Mann Bracken reviews and complaints

Mann Bracken for NCO Portfolio took me to court without my knowledge (NEVER SERVED) in 2005 and a judgement was issued against me for $994. The original debt was a Cross Country Bank CC for $250 in which I applied for one month before my 18th birthday in 2000.

I admit I was irresponsible by applying for it so young and then giving the card to my first real boyfriend. I only made 1 payment of $70 while I still had the card and thought the rest of the card was paid off by him as promised (idiot move).

I had no clue about the rest of any of this happening until I recently pulled my credit report in order to consolidate my student loans and know what I was dealing with exactly. I never applied for anything else since 2000 not even when I purchased my car. Now I got a correspondence in the mail from NCO, they are trying to collect on that same Credit Card in the amount of $1, 183.50. If they (Mann Bracken/NCO Portfolio) already submitted the debt to go to court via Man Bracken can they collect twice and if I settle with them for this amount they are offering….who will take this judgement off of my credit ASAP?

The JP Court Judge sorted the court and worked out all of the cases that had nothing to do with Mann Bracken in two hours. Previously he had asked all those who wish to plead their cases before the court to raise their hands. I was in that group but something weird happened next. I was ready and filed all the correct documents with the court and the plaintiff. The Judge got up and left the court room after two hours with his coffee cup and said "I'll be back" and never did. Next thing I know I am being called into the room where they have been making payment arrangements with those who were of no contest. In there was the plaintiff attorney and the court clerk. The Plaintiff greeted me and I said what are you doing? He said the Judge likes for everyone to talk to him to see if they can work anything out. I said I am ready for this court date and I am not talking to you. I answered the court to have my case heard and why am I in here? He stated the Judge has too many cases to hear them all. I said your trying to sue me for 5000.00 plus and he just finished hearing a case for an apartment deposit for 650.00? I want my time before the Judge. That is when it hit me, the Judge did not allow anyone to see him who was being sued by Mann Bracken. I knew it was to tip the scales in their favor because they would lose with a direct approach. I demanded to see the evidence I asked for in my answer and the Plaintiff admitted he had none. I said if I was in front of the Judge right now it would be a case dismissed just like all the other cases without evidence. After repeating I want to speak to the Judge I was told he would have the court reset the case to 90 days from now. I said who are you to tell me anything. You are suing me and you come to court with nothing? Then you have some twisted power to reset this trial? I will take you before the Judge and tell him you would not allow me to see him. Then I will explain how you came here without anymore evidence than "Exibit A" which was a computer screen capture of vague information. He then said you are right and that is what I would do if I were you. It was a complete waste of my time and now I have to go back and have my time before the Judge. If I did not know better, the Judge has a reason he is not telling on why every case of the thirty cases being sued by Mann Bracken never went before the Judge and only to the Plaintiff in the back room. Why sort the court if the Judge never intended to hear the cases?

On 10/10/06 I came to an agreement to settle on an unsecured loan with Chase Bank, which they turned over to Mann Bracken for collection. I spoke with a rep (Ms Evans) who advised me I could settle for $1545.56. I mailed a check on 10/11/06 via USPS ExpressMail (tracking # showed it was received and I got delivery confirmation) which was received on 10/12/06 and cashed on 10/16/06. She promised the debt would be settled and I wrote on the front and back of the check that once cashed the debt would be settled.

On 10/17/06 I received a letter from the National Arbitration Forum stating that a document hearing would be held--Mann Bracken was to send them a letter stating I had settled the debt.

On 10/27/06 I received a signed letter from Mann Bracken stating they were holding a hearing as the next step to filing for a judgment against me. On 10/30/06 I received a phone call from Mann Bracken [protected] their Atlanta office#) they violated FCC regulations by calling to harass me, because on
8/29/06 I mailed a 'cease and desist' letter to their office via USPS Express Mail (tracking# showed it was received and I got delivery confirmation).

Also I had tried to settle the debt before by mailing a check to their office via USPS Express Mail (once again--tracking# showed it was signed for and received) on 7/7/06, but they never cashed it. I called them on numerous times, every rep lied to me saying that they never got my check but on the USPS website it was received.

Finally after I sent the 2nd check, they returned my 1st check--I received this by mail on 10/20/06 (it was mailed on 10/16/06 by the postage on the envelope). This debt is SETTLED! I would like the phone calls to stop and the arbitration claim to be dropped. They have violated FCC regulations by continuing to contact me via phone and mail after I sent a C&D letter and by lying about not receiving my 1st check and holding it without cashing it.

If anyone knows how to stop these idiots please tell me! I have already filed complaints with the BBB and the FTC, but that doesn't even seem to go anywhere.