by Paul MankinIs Aargon Collection Agency Harassing You?
What is Aargon Collection Agency?
The Aargon Collection Agency, also known as Aargon Agency, Inc. is a well-known debt collection agency specializing in general debt collection, no matter the industry. They were established in 1996, and have been in business for 23 years, working out of their primary headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since their inception, however, they have had numerous complaints and issues filed against their debt collection agency, many of which deal with harassing phone calls from debt collectors, and harassment from credit card companies.
Is Aargon Collection Agency a legit Debt Collection Agency?
They are a legitimate debt collection agency. Currently, they hold a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, and have been accredited with the BBB since 2011. BBB ratings do not take into account Customer reviews. However, they have a 1.75 of 5 on BBB with 6 customer reviews.
They are known to be regulated by the Financial Institutions Division in Las Vegas, Nevada as well.
Aargon Collection Agency Contact Information
Address: 8668 Spring Mountain Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89117-4132
Alternate Name: Aargon Agency, Inc.
Fax Number: 1-(702)-948-7428
Phone Number: 1-(702)-220-7037
Other Phone: 1-(800)-280-1183
Other Phone: 1-(800)-326-7118
Financial Institutions Division
Address: 2501 E. Sahara Ave. Ste. 300
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Phone Number: 1-(702)-486-4120
Website: www.fid.state.nv.us/complaints.htm
Does Aargon Collection Agency have Complaints against them?
Aargon Collection Agency has quite a few complaints against their debt collection agency. They have 26 consumer complaints currently logged on the Better Business Bureau website, with some being as recent as June of 2019. Within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaur’s Consumer Complaint Database, they hold approximately 630 complaints logged against Aargon Collections in total, with a majority of them being within the year 2019.
What kind of Complaints have been made?
They have had complaints ranging in severity in all scales made against them. From the Better Business Bureau, there have been reports of mainly improper and misleading information being billed to consumers when they have had little to no interaction with the place in question. Many of the consumers reference medical care buildings, where they have never been a part of the system, and yet have received collection requests and harassment from the debt collectors with regards to the bill in question.
They have also noted that they have had harassing phone calls from debt collectors, even when it is the wrong number or wrong person. Some have gone as far as to even state that they have been called and harassed due to the fact that their name is the same as the one with the debt, even if they live outside of the area that Aargon Collections works inside of.
From the CFPB Consumer complaint database, many consumers have reported fraudulent and threatening activities from the Aargon Collection Agency. These come in the form of medical debts and requests. When consumers attempt to state that they are not the holders of the debts, many complaints have outlined the harassing and abusive/threatening language many of the debt collectors have used against them in an attempt to extort money and payments.
Are the Practices of Aargon Collection Agency Legal?
In many of the mentioned complaints, these practices are not legal, and in many ways, break the federal laws set by the FDCPA, TCPA, and CFPA. To understand how they are breaking the law, you must understand what is considered harassment by a debt collector, and how it is viewed by the law.
There exist many types of harassment methods from collection agencies. Multiple phone calls, robocalls, and emails can all be considered harassment if done outside of proper hours, or if done in excess. This falls under the FDCPA, or Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. These laws prevent debt collectors from using certain methods, such as:
- Abusive or threatening language
- Harassment and threatening of physical harm
- Using false or misleading information to attempt to collect a debt
These are just a few of the practices and methods that a debt collection agency may attempt to harass and force you to pay a debt that may or may not be your own.
How can I protect myself and fight back against Aargon Collection Agency?
There are many ways to protect yourself against such types of harassment and abuse. The first thing to do is to contact an experienced debt collector harassment lawyer or attorney. We here at Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC have many experienced lawyers and attorneys that will be able to help and guide you to getting compensation for the harassment and damages incurred by the debt collectors.
An experienced attorney will be able to assist you in understanding how long a debt collector can harass you, what is considered harassment by a debt collector, and how to report and stop harassment from debt collectors. They can also assist you in getting a No Fee Lawsuit made against the Aargon Agency Inc prepared and started.
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 MankinIs the debt collection agency Alltran Financial, LP harassing you?
What is Alltran Financial LP?
Alltran Financial LP was founded in Houston, Texas on October 1, 1987. Under the direction of its general counsel and business manager, Mr. Michael K. Strachan, Alltran Financial LP provides recovery and receivables services. The debt collection agency is known to conduct business under at least four other names, including: “URS Holding, LLC,” “United Recovery Systems, LP,” “United Recovery System,” and “Plaza Recovery.”
Is Alltran Financial LP a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Yes, Alltran Financial LP is a legitimate debt collector. It has been recognized by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since January 1, 1987, has been BBB-accredited since October 18, 2012, and maintains an A+ BBB consumer rating, which indicates it is responsive to consumer complaints and is a legitimate business.
Alltran Financial LP Contact Information:
5800 N Course Dr
Houston, TX 77072-1613
(800) 352-8890 (phone)
(800) 326-8040 (alt. phone)
(713) 977-0119 (fax)
http://alltran.com/industries/financial/
What kind of complaints does Alltran Financial LP have against them?
Alltran Financial LP has received 25 BBB consumer complaints and 12 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaints, most of which involve repeated attempts to collect on debt not owed. In most such cases, consumers report being harassed by Alltran Financial LP over old debt (i.e., debt that has been paid) or bad debt (i.e., debt that is no longer able to be enforced by legal action). If these allegations are true, these consumers would most likely have a claim under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Consumers have reported the following phone numbers in relationship to complaints of collector harassment against Alltran Education, Inc. and its alias operations.
(713) 784-7844
(713) 977-1234
(866) 815-8808
(866) 582-4085
(800) 354-4150
(713) 266-9876
(800) 331-8970
Are Alltran Financial LP‘s Practices Legal?
Whether a debt was previously paid or belongs to someone other than the person being contacted, it is considered collector harassment when a collections agency learns a debt is no longer valid (or is not valid in relation to a particular person) and continues to call or write with the intention of forcing the alleged debtor to pay up. These practices are unlawful under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and could entitle you up to $1,000 in statutory damages, actual damages, an attorney at no cost to you, as well as other state and federal remedies.
How can I defend myself against a debt collector like Alltran Financial LP?
Texas residents can find consumer rights information on the Attorney General’s website at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection. Complaints regarding a debt 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. To learn more about how the federal government regulates debt collection and protects debtors and other individuals from collector harassment, see FTC Debt Collection pamphlet.
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 MankinIs Ability Recovery Services, LLC Harassing You?
Although there are plenty of smaller groups of debt collection agencies about, there are some that hold larger stakes in the business, even though they were started much later than others. Ability Recovery Services, LLC is one such debt collection agency, with a large backing and history over the years. However, they do have a difficult past, which leads to them having very poor reviews.
What is Ability Recovery Services, LLC?
Ability Recovery Service is a Collections agency that has been operating since 2005. After the business was started in 2005, in February, their BBB file was opened in 2009, with their business being incorporated in 2011 in Pennsylvania. They currently hold an A+ rating with the BBB, while maintaining a 1.10/5 rating with an average of 25 customer reviews.
Is Ability Recovery Service a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Yes, Ability Recovery Services, LLC is a legitimate debt collection agency. Having been operating for quite some time, approximately 14 years and counting, they also have multiple other locations within Pennsylvania. Currently, the Better Business Bureau has listed 2 other addresses for them within Pennsylvania, giving them a much wider berth to work with.
Ability Recovery Service Contact Information
Addresses:
284 Main St, DuPont, PA 18641-1960
18 Pierce Street Kingston, PA 18704
1 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507-1777
Fax Number: 1-(570)-207-2682
PO Box: PO Box 4262 Scranton, PA 18505-6262
Phone Number: 1-(855)-207-1892 ext. 205
Website: http://www.abilityrecoveryservices.com
Does Ability Recovery Services, LLC have Complaints against them?
Ability Recovery Services, LLC have quite a few complaints lodged against them. With the BBB, they have 267 complaints closed within the last 3 years, with 107 of those complaints lodged within the last 12 months. A search of Ability Recovery Service on the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Consumer Complaint Database shows a total of 945 matching complaints made against the Ability Recovery Service.
What kind of Complaints have been made?
The complaints range in variation and severity. The most common one that can be seen is that Ability Recovery Service tend to attempt to collect on bills that have either been already paid, or that do not even have a bill to pay in the first place.
Many also detail phone harassment and physical harassment, from harassing phone calls, as well as direct debt collector harassment from things such as letters, meetings, and after-hours harassment. Both the Better Business Bureau and the CFPB consumer complaint database detail improper filings and misleading and fraudulent paperwork being sent to them, which is also a major violation with the laws in place.
Are the Practices of Ability Recovery Service Legal?
Many of the practices done by Ability Recovery Service are deemed illegal, or borderline legal. These include such things as: Harassing phone calls, harassing family and friends, and fraudulent or misleading information on paperwork. This includes such things as medical information fraudulence, calls on credit cards and harassment from credit card companies, as well as persistent calls and contact even when told to stop.
How can I protect myself and fight back against Ability Recovery Service?
Although it may seem perilous, there are actually numerous ways that you can help defend yourself against such harassment and abuse from debt collectors. The first step is to hire an experienced and knowledgeable debt collection harassment lawyer or attorney.
Having an attorney that focus in these issues will help you stay on course and be able to build a case for you. These attorneys, such as the collection harassment ones we have here at The Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC make sure to help you understand how to stop debt collector harassment, how to report debt collector harassment, and how to identify harassment and abuse.
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.
If you feel as if you are being harassed or abused by Ability Recovery Services, LLC, it is time they are held accountable for their actions. Please call our office at 1-800-219-3577, for a free, no obligation consultation.
by Paul MankinIs the debt collection agency Diversified Consultants calling and harassing you?
Diversified Consultants, Inc. Profile:
Diversified Consultants Headquarters: 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd. #309, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Diversified Consultants Phone Number: (904) 247-5500
Known Debt Collection Numbers: (one of the numbers their debt collectors use when calling you; others may be used as well). 1-800-771-5361
COO: Gordon Beck
Website: https://www.Diversified Consultantscollect.com/ (not public; authorization required to access)
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diversified-consultants-inc-/about/
WHAT IS DIVERSIFIED CONSULTANTS?
The better question is “Who is Diversified Consultants?” Diversified Consultants, Inc., not to be confused with Diversified Consulting or Diversified Cns, is a debt collection agency
that was founded in 1992. Diversified Consultants employs a workforce of over 200 employees.
Diversified Consultants operates in Florida, Oregon, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, California, Michigan and even Nigeria. Diversified Consultants specializes in the collection of wireless, cable, satellite, utilities and other telecommunications-related debt.
WHY IS DIVERSIFIED CONSULTANTS CALLING ME?
Diversified Consultants is most likely calling you because they believe, rightly or wrongly, that you owe a debt that they have either bought or have been promised compensation for collecting. While none of this is illegal per se, debt collectors frequently resort to abusive practices that are illegal and that could entitle you to demand money from them.
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS:
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST DIVERSIFIED CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS:
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency dedicated to protecting consumer rights, has recorded over 4,000 complaints against Diversified Consultants.
- Diversified Consultants’ Better Business Bureau profile indicates that 899 complaints have been closed against Diversified Consultants over the past three years. It received 1.5 out of 5 stars based on 53 customer reviews. It is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
LAWSUITS AGAINST DIVERSIFIED CONSULTANTS, INC.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Diversified Consultants, Inc., including the following:
- In Davis v. Diversified Consultants, Inc., Plaintiff alleged that Diversified Consultants violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act; the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; and the Massachusetts Privacy Act. Plaintiff was awarded damages.
- In Fabio, Jesse v. Diversified Consultants, Inc, Diversified Consultants lost a default judgment b because it failed to respond to the lawsuit.
- In Higgs v. Diversified Consultants, Inc., Plaintiff complained that Diversified Consultants called several times a day to collect a debt. Diversified Consultants was awarded a summary judgment.
- In McGill v. Diversified Consultants, Inc. Plaintiff claimed that he settled a debt but that Diversified Consultants reported to the creditor and another collection agency that the debt was still owed, resulting in the harassment of the Plaintiff..
- In Nussbaum v. Diversified Consultants, Inc., Plaintiff complained that Diversified Consultants subjected him to “robocalls” (automated dialing).
- In Sheridan v. Diversified Consultants Inc et al, the court denied the Plaintiff’s request to certify his lawsuit as a class action lawsuit. The motion was denied without prejudice, which means that the Plaintiff can try again after repairing deficiencies in his original pleading.
- In O’Connor v. Diversified Consultants, Inc., Plaintiff alleged that Diversified Consultants violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227, et seq. and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- In Waite v. Diversified Consultants, Inc., a 17-year-old girl alleged that Diversified Consultants made hundreds of debt collection “robocalls” to her cell phone, even though she owed no debts to anyone.
- In Wallace v. Diversified Consultants, Inc., Diversified Consultants was sued for failing to clarify the alleged debtor’s right to dispute the debt. The claim was dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
HOW DO I STOP A COLLECTION AGENCY FROM CONTACTING ME?
First, send a signed letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, asking the collection agency to stop contacting you, and keep a copy of the letter for yourself. Once the collection agency receives the letter, it can only contact you for two purposes:
- To confirm that it will no longer contact you about the debt; and
- To notify you that it is taking legal action (such as filing a lawsuit).
If you inform the collection agency that you have retained a lawyer, and you provide contact details for the lawyer, the collection agency can only contact your lawyer about the debt, unless your lawyer fails to respond within a reasonable time.
Somebody told me that I am being harassed by a debt collection agency, I can demand money from them. Is that true?
Yes, it’s true. For example, you can demand up to $1,000 for each violation of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, without even proving that you suffered any damages other than minor annoyance.The California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a state law, is in some ways even more debtor-friendly than the federal version, and it also allows you to sue for damages.
WHAT TYPES OF DEBTS ARE COVERED BY THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT (FDCPA)?
The FDCPA is aimed at consumer debts — credit card debt, automobile loans, mortgages, healthcare expenses, student loans, and similar consumer dents. The FDCPA does not apply to business debts. This statute is also aimed at third-party debt collectors — it doesn’t apply if your original creditor is trying to collect a debt from you.
WHAT IS A VALIDATION NOTICE?
A validation notice is a written notification that a third party debt collector is legally required to send you. It must state how much money you owe, who you owe the money to, and what you can do if you do not believe the debt is legitimate.
If you Diversified consultants is harassing you, please contact our office at 1-800-219-3577 for a free, no obligation consultation.
by Paul MankinIs the debt collection agency Aldous & Associates, PLLC harassing you?
What is Aldous & Associates PLLC?
Established and incorporated in Utah in March 2011, Aldous & Associates PLLC is a law firm that prides itself on its ability to act as a debt collector with all the power and resources of a call center. Focusing primarily on fitness centers, Aldous & Associates teams up with gyms and banks to enforce membership compliance and collect on past due memberships dues. Aldous & Associates PLLC also conducts business under the name TSRJ Resolution, Inc. and is operated by its chief operating officer, Mr. Tyler Rice, and its principal attorney, Mr. Jeffrey Aldous.
Is Aldous & Associates PLLC a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Yes, it is legit. There appears to be some ambiguity about whether and when the company acts as a law firm and provides legal services versus when it acts as a collector, which is a potential problem for the business. If you get a letter or phone call from Aldous & Associates about an overdue gym membership payment, however, it is most likely a legitimate effort to collect a debt.
Aldous & Associates PLLC Contact Information:
PO Box 171374
Holladay, UT 84117-1374
(888) 221-5155 (phone)
(801) 272-5281 (alt. phone)
What kind of complaints does Aldous & Associates PLLC have against them?
A Better Business Bureau (BBB) file was opened for Aldous & Associates PLLC on 11/19/2009, and it currently has 62 consumer complaints and a 1.2-star review. Aldous & Associates PLLC has an additional 189 Consumer Finance Protection Bureau complaints.
For a collection agency doing a large volume of business, ~ 250 public complaints isn’t too alarming as long as the complaints are varied and generally of such nature that the issues could be due to reasonable mistakes and can be easily corrected. A disproportionate number of complaints against Aldous & Associates PLLC, however, regard rude and often unlawful actions that the collector took deliberately, including harassing the debtor and using aggressive language, threatening the debtor with legal or criminal action, continuing to call the debtor after the debtor has issued a formal do-not-call-request, and failing to provide the legally required notices when attempting to collect on a debt.
Are Aldous & Associates PLLC’s Practices Legal?
Many of Aldous & Associates PLLC’s disputed practices are, if true, unlawful under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including all of the practices mentioned above. Using proper communication tactics tends to be a pitfall for even the most well-meaning collectors since there are numerous potential violations of the FDCPA, and Aldous & Associates PLLC appears to make its share of communication violations.
How can I defend myself against a debt collector like Aldous & Associate PLLC?
You can file a complaint with the Utah State Division of Consumer Protection at https://consumerprotection.utah.gov/complaints/manual.html. 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 collection harassment or are a victim of another violation of state or federal debtor’s rights, you should speak with a collection harassment attorney or a consumer rights lawyer immediately. Contact us today to discuss your matter and see how we can help at no cost to you.
by Paul MankinWhat is a Debt Relief Agency?
If you are in debt and looking online for help you will most certainly find many offers of help from debt relief agencies. So what is a debt relief agency, what can they do to help, and should you use one if you are struggling with debt?
Debt Relief Agencies
The term “debt relief agency” can have a few different meanings. It can mean an agency that prepares and files bankruptcy petitions, on that provides debt consolidation loans, or one that helps a consumer manage their debt by allowing them to make one monthly payment directly to the agency, who then distributes the money to each creditor for them. This discussion will be about the later, which is sometimes also referred to as a debt management agency.
How Does a Debt Relief Agency Help with Debt?
Debt Relief, or Debt Management, Agencies help you manage your debt by calculating the total of your monthly bills, adding their monthly fee, then collecting that amount from you every month. The agency then pays your creditors for you and may also attempt to negotiate settlements with creditors that allow you to pay off the debt for less than you actually owe. This can help many consumers who actually have enough money to pay their bills, but do not have the time or skills to negotiate, budget and then pay all of their bills on time, by allowing them to just pay the one bill every month to the debt relief agency. But for consumers who do not have the money to pay all of their bills every month, a debt relief agency may not offer much help in managing and paying the debt.
Should I Use a Debt Relief Agency To Help Me With My Debt?
Most consumers who are struggling with debt should not use a debt relief agency. This is because the majority of consumers struggling to pay their bills on time do not have enough regular income to pay all of their debt and adding a debt relief agency’s fee to this will only make it more difficult to pay the bills on time. Consumers who are unable to pay their debt and are being subjected to collection calls should consider talking to a consumer protection attorney who may be able to help stop the calls and help them decide if they have any claims against the collection companies or if they should consult with a bankruptcy attorney.
If a creditor or debt collector is using any unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices in order to collect a debt from you, feel free to contact our office at 1-800-219-3577, for a free, no obligation consultation.
by Paul MankinIs Sequoia Financial Services Harassing You?
Sequoia Concepts, Inc. D/B/A Sequoia Financial Services
Sequoia Concepts, Inc. is a debt collection agency that does business as Sequoia Financial Services (Sequoia). It provides services to utility, government, medical, educational and retail companies. It was founded in 1991 and is based in Glendale, California.
According to its website, Sequoia prides itself on its integrity and professionalism, and claims to comply with all state and federal consumer laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), however, has received numerous complaints against Sequoia from consumers. The CFPB is a government agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive or abusive debt collection practices. The most common complaints leveled against Sequoia include:
- Attempting to collect a debt that is not owed by the consumer;
- Making false or misleading statements; and
- Refusing to validate or provide proof of a debt.
A complaint was filed against Sequoia for threatening to harm a consumer’s credit. The consumer had received a letter from Sequoia informing the consumer that a debt was owed. The consumer ignored the letter because he believed that the letter was a scam. The consumer received several more letters from Sequoia stating that interest on the debt was accruing and that if the consumer did not make a payment, then Sequoia would report the debt to a credit bureau. The consumer reviewed his credit report and found that Sequoia had not reported any debt to any credit bureaus.
While it is lawful for a debt collector to report a debt that is less than seven (7) years old to a credit bureau, it is unlawful for the debt collector to threaten to report. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA) prohibit debt collectors and creditors from threatening to report a debt to a credit bureau when the debt collector has no intention to do so. This is considered a false and misleading representation that is designed to intimidate or force the consumer to make a payment.
Sequoia’s actions clearly violated both the FDCPA and RDCPA. Therefore, after filing his complaint with the CFPB, Sequoia settled the matter to the consumer’s satisfaction.
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 Sequoia accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.
by Paul MankinWhat Is A Mixed Credit Report File?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), credit bureaus are required to maintain accurate information about a consumer’s financial history and to disclose only accurate information in the consumer’s credit report.
When a credit reporter provides information from two or more individuals in a single consumer’s credit report, the resulting ‘mixed’ credit report file violates the FCRA because it contains information that isn’t applicable or attributable to the consumer whose credit viability is represented by the report.
In older cases, a mixed file could result from human error during filing of paper documents in physical folders. When hard files were digitized, mixing errors would likely have been carried over into the digital file or might even have been created by the mixing of documents or information during the digitization process. If such an error was never identified and corrected, it could conceivably, if erroneously, sit on a consumer credit report indefinitely.
More commonly, mixed credit reports result from identity mixups. Some identity mistakes occur due to simple, yet consequential, typographical-type errors, including:
- Single or multiple digit errors or transpositions in a consumer’s social security number or alternative tax ID.
- Misuse of title, such as adding ‘Jr.’ to a name or using ‘Jr.’ where ‘Sr.’ is the accurate title.
- Misstatement of generation, such as using ‘II’ at the end of a name where ‘III’ is accurate.
- Misspelling of a first or last name, such as assigning a debt for ‘Jon Smith’ to ‘John Smith’.
While typographical errors are not terribly uncommon, they are—in an infallible universe—preventable. Even when a mixed report results from a single-digit SSN typo, odds are that the reported debt fairly belongs to the consumer having the intended SSN.
In other cases, however, mixed credit reports can result when a creditor or credit reporter essentially guesses at the correct consumer when assigning a debt. This practice can be harmless when the assignment happens to be correct or when there is only one reasonable guess, such as when the debtor has a unique name and is known to live in a sparsely populated area.
Harm (i.e., a mixed report) is more likely to occur when the debtor has a common name and/or lives in a densely populated region. For example, if a court judgment is entered against a Mr. John Smith in San Francisco and little else is known about the particular debtor’s identity, reasonable odds exist that the debt will be assigned to a different John Smith residing in San Francisco.
A mixed credit report does not always result in a negatively impacted credit score. For example, an active account in good standing might actually boost the score of a consumer who doesn’t have much credit history (e.g., a young adult). Even such a benign incident of mixing, however, creates the possibility of negative credit treatment down the road, such as if the misassigned account goes from ‘current’ to ‘delinquent’. A mixed report should always be reported to the reporting agency—i.e., TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian—as report mixing violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and is required by law to be corrected.
by Paul MankinIs DCM Services, LLC Harassing You?
DCM Services, LLC is a collection agency located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The collection agency has been in business since 2006 and also operates under the Balogh Becker Ltd. It collects on the debts of those who are deceased. The collection agency is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an A+ rating with bureau; however ratings are not based on the lack of complaints against a company, but on the company’s timely response to complaints that are filed.
Contact Information
7601 Penn Ave S A600
Minneapolis, MN 55423-3645
Phone: (612) 243-8620
The BBB reports 22 complaints against DCM Services, LLC in the last three years. A large majority of the complaints allege that the company attempted to collect debts of deceased loved ones from them, after being informed that there was no money in the estate to pay the debt. One consumer’s complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair practices of financial companies, just as debt collections agencies, alleges that DCM Services, LLC began putting his name on collection letters instead of his deceased son’s, who the debt belonged to, in order to make him believe that he was legally responsible for paying the bill. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits a debt collector from misrepresenting the legal status of a debt, which includes falsely implying that someone else is legally responsible for the debt of a person who has passed away.
In 2017 a proposed class action lawsuit was filed against DCM Services, LLC in the Eastern District of Wisconsin by a consumer who was harassed by the debt collection agency to pay a debt belonging to her deceased husband. A letter she received from the agency said, “We are contacting you about the debt for services provided to your spouse because it is our understanding that you may have liability for these medical expenses.” In her complaint, the consumer alleges that DCM Services, LLC sent debt collection letters such as this to consumers who had recently lost a loved one in order to capitalize on the death by collecting a debt that the decedent’s family members may not be legally responsible for paying. The case was settled and dismissed in December of 2017.
Two complaints, similar to the ones filed with the BBB and in the District Court of Wisconsin, were filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency created to help ensure that financial services companies, such as debt collection agencies, do not abuse consumers.
If you feel as if you are being abused or harassed by DCM Services, LLC, it is time they are held accountable for their actions. Please call our office at 1-800-219-3577, for a free, no obligation consultation.
by Paul MankinStop Debt Collector Harassment And Credit Report Abuses
At the Law Office of Paul Mankin, we are strong advocates for consumers throughout California. Experienced and tenacious, we work hard to stop harassment by debt collectors and to remove inaccurate information from credit reports.
If you have debt problems, are being harassed by collection agencies, or are being held down by a bad credit rating, we may be able to help. Call us at 800-654-9517 for a free consultation.
We Make Harassing Debt Collectors Pay You
Debt collectors and collection agencies must obey the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act(FDCPA) and other consumer protection legislation and other laws. If a debt collector violates FDCPA, the collector can be held liable for $1,000 for each violation. If a debt collector violates the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the collector may have to pay $500 for each offending call.
Our firm can represent you, seeking to end debt collector harassment and maximum compensation under FDCPA, TCPA and other laws. We can handle your case at no charge to you, because the debt collector will be responsible for paying our attorney fees.
Stopping Credit Report Abuses
Our firm helps people remove inaccurate information from their credit reports. We can provide you with free credit report analysis and a complementary letter you can use to request the removal of inaccurate information from your credit report.
If we believe that a credit bureau or another party has violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act, we can represent you. If we are successful, you may obtain $1,000 for each willful violation, plus attorney fees and court costs.
Contact A Lawyer Today
For a free consultation about debt collector harassment or credit report inaccuracies, call the Law Office of Paul Mankin at 800-654-9517 or contact us online. We serve clients throughout California from offices in the San Diego area and Los Angeles.