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Junk debt buyer news: Axiant / Mann Bracken declare BK, NCO Financial Services to the rescue
Filed Under: Collections
Filed Under: Collections
We are MORE than pleased to announce “HOT off the presses” kind of news! Good news – not so good news announcement.
Not so good news: Junk debt buyer NCO Financial Services is buying Axiant / Mann Bracken.
Good news:Axiant is declaring bankruptcy. Who knows what that means EXACTLY ?
NCO Financial Services is a large collection agency and has a bad reputation. We would like to know what prompted Axiant / Mann Bracken to declare BK and WHY is NCO buying them out? Axiant and Mann Bracken are in trouble moreso ever since the MN AG Lori Swanson brought a case against National Arbitration Forum in July 2009.
In our humble opinion…this was predictable. Ever since that lawsuit exploded in the collection industry, class action suits have come against Mann Bracken all over the country. It is getting hotter and hotter to sustain this kind of exposure and stay in business. Inevitable perhaps?
We ask again, WHY would NCO buy Axiant / Mann Bracken trouble ?
NEXT LEVEL CREDIT
“Taking Your Credit to the Next Level”
This only goes to show that “what comes around goes around.” It is unethical and a mortal sin to exploit the poor and those that can least afford financial debauchery. The word of the Lord preaches against the evil of exploitation of the poor by the rich and the powerful for financial gain. Our culture celebrates wealth more so than compassion, and love. If these big money hungry corporations could learn from the Word of God how to treat their fellow human beings, these types of agencies wouldn’t exist. Life is more than money or materialism. The unlimited accumulation of material wealth is not the reason for one’s existence on earth. Every soul was put here to use their talents to glorify God, not to exploit or to cause anguish and suffering to one’s fellow man. These corportations should find another way to make their profits, and use the money to help those in society that need a hand up. How a society treats the poor and those most vulnerable says a lot about that society.
I suspect they already own them- in a way- and NCO is the money trail…
Their down from buckets to spoons.. trying to get water out of the boat thats full and sinking! (?) just the 1st thing that popped up.
I wonder now what will become of The State of Georgia’s case against Mann Bracken, LLC?
I have owed a debt that was originally filed in bankruptcy court. My case got dismissed because I was unemployed and couldn’t make a payment. Mann Bracken has been collecting $75 a month from me for years!!! First I had to mail them a check before the 27th of each month, then after a couple of years I just simply went to their web site and paid via electronic check or debt card.
I have been trying for days to pay this months payment, but their website is down or not responding. I believe I am suppose to pay for another year or two, but they have made no contact with me to tell me how to pay.
Would sure be nice if the debt was forgotten because of the NOW low amount, and the fact that someone else would be wanting to collect.
To John D. With all the dismantling and confusion that is going on at MB, your case may get lost in the shuffle. If it does go to NCO, you should send them a Debt validation letter and make them prove that you owe them anything. Ask for copy of signed contract with original creditor. More than likely, they won’t have it. Make them prove that you ever agreed to pay NCO anything as well, and also ask them in letter to prove that they have a license to collect in your state. It’s likely that you will not get any validation from NCO. If they cannot validate anything.., ask them to remove the debt from your credit reports. Consumers are fighting back against debt collectors and winning! If you need to file bankruptcy, you should look into pro bono attornies that could be able to help you do it at a reduced price. There are attornies that help low income people in all sorts of cases, including assisting them in filing bankruptcy.
This is crap they owe me and my company 10,000 dollars in salaries … How am I going to collect my money?
John,
Thank you for your comment.
If your case was dismissed ( do we understand correctly ) , why is MB collecting from you? And legally you most likely could have proven that MB did not own the debt.
How much do you owe them if you have been paying for years as you have stated? Have you kept records of your payments?
Perhaps their site is down because they are declaring BK?
What can we do for you? Please let us know what your question is and how we can help.
~Next Level Credit~
I AM A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THIS “COMPANY” AS OF DECEMBER 15th AXIANT/MANN BRACKEN HAS DECLARED CHAPTER 7 BANKRPUTSY! THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN SINKING FOR MONTHS NOW, WITH NO SAILOR ON BOARD! I DESPISE THEIR EFFORT, BECAUSE IT WASN’T TO HELP “US” THE REAL WORKERS!
NCO Group Backs Out of Deal to Acquire Legal Collector Axiant
http://www.insidearm.com/go/arm-news/-nco-group-backs-out-of-deal-to-acquire-legal-collector-axiant
Accounts receivable management and business process outsourcing giant NCO Group announced late Tuesday that they have terminated a proposal to acquire Axiant, LLC, a leading provider of legal collection services.
Axiant was formed in 2007 through the consolidation of the non-legal operations of three large debt collection law firms in the United States – Mann Bracken, Eskanos & Adler, and Wolpoff & Abramson. The goal was to establish a national debt collection law firm, and at its peak Axiant’s geographic coverage included a majority of the U.S. population.
Kevin Keleghan, CEO of Axiant, told insideARM that any sale will still be subject to other bids and court approval. “The plan remains the same, but the potential buyer changes,” he said.
Also for those out there being sued for credit card debts (especially in Georgia)
The FREE Definitive Guide on Beating Credit Card Suit on Account Lawsuits
http://fivemilliondots.com/post/2009/12/20/The-FREE-Definitive-Guide-on-Beating-Credit-Card-Suit-on-Account-Lawsuits.aspx
I (Allen Harkleroad) wrote it, 100% free and it works. I’ve used the tactics and so have others!
So in effect Axiant, Mann Bracken, Eskanos & Adler, and Wolpoff & Abramson are in Bankruptcy proceedings. Hopefully no one will touch them and they all go poof (considering the State of Georgia is in the process of suing Mann Bracken, this bankruptcy may be Mann Bracken’s exit strategy to keep the owners out of prison.
what will happen now? i have been paying for years to them and owe abour 10% of the original amount. how will this be handled now? any ideas? will this be transferred to someone else? how can i prove that the payments have been made for the last 3 plus years? who has proof of anything?
thanks,
Dan
Dan,
Thanks for your comment. We posted an article today about the Mann Bracken HQ office in GA. The office is closed. We are VERY sorry to read that you have been paying them. Depending on where you live, in GA or not, will depend on how you proceed. We assume the national offices will close quickly.
We do not know if Mann Bracken is having a fire sale to sell all their junk debt at this time. You should have proof of your own records that you have paid.
If you are contacted by any other collector on your “balance”, you will have to send that collector a VOD letter. Do not talk to any collector. Everything needs to be in writing.
Do not concern yourself on something that may NEVER happen. Contact our office if you have further questions.
~Next Level Credit~
Great. Thanks.
And no i don’t live in Ga, i’m in Virginia and the office that I usually deal with is def not reachable as their numbers are all disconnected.
Dan
I have also been paying Mann Bracken for about 1 year for a credit card debt, and they did not take my payment out in December. They filed a court hearing for February 8th but if they are out of business who would show up?
TF,
Thanks for your comment. Since you are paying Mann Bracken consistently, why would they file a court hearing? Have you been served a summons?
We need more information to assess this.
~Next Level Credit~
to Next Level Credit:
I think your statement “We do not know if Mann Bracken is having a fire sale to sell all their junk debt at this time” is incorrect – MB was a debt-servicer, not a debt-buyer.
The distinction is that a debt-servicer DOES NOT OWN THE DEBT – it is collecting on debts owned by its clients (banks, retail stores, credit card companies …)
Therefore, if MB was collecting on an account on behalf of, say, Ponzi Bank, then Ponzi would recall the account from MB and reassign it to another collector.
Spider,
Thanks for your comment. Please let us know what information you have that would indicate that Mann Bracken is not a junk debt buyer.
~Next Level Credit~
ok so if mann bracken is going under why can’t we buy our own debt for pennies on the dollar just like they do and forgive our own debt as paid in full?
also spider you are in no way close to knowing what you are talking about mann bracken buys the debt and owns it.
To spider:
Read the Lori Swanson case to show all of the SHELL corporations. Mann Bracken was a personal entity (lawyer group) who were bought out by Axiant….who owned Forthright…who owned the NAF. In the end it was like the BANKS(owner of credit) sends it over to Mann Bracken, who then sends it over to NAF if NOT paid… Same cases going on in Georgia with the other Lawyer outfit(slips my memory) but you know who they are. The state of Georgia is trying to SHOW that they are/were a JUNK DEBT COLLECTION COMPANY who HIDES BEHIND A COUPLE OF RUBBER STAMP LAWYERS AND GET AROUND(should say GOT AROUND(NOW BANKRUPT) the FDCPA!!
BOTTOM LINE EXPOSURE==========JUNK DEBT COLLECTORS FOR A PROFIT and NUMEROUS NAF AWARDS!! THEY WERE JUNK DEBT COLLECTORS WITH SOME TEETH YOU MIGHT ADD.
BEEN THERE===DONE THAT====SEEN THE CROOKED STRUCTURE======JOINED THE CLASS ACTION CASE AGAINST THEM==========NOW JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH THE ACTION FROM MY SOFA!
This has been a crooked co. from the get-go… I was an employee of Axiant/MB…Worked for them for about a year..I was fired while in a hospital bed, not sure if I was going to live, had a severe case of SEPSIS, admitted twice..Allthough I hated being a “debt collector” it was a job…While pleading for my job, in the hospital..The call center mgr. told me to find something in “Customer Service” cuz that’s what I was good at!!! Well I not only took that as a compliment, but as a lesson learned. See I treated people like human beings, I wasn’t rude or nasty, bcz I know what it’s like to be in financial hardship..So I treated people decent…Of course my employer’s DIDN’T like that..As a previous poster wrote, “What comes around goes around”, hopefully they’ll get what’s coming to them…. The most recent con they pulled has to do with the BK… I received notification from them advising me they were filing BK, and that if I had a claim, to file it online. So I called the phn.# on the notice..The rep told me what to do, but said if I didn’t have the exact ammount they owed me, my claim would be denied..Well they owe me for unpaid vacation/sick leave…I didn’t have the exact ammount, so I cont. to search for the correct ammount….Well on 12/24/09 I received a letter from them/BK info, saying they are now filing chapter 7? ???!!!??? And that If I needed to file a claim, that the info must be received by noon on 12/24/09….Well my mail doesn’t even arrive til after 3pm est..How am I suppose to file a claim when the updated BK letter didn’t even arrive til 12/24/09, after 3pm….The letter was drafted the prior weekend…So it’s unlikely I will receive what they owe me…I mean how dirty can they be to pull crap like this over mimimul ammounts, comnpared to the massive debts they owe….
I hope they get what they deserve, NOTHING!!!! And to those of you who have been paying money to them on a regular basis…Keep all your paperwork, don’t let them rip you off too, or again…Someone else will buy up their debt,(probably them under a new name) but fight these unethical crooks…And if/whoever ends up with your debt, negotiate a SETTLEMENT!!!!Especially those of you who have been paying regularly, or trying to do so. Most people are good and decent, and don’t want to be in debt, but stuff happens & people don’t deserve to be hounded and have their credit ruined by corrupt companies, hiding behing the law,and BK court….I wish you all the best!!!!
Mann Bracken stated they only represent the credit cards companies therefore according to the call i recieved earlier last year they could not settle for little. They have to get the credit companies to agree to a settlement first. As a consumer now reading these comment is that right or is it okay for deception in the name of collecting on accounts in these days when people are still trying to pay for houses that has depreciated so much in value, who is the real winner here, uh let me Guess Is it different than holding a knife at someone and tell them its a gun! Who is watching for consumers!
Thanks.
Hate em the most,
Thanks for your comment. We are sorry to read about your hardship. Thank you for sharing about Mann Bracken and how they treated you.
Although, we advise to pay debts that are owed to the original creditor, we also advise not to pay anything to a collection agency unless they have proof of ownership.
~Next Level Credit~
Clarence,
Thanks for your comment. It is deception to collect in the name of the OC when the OC has no knowledge or connection with the alleged debt.
Complaints to your Attorney General gets results.
~Next Level Credit~
Clarence,
There are very few creditors,(the original creditors)who don’t authorize a settlement offer. And if they do it can be anywhere from 80%-50% off the amount of the debt at that time..It is true that if you are offering a settlement below the CC companies guidelines, the debt collection co. must get the approval from their client..Most of the time the debt co. won’t even try to get a “below guideline settlement” unless it’s a REALLY large debt..Most will usually require you to make a settlement in 1 payment only, however there are others who will allow you to pay it off in 2-3 payments, usually within 1-3 months. No matter what get it in WRITING!!! But keep in mind, you will have no idea how this is posted on your credit report..It may be reported as “Paid in full” or it could indicate “settlement paid in full”. So depending on your situation it’s your choice. But bcz collectors work primarily for commission, many will tell you there is no settlement option. I am currently paying off 2 small debts, & have 1 other debt for $250, which the collection co. will not allow me to make in payments bcz the account is closed with their company. If I can pay it in full, they will re-open it, but since I can’t pay it in full right now, I will try again when I am able to do so..Hopefully by then it will be listed with another company and they will give me the option to settle, or make in payments..GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!
Hate em the most,
Thanks for your comment. As a former employee of Axiant, we are very surprised that you write about paying collection agencies. Axiant buys junk. Forget about a settlement.
Yes collectors sure do work on commission. And if you don’t make the quota, you are fired. Please read more on this site about paying collection agencies. You should have learned about VOD. This has nothing to do with the OC. Re-open it? Probably NOT. Sell to another CA. Probably so.
Contact our office for further questions.
~Next Level Credit~
Hate em the most,
Listen I am not at all wanting anyone out there to pay anything to collection agency, why Let them work for it, use VOD, Answer and Deny IF they do not have prove The fair collection act is for the consumer as well as collection but remember They should prove a debt before they can collect, let say they prove it then why settle you will keep them in business let them take you to court if it take ten years to pay so Well In these day’s prove is there even the banks failed freddie mac etc, so you are going to roll over and pay these crooks who do not care and may not have anyprove. Fight! Fight. Fight! for in the end it all about your credit who cares, America is in Debt! we are all in debt.
Paulette,
Thanks for your comment. Great input! You have the knowledge.
~Next Level Credit~
Can you wait for court date to ask for contract that you are the one who sign the application for the credit card.
thanks.
by the way another company has sent me validation letter and to my amuzement old print out of charges that i do not remember going back 4 years or if i sign for these charges, however a court date was filed by mann bracken then today i received some papers in it the same court # that was used by mann bracken only difference it is from a different collections agency law firm, should i still ask for VOD or go to court and ask for a Contract that i sign this account. Also could i write the judge and ask him to comple evidence using the contract and explain my situation.
Thanks
please reply anyone.
Paulette,
Thanks for your comment. You do not have enough information posted for us to answer your question.
If you have been served a summons, you will have to answer the complaint to the court.
No you cannot wait for the court date to ask. There is procedure to follow depending on your court rules.
We have tried to contact you via email to answer your questions, however the email you provided is not valid.
Feel free to contact us directly for more assistance.
~Next Level Credit~
Paulette,
Thanks for your comment. Some papers? Were you served a summons? If it is a summons – you are asking if you should go to court so it seems as if you are indicating it is a summons and you need to answer the complaint. If it is not a summons, you need to send a VOD letter.
Go to our home page, and fill in your name and number today and set up an analysis with us. We do have a solution for you either way.
~Next Level Credit~
I have a judgement that I have been paying Mann Bracken Monthly payments on. I have never received a statement or confirmation of payment. I am trying to buy a house but first was told I had to take care of this judgement, so I tried calling Mann Bracken at every number I could find for them and they are all disconnected. Mann Bracken is the law firm collecting the debt for a third party collection agency Platinum Financial Services. I would like to file a motion to vacate this judgement, for Mann Bracken does not exist and they have not provided me any statements and I cannot get a hold of anyone. Do you think I would have a valid motion?
Loraclm,
Thanks for your comment. We suggest that you talk to an attorney in your state. Do you reside in GA?
We do not know what the grounds would be to file a motion to vacate in THIS situation.
We advise you to contact the GA Dept of Consumer Affairs and tell them your situation.
Contact our office if you have further questions.
~Next Level Credit~
I received a summons in spring 2009, and filed a response with the court in the 20 day period as the summons required. I heard nothing else after that. Today was supposed to be my arbitration, I showed up, no one from Mann Bracken did. After waiting an hour the clerk said the judge will rule in my favor, and I’ll receive the papers in the mail. Is this over at this point? Is there anything else I should be doing or looking out for? Thanks!
Jack,
Thanks for your comment. Congratulations! The court should send you documentation and dismissal paperwork. Yes this is over for you. Check with them next week. Follow up.
Keep your guard up. If any collector contacts you, contact us directly.
~Next Level Credit~
27,000 Maryland lawsuits handled by Mann Bracken have been ordered dismissed by the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland.
I had binding arbitration hearing with Mann-Bracken scheduled for February. They didn’t show up for my hearing, my paperwork from the court says, “it is hereby ORDERED that an award of non-suit is entered in favor of Defendant[me] and against Plaintiff.”
Today, I received a letter in the mail from Fulton, Friedman & Gullace LLP attempting to collect on this debt.
Where do I go from here?
I thought maybe I should mention that the actually attorney who the notice from FFG came from is the same person who filed the complaint with MB.
Jack,
Thanks for your comment. We remember your comment from Feb 8th. Congratulations on the victory.
We stated that if you are contacted by another collector to contact us directly. You need to challenge this collector.
Go to our home page and fill in the form for an analysis.
~Next Level Credit~
I was paying Mann Bracken monthly-asked for lower installments -they proceeded to send me papers for court dates- BUT LEFT THE DATE AND TIME to appear BLANK! i HAVE BEEN CALLING THE SHERRIFFS DEPT-AND THEY HAVE NO ANSWER-my bank account was seized- and frozen in Jan 2008-thhey are killing me —How can I have a bank account again–I have been trying to reach tem for 2 years–THIS EXPLAINS IT ALL!
Tom,
Thanks for your comment. First, CLOSE that bank account!!! Second, were you officially served a summons? You have a judgment. The court clerk has all the information. The sheriff serves the papers. They are not aware of the specifics.
In Maryland “According to an attorney that is suing Mann Bracken on behalf of a consumer, Cory Zaidel has stated that consumers that are under a wage garnishment by Mann Bracken should file a motion to quash (set aside) the garnishment as the money being garnished may not be going to the creditor or debt buyer that obtained a judgment against them.”
“The claims are mounting,” said Towson consumer attorney Cory L. Zajdel, who is representing a Howard County woman in a suit against Mann Bracken for allegedly unfair debt-collection practices. Consumers whose wages are still being docked should file paperwork to quash the garnishment with the court that handled the case, Zajdel said. Maryland’s district courts have the necessary forms, he said. His concern is that money going to the defunct Mann Bracken might not make it to the creditors. ~ Baltimore Sun
Forget about the OC – long gone out of the situation.
~Next Level Credit~