Scott & Associates , P.C. (S&A )is a law firm based in Texas that specializes in third-party debt collection. S&A has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as threatening to take actions that cannot legally be taken and using false or misleading language in an effort to collect a debt. If you have been contacted by S&A, make you understand your rights before you take action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Scott & Associates, P.C. was founded in 2000. The BBB established a profile page for S&A in May 2010, and S&A has been a BBB-accredited business since July 2010.The BBB lists S&A as a collection agency, law firm, and collection attorney firm that uses the alternate business name, Michael J. Scott. Buzzfile estimates S&A’s annual revenue at $9.8 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 135 employees.
According to its website, S&A “is a multi-state legal recoveries law firm serving the needs of national, state, and local financial institutions throughout the southeastern and northeastern United States.” S&A states that it is “committed to professional and honest dealings with all consumers…and strives to provide a courteous and professional interaction each and every time.”
Scott & Associates “serves a diverse clientele which includes not only major financial institutions and student loan originators, but also securitized trusts, medical facilities, auto finance operations, and small business lenders.” S&A has offices in Texas, Virginia, Alabama, South Carolina, New York, Maryland, Washington, DC, California, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.
The S&A website does not provide a lot of detailed information about its business practices. They state that they are “driven by cutting edge technology and grounded by… dedication to compliance and a fair consumer experience…to deliver client-specific strategies with best-in-class results.” In addition, S&A “maintains a strong focus on serving its clients through the use of enterprise data technology, a comprehensive compliance model, and a commitment to customer service.”
Scott & Associates offers a “hardship program” for resolving debts acquired as a result of hardship, dispute, and fraud. S&A states that they “understand that each individual consumer’s situation is unique” and that “every person has unique circumstances surrounding their life.” As a result, S&A provides “consumers with a simple and transparent process for dealing with financial or medical hardships as well as concerns regarding disputes and fraud.” They also offer “multiple forms of communication, including online, phone, mail, and email.”
S&A states that they are “very active in… state-level bar associations and …state bar continuing education programs, including presentations about … creditors’ rights, consumer collections, the FDCPA, and regulatory and compliance issues related to the debt collection industry.” The S&A website includes a web-based contact form for consumer complaints, but there are no links or references to consumer protection resources, laws, or enforcement agencies.
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.
The BBB has closed 26 complaints against Scott & Associates PC in the past three years, with 8 complaints closed in the past 12 months. Most of those complaints cited problems with billing and collections, although 6 complaints also cited problems with customer service. As of April 2015,the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 48 complaints against S&A. Justia lists at least 2 cases of civil litigation involving S&A.
Scott & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 113297
Carrollton, TX 75011
Telephone: (866) 298-3155
Website: https://www.spalaw.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely S&A 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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In May 2011, in United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, a judge issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order in a case alleging Scott & Associates, P.C. had violated certain provisions of the FDCPA. At the 2011 hearing, the plaintiff was seeking an award for attorney’s fees and court costs. The attorney in this case had represented plaintiffs in five additional cases against S&A, all of them citing a common pattern of behavior. In all of these cases, “each plaintiff had allegedly owed a consumer debt; each plaintiff had allegedly sent S&A a cease-and-desist letter and notice of representation” by an attorney; and in each case, S&A had “allegedly communicated with each plaintiff to collect a debt after each of the plaintiff’s letters” had been sent and received. Each of the plaintiffs sued under FDCPA Section 1692c(a)(2) and (c) and “requested the maximum in statutory damages but no actual damages. Soon after the cases were filed, S&A reached settlements with the plaintiffs in” three of the cases and in one of the two cases filed by the plaintiff at the May 2011 hearing. In each of these settlements, S&A “agreed to pay the maximum in statutory damages (i.e., all the relief that the plaintiffs requested), but the parties left the issue of attorney’sfees for the court to decide.” In addition, a notice of settlement was filed in February 2011, and a motion for attorney’s fees was filed in each case in March 2011. The hearing in this case was held to determine the amount of fees to be awarded to the plaintiff.
The parties in this case did not dispute that the plaintiff had brought a “successful action to enforce FDCPA liability by obtaining $1,000 in damages through settlement,” so the court was left with the task of determining a reasonable fee award. Although Scott & Associates agreed that the plaintiff “is entitled to attorney’s fees as a ‘prevailing party,’” they argued that “the degree of success achieved remains a relevant factor in determining the reasonableness of the award.” The court indicated that they must first determine whether the plaintiff’s victory was “de minimis,” or technical—resulting in a lower fee award; or whether it was a standard legal victory requiring the use of the “lodestar” method of fee calculation. S&A argued that because of the amount of damages and the relatively small benefit to the public resulting from the plaintiff’s victory, that the judgement should be determined a de minimis or technical victory. The court disagreed, concluding that the settlement required the use of the lodestar method of fee calculation. In addition to the $1,000 in statutory damages, the plaintiff also sought $7,125.50 in attorney fees and costs. S&A requested that the court reduce the number of billable hours and the hourly rate.
After reviewing the attorneys’ records and considering testimony from both parties, the court ultimately awarded the plaintiff in this case $3,845.40 in attorney’s fees and $405.00 in taxable costs of court.
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.
You may have a case, if…
“I have to admit, I was not sure of y’all initially but you proved me wrong. You not only got the calls to stop but you have the company to dismiss the accounts once and for all! It had been more than I anticipated.”
“Prior to contacting you, we had tried repeatedly to handle this matter without threatening litigation. In the end, not only were they unapologetic, but they were dismissive – even of an attorney friend who called on our behalf. Sincerest thanks for resolving this matter for us!”
“Lemberg Law has saved me from the endless calls, and harassing voicemails. They really do go to bat for you. I didn’t know that debt collection agencies can end up paying your legal bill. What a surprise, to receive free legal help. I’m very grateful for all the hard work they did to finally give me my life back.”
“Thank you and your team at Lemberg Law for the exceptional work you did on my behalf. I have never experienced the level of care, professionalism, timeliness in follow-through, and monetary compensation obtained through your firm.”
We can absolutely 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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Can they put lien on my house ?
I have two old credit card debts and Scott and Associcates are calling me and talking really ugly to me and telling me if I don’t take care of it they are going to seeking further action what can I do but they are not on my credit report and I check my credit report all the time
I called today about the monthly payment I send in for $287.60 that involves a settlement on a Chase account. the lady I spoke to said the account no longer had an agreement.
So where do I send my payment and what about future payments? A payment is due.
I have received a call from s&a they are saying that I owe a debt and if I don’t get in contact with them they will show up at my residence, and my place of employment and start a garnishment of my wages! What can I do ?
They said I owe money from 2008 from a check cashing agency and that someone bought the debt and are trying to take me to court. I called the check agency and have no knowledge of me ever being there and borrowing money.
I received a notification through one of my credit reporting apps on my phone stating that one of my closed credit card accounts had been sent to Scott & Associates PC firm. I haven’t directly received any calls from their specific phone number that is listed on their site. However, I have been getting several spam calls and automated robocalls that are threatening legal action over the past few days. I am scared and just need some guidance. Thank you in advance for your time!