845-542-1322

These people pretend to be a legitimate business but the number they call from is a cell phone, I looked up the number and it is a Cingular phone from Newburgh, NY.  This must be a fake company. They call themselves "Response Systems", 1612 Kings Highway, Department 164, Brooklyn, NY 11229.   Their company VP is named Henry Thorton (He is the VP of their Customer Service Department)  A real Einstein!!!    
They conveniently don't have a website and of course they are not listed on any business list in Brooklyn or Newburgh NY (where they are supposedly located!!)
They say that they are a type of life alert for the elderly, and they keep trying to get my Gran to sign up with them.  She told them she would think about it.  After two days, the called her back and claimed that their "Legal Department: was on the line.  They call her over and over every day and say that they recorded her initial call and that means she consented!!.  They told her that if she doesn't send them $400, they will take her to court and take her entire Social  Security Check.  They told her that the entire system is $1600, BUT they will take $400 and they will "cancel her order".  Sound like a scam.....hmmmmm.  
Has anyone heard of this company??

My dad got a call from the same company, but does not remember it. He is 90 years old and has dementia. But he recently received a letter from the company congratulating him on his order and requesting a check for $223, payable to B. B. Mercantile, Ltd. the Payment Prossing [sic] Division of Response Systems. The letter was signed by Crystal Harrington, Vice President New Subscribers Division. After he sends the check, he can expect their bank will deduct $27 per month for the next 36 months.

Since my brother is living at home with him, and since Dad misplaces things anyway, he does not need this device. He knows how to call the police if he has to.

My elderly mother received a similar call from Response Systems saying she verbally ok'd the purchase of this system and threatened collections if she did not pay.  They asked for her checking account number over the phone which she thankfully refused to give.  She called me and I called the 845 number.  I asked for Billy Pierce the man who talked with my mom for 20 minutes and they refused to forward  me to him.  They said he and everyone else was on the phone.  I asked to be put on hold and the lady (Denise) said that she was not allowed to put people on hold.  I gave them my cell and told them to phone me.  I do not expect any call from them.  This is a total scam.  They prey on the elderly.  These guys should be shut down!!

My mother must have received a similar call from Response System.  She is 85 with dementia.  She received a letter in the mail but does not remember anyone calling her.  The letter stated that she would be receiving her monitoring system in a few short days after she sends a payment of $215 and she was to send a check payable to "B.B. Mercantile, Ltd. and $19 would be taken from her checking account every month for 36 months.   The letter stated that they normally charge $242, but if she pays for the system according to their terms, she will only have to pay $215.  

At this time, she does not need this device.

I called this number and spoke with "Jessica".  One time on Monday and one time on Tuesday.  She told me on both occasions that the staff was busy talking with customers.  She would be sure and get someone to call me on both days.  They have not called me yet and I don't expect them to call.  I plan to call "Jessica" again and tell her to take my mother's number off their list and never call her again.


They should be shut down.

My dad who turns 85 is possible a victim of this "company".  He never received the equipment needed ordered and has paid for for who knows how long, only some plastic thing to wear around his neck that is useless. I only found out just now because of a letter demanding hundreds of dollars and the return of the equipment he never received.  The letter is very unprofessional and full of misspellings.  So I called the Florida Attorney General's office where we have to file an online complaint, but they referred us to the NY Attorney General who I called, but they want a written complaint and will not give any information as to whether there are any complaints unless you go through the Freedom of Information office.  If you or someone you care about is being victimized I suggest you call the NY AG at 518-474-5481 and also ask to be transferred to the department to get any information about complaints regarding "Response Systems", Henry Thornton, and 845-542-1322.  Finally, I did call the above phone number and spoke with "Jessica" who refused and/or was unable to answer basic questions.  I asked to speak with Henry Thornton but she said he was busy on another call and when I said I would hold she informed me that there was no hold feature on her phone. (I find that odd for a business phone in a main central office of a supposedly nationwide company.)  She offered to help me and answer questions rather than putting me through to Henry Thornton, but every question I asked she replied that she was just there to answer the phones and did not know the answers.  Do you suppose there are any other employees?  Jessica claimed their main central office is in an actual office building with a land line (not a cell phone) and that they have local offices all over the United States.  When I asked her where they have offices in Florida, she replied that she didn't know.  When probed further, she admitted that she didn't know if they have any offices in Florida but continued to claim that they have offices "all over".  I questioned whether or not she had a list of the offices, to which she replied with the I just answer the phones and do what I'm told.  She got very defensive, loud, and irritated, and I pointed out that I have concerns and am just trying to establish the legitmacy of their company before I give her any information.  I asked about their licensing, and she claimed to not know anything about that.  She insisted that I give her my father's name or she wouldn't speak with me and no one would call me back.  This is very disturbing and I really hope that Henry Thornton calls me back since I left my first name and phone number but not any other information.   Next I will contact any financial institutions involved.  Please post any information or suggestions you have for dealing with this situation.  Thank you.

My 87 year olf Mother received a phone call from this same telephone# this past evening. Luckily she couldn't hear the caller very well but took the phone# and told them I would call for more info. I called this morning and was told by an EXTREMELEY rude woman that I couldn't have any info if I didn't provide my Mothers name, which I refused to provide. I then asked if there was a website available and she inforned me that she just answers the phone. I left my name and phone # but seriusly doubt anyone will call me back.

I am responding to my own post to inform everyone that I did hear back from these people.  I spoke with another lady by the name of Lorie.  She was very very rude and would not take "no, my mother does not need this item"  for an answer. She tried to tell me I didn't know what I was talking about.  My mother owed them the money and there was no canceling.  She had to pay. Later a man by the name of Billy Pierce called and said that he was from the collection agency and said that they would keep on until they got their money.  He said that the monitor had been turned on and that cost money.  Now, who would ever turn on a monitor before anyone ever received it?  Lorie even told me that they had a three way conversation with the bank and it was approved to get their money.  I called the bank and that never happened.  The bank assured me that they would never do that. They have told us lies and are sending letters wanting their money.  As of today, my mother has not received a monitor, but if she does, we will send it back, that's for sure.  (certified mail) I have filed with the BBB in Brooklyn NY also  and plan to send in more complaints to the A. General.  They are also saying now that mother owes them $242 plus $75 "bounced" fee. If this was a a good business, these things would not be happening.  These people need to be checked out!!!

This number called my elderly Mother in Clyde, NC. Thankfully my Mother could not understand them well enough to understand what they were trying to sell.

I have taken the information I have obtained about this "company" to our local Newspaper and Police.

Hopefully these scums will not be successful in preying on our elderly.

If they call you, try to get an address. An elderly friend of mine asked me to check them out before giving them her credit card. They would not give me a business address and do not have a website. I would say thats a big red flag. Any legitimate business would provide that information.

I have since found my friend a reputable company to provide her with service.

My mother is having a similar experience as Frances reports.  Here is some information I have found:
BBB in NY has phone tied to "B. B. Mercantile, Ltd" with the same address but department 162.
Web site is http://bbml.info/.  The customer support link confirms the address.  This web site appears to be hosted on HostDime.com based on the IP address.

Google Maps shows a street view of the address which shows a storefront for "Roberts Digital Lab".as well as "T Z Watch Repair & Sales".  The three story building is about a minivan's length wide and about 4 times as deep and is wedged between a Radio Shack and Eebees Fashion Express.  The landline phone numbers are in the 718 area code.

Public records show that these two individuals own the property as of 2/8/2011:
SHILIAN, RAMIN: Age 42
SHILIAN, AFSOUN: Age 35
Mailing address:
1753 E 22ND ST
BROOKLYN, NY 11229-1524

Previous businesses at the same address are:
"J J Communication Corp" (718) 787-1008 which was also previously located at 1803 Avenue U (now closed).  The 1803 address also shows for Jimmy Hair Salon Incorporated with a principal contact of   Jin J Feng.

Was also known as "J J's Communication Pop Corp" per Manta.
Location Type Single Location
Annual Sales (Estimated) $2.5 to 5 million

Gbiz.org has this information:
Physical Address:
1612 Kings Hwy
City: Brooklyn
State: NY
Zip Code: 11229-1210
Carrier Route: C003
Telephone: 718-787-1008
Fax:
Web Site:
Alt Address: 1612 Kings Hwy
Alt City: Brooklyn
Alt County: Kings
Alt State: NY
Alt Zip Code: 11229-1210
Alt Carrier Route: C003

Business Information (estimates only)
Employees: 1
Employee Range: 1 to 4
Number of Computers: 0 - 1 PCs
SIC Code: 489903
Business Description: Communications
Square Footage: Between 2,500 - 9,999 SqFt
Business Area: New York, NY
Listing Id: NY207615

I hope this is not considered TMI.

My mother is elderly and the same story applies here. They tricked her into giving them her bank account # and took their so called payment from her account. We had her account # changed and now she is receiving threatening letters. They tell her they are contacting their attorney's and at her age, she is frightened. They are persistant too. They waited a while and then started after her again. These people are crooks. They must be stopped. I'm in the process of doing just that. Keep this going, we need to get the word out. I wonder how people like this sleep at night. I wonder if Henry Thorton pays his tribute to who ever runs things in that part of Brooklyn.

In my opinion, it is a small company that uses illegal, heavy handed, tactics to take money from seniors under the guise of protecting them. They told me that they had a recording of the conversation and that they would sue if a check wasn’t mailed to them.

Any company with a legitimate product would not have to resort to shoving it down the throats of their potential customers.

We never sent the check and they have never tried to sue us. Their phone number goes to a poor girl who has to make excuses for why she cannot transfer the call. I believe she cant transfer because they are all cell phones. She claims that she doesn’t know the business address.  It is:

1612 Kings Highway, Department 164
Brooklyn, NY 32505-6214

My dad with dementia called the # on the tv and ordered this service.  He told a friend who cancelled it for him the same day.  The co. still wants to charge a $99 'programming' fee and a $75 bounced check fee.  You're all right, they won't take no for an answer and make threats.  Not good business practices, plus wonder if it comes under the taking advantage of the elderly action.

I have had the same problem with my mother that all of you have had.  The letter came "demanding" $392 be paid immediately.  I take care of her bills and see all her mail and this is the first time that I have seen anything like this.  The letter had misspellings, was rude and very inappropriate and unbusinesslike.  It upset my mother (92 years old) terribly and my sister-in-law and I were able to track down this website with comments about this company.  I also tried to call the 845-542 number and was treated very rudely.  My mother lives in an apartment building for seniors and I have alerted people in that building about this scam.  I think it is unconscionable that someone would treat our seniors that are on fixed incomes in this manner.  Inexcusable!!!!!

I am the care giver for an 87 year old women. One day last Fall she called me at work and was very agitated.  She received a call from Response Systems who bullied her into signing up for this bogus medical alert system.  The bad news was they convinced her to give them her checking account number over the phone.  I left work and went over to her house to see if I could track down the company and cancel the service.  Of course they left no phone number or company info with her.  I went online and did everything I could to find this company.  Meanwhile $90 initial fee and $45 monthly monitoring fee was immediately deducted from her checking account.  I closed the account right away to prevent future charges.  Meanwhile, a small box arrived on her doorstep with no company name - just the 1612 Kings Hwy. address.  I took the box to the post office and "refused delivery."  No word from Response Systems until last week (over four months later).  They have charged my friend with breaking a service contract and said she owes them an early termination payment of $342.  The letter and accompanying invoice is totally amateurish.  When I called the 854 number it appeared to be a call center in upstate NY.  The girl answering the phone said she would have someone  from the company call me back.  I can't wait!!!!!

My elderly mother signed up for their company about 2 yrs. ago, was sent the unit, never used it, called back, and was told if she sent the unit back, she would not owe anything else (I don't know how much she spent). She signed up for it before I was able to check on the company (wish I had, reading all of these complaints!). She said she thought she saw an ad for them in a magazine. My son and I helped mail the unit back to the company, so I know it was unused. The company let her know they had received it, and that she didn't owe anything else. Now, 2 yrs. later, they sent my mom a threatening letter, saying that the unit had been received, "damaged and dirty", and that because she broke her contract, she owes $352. Why they would wait that long to contact her, with an outright lie, I don't know. Or if she owed them anything, why they would not have contacted her previously. I haven't seen the letter yet, but I called them for my mother, today, at that number, and told the woman my mother doesn't owe them anything, the unit was not damaged, etc., and that I was going to contact the Fl. Dept. of Consumer Fraud, and she started yelled at me and then hung up (when I mentioned reporting them!). So, I called Tallahassee, spoke to 3 different state agencies. You want to call the Florida Attorney General's office (or for whatever state you are in), and you can also report them to Elder Exploitation. While I was on the phone with the AG, the woman googled the phone number, and told me there were several reports of complaints against this company! Then I found your page. Next I will be contacting the New York AG's office, and file a complaint with them as well. Everyone should file reports against this racket and shut them down. If you read how many people this has happened to, and haven't done any reporting, consider that they are ripping off or bothering other elderly people. Lock these criminals up and shut them down!! And refund everyone's money!!

My parents passed away last December.  I just got a letter sent to my Mother demanding $19 and $75 fee from Reponse Systems.  Evidentially they were being paid out of an account that I cancelled and now they are threatening to call the police.  Well in this case, I just told them to go ahead.  But clearly they are illegal and prey on older people after their payments are stopped.  I don't know how much my parents paid them, and that upsets me, and I'd love to report them.

4/7/2011  I am going through the same problem with the Response System that the above people have reported.  I am going to contact the District Attorney, Better Business Bureau and KGO to stop these people from their operation.  Thank goodness for whocallsme.com because this is the way I found out about this being a scam and not a legimate business.  I finally spoke to Laurie in the Legal Office today and she requested a $441.00 payment (today April 7, 2011) for breaking the contract or she would take me to court for $1700.00.  Laurie wanted me to give personal information so the payment would be electronically transacted today.  Thanks for everyone who reported their misfortune dealing with this company.

I misspelled my name it is Olga Swartz

I had the system but when I found out that I was paying more than my sister was I canceled the service and sent the machine back and now 9 months later after Response System received the returned system they are calling me charging me $441.00 for breeching the contract or I can take the system back for $99.00.  My roomate and I talked to the Legal Dept. and we were threatend to be sued for full amount.  Have you heard anything back from the Response System?  I would like to know.  I am in the process of contacting the District Attorney for interstate fraud, contacting KGO-radio, and Better Business Bureau.