Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd.

Death Letters:

Incredibly Stupid or a Massive Ruse?

Did you receive a letter from junk debt collectors Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd. (P&C) of Newark, DE stating that you are deceased?

Letters sent on behalf of their client, PORTFOLIO ASSET GROUP and junk debt buyer TSYS (Total Debt Management Inc. of Norcross, GA) the original creditor (?) were sent out to thousands of consumers stating that their client PORTFOLIO ASSET GROUP was recently notified that the alleged debtor had passed away.

They go on to state that at the time of his/her passing and the dollar amount owed to PORTFOLIO ASSET GROUP. After receiving several calls and email regarding this we contacted P&C where a ‘Senior Manager’ stated that they also do estate, collections and several thousand of these letters they state were sent out in error.

My advice is that you do NOT call or write them regarding their letter. It may be a ruse to locate you and get your contact information.

The accounts appear to be an old Target National Bank portfolio that has changed hands several times. The P&C representative stumbled over himself several times trying explains how these letters were sent out in error, an excuse that was difficult to believe.

You can choose to respond in writing to P&C in the following manner using the information from their letter:

The Estate of John/Jane Doe

1234 Main Street

Anywhere, USA 00000

September 16, 2008 Sent Via Fax w/Return Receipt to: 954-472-8411

Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd.

258 Chapman Road, #205 Newark, DE 19702

Re: Client:         Portfolio Asset Group

Orig Creditor:   TSYS

Client Acct#:     435212345678900

Our Acct#:         0000000

Amount:            $000.00

Dear Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd.:

I refuse to pay this account.

 Sincerely,

The Estate of John/Jane Doe.

By ignoring their initial letter, you open the door to additional calls and letters. By sending them this notice, they face a possible legal quandary in contacting the (deceased?) debtor again. NEVER give a debt collector access to your banking or credit card information, contact us for assistance and referral to a local consumer law professional.