Javitch Block LLC: How to deal with collection calls

 Javitch Block LLC is a non-typical debt collection agency. It is a law firm that specializes in debt collection and insurance loss recovery. They have been in business since 1996. They have about 190 employees with headquarters in Ohio.

Just like dealing with any debt collector, be prepared. Verify that you owe the debt, that the company does not harass you, and that you have the right tools to settle your debt.

What is Javitch Block? Are they real or a scam?

Javitch Block LLC is not a scam. It is a real debt law firm that specializes in debt collection and insurance subrogation. They act as agents for creditors and aggressively pursue collection and lawsuits.  They work with many types of debts, including credit cards, taxes, student loans, rent, commercial, installment loans, accounts receivable, and purchased debt. 

They also have offices in Cincinnati (OH), Akron (OH), Dallas (TX), and Nashville (TN). Other phone numbers include (216) 623-0000, (214) 383-9088. They were previously known as Javitch, Block, and Rathbone LLC. 

Do you owe Javitch Block LLC money?

Javitch Block represents many original creditors and third-party debt buyers. They do not purchase debt. You may see their name on your credit regarding a credit inquiry.

However, there are various reasons that you may not owe money for a debt that they are trying to collect. For example, the debt may not belong to you, the statute of limitations expired, or you already paid off the debt.

If Javitch Block contacts you, then take these steps:

Step 1 - Validate your debt.

Validate a debt when Javitch Block contacts you to collect a debt. After the initial contact, you have 30 days to validate the debt, so act quickly. It is recommended to send a registered letter. It is a good idea always to validate the debt. If you don’t receive proper validation, then send a notice of insufficient validations. If the collection agency cannot validate the debt, it has no legal basis to collect it.

>>Learn more: Follow the steps described in the Bills.com debt validation article to preserve your rights under the FDCPA.

Step 2 - Check to see if the Statute of Limitations (SOL) is valid.

State laws set the time that a creditor can sue you and collect on the debt. However, they are complicated and not easy for the layman to understand. Javitch Block represents both original creditors and third-party debt buyers. In most states, an original creditor can pursue a lawsuit, even if the SOL expires. 

Even if you think that the SOL expired, the creditor may have a different opinion on the expiration date and pursue a lawsuit against you. It is always wise to respond to a lawsuit. In the case of an expired SOL, you must answer any summons and claim an affirmative defense.

In any case, Javitch Block still has the right to contact and get you to pay or negotiate a settlement. 

>> Learn more: Learn more about states' laws regarding statute of limitations.

Stop Javitch Block from debt collection harassment.

Debt collectors often are extremely aggressive in their collection tactics. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act strictly regulates debt collection agencies' activities. 

Here are some of the actions that they are forbidden to do:

• Call at an unreasonable time such as before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM
• Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass
• Seek Unjustifiable Amounts
• Contact a Consumer at Work
• Threaten Arrest
• Use Abusive or Threatening Language
• Contact a relative, friend, or colleague who doesn’t own the debt

If you believe Javitch Block LLC violated your rights under the FDCPA, consult with a consumer rights attorney in your area. Discuss possibly filing a lawsuit against the collection agency; not only could a lawsuit result in the cancellation of your debt, but you could be awarded damages. 

Learn how to negotiate your debt with Javitch Block

Javitch Block LLC will contact you, hoping to receive full payment. However, depending on your situation, they might be willing to negotiate. They will run a background check on you to determine their options.  Realizing that many households are struggling financially, they note that the

"Covid-19 presents us with unique challenges. We will continue to assist consumers so that they can make financial arrangements that appropriately address their current situation. This includes amending or modifying existing arrangements for those impacted by this crisis.

In some cases, it is wise to take a do-it-yourself approach. However, dealing with a collection agency, especially with aggressive lawyers, is stressful. It takes a significant amount of time and effort. It is helpful if you convince Javitch Block that you are in a hardship. Here are three tips: Be calm, clear, and convincing. Be persistent. Send a debt negotiation letter.

Another approach is to use a professional debt negotiation company. Debt settlement companies rely on databases of past settlements, so their negotiators know what range original creditors and collection agencies have accepted for payments in the past. They can reach a negotiated settlement with your debt collection agency quickly.

Complaints and lawsuits about Javitch

Like most collection agencies, Javitch Block has complaints registered in the BBB and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB has complaints about collecting a debt that the consumer didn’t owe, harassment and impersonating an attorney, law enforcement, or government official. The complaints themselves are not proof of illegal or improper activities, although a good source to learn about how consumers perceive the interactions and problems they have with the debt collection agencies.

Here is a couple of example of complaints:

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action -Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged  "XXXX XXXX filed a complaint of an amount owed, for which I received a Civil Summons in XXXX. The amount due was in connection with a XXXX XXXX credit card. I was not aware of this debt before receiving the summons. After receiving the summons, I called numerous times to find out when these charges occurred and what they were for. XXXX XXXX credit department said I had a XXXX balance due on my accounts. XXXX XXXX said I should contact the collector, Javitch Block LLC. 

We have probably spent approximately 20 hours over the last 9 weeks trying to resolve this issue, most of which has been on hold with the parties mentioned above, attempting to get information on the charges. That doesn't include the emotional stress caused by this action. I have been told multiple times that the information would be mailed, but I still have not received that information, and they refused to email anything. Instead, they sent only only two statements from 2015 showing a XXXX  balance due, and which do not include any of the charges in question. If an amount was owed, why can XXXX XXXX not produce a simple account history so that I can review the charges made on the account? My understanding is that these charges were from several years ago, and I no longer have statements for them. According to CFPB.gov, banks should respond to complaints in 15 days. I find that doubtful, since I have been trying to get basic account history information from XXXX for 9 weeks, with no success, on an account for which they decided to take legal action against me."

False statements or representation - Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official " On XX/XX/2019 XXXX XXXX XXXX an employee of Javitch Block LLC filed a civil court case IN THE XXXX COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT IN XXXX COUNTY OHIO. JAVITCH BLOCK LLC is a debt collector and per their website ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ). XXXX XXXX XXXX mis-represented her self and company as an attorney for a company XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, when in fact their main activity is debt collection because principal purpose of Javitch Block LLC qualified him as a debt collector.

Deal with a Javitch Block lawsuit

Javitch Block cannot make empty threats to sue you when making a collection call. However, they do have the right to start a lawsuit and pursue legal remedies such as a wage garnishment or bank levy. They are not a regular debt collection agency. Being a law firm, they will not be shy about pursuing a lawsuit that can result in a public judgment and lead to wage garnishes, bank levies, and liens on personal property. 

If Javitch Block files a lawsuit against you, consult with a lawyer in your state with consumer law experience. You must file an answer to their summons and complaint or risk losing the lawsuit by default. Ignoring a summons will not make it go away, so take action to respond to the lawsuit.

Can you remove Javitch Block from your credit report?

Since they do not own the debt, Javitch Block likely appears on your credit report as a credit inquiry. However, the original creditor or the third-party debt buyer may appear on your credit report.

Most negative tradelines stay on your credit report for seven years from the delinquency date. Bankruptcies remain for ten years, and judgments can remain for even longer if the creditor renews them.

If the information is inaccurate, then you can have it removed. Suppose Javitch Block pursues a debt that you don't recognize or has incorrect information. In that case, it is possible to file a dispute with the Credit Reporting Agencies and have the negative items removed from your credit report.

>> Learn more: Learn how to dispute a credit report.