Author: Paul Mankin

by Paul Mankin

Philips – CPAP/BIPAP

Philips CPAP Recall & Sleep Apnea Machine Lawsuit Attorney

Sleep apnea can have many negative affects on your health, and CPAP machines are supposed to help. However, many people who used a defective medical device from Philips Respironics suffered serious illness and some even developed cancer. If your Philips CPAP machine was involved in the recall and you were injured by the device, you may qualify for compensation.

Our product liability lawyers at The Law Office of Paul Mankin protect consumers nationwide. Call us today for a free initial consultation of your case: 800-219-3577.

Philips Respironics Has Issued a Recall of BiPAP and CPAP Machines

One of the largest makers of sleep apnea devices, Philips Respironics, has issued a recall for millions of CPAP and BiPAP machines manufactured before April 26, 2021. If you have used or are currently using a Philips Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine or Philips Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP or Bi-Level PAP) machine, your device may be part of the recall.

These mechanical ventilator devices were recalled because they have the potential to cause lung injuries and other health conditions. Philips is currently facing many lawsuits from people who have been injured by the machines that the company manufactured and sold.

Why Were Philips CPAP Machines Recalled?

Certain CPAP and BiPAP machines manufactured by the Philips company have been recalled because they cause an increased risk of cancer, lung injuries, and other health conditions. These injuries and illnesses have been caused when machine users inhale foam particles through the breathing device.

Philips sleep apnea machines use a sound-reduction component which is made of a polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam. This material degrades over time and breaks apart, entering the breathing pathway of the machines. The foam particles are then inhaled by the defective Philips CPAP machine users.

These machines may also be exposing patients to toxic chemicals that were used to manufacture the devices. Philips has admitted that there is a release of “off-gas” chemicals related to the PE-PUR foam degradation. These dangerous substances may be made worse with “unapproved” cleaning methods that involve heat, humidity, and ozone environments, which are commonly used by CPAP machine users.

Many people have identified health conditions that can be connected with the foam and toxic chemicals used to manufacture Philips sleep apnea machines. These machines are both designed defectively, and the company failed to warn users about the toxic materials being used in manufacturing.

Personal Injuries Caused by Defective Philips CPAP Machines

A number of health issues have been related to the Philips CPAP and BiPAP machines. People who have become ill often find black debris in their breathing tubes and begin feeling symptoms like headache, nausea, inflammation, and irritation.

Some victims have suffered the following:

• Lung Cancer
• Respiratory Failure
• Difficulty Breathing
• Shortness of Breath
• Newly Diagnosed or Worsening Asthma
• Airway Irritation or Inflammation
• Lung Damage
• Pneumonia
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• COPD
• Chronic Respiratory Illness
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Reactive Airway Disease (RAD)

In addition to lung problems, other health conditions have been associated with the defective Philips machines, including:

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Angina
• Colon Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Liver Disease
• Kidney Cancer
• Kidney Disease
• Laryngeal Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Pancreatic Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions or have related symptoms, and have used a Philips Respironics CPAP machine, you should immediately contact a personal injury law firm near you.

Which Philips CPAP Machines Were Recalled?

The Philips Respironics sleep apnea machine recall applies to all devices in the following models:

• A-Series A30
• A-Series BiPAP A40
• A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30
• A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto Ventilator
• C Series S/T, AVAPS
• Dorma 400, 500 CPAP, Auto CPAP
• DreamStation ASV
• DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
• DreamStation GO CPAP, APAP, Auto CPAP
• DreamStation ST, AVAPS
• E30
• Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent Ventilator
• OmniLab Advanced Plus
• SystemOne ASV4
• System One 50 Series
• System One 60 Series
• Trilogy 100 Ventilator
• Trilogy 200 Ventilator

If you have used any of these models of Philips Respironics machines, you should know that they are considered defective. You should immediately contact a products liability attorney for a free initial consultation.

What Should I Do If I Used a Recalled Philips CPAP Machine?

Most people who used the recalled sleep apnea machines have already been notified that they were dangerous. However, if you are currently or ever used one and have suffered an injury or illness as a result, then you may be eligible for compensation. You should immediately take the following steps:

1. Stop Using Your Machine.

If you are still using a recalled CPAP machine, you should immediately stop using it and contact your physician to determine your next steps regarding sleep apnea treatment. There is currently a BiPAP and CPAP machine shortage, so you may have to wait to obtain a new device. However, your doctor may have solutions for you.

2. Contact Your Doctor.

If you have ever used a recalled Philips Respironics machine, you should immediately call your doctor. They are aware of the recall and should be prepared to help you decide what to do next. You will likely need additional medical testing to determine if you are at risk of any of the injuries or illnesses caused by these dangerous machines. Your doctor can also prescribe you a new machine and get your treatment approved by your insurance company.

3. Call a CPAP Lawyer.

There are many ongoing Philips CPAP lawsuits which involve collection of information about potential victims and evidence about the illnesses these machines can cause. A CPAP lawsuit lawyer can help determine if you are eligible for compensation.

4. Register Your Defective Machine with Philips Respironics.

Philips has a webpage associated with its Voluntary Recall Information for Philips Respironics Sleep and Respiratory Care Devices. You can register your defective device and obtain a replacement or repair of your device. The company estimates that the majority of currently registered dangerous recalled machines will be repaired or replaced by December 2022.

Registration of your device requires you to enter the serial number and begin a claim if your unit has been recalled. The serial number is located on the bottom of your unit on a label with the letters “SN” or “S/N” in front of a series of letters and numbers. Once you enter the serial number of the recalled CPAP machine, you will be prompted to enter your name and contact information.

Philips Respironics may contact you after you register your device. They will have instructions regarding how to handle the defective sleep apnea machine. You should not speak with them or answer questions about your health. Instead, let your CPAP lawsuit lawyers protect your rights throughout the legal process.

5. File a Philips CPAP Lawsuit or Join the Class Action.

A class action lawsuit was filed against Philips Respironics in June 2021. The lawsuit presents evidence that the company knew about the toxic foam and potential for illnesses that had been caused by the machines for years. Additionally, the Philips class action lawsuit points out that the company did not recall the dangerous devices until June 14, 2021, just before they released a newer device. This led many users to purchase a new machine. Philips only recalled the defective CPAP machines in order to profit from the new ones.

When you contact a CPAP law firm, an attorney can evaluate your specific case and help you determine what type of legal action is best for you.

Call a CPAP Lawyer for Help with Your Case

The Philips sleep apnea machine lawsuit is underway, and you may have a right to join the class action or file your own claim. Find out of you are eligible for a Philips CPAP sleep apnea machine lawsuit. When you call attorney Paul Mankin, he will help you understand your options and ensure your rights are protected in a potential personal injury case.

Call The Law Office of Paul Mankin for a free initial consultation: 800-219-3577.

by Paul Mankin

Is National Credit Systems, Inc. harassing you?

National Credit Systems, Inc. is a collection company located in Orlando, Florida. It has been in business since 1991 and also uses the names National Credit System, Inc and N C S. The agency collects for apartment owners and managers across the United States.

Contact Information:

5929 3800 Camp Creek Pkwy SW Bldg 1800-110

Atlanta, GA 30331-6050

Phone: (404) 629-9595

http://www.nationalcreditsystems.com

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau show nearly 500 complaints filed against National Credit Systems, Inc. since 2015. Complaints include allegations that the debt collector has:

• Reported false information to the credit reporting agencies
• Failed to identify a disputed account as such
• Refused to provide a receipt for payment or properly apply payments
• Used abusive language when attempting to collect a debt
• Misapplied payments
• Used obscene or profane language while attempt to collect a debt
• Failure to sent required notifications to consumers

These collection practices violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a federal law which was enacted to help protect consumers from unfair and abusive collection tactics. Some practices that are specifically prohibited by the FDCPA include:

• Using language that is abusive to the person who hears or reads it
• Failing to provide a consumer with validation of a debt, including the name of the original creditor and the amount owed
• Reporting false credit information
• Allowing a consumer’s telephone to ring continuously in an attempt to annoy them into paying a bill
• Falsely implying that a consumer may be incarcerated or face criminal charges if they do not Preview Sitepay a bill
• Failing to read consumer the “mini-Miranda”
• Calling a consumer before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
• Continuing to contact a consumer after being asked in writing to stop all communication
• Using foul language
• Misrepresenting the legal status of a debt
• Failing to properly identify themselves as a debt collector when collecting on a debt

This is not an all inclusive list and if you feel as if you are being harassed or abused by National Credit Systems, Inc. you should keep track of all calls you receive, including the time and date of the call, the name of the caller, and how the caller violated the FDCPA. You may have a claim against the debt collector and may want to consider contacting a consumer attorney in your state to help you determine if National Credit Systems, Inc. has violated any consumer protection laws and assist you in making them stop harassing you.

If you reside in California and National Credit Systems, Inc., National Credit System, Inc or N C S. is using unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices in order to collect a debt from you, it is time to hold them accountable for their actions. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation case review at 1-800-219-3577.

by Paul Mankin

Is the collection agency Advance Collection Services harassing you?

Businesses close, while some others flourish. Such is the world of business, no matter what you dabble in. The same can be said about the debt collection agencies that flood many victims’ phones and mail. As some debt collection agencies flourish through proper practices and techniques, there are some that attempt to use underhanded methods and illegal tactics to illicit payments and information.

Advanced Collection Services is one such debt collection agency that has been listed, and yet does have some notable issues with their information. This is what you need to know about Advanced Collection Services, and what to look for.

What is Advanced Collection Services?

There is some issue when looking up Advanced Collection Services through the Better Business Bureau. The first listed business is Advanced Collection Services as registered within Marietta, Georgia. This company is said to have been established in 2002, and can be reached by PO Box in Marietta, Georgia.

Is Advanced Collection Services a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Unfortunately, it seems that it is not. The debt collection agency known as Advanced Collection Services as listed in the BBB has been listed as also being out of business. Their information that is listed on the BBB is outdated, with their website domain being up for sale currently.

However, there is another Advanced Collection Services that has been established for quite some time. Advanced Collection Services has been in business since 1985, as listed on their website. Through the BBB, they are registered and listed under the tag ACS, and reside in Lewiston, ME.

ACS is a legitimate debt collection agency. However, they have numerous complaints against them. They currently hold a D- Rating on the BBB. This is due to ACS not responding to consumer complaints against them, even though they have been in the business for 34 years.

Advanced Collection Services Contact Information

For Advanced Collection Services, they are currently registered as out of business. Any calls or mail that has them listed from the following numbers or addresses should be deemed as a scam, or harassment.

Address: PO Box 7027, Marietta, GA 30065-1027

Alternate Names: Advanced Collection Services, Inc.

Fax Number: 1-(678)-569-2583

Phone Number: 1-(866)-734-9798

Website (Deactivated): http://www.advanced-collections.com

Advanced Collection Services (ACS) Contact Information

ACS, or Advanced Collection Services, as listed here, is current and regulated information. This has been verified by the BBB, as they are currently still in business.

Address: 155 Center St Auburn, ME 04210-5229

Other Address: PO Box 7103 Lewiston, ME 04243-7103

Phone Number: 1-(207)-795-2220

Other PHone: 1-(800)640-0545

Fax Number: 1-(207)-795-2227

Website: http://advancedcollectionservices.net/Home.aspx

Does Advanced Collection Services have Complaints against them?

ACS currently has multiple complaints lodged against them. Through the BBB, they currently have two unanswered complaints against them, and the CFPB CCD. However, the CFPB currently has too many ACS tagged complaints. As such, it is difficult to differentiate the ones that are currently of ACS.

What kind of Complaints have been made?

The primary type of complaint that has been made against ACS is that they tend to harass and abuse phone calls to victims and people that they deem as having debts that need to be collected on. One such complaint, registered on 12/13/2018 through the BBB, states that they were contacted by ACS about a bill, even though the person had already collected on the bill. This lead to the victim’s credit taking a dive, which can cause irreversible damage.

Another complaint listed states that the victim was not given original account information and letters about a bill that ACS attempted to collect on. It eludes to the fact that ACS attempted to use falsified information in an attempt to collect on a bill and debt.

Are the Practices of Advanced Collection Services Legal?

The practices and tactics used as stated above are currently considered illegal, and break the FDCPA laws currently in place. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the main federal law that presides and governs over debt collection practices. It prevents debt collectors from using abusive, deceptive, and unfair practices in an attempt to collect on a debt from you.

These practices can include ways such as:

• Phone call harassment after being told to desist
• Misinformation and lying about information
• Threatening physical and bodily harm if debt is not paid.

In both cases, ACS overstepped their boundaries, using threatening and abusive behavior through harassing phone calls, and attempting to falsify information in an attempt to extort payment out of a victim that they did not owe.

How can I protect myself and fight back against Advanced Collection Services?

Protecting yourself against such practices and debt collector harassment can be extremely simple. The simplest way to protect yourself is to hire an experienced and knowledgeable debt collector harassment lawyer or attorney. We here at The Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC have a great team of collection harassment lawyers and attorneys that can help and assist you through these trying times of debt collector harassment.

Our team can do many things for you. We can help identify debt collector harassment, as well as put a stop to the debt collector harassment, and report the harassment to the proper authorities.

Not only can we help you to defend against harassment, we can also help to build a case, and assist you in understanding where the illegal collection patterns are for debt collectors. We are also able to help facilitate any communications or discussions between the parties, ensuring that nothing you say can be used against you.

The most important bit of information in your fight is to always remain vigilant. No matter who you have at your side, it can seem like a daunting battle against such a large company and agency. If you have ever been the subject of:

• Multiple calls per week from a third party collection agency
• Multiple calls in the early morning or late night from debt collectors.
• Violent and belligerent language and harassment from debt collectors.
• Threats of arrests or poor credit due to outstanding debts.
• Having your friends, family, and coworkers harassed from debt collectors.
• Automated robocalls from third party collection agencies.

Then you may have a case available. So do not wait, make sure to give us a call, and get started fighting back against the debt collection harassment.

by Paul Mankin

Is the collection agency Advanced Recovery Services harassing you?

Getting contacted by a loan collection agency, or by a debt collector, can be a stressful, tiring, and difficult situation to be in. However, there do come times where the one attempting to help you in these times, is also the one getting you into trouble. Such is a possible case with Advanced Recovery Services, a health company that has been working in the loan industry for close to 27 years.

What is Advanced Recovery Services?

Currently, Advanced Recovery Services is a health service listed through the Better Business Bureau. Although they are listed as a health service, their website does direct to a loan service and collections agency that has been in operation since 1992. They are headed by Mr. Wayne Hutson, who is listed as the president of Advanced Recovery Services.

Is Advanced Recovery Services a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Although the listed tag for business categories on BBB has them as Health, Advanced Recovery Services are a legitimate debt collection agency. They have been in the business since 1992, and are currently still operating through their 26th year. They have a current rating of A+ with the BBB. However, that does not factor in Customer reviews or complaints.

Advanced Recovery Services Contact Information

Address: 1711 North 6 ½ Street, Terre Haute, IN 47804-2700

Website: https://advancedrecoveryservices.net/

Phone Number: 812-478-2784

Advanced Recovery Services has no other contact information listed.

Does Advanced Recovery Services have Complaints against them?

Currently, Advanced Recovery Services has no listed complaints through their BBB page. They also hold no complaints through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Complaint Database.

Does this mean they are completely trustworthy?

Although there are no listed complaints against the company known as Advanced Recovery Services from Indiana, that does not mean they are completely without fault or possible problems. There are numerous other companies that hold close or extremely similar names that have complaints against them.

A company known as Advanced Recovery Service, located and run in Ohio, has two complaints against them. Although this is just a difference in one letter off of their name, it is somewhat plausible that the complaints ended on a different site. This is due to debt collection and loaning misguidance, as the complaints both list that Advanced Recovery Service had informed the victim of a certain scenario that was

There are a number of other similarly linked businesses that hold close to very similar names and business titles. However, this does not cement the possibility that Advanced Recovery Services have made these errors. It is just a possibility.

Are the Practices of Advanced Recovery Services Legal?

From what is seen so far, it is acknowledged that Advanced Recovery Services use common and appropriate practices that do not violate the FDCPA and other such laws. However, this does not mean they are above such practices in the practice of collecting on their loans and collections.

Many debt collection agencies will either be borderline illegal with their collection practices, or will illegal when attempting to collect. Things such as debt collector harassment and debt collector calling through wrong numbers are just a few simple ones that come to mind. These practices are all considered to be illegal through the FDCPA, as they state that it is improper to harass and abuse a person to try to collect on a debt.

How can I protect myself and fight back against Advanced Recovery Services?

Protecting yourself against debt collector harassment can be done in a few different ways. THe first is to do research on your own. If you have been contacted by Advanced Recovery Services, and feel that you have been getting harassed by debt collectors in different ways, then you may be entitled to compensation for your time. In the best case scenarios, you should look to get a debt collector harassment lawyer or attorney who is skilled and experienced in dealing with debt collectors, to help solidify your case for you.

Not only can we help you to defend against harassment, we can also help to build a case, and assist you in understanding where the illegal collection patterns are for debt collectors. We are also able to help facilitate any communications or discussions between the parties, ensuring that nothing you say can be used against you.

The most important bit of information in your fight is to always remain vigilant. No matter who you have at your side, it can seem like a daunting battle against such a large company and agency. If you have ever been the subject of:

• Multiple calls per week from a third party collection agency
• Multiple calls in the early morning or late night from debt collectors.
• Violent and belligerent language and harassment from debt collectors.
• Threats of arrests or poor credit due to outstanding debts.
• Having your friends, family, and coworkers harassed from debt collectors.
• Automated robocalls from third party collection agencies.

Then you may have a case available. So do not wait, make sure to give us a call, and get started fighting back against the debt collection harassment.

by Paul Mankin

Is the debt collection agency American Credit and Collections, LLC harassing you?

When dealing with debt collectors and representatives, it can sometimes be a grueling task. Not only do they seem to be talking circles around you, half of the things they say don’t really make sense. It seems like they are just trying to spin you around in circles in hopes that you pay the bill. However, if you don’t pay, it seems like you may be in a lot of trouble. So what should you do?

Debt collection agencies such as American Credit and Collections LLC use these tactics and mindsets against you, hoping that you will cough up the money to them whether or not you owe it. So how do you combat this? And is it even legal for them to do these practices? Here is all you need to know about American Credit and Collections LLC, and how to defend yourself against them.

What is American Credit and Collections, LLC?

American Credit and Collections LLC is stated to be a debt collection agency working out of Houston, Texas. They are said to serve the Greater Houston and South Texas areas, and are said to have been doing so for many years.

Is American Credit and Collections, LLC a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Unfortunately, American Credit and Collections LLC is a potentially legit debt collection agency. They have had their Better Business Bureau file opened in 2005, and is said to be run by Ms. Sidney Shapino, who is listed as the General Manager of the agency. They currently are not rated by the BBB, and are not accredited either, as the BBB does not have sufficient information from the company to make a rating.

American Credit and Collections, LLC Contact Information

Address: 1880 S. Dairy Ashford Houston, TX 77077

Other Address: 8700 Commerce Park Dr. Houston, TX 77036-7497

Phone: 1-713-774-3235

Does American Credit and Collections, LLC have Complaints against them?

There are currently no listed complaints against American Credit and Collections LLC.

There is no listed information on American Credit and Collections LLC within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Consumer Complaint Database. They do not have any registry of an American Credit and Collections LLC.

However, there is also information that states that they go by a different name as well. According to complaints lodged on debtconsolidationcare.com, among their forums, one states that they have been contacted by a American Credit & Collections LLC based out of Philadelphia, PA. They state that they go by AM Mortgage as well, and service the surrounding areas.

This forum board states that they have a history of sending fraudulent phone calls, as well as harassing consumers about debts not owed, or false debts in an attempt to solicit payment.

A search of AM Mortgage yields no results within the CFPB’s CCD.

Are the Practices of American Credit and Collections, LLC Legal?

As listed within the debt consolidation care database, the complaints made show that American Credit and Collections LLC may be using illegal or borderline legal business practices. Constant harassment of consumers, as well as harassing phone calls, are considered improper by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s (FDCPA) standards and laws. Because of this, it is safe to say that some of the practices of American Credit and Collections are not legal.

How can I protect myself and fight back against American Credit and Collections, LLC?

There are many ways that you can protect yourself against the representatives and debt collectors from American Credit and Collections LLC. The first step is to always ask for proper identification of the debt. This can be an original letter stating the debt, an authorization of debt from the original debtor, or a code to access the information online.

Another thing to do is to hire an experienced debt collection harassment attorney or consumer protection lawyer. If you have been harassed, or are being currently harassed by debt collectors from American Credit and Collections LLC, let us at the Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC help you protect yourself and to fight back. We have an experienced team of debt collection harassment lawyers and attorneys that know how to identify debt collection harassment, as well as put a stop to it and report it to the proper authorities.

Not only can we help you to defend against harassment, we can also help to build a case, and assist you in understanding where the illegal collection patterns are for debt collectors. We are also able to help facilitate any communications or discussions between the parties, ensuring that nothing you say can be used against you.

The most important bit of information in your fight is to always remain vigilant. No matter who you have at your side, it can seem like a daunting battle against such a large company and agency. If you have ever been the subject of:

• Multiple calls per week from a third party collection agency
• Multiple calls in the early morning or late night from debt collectors.
• Violent and belligerent language and harassment from debt collectors.
• Threats of arrests or poor credit due to outstanding debts.
• Having your friends, family, and coworkers harassed by debt collectors.
• Automated robocalls from third party collection agencies.

Then you may have a case available. So do not wait, make sure to give us a call, and get started fighting back against the debt collection harassment.

by Paul Mankin

Is the debt collection agency Allied Account Services, Inc., harassing you?

What is Allied Account Services, Inc.?

Founded in New York in 1976 and incorporated in 1982, Allied Account Services, Inc. conducts debt collection nationwide. The debt collection agency has approximately 50 employees and is a member of both the Association of Credit and Collections Professionals and the New York State Collectors Association. It operates under its president, Mr. James Mott.

Is Allied Account Services, Inc. a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Allied Account Services, Inc. has been recognized by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1985, accredited since December 2017, and it maintains an A+ BBB rating. The company has responded to its BBB complaints and appears to operate as a legitimate debt collector. Allied Account Services, Inc. is not known to conduct business under any other aliases, though other aliases are possible.

Allied Account Services, Inc.’s Contact Information:

422 Bedford Avenue

Bellmore, NY 11710-3545

(516) 783-9500 (phone)

(800) 486-2929 (toll free)

(516) 783-4059 (fax)

http://www.alliedaccountservices.com

What kind of complaints does Allied Account Services, Inc. have against them?

Allied Account Services, Inc. has received 2 BBB consumer complaints and 28 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaints. Allied Account Services, Inc. has a mix of complaints against it, including communication issues like failing to provide enough information for the debtor to verify the debt attempting to be collected or speaking with a third party about the debt. The most serious complaints appear to concern incidents of negative credit reporting or refusal to remove disputed credit lines even after they are proven inaccurate or unreportable.

Are Allied Account Services, Inc.’s Practices Legal?

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are required to use certain notices and are prohibited from using certain tactics when attempting to collect on debts. Some of the consumer complaints lodged against Allied Account Services, Inc. represent activity that might violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including harassing consumers by repeatedly calling and then refusing to provide information sufficient to identity the debt or even refusing to discuss possible payment options.

How can I defend myself against a debt collector like Allied Account Services, Inc.?

Complaints regarding New York-based collectors can made by calling DCA at 311 or (212) NEW-YORK. More information for debtors in New York can be found out https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/consumers/Consumers-Debt-Collection-Guide-English.pdf. For more information about Utah State’s consumer resources, see the Consumer Referral Guide. Complaints regarding a collector in any state may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or (877) FTC-HELP (877-382-4357), and complaints regarding any collector or other business can be made at BBB complaints.

If you believe you have a claim for collector harassment or are a victim of another violation of state or federal debtor’s rights, you should speak with a consumer rights lawyer or debt collection harassment attorney immediately. Contact us today to discuss your matter and see how we can help at no cost to you.

by Paul Mankin

Is Synchrony Bank Calling or Harassing You

Synchrony Bank

Synchrony Bank provides banking products and services, including credit cards for retailers such as Amazon, American Eagle, TJ Maxx, and Gap. Synchrony Bank was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Draper, Utah. Synchrony Bank is a subsidiary of Synchrony Financial.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a Government agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive and abusive debt collection practices, has received approximately 4,000 complaints against Synchrony Bank for its debt collection practices. Consumers allege that Synchrony Bank has engaged in the following illegal debt collection practices:

• Attempting to collect a debt that is not owed by the consumer;
• Attempting to collect a debt that has been paid;
• Attempting to collect more than what is owed;
• Harassing consumers by repeatedly and frequently calling;
• Improperly discussing the consumer’s debt with a third party; and
• Refusing to validate or provide proof of a debt.

One consumer reported that Synchrony Bank called twenty (20) times in one day. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA) prevent creditors and debt collectors from abusive and harassing debt collection practices. This includes calling consumers repeatedly or continuously with the intent to annoy, abuse or harass. Although federal and state law does not state the exact number of calls that would constitute harassment, there is a large volume of case law that interprets three (3) or more calls a day from the same debt collector to be harassing. The consumer filed a complaint with the CFPB. Synchrony Bank resolved the matter and provided monetary relief to the consumer.

Creditors and debt collectors should be held accountable for these unethical and unlawful practices. If you are being harassed or subjected to any of these, deceptive, or abusive debt collection practices, it is time to hold Synchrony accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.

by Paul Mankin

Is Pacific Credit Services, Inc. Harassing You?

Pacific Credit Services, Inc.

Pacific Credit Services, Inc. (PCS) is a third-party debt collection agency located in Watsonville, California. The Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB) is a government agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive or abusive debt collection practices. The CFPB has received reports from consumers that PCS engages in unlawful debt collection practices, including trying to collect debts that are not owed by the consumer.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA) regulate debt collectors and creditors’ communication with third parties. When a debt collector mistakenly contacts somebody other than the intended consumer, then the debt collector has effectively contacted a third party and is not permitted to continue to contact that person.

Creditors and debt collectors should be held accountable for these unethical and unlawful practices. If you are being harassed or subjected to any of these, deceptive, or abusive debt collection practices, it is time to hold PCS accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.

by Paul Mankin

Is the collection agency Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc. harassing you?

Debt collector harassment and credit card company harassment can come in many forms. Debt collection is one of the most stringent and difficult businesses to deal with, as you may be hounded and threatened for various reasons as they attempt to illicit payment from you in one way or another.

These debt collection agencies, such as Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc, may attempt to use specific methods and practices that may or may not be illegal under law. However, do all businesses practice these ways? Is Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc, utilizing proper methods? Here are some notable points to take if you or a loved one has been contacted by Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc.

What is Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc?

Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc, is listed as a collection agency based out of Ohio. Relatively new, they were established in 2012, and are currently licensed through the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, as well as the State of Washington Business Licensing Service.

Is Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Yes, they are a legitimate Debt Collection Agency. They were established on 9/25/2012 in Ohio, with their Better Business Bureau file being opened on 10/24/2013. They are currently not accredited through the BBB, and hold a B Rating with the BBB as well after 17 customer reviews. THe BBB rating does not take into account Customer Reviews.

Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc Contact Information

Address: 5553 Whipple Ave NW Ste 5 North Canton, OH 44720-7760

Phone Number: 1-(888)-907-4082

Other Phone: 1-(855)-477-8864

Fax Number: 1-(716)-748-8000

Website: http://www.advancedcapsolutions.com

Email: [email protected]

Does Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc have Complaints against them?

Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc currently have 65 total complaints listed against them on the BBB within the last 3 years. Of those, 24 complaints were closed within the last year.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Complaint Database currently holds no complaints for Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc.

What kind of Complaints have been made?

Of the 65 complaints lodged against Advanced Capital Solutions Inc, 60 of them have been in regards to billing and collections. The other 5 had issues with the service and product served by the company.

The most recent complaint of 09/27/19 lists that Advanced Capital Solutions Inc. had attempted to use a number changer in an attempt to hide their number so that they could call a victim multiple times. There is a complaint from 08/06/19 that states that there may have been an attempt at scamming using the number from Advanced Capital Solutions Inc. as well.

Lastly, there are multiple complaints stating that they were threatened with legal action on multiple occasions if they did not pay their debt off, even if they challenged that they did not have a debt to begin with, and that there was no proof of the debt available.

Are the Practices of Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc Legal?

The practices listed above are all to be considered illegal. Masking of the phone numbers is a violation of information, and abusive phone calls violate the FDCPA laws.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is seen as the federal law that governs over debt collection practices. These laws protect people such as yourselves against abusive behaviors and harassment.

Debt collector harassment can be, but is not limited to:

• Harassing phone calls
• Abusive or threatening language used
• Improper information or misinformation handling

How can I protect myself and fight back against Advanced Capital Solutions, Inc?

If you or a loved one have been contacted by Advanced Capital Solutions Inc, and have been harassed and threatened, then you need to take precautionary steps. The safest and simplest option is to hire yourself an experienced and knowledgeable debt collector harassment lawyer and attorney.

We here at The Office of Paul Mankin, APC have a strong and experienced team of debt collector harassment lawyers and attorneys that are willing to help you and assist you with getting back compensation for the harassment of debt collectors. We are able to help you identify debt collector harassment, as well as stop the harassment, and report the harassment to the proper authorities.

Not only can we help you to defend against harassment, we can also help to build a case, and assist you in understanding where the illegal collection patterns are for debt collectors. We are also able to help facilitate any communications or discussions between the parties, ensuring that nothing you say can be used against you.

The most important bit of information in your fight is to always remain vigilant. No matter who you have at your side, it can seem like a daunting battle against such a large company and agency. If you have ever been the subject of:

• Multiple calls per week from a third party collection agency
• Multiple calls in the early morning or late night from debt collectors.
• Violent and belligerent language and harassment from debt collectors.
• Threats of arrests or poor credit due to outstanding debts.
• Having your friends, family, and coworkers harassed from debt collectors.
• Automated robocalls from third party collection agencies.

Then you may have a case available. So do not wait, make sure to give us a call, and get started fighting back against the debt collection harassment.

by Paul Mankin

Is the collection agency Affiliate Asset Solutions, LLC harassing you?

With multiple debt collection agencies entering into the business, it can be difficult to figure out who is legitimate, and who is not. The chances of you running into a scammer or illegal debt collector can be quite high, and it is important to screen those that may attempt to scam you out of your hard earned cash. Affiliate Asset Solutions, LLC, is a current name in the debt collection industry. But, are they a scam?

What is Affiliate Asset Solutions, llc?

Affiliate Asset Solutions, LLC, is considered to be a collection system out of Georgia. They work to collect on debts of different people, and get it paid back in a timely manner, as based on their website.

Is Affiliate Asset Solutions, llc a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Yes, they are a legitimate agency. Started in 2015, they are a relatively new company that has been operating for approximately 4 years now. They are also known by Affiliate Asset Solutions, and have been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 7/15/2016. They are headed by Tim Parks, who is listed as the vice president of operations. They hold a BBB rating of A-. HOwever, that does not take into account Customer Reviews on the BBB.

Affiliate Asset Solutions, llc Contact Information

Address: 145 Technology Pkwy STE 100, Peachtree Corners, GA 300092-2913

Phone number: 1-(855)-820-5237

Website: http://www.affiliateas.com

Email: [email protected]

Does Affiliate Asset Solutions, llc have Complaints against them?

Currently, Affiliate Asset Solutions, LLC, has quite a few complaints lodged against them. Within the BBB, they have 46 customer complaints against their company. Of those 46, 19 were closed within the last 12 months as of this article. There were 38 complaints with regard to billing and collections, 7 in regards to problems with a product or service, and 1 with regard to advertising and sales.

Although there are no complaints directly against Affiliate Asset Solutions, LLC, within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Consumer Complaint Database, their names are linked with a few other companies as well that hold complaints. Those also pertain to improper filings and billings of debts.

What kind of Complaints have been made?

The primary complaint that has been made against Affiliate Asset Solutions, LLC, has been about billing and improper billing techniques. The most recent complaint against Affiliate Asset Solutions LLC comes on 11/14/19 where a victim states that they were billed for a debt to Pendrick Capital Partners. The bill in question was a medical debt number close to $3,000. However, the victim states that they had never engaged in activity with Pendrick Capital Partners or Travis County. This seems to be a case of improper information and misguided information.

Another complaint made on 10/17/19 states that Affiliate Asset Solutions LLC was a scam, and that they had been contacted about a $900 balance that was not theres.

Even further along, on 9/30/19, a complaint states that AAS had attempted to use unethical and illegal debt collection practices in an attempt to extort money out of a victim that had an improper bill of close to $1,500. These practices included multiple harassing phone calls all day, to abusive and negative language used in an attempt to get the victim to pay instead of get valid information.

Are the Practices of Affiliate Asset Solutions, llc Legal?

Almost none of the listed practices above are legal in any state. The FDCPA is a set of laws that specifically requires debt collection agencies to adhere to rules and guidelines to prevent abusive power moves. These include practices such as:

• Aggressive and abusive language to victims and clients
• Using improper or misinformation
• Robocalls or harassing phone calls

These laws are specifically made to protect debtees from being targeted or physically abused and harmed due to a debt. It gives the debtors some fighting power against the harassment, and ensures that there is fair play against unjust attempts at collecting, especially if the debt is not in their name.

How can I protect myself and fight back against Affiliate Asset Solutions, llc?

There are quite a few ways to fight back against such tactics like the practices used by Affiliate Asset Solutions LLC. The first way is to validate any and all charges that are being made. This means that verifying the balance is a top priority. If AAS attempts to collect, and calls you up with regard to a debt, ask to see proper identification. Ask to see verification notices, as well as direct information linked to the debt. If they cannot provide the verification documents, then there is a chance that they are attempting to extort you.

Another way to protect yourself and fight back is to hire an experienced and well-versed debt collector harassment lawyer that will be able to help you. Here at the Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC, we have plenty collection harassment lawyers and attorneys that can help to get you on the right path to fighting back against debt collection harassment.

Our attorneys are able to help you understand how long debt collectors are able to harass you for, as well as how to stop their harassment, and how to report their debt collection practices if they are illegal. They can assist you in understanding what is considered to be harassed by a debt collector, as well as help build a case against the debt collectors to help you get compensation in the case of illegal activities.

Remember, there is always a way to fight back. So don’t wait. If you feel you have been a victim of:

• Robocalls
• Harassment by Debt collectors
• Abusive or threatening language from debt collectors
• Threatening letters
• Improper or misinformation with regards to debts

Then you may have a case that can get you compensation for the harassment. Give us a call now, and start the fight back.