Quick Analysis                         Consumer Comments Below

The term Shekinah is supposed to mean “Glory of God” These future inmates of the CA Prison System have given it a totally new meaning; THIEVES, LIARS & CONMEN! Never before has a group of thugs burst onto the debt collection scene with the force and sheer brutality used by those at Shekinah, Inc. of Huntington Beach, CA. This group had us wondering if there had been a California prison break as their utterly out of hand, overly aggressive behavior seemed to indicate desperation on a scale we had not yet encountered.

There is a term used by debt collectors called "Gagging." It is the practice of calling up a debtors credit card company or bank and pretending to be that person in order to get location information, such as home and work phone numbers. This is a highly illegal practice in every state. There are some pros at Shekinah who use it to gain such information, then steal money from unwary consumers. 

Another reason why you NEVER divulge banking or credit card information to these thieves.

These are DANGEROUS people because they are under incredible pressure, appear to have drug and drinking problems, cannot get hired anywhere else and owner Jim Trent needs money, lots and lots of money, so he not only condones, but teaches his ‘CONSULTANTS’ (that’s how he skirts CA employment laws) on how to make a living as an extortionist.

We have learned that Trent encourages his employees to invest their own money into the portfolios that are purchased by Shekinah. Several went as far as heavily mortgaging their own homes to invest in this venture.

Nothing lingers like the smell of regret.

Shekinah buys as much junk paper as they can, usually with other people's money. They then turn around and resell as much as possible. The paper that hits the collection floor is generally a product or portfolio that they are incapable of selling to another company. This may prove to add more pressure on the collectors, as it is very hard to make a living on this (junk) paper that they are working. In addition, it seems as though desperate times have lead Shekinah to desperate measures. We learned that out of over 40 collectors, only three were able to meet the company’s production goals last month. As the production numbers continue to decline, the aggressiveness of its collection efforts will only increase. This may lead to increased drug and alcohol use, which extends into more extortion on the telephone to unsuspecting consumers.

When the reputation sours and the money stops, or the judgments pile up, dissolve, put on a new name and start over. Coastal Mitigation Associates. Costal Asset Management Group? Worldwide Recoveries.
Empire Recovery?

So here is the final analysis if you ever get involved with these collectors: You may not legally owe the debt. They are likely collecting it illegally with no license or bond. They harass, lie and extort monies by phone. You may be dealing with a desperate con-man/woman with a drug and alcohol problem.

CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email  the details w/your location.  Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.  

Email for Assistance 

  Comments from consumer emails.  Messages edited for brevity.

  Consumers said... Shekinah