Monterey Financial Services was founded in 1989, and its collection arm is Monterey Collection Services. They are also known as Monterey Billing Services and Monterey Loan Servicing. Based in Oceanside, California, Monterey Financial Services has a staff of more than 100 people, and has expanded into everything from document storage to jewelry industry loans. They have their fingers in many consumer loan pies, including vacation timeshares, elective medical procedures, and vocational school tuition.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. Monterey Financial Services is a legitimate debt collection agency that operates on a contingency basis, which means that they do not get paid unless they collect the debt. At that point, they earn a percentage of the collected amount. In order to collect, they mail out letters, make phone calls, and offer consumers an online payment portal.
If you’ve suffered from Monterey Financial debt harassment, you do have options. Under the law you can recover up to $1,000 for violations of the FDCPA, and $500 to $1,500 for each cell phone robocall.
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of collection harassment and abuse. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. We’ve helped more than 15,000 consumers stop harassment and recover money from debt collectors. Harassed? Abused? Misled by a collector? Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
As of April 2017, the Better Business Bureau reported 64 closed Monterey Financial Services complaints within the previous three years, including 26 closed Monterey Financial Services complaints within the previous 12 months. The BBB gives Monterey Financial Services an A+ rating. In addition, Justia lists 11 Monterey Financial Services complaints filed in federal court in the past year alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, one alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and three alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Furthermore, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) lists 79 closed Monterey Financial Services complaints for 2016.
Monterey Financial Services, Inc.
4095 Avenida De La Plata
Oceanside, CA 92056
Phone Number: 800-456-2225
Website: http://www.montereyfinancial.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely Monterey Financial Services would sue you for a debt you may not owe or they cannot validate. However, debt collection agencies are known to have summoned debtors to court and garnish wages after a default judgement. Contacting an attorney BEFORE this could possibly happen would be a smart move. We’ve helped thousands of consumers fight back against unscrupulous debt collection harassers. Find out if we can help you too today!
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Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Sample Case Filed in Federal Court against Monterey Financial Services
In 2009, a judge in U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, denied in part and granted in part Monterey Financial Services motion to dismiss Wideman vs. Monterey Financial Services for alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. According to the judge’s decision, the consumer claimed that Monterey Financial Services sent her two emails that did not identify the communication as coming from a debt collector, that threatened to file a form with the IRS, and left a message with her coworker, all in violation of the FDCPA. The court ruled that the consumer had stated a claim regarding third-party communications and a claim regarding misleading or intimidating statements. The case was allowed to move forward.
Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. The FCRA regulates how collection agencies and creditors report delinquent debts to credit reporting agencies. Additional consumer protection laws include the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
But here’s the rub: If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. These laws provide individuals like you with a means to seek monetary damages in court. For example, the FDCPA allows consumers who have been violated to recover damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
Consumers have reported this agency harassing them from the following numbers:
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“THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH for everything you guys did for us…. This was our first time dealing with a situation like this and you guys made it so easy. Thank you!””
“I received my check today from Lemberg Law and am very excited. The wife and I might not take a vacation, but the extra money will sure help get some bills caught up. Thank you again for a great job!!! It is very much appreciated.”
“Thank you for all the work you have done on my behalf. I truly appreciate the blessing you have bestowed upon me. I didn’t realize I would be receiving any money from this wretched affair. I am taken aback by what you have accomplished on my behalf. This has turned out better than I could have hoped. I am appreciative of your services and feel blessed. Thank you!”
The short answer is yes. We can help. Call us today.
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Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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Monterey Financial has been harassing me to pay an unreliable debt passed on by AlohaToursandtravel(.com) membership website. As soon as I realized it was a scam (it was on the news), I emailed AlohaToursandtravel(.com) to cancel everything. I was not going to use their “services”. They completely denied my request and have continued to threaten me to send the debt to a collection agency. I have never received an official statement or physical letter from either AlohaToursandtravel(.com) or Monterey Financial. However, I continue to get calls and emails stating that I am now past due and the fees have gone up. This is just a ridiculous nightmare. I never received any services from AlohaToursandtravel and they claim I owe over $1,000 for a Zoom membership scam. I would really appreciate your guidance with respect to this matter. Thank you so much
They say I purchased a dress the first time then a puppy the second time. I have never purchased either one!!!!
Yes, I filled out an online application for Cordova Financial Services and my Credit Report say Monterey Financial Services in which I did not sign anything with Monterey Financial Services. I was approved for a loan on the online application and when I got my ppw it stated that I was in a lease agreement for a puppy. I put my stimulus back in the economy like the President stated and was scammed by putting 1500 down and it states I owe Monterey 4720 for a puppy. They said if I give the puppy back to take it to the shelter and the shelter have to call them then I pay them 1200 still. They don’t care about the puppy they just want you pay them money that you don’t have and harass you on it. They told me they were following all the guidelines of the law they are not. They want me to pay them 6200 for a dog when I already paid them 2028 in cash. They are putting misleading information online and when you get to the store they contract is for another company but somehow Cordova is either selling the loans to them to make them a lease. I just know what they are doing is misleading, overpriced and wrong. I would not even give them a 1 star rating.
Monterey Financial is a horrible company. The endless calls and voicemails, all about a loan for a school I did not go to. The loan was for $3,299 but now I owe over $4000. I told them that I did not go to the school and I have no interest in it, but they just tell me it doesn’t matter and I have to pay the loan (for the school I did not attend). They call me daily, nightly, and while I’m at work. They threatened me with their legal team and with negative points on my credit. I’m only 18 and my credit score has suffered so hard because of them
I fully paid over $86,000 in 2014 for a time share at Garca Blanco Resort in Mismaloya, Jalisco, Mexico, in a specific building under construction at the time of purchase. At the time of my first visit, in 2015, I learned that the building I had bought in had been sold and was now a separate “boutique hotel” and that my membership did not permit me to stay there. They then tried to sell me an “upgraded” membership that would have allowed me to stay at the boutique hotel, but I rescinded the contract when I realized that I would have to pay an additional $75,000. Since then I paid for maintenance fees for several years to vacation at GBR, but got gravely ill and suffered falls requiring emergency evacuations both times, and my doctors forbid me to return to this resort. Multiple attempts to cancel my membership were rebuffed and now they have sold what they claim I owe them in maintenance fees for the period I haven’t been able to use the resort ($4000 plus $2,000 in “late fees”) to Monterey, who have placed multiple collection reports on my credit history totaling over $10,000. When I attempt to reach someone at Monterey Financial to clear this up, I just get harassing communications and papers that claim to justify their collections but only document the “bait and switch” contract scam of Garca Blanco Resort. I am disabled and living on SocialSecurity, so feel this is elder abuse as well as illegal and fraudulent practices.
Monterey Financial is charging me daily at a predatory rate. They also sent me a file they said I signed with all kinds of misspellings and several inaccurate information that doesn’t match my personal information.
Every night when I check my messages this company has left me automated calls stating I owe a debt. At least 2 a day! It for the last couple of months! I have never spoke with them, the service leaves a number for me to call! Ive never received any mail from them. Only phone calls. So I thought perhaps they’ve called the wrong number until I went online and saw so much bad information about them! It’s very frustrating. And I feel sorry for anyone who actually owes them money!
I just noticed that a company called Monteray Financial is on my credit it seems to be dated 8/19 I have no idea who they are or what type of company this is but it is showing up with a whooping $4000. This is ridiculous for the credit bureau to allow companies to defame peoples good credit. Can anyone give advise on how to get this removed.
They are on my credit report I don’t know anything about them nor have I ever applied for a loan
I financed a puppy for $2800.00 and they charged me over $6,000.00! Is this interest rate even legal????
I thought signing up with Career Step to take a coding course would be a great thing to do. I was NOT told they would be selling my loan to Monterrey Financial. I started questioning this after I realized what had happened, and asked for my account to be credited with Career Step for classes not taken as I did not want any part of this. I was told that whether or not I finished the course I owed the entire fee and that my debt was now with Monterrey Fianancial, not Career Step. Again, this is NOT what was explained to me when I signed up. I have stopped the course and stopped paying Monterrey Fianancial explaining that this is not what I was told. They continue to call and harass, threatening to sue and take me to court . I don’t understand how they can do this and how I can owe the complete amount of money for something that I stopped.
I financed a puppy, apparently through Monterey financial. The initial price of the dog was about $2,500. I was only 18 years old, and I definitely did not have that much money, but I really wanted a puppy. The place I bought it from (called The Family Puppy, which is now shut down) told me I could finance the dog by making payments of $210.81 every month. I feel scammed and cheated. They have said that my last payment is due in September, and another person said it is due in August. As of right now, I have paid $4,848.63, not including other charges they charged me for (not sure why). By September, I will have paid $5,902.68!!! That is more than 100% interest that I am being charged! It is more than double the initial price! Is this even legal?!
I actually dont know what company or how did I have this account.As far as I am concern I believe I dont have any account open Since I filed bankruptcy last 2007.And from then on I decided not to open any credit card or making loan.Thats why up to these moment I dont have any debt,So Im surprised that I have this account.
By far the worst company I have dealt with, got a loan for a go kart that was $1600 now they say I owe $3800.00 smh according to them $228 payment I’ve been making only $86 goes to the principle and $142 to them
3 years ago I got into a bad car accident when I was going to my mother’s Memorial. It was a hundred miles from my home. I went to Goodyear Tire comedy said they get me alone for $500 to fix my car. When I went to get my car it was $2,500. I was making $800 on disability at the time. I started out making the payments that it got really difficult for me and I tried to ask them to work with me and they wouldn’t. They just kept charging interest charging interest. They harassed me with phone calls they’ve called my son they’ve called friends by imagine if they’ve called my son and they said that they can sue me by taking me to court on a civil case and they can take 17% out of every paycheck and they’ll charge me the $4,500 that my bill went up to because of all the interest charges. I’m disabled I was in a rehabilitation for one year and I’m in a sober living now I don’t have a car oh, and I’m trying to get work. I have to move from LA to Springfield Missouri without a car oh, sweet Jesus Lord I can’t live. My name is Janice fall. My number is 310-7007 5220. My email is jnicehelenefall09@gmail.com. they have been harassing me by phone. If I don’t pay them tomorrow they said they’re going to close my case and I’ll be hearing from the judge.
Hi there,
Monterey’s financial has just contacted me claiming I will be reported in 5 days time due to debt owed. This is inaccurate, and the first time I have heard from them. The claim they sent showcasing what I owe is in Spanish and a hoax. Is there anything I can do to stop them reporting me?
Can you please get in contact with me? I am going through the same exact thing and I really need help. My number is (904) 894-xxxx , please please contact me. Monterey Financial is evil.
I JUST LEARNED FROM A MORTGAGE COMPANY THERE IS A DEBT ON MY CREDIT REPORT FROM MONTERREY COLLECTION FOR $ 11, 435.. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS. HOW DO I FIX THIS..??
I financed a puppy through Monterey Financial and I believe that I may have been the victim of predatory lending. I was 19 years old with about a 680 credit score and they approved me for $3,500 dollars which just happened to be the exact amount of the dog. Not even a week later I go to check my account and make a $249 payment and my amount doubled! I now owe over $7,000 dollars! After this they began to charge my account multiple times a month even though I kept telling the people calling that I couldn’t afford that much and that I was probably going to have to file for bankruptcy. However the calls and the harassment still continued. They call my moms house and my cellphone constantly and even though we block them they just call back with a different number. I even had to close my bank account and open a new one because they wouldn’t stop trying to force payments out of my account. I’m still 19 years old and I am so stressed out over the fact that I have no credit, and now I feel like I’m drowning in debt before my life has even begun. Please contact me, I’m desperate for some help out of this.
I went to buy a puppy and was told the price was $1700 with pet funding. No sooner than a week later I am told it’s Monterey Financial and there is NO paper work to breakdown what my payments are covering and WHY my total is now $4200!! They refuse to give me a call back or give me a payoff but they sure charge my account every month and send out letters of payment being made almost a month before it is due. Why is this allowed to happen? I want a breakdown and I wasn’t to get out of it asap!
Monterey is claiming I owe them money when I don’t owe them a single penny. They’re crooks and they don’t care who they try to get money from. They have said I owe them a bit over 330.00 for services they never remitted. They need to be shut down.
They are doing double damage to my credit report which is illegal in itself. They have one charge-off and one collection with different amounts for the same account.
Scam on loan with extra fees and extra outside legal fees supposedly
They scammed me on my student loans