After the fall
Collapse of Mann Bracken, one of the largest debt-collector law firms, lifts the veil of an 'oppressive' industry
March 21, 2010|By Jamie Smith Hopkins and Andrea K. Walker
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-03-21/business/bal-bz.mannbracken21mar21_1_law-firms-debt-largest-claim
Lynda Siggers of Glen Burnie had fallen behind on her credit-card bill when the Mann Bracken law firm threatened to garnish roughly one-sixth of her monthly wages as a day-care worker. She panicked and said she called the firm to plead her case, agreeing to scrape together $100 as a good-faith payment after a firm representative indicated that might be enough to have the garnishment lifted. But soon after that December call, Mann Bracken had $154 docked from her paycheck anyway. She was forced to turn to her church for help paying rent.
"I just feel victimized," said Siggers, adding that she used credit to pay for necessities like food and does want to make good on her debts.