Beware Of Gilla Group/Municipal Services Bureau

I was contacted by Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) about a traffic ticket that I had plead not guilty to.

I had contacted the court on several occasions and was told not to worry and that I should wait for the notice since the court date had not been scheduled yet, but that did not stop Municipal Services Bureau from attempting to collect.

I was threatened to pay or go to jail. So I paid but continued with my defense and went to court where the charges were dismissed.

The judge ordered to return of all my money and eventually, The City of Austin did refund the money all but MSB's portion.

I have been calling Municipal Services Bureau repeatedly, leaving multiple messages with agents, supervisors and managers, but not one call has been returned, nor has the money been returned.

I was promised by the evening shift supervisor, the manager, Scott M. would call me back the following day, still no call.

I have been told by Municipal Services Bureau supervisors, that "MSB" does not verify any information sent to them, they take no responsibility for incorrect information.

There are serious implications to their lack of common sense and due diligence.

Some folks can lose their jobs or not be considered for a job, loans, order utilities, open bank accounts, buy auto or home insurance and many other other goods and services because of bad credit reports that "MSB" may file with invalid information.

In my case, I was found innocent and now, Municipal Services Bureau agents and managers are telling me more lies to get out of returning ill-gotten money from an honest hard working person.

I feel the all State Legislatures should, because of the devastating long term reprocussions, create a law that requires all firms that can and do report alledged debtors to credit reporting agencies to verify the information submitted to them for collection is accurate.

Comment On This

The BBB should definitely take a serious look at their accreditation of Municipal Services Bureau.

They charged me twice for a payment I made online, and didn't even notify me about it. They said that I had paid everything off. Now my bank account is suffering with an overdraft, they have refunded the money, but they are refusing to take the blame for the incident. Saying that it's my fault for the double transaction.

All I asked for was a letter explaining the situation to give to my bank. But they are insistent on making it my fault, and now I will have to pay ridiculous over draft fees, which probably, no one would have to pay if they just put it on paper.

Personally, there online Bill pay is atrociously primitive, and I am almost certain that their online system had something to do with it. Had my bank never posted the double charges, MSB probably would never have sent me a refund.

They are rude, and only looking to avoid liability for their mistakes. I am seriously considering reporting them to the BBB, and the courts they work with here in Hawaii.

Comment On This

Actually, in this particular case MSB has a deal with the state of Texas where they will suspend your Drivers License (with or without notification); ultimately resulting in arrest if you drive. It is basically imprisonment for debt.

Comment On This

MSB is just a debt collector. When you talk to them, they make is seem as if they have the power to attach wages, lein homes, suspend your license, and intercept your tax refund. THEY HAVE NO POWER!!!!! they cannot do any of these things. If you live in a state where these things are legal, the original company owned can get a judgement against you and make those things happen, but MSB cannot. My advise is to treat them like any other debt collector. hang up on them. if you have to pay your debt, contact the original company and pay them. that way MSB will get NO PAYMENT. If everyone contacted by MSB did this, they would go out of buisness.

They try to bully you. DONT FALL FOR IT!!! they have no more power to do anything to you than a credit card company.

Comment On This

I am recieving the same treatment as far as being taken for my hard earned money.In a nutshell I was told that if I paid my account off via a credit card I would be able to attain my clearence with the courts in 48 hours versus paying by Western Union which takes 5 business days. The problem is that I had to pay a $10 fee to pay by phone. After I paid I was was told it would take the same time that it takes if you pay by Western Union. I am proceeding to contact The Texas Attorney General, the FTC and any and all regulatory agencies that oversee MSB.

Comment On This

Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) wants to assure the complainant and all readers that it takes disputes such as this very seriously and investigates them fully. In the event an error in operation is discovered as a result of this investigation which can be attributed to personnel or technical issues by MSB, MSB is resolved to fix those errors swiftly.

MSB has attempted to contact the complainant such that his concerns may be further addressed and hopefully resolved to his satisfaction. For confidentiality reasons, MSB cannot disclose on this public forum any specifics relating to the subject of this complaint or ensuing resolution thereof.

Sincerely,

Elye C. Sackmary

Director, Operations

Municipal Services Bureau