ComplaintsforBass & Associates, PC

• Initial Complaint

  05/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My mother-in-law passed away earlier this year. We (her son & myself) received this letter requesting information, however, unsure if this is legitmate or a scam. I have attempted multiple times to reach the number listed on the letter and there is no answer. I do not feel comfortable supplying information without more information from the law firm.

  Business response

  05/20/2024

  Clients place accounts with Bass & Associates, P.C. (Bass) under a limited scope engagement. Our primary role is to gather information and attempt to collect debts for the accounts placed with our office. This includes sending letters, placing phone calls and obtaining copies of death certificates to facilitate the filing of estate claims.
  
  According to our records, a research letter was sent seeking to identify the Representative of the estate. Our office has confirmed that our phones are operational and being monitored during business hours. If the calls were made after hours, there have been no messages left regarding these accounts.
  
  Per the request of the Complainant in the BBB complaint, the desired outcome was to have no further contract by the business. Bass will cease all further communications with the Complainant, aside from this posting to the BBB website.
  
  
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” Per Regulation F § 1006.6(a)(4), the term consumer includes the executor or administrator of the consumer’s estate, if the consumer is deceased. The terms executor or administrator include the personal representative of the consumer’s estate. A personal representative is any person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate.  In addition, there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  

  Customer response

  05/21/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 21705116, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  Michelle Oberlin
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  01/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received a letter from Bass & Associates, asking for contact info for executor of my husband's estate. At first I thought this might be a scam, but I looked them up and found they're one of the disgusting companies that feed off peoples' hardships. I took care of my husband for 15 years, but when I started cancer treatment, I had to put him in a nursing home. My husband has been dead for over a year and I've been fighting cancer for almost 1.5 years. My husband was a disabled veteran, who had just started getting medical help and finally some compensation, 50 years after he was mugged on the Army base and almost killed. When he died, the VA took his check back out of our account and I was only getting my social security of less than $1,000. It took them several months before they sent it. Why can't these disgusting companies that feed off peoples' hardships just leave the dead alone? They're trying to feed off the dead like buzzards eating roadkill. Disgusting!

  Business response

  01/18/2024

  Complaint is in response to a letter that Bass & Associates, P.C. (Bass) sent looking for estate information. Bass & Associates, P.C. is a law firm that represents a variety of clients, one of whom holds an account for a consumer associated with the address where the inquiry letter was sent. The purpose of this letter is to obtain probate information, since the consumer is deceased. Bass cannot provide any additional information without violating the privacy of the consumer.
  Per the request of the Complainant in the BBB complaint, the account was flagged as “Do Not Contact” and closed in our office. Bass will cease all further communications with the Complainant, aside from this posting to the BBB website.
  End of response
  
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” In addition, there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Letter from company seeking executor information or person whom handles bills . Does not state any further information as to what this might be for in any manner.

  Business response

  06/13/2022

  Complainant requests information about the debt and Bass & Associates, P.C. (Bass). Bass & Associates, P.C. is a law firm that represents a variety of clients, one of whom holds an account for a debtor associated with the address the inquiry letter was sent. The purpose of this letter is to confirm probate information, as the original account holder is deceased. Bass cannot provide any additional information without violating the privacy of the debtor.
  However, per the request of the Complainant in the BBB complaint, the account will be flagged as “Do Not Contact”. All further communications with the Complainant, aside from this posting to the BBB website, will cease. While technically not a complaint, Bass considers this issue resolved.
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” In addition, there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.

• Initial Complaint

  05/10/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am the executor of my mothers estate. Bass and Associates was contracted to settle one of her debts. They were paid (check number: *****) on March 3rd and the check cleared their bank on March 9th. I have been waiting on the "settlement of claim" letter ever since. I have been told that the letter was mailed on April 20th (it was not) and May 2nd (it was not). I have also been told that I would receive the letter by email and I have not. Turns out the letter is waiting in someone's office for a notary. I don't know who is telling the truth. Every other creditor drafted their "Settlement of claim" letters in March. Absolutely disguisting that I have to call at first weekly, now daily to receive contradictory information. All while, sitting here paying my mothers lawyers while we wait for this singular letter that could settle everything

  Business response

  05/18/2022

  Complainant alleges that Bass & Associates, P.C. (Bass) did not send a Settlement of Claim letter regarding a debt that was paid by check on 03/07/22. This check was received with a copy of the claim filed by Bass on 09/07/21; no instructions or requests accompanied the payment.
  A call was received from the Complainant in our office on or about 4/14/22, requesting a Settlement of Claim be sent to the attorney of the estate. The original Satisfaction of Claim letter was mailed to the attorney of the estate on 4/20/22. Bass communicated to the Complainant on 4/26/22 that the Satisfaction of Claim letter had been sent to the attorney of the estate as requested.
  The Complainant called regarding the letter again on 5/04/22 and 5/10/22 requesting that the Satisfaction of Claim letter be emailed to her directly. A copy of the 4/20/22 Satisfaction of Claim letter was emailed to the Complainant on 5/11/22. On 5/11/22, a Bass representative spoke to the attorney of the estate who advised that the original Satisfaction of Claim needed to be mailed to the court instead. A second original Satisfaction of Claim letter was prepared and sent to the court on 5/11/22.
  Bass followed all instructions provided by the Complainant in a timely manner. It is the duty of the estate to ensure documents are requested properly, accurately, and timely. Bass has resolved the issue to the best of our ability.
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” In addition, there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  Tell us why here...

  Customer response

  06/13/2022

  Hello; I have been attempting to get a signed and notarized satisfaction of claim letter for my mothers estate since March 2022. In early March 2022 Bass and Associates were paid for my mothers debt. Two other debt collectors immediately sent satisfaction of claim letters to the court as required. Myself and our lawyers called bass and associates over and over again speaking with Kevin and Gloria to try to get the satisfaction of claim letter mailed. Repeatedly I was told they were mailed on different dates and they never were. Finally we were able to get them emailed and we were assured that they were mailed to the court on the same day . The court never received the copy and the emailed copy we received was not notarized or signed, which is a requirement. There were spaces for people to sign and notarize but no one did it. Now months later it looks like I have to go to court, which means flying in for one day costing me probably $1000, attending court and leaving and flying home. Despite repeated calls, begging and assurances Bass and associates has not come through as they should for the court.

  Business response

  06/23/2022

  This is a secondary complaint from the Complainant, alleging that Bass & Associates, P.C. (Bass) still has not sent a Settlement of Claim letter regarding a debt that was paid by check on 03/07/22. As previously stated, this check was received with a copy of the claim filed by Bass on 09/07/21; no instructions or requests accompanied the payment.

  
  After the first complaint was received, a second original Satisfaction of Claim letter was prepared and sent to the court on 5/11/22, as discussed in our previous response. Bass continued to receive calls from the Complainant on 5/18/22. When told what address Bass sent the court’s copy of the Satisfaction of Claim letter to, Complainant stated it was wrong. On 5/19/22, Bass confirmed with the Probate court that the address the letter was sent to was fine and that mail “moves slowly” in the area and would be received eventually.

  
  On 6/2/22, the estate attorney called Bass regarding the incorrect address. Bass informed the attorney’s office of the conversation we had with the Probate court and offered to email a copy of the letter to them for verification.

  
  On Friday 6/10/22, Bass followed up with the Probate court to confirm receipt of the Satisfaction of Claim letter. It was only then the court informed Bass that all letters must be sent to a new address. A third Satisfaction of Claim letter was quickly prompted and posted to the most recent address as provided by the Probate court. Another curtesy copy of the Satisfaction of Claim letter was emailed to the Attorney of the Estate for their records.

  
  On 6/23/22, Bass confirmed with the Probate court that the Satisfaction of Claim letter was received and docketed. Once again, Bass followed all instructions provided by the Complainant and the Probate court in a timely manner. Bass has resolved the issue to the best of our ability.

  
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” In addition, there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.

• Initial Complaint

  04/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received a letter in the mail from Bass and Associates on April 21, 2022 regarding the Estate of my deceased husband's grandmother. She lived with us when she passed away. They were asking for information on her Estate. Basically this company is a vulture company who tries to collect on deceased individuals debt. We are in no way responsible for her debt and I think it is reprehensible for an out of state debt collection company to contact the family of individuals who died from covid trying to collect on debt. I believe the comb obituaries looking for these families and prey on their grief. This is morally deplorable. How dare these people ask for the death certificate of my husband's grandmother in their letter?

  Business response

  04/28/2022

  Accelerated Inventory Management, LLC places accounts with Bass & Associates, P.C. (Bass) under a limited scope engagement. Our primary role is to gather information and attempt to collect debts for the accounts placed with our office. This includes sending letters, placing phone calls and obtaining copies of death certificates to facilitate the filing of estate claims. However, the initial information regarding the outstanding debt is provided by Accelerated Inventory Management, LLC.
  
  According to our records, a letter was sent to the Complainant regarding the account on or about 4/17/22. The Complainant then contacted our office on or about 4/21/22, but the call was terminated before any account information could be discussed. Per the complaint, the Complainant has requested “No further contact by the business”. Bass would like to assure the Complainant and the BBB that the Complainant will no longer receive any letters or calls from Bass, aside from this response as posted to the BBB portal.
  
  While we understand the Complainant may be frustrated with the situation, at no time was there any attempt to collect the debt from those with no obligation or liability.
  
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” In addition there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.

• Initial Complaint

  02/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I spent a long time on the phone, an agreement was reached regarding all the interest and fees on my loan. The amount was reduced to 48,000. HOWEVER, I never received anything in writing, and you are still saying the amount is 68,000. Please fix. I am filling out the teacher loan forgiveness form. Do I send to you? If not, where? Thanks so much for your prompt reply. ******* ******* ********************** ************* I keep trying to email and it keeps getting sent back. It keeps saying the email is too big. I edit and make a smaller it just keeps coming back saying the same thing. What kind of nonsense is this? Whenever I try to call him on hold forever. This business is a scam and it’s ripping people off and tell him one thing on the phone and then never follows through.

  Business response

  02/07/2022

  Effective November 4, 2021 the US Department of Education (ED) cancelled their contracts with all small businesses, including Bass & Associates, P.C. (Bass). Bass was instructed to cease working/servicing accounts as of the above-mentioned date. We put a message on our toll-free number that directs the Borrowers we previously serviced to contact ED; our website was updated as well. Additionally, we shut down the email address that was dedicated to receiving communications related to ED accounts.
  
  It is unclear from the Complainant’s statement what email they have been attempting to send information to, however ours has been shut down for approximately four months. As we no longer service student loan accounts, our call volume has significantly decreased; any callers are quickly aided by our staff and redirected to the new number for student loan assistance: (800) 621-3115. Since Bass no longer handles student loan accounts, we are neither aware nor privy to any loan agreements that may or may not have been made between any Borrowers and ED. While Bass cannot provide legal or financial advice, we would suggest the Complainant reach out to ED at (800) 621-3115 for further assistance.
  
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” In addition there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.

• Initial Complaint

  09/01/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been contacting Default Resolution Group has been responding to me in regards to a debt they claim I owe. I sent them a letter asking for validation of a debt and they have yet to provide proper validation pursuant to 15 USC 1692g. It has been over 60 days and they could not validate the alleged debt. Once they could not validate the debt in question the proceeded to tell me that a company by the name of Bass and associates now has my private information. I recently sent them a letter and have yet to receive a response from them regarding these alleged debts or any validation of debts. These accounts have been reporting on my consumer report inaccurately and have been affecting me negatively. My life is commerce and need my consumer report to be reporting accurately in order to survive in the united states especially after the affects that covid 19 left us with.

  Business response

  09/09/2021

  The Department of Education (ED) places accounts with our office under a limited scope engagement. Our primary role is to provide a Borrower with ED authorized program options for which they qualify to assist them with moving the account into good standing. For the most common program options, rehabilitation and consolidation, our office assists a Borrower with entry into the programs and their account is then transferred to a new servicer under the ED umbrella. Our office does not garnish, offset, or take in any money directly. All payments, voluntary and involuntary, are through ED.
  
  According to our records as well as those held by ED, the Complainant’s dispute was answered by ED on or about 6/03/2021, with a follow-up response on or about 7/28/2021. While we understand that the Complainant may not be happy with this response, Bass & Associates, P.C. does not handle disputes and has neither information nor documentation not already provided to the Complainant by ED. The promissory note requested by the Complainant was included in the documents uploaded with this complaint, IMG-5633.jpg. If the Complainant has any questions, they should not hesitate to contact us. Bass & Associates, P.C. cannot contact the Complainant as they have a Cease & Desist placed on their account, preventing any outgoing contact from our offices. Generally, we are very available, and can be reached at (855) 533-1107 telephonically.
  
  Note:  By posting this information on your website, we believe that the BBB has assumed responsibility for protecting the consumer’s privacy, and non-public information from being viewed by third parties. Pursuant to section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b), “without the prior express consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.” In addition there may be other federal and/or state privacy laws that apply to release of information regarding the consumer in question. Therefore, because of the possibility that the customer’s review and our response may be publicly posted on the BBB website, we have omitted all nonpublic, personal information regarding the consumer from our response. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩