847-483-6257

My phone rings one time then I call the number back and it says it'c no longer in service.

CAUTION!!!  This is a real attorney collecting debts on the behalf of other companies and they do not follow the rules of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

COLLECTING FOR ADT SECURITY----

So, today I got a call from this number at work.  The caller claimed to be an attorney and didn't just ask for me, but after the employee told them that they would get me, the caller told my employee that they were calling to collect on a large debt that I refused to pay.  When I got on the phone, the caller told me who they were and what they were calling for, I gave them information about the "debt", and that it was not truly a debt and the issue had been resolved in February with the company they represent.  I told them that I would call them and have them contact their office, the representing attorney.  She (caller) basically called me a liar, stated that I owed the bill and actually called me a "deadbeat" and told me to "pay my bills".  I told her again that I would call the company and asked her to not call me again.  She told me she would call me "whenever she wanted until I paid the bill and stopped being a deadbeat".  She asked me for my social security number and asked me to mail her a copy of a cancelled check from the debt.  I told her that I would do nothing but call the company that filed the debt with her office and have them clear the matter.  I later confirmed with the company who originally sent the bill that the "attorney" who called me does represent their company so it wasn't someone phishing for my info.  However, they did acknowledge the error and said they would fix it.  My beef is the blatent violation of the fair collection act.  Beware, this is a real attorney's office calling from the state of illinois and they DO NOT PLAY BY THE RULES!!!

Got a letter from Barry Serota & Associates in regard to a cancelled account from ADT Security Services the fees are far in excess of what may be owed. The number given on their letterhead is 847-259-4700 This account was closed as of April 1, 2008

Watch out for this guy, he represents ADT. At this point, I am not even sure he sent the monety to ADT. He claims to collects money for ADT then after the payment(s) are made he start hassling the former client to collect money for his self.

I am not sure who is the scam artist Serota or ADT.  I closed my account, returned all equipment, and paid the balance off.  Next thing I know I receive a letter from the Law Offices of Barry Serota & Associates requesting money due to ADT. After a discussion with Mr. Serota, we came to an agreement on a payment.  I paid that amount off, and now I am being chased by Serota for even more money.  These people don't let go.

ADT  NCO financial and  Atty Serota are all a bunch of CROOKS...

ADT actually owes me money and I am planning to sue them..They even admit
they made a mistake in their installation, Their alarm does'nt function
properly and they won't fix it.All they want is more money for NOTHING..

Don't sign anything with ADT it is a one way performance they don't perform
they harrass.

Go with Brinks or any body else

I ALSO GOT A LETTER AND A CALL FROM THIS IDIOT ADT DOES NOT DISCLOSE WITH THIER CLIENT THAT THEY STICK YOU WITH A 5 YEAR CONTRACT WHEN I CANNCELLED AFTER 4 YEARS THE [***] AT THE ADT WELL THAT DOESNT MATTER YOU HAVE A 5 YEAR CONTRACT SO ADT SUCKS AND SO DOES THE LAME ATTORNEY SEROTA.

After years of service with ADT, I called on the date of agreement with them, stating that I was selling the property.  I was then told, they had automatically renewed my policy 30 days prior so a new agreement which I had not signed for one additional year of services was in force.  They told me I had to give them 30 days notice to cancel prior to the termination date.  I thought the new buyers would pick up ADT and I would not have to dispute the matter.  However, ADT's people were so nasty to deal with the new owners told them not, even in light that there was a functioning security system in place which would be expensive to replace with another security company.  The I started to get the calls and letters from Serota.  I told them that I have three invoices from ADT, one includes a large credit balance.  They would not listen.  The demanded payment for the next twelve (12) months.
Serota is just a collection agency.  I'm looking for a class action suit to join against them.  Then I'm going to hit the better business bureau. Any ideas to stop these nasty practices on the part of ADT and Serota.

Anyone know who 121-345-8906 is?  It shows up on caller ID when the ADT collection folks call.

I just received a letter from this law office for back payment to ADT who never provided service in the first place.  Has anyone had success fighting this office?  Do I need to hire an attorney to represent me against these people?

If they send you a collection letter, send a cease and desist letter, return mail telling them that you do not want to be contacted by them, and if they continue to contact you by phone, or mail you would take legal action against them.

Too many people are in financial strains trying to keep food on the table for their family to be harassed by debt collectors.
If you are not sure how to write a cease and desist letter: Google cease and desist letter to get an idea on writing these dreadful people the letter, makesure you send the letter return mail so you have evidence you sent them the letter.

A year ago I lost my job and was behind on a few payments and I sent a cease and desist letter to the collection agency and it worked, they stop calling me.
I have since found a job and have settled my debt with the original creditor, who was willing to work with me.

Called at "6:18 a.m.!"

I have been going through the exact same thing as you with these guys.  They are now threatening me and hanging up on me with threats of lawsuit, etc.  I too had the same exact issue with ADT....charged me a $400 CANCELLATION FEE after 4 years of perfect client relations - not one alarm call the entire time.  I disputed the cancellation and never got anywhere with them.  Then I thought I had paid the fee finally just to be done with it, I got the first letter from Serota.  I even came to a settlement agreement with someone in their office to pay something like 70% of the balance (inflated balance).  I merely asked them to put the settlement figure in writing.  Once I received it I would pay the full amount.  I waited and finally got the letter from them and it had the inflated balance no there.  When I called back, now it was a new guy dealing with me - a real jerk too -he said he's not going to take the time to write me out another letter with the settled amount!  This was after about 50 letters already sent and at least that many phone calls.  He immediately went into "see you in court" mode and hung up on me. I sit here ready to send them $310 on a $510 bill and he won't take it!  And ADT supposedly approved the settlement!  What can be done about these guys?

Yes - I have been having the same problems with ADT - and their behavior and responses have been abyssmal at best, and now I have this Serota and Avis firm hounding me (and their folks are APPALLING in their behavior over the phone.)  Same thing here - had an account with ADT for years, renewed it allegedly for ONE YEAR (since I knew my lease was up the following year) and the rep said it was settled for one year, but all her forms said 5 years.  Idiot that I am, I signed the paper and another that she took with her (that specified the one year clause) leaving me only with the standard 5 year form.  What I WANTED to do was move my account to my new location - which they said I could do AFTER I paid off the remaining four years at the old place.   We have been dickering back and forth on this - and I was continuing to pay the quarterly payments while we dickered.  I had to turn off my accout at the old place so the new folks could set up their own account there (it isnt like ADT is even out ANY money there) but they (ADT) didn't think that was enough.  I am done with ADT -I have to clear this up now - but I would love to join a class action suit against them and their business practices and relationships with companies like this law firm.

I have the same situation with all of you, I was with ADT for almost 12 years all I have is problems and more problems and the worst part was the problems never be able to fix, there were some time I have to put the system on test mode for months and serveral Zonning at the time, The Fire department came to my location a few times because of the burgar alarm set off by itself, over all it was a nightmare to be with ADT, and the problem was not stop there.. finally I was fred up with ADT I called them and Have my service terminate, the agent told me , I have to give 30 days of notice and pay for that month, Ok I Type a letter and fax it to them the same day (11/1/2010) and the termination date is(12/1/2010), then I went on to have another company to install  a new system. On december 1st I received a bill for december payment, I then called ADT and ask them why and make sure they get my letter, they confirm they did and said They will remove the December payment out from another correct bill.
I got my other bill yesterday (12/17/2010) it reflect the removal of the December payment and I almost collasp when I see a cancelation fee of $1548.13, I am getting too sick of ADT, I will try to result this issue with them if they don't take care of this  I will have no choice but to have my lawyer getting involve,
if any of you already have same situation and already have a lawsuit pending let me know.
kientruon@gmail.com
D. Truong

This guy Barry Serota like to break FDCPA rules. Keep a log and file a complaint at www.ftc.gov. I have been dealing with him for 2 years. I am ready to take him to court. As far as his Law Practice it really isn't anything to worry yourself about. They will try to scare you but when you get letters from him they contain many grammar & spelling errors. Very sloppy and easy to beat in court.

The Law Office of Serota, Avis and Associates is a sham....it is a boilerroom collection scheme that is really called "American Financial Management" located in Arlington Heights, IL.

IT IS NOT A LAW OFFICE AND THEY ARE NOT LAWYERS. DO NOT PAY THEM ANYTHING!!

PS-FDCPA does not apply to commercial debts. Don't be suckered by persons calling you and falsely identifying themselves as lawyers when they are high school grads on the other end.

You are stupid...Barry Serota is dead. American Financial Management is a collection scheme posing as lawyers and as a law firm-neither is true. Don't waste money on lawyers-there is nothing in the law requiring you pay a third party debt collector. The so-called "Law Office of Serota, Avis and Associates
is a scam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are running a boilerroom scheme with high school grads/collectors posing as lawyers.

IF YOU GIVE THEM A RED CENT, YOU ARE THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY!

According to Jobschmob.com, this is not a law firm, just collectors looking to swindle suckers out of money! It is really a low class cheeseball collection agency with high school grads posing as lawyers!

http://www.jobschmob.com/showArticle.cgi?id=2630

they are not a law office at all! This poster is a swindler from within the boileroom scheme!

They are not lawyers! Don't believe them at all-don't be a sucker!