Collections Agencies
George Brown Associates, Inc.This business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Complaints
This profile includes complaints for George Brown Associates, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 4 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:01/23/2025
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I paid george brown associates a debt I had previously accrued to the order of $285.87, which was the entire amount in full i owed. I paid using the customer service pone line in which they failed to send me a receipt stating I had paid the debt in full, which is standard order for debt collections once a debt is paid. I called again a few days later and got a very unhelpful representative who had the incorrect address on file, my previous address. I corrected her and she informed me she will update it in the system, and to expect a letter through postal service. She stated that she will not do emails at all and this is the only way to receive the paid in full receipt. After a week of no receipt, I called yet again and got the same representative, who yet again read out the same incorrect address to me. I reminded her that I was no longer residing at that address and to send it to my new address, which I repeated to her. She stated that she remembered the conversation from last time and rectified the address finally, but nearly 2 more weeks, there is still no receipt in my mail. I called yet again today and a different representative answered my call. I stated the issue and she read out the correct address to me this time, and also offered to expedite the process by email. She read me back the correct email address but alas, i yet have no receipt. This is causing a strain on me as I am trying to start a new lease and my deadline is coming to an end. I cannot start a lease anywhere until I have this receipt. I have attempted now 3 times in total to get this receipt. I need them to finish doing their job.Business Response
Date: 01/23/2025
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The person you spoke with should have contacted me, or a supervisor to send you a receipt. Due to the many regulations in our industry, we do not allow our call center staff to send emails.
The employee you spoke with mailed a receipt to you January 13, 2025. I emailed a receipt to you today.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Customer Answer
Date: 01/24/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Thank you.Initial Complaint
Date:07/14/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
7/13/23 I paid $50 to George Brown Associates for a medical debt. Their website gave multiple error messages & NO payment confirmation.They took $150 from my payment method (-$50 @ 6:05,6:06; and 6:07pm).I am now OWED $100.Collection Ref #******* THEIR BBB # is *********Business Response
Date: 07/14/2023
We are pleased to offer refunds for any payments processed beyond your intended amount. Our customer service team is available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, to assist you. Feel free to contact us at our 800 number, which can be found on our website.Customer Answer
Date: 07/14/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Please see the photo of the three $50 deductions from my account. Total refund should be $100.
Thank you.Customer Answer
Date: 12/01/2023
I am rejecting this response because:
This company continues to harass me about a debt that was PAID 7/14/23. Further investigation revealed per PMC billing ***********************, they only submitted $24 to be collected, not $50. PMC also confirmed my account has been paid in full. 11/30/23 GBA call ref #********
Business Response
Date: 12/01/2023
We just spoke with PMCs billing department this morning. $50.00 was correctly submitted to us by the client 7/5/2023. Please call their billing office to confirm.
The billing office told us today, that on 11/22/2023, they received a $25.00 payment for account ******* for Date of Service 2/9/2023 and had not reported it to us. That payment has now been posted.
The payment the consumer tried to make online 7/14/2223 was rejected because the information she entered did not match her account information.The consumer still owes $25.00 for Date of Service 3/15/2023, account number *************** is the seed account.
We called the consumer on the following dates: 9/15/2023,9/25/2023 and 12/1/2023. We are well within all FDCPA guidelines for calling limits.
This is a communication from a debt collector. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. why here...Customer Answer
Date: 12/01/2023
I am rejecting this response because:
George Grown Associates took $150 from my banking account as previously submitted which more than covers a $50 amount.Business Response
Date: 12/05/2023
The history of attempted payments is attached. Each one failed because the information given did not match her account.
No payments have been received by our company.
The consumer still owes our client $25.00
Initial Complaint
Date:02/23/2023
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Worker **** somehow got ahold of my mothers number and decided to call her about MY debt. When I called said worker and asked why she did that, I was of course upset. When I called to speak to someone else to ask how they got her number when it was never given, they then asked if I would like to pay my balance (for the second time after already being told I cannot afford it). When I repeated that I could not afford it, the collector got rude with me and began insulting me.Business Response
Date: 02/23/2023
We tried reaching this consumer for months without a response from her. The account affects her credit so we made every effort to reach her. We called her mother to try and find a good way to reach the consumer, not discuss the debt. We informed the consumer that our client will not see her again unless the account is paid she said she did not care because she doesnt live near them anymore. We asked her if she would set up a payment arrangement. She responded Maybe. If I feel like it. We said that we hope that if someone owes her money for a service she has performed that they feel like paying her. The consumer started yelling, so we hung up the phone. We will not contact her again. This account has been placed in the Credit Report Only status.Customer Answer
Date: 02/23/2023
I am rejecting this response because: They are not telling the truth. I said I understood I wouldnt receive services, and do not need them as I do not live in the area. I have more important things to worry about right now, which is none of your business. When asked if I would do a payment plan, I said when I can. Apparently ******, the ****** did not like that and began insulting me. Insinuating that I went in for the services with the intent of never paying. Thats super unprofessional and when I let ****** know that and suggested id be reporting him, HE HUNG UP. No yelling happened on anyones part, but there definitely was a lot of unprofessionalism displayed by *************Business Response
Date: 02/23/2023
We disagree on the content and tone of the discussion.Initial Complaint
Date:01/24/2023
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Sent to this collections agency for a bill I had already paid. George Brown and Associates was made aware that I have a receipt confirming payment the same day the bill was created but have yet to contact me for the receipt so that they can cease collections and report to the credit bureau that they made a mistake. Attached is a picture of the receipt showing I paid the bill in full. The bill was paid and here is proof.Business Response
Date: 01/24/2023
We sent you the Model Validation Notice on 12/6/2022. We give you 45 days to respond before calling you. You did not respond to our letter within 45 days.
You spoke with our representative for the first time yesterday, 1/23/2023, when she called you at 3:17 PM.
This is the first I have seen of the receipt you sent. I will confirm with the client if the bill is paid.
We report to Equifax at the end of every month. Even if we call them today, we do not run Equifax, and they do not remove accounts instantaneously. If you need a paid-in-full letter, we will be glad to provide one to you if the client confirms that the account was paid.Customer Answer
Date: 01/25/2023
I am rejecting this response because: My receipt of payment in literally sitting next to me. You see the picture of it. It is literal physical documented proof from the actual business that I paid. The business is already denying my payment even though they have seen and are aware of the payment proof. This oddly was 7 months ago so luckily I retained the payment proof. When the debt is cleared and the collections stop, and the mistake letter is sent to Equifax, then I will be satisfied. Let me know when the debt is cleared due to my proof of payment. Also I need to see initial verification of the debt according to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Also Elmhurst is not my address so before the 23rd I wasn't even aware of collections. The business doesn't need to give you confirmation of payment because I am doing so for you right now with this receipt.Business Response
Date: 01/26/2023
I have had a chance to research your account, speak to our client and listen the the phone call you had with my team member.
The account has not been reported to the credit bureau. For your protection, please email your current mailing address so I can send the debt validation documents to you rather post them to the BBB site.
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