling back. She responded by saying that she would call every day until I paid my debt. I hung up on her and of course she called right back and left a message. "I hope you have an attorney and this isn't another of your lies. See you in court". My husband and I have laughed about it all night.

June 2008   I had sued Marshall & Ziolkowski Enterprises in Montgomery County, MD before they changed their name and won a judgment for $2345.64. I was mad as hell when they simply stopped working as MAZE one day, then opened the next day as Kingman & Cole. Well they should not have made me so mad. There is a provision in MD law that allows you to go after the owners, so I did some detective work and found out that Richard W. & Mary Jane Ziolkowski own a home at 1682 North Forest Road, Williamsville, NY 14221, Erie County. It cost me $65.00 to file a foreign judgment on their property, so when they sell that house...I GET PAID! Want to hear the best--I'm collecting 1 1/2% interest per month, that's 18% per year.. THANK YOU LORD!

Anyone who has money coming can jump in line (behind me) and make them pay. Oh how I love the legal system!
Take that you slimy lying debt collectors!

May 2008   I just quit working there, never saw so many drug users in my life. Marshall & Ziokowski just took a $54,000 hit on their bank account from a previous judgment. That place is nothing but a prison where the criminals walk free. They have every con going on you can imagine. Drugs are used out in the open and frequently. MAZE (as they call it) allows drug use, pot smoking out back and dealing. If the Amherst cops ever show up there on Friday the whole place will end up in jail. The debts they buy are recycled garbage, most are out of stats and there is no paperwork to back up any of it. Consumers are crazy to pay them any money they hit bank accounts daily with phony check numbers, always claim it was a mistake. More felons and drug users than I could handle. Mackinnon runs this operations so you can understand why it's so bad.

April 2008   Marshall & Ziokowski (Keith and Richard, respectively) have renamed their business, due to over $150,.000 in judgments aginst them. They are now called The Law Firm of Kingman, Cole and Associates and their new phone number is (866) 345-4590. The underlying number is (716) 689-4269. They are working out of a UPS postal box, address: 6558 4th Section Rd #321; Brockport, NY 14420.

March 2008   Keith Marshall & Richard Ziokowski are on the run again, hiding from the law and the massive amounts of judgments piled on them by consumer lawyers that total over $150,000. They are now known as the LAW FIRM of:
Kingman Cole & Assoc (is a UPS store in Brockport, NY) 6558 4th Section Rd #321 Brockport, NY 14420
Ph: 866-345-4590

They still allow drugs to be the tool of choice for debt collections, now posing as lawyers, police and court officers. I can't believe they are not in prison because they do more illegal things than legal. I'll keep you updated.

2007   I just started to receive phone calls from a collection agency that calls itself " attorneys at law Marshal and Ziokowski". After some internet research, I found out that they are out of Williamsville NY.

They called me yesterday and said that they are suing me for a debt owned by Shell Oil Co. ( last payment 2000 or 20001 or 2002) these are their dates. I remember if I had an account with them, however it is past our state statutes for taking legal actions. That they are filing the papers with the County Courthouse. I haven't lived there in almost three years. I don't know which county they plan on seeing me in. I called the county because the collection agency said that the court date was Nov 1, but the county doesn't show anything with my name on it. I even asked the sheriff's office it they were going to give me a summons today because that is what the collection agency said. But nothing.

All of my charge offs are past the 5 yrs statute of limitations. And this company would not send me any proof of my owing this debt. They don't even have my current address. They kept referring to my old address, which I haven't lived at in years. How can I stop this madness? My credit report show no charge offs, or anything bad. Everything has fallen off after 7 years. And no new use of credit. Any advise would be appreciated.

Marshall & Ziolkowski is a scam! They lie all the tome, make threats they are incapable of ever taking. Based on the egregiousness of their threats and the volume of complaints we receive, it is our impression that many Marshall & Ziolkowski collectors managers and possibly even the owners must be heavy drug users, How else can you condone the fact that they pose as attorneys, investigators, law enforcement with their threats and attempts at extortion. We strongly urge anyone contacted by the morons at Marshall & Ziolkowski is NEVER give them any banking or credit card information, contact us for assistance referrals to law enforcement and consumer attorneys. THEY ARE VERY BAD PEOPLE!

2007   I was recently contacted by a Rubin Goldstein of Marshall & Ziolkowski. I came home from work to find a message on my answering machine with a warrant number and telling me that I was going to be sued in court if I didn't contact them immediately. I was terrified by this call as I have had some legal issues the last few years and thought that this was pertaining to that. However when I called the number I reached a what I referred to as a bill collector but they called themselves an arbitration law firm. I was informed that I had to pay them 3,200 dollars which included interest over the outstanding debt from the last few years. I became upset and emotional and they then said that they could lower it to 2800 dollars. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that there were no supervisors because this is a law firm, but that I could speak to the attorney, so someone named David Martelli got on the phone and basically yelled at me and told me that he didn't care if I was crying and that I had to come up with this money or they were going to issue a warrant for me, I told that I couldn't pay 2800 they then said that the lowest that they could go was 2500 dollars, and that I needed to find a way to come up with this or they were going to take me to court and sue me for 4-6,000 dollars. I found your wonderful site, and found this law firm on your site, and am just wondering if I am legally bound to pay this company or do I have any recourse. I feel very terrorized by this and really don't want to relive this experience again. I want to clear my credit up, and have only recently been able to have a job that would allow me to do that. I just do not know where to start. Please help me.
Response: Marshall & Ziolkowski is NOT a law firm it is a place where convicted felons and drug users work to extort monies from unsuspecting consumers. The owners; Keith Marshall & Richard Ziolkowski are sued on a regular basis for their illegal debt collection practices and violations of federal law. These are the worst of the worst in the debt collection industry. Collectors working there cannot get hired anywhere else because of their criminal records and drug problems. They cannot take any legal actions against anyone, the debts they are collecting on are recycled trash that has been worked and reworked until it is worthless. These slimy extortionists have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, they are lazy, stupid and try to make a living by telling lies, making threats and extorting money. Anyone contacted by this group of future jailbirds is WARNED not to fall for their lies or threats. Tape their calls, contact us for assistance and referral to law enforcement. DO NOT SEND THEM ANY MONEY!!!

2007   Shawn Miller is actually Shawn Millard. He calls himself The GOAT. Meaning the greatest of all time. More like the greatest scumbag of all time! He blows through bag after bag of coke daily and thinks that it makes him a better collector. This guy will do and say anything to get money from his debtors. He's a shady person and is not to be trusted. He treats everyone around him like dirt.. take this from and ex- girlfriend!

2007   Our experiences with Marshall & Ziolkowski began when my husband received a phone call. They were trying to make settlement arrangements for a 6 year old debt. A few days later they contacted our home number and spoke with me. I was told my husband was facing criminal charges. They gave me all the information. This was for a supposed debt of my husbands from long before we were married or met. I went along and gathered all the information I could, including dates of accounts, etc - which were all well beyond the statute of limitation. And never mind they were discussing it with me, a third party, without permission. They called again the following day (call #3). I asked what kind of company they were and was told they were a collections agency. A few days later (call #4) another call. This time I call them out on all of there violations to the FDCPA. The man said that it was clear I had been “on the internet.” He also later informed me that the “internet was full of crap.” When asked why they were discussing my husbands debt with me, which is a clear violation, they're response was that they were NOT trying to collect on a debt, but that they were just informing us of a pending judgment. OK. I requested copies of the original signed contract, which they refused. I requested their address, they refused. Instead said they would mail me what I requested – a validation of debt as well as a copy of the original contract. On the final call I continued to call them out on their violations and even made the guy so mad and frustrated he hung up on me. Not once, but TWICE! Both times calling me back. Both times I chuckled and remarked on his professionalism. During this phone call, he said they were not a collections agency, but that they were a "faction firm."

Since then, I have sent a six page letter detailing our relationship as well as detailing each and every individual part of the FDCPA that they have violated. I have given them 30 days to respond. Without any response, I informed them, I will be forwarding a copy of the letter to the FTC, a copy to the BBB, a copy to the States Attorney General as well as a copy to the NY State Bar association.

I also requested their attorney’s information. I plan to file a suit against them for defamatory actions on me. They pulled my credit report during this time, without cause. Again, I have no connection to the debt. It was opened and closed long before we met. My attorney and I will be working on that in the coming months.
 

2007   They are indeed calling themselves a law firm, when they clearly are not. In one telephone message, they violated the FDCPA THREE SEPARATE TIMES. Needless to say, when I called their bluff and let them know that they cannot possibly match wits with me, they got very angry. I seriously doubt that this will be the last I will hear from them, but I have already sent a tape of the message to the Attorney General's office in New York.

So, if either Keith Marshall or Richard Ziolkowski or any one of their numerous flunkies read this (assuming they can actually read), you have crossed a line from which you will not be able to return. You are toast.

2007    My husband received a call from MAZE. They had asked for me but I was working. They informed him they were calling in regards to a Amoco credit card in my name. I had a business for 20 years and closed it in 2002. This Amoco card was for my business with a credit limit of $500.00. When the business closed I cut up the card and forgot about it. It had a balance of $500. They threatened my husband with putting a lien on all his assets in the amount of $7,000.00. He panicked and asked what he could do to stop this. They told him if he gave them a post-dated check for the end on the month in the amount of $2,364.00 the account would be considered paid in full and would be removed from all three major credit bureaus. I was totally shocked that my husband would fall for this. He gave them all of our banking information for a post dated check in the amount of $2364.00 along with my cell phone number. When I cam home and found out what he did I was furious. I phoned my daughter, who works for a bank and she told me we were crazy! We should never give banking information over the phone to someone we did not know. I went directly to the internet, typed in their name and thank God I found your site. After reading all the information about Marshall and Ziolkowski my husband phoned the bank and reported the fraud. We had to close out that account and open a new one rather than stop payment on the check. I then called Marshall and Ziolkowski and informed them that they invaded my privacy. My husband's name was not on that account and that they should not have talked to him regarding it. Furthermore, I had not used the account for approximately 5 years and I only had a credit limit of $500.00 not $7000.00. We then went to talk to an attorney. He advised me to send them a letter stating that I had withdrew authorization to cash the post-dated check, they had invaded my privacy and not to phone me.  Good luck, but that probably won't stop them.

2007   These people called me one day and said they were sending a process server to my door. Then said I had time to make a deal before he arrives. Then they admitted they hadn't filed a suit but were freezing all my assets and accounts anyway. They claimed that they had sent letters to me which I never got.

2007   Earlier this year a Mr. Anderson contacted my daughter at her home asking for my husband. When told he lived at a different address he became irritated and harassing. Upset from this conversation, she contacted me. I  called Mr. Anderson. Well, let me tell you, Mr. Anderson is NO GENTLEMAN! He started demeaning me, my husband, my whole family. He said we were lazy,  we didn't pay our bills, our taxes were mounting up and we were completely ignoring them, we were deadbeats, the conversation went on and on with him yelling at me. I couldn't get a word in. I have NEVER been talked to like that by anyone! Finally, after yelling myself and getting his attention, I told him "how dare he assume he knew me and my family and our situation." I explained to him that my PERSONAL stuff was PERSONAL, that he had no business sticking his nose where it didn't belong, and that this so called "credit card debt" he was assuming my husband owed had been discharged in bankruptcy in 2003/2004 back in Indiana due to a family restaurant we had to close. That business cost us our entire life savings and nearly tore my family apart. But we have since picked up the pieces, moved to a new state and have started our lives over again and are happy. Then to have this jerk belittle us, was totally uncalled for. We didn't hear from Mr. Anderson for a while, but just the past couple of weeks we have been getting calls from a Mr. Seico (sp?) from this same company saying we now owe $16,000 plus on this account, that there was going to be an asset retention civil action taken against my husband if he didn't call before 9:00 p.m. the next business day. He didn't call and now we're getting calls every day 2 and 3 times a day. The last message was that they were going to file fraud charges against him, gave us a case number (which doesn't coincide with our county's filing system) and that a warrant for his arrest will be served by

2007   Dear readers I am a bill collector. A professional debt collections specialist and I have information to help you against this company. Marshal & Zilkowski's office in NY is located @ 8201 Main St Williamsville NY. I have inside information on this company as I was a prospective employee until I found out how they operate. First off Marshall & Zilkowski is a 3rd party debt collection agency bound by all federal and state laws under FDCPA regulations. THEY ARE NOT A LAW FIRM. Everything out of the mouths of collectors from this company is illegal from the second they open their mouths. Here's the point. You need to tape record their call and everything they say and keep answering their questions. Let them hang themselves and take your tape recording to any lawyer.

There is a lot of drug use by the owners and employees, Friday is pay day, watch for the abuse when they get a new supply, they do all of it at M&Z. Keith has several girl friends, one is prego's, loves to do the ti**y bars, throw around a lot of money.

A law student could win you tens of thousands against these idiots. This company trains their employees to break the law on every call. Let's go over the basics. NO bill collector can legally call you more than 1 time per day (less in some states) They cannot threaten to sue unless they have the intention to do so and they never ever do. They cannot threaten to take your house car kids or put you in prison, or file police reports due to your outstanding debt. Anyone trying to get you to pay something is a debt collector bound by FDCPA. Lawyers don't make collections calls-- they file law suits end of story. Lawyers make their money by going to court for their clients, not sitting on the phone all day.

A collection agency is liable FOR EACH FDCPA VIOLATION of no less than 1000.00 and the individual collector is also liable for the same. Marshall & Zilkowski (or as the front of their building says MAZE (Marshall And Zilkowski Enterprises) violate FDCPA so many times in one call you can walk out of court with the deeds to their Mercedes and pay off the debts you actually owe.

If anyone ever calls you about a debt over seven years old hang up the phone. It IS LEGAL to collect on these debts if people pay on them but they are what we bill collectors call "out of statute ." A professional debt collection specialist.   This is a collector who will do well somewhere.  Thanks.

2007   I just wanted everyone to know these slugs address and phone number. It is, 8201 Main St., Ste#10, Buffalo, NY. 14221-6046   I was told by a consumer protection agency to file a complaint against them with the Better Business Bureau, which I did. The BBB to contact is http://www.upstateny.bbb.org  then you can file a complaint with them against this company.

2007   Marshall and Ziolkowski left a message at my parents house. I'm not even sure how they got that number! I didn't even have it.  Anyways, I gave them a call back and they told me they're going to take me to court for fraud. I had a $1000 credit card w/bank of America in 2001. I stopped paying in 2002 and completely forgot about it until recently. They told me that I owe $9000 and I asked how that came to be. He said the $4000 plus interest. I told him my credit line was $1000 how can it be $4000. I than asked for verification through mail and he went off on me telling me i have you social security and address and read it off to me which was correct. I told him I would verify w/ my bank and again he started to tell me he doesn't like to deal with bank of America. He said that if i don't pay the $9000 right now he would have someone come to my house and deliver a summons to court and have me in court by Monday. He also asked if i had a gun or dog at my house. After i hung up on him, I decided to write a debt validation letter to them to just see if everything is correct. Is there anything else i can do on my end? its rather scary how he said he's going to have someone at my house. Did anyone went to court against them and won? Anything helpful would be appreciated!  We'd be interested in hearing if MAZE has ever taken anyone to court.

2007   I was contacted by a Mr. Bob Carson who is evidently employed by Marshall and Ziolkowski. When I returned his call I was told “He’s in an important meeting” They wanted me to provide them with a current contact number. I didn’t give them any additional information. I asked to hold for the person who left the message. The guy didn’t like that but placed me on hold. But he kept picking up the phone to give updates and make rude comments. So I asked the man if he was aware of the FDCPA because of the message I had received Bob Carson had insinuated that he was a lawyer and that he would be filing a claim against me. Not only do I dispute the claim, even if it was valid the jerk on the phone after first telling me he didn’t have access to that file was now telling me that the last payment was made in 2001 which is well past the statute of limitations. But the guy flat out lied and said the statute of limitations for Florida for unsecured debt was 6 years. Unless I’m mistaken it is 4!

2007   I also received a call from a Michael Johnson that work for this scamming company. Michael told me that I had a debt from a old Household Bank. He start read of my social Security Card number-- I do not known how this man received my number. Michael Johnson stated if I don't gave him my account number I would get a summons from the Sheriff Dept. and be arrested for fraud. I ask him if I could talk to that actually Law who I would see I court he told me that he was to busy to talk to me,I then ask's him if I could call back on 4-18-2007 he put me on hold and came back and said yes but you must call before 10am. (Michael told me that my balance:3,227.62 and that they would settle for $1549.00 I told him I do not have that kind of money and had know way of getting it, he ask me if someone I know would do it on their credit card I said No! He then stated that this needed to be taking care of now!) When I called back a man answer the phone like he was just waking up at home -- I ask to speak to Mr. michael Johnson , When the call was pick up by a answering machine the name was Andrew Johnson so I left a message for Michael Johnson. I then call back at 9:10am. another man pick up the phone and did not gave his name and I ask for Michael Johnson again he told me that a Michael Johnson does not work for this company. I told him I talk to hom on yesterday and he told me to call back and he ask for all my information and account number and he knew my social security number...HE SAID A MICHAEL JOHNSON DO NOT WORK HERE AND HANG UP ON ME!!!!

2007   This company contacted me threatening to freeze my checking and savings account for a debt that was charged off 3 years ago when I lost my job and became disabled. When I asked for their address and the name of the person who I was speaking to, the response was, "You'll get it when we contact you with court papers", then hung up on me. I reported them to the FTC and the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. Plus, when they called me, their phone number was blocked. They had called my sister-in-law last week and when I tried to return the call, I got a personal cell phone. It is against the law to make such threats per the FTC. It is also against the law to not have an appropriate return number, as well, I was told, they should have contacted me first by mail; which they did not do. The person I spoke with, a young lady, was rude, threatening, and refused to give me information. I asked the FTC why this company was being allowed to operate with as many complaints as they have against them. I was told the FBI could get involved and they could be sued and dissolved if the investigation proved their practices were unlawful; which they are. Just be aware of these predators because they are pretty nasty people.

2007   Last week this company called my mother and said that they were in the process of filing charges related to attempting to commit fraud. I called them to get information. I was told I had an old debt of approximately $2700 from an Amaco/BP card that hadn't been paid since 2003. I was asking questions because that card has been closed for years and the most I ever had on it was $200. The individual I talked to started screaming at me and saying  I was a deadbeat and they were going to file charges against me. I was told I had to make payment right away to avoid charges. I asked him how he wanted me to pay, with a credit card? His response was, "Do you have a credit card that you could give me over the phone?" I asked: "Does it make sense to you for me to give you my credit card number over the phone for something that I don't believe is legitimate?" The conversation turned worse from there. I was screamed at repeatedly. When I asked for written documentation of the debt, they said they would email me a copy of the bill. I told them that I wanted it sent via mail. They said that they were taking my refusal to pay at that moment as my final refusal and that they "would see me in court." They have since called twice, once leaving a message saying that it is imperative that I call them back to avoid legal proceedings.

Here's the funny thing. I just recently bought a house and there was no record of any debt like that on my rating. In fact, I was over a 700 (not to bad, right). I actually mentioned that to the person on the phone and they stated it wouldn't be on my credit rating because they bought the debt and it would show on my credit rating as being paid off. What a crock of crap!!

2007   I wish I had found this site a long time ago. Was contacted by these guys (Mike Johnson at Ziolowski) (through my 82 year old grandmother, who they told should pay) about an old Providian account, 5 years old. We negotiated a settlement, as they told me I was in breach of a secondary contract I signed (apparently upon opening the account) and were going to have me arrested for fraud and theft of service. I asked for a case history and a copy of the secondary contract, but they said that if I did, they would seek the full amount as I would be contesting the case against me. So I settled with them to get this off my credit report. They said that they would fax me a letter stating that the payment was made and that I could fax it to credit reporting agencies to speed up the process of cleaning my credit. I have called 3 times and received no response, although they are very quick to fax letters indicating you owe and how much...they don't acknowledge payments made. Now I realize that I should not have dealt with them at all and am out 4000.00

2007   I am in the Army deployed to Kuwait. My mother (in Ohio)  started receiving messages from Mr. Andrews at Marshall & Ziolkowski claiming to be collecting for a credit card I have never had. She called the agency back and, was insulted and treated rudely. Mr. Andrews stated that since I was deployed she should expect to be sued and would be responsible for payment. When I found this out I called the agency and spoke to a Mr. Taylor who found no record of me in his computer and said since I was in the military that I had nothing to worry about. I assumed that would be the end of it.

Two days later, another phone call to my mother. When I called back again I spoke to Mr. Andrews. He proceeded to spout off previous addresses for me, a social security number, and told me I owed for a credit card. I verified no information with him. When I verbally disputed the card and told him I've never owned a card from any company he stated that I was a liar and that he had the "proof" in front of him (spouting off lines of credit that I had 10 years ago, that were used for a major purchase and then closed). I told him my credit was spotless at which time he called me an idiot who needs to pay his bills and an a**hole. I told him about my talk with Mr. Taylor and that he
found no record for me. Mr. Andrews stated that the moron had been fired because he can't talk correctly to customers (in other words, Mr. Taylor had a conscience, was courteous, and actually helped me). I asked for his full name and mailing address so I could send a written dispute of this charge - he refused.

Being a former collector myself I am familiar with FDCPA and this "company" is violating it by contacting third parties, refusing contact information, representing themselves as a  legal office, and (based on what I've read) refusing to send written confirmation of a debt. Their homepage (and it's only a page, mind you, not an actual site) states a court case that involved a dispute over attorney fees. They believe that since the decision in that case stated a detailed billing statement wasn't required for the fees that written proof doesn't need to be provided to prove a debt - that's not what the decision says but they believe this gives them free reign to collect monies based solely upon "their word". I have placed a fraud/watch/military alert on my credit report and written a formal letter to Marshall & Ziolkowski disputing the debt. Mr. Andrews told me that a lawsuit would be waiting for me when I came back to the states but I highly doubt it. The debt doesn't exist, if it did it's beyond the statute of limitations, and they have no understanding of FDCPA. I can only hope they cease all contact with me and my family before I have to retain an attorney.            

2007   Got a message left on my answering machine from someone named Joseph from "Marshall and Ziolkowski Enterprise" in NY. .Said they were getting ready to send a summons to the San Bernardino Sheriffs Dept to serve me for a past due account. I called back to find out what the account was. It was for an account in 2001, which I know had been paid off. At that time, it may have been an amount of about $150. When I called, he said he had to go to the attorneys office to get my file. He came back and on started giving me figures of $1400-$2100 dollars. I said what for. The quite a while, he avoided the questions I was asking him. I indicated I had never received anything from anyone about a bill I owed. I asked for the information to be sent to me and he said the only way to get the details was going to be from the judge if I didnt settle with them now. He could offer nothing as proof about this matter. Be very aware of this company. Am going to do further research on this.

UPDATE!!!!! I just received a letter from National Financial Systems, INC, regarding an amount for just over $1000.00. At the very bottom it gives the reason for the collection.

FOR: Shell RE: Your account with our client: MARSHALL AND ZIOLKOWSKI !!!

I saw this and said WHAT THE .. Now it looks like a collection company has another collection company collecting for them as if its a bill for Marshall and Ziolkowski!!!!!

I called the number for NFS and was repeatedly put on hold. When I indicated that the name they were collecting for was Marshall and Ziolkowski and that they were a collection agency, I was told that yes, Marshall and Ziolkowski had purchased my old account and now NFS was collecting for them. When I tried to explain what transpired last year, she said she had to get a supervisor on and again put me on hold!!!! BEWARE!!!!

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