The office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has shutdown a consumer debt collection agency in Lockport accused of using illegal tactics to make consumers pay up.

Threatening to sue, calling consumers at work, calling neighbors and family members are not legal ways for an agency to attempt collections.

It hasn't happened to me very often, but the last few weeks I've been hounded by an agency looking for payment on an account that was taken over by my employer.  Payment was made; I have proof and was still receiving calls from various numbers at an agency.  I can't imagine if it had been a more serious debt.

Looks like this particular agency in Lockport, Swanson Walker & Associates, was tending to collections from outside of New York. Their phone number is now out of service, and its website has already been taken down.

I understand the need for collections agency to protect those who provide service without payment, but rules need to be followed.  Nobody should be threatened with illegal and scary tactics to get payment.

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