Someone else has complained about this company already, but I wanted to update the Internet on them with my personal experience.

What was once Bryant, Lafayette and Associates is now operating under Blackmon, Lafayette and Associates. They had an abrupt change of name, address and phone number shortly after getting a request for debt validation from me. I'm not so bold as to claim total responsibility for their suspicious transfiguration, but I know through research that the name they operate under has changed or altered slightly (or greatly) numerous times.

First, let me say I'm really disgusted with the fact that they called my grandmother and basically threatened her, telling her I'm a "person of interest" in a "civil matter" and that if I didn't contact their office within 72 hours, I would be arrested. Prior to these phone calls I never received anything in writing stating this alleged debt.

Now their unprofessionalism has gone beyond the pale. Miranda, whom I had been speaking with at their office, has apparently taken it extremely personally that I chose to dispute the debt. I included a questionnaire with my letter asking which, if any, credit reporting agencies they have reported this debt to. Most of her vitriolic message consisted of basically telling me if I were interested in what my credit report includes, I can check it myself.

I've now requested that all correspondence take place through either e-mail or US mail, so they've e-mailed me a couple of times. They've cited 11 and 12-year-old court filings to back up their lack of follow through on providing debt validation, saying that they are not required to provide anything. They've also stated that this matter must be resolved over the phone by 4:00 pm today.

Well, it's 4:00. I guess I'm screwed now. I thought I was able to request that all communications with a collection agency be carried out in writing. I suppose that might be a little too current since they seem to rely on legal documentation over a decade old.