Debt collector Marshall and Ziolkowski to pay $92,903 for debt collection violations

Three consumers were awarded a total of $87,000 for Marshall and Ziolkowski’s conduct in New Mexico, plus $5,903 in attorney fees and costs. The New Mexico U.S. District Court found that Marshall and Ziolkowski abused the plaintiffs by:

• calling Stephanie McMichael and telling her that her “mom might have to go to jail”;
• calling Bill McMichael derogatory names and using profanity to intimidate him;
• threatening to have Kimberly McMichael arrested;
• threatening to have a lien placed against the McMichaels’ home;
• stating that a lawsuit against Kimberly McMichael was very imminent; and
• agreeing to settle the account for a specific amount, but then attempting to extort additional amounts after the McMichaels paid the agreed-to settlement.

Marshall and Ziolkowski never made an appearance, so the plaintiffs will have to collect the judgment themselves.