January 2010      I went with B & A beginning in June to try to settle a bad c/c debt. Gave them 2500 and they w/d 50/month. I asked for an accounting for the 2500...never got it. On 12/23 they told me I needed pay 1000 and w/d 100/mo. to bring my balance down further. i asked them to e-mail me a record of what they collected and the rep told me they would and we set up the 1000 payment arrangement as a good faith payment for Jan. 29th. I told them that I'm not working and maybe I can have that money there by that time. I also told them that I would call them on 12/29, which I did, but no one was there and I still did not receive any payment records. Got a phone call from him today (1/11/2010) and I said I would not deal with them until they e-mail me payment records. The rep said that I was now dictating terms because I did not want to deal with them until I received records and he still tried to get me to commit to 1000. He has since called me twice and now is threatening me with court action. He's saying I'm hiding behind an e-mail (still have not received it). I'm going to the FTC and others and file documentation. I just now found out that the check number I gave them, they did not use when they tried to take the 1000 out of my account.

January 2010      I was just contacted by my elderly mother in law, she was called by Rachel Howard from Attorney Brachfeld (1-866-834-3556) at ext. 6102. They told my mother in law that they had in contact with me. She stated an ext. and case # and had my mother in law all worked up. I of course called to find out what the situation was, Clearly this was No attorney's office. You could hear all the collectors in the background. The min. I began to answer a question they "had to put me on hold real quick" to "make sure they wouldn't sign-off" apparently that is what they do to keep you from "being sued". I told them to never contact my elderly mother suffering from cancer again, and to send it in the mail. I will only respond via mail. Are they taking these cases to court and winning? How is that possible for scammers to do and get a judgment in their favor? Still awaiting paperwork.

October 2009    I was reading an article you had posted about Brachfeld and Associates and found it rather interesting. I am a former employee of Brachfeld and Associates and thought I would respond. I am not a bitter ex employee but more concerned for the rights of the consumers they are calling. One statement you made in the article I stumbled upon was that the collectors were "crammed" into a small office with a white board to put up the daily totals. That statement is 100% true. They recently opened a new office located in Dublin Ohio and the sad part is that Brachfeld Associates are not even licensed to collect in the state of Ohio. Another interesting fact is we were taught to state the following on any contact made: We have been retained to collect the balance in full within 30 days of the account being placed or we will forward your account to an attorney in your jurisdiction to file suit. This was stated even if we had no intention on filing a lawsuit, half the time we would call the account even 60 days after making that statement. We were also trained to state on answering machines we need to hear from either you or your attorney. Both statements being a clear violation of FDCPA. Last but not least I spoke up to the newly hired VP of operations about how these were clearly violations of the FDCPA and how it was not right and I was told to pack my things and I quote "Get the f**k out of my office NOW" with several witnesses there. Hopefully this will be useful in your future endeavors....

Thanks very much for that. Brachfeld is on a collision course with the law. We have information that appears to validate that Marty Brachfeld (the convicted thief & disgraced former lawyer) continues to practice law there, in violation of California law.  We all know Erica Lynn Brachfeld-Shubin is a puppet of her father and not considered bright enough to have an original thought. Marty Brachfeld is a criminal who does not belong in this business. He is a liar, a thief and a con man, out to rip off anyone he can, if it means money in his pocket. That entire operation is a den of criminals who are a half step from a jail cell. The Ohio State Bar is being made aware of Brachfeld and their criminal enterprise as is the AG of Texas.  Marty belongs in prison, that may happen as his actions are now being monitored closely. Anyone with insider information on Brachfeld is asked to contact us, we will not divulge the source. Consumers are warned NOT to send them money as you may not legally owe it, Marty has little or no documents to validate it.  Contact us if you are dealing with Brachfeld/Meridian, it may end up being less expensive for you to retain a consumer law professional because Marty, and Erica have proved they are just not that smart. Beat these thieves at their own game, help put Marty Brachfeld in prison where he belongs. The Brachfeld organization is the type of garbage that needs to be cleaned up and face our criminal justice system. Marty is a serial criminal who is abusing the system, he should be barred from ever being involved with anyone licensed to practice law. Erica Lynn is his meal ticket, both are on a collision course much like the Lenahans of Buffalo, NY, he lost his license, hers was suspended for two years, for much the same as these two.

September 2009    I have received a summons to appear in court in Chula vista California. Not only was I not home when this was delivered, they gave it to my children, neither of which is over the age of 16. I have looked over the court calendars here in San Diego county and this case is not even listed. what are my options? They called once to get rid of the debt for half, gave me a date, called me BEFORE the agreed-upon date, then hung up on me when i told them it was before our date, and that would be able to take care of it then. I haven't heard from them since.

April 2009    FYI: Brachfeld & Associates is also going by "The Brachfeld Law Group, PC". Same address as their existing Houston office.

My sources tell me that this is the work of Erica's criminal father, Martin S. Brachfeld, 68, the disbarred, disgraced lawyer who is now screwing consumers as a debt collector/law office. I'm told that Erica just is not that smart, she depends on daddy to make all the decisions. Marty is a known thief and liar, which makes him perfect for this position. Erica is an ...well let's just say that she leans heavily on daddy to make her decisions.
 

Here in Texas, Brachfeld is losing a large portion of cases they file, mostly because consumers are challenging what they file. Additionally, a lot of consumer lawyers are defending Brachfeld cases, some getting nice awards on counter-claims. We never thought Brachfeld would last this long, I thought Marty would be in jail by now and Erica looking for another field of work. Keep the pressure on them, question everything they do, remember...they are liars, thieves and con men.

April 2009    I took your advice, got a lawyer, and challenged Erica Brachfeld and Associates. The court ruled in my favor for over $7,000, which was probably triple of what they were trying to collect from me

April 2009    Erica Brachfeld is indeed what gives attorneys a bad reputations as it appears she will sign anything for her own monetary gain resulting from abuse of the legal system. A modern day approach, if you will, to racketeering by means of filing deceptive lawsuits in hopes of bullying consumers out of money through their fear with her threats that have made her rich. From what it appears, her clients have dirty hands and those are the hands she has chose to feed her. One must not be afraid of Erica Brachfeld because that is exactly what she is depending on. FEAR. Let her take you to court and produced the contract she is claiming you breached. Chances are, she cannot because there isn’t one. Then, the tables should turn and consumers should file lawsuits against her for the fraudulent lawsuit and let her do the worrying for awhile.

March 2009    In Jan 09 our firm (Balsarmo Law) filed a lawsuit against Brachfeld & Associates, Meridian Management Solutions and two of Brachfeld employees. The Complaint was based upon 93 violations of the federal Fair Debt Collections Act and the Ca Rosenthal Act. Those 93 violations were a rain of credit collection terrorist acts against just ONE individual. In Feb 09 default judgments were obtained against all defendants. Seems they can dish it out but cannot take it. We intend to seek $93K in damages, punitive damages and attorney's fees in our Court Judgment.

March 2009   This is the fifth company in four years that is accusing me of owing a debt - that I DON'T OWE. Two years after paying off a credit card and never receiving anything from the cc co, a mysterious collection company (mind you - two years later) starts calling me.

January 2009   I received a summons in March from Brachfeld on behalf of CACV of Colorado for over $5,000. Our trial was in Jan. I had requested proof of ownership of this debt and even an explanation as to what this debt was because I was dumbfounded. I didn't have anything to do with this company. I also noticed on Brachfeld's paperwork filed with the courts that is was dated 3 weeks after the SOL had expired on this supposed debt. So I filed my paperwork with the courts to contest this whole suit and to point out that even the SOL was being violated as well. When we appeared at our Case Management Meeting, she wasn't there nor was anyone from CACV. They sent a representative to try to negotiate a payment from us. I said no. I wanted to see appropriate documentation. He couldn't help me and referred me to speak with Brachfeld. I sent a request for the documentation that went unanswered. When we appeared before the judge on Friday, she was absent again as well as CACV. They sent another representative that requested before the case could be heard to be dismissed without prejudice. Obviously, she didn't have what she needed to prove her case. I can only assumed she had hopes that I would not take this seriously enough to defend myself. I've also noticed this collector is on my credit report, so now I have another battle to fight with the reporting agencies. I found out that here in California, she has hundreds of suits filed primarily on behalf of LVNV Funding. Don't let her take advantage of you. Pay attention and defend yourself. I couldn't believe how sloppy her paperwork was!

January 2009  Midland Funding, LLC & Brachfeld & Associates. I am suing for violations against the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act thru Krohn & Moss, Ltd. (consumerlawcenter.com). various class action suits have been filed vs. Midland. They are a predator violating fair debt collection law.

January 2009  In Feb 2008 we received a call from Meridian Management about a Capital One debt, I asked for proof of the validity of this debt through the mail and got nothing just a dunning letter from them. In Aug 2008 I got a call from Brachfeld & Associates over the same debt, threatening law suit etc followed by a dunning letter in the mail. I asked them in writing for validation also and received nothing. I checked the court website in my town to find that indeed Brachfeld HAD filed suit in JUNE 2008.I did not get served with summons until Oct 2008 and at that time I filed my answer. I used Statute of Limitations as my 1st line of affirmative defenses among other things and counterclaimed for violations of the FDPCA as they had repeatedly called me about this debt and refused to validate. After having to file a motion to compel with the court as Brachfeld ignored my request for interrogatories, I looked on the court website yesterday and the case had been DISMISSED! Turns out my gut feeling was correct! Brachfeld had NOTHING to substantiate their suit and that they had filed using Capital One as a ruse to get me to pay THEM for a debt that was 1 year past the statute of limitations. My advice to all out there being harassed by these creek scum, FIGHT BACK!!! The original debt was for over $3000 but for a small fee to the court to file my answer and motion I avoided lining the pockets of these greedy shysters!  Brachfeld and her ilk prey on the ignorance and fear of consumers.  We contend they can be beat by anyone who stands up to them...

January 2009  Back in 05 I received an app in the mail for a new Aspire Visa Card. It said I would have a initial credit limit of $1000. When the card arrived I activated it and found it only had a limit off $300. so I called Aspire and they said they now longer had the $1000 initial credit limit program so I told them to cancel the card and they said that was fine and they would do it for me. Then 6 months later I received a bill in the mail from them claiming I owed $800 for this card I told them that the card had been canceled, they said they had no record of it being canceled and if I didn’t pay, it was going to collection I asked them to prove this debt was valid but they never sent me any paper work. Then a month later I got a call from Jefferson Capitol who said they now had the account and would like to set up payments I told them that the card was canceled and that Aspire Visa had sold them a bad account. I asked them for supporting documents that proved this was a valid debt. They never sent me anything they did continue to call for about a month, and then I heard nothing for over a year. In 2007 I got a letter from Midland Funding saying they now had the account and the amount was now $1351.99 I called them and told them that the account was canceled and that it didn’t matter how many companies bought the account it wasn't going to make it valid, I asked them to provide me with documents showing it was a valid debt but they never sent any after that I heard nothing so it figured that they had decided not to try and collect. Then on 11/20/08 it was severed papers at my home by Brachfeld and Associates I called the court to find out what was going on they said that Brachfeld had filed on me back in July of 08 and had a hearing on the 28th of September and at that point they had asked for case management which is scheduled for the 29th of January this was a surprise to me because I had never gotten anything for Brachfeld in regard to this account , no phone calls no mail not a thing from them. I called Midland to find out why they had never sent me any supporting documents and why they had turned it over to Brachfeld they refused to tell me anything and said call Brachfeld they now have the account . so I did but no one answered so I left a message for someone to call me back not once but five times and no one called, so on 12/01/08 I sent registered letters to both parties asking for supporting documents I gave them a month to respond but I still yet have to receive anything from them. I filed an answer contact with the courts and asked for a fee wavier because the courts wanted $180 to file the papers. Yesterday I went to court and the judge is allowing me to make payments on the $180 as I was trying to info on Brachfeld and Midland I came across your site I have printed out all then info on your site in regards to these two low life companies and have contacted my local congressman to see if he can look into this for the people of CA because it obvious that these two companies have violated the law and continue to. I would like to know what I options do I have if they don’t show up for the case management hearing. Can I sue them? and also Midland has been reporting this to the bureaus for sometime now I disputed it and on my report it show NO STATUE for this account I’m not sure what that means it also has no dollar amount or credit limit showing it petty much has no info except for Midlands info if Brachfeld doesn’t show for court can I sue to get back my $180 I paid for the filing fees? How do I do that? I checked the court records for my county which is Kern CO CA and Brachfeld has over 890 cases most set for case management I also checked all the surrounding counties and Brachfeld has an average of 675 case in each of these counties please tell all your readers out here in CA to contact their congressman if they ever deal with this Brachfeld she and Midland need to be stopped they are back logging the court system with bogus law suits REMEMBER FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE THANKS BUD FOR BEING A TRUE AMERICAN

January 2009  I received a collection letter from Attorney Brachfeld. I have been trying to get verification of the debt but I guess these guys bought it from someone else. Any NC Law is very specific that debt collectors must be licensed and that they may not share office space with attorneys. Can I sue her? Here is the link: http://www.ncdoi.com/asd/asd_consumer_collection.asp I looked at her website and she promises her clients a lot--skip trace etc.

We checked that link, you are correct, there is no license in NC for Brachfeld or Meridian. It appears that Attorney Erica is skirting the law, only getting licensed and bonded after she is sued or counter-sued. There is an excellent consumer attorney near you if she decides to come after you which will likely result in a dismissal. Brachfeld is hurting right now, her accounts have dwindled to a trickle. Rumor has it that her Houston office may not be open much longer. She and hubby have a lot of over head, the collection business sucks, so I expect she will be cutting way back. That includes cutting lawsuits because of the costs involved. Brachfeld has demonstrated she is not the smartest collection lawyer in the country, her suits are not that difficult to beat, according to attorneys I have talked to. She is feeling the squeeze of not getting enough accounts, that can only mean that her days are numbered.

January 2009  Erica Brachfeld now has a bond to collect in Texas.  Hartford Casualty Insurance Company Bond No: 20BSBES3867 The lawyer she used was embarrassed by the attorney you referred me to, seems the paperwork was so bad that all they wanted to do was non suit it and get out of the courtroom. Thanks very much for the services you offer, your site saved me a lot of money.

Thanks for sharing that. We know that Brachfeld suits are very sloppy and severely lacking in legal validation. Anyone in Texas who is sued by Brachfeld/Meridian can expect the same outcome, just contact me for assistance and referral. Happy to see she has a bond, now those who sue and win are more assured of getting paid.

December 2008     I have been contacted by Brachfeld & Associates, and I live in California where they are licensed to practice law. They threatened to inform my HR department of my situation. Is there anything that I can do to stop this?

Under federal law it is illegal to make known to a third party, the existence of a debt. Since they have not sued you and do not have a judgment, there is no valid reason to contact your HR, unless it is to embarrass, oppress or humiliate you. If your HR is made aware they are calling because of a debt, you may have a legal claim against them under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. We are aware that Erica and her architect husband recently moved into a $2 million Malibu Beach home and are making a gazillion dollars off her slimy law firm-collection agency. Since she can certainly afford to pay off on a lawsuit, wait to see if her debt collectors are stupid enough to break the law, (Duhh!) I know several CA attorneys who would be interested in discussing such a case, if that should happen. You can send them a dispute notice making demand for documents that validate their (phony?) claim.

November 2008    WRONG MERIDIAN COMPANY SUFFERING DUE TO BRACHFELD COLLECTORS CONSUMERS ARE ASKED NOT TO CONTACT THIS VICTIM OF MERIDIAN/BRACHFELD ABUSE.

If Meridian/Brachfeld does not resolve this issue we will give new addresses & phone numbers to reach Erica Lynn Brachfeld-Shubin through her spouse and directly where she lives.

Bud, Thank you for your assistance in overcoming the difficulties that have arisen from my company unfortunately sharing the same name as a Ms. Brachfeld’s company, Meridian Management Solutions.

I would like all those individuals who read your website to understand who we are and that we have absolutely no affiliation with Ms. Brachfeld’s company, even though we share the same name. My company, Meridian Management Solutions, LLC, is a South Carolina-based employee training and organizational development consulting firm. We do not engage in any debt collection activity whatsoever. Through web searches mostly, I assume, we are often mistaken for Ms. Brachfeld’s company and are contacted relative to business having to do with debt collection. While we have no legal requirement to follow up with those who contact us mistakenly, I do try to take the time to let folks know that we are not the company for which they are searching. The Meridian Management Solutions of Ms. Brachfeld is apparently a Texas-based entity, while we are a South Carolina-based entity. That is how it is possible for us to share the same name. I do not know what legal recourse I have against Ms. Brachfeld, if any, for the time it requires me to follow up on these cases of mistaken identity, but we are exploring the options which may be available to us.

Thank you for allowing me to post this in an effort to alleviate some of the confusion. Again, to summarize, Meridian Management Solutions, LLC of Myrtle Beach, SC is not engaged in the business of debt collection and is not the company for whom you are searching if you have been contacted by a company by the name of Meridian Management Solutions in regards to a debt collection matter. We will do our best to make you aware of your mistake if you do contact us, but I hope this clarification will reduce our need to do so in the future.

October 2008    Your readers would be interested in knowing that according to Los Angeles County land records, 39 year old Erica Lynn Brachfeld-Shubin and husband Russell J. Shubin use the money collected from debts to help pay for their $1.8 million Malibu Beach home. I guess collecting debts can be rewarding especially if it allows you to live in the 90265 zip code. Wonder how much blood money went into their home and furnishings?

October 2008     I contacted you awhile back and told you I was dealing with Brachfeld and Associates. They tried to sue me on a debt that was past the SOL. I fought them. She dismissed the case. Then her scum collectors were
calling and harassing me _still_ for the money. I told them to Cease and Desist and they didn't so I sued them in Small Claims. She defaulted. I got $3080.00 awarded to me.

September 2008     Thanks very much for your information and assistance on this organization. They refused four requests for debt validation, yet placed it on my credit. The NACA lawyer assisted me in going after them, we both received a nice settlement. They agreed to remove it and never collect on the debt again. You do a lot to help consumers, I would never have known I could sue Brachfeld if it were not for this site. We paid off several credit card accounts and had a nice weekend get-a-way thanks to Brachfeld & Associates, I recommend others do the same.

July 2008    This company called me saying that I owed money to LVNV funding for a debt that was originaly from citi auto. The amount due was around $2500.00, but if I gave them a payment over the phone they would forgive some of the debt. So like an idiot I gave them $100. They told me that they would need another $1000.00 by the end of the following month. I came online top this site and found that they are a fraud, so I called them and told them that I did not authorize them to take any money from my account. I then called my bank and gave them the company name Brachfeld & Associates and put a stop pay on anything they may try to put through. WELL this morning I looked online at my bank account statement and see that $1000.00 had been deducted from a company by the name of Brachfeld & Associates, They added the I to there name so the stop payment wouldn't work!!!!!! I called the bank and had it taken care of, then I called Brachfeld & Associates and talked to one of their scum bag "agents" and he hung up on me!!!!!!!!! BEWARE of this company!!!!! DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR ACCOUNT INFO!!!!!

July 2008    I have been getting callas at home and at work by a lawyer from the Houston office of Brachfeld Law Office by the name of David Sanchez at 866-835-1915 ext 6081. He has threatened my boss with a court order to turn over my records and said that he would personally walk garnishment papers through the Dade County courthouse.  He has called my parents in AZ, my neighbors and is constantly calling co workers with threats about me being arrested for credit card fraud. I looked him up at the Texas bar site and there is no lawyer named David Sanchez with Brachfeld. I think this man belongs in prison for what he has done, I am terrorized by his calls and threats.

July 2008    I want to thank you for the advice you have given us, because of you I stood up to those debt collectors and went to court and my case was dismissed with prejudice because the Debt collector couldn't produce any document, he was hopping I wasn't going to show up. These idiots have no, I mean NO paperwork to validate the debt. It was a scam from the get go. Thanks again for all that you do.

July 2008    received a call from a rude lady named keisha carter about a capital one account from 1999 she was a real bitch told me if I did not pay they were going to take me to court and take my social security. I get $600 a month and need every penny. When I refused payment she had joe hawk call me he said he was the manager and was just as rude as her he told me to save my money and buy a dress for court. they broke all kind of FDCPA laws. I asked them to stop calling and the next week I got a call from a young by the name of sherry scott she was a lot nicer than the other two and listened to what I had to say. I set up payments with her and the money was drafted from my account I received a paid in full letter about 2 weeks later and it was taken off my credit report. I called to thank her and keisha carter at ext 6092 would not transfer me to her said she no longer had the file and she was taking care of it I taped that conversation and will be contacting the attorney.

July 2008   I too have been a "victim" of this horrific debt collector. I was served papers and set up a payment plan. I contacted them in order to reduce one of the payments and was treated as if I had just murdered Frank Nava's entire family... I was threatened that he was going to send a Sheriff to my office at work and that he would humiliate me if I was unable to pay the payment. I told him I am just calling to see what my options are and was told "You have no options" I cannot believe there is nothing that can be done about this firm. Never in my life have I been treated this way.

July 2008   Bud, Cannot thank you enough for your advice on this phony law firm. I taped a collector named David Sanchez 866-354-3556 ext 6081 twice stating he was a law office and a suit was to be filed the next day if I did not pay. The lawyer you referred me filed a lawsuit for several violations, I pocketed $1500, he got his fees +. Cannot thank you enough for this, the debt is gone from my credit files, I wish all debt collectors were as stupid as David Sanchez. Keep up your great consumer work.

July 2008   I have received a call on my cell phone from 1 866-834-3556 x 6061. (showing up as 713-579-7000 on my cell) Every time I call back I get a voice message. I haven't yet been able to identify why "I'm being sued" The company supposedly is Brachfeld and associates law firm. The last message I have left them (after the 14th or so call in a 2 month timeframe) I told them to send any information to me regarding the suit.... still haven't received anything. I'm not too sure how to get them to stop calling except for to answer the phone call while I'm at work and address them at that time. But for right now I am very suspicious. I don't know if I'm going crazy over someone supposedly "taking me to court" and this being a possible fraud. I can't afford to give my hard earned money to criminals. Caller ID: 713-579-7000

July 2008   Wanted to alert you and your readers about Brachfeld. I took your advice and taped their call. A Ms. Russell at 866-835-1915 ext 6083, told me a lawsuit had been filed by Attorney Brachfeld on an old Providian debt. She said the case was on the docket in Dallas County, that I could authorize a check by phone and she would stop the suit. She was pretty good at talking the trash, I was happy that my tape was rolling. I contacted the Dallas County Bar Association who sent me to the State Bar. A very nice woman told me that Brachfeld is not licensed to practice law in Texas and I am filing an ethics complaint in writing. I encourage anyone else in Texas to do the same. Her Real name is Erica Lynn Brachfeld-Governing. I also talked to the attorney you referred me to who said that Brachfeld & Meridian Management do not have a bond. Tell your readers they can sue Brachfeld/Meridian and make money on their stupidity. I'm happy you are there helping the consumers of Texas.  Our calls and complaints have increased on Erica and her "so-called Texas law office" by 200% in the past 60 days.

July 2008   Here's a complaint to the FTC I sent the DAY AFTER I sent a complaint to Attorney General Edmund G. Brown: These guys don't get it at all.   This company known as: Meridian Management Solutions  aka/Brachfeld & Associates, P.C. dba/California Meridian Management Solutions, LLC  aka/The Minority Legal Network keeps harassing me about a debt that they have "purchased" from another financial institution. I have sent them a "CEASE AND DESIST" certified letter to stop calling my residence that they received on 6/11/08 at 12:39 pm. They have since kept up the harassing calls and keep hanging up on me. I reported them to California's Attorney General Edmund G. Brown on /6/17/08 about these calls and they have called me twice today (06/18/08) the last call being at 8:07 pm -- as I was filling out this complaint form. I told them what I was doing and they hung up on me (as they did when told them I was reporting them to Mr. Brown).

Here is a quote from Bud Hibbs who has obviously dealt with this so-called "company" before:

*Brachfeld & Associates are licensed to practice law in the State of California. NOT in the State of Texas! NONE of her organizations, collecting debts in Texas are licensed or bonded, a violation of Texas law. Their collectors are calling Texas residents threatening legal actions by attorney Brachfeld. This is a CONSUMER SCAM! If you are contacted by any of the organizations listed above, contact us for assistance and referral to attorneys who can deal with them. Do NOT believe what they tell you, they are lying.

Here is Brachfeld's other addresses: P.O. Box 11029 Carson, CA 90749 Phone: 888-459-0999  310-273-7867
Fax: 310-273-9867

800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. #200  Houston, TX 77042  Phone: 866-834-6218  866-354-3556  713-579-7000

I will file a complaint against their Texas office to Attorney General Greg Abbott if I receive a call from the company's Texas branch.

July 2008   I had this company contact me yesterday and threatened to sue me. They threatened to take my second car, and to garnish my husbands wages as I am unable to work. The debt that I have with them is 4 years old and they claim that I owe them 2700! The original amount was 1000.

July 2008   My letter from them had this address Brachfeld & Associates 800 W Sam Houston Pkwy S. #200 Houston, Texas 77042 and listed Natasha Tryon as manager of Operations.  My question is - What is a "Collection Law Firm"  I saw your warning that they are not lawyers in Texas, but this seems to indicate they are.  Should I contact the State Bar? 

July 2008   I received a call ref an old account from 2003 however, when I asked questions about how they attained my phone number the caller got aggravated and starting telling me how this was affecting my credit, I asked him to send me the "offer" in writing. He then accused me of trying to use a stall tactic???? Like the other person said I heard a lot of chatter in the office. Oh this is the best part I offered a lower settlement amount and he "emailed" the creditor and got what seemed to be an instant reply to accept???? So I hung up on him it was very unsettling. I just don't understand how they had my old address but my new number. why I hadn't received any letters or previous phone calls. something is not right. I am also concerned that they claim I owe $4000 of interest and other fees and I have not received any communication since 2003. They also would not send me any letter, he insisted on me providing a fax number. I am not sure of my rights I know this is not just.

May 2008   I have been getting weekly calls from Meridian Management asking me to provide my social security number (I will never do that) and told  "You can't get out of this one." Also told I need to have my lawyer call them. I can't figure out what they are hinting at. I pulled my credit report and while I have two debts more than four years old (in California) and I need to make good on those, one of those debts is listed with a later than the last action, like it is a newer debt. It has been over 4 years, yet they (and it's a different company) renewed the . Plus, the amount of the debt is about 4 times more than I remember. So, as you see, I have lots of issues here. Now I am frightened these people will be hunting me down to serve me. I don't want to talk to them because I don't want my words twisted around. I can't afford a lawyer, and if I could, the debt would have been paid off.  I don't even see Meridian Management or any of their other companies listed on my credit reports.

May 2008   I have had my own dealings with this company, which were unpleasant to say the least. I am very taken aback after reading all the statements made on this company by other parties like myself. I can't believe what I am seeing... my issue was that I had previously paid the debt in question, and they were continuing to harass me even after being provided proof of payment via fax. But, there are people saying that they didn't pay the original creditor simply because they didn't want to? Or even better is the person saying not to pay because their VP is a sexual louse? Grow up....pay your bills to the creditors, or contact the creditor directly like I did and make a complaint. I paid my bill and had these slimy people trying to collect....what goes around tends to come around, and it applies to the dirty collection agencies, but also to the folks who have no qualms stiffing people they borrowed from. I feel for those who are being unduly attacked by these sharks, but have no sympathy for people who just tend to say 'scr#w it' and make no attempt to resolve their issues.

March 2008    I have an old Wells Fargo account the account for $1000.00 dollars or so close to 3 years now. I didn't pay them because I didn't want to pay them I fell on some real hard times, one thing after another went wrong the biggest one was my employer cutting my hours from 40 to 24 hours a week I worked 24 hours for over a year and unfortunately I work all over the clock my days off and shifts changed from week to week. Anyways I stopped hearing from wells fargo about 2 years ago then I started hearing from a dept collector, I tried to work a deal but I was unable to. I never heard a thing for a long time then I started hearing from northstar they were RUDE right from the get go, they didn't want to settle for anything I could afford, so we didn't come to any arrangement. A month or so went by then I get a guy show up at my door and handed me paper work from the El Cajon court house stating that a civil case has been filed with the court house. I called the court house and they said it was legit because I thought it was bull shit at first. The court clerk said that they get alot of filings form Brachfeld and that they usually win by default and that I had 30 days to either file a a general denial form settle wth them or do nothing which doing nothing insures that they win for sure by default I filed a general denial since I had never heard of northstar capital acquisition before wells fargo was no where on the court papers. My 30 days is now up. but before my 30 days ended I got a couple more phone calls from them and they were even nastier they threatened to garnish 25% of my pay check take one of my cars if I owned more than 1 garnish my bank accounts they were real assholes the last time I talked to them the person I talked to said that he was going to recommend that they not settle for anything other then the full amount of $1,725.00 court filing fee and interest I guess, they were going to settle for $1,075.00 the original amount I owed but they didn't want to

March 2008  I have read this site and the comments posted. Everything I have seen here has hapen to me by Brachfeld & Associates. I was never personally served a anything. I came home to an envelope taped to my front door regarding a law suit and again a few days later by mail.Upon contacting Brachfeld & associates I was sent infromation on a debt that they could not even verify. The bad thing is that I settled the account not knowing for sure if I owed that amount of not. The fufunny thing is, that not even one month after I paid them off I get a phone call stating that I owe for another account that they can't send me info about. This time I'm going to court!

2007  FIRST AND FOREMOST THE VICE PRESIDENT TIM HERNANDEZ IS UNPROFESSIONAL PERSON AS WELL AS A PERVERT. DO NOT PAY THESE LOSERS. TIM HERNANDEZ IS TOO BUSY FLIRTING WITH THE GIRLS. TO REALIZE THE COMPANY IS A VIOLATING FDCPA LAWS. TIM'S CONDUCT IS JEOPARDIZING THE LAW FIRM WITH HIS SEXUAL HARASSMENT TOWARDS WOMEN.

2007  I saw your web-site and was able to identify many collectors I have dealt with the last year and half. Most I have written cease and desist letters and it has resolved the contacts. I saw your comments on Brachfeld & Associates who I have been sued by, the interesting thing I found was when I was notified about the suit, I was not personally served, nor were any attempts to serve made so to allow a sub-service by mail. But within a few days of the filing I received a copy of the lawsuit in the mail, no return address on the envelope. I am aware the service is not valid, and any judgment can be set aside upon filing a motion that service was not properly done.

I did some research and went to the Superior Court of California, Orange County, and put Erica L. Brachfeld in the court search of records under civil matters, and her firm has just alone 997 cases filled to
 for collection type matters, and a mass majority of them our sub-services, so I have a strong feeling who ever is filing these cases from her firm are not worrying about service on all the cases and just maybe be doing gutter service hoping that the cases will go to default judgment and they will attempt to collect from those unknowing and get some money from them without the proper due process. I have not checked the other counties in California, but I will guess their case records will show the same type of pattern as in Orange County California. And after reading your site and your entry on her, I have a feeling I could be right.

In California a person attempting to serve a summons and complaint has varying ways to serve, but to do sub-service they must use due diligence, and fill an affidavit showing their attempts as set by California Civil Procedures under service of process. And I know for certain it did not occur here in my case. So maybe some of your readers may have had the same dealings with her firm. I wish I was able to do more, but my illness keeps me from things, but this is why I am in the situation I am in, but debt collectors don't care one bit as you know, so I refuse to even talk with them, because it upsets me to much, and it is not good for me. I was a bit worried about writing this, because I really feel this lady and many others would do alot of illegal things to get their money, and when you are living on a limited income be it social security disability or disability pay, your not breaking the bank and just living. But I wanted to share it with you, as you said you do not publish any id information of the person, because I'm sure they read what is said about them. But maybe it will help someone else. Keep up the good work Mr.Hibbs, and I look forward to seeing the movie maxedout.

budhibbs.com