Credit Card Debt - Fred Hanna & Associates

[Loretta]

Bank of America has turned over two credit cards for a total of $50,000 debt to Fred Hanna & Associates. I have received one phone call from them offering to settle for $20,000 in three payments. I cannot afford this, yet they are threatening to sue. Can anyone give me any insight into this firm, their collection tactics, and how I should proceed in negotiating a reasonable payment. How far will they go in negotiating since they have the upper hand? Thanks!

[Someone]

Loretta ,I used to be an employee at Fred Hanna he is a real lawyer and will sue sounds like they are giving you a 40% settlement , that is lowest amount BOA will allow them to take .This is not purchased paper it is still owned by BOA.Send them a written dispute along with a cease and desist make sure it is certified mail so you will have return receipt where it was signed for also send validation of debt letter .Other than that not alot you can do.They will take you to court if not paid .Whatever you do don't give them your credit card or bank information only send money orders or cashier checks by certified mail.Check out Bud Hibbs .com

[Placebo]

Loretta, here is what you need to do: There are only certain accounts at Fred Hanna that are "placed" for suit. The rest are just regular non-sue-able accounts, so chances are pretty good that they are threatening you with something they cannot do. First of all, call Bank of America and complain that you are getting harassing calls. Call BoA's Executive complaint department for this, do not call the regular 800, get the headquarters number and when you get to the Executive Complaint department tell them you are being harassed and want to pay the bill. They will pull the account back from Fred Hanna and you can work directly with the bank. After that, send a certified letter to the Attention of Fred J Hanna at 1427 Roswell Road, Marietta, Ga 30062. In your letter state that you want them to cease and desist all calls and letters to you, and to remove your number from their dialer system, and that you wish to deal with the original creditor only. Make sure you copy (and state this on your letter) the Tennessee Collections Board, the Georgia and Tennesse State Bar Associations, the Georgia Governors Office of Consumer Affairs, and the Federal Trade Administration (which oversees the laws in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which governs collections agencies and collections attorneys). Fred Hanna will close your file back to Bank of America. If this happens to be a sue-able account, and if it gets that far, which I can tell you it most probably won't after he gets your letter, but if it were to go to court, make sure you show up to battle it, the judge would deal with you fairly, they courts are just as sick as we all are about this crap. Sometimes Hanna's co-counsels in the different states show up to court with a simple affidavit, which is nothing but a form signed by some low-level person at BoA stating they know you owe a debt, but usually can't find the original contract etc, which makes your court battle easy. Follow these instructions and you should be ok.

[Neil San Diego CA]

I just received a harassing call at work from Fred Hanna. They indicated that they had called me at home last week - which they had not. They also indicated that Bank of America had sent memos requesting payment for they credit card. Bank of America had sent me no communication. I'm making regular payments to a "reputable" debt consolidation company. Hanna's people threatened lawsuits as soon as I mentioned that I was working with an agency to deal with the issue.
Not sure what I should do.

[Neil]

I just learned that Fred Hanna is only licensed to practice law in 4 states (FL, GA, ILL, MO). In those states where they are not licensed, they can only act as a collection agency.

[Leo]

Neil San Diego CA wrote:

I just received a harassing call at work from Fred Hanna. They indicated that they had called me at home last week - which they had not. They also indicated that Bank of America had sent memos requesting payment for they credit card. Bank of America had sent me no communication. I'm making regular payments to a "reputable" debt consolidation company. Hanna's people threatened lawsuits as soon as I mentioned that I was working with an agency to deal with the issue.
Not sure what I should do.

Dude are you idiot ?Do you even know what debt consolidation is?That means they would actually give you a loan and settle all your debt,is this company doing that ?I don't think so,all debt settlement companies are rip offs they ruin your credit which they will lie and tell you otherwise I do speak from experience .I was in enrolled in Campos Law Firm which in the 17 months I was enrolled with them my credit was destroyed I enrolled my car as well I lost it thanks to them on top of that I thought they were paying all my bills with the $1.432.96 every month I payed those bastards over $24,000.00 and a day late a 24k short they sent cease & desist to my creditors and then refuse to speak to my creditors and negotiate any settlements .These debt settlements companies are liars they are worse than credit card companies at least I really did owe the debt and Campos law took my life from me I have just filed bankruptcy .If I had listened to these collectors and what they were telling me instead of just being an asshole to them and hanging the phone up.I would not be in this position.Thanks to my credit getting destroyed I lost my job my house and my car .Don't be stupid your are better off filing bankruptcy

[someone]

Neil wrote:

I just learned that Fred Hanna is only licensed to practice law in 4 states (FL, GA, ILL, MO). In those states where they are not licensed, they can only act as a collection agency.

Fred Hanna may only be licensed in those 4 states ,however this is not true that he can only act as a collection agency in those states he is not licensed in.Fred does have several attorneys in every state throughout the US so he can sue you in whatever state you are in.

[4everamazed]

Leo wrote:

<quoted text>Dude are you idiot ?Do you even know what debt consolidation is?That means they would actually give you a loan and settle all your debt,is this company doing that ?I don't think so,all debt settlement companies are rip offs they ruin your credit which they will lie and tell you otherwise I do speak from experience .I was in enrolled in Campos Law Firm which in the 17 months I was enrolled with them my credit was destroyed I enrolled my car as well I lost it thanks to them on top of that I thought they were paying all my bills with the $1.432.96 every month I payed those bastards over $24,000.00 and a day late a 24k short they sent cease & desist to my creditors and then refuse to speak to my creditors and negotiate any settlements .These debt settlements companies are liars they are worse than credit card companies at least I really did owe the debt and Campos law took my life from me I have just filed bankruptcy .If I had listened to these collectors and what they were telling me instead of just being an asshole to them and hanging the phone up.I would not be in this position.Thanks to my credit getting destroyed I lost my job my house and my car .Don't be stupid your are better off filing bankruptcy

Dude! Take this person's advice. File Chapter 7 and get these guys off your back. It isn't worth the harassment. If they call, all you have to do is give them the name of your attorney and his number. End of discussion.

[Olivia Jenkins]

Banks are out of money and they are increasing rates and fees to make up for lost revenue.

Dont let them happen to you.. This company called Lighthouse Credit Foundation will help you lock in your interest rate before they can increase it. I used them and they locked mine in at 2%. There are no requirements like bad credit scores, late payments, or anything like that. They are just wanting to help americans before this happens to them. Their website is www.lighthousecredit.org

The number is [phone] ext.#3769 promo code 249511 and her name is Paige.

I used them.. I had over $80,000 in credit card debt.. THEY WERE A LIFE SAVOR!!! Call Paige..that was who I used in the program.. my credit score went up.. and they were able to help me out with what I could afford... I could not had done it without them... I didn't have to file bankrupy, or settle.. and I didn't have to pay attorney fees.. Good luck.. You can email me if you have any questions [e-mail]

[Emery]

Hanna is an egg sucking dog. They are real nasty folks. I'm currently being sued by Hanna for a B of A 29 % credit card that I "allegedly" defaulted on when my financial situation was real bad a few years ago. I failed to respond with a debt validation and just tried to ignored them. They sued me in Gwinnett where I live. I answered the summons denying the validity of the account and asked for documentation. I got a response to my answer telling me to send them all my account info to them. Pretty funny. Obviously they don't have any and want me to provide the evidence they need to win.

After I responded and filed my answer they sent me a very conciliatory letter trying to get me to admit or reaffirm the debt. I figured it was a ruse. Sure enough two weeks later I got a certified letter requesting all my documents.

Odd thing about my case is they have never offered me any kind of settlement and have added another $3400 in fees to the original $8800. Hanna says they are representing Unifund CCR. At this point I have not hired a lawyer. I'm willing to settle but have not admitted or reaffirmed the debt. Should I contact B of A to try and settle it that way?

[Steve]

Fred Hanna is scum...I sent them a validation request...since then, they had a lawyer send me the same debt letter saying I owe. I also, sent them a validation notice (certified)...it's been two months now and haven't heard from either. I'm willing to see them in court and have them prove thier case.

[self employed mom]

I have received a letter from Fred Hanna
'on behalf' of Capital One. The original debt was $1100. With the outrageous interest rate I had, I paid on that account for years and it never seemed to go down. My spouse lost his job and that was it...I feel compelled to say I don't run up credit cards and then skip out and don't use them at all now. It was just a bad situation. Anyway, I received a letter from a Houston attorney regarding collection of this debt. I did not respond to that Houston attorney. A few months later, I received a letter from Fred Hanna & Assoc in Marietta GA stating they want to collect on this debt. I answered that they prove I owed $4000 (what they say I owe now up from the original debt of $1100). I didn't receive a response for a while until 5/2009, I received a summons delivered by our local sheriff's dept. I filed an answer in the county court to the summons denying the debt amount of $4k, requesting they prove they own the debt and that I owe the debt. I filed within the 30 day period and I requested they answer within 30 days. That was 6/23/2009. I received a form letter in 8/2009 stating they acknowledge receipt of my letter and to give them their $$ basically. Today, I learned they attempted to send me a giant envelope via certified letter. I did not receive the envelope. I pulled my credit report and Cap One is showing my debt as "charged off". What true legal recourse does this goober have? How can an atty in Houston have the debt, then Fred Hanna get it even tho Cap One charged it off? Cap One isn't seeking it, the Houston atty and then Fred Hanna are? Advice?? Can they seize checking accts even if it's not my spouse's debt?

[Olivia]

Hey I would have your spouse call Lighthouse Credit Foundation... We have been enrolled with them, and while we were in the program my husband lost his job and they were able to work with us so our credit score did not go down.. here is their contact info.. Her name is Paige and her number is [phone] ext.#3769 promo code 249511

Good luck and you are welcome to email me if you have any questions... [e-mail]

[CalmCollective]

I also went through a lawsuit with Fred Hanna. At that time I worked for an attorney, so I did as much research as possible. I had a credit card that was turned over to CCR Unifund. I never received much correspondence from Unifund... all of a sudden it was turned over to Fred Hanna. I started getting really nasty phone calls from them. I had one lady question me about my degrees and then say I should have been a stripper and would have probably made more money... ooookay... really unprofessional. After that I kept getting harrasing calls. Had I knew then what I know now, I would have busted them for talking to me about anything outside of the debt. Anyway, they scared me so bad that I started making payments... with checks (a big no no). One day my bank account with B 0f A was frozen. I had no warning... nothing. It was rent time and I just got paid. The bank held my entire check and everything that was in my account. I was frantic! The court had to hold the funds for 30 days due to the garnishment request. What happened was Fred Hanna said that he served me when in fact he did not. I got a default judgement against me because he lied to the court and said that they served me and I did not respond within the given time frame. I didnt back down... I dont like liars, especially ones that bully! I went to the court and filed a traverse. I got another court date and went up against one of Fred's attorneys. After doing my resreach I learned that after a granishment, a party has 3 days to notify you in writing. Fred Hanna notified me on the 4th day and the judge dismissed the garnishment. The atty was SO mad! She said that she would just file again. She did (the same day) but I had already withdrew all of my money, so Fred Hanna got two cents that I left in the account (lol). My next step was to file a motion to set aside the judgement cause that stuff went on my credit. I file the motion and had affidavits signed and notarized that I was out of town the week Hanna said they served me. I sent all that information to the court... had my court date... fought... and won. Don't back down! There are loopholes to EVERYTHING! They harass people because they think people will back down. I am not scared of attorneys... thats why I am going to school to be one. They make mistakes just like all of us... and the people calling saying the nasty things are working for pennies, so thats why they are so aggressive... its what they feel they have to do to eat, so don't take it personal and get all worked up. Screw them! Oh yeah... my original debt was 2500.00. Hanna hacked it up to 7500 with all the interest they tacked on. I included in my motion that I wanted all of that removed, in which they had to do :-) Each time I went to court, I represented myself and won against people with law degrees. Never underestimate your own power. Good Luck :-)

[mark]

dh

[Steve]

My debt was sold to a debt collector, the original creditor has charge off on my credit report. If I settle with the debt collector will they take it off my report as debt paid?

[highcotton]

Steve wrote:

My debt was sold to a debt collector, the original creditor has charge off on my credit report. If I settle with the debt collector will they take it off my report as debt paid?

Keep in mind that if you owe a debt, say $5,000, and the collector
agrees to a $2,000 payment in full, you will have to pay taxes to
the IRS for that remaining $3,000 cause it's considered 'income'.
Sounds crazy, but look it up.

[mom of 2 crazy girls]

What ever happened with your case? I am trying to work something out with Hanna and capital one.

self employed mom wrote:

I have received a letter from Fred Hanna
'on behalf' of Capital One. The original debt was $1100. With the outrageous interest rate I had, I paid on that account for years and it never seemed to go down. My spouse lost his job and that was it...I feel compelled to say I don't run up credit cards and then skip out and don't use them at all now. It was just a bad situation. Anyway, I received a letter from a Houston attorney regarding collection of this debt. I did not respond to that Houston attorney. A few months later, I received a letter from Fred Hanna & Assoc in Marietta GA stating they want to collect on this debt. I answered that they prove I owed $4000 (what they say I owe now up from the original debt of $1100). I didn't receive a response for a while until 5/2009, I received a summons delivered by our local sheriff's dept. I filed an answer in the county court to the summons denying the debt amount of $4k, requesting they prove they own the debt and that I owe the debt. I filed within the 30 day period and I requested they answer within 30 days. That was 6/23/2009. I received a form letter in 8/2009 stating they acknowledge receipt of my letter and to give them their $$ basically. Today, I learned they attempted to send me a giant envelope via certified letter. I did not receive the envelope. I pulled my credit report and Cap One is showing my debt as "charged off". What true legal recourse does this goober have? How can an atty in Houston have the debt, then Fred Hanna get it even tho Cap One charged it off? Cap One isn't seeking it, the Houston atty and then Fred Hanna are? Advice?? Can they seize checking accts even if it's not my spouse's debt?

[Lou]

Try to settle with your debt.

http://www.consumercreditcardscom.com/apply-c...

[self employed mom]

mom of 2 crazy girls wrote:

What ever happened with your case? I am trying to work something out with Hanna and capital one. <quoted text>

He's still coming on strong but so far I have fought back answering and filing with the court, etc. Hanna wait 6-8 weeks to respond even though I request their answers within 30 days, etc... Something has to be done about people like him. I know someone who knows Fred Hanna personally and says he's a conceited jerk.