Where do I even begin? After months of investigation tracing VPNs, fake IPs, and every possible digital trail everything has led me right back to you. Roughly eight months ago, my personal information was leaked on the dark web. Since then, I've experienced repeated breaches of my email and social media accounts, originating from various states and countries. Recently, after working with a professional team skilled in cyber forensics, the source was uncovered: McDowell. Yes, McDowell the same firm that garnished my wages. And while I don't take issue with the debt itself, I take serious issue with the method you used to go about it. Instead of contacting me like any ethical organization would, you allowed or worse, orchestrated the exposure of my private information on the dark web. That's not just unethical. That's criminal. So here's your warning: I hope your cybersecurity team is prepared, because what's coming next isn't just retaliation it's justice. You may have taken $43,000, but I will make sure your operation is exposed, investigated, and shut down. You crossed the line, and now it's your turn to be held accountable. read more

I would give zero stars if I could. These are absolutely low life liars who file lawsuits without notification and file notices of default after they have a process server lie about serving the paperwork. They lied about how many times they pulled my husband's credit...fun fact, they're weren't able to pull mine a third time because it was locked and they didn't have the necessary information to validate pulling mine. They were notified in writing to stop calling us but they continued to call us even after they were told to stop. The list goes on and on. They also try to say their client is accurately reporting on our credit except I have proof they haven't been for a year and a half. By law they're supposed to file a satisfaction of judgment immediately once they get payment but it wasn't until 3 weeks after they cashed our check and we threatened them with legal action that they filed the paperwork (yes we have proof that it was filed AFTER their employee signed for the letter we sent them demanding they file it and threatening to legal action for failing to follow California Code of Civil Procedure § 724.030). If you have to deal with these people, get EVERYTHING in writing, send certified mail signature required. DO NOT communicate over the phone unless you record the calls. Keep documenting anything and everything with them because they will do everything behind your back to collect a judgement and attempt to garnish your wages without you knowing. read more

We received a collections notice from this office for the prior resident at our address. The paper was not in an envelope, it was simply put in our mailbox. Tried to be helpful and notify attorney of the update and they were incredibly rude. They even hung up on my husband after telling him there was no point to our call. I would never use this company for legal services. read more

I made a call so they could correct their address for a debt. They were trying to collect on another person, not me. And they were so rude disrespectful and belligerent and hung up on me. So much for trying to do the nice thing for jackasses. But I guess that's the personality that you have to have to work at a debt collection agency read more

I read the reviews and was hoping my correspondence would be different than others that interacted with this firm. I spoke with my rep, Mr. Renaldi, and he was very helpful and explained my options twice in two different phone calls. He was honest, informative and straight forward. Very patient, as well. I do believe on how you approach a situation can always result in a productive outcome. read more

I just wanted to put my two cents in. I was terrified to call intimidated by all the horrible reviews I read about this law firm, but to my surprise it was not so scary. The receptionist was nice and the attorney I spoke with was very helpful. He said he would call me back within the week but didn't but that's ok he said if I didn't hear from him for me to call back which I did a week later. Sure they got the wrong address to where to send my information at and now I have to do some extra work no problem. I just wanted to let you all know don't pay attention to the bad reviews. I had to call twice and I got good help both times. Descent not scary, and no bad attitudes. read more

This firm needs to be shut down ASAP! I had a credit inquiry on my experian credit report from them, that is highly illegal, unprofessional and a low lifes way of running a lawfirm. I do not have any idea how and why they would run my credit report, i have no knowledge of this lawfirm. I have filed numerous reports for illegal communication, illegally obtaining my personal information. Stay away from this firm, and if you have better ways try to get this people shut down. read more

They are corrupt! Put me in collections, and after 13 years later!! Also added extra charges to an already paid off Principal balance., on my Ford escort. The engine failed,and I had gotten rid of the car already. But they also started garnishment on me, even though I gave them a hardship letter. This was definitely out of statute as well. They need to be investigated. read more

My wife had to turn in her Ford Escape due to not working anymore. The vehicle was auctioned off and I was contacted by this seemingly "Shady" law firm as a collection company that Ford hired to collect the balance of the vehicle after it was auctioned off. I will be making payments directly to Ford Credit and not dealing with these people at all. After reading all the complaints (None are positive) about this Alleged Law Firm, I am glad I didn't contact them. read more

Extremely rude on the phone, got the run around each time I called. Was on hold for long periods of time. Could not supply me with options, or information. They are slimy debt collectors and nothing more. Look elsewhere! Very corrupt and inhumane way of dealing with clients. This firm must be investigated for its ways of conducting illegal business. read more

They are horrible all around. Really good debt collectors but they are as slimy as they come. Never want to help, always give you the run around. Im dont know how FORD can work with these scumbags! They made me never want to buy a ford vehicle again. read more

Truly wretched humans who operate solely on greed. Absolutely disgraceful bottom feeders who prey on people who are down on their luck. Sewer service and fake paperwork allows them to file default judgments so they can create a lawsuit against folks who didn't even know there was a judgment until wage garnishment. Somehow they get away with it because they've got the scam down to a science. They will be exposed one day, and I will be laughing. read more

these guys just had me served for a case that was already droppEd twice and is not winnable. Every page on the summons was filed different days. This firm is made up of bottom feeding lawyers that should've retired long long ago. highly unrecommended. read more

Just got off the phone with this office. The receptionist was very cold and rude I gave her the account number that is over 17 years old mind you they still have this accounts from 2005 that was charged off for $8000 to Ford Credit and handed over to McDowell and associates for a lawsuit that was awarded in their favor or against me! This account now has a balance of $25751 because of interest!!!!!!! I told them I am not paying it's been charged of and way too old! They can continue and reinstate this every 10years. So Insain!! Ford and this attorney firm can suck it! Do not negotiate with them. Or even call them. Scamming people and holding them liable reguardless of any circumstance until your dead ‍ read more

This law firm is up to no good! They started sending in mail to my home address which I don't understand how they obtained. They took the matter into court which I was never aware about because I have never purchased a vehicle from a dealership & put a real property lien under my name. The disrespectful money hungry fraudulent employee who's name is Rene Galeas that's if they aren't using fake names was the one who answered my call. I do not understand what kind of firm this is or where these lawyers got their schooling, but they did not investigate who bought the vehicle they so claim I purchased. I will take matters into my own hands and get to the bottom of this and exploit this business read more

Update, I would give zero stars but I have to select something. As stated in my previous post, pure AMATEURS! The letter was supposedly done 4 weeks ago. The letter that you received was date Monday 13 September. The day that I called for the second time. Plus it took 4 days to get here by mail, Newport Beach is 45 miles from Murrieta and I could have been emailed. Lastly, the document doesn't even have a signature or imprint of any kind on it. It's just a generic letter that anyone could have made, like amateurs. Unprofessionalism at it's finest. read more

If you owe these people a debt DONT PAY THEM! They're a scam! Better off to get sent to collection than Pat these piece of crap! I paid a debt for 4 years and NEVER sent me a official document of how much I've been paying and how much I owe of my debt balance. They'd reply with we don't do that. I paid a Ford motor debt, these people are a scam They're rude, treat you like crap and want to scare you and intimidate you! read more

This is the company that collects for Ford Motor Company - which should be embarrassed to have such pieces of crap representing them. Bottom line is don't buy a ford. Macdowell is a predatory agency, that will harass you before holidays, intimidate and threaten you, and make you sign a judgement as part of a payment plan without explaining what it is. It doesn't include interest or cost upfront and their whole thing is ambiguous and shady. They ask you to call them Mr. or Mrs. as an intimidation tactic, and when I asked them to address me with the same decor they just refused to talk to me. After 7 years paying a debt, monthly they added an extra 6k to it simply because the think they can. So small claims here we go. read more

I would love to give them a negative 10 stars. These people are ridiculous my husband tried to give back his car over 19 years ago and they refused to take it. I understand to a point but now 19 years later they are doing a wage garnishment on him for almost triple the amount of the car. We tried to get the payment lowered and they want us to justify our expenses. Saying medical, food, clothes, car payments and more are excessive and not necessary. How can they do this to people read more

I have been dealing with these folks for quite sometime, and not in a good way. My late husband had a truck that was repossessed in 2008. He died in 2009 before he was able to take care of the matter. This office has been harassing me for years to cover the remaining balance. I informed them that the life insurance policy was paid out to my MIL and they should call her to pay the debt. They have refused to contact the beneficiary of his estate and have continued to badger me for the money. 10 years..... yes you read that right, 10 years later they have begun to garnish my wages for the debt. Do I think this debt should be paid? Yes of course I do. Had I received my husbands life insurance policy I would have gladly paid it and moved on with my life. Do I think that they should be taking money from a young military widow, with a child to care for, to pay this debt? I do not. Every time I have spoken to someone at the office they are rude and lacking in compassion. Instead of reasoning with me they continuously change the subject to "let's talk about making payments". read more

Wow, not sure where they hire there staff, but it seems everyone single person i spoke to was a complete jerk.. Especially Mr Vansnaklin...

The staff here are rude and not very helpful. I am trying to pay my debt and cannot get them to work with me on a better payment plan. They won't even submit my financials saying that it doesn't make sense. Duh!! Tried growing up poor. None of it makes sense but this is the life that I live. read more

Everyone that works in this suite as well as Mr. Biasa has been completely and utterly rude towards me trying to settle my case. Each time that I call the (949)756-8114 number I get a different person, and none of them ever specify their name when taking the call. Furthermore, each time that I call I am having to update my number with everyone that I speak with. Always coming to find out my number still has not been updated. I have tried reaching out to Mr. Biasa for over 2 weeks in regards of confirming that my deposit has been submitted. He explained to me to give HIM a call back, but it seems he is always busy and can never return my phone call. I just took a call with Ms. Reyes and she stated "What do you want me to do? I am trying to help you and you are complaining." There should seriously be a thorough audit in regards to these workers phone ettiquette, appropriate responses, and costumer service as each and every one of them, including Mr. Biasa, all lack. Unfortunately I am having to work with this associates as it was my petitioner that is contracted with them. However, I would never recommend this facility to anyone trying to get their case settled/handled/ect. They are beyond rude and lack all customer skills. read more

I have been working with this organization for 4 years and they are terrible. The receptionist is beyond rude and her telephone manners are lacking such professionalism it is unbelievable. I have requested documentation numerous times and received their last correspondence a year ago..., yes - I said one year. No attorney's office or legal organization is that busy that they cannot respond for one year. Therefore to say the least, they are obviously ridiculously unorganized, unprofessional and completely and offensively impolite. read more

Well Ford told them to drop it but it cracked me up they had sent a letter and I had moved out of my former residence back in November 2020 as you know the post office only forwards mail for 18 months they tried to claim that the letter wasn't returned that they sent me in June 2022. Now they went in June 2023 and access my credit report which had the current address why didn't they do it then they're excuse that the letter wasn't returned I must have got it was such b******* and plain English that I replied to them and ask them what were they thinking when they wrote that why didn't they access my credit since they did it already in June 2023 to see my new address that's how they get away with this stuff but they remove the inquiry and four told them to drop it that is how they end up getting people in court they say oh we sent a letter but they sent it to a prior address the address that Ford had and people just don't get it so then they go well it wasn't returned well as the post office told me that when you get mail for somebody else and they moved your under no obligation to do anything with it you can throw it out so the excuse that it wasn't returned and God forbid they should have sent the letter certified to show that I actually received it is a joke had it gone to court I would have had to show them that they're assholes and that the letter never reached me cuz I didn't live there and forwarding expired from the post office they would have looked as stupid as they are they obviously hire a very lazy stupid people who don't do their due diligence and try to sue people to get money not doing it legitimately with actual notice you need to go to court I'm glad I don't have to deal with them anymore but FYI if they claim they sent you a letter and you didn't live at the address that they have on file then oh well then they didn't do a proper service good luck to everybody you're going to need it these people slither like snakes into their offices everyday read more

The receptionist really needs an attitude adjustment!!! She must REALLY hate her job and EVERYONE that calls. There are A LOT of people with great attitudes that would be more then happy to take her job. Chill out Lady!!! read more

The receptionist is beyond rude! Sorry ma'am not my fault you don't like your job. You would think being in Newport Beach they will hire more professional staff. read more

This law firm has been contacting me for 22 years about a debt that is under a different name spelling and social security number. Even if it was valid - 22 years? They reference conversations we had in 2000 as if I would remember. I am filing a harassment suit against them. They are 18 years past the statute of limitations, and served me papers at an address I had TWENTY TWO years ago!! Must not have much going on there! read more