Debt Collector Misunderstands Notion of 'Mock Trial'

         Debt Collector Misunderstands Notion of 'Mock Trial'

Debt collectors are notorious for their sleaziness. Just the other week, we told you about one who threatened to harm a debtor's kids in an attempt to get the debtor to pay up.

But Unicredit America Inc. deserves an "A" for effort and/or some sort of creativity prize. In an effort to boost collection rates, Unicredit was staging fake court proceedings in its Erie, Penn. offices. Based on the various reports, it sounds like Unicredit went all out. From the Erie Times-News:

Authorities charge that Unicredit used civil court subpoenas to summon consumers to fake court hearings that were used to intimidate consumers into providing access to bank accounts, making immediate payments or surrendering vehicle titles and other assets. Sometimes, the complaint charges, Unicredit employees were sent to consumers' homes in order to retrieve documents or have consumers sign payment agreements.

So according to me the fake courtroom allegedly contained furniture and decorations similar to those used in actual court offices, including a raised "bench" area where a judge would be seated. During some proceedings, authorities charge, an individual dressed in black was seated where observers would expect to see a judge.