Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/09/2025

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I keep receiving calls in collections for account *********** ********** I do not owe them any money and I am not in collections.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/22/2025

  
  We have received and reviewed *** *******’s complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on April 9, 2025. Through this complaint, we understand that *** ******* dispute owing this debt. In addition, *** ******* requested that we stop calling her regarding this account.
  Upon receipt of *** *******’s complaint, we were able to locate the account in our system. Our client, Technology Insurance, placed ******* ********** *** commercial account with our office for handling on October 11, 2024. As of April 16, 2025, our client has adjusted the account balance to zero for the account ending in ****. However, our records indicate that there is still a balance on the account ending in ****. In an effort to assist *** ******* with her review of this account, we will obtain a copy of the invoices from our client. Once McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff (MBW) obtains a copy of the invoices we will forward them to *** ******* for her review.
  MBW will honor *** *******’s request and place her account in a verbal cease communication status to prevent any additional calls from our office regarding this account. We encourage Ms. Shaffer to review the invoices upon receipt and contact our office directly if she has any additional questions or concerns regarding this account.
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/20/2025

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  McCarthy Burgess and Wolff using number 440-735-5100 called me and left a voicemail on 02-20-2025 at 1250 hrs. When I called them back at the call back number left on the voicemail of ************ **** **** they refused to give me any information as to whom they were representing and the debt in question without requesting I give them all of my personal information first. This may be a common practice acceptable in most cases but my phone number is registered on the State of Massachusetts Do Not Call list and I verified that the phone number they called today is still on the list. When you visit Mass.gov and look up my number on the Do Not Call List it shows it has been active in good standing on the Do Not Call list since 01-01-2012. In order for a call to be placed to me as a registered user on the Do Not Call List it has to be of legitamate nature and the burden of proof of legitemacy of such a call is on the caller not the recipient. Because they violated my rights on the Do Not Call List they have to legally identify to me the reasons for calling without my giving out information first. Either way the practice of disregarding the Do Not Call List and not providing information without demanding it of the call recipeient first is reckless at best. The burden is on McCarthy, Burgess and Wolff to act accordingly and use best business practices that protect the consumers and performing unsolicited calls to consumers on a State of Massachusetts Do Not Call List is definitely not adhering to that principal.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/05/2025

  
  
  We have received and reviewed *** *********s complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on February 20, 2025. Through this complaint, *** ******** expressed concerns with McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff (MBW) inbound call verification process. In addition, *** ******** expressed concerns about receiving a call from MBW since his phone number is registered on the State of Massachusetts Do Not Call List.
  Upon receipt of *** *********s complaint, we were able to locate an account in our system associated with his phone number ending in 4244. MBW called the number ending in **** in an attempt to contact our consumer regarding a personal business matter.  This was not a telemarketing or solicitation call.
  When *** ******** returned our call, he encountered our inbound call verification process. Before MBW can discuss an account, we are required to ensure that the person we are speaking with is an authorized party on the account. This process is in place to ensure the security of consumer’s personal information. As *** ******** did not provide the personal information required to verify his identity, we were unable to provide him with any details of the account.
  Through this complaint, we understand that the phone number ending in **** does not belong to the consumer we were attempting to contact. As such, we have removed *** *********s number ending in **** from the account, which will prevent further contact from our office regarding this account.
  We would like to apologize to Mr. Garofoli for any inconvenience this may have caused him.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/21/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This collection agency doesnt know what they are doing period. I dont owe this comcast bill, if you dont stop contacting me ill sue you!!!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/03/2025

  
  February 3, 2025
  
  
  Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  Greater Cleveland
  200 Treeworth Blvd.
  Broadview Hts, OH 44147
  
  
  Re: BBB Complaint ID ********
  
  
  To Whom It May Concern,
  
  We have received and reviewed *** ***********i’s complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on January 21, 2025. Through this complaint, we understand that *** ***********i dispute owing this bill and request McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff (MBW), cease and desist all communications with him.
  MBW was able to locate a commercial account in *** ************ name. Our client, Comcast placed this account with our office for handling on January 9, 2025. MBW will honor *** ************ request and place this account in a cease-and-desist status. This will prevent any further communications from our office regarding this debt.
  If *** ************ has any additional concerns or questions regarding this debt, we encourage him to contact our client directly. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/20/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  An offer was made by McCarthy, Burgess, and Wolff, Inc. (Once located in Chicago, Il.) to either pay the amount of $200.00 or return the phone. I opt to pay the amount in order to keep my phone. It is estimated that the last payment made was 1-26-2022 in the final installment payment $62.76 account number 1754433. McCarthy, Burgess, and Wolff, INC seem to have not discharged this account and have sold this account to ********* ******* which a complaint has been filed with also. Before payment was made, Sprint/T-Mobile locked the phone prohibiting a switch to a different carrier. Therefore, the physical proof of payment to MBW is that my phone was unlocked (before Sprint went out of business and transferred all accounts to T-Mobile) in is current use through another carrier.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/31/2025

  January 31, 2025
  
  
  Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  Greater Cleveland
  200 Treeworth Blvd.
  Broadview Hts, OH 44147
  
  
  Re: BBB Complaint ID ********
  
  
  To Whom It May Concern,
  
  We have received and reviewed Ms. James’ complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on January 20, 2025. In this complaint, Ms. ***** stated that McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff (MBW) offered her the option to pay $200 or return the phone and she selected to pay the $200. Ms. ***** also stated MBW did not discharge the account but rather sold it to ********* *******. In addition, Ms. ***** is requesting we discharge the account as paid in full and send letters to her and Jefferson Capital stating the same.
  Upon receipt of this complaint, we were able to locate Ms. James’ account in our system. ****** *********, Inc. (Sprint), placed Ms. James’ account with our office for handling on two occasions. The first placement being December 4, 2020, and the second placement being January 4, 2022. Ms. ***** made a payment directly to Sprint on December 7, 2020, subsequently Sprint recalled the first placement and close the account in our system on December 8, 2020.
  While handling Ms. James’ account during the second placement, we sent Ms. ***** a letter dated June 15, 2022. This letter informed Ms. ***** that no settlement could be offered unless the leased IPhone 8 64gb was returned to Sprints Warehouse in good working conditions. Our records indicate that prior to sending this letter to Ms. ***** made a total of three payments directly to Sprint on January 17, January 24, and January 27, 2022, which totaled to $172.32. There were no indications of a settlement offer from MBW in the amount of $200, nor were there any indications of payments being made directly to MBW.  
  MBW did not sale Ms. James’ account to ********* *******. Sprint recalled Ms. James’ account from our office on July 6, 2022, which closed the account in our system. MBW does not have any control over what occurred with the account after Sprint recalled it from our office. MBW cannot comment on the activities that transpired between Ms. ***** and another entity. As this account is closed in our system, we encourage Ms. ***** to contact the entity that is handling her account.     
  
  Sincerely,
  Heather S******
  Compliance Coordinator
  McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/09/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am not liable for this debt with Verizon and do not have a contract with McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff, Inc. They did not provide me with the original application that was previously requested.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/24/2025

  We have received and reviewed ******* **********’s complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  on January 9, 2025, and located her account in our system. In this complaint, *** ********** states she is not
  liable for this debt with ******* ********* and she does not have a contract with McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff
  (MBW). In addition, she stated she was not provided with the original application upon her request, and she
  requested that a correction be made to her credit report.

  
  Our client, ******* ******** placed *** **********’s account with our office for handling on February 22,
  2024. While handling this account we received a dispute on February 28, 2024. In response to the dispute, we
  emailed validation documents on March 1, 2024. Since emailing the validation notice we haven’t had any
  further communication with *** ********** until receipt of this BBB complaint.

  
  Upon receipt of this complaint, we promptly sent our client a request for a copy of the contract between our
  client and *** **********. In an effort to assist *** ********** with her review, we will be sending her a copy
  of the contract.

  
  MBW does not credit report on behalf of ******* ******** and does not have the authority to remove this
  account from *** **********’s credit report. As we do no not credit report for ******* ********* and due to
  this account no longer being with our office, we encourage *** ********** to contact ******* ******** directly
  at ************ to further discuss her concerns in regards to the credit reporting of this account.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/19/2024

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This company continues to harass me on debt that is not owed. This is a scam.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/02/2025

  
  
  We have received and reviewed ***** ***’s complaint file with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on December 19, 2024. Upon receipt of *** ***** complaint, we were able to locate an account in our system associated with his name. Through this complaint, we understand *** *** dispute owing this debt and is under the impression that this is a scam.
  Our client, Associated Industries Insurance Company Inc., placed this account with our office for handling on December 6, 2024. While handling this account, we have made two call attempts to the number ending in **** and mailed one letter to the address on file. McCarthy, Burgess, and Wolff (MBW) did not make these communication attempts with the intention to harass *** ***, our intentions were to assist him with an account resolution. As *** *** dispute owing this debt, we will be requesting debt validation documents to provide to *** *** for his review.
  We understand *** *** has requested no further contact from MBW. We will honor *** ****’s request and place this account in a cease-and-desist status, which will prevent any further collection efforts by MBW. We encourage *** **** to contact our client directly if he has any additional questions or concerns regarding this account. 
  
  Sincerely,
  ******* *******
  Compliance Coordinator
  McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/02/2025

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** ***
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/16/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Im not liable for this debt with ******* ******** , I do not have a contract with McCarthy Burgess and Wolf, they did not provide me with the original contract as requested.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/30/2024

  
  
  We have received and reviewed ******* ****** ***** complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and located an account in our system in his name. In this complaint, *** ****** states he is not liable for this debt with ******* ********* and he does not have a contract with McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff (MBW). In addition, he stated he was not provided with the original contract upon his request, and he requested that a correction be made to his credit report.

  
  Our client, ******* ******** placed *** ******** account with our office for handling on November 07, 2024. Our records do not show a previous request from *** ******** for a copy of the original contract. However, upon receipt of this complaint, we promptly sent our client a request for a copy of the contract between our client and *** ******* In an effort to assist *** ****** with his review of this account, we will be sending him a copy of the contract and the account invoices.

  
  MBW does not credit report on behalf of ******* ******** and does not have the authority to remove this account from *** ******** credit report. We encourage *** ****** to contact ******* ******** directly at 800-852-1922 to further discuss his concerns in regards to the credit reporting of this account.
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/06/2024

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This is not our account, but they are harrassing us for the payment.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/20/2024

  
  
  We have received and reviewed ***** ************* complaint and located an account in our system in their name. In this complaint, ***** ************* states McCarthy, Burgess, and Wolff (MBW) is harassing them with our attempt to collect a debt. In addition, ***** ************* is requesting no further contact be made by MBW.
  Our client, ********, placed this account with our office for handling on November 04, 2024. MBW did not contact ***** ************* with the intention to harass them in regards to this account, our intent was to assist ***** ************* with an account resolution. While handling this account we have sent ***** ************* statements to assist them with their review of this account. Through this complaint, we understand that ***** ************* continues to dispute owing this debt. MBW will honor ***** ************* request and place this account in a cease and desist status to stop further communication from our office.
  
  Sincerely,
  Heather S

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/04/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This company has some debt on me from ******* despite me never paying ******* a dime, I would like to understand and get this resolved because I don't owe it when I've never paid it.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/18/2024

  To Whom It May Concern:

  We have received and reviewed ********* *********** complaint and located an account in our system in his name.  Our client, *******, placed this account with our office for handling on July 25, 2024.  On July 26, 2024, we sent *** ********* a debt validation notice informing him that this account had been placed with our office for handling and explaining his rights to request validation if the debt.
  

  In this complaint, *** ********* has disputed owing on this account.  Our team has requested the debt validation documents from ******* and will be sending these to *** ********* upon receipt. We encourage *** ********* to contact our office at 440.735.5100 if he has any questions after reviewing that documentation.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** *******
  General Counsel & Director of Compliance
  McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/03/2024

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This debt collector has flagrantly violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) by engaging in abusive, deceptive, and unfair practices that are explicitly prohibited by law. They reported an account without my authorization or any signed agreement from me, which is required to constitute a valid contract. I had no involvement in this account whatsoever. Additionally, they failed to follow the mandated 5-step validation process, further demonstrating their unfair and unlawful practices. Under the FDCPA, I am entitled to $1,000 per violation, and it is evident that they have violated my rights.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/15/2024

  To Whom It May Concern,
  
  We have received and reviewed ****** ********s complaint and located an account in our system in his name. In this complaint, *** ******* states that McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff (MBW) engaged in deceptive and unfair practices when attempting to collect a debt. In addition, *** ******* states that MBW reported an account to the credit reporting agencies (CRAs) without authorization or a signed agreement. Lastly, *** ******* states that MBW failed to validate the debt.
  
  Our client, Verizon, placed this account with our office for handling on May 23, 2024.  Our records show that *** ******* previously disputed this account via a complaint filed with the CFPB on August 19, 2024.  In response, MBW obtained invoices from Verizon and provided those to *** ******* on August 26, 2024.  Prior to receiving this complaint, MBW had no contact with *** *******. *** ******* filed a second complaint with the CFPB on October 16, 2024.  Following receipt of this complaint, MBW closed *** *******’s account in our system as we have been unable to assist him with resolution of this account.
  
  Please note, MBW does not report accounts to the CRAs on behalf of ******* and therefore we have not reported *** *******’s account to the CRAs.
  
  We encourage *** ******* to contact ******* at 800.852.1922 to discuss this account.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** *******
  General Counsel & Director of Compliance
  McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff