District Court for the Western District of New York. The Commission vote authorizing staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The defendants are charged with violating the FTC Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and New York state law. Worldwide Processing engaged in other illegal collection practices, including failing to provide required notices about the debt and consumers’ rights to dispute the debt, and threatening to contact, or contacting, family members or other third parties. Similarly, Worldwide Processing continued its collection efforts after consumers said they had never heard of the lenders and provided records to prove they owed nothing. Mohindra had bought the debt from Joel Tucker, a defendant in another FTC action who was banned from handling sensitive financial information about consumer debts.ĭespite this knowledge, Hylan continued to buy phantom debt lists and place them for collection, even after learning that consumers disputed the debts. Much of it was purchased from Hirsch Mohindra, a defendant in a separate FTC action who was banned from the debt collection business and from selling debt portfolios. The complaint alleges that Hylan was aware the debt was fabricated. Ungaro, Jr., who collected on the fake debts and used illegal tactics to do so. Hylan placed these phony debts for collection with several collection agencies, including Worldwide Processing Group LLC and its owner, Frank A. This action is part of the FTC’s continuing crackdown on all players in the phantom debt chain, including those who sell fake debt portfolios and those who harass consumers to collect the phony debt.Īccording to the FTC, debt broker Hylan Asset Management LLC and its owner, Andrew Shaevel, bought, placed for collection, and sold lists of phantom debts, including debts that were fabricated by the defendants or disputed by consumers. The Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General’s Office have charged two New York-based operations and their principals with running a scheme to collect money from consumers on fake and unauthorized debts. About the FTC Show/hide About the FTC menu items.News and Events Show/hide News and Events menu items.Advice and Guidance Show/hide Advice and Guidance menu items.Competition and Consumer Protection Guidance Documents.Enforcement Show/hide Enforcement menu items.
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