by Paul MankinAre you being harassed by the debt collection agency AIH Recievable Management Services?
Debt collectors can be some of the most ruthless, aggressive, and down right dirty individuals to ever work in the market. However, they can be necessary at points to keep those that wish to borrow money for various reasons in check, and to make sure people pay their debts in a timely manner.
Each of these kinds of debt collection agencies use different methods and practices to try to get the money back. Whether that be from buying the debt off, to going directly to the source, there are many ways to go about getting a debt settled. So how does AIH Receivable Management Services do it, and is it considered good practice? We will go over some
What is AIH Receivable Management Services?
AIH Receivable Management Services is a debt collection agency listed as such on the Better Business Bureau. They go by the names of AIH Services, as well as AIH Receivables. They are currently listed as AIH Receivables as the proper title on the BBB. They are primarily based in Kansas, with an emphasis on Shawnee.
Is AIH Receivable Management Services a legit Debt Collection Agency?
AIH Receivable Management Services is seen as a legitimate debt collection agency. They have been in business since 1992, and have their BBB file open since 2008. They are run by Ms. Libby Hancock, who is listed as the manager of AIH Receivable. They have a BBB rating of A+, and are not accredited by the BBB.
AIH Receivable Management Services Contact Information
Address: 5800 Foxridge Dr Ste 105 Shawnee Msn, KS 66202-2335
Other Address: 5425 Martindale Shawnee, KS 66218
Box: P.O. Box 70 Mission, KS 66201
Fax Number: 1-913-441-0236
Phone Number: 1-800-666-4609
Other Phone: 1-913-535-1000
Website: http://www.aihkc.com/contact.nxg
Does AIH Receivable Management Services have Complaints against them?
AIH Receivable currently has no listed complaints against them in the BBB website.
AIH Receivable currently has 6 complaints listed against them in the Consumer FInancial Protection Bureau Consumer Complaint Database.
What kind of Complaints have been made?
The complaints made against AIH Receivable Management Services all stem from Debt collection issues. Of the 6 complaints against them, AIH Receivables had all 6 under the issue of debt collection.
The sub-issue of many dealt with calling back on debts already paid, not verifying debts with proper information, harassing phone calls to both the victim and the victim’s employer, as well as abusive and threatening language.
Are the Practices of AIH Receivable Management Services Legal?
Of the complaints made, almost all of the practices and attempts of getting a payment out of the victims would be considered illegal and excessive harassment. This is covered in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act explicitly protects those that are getting harassed and aggressively pressured into paying debts through forceful means. These means and practices that are deemed illegal can be, but are not limited to:
- Excessive and abusive phone calls
- Robocalls
- Improper and misguidance of information.
- Aggressive and threatening messages.
- Attempted contact of friends, relatives, and coworkers.
Each of the complaints made by those on the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database match those that are listed as illegal and improper debt collection practices.
How can I protect myself and fight back against AIH Receivable Management Services?
There are quite a few ways that you are able to fight back against improper claims of debts against you by AIH Receivable Management Services. Due to their nature of having issues verifying debt claims, and attempts to collect on already paid bills, a reliable way to protect yourself is to always ask for verification that the debt is truly yours. This can be done in a number of ways, such as asking for the collection ID, or asking them to show proof of the debt through written papers or other such verification methods.
It is also important to document and record all forms of debt collector harassment, from the wrong number calls to the negative and abusive messages and letters left by the debt collectors. You can either gain photographic evidence of letters or messages, and can record phone calls through systems to ensure that the debt collectors can not claim ignorance.
Another way you can protect yourself is to hire yourself an experienced and knowledgeable debt collection harassment lawyer or attorney. We here at the Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC have a strong set of debt collection harassment attorneys that are able to not only help you stop the debt collector harassment, but also report the harassment to the proper authorities. They can help you build a solid case against the harassment as well, and ensure that you are properly compensated for the emotional and possible physical damage that you have sustained.
If you or someone you love has been a target of harassment, debt collector wrong number and robo calls, or have been threatened with legal abuse, then contact Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC at 1-800-219-3577. Let us help you against the harassment of debt collectors.
by Paul MankinHow to Hire us for Help
If a debt collector or creditor is harassing or abusing you it is time to hold them accountable for their unlawful actions.
At the law office of Paul Mankin, we stop creditor harassment and make debt collectors pay you.
Contact us for help today by filling out the form to the right or calling us toll free at 1-800-219-3577 for your free, no obligation, consultation at our San Diego, California office.
Creditor Harassment: What is a Violation of the FDCPA?
Creditor Harassment: What types of debts are covered by the FDCPA?
Creditor Harassment: How Do I Get a Debt Collector to Stop Calling Me?
Creditor Harassment: How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Attorney?
Creditor Harassment: Can You Sue a Creditor for Violating the FDCPA?
Creditor Harassment: How to Sue for FDCPA Violations?
Creditor Harassment: What Can I Get if I Sue a Debt Collector?
Creditor Harassment: If I Sue a Debt Collector, Will I Have to Go to Court?
Creditor Harassment: What Evidence Do I Need to File a Claim Under the FDCPA?
Creditor Harassment: What to Do If You Are Sued By A Debt Collector?
Creditor Harassment: How Long Does It Take to Settle A Claim Under the FDCPA?
Creditor Harassment: Do I need an attorney to file a claim under the FDCPA?
by Paul MankinIs the collection agency AFNI, Inc. harassing you?
Getting a call from an unknown number is stressful enough. Getting a call and being informed that you have an outstanding debt that you must pay is even worse. There are instances of this happening across the country, with debt collectors harassing and forcing some to pay on debts that may or may not be their own.
There are also instances of companies and debt collection agencies claiming that they are from a legitimate company, while ending up being a shell company, or a scam. AFNI, Inc is no exception. Here are some things to know if you have been called or contacted by AFNI, Inc, and how to combat them if they are harassing you.
What is AFNI, Inc?
AFNI, Inc is a longstanding company with multiple locations across the states. They’ve been in business since 1936, making them one of the oldest recorded debt collection agencies in the current market. Their Better Business Bureau file was opened in 1993. They also go by the names Afni/Bloom, and AFNI.
Is AFNI, Inc a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Yes, AFNI, Inc is a legitimate debt collection agency. Having been in operation for quite some time, they are an accredited BBB business since 2007. THey also have quite a few different offices, including in areas of Illinois and Alabama. They currently hold an A+ rating with the BBB. HOwever, their customer reviews net them a 1 out of 5 stars with 12 customer reviews.
AFNI, Inc Contact Information
Address: 1310 Martin Luther King Dr Bloomington, IL 61701-1465
Other Address: 404 Brock Dr Bloomington, IL 61701-2654
Other Address: PO Box 3097 Bloomington, IL 61702-3097
Other Address: PO Box 3427 Bloomington, IL 61702-3427
Other Address: 1000 Jeter Ave Opelika, AL 36801-3701
Other Address: 7810 E Escalante Rd Tucson, AZ 85730-3402
Other Address: 5320 N La Cholla Blvd Tucson, AZ 85741-3815
Other Address: 2625 Scottsville Rd Bowling Green, KY 42104-4477
Other Address: 1000 Jeter Ave Opelika, AL 36803
Other Address: 333 E Wetmore Rd STE 500 FL 5 Tucson, AZ 85705-1090
Other Address: 7810 E Escalante Rd Tucson, AZ 85730-3402
Phone Number: 1-800-767-2364
Other PHone: 1-866-425-1601
Other Phone: 1-866-307-9197
Other Phone: 1-866-352-0479
Other Phone: 1-877-403-0670
Website: http://www.afnicollections.com
Does AFNI, Inc have Complaints against them?
AFNI, Inc have quite a few complaints against them. On the BBB website, they have a registered 456 customer complaints against them. 80 were within the year 2019. Of those complaints, 1 was due to a delivery issue, 38 were a problem with a product or service, and 417 were due to billing and collections.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Complaint Database currently has over 2,800 complaints registered against AFNI Inc. Many are due to debt collections, as well as reporting credit, and credit services.
What kind of Complaints have been made?
More than half of the complaints made against AFNI Inc. are due to an issue with billing, and credit repair services. The complaints lodge that AFNI Inc. attempted to contact them about a bill that either they did not owe to the company, or that they were contacted with improper and misinformation.
Oher complaints state that they did not give verification for the debt in question, or that they were not told of their right to dispute a claim on the debt. This type of harassment seems rampant with AFNI Inc, and cannot be ignored.
Are the Practices of AFNI, Inc Legal?
From the complaints lodged against AFNI, Inc, it is safe to assume that the tactics used are not legal in the slightest. The handling and usage of information that is improper or not complete is deemed illegal by the FDCPA laws. These laws also state that abusive and negative language is not to be used when attempting to talk with debtors about the debts. The harassment issues, as well as debt collection fraud, is completely illegal, and as such, AFNI Inc. should be looking to regulate such completely illegal practices and tactics.
How can I protect myself and fight back against AFNI, Inc?
If you are looking to start protecting yourself against such credit card harassment, we can help. Tee most important thing to do is to document all forms of harassment made against you, or someone you know. This can be improper contact with your boss, continuous phone calls even though you told them to stop, and robocalls and negative or threatening legal repercussions if the bills were not paid off.
Another way you can protect yourself is to hire yourself an experienced and knowledgeable debt collection harassment lawyer or attorney. We here at the Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC have a strong set of collection harassment attorneys that are able to not only help you stop the debt collector harassment, but also report the harassment to the proper authorities. They can help you build a solid case against the harassment as well, and ensure that you are properly compensated for the emotional and possible physical damage that you have sustained.
If you or someone you love has been a target of harassment, debt collector wrong number and robo calls, or have been threatened with legal abuse, then contact us at 1-800-219-3577. Let us help you against the harassment of debt collectors.
by Paul MankinTaking On Bedbugs
Nobody should have to live with bed bugs. If you live in a rental unit, your landlord should take care of any infestation issues. Bed bugs are not only a nuisance, they are health concern. Bites can cause itching and rashes all over your body.
As the name implies, bed bugs are often found in your bed. However, they can crawl around other places in your home. If you think you have bed bugs, you should contact your landlord to take care of the problem. It’s an issue that should be taken care of right away, and if your landlord ignores your request you could have a legal claim.
At the Law Office of Paul Mankin, we work with clients throughout San Diego and Los Angeles who have bed bug infestations in their apartment.
When To Call A Lawyer
Your first step should be to request your landlord hire an exterminator and take care of the issue. If your landlord hasn’t taken care of the issue after repeated requests to remove the bed bugs, you should consult with an experienced attorney.
It’s important to hire someone who knows this area of law. California law protects renters from living in unsafe conditions. Our only goal is to help you have a home that is comfortable and free of housing code violations.
Questions About Bed Bugs?
Are you wondering if you have a case against your landlord? Call us today at 800-654-9517 to receive a free consultation or contact us online.
by Paul MankinIs A&S Collection Associates Harassing You?
What is A&S Collection Associates?
A&S Collection Associates is a debt collection agency located in Williamstown, Vermont that claims “Guaranteed Results in Writing” when it comes to collecting money for clients. They have been listed as a debt collection agency through multiple different markets, and have been in business for quite a few years.
Is A&S Collection Associates a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Although A&S Collection Associates do have a legitimate background and information layout, there is some misinformation and unknown factors to consider about them. Currently, they are listed to be residing within Williamstown, Vermont, which is where their headquarters is said to be, as well as employ close to 40 employees under their name on some websites. They are said to have been in business since 1993, and have a combined business experience pool of over 150 years.
The Better Business Bureau has them listed as residing in Citrus Heights, California. They are listed as having started in 1995, with 24 years of experience under their belt. They are also listed as having been shut down after the passing of the listed Vice President, Ronald Saldi Jr. on the BBB.
As such, there seems to be an understanding that A&S Collection Associates was in business previously, and operated in many different areas, primarily in Vermont. However, since the passing of Ronald Saldi Jr, the debt collection agency has since been shut down in 2017.
A&S Collection Associates have a rating of NR with the BBB.
A&S Collection Associates Contact Information
Since A&S Collection Associates has been listed as closed down, it is important to understand what that means going forward if you have been contacted by them. All known numbers associated with the A&S Collection Associates are deemed to be invalid. These numbers include:
1-(802)-433-2100
1-(800)-660-6642
1-(800)-244-3425
Their websites listed are also domains that currently have some purchase, but should be assumed dead and unusable. These domains include:
www.a-scollections.com
www.ascollections.com/index.php
Their addresses have not been confirmed, and the buildings associated with the addresses have no confirmed association with A&S Collection Associates anymore. These addresses include:
5828 Riddio St, Citrus Heights, CA 95610-6711
Does A&S Collection Associates have Complaints against them?
Currently, A&S Collection Associates have no complaints lodged against them through past years. The Better Business Bureau and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have no lodged complaints against an A&S Collection Associates in their records, nor from their associated name, A & S Collection Associates.
What if I received Calls from A&S Collection Associates?
If you have received a call, email, or other form of communication from a person or group claiming they are with A&S Collection Associates, they should immediately be identified as a scammer, or illegal debt collector. A&S Collection Associates has been confirmed closed since 2017, and as such, anyone trading on that name should be immediately distrusted.
This includes any form of debt collection harassment and attempts. Any phone calls, robocalls, emails, or letters threatening debt collection penalties, or use harassing and negative language, should be considered as a legal threat against your well being, and should not be seen as a valid form of debt collection.
How can I protect myself and fight back against A&S Collection Associates Scammers?
If you or someone you know has been contacted by a person or persons claiming to be associated with A&S Collection Associates, the best thing to do is avoid their phone calls. In these situations, reporting the number to the BBB or CFPB will help in cutting down on harassing phone calls, as well as put you on a block list for that number specifically.
If the harassment continues, know that you are protected by the FDCPA. Not only are all the methods used by these scammers or debt collectors illegal, they are highly immoral, and coincide directly with the laws and acts put into place to protect you.
The most important form of protection that you should be aware of is a vigilant nature. If you are being harassed, do not succumb to what they want, or what they threaten you with. Instead, look to hire a practiced and experienced debt collector harassment lawyer or attorney. We here at Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC have many talented attorneys that will be happy to assist you in your defense against such people.
Our experienced attorneys 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 lawsuit brought against the company, as well as whoever is using their name to harass and extort you.
If you have been subjected to:
- 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 have an open and viable case that can be pursued. So, do not wait or hesitate to get help. Pick up the phone, make the call, and get started fighting back against debt collection harassment.
by Paul MankinAre you being harasse by the debt collection agency Accelerated Collection Service, Inc.?
Accelerated Collection Service, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Kent, Washington. The agency opened in 2005 and collects for many industries including healthcare, landlords, construction, retail, and financial.
Contact Information:
1209 Central Ave S #210
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: (253) 735-3200 and (866) 499-7717
http://www.acceleratedcollection.com
Three consumers have filed complaints against Accelerated Collection Service, Inc. with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in the last three years and while the Better Business Bureau reports no complaints, two consumers have filed company reviews with the site, which were basically complaints. Reviews and complaints allege that the company:
- Used abusive language while attempting to collect on a medical debt
- Attempted to charge interest not allowed for in the original contract
- Failed to identify themselves when calling a consumer
- Reported false information to the credit reporting agencies
- Failed to provide debt validation information
- Communicating information about a debt to a third party
These collection practices are violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) a federal law governing debt collectors’ behavior when attempting to collect on a debt. The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from using unfair, abusive, or deceptive practices in order to collect on a debt. The Act specifically prohibits the above practices as well as others, such as:
- Falsely implying that a consumer will be arrested if they do not pay
- Falsely indicating that they are an attorney, law enforcement officer, or affiliated with a government agency
- Calling consumers before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Threatening to commit acts of violence against a consumer
- Threatening to take action it has no legal right to take or does not intend to take
- Allowing a consumer’s telephone to ring continuously in order to annoy them
- Failing to inform of a consumer of their mini-Miranda rights
If Accelerated Collection Service, Inc. is refusing to provide you with debt validation information, attempting to charge you interest not allowed for in the original contract, has reported false information on your credit report, or is using any abusive practices in order to collect a debt from you, it is time to hold them accountable for their actions. Please contact our office at 1-800-219-3577. We can help get the harassment to stop, negotiate a settlement, and may even get Accelerated Collection Service, Inc. to pay you money – all at no cost to you.
by Paul MankinAre you being harassed by the debt collection agency A-1 Collections Agency, LLC?
What is A-1 Collections LLC?
A-1 Collections LLC is known as a Collections Agencies as listed by the Better Business Bureau. Started in 1992, they have been in business for approximately 27 years based out of Colorado. They currently collect on medical bills and overdue fees, as well as assist in processing bills and collections for medical facilities. They are also known Western Healthcare Alliance and Healthcare Collections LTD, while holding an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
However, they do have some issues through their claims and billing systems. Many of their complaints are due to medical billings and expenses, as well as outstanding balances on consumer credit bills and cards. They have also had complaints lodged against them due to improper calls and emails, as well as physical mail and threats made towards jobs and family.
A-1 Collections LLC Contact Information
Address: 715 Horizon Dr Ste 401, Grand Jct, CO 815206-8731
Customer Contact: Mr. Todd Bonatti
Fax Number: 1-(970)-683-5255
Other Fax: 1-(970)-683-5249
Other Fax: 1-(970)-245-4484
Phone Number: 1-(970)-242-2740
Other Phone: 1-(970)-241-2075
Other Phone: 1-(970)-683-5207
What Complaints have been against A-1 Collections LLC?
There have been several complaints lodged against the debt collection agency. These range from harassment from credit card companies to harassing phone calls from the debt collectors, even when it is the wrong number.
The Better Business Bureau has 5 closed customer complaints lodged against A1 Collections within the last year. 1 of those complaints was closed as recently as within the last 12 months. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaint database holds that A-1 Collections LLC, under their other names as well, hold over 20 filed complaints within the last 3 to 4 years as well.
Almost all of the complaints come from medical expense billings and debts, ranging from getting harassed by debt collectors over unpaid amounts, or mistakes on the billing reports. Indeed, one such billing complaint on the Better Business Bureau shows that a consumer was harassed by A-1 Collections even after the bill was paid. This lead A-1 Collections to continue to harass them through phone calls and mail stating that the consumer had a large unpaid balance after their surgery, even though the consumer had actually overpaid to the debt collector, as well as leaving derogatory remarks and notes on the consumer’s bills and credit reports.
Other complaints show similar issues from A-1 Collections, whereas they tend to call non-listed numbers for bill payments, as well as attempt to call wrong numbers in hopes of gaining payment through misleading and improper information.
Can this happen to me?
Unfortunately, this can also happen to you. ALthough these practices are unethical and illegal, it is possible that debt collectors may still attempt to mislead you to gain payments.
You may be subject to harassment and attacks from these collectors through other various means, such as ghosted phone calls, harassing emails and letters, and harassment to your place of employment. It is important that you notice and are able to identify the signs of harassment from a debt collector, so that you can fight back and gain back any potential lost money.
How do I fight back against harassment from A-1 Collections?
Fighting back against A-1 Collections can be done in various ways. The first thing we recommend you do is find an experienced debt collector harassment lawyer or attorney. We have many attorneys that have deep experience and knowledge when it comes to dealing with debt collector harassment, as well as dealing with misleading information and potential outstanding balances.
If you feel like you have been the target of unwanted or illegal harassment through any of the methods described, you may also be entitled to a No Fee Lawsuit against A-1 Collections. If you were robocalled about a medical debt or outstanding balance multiple times, that would be grounds a lawsuit against them. In some instances, debtors that have taken the companies to court have seen their balances overturned, as well as proper compensation being paid out.
What if they are Calling me?
In cases of being called and threatened, the debt collection agency may be in violation of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. The FDCPA regulates the actions and practices that a debt collector may use when attempting to collect. These illegal practices include: Abusive or threatening language; false or misleading information; pure harassment.
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 A-1 Collections Agency, LLC accountable.
If you are being harassed by the collection agency A-1 Collections Agency, LLC, please give us a call at 1-800-219-3577 for a free no obligation case evaluation. We are experienced debt collection harassment attorneys.
by Paul MankinIs California Recovery Bureau, Inc. Harassing You?
California Recovery Bureau Inc.
California Recovery Bureau Inc. is a collection agency located in San Marcos California. The company has been in business for 18 years and specializes in collections for telephone companies, medical service providers, credit card companies, and the automobile industry. California Recovery Bureau Inc. is licensed to do business in several states including California, Nevada, New York, and Florida.
Contact
135 Vallecitos De Oro #G
San Marcos, CA 92069
(800) 972-2721
http://www.crbcollections.com/
Since 2003, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a government agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices, has collected 10 complaints against California Recovery Bureau Inc. The complaints allege that the collection agency:
- Made repeated telephone calls
- Attempted to collect on debts that were paid
- Attempted to collect debts that did not belong to the consumer
- Attempted to collect on debts that had been discharged in bankruptcy
- Continued making telephone calls to the consumer after receiving written notice to stop
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA) specifically prohibit debt collectors and creditors from harassing or annoying you by calling your telephone repeatedly or letting it continually ring or contacting you after receiving written notice that you want them to stop. The two Acts also prevent collectors and creditors from engaging in behavior the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse a consumer. Repeated phone calls from an agency attempting to collect on a debt which does not belong to you, has been paid, or was discharged in bankruptcy will most certainly make you feel harassed and abused!
If you are being harassed or abused by any of these debt collection practices, it is time to hold California Recovery Bureau Inc. accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.
by Paul MankinWhat is a Hard Credit Inquiry?
As a simple rule of thumb, a “hard” inquiry (or hard “pull”) into a consumer’s credit history is one that requires the consumer’s consent, such as when the consumer applies for a credit card or a loan. This contrasts with a “soft” inquiry (or soft “pull”), which can be done without the consumer’s consent. The other key difference between hard and soft inquiries is that hard inquiries negatively affect a consumer’s credit score.
The severity of a hard inquiry’s impact on a consumer’s credit report depends on the type of score and the timing of the inquiry. Depending on the inquirer’s particular request, a credit reporting bureau—e.g., TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax—will provide the consumer’s credit history along with, typically, a FICO or VantageScore credit score. A hard FICO score inquiry could reduce a credit score by up to 5 points, whereas a VantageScore inquiry will shave off anywhere from 10 to 20 points.
The type of hard inquiry—i.e., FICO versus VantageScore—is also a factor in how “rate shopping” impacts one’s credit report. If a consumer’s credit is pulled multiple times over a short timespan, as often occurs when shopping for the best rate for a home or auto loan, FICO will treat all such inquiries within a 45-day period as a single hard inquiry. VantageScore, on the other hand, only consolidates hard inquiries made within a rolling two-week window. While FICO and VantageScore assign different weights to hard inquiries for the purpose of calculating a credit score, a hard inquiry of any kind will only affect a credit score for up to one year and will (should) fall off a consumer credit report altogether after two years.
While soft inquires can be performed without a consumer’s knowledge, the Fair Credit Reporting Act not only requests the consumer’s consent for a hard credit inquiry, it also requires the consumer to have notice of the credit event. It may seem obvious that if a consumer gives consent they necessarily are on notice, but this separate requirement actually serves to better protect the consumer.
When a hard credit inquiry is performed without the consumer’s consent, the inquirer not only violates the law requiring consent but also violates the rule requiring notice. The threat of a second violation and its associated penalties serves as a deterrent for inquirers to disregard consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Since hard inquiries affect a consumer’s credit score, they must appear on the consumer’s credit report, which the consumer can monitor at no cost and without penalty. When a consumer discovers a hard inquiry for which they did not provide consent and were not notified, they should promptly file a dispute with the reporting bureau. If the reported inquiry was in error or if the inquirer cannot prove that consent was actually obtained, the hard inquiry should be removed and the consumer’s credit score should increase in response.
A simple reporting error or a non-consensual hard inquiry is not without consequence and can impact a consumer’s ability to access credit unless and until the consumer discovers the error and takes action to have it removed. While it may be annoying or arduous for a busy consumer, the consequences of failing to discover and correct an erroneous credit inquiry could be dire. Unfamiliar activity on a consumer credit report is often an indication of identity theft, so a consumer should keep an eye on every aspect of their credit report and take prompt action if and when anything unfamiliar crops up.
by Paul MankinIs the debt collection agency Associated Credit Services harassing you?
When it comes to businesses, you would assume that the longer it has been around, the more trustworthy it is. However, that is not the case when it comes to the debt collection agency Associated Credit Services. This debt collection agency has been around for a few decades, and yet still seems to be clouded by illegal activity. So what should you do if you are contacted by Associated Credit Services? Here is what you need to know.
What is Associated Credit Services?
Associated Credit Services, or Associated Credit Services Inc., is a collections agency based out of Massachusetts. They work to serve the Central and Western parts of Massachusetts, as well as the Northeastern CT. Their mission is to provide liquidation and recovery while maintaining ethical standards. It is believed they have around 60 employees in their company. At the head is Andrew Robinson, listed as the president of the company. They also have Rachael Bartlett as the Customer Contact, and Walter Steele, who is the Chief Compliance Officer.
Is Associated Credit Services a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Yes, they are a legitimate debt collection agency. Started in 1969, they have had their Better Business Bureau file opened since 1973, and have been in business for 51 years. They have been accredited through the BBB as well since 1973, and have an A+ rating with them. They also hold a 3.8 star rating out of 5 stars on the BBB database through an average of 3 different consumer reviews.
Associated Credit Services Contact Information
Address: 115 Flanders Rd, Suite 140 Westborough, MA 01581-1087
Hours of Operation: M – F 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Website: http://www.acsrecovery.com
Phone Number: 1-800-531-6500
Fax Number: 1-888-978-5738
Does Associated Credit Services have Complaints against them?
Associated Credit Services has quite a few complaints lodged against them. Through the BBB database profile, there have been 26 complaints made against them within the last 3 years. Within the last 12 months, 13 of those complaints have been made and closed.
Through the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s Consumer Complaint Database, there have been over 150 complaints made against them.
What kind of Complaints have been made?
Of the 26 complaints lodged against Associated Credit Services through the BBB database, 22 of those were due to billing and collections, while 4 of them were due to problems with the product or service. Of these complaints, the responses towards these complaints by the company in question challenge the legitimacy of the consumers lodging the complaints in almost every single one. This alone shows negligence by the company to take responsibility for their faults, and instead look to pawn off their errors to the consumers, making the consumers out to be at fault.
Through the CFPB’s CCD, over 140 of the complaints are due to debt collection issues and problems, with the other complaints being due to incorrect credit reporting or banking account issues.
A majority of the complaints bring up specific problems in the debt collection method taken by the representatives of Associated Credit Services, specifically that they harass and threaten the consumers. Indeed, almost 80% of the complaints state that representatives used harassing and threatening language, threatened consumers with legal repercussions, and attempted to use false information to get consumers to pay on debts that they sometimes did not even own.
Are the Practices of Associated Credit Services Legal?
These practices by Associated Credit Services are definitely not legal. The tactics used by this debt collection agency falls under what is known as debt collection harassment. This is when a debt collection agency uses methods that go directly against FDCPA codes and guidelines. The FDCPA, or Federal Debt Collection Practice Act, is the federal law set that governs the practices a debt collection agency or representative may take when attempting to collect on a debt.
The FDCPA specifically prohibits such tactics like:
- Using robocalls, or excessive calls at unreasonable hours
- Calling a consumer’s workplace or family members/friends
- Using threatening language and abusive language
- Using misinformation and false data in an attempt to coerce payments from consumers
- Threatening a consumer with legal action.
How can I protect myself and fight back against Associated Credit Services?
If you have been contacted by Associated Credit Services, or a representative claiming that they work for them, then there are some steps you should take before fully engaging with them. The first step is to ask for authorization of the debt itself. This is well within your rights, even if the representative says they do not need to. Asking for authentication is simple, and can be done by either the representative giving you the original debt holder’s information for you to contact them, or sending you a written itemization of the debt. If this cannot be done, you are under no obligation to pay the debt.
The next step is to firmly tell them you do not want them contacting you again. Even if the debt is real, a debt collection agency is not allowed to call or contact you again if you request them to stop. If they continue, it is considered debt collection harassment, and is punishable by law. At this point, it is best to get in contact with an experienced and knowledgeable debt collection harassment attorney, such as our team here at the Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC. Our team of debt collection harassment attorneys can help you defend against Associated Credit Services disgusting and illegal tactics. We can assist you in identifying debt collection harassment, getting the harassment to stop, and reporting 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.