Posted on: 21st Sep, 2006 08:08am
SJM Marketing is a payday loan company having associates like Ellis Crosby and Platinum B Services to look after the collections. The company has a bad reputation in the market and as such people have been complaining about its activities which they feel are often illegal.
What are debtors saying about SJM Marketing?
- At times the company may not provide contact information; as such the debtor fails to contact it for loan repayment. But all of a sudden the company may call up and threaten the debtor to make the payment immediately or else he would be sent to jail.
- SJM takes out money from debtors' accounts at regular intervals even though the latter doesn't owe as much cash as is withdrawn by the company. And even after repeated requests to stop, they continue to withdraw from the account. At times, they even threaten to take legal action against the debtor.
- The company deals with collection agencies which often take out money from debtors' checking accounts without prior notice.
- The company has often accused its debtors of writing a bad check even if they haven't written any check as such.
- The company provides unauthorized loan funds thereby depositing the loan amount into the debtor's bank account even though the latter hasn't asked for it.
- At times, debtors make repeated calls but there's no one to respond on behalf of the company. It's hard to locate SJM and get any in touch with its officials.
What to do if you're in trouble with SJM Marketing?
If you haven't taken a loan from SJM and yet receive repeated calls from the company, then send them a debt validation letter thereby asking them to validate the debt. If they fail to validate the debt, then it's obvious that they have tried to scare you by talking about legal action against you. This is a violation of the FDCPA and as such you can file a complaint with the FTC or the State Attorney General for any legal action to be taken against SJM Marketing.
However, if you have really taken out the loan, then the best thing to do is to pay off the loan asap. But if they threaten you for not paying extra charges, then it's better to take legal action and avoid being harassed by SJM or other collection agencies.
However, if you have really taken out the loan, then the best thing to do is to pay off the loan asap. But if they threaten you for not paying extra charges, then it's better to take legal action and avoid being harassed by SJM or other collection agencies.
I have this problem some company named SJM Marketing which I recieved a loan from has no information that is credible for me to repay them back. The number they gave me doesn't work and I've been trying to pay them back for almost 3 months two weeks ago a guys calls and tells me about how much I owe I inform him that I haven't been able to get in contact with anyone and if I don't handle the situation in the manner they wish I'm going to jail or court whatever accents is very hard to distinguish. Anyways I've been trying to get the number for these people and the bank doesn't have one. And neither does the internet searches, in so many words it seems as if the company doesn't exist. No they are telling me i owe this amount of more than 800 dollars. I've never heard of this before but they are continually taking 90 out every other week. Now what should I do I want to get this company off my back but how do I know that this company is giving my money to the correct people.
Hi Curtis,
I think there is something fishy with this company. I have been hearing a lot of complaints against their activities. You really need to get out of this deal with the SJM. I feel you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission so that they can take some action against it.
Thanks,
Sara.
I think there is something fishy with this company. I have been hearing a lot of complaints against their activities. You really need to get out of this deal with the SJM. I feel you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission so that they can take some action against it.
Thanks,
Sara.
I really need help in getting in contact with this company they keep taking money out of my checking account and they now gave my banking account information to a company called The Loan shop: pd6 Ventures/express cash/westbury ventures and they took money out my account without my permission the only thing i can think of is to close that account and open a new one then maybe they will contact me since the numbers that you have dont seem to work please help if any body knows anything i have no where else to turn to but i have learned my lesson
Hi Pam,
Welcome to the forums.
This is what the company has been doing with several others. But unfortunately no legal action is being taken against them and they are just continuing with their illegal practices. You need to contact them asap. I hope you have got contact number and fax numbers from this forum thread itself. Anyway, if you haven't, here's the contact number: 1-866-722-2770. Their fax number is 1-866-599-5161.
I am not sure as to why they are giving your account information to another company. May be the other company is a collection agency whom the SJM people have appointed to collect your debt. But the whole thing looks ambiguous. I think it will be better if you close the checking account and open a new one. Then they may not be aware of the new account and possible they will contact you if they want to get any money from you.
Thanks,
Caron.
Welcome to the forums.
This is what the company has been doing with several others. But unfortunately no legal action is being taken against them and they are just continuing with their illegal practices. You need to contact them asap. I hope you have got contact number and fax numbers from this forum thread itself. Anyway, if you haven't, here's the contact number: 1-866-722-2770. Their fax number is 1-866-599-5161.
I am not sure as to why they are giving your account information to another company. May be the other company is a collection agency whom the SJM people have appointed to collect your debt. But the whole thing looks ambiguous. I think it will be better if you close the checking account and open a new one. Then they may not be aware of the new account and possible they will contact you if they want to get any money from you.
Thanks,
Caron.
I have recieved a call from a lady that works for Jackson Phillip and Associates saying that I owe Platinum B Services $430.00. When I spoke with a representative with platinum b they told me to send a money order to SJM Marketing in Nevada. This lady told me that if i didn't pay this money by 12 noon tomorrow, i would be facing criminal charges. I have made payment arrangements with Platinum B but i keep getting these phones calls in regards to me going to jail, so i haven'e sent them any money. Can they threaten me with jail time, i never wrote a check but they had an account of mine but they are accusing me of writing a bad check.
Hi B.Z,
Welcome here.
I think the company is trying to take extra charges from you. But I don't think they can threaten you with jail charges because then they will have to show adequate proof that you haven't paid them and I guess that will be not that easy for them.
Anyway, there's no use sending them money because they might again call you up and charge some more money thereby denying that you have already send them the required amount.
I think you should call up SJM marketing and talk to them freely on this regard.
Thanks,
James.
Welcome here.
I think the company is trying to take extra charges from you. But I don't think they can threaten you with jail charges because then they will have to show adequate proof that you haven't paid them and I guess that will be not that easy for them.
Anyway, there's no use sending them money because they might again call you up and charge some more money thereby denying that you have already send them the required amount.
I think you should call up SJM marketing and talk to them freely on this regard.
Thanks,
James.
Hi B.Z
You have already made payment arrangements with Platinum B. Even then if you are getting threats from some other company, then there's something illegal going on. It should not be so.
I think it will be better if you just consult an attorney who deals with credit and debt issues. or else, you may file a complaint against the Federal Trade Commission or the State Attorney General or Better Business Bureau.
Regarding your going to jail, I think its just what they want to threaten you with, just a way to get some more money from you. Don't worry, file a complaint and wait for some time, and in case you are in a hurry, talk to an attorney on this regard.
Here's the complaint form of the FTC.
Thanks,
Sara
You have already made payment arrangements with Platinum B. Even then if you are getting threats from some other company, then there's something illegal going on. It should not be so.
I think it will be better if you just consult an attorney who deals with credit and debt issues. or else, you may file a complaint against the Federal Trade Commission or the State Attorney General or Better Business Bureau.
Regarding your going to jail, I think its just what they want to threaten you with, just a way to get some more money from you. Don't worry, file a complaint and wait for some time, and in case you are in a hurry, talk to an attorney on this regard.
Here's the complaint form of the FTC.
Thanks,
Sara
how do they get our info? i mean for bank accounts this company has taken over 920.00 over my account they put 200.00 in i founf there # on the complaint sites called them within 24 hours they refused to back it out wouldnt give me any info even to pay off couldnt speak english or anything so i want anybody who has been scammed to send me an email to beshorse1@yahoo.com i will collect these and forward them on to every attorney generals office there is and the fbi we will get these losers and thieves once and for all bad guys never win therefore they will lose and you know when you play with fire you eventually get burnt so anyone out there please write me lets burn these fools
I wish you success in the initiative you have taken to teach these crooks a lesson.
you know i just received a call at work stating that i owe 580 from a loan that was 200 but the loan was supposedly taken out in Sept 2006 which i dont recall, but at this point some people are calling that dont speak english telling me that legal action is taken against me for not repaying my loan but there is no contact info what so ever and they dont have a website neither. what should i do :x
Hi,
If they call again ask them to provide their contact address so that you can send them a debt validation letter. If they cannot validate the debt then talking about taking a legal action is just a way to scare you. Also check your credit report to see any entry for a loan that you are sure have not applied for.
If they call again ask them to provide their contact address so that you can send them a debt validation letter. If they cannot validate the debt then talking about taking a legal action is just a way to scare you. Also check your credit report to see any entry for a loan that you are sure have not applied for.
I had the same problem, so I have had my bank stop any transactions and I have the number 866.722.2770. When they tell you to leave your SSN "don't."
I fully agree with Trudymaria, SSN is a very important number, do not give it out to anyone without sufficient reason.
Everyone who has been scamed by these people needs to contact their local News Station and newspaper to see if they will run a story about the scam. A good friend just called me yesterday with the same issuse all of you have had. She has contacted a lawyer and he wants to send a letter to them on her behalf but there is no address and when she calls to get one the phone number she calls (18667222770) goes right to voice mail. She said she just keep hitting 0 till someone by the name of Ashley finally picked up. This Ashley girl said she didn't have to give her the address or her last name and that her supevisors name was Dustin and he doesn't have a last name. What a crock. These people need to be stoped. I am going to call my local newspaper, News Station and radio station to see if I can get the word out about these crooks. Maybe if enough people do the same we can stop them. Call the FBI if you have to. Tell anyone who will listen. I have learned in the past that if you make enough nois somebody will hear you. For all of you that they keep calling tell them you have been intouch with a lawyer, FBI, Attorney State Generals office and anyone else you can think of. Use the same tactics on them as they use on you. Get your credit report and dispute anything on it that has to do with these people.
Very good suggestions Aanna, if all who are victimized by this company raise their voice I am sure stern steps will be taken by authorities to bring a stop to there illegal activities.
Yes I agree with aannamariea.
All of those who have suffered at their hands should raise their voices. Doesn't matter if it is the newspaper, the radio or the television news channel. There should be severe protests against such illegal practices.
I think you have taken the right decision to call up the local newspaper. After all, you can say that there are so many people facing trouble at the hands of these crooks – they need to be punished – tell anyone and everyone till you can get hold of them.
Highlight their services in front of the public - I think that's the right way it should go.
All of those who have suffered at their hands should raise their voices. Doesn't matter if it is the newspaper, the radio or the television news channel. There should be severe protests against such illegal practices.
I think you have taken the right decision to call up the local newspaper. After all, you can say that there are so many people facing trouble at the hands of these crooks – they need to be punished – tell anyone and everyone till you can get hold of them.
Highlight their services in front of the public - I think that's the right way it should go.