Who knows anything about Bass & Associates?

[Mary Irene]

I am trying to find information about a law firm collection agency named Bass & Associates out of Tuscon, AZ. I had to dismiss my Ch 13 about a month ago and received a letter from this firm regarding the debt. The Trustee had been paying ECast Settlement before the dismissal and the letter said they are representing ECast. I think they're lying. I read a couple things here and from what I can see, they seem to be another dirtbag bottom feeder. Anyone deal with them? Anyone been sued? They are like the 4th people to buy this debt from the original creditor who owned it back in 2004. Thanks.

[Nicollette]

I know there is a Bass & Associates out of Florida. As a matter of fact, I believe they were even sued and were supposed to shut down because they were violating the FDCPA. I defaulted on an internet payday loan and they were trying to collect on it. They would call and say things like, I'm gonna be arrested, the sheriff would be at my door with a warrant within an hour, etc. I filed complaints on them with the Attorney General in Florida. They were getting so many complaints, that the state of Florida starting investigating them. They were known to use these scare tactics on every debtor they would call and scare them into paying. I did receive correspondence back from the BBB and the Attorney General in Florida. I'm also thinking that the Bass & Associates in AZ is a legit company and the one in Florida has been known to say they were the ones out of AZ.

[Nicollette]

Here are two addresses I found for Bass in AZ and FL.


Bass & Associates, PC
3936 E Ft Lowell Rd.Suite 200
Tucson, AZ 85712


Bass Pre-Litigation Services, LLC
Bass and Associates
314 West 44th St.
Jacksonville, FL 32208



The phone # for the Az business is (520)577-1544; Fax-(520)577-1546. They have a satisfactory rating with the BBB, but they are not BBB accredited.

The phone # for the FL business is (800)871-7730, or (877)281-2220 ext. 333, or (877)281-2224 ext. 317. I know for a fact that this one is not a member of the BBB.

[treehugger1]

You said they were the 4th CA/company to "buy" the debt from the original creditor. I would guess they are the 4th firm to be assigned the debt, or the law firm is representing a CA who has been assigned or owns the debt. Can I ask who the original creditor was? Request some debt verification and see who has/owns what.

[GoingDown]

If they violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or engage in any shady practices, contact the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions (look them up on the web, under the Arizona Attorney General's Office), and file a complaint against them. I have found the ADFI to be very helpful in dealing with rogue collection agencies.

[Mary Irene]

You said they were the 4th CA/company to "buy" the debt from the original creditor. I would guess they are the 4th firm to be assigned the debt, or the law firm is representing a CA who has been assigned or owns the debt. Can I ask who the original creditor was? Request some debt verification and see who has/owns what.

The original creditor was Homemaker's furniture. They went out of business. The loan was sold to E-Cast Settlement, who put a claim to my bankruptcy. E-Cast is a bankruptcy and junk debt buyer from Wall street. Now, on my claims Register, it says E-Cast Settlement, an assignee of Household Bank (who probably gave the loan for Homemakers.). I had listed Homemaker's, and E-Cast Settlement filed the claim. They are a subsidiary of Bear Stearns, who no longer is in business. Now it's with these guys, Bass & Ass. If they were to garnish, is it 25% per paycheck, or per month? And is it 25% of net or gross? I am sending a request for validation tomorrow certified mail.

[WhatMoney]

Unsecured creditors in most parts of the country can garnish 25% of the debtor’s net pay. Net earnings are gross earnings less all mandatory deductions, also called disposable income.

It's 25% max, makes no difference how often you are paid. 25% of a weekly check or 25% of a monthly check comes out the same.

Bass and assoc. would need to sue you with an in-state lawfirm to get a wage garnishment unless they are licensed in your state. You would need to defend yourself in court to make them prove they are really representing ECast if they fail to respond to your DV with this information.

[Mary Irene]

I looked it up and in Michigan it says up to 25% of disposible earnings are subject to garnishment.

[treehugger1]

I'm currently under a wage garnishment from local creditors and a local CA. This month I will payoff and clean up all outstanding judgments. I have received no new summons, so I should get a full check next month. There is still one more potential for a local small claim suit of $5K. But, if served I'll answer and demand a hearing. This would happen January at the earliest. I have several big debts that are in the hands of JDB's and their law firms outside the state, but they have never even replied to my DV requests. Hard to know what drives them. 25% garnishment has been tolerable and I've kept my student loans out of default.

[Mary Irene]

If they don't answer your request for validation, they legally can't pursue with the collection. You can sue them if they do. Just read it yesterday. I'm hoping they got nothing.

[Nicollette]

The original creditor was Homemaker's furniture. They went out of business. The loan was sold to E-Cast Settlement, who put a claim to my bankruptcy. E-Cast is a bankruptcy and junk debt buyer from Wall street. Now, on my claims Register, it says E-Cast Settlement, an assignee of Household Bank (who probably gave the loan for Homemakers.). I had listed Homemaker's, and E-Cast Settlement filed the claim. They are a subsidiary of Bear Stearns, who no longer is in business. Now it's with these guys, Bass & Ass. If they were to garnish, is it 25% per paycheck, or per month? And is it 25% of net or gross? I am sending a request for validation tomorrow certified mail.

E-Cast Settlement filed a claim in my BK on behalf of an HSBC credit card.