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by Paul Mankin

Is Fidelity Creditor Service, Inc. Harassing You?

Fidelity Creditor Service, Inc.

Fidelity Creditor Service, Inc. (FCS) is a third-party debt collection agency that specializes in collecting debt for financial institutions, law offices, retail businesses, property management companies, and real estate companies. The company was founded in 1964 and is based in Glendale, California.

FCS is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. To be accredited by the Better Business Bureau a company must demonstrate trust, honesty, transparency, responsiveness, and integrity. In fact, the Better Business Bureau gives FCS a “D-“ rating for failing to respond to any of the consumer complaints. One consumer complained that FCS was attempting to collect a debt that was not owed. The consumer discovered the debt on their credit report. The consumer reached out repeatedly to FCS and requested, in writing, that FCS provide proof of the debt; however, FCS failed to validate the debt.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) expressly allows consumers to request a creditor or debt collector to send proof of the debt. Within five (5) days after its initial communication, the creditor or debt collector must send a notice, referred to as the G-Notice. A consumer then has thirty (30) days to dispute a debt and to request proof of the debt. Failure to respond to the request for proof of a debt is a direct violation of the law.

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 FCS accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.

by Paul Mankin

Is the collection agency Absolute Collection Corp harassing you?

Dealing with debts and debt collection agencies can be extremely difficult and time consuming. Some may even attempt to use extremely underhanded methods if it means that they will get paid in the end.

One such company is Absolute Collection Corp. Although a fairly new business, they have already had quite a few complaints lodged against their company, some of which are seen as most dire.

What is Absolute Collection Corp?

Absolute Collection Corp is a company that was started back in 2008. They currently reside in San Diego, California, and is headed by their president, Mr. Mark Naiman.

Is Absolute Collection Corp a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Absolute Collection Corp is a complete and legitimate debt collection agency. They have two locations, both located within San Diego, California. Although they have been set up since 2008, they were accredited by the Better Business Bureau in 2010, and have been since that time. They currently have a rating of A- with the BBB.

Absolute Collection Corp Contact Information

Main Address: 591 Camino De La Reina Ste 1219 San Diego, CA 92108-3114

Other Location: 1455 Frazee Rd #550, San Diego, CA 92108-4301

Fax Number: 1-(619)-295-3650

Phone Number: 1-(619)-295-1200

Other Phone: 1-(800)-713-0670

Other Phone: 1-(877)-771-3323

Website: http://www.absoluteresolutions.com

Does Absolute Collection Corp have Complaints against them?

Absolute Collection Corp has many complaints against them. THe BBB currently has 18 customer complaints against them. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Consumer Complaint Database currently has 14 complaints logged against them, with some ranging as far back as 2013.

What kind of Complaints have been made?

The complaints range of grievances and issues that have come about. One of the most common complaints made against Absolute Collection Corp has to do with using illegal debt collector harassment practices, as well as using misleading and improper information to try to trap debtors, or gullible, people into paying for a debt that may or may not be real.

They have also been notably listed as using robo calls and threatening legal actions if a person does not pay for a debt. This includes harassing people through the wrong number, which is illegal.

Are the Practices of Absolute Collection Corp Legal?

Many of the techniques and practices that have been listed in the complaints made against Absolute Collection Corp are deemed illegal.

Although debt collection itself is a regulated and legal practice, debt collector harassment is not. This includes harassment through persistent phone calls, threatening letters and emails, and even abusive behavior through threats of legal action against you, or others that may be acquainted with you.

The list of abusive and harassing practices that are illegal can be found within the laws known as the FDCPA. The FDCPA, or Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, protects innocent people such as yourselves against the abuse and harassment from the likes of debt collection agencies and credit card companies. These include protections from:

• Misuse or misleading and fraudulent information
• Persistent and threatening phone calls
• Robo calls being made to your home or personal phone

These are just a handful of the types of harassment that can happen on a daily basis. As such, if you feel like you have been harassed by Absolute Collection Corp, do not hesitate to reach out for help.

How can I protect myself and fight back against Absolute Collection Corp?

There are plenty of ways for you to protect yourself, through making sure you do not incur any debts or outstanding balances, and not overspending when you know you are not able to.

However, in most situations, you may already be in trouble, and need help quickly. If you or those that you are acquainted with have noticed harassment from debt collection agencies such as Absolute Collection Corp, contact us so that we can get you in touch with an experienced and knowledgeable debt collector harassment lawyer. Our lawyers and attorneys will be able to help put a stop to debt collector harassment, as well as report and shut down future debt collector harassment.

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 at 1-800-219-3577, and get started fighting back against the debt collection harassment.   We are experience debt collection harassment attorneys that will provide you with a free no obligation case evaluation

by Paul Mankin

Is the debt collection agency Americollect harassing you?

While some companies are new entries into the debt collection business, there are some that have been doing it for years. And to those that have been doing it for years, there are those that have been doing it for decades. Americollect is one such company that has been in business for a few decades. But does that mean that they are automatically reliable? We take a look at a company that has been around for half a century, and yet may have some underhanded tactics.

What is Americollect?

Americollect is listed as a consumer debt collection agency. They work primarily with creditors within the Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan area. Their catchphrase is “Ridiculously Nice Collections”.

Is Americollect a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Americollect is considered to be a legitimate agency. They opened in the year 1964, and their Better Business Bureau file was opened in 1997. Since then, they became accredited in 2010, and hold an A rating with the BBB. However, they hold a 2 star rating out of 5 stars on the BBB, and currently have quite a few reviews against them that are disparaging.

Americollect Contact Information

Address: 1851 S Alverno Rd, Manitowoc, WI 54220-9208

Other: PO Box 1566 Manitowoc, WI 54221-1566

Website: http://www.americollect.com

Phone: 1-920-682-0311

Other Phone: 1-800-838-0100

Fax: 1-920-682-0313

Does Americollect have Complaints against them?

Americollect has quite a few complaints against them. Through the BBB database, they have 123 customer complaints, as well as 15 customer reviews averaging out to 2 stars.

Americollect also has over 670 registered complaints through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Consumer Complaint Database.

What kind of Complaints have been made?

The complaints vary from area to area. The most prominent reason for the complaints are due to poor debt collection methods, as well as improper reporting.

Of the 672 complaints lodged against Americollect through the CFPB’s CCD, 604 were due to debt collection practices, and 62 were due to improper reporting techniques. Many of these state that they did not receive a notice of the right to dispute the debt, and that the debt sometimes wasn’t theirs to begin with. Many also report harassment and threatening language used by Americollect representatives.

Through the BBB, 114 of the 123 complaints were due to billing issues and collection complications. These also fall in line with issues of verification of the debts, as well as representatives harassing consumers in an attempt to get them to pay even when verification has not been made.

Are the Practices of Americollect Legal?

No, some of these practices are not legal. Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) rules and laws, debt collectors are not allowed to harass you excessively, or call you at improper times. THey are also not allowed to misuse and misinform you in an attempt to get you to pay on a debt, even if it is not your own debt. The withholding of the right to dispute notice is also filed under misinformation, as that is deliberately not granting essential information to consumers.

In almost all of the complaints listed, Americollect is alleged to have done exactly this, and if true, its actions violate the law and are considered collection harassment.

How can I protect myself and fight back against Americollect?

There are many ways for you to fight back against such oppressive debt collection harassment. The first and easiest way to protect yourself against such predatory harassment by Americollect representatives is to ask for a verification letter of the debt. Verifying the debt means that the debt collection agency has to provide proof that the debt is real. This can be in the form of identification of the debt from the original owner, as well as identification for an online database. If the debt cannot be verified, then you are not obligated to pay the debt at any point.

If the representatives of Americollect continue to harass you even after you tell them to stop ,then you may want to get an experienced debt collector harassment attorney to help keep the predators at bay. We here at Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC, have our team of experienced debt collection harassment attorneys that can assist you against their advances. We can help you identify their harassment techniques and practices, as well as stop their attempts, and report their harassment to the proper authorities.

Not only can we help you to defend against collection 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

Are You Receiving Harassing Phone Calls From Barclays Bank Delaware?

Barclays Bank Delaware

Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) provides financial products and services, including consumer credit cards for travel, retail, entertainment, and business expenses. Barclays was founded in 2000 and is based in Wilmington, Delaware. According to its website, Barclays’ core values include respect, integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship.

A review of Barclays’ profile on the Better Business Bureau’s website indicates that Barclays does not always practice its core values. Barclays has received numerous complaints for engaging in unfair, deceptive and abusive debt collection practices. In the last three (3) years, the Better Business Bureau has received 1,128 consumer complaints against Barclays. Of those 1,128 complaints, 589 complaints have been related to Barclays’ billing and debt collection practices. Consumers most commonly complain that Barclays makes repeated and harassing phone calls as well as attempts to collect debts that are not owed by the consumer.

After receiving repeated calls from Barclays regarding a debt, a consumer sent a letter requesting that the company cease all communication with the consumer. Unfortunately, the harassment did not stop. Barclays continued to call multiple times daily, including up to five (5) calls 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 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which is a Government agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive or abusive debt collection practices. Barclays settled the complaint 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 Barclays accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.

by Paul Mankin

Is the debt collection agency Radius Global Solutions, LLC harassing you?

LOCATION:

Headquarters: 50 West Skippack Pike, Ambler, PA 19002

Telephone number: (267) 419-1111

CEO: Michael Barrist 

Website: https://www.radiusgs.com/

Radius Global Solutions, LLC (also known as RadiusGS) is a large multinational company that performs a variety of services including debt collection. Although its headquarters is located in Pennsylvania, RadiusGS operates through large sections of the US as well as Jamaica, Panama and India.

In its capacity as a debt collector, Radius primarily serves the interests of the healthcare, financial services, retail, utilities, education and the hospitality/entertainment industries. RadiusGS claims to offer “debt collection solutions to those in the healthcare industry and all other industries where prompt payment is essential.”

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST RADIUS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC:

RadiusGS suffers from one of the worst track records in the debt collection industry, based on complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Complaints 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a department of the US government with a stated goal of protecting consumers from “unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices.” To this end, it accepts and compiles consumer complaints against businesses such as debt collection companies. CFPB records show over 1,000 complaints with the CFPB over the past five years.927 of these complaints arose from debt collection issues.

THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS WERE:

• The company attempted to collect a debt that was not owed, sometimes with great persistence. In some cases the debt was never owed by the target; in other cases it had already been paid, was discharged in bankruptcy, or was generated through identity theft.
• The company issued a faulty written debt notification. It may have, for example, omitted the information that you have the right to dispute the debt.
• The company used unfair, harassing, threatening or abusive communication tactics, or called early in the morning or late at night.
• The company attempted to collect an inflated amount.
• The company’s required disclosure did not give the debtor enough information to verify the debt.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU COMPLAINTS:

The RadiusGS Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile might seem contradictory at first glance — the company maintains an A+ BBB Rating, yet rates only one of five stars based on “Customer Reviews and Complaints.” Nearly 150 complaints have been registered to date. The resolution of this apparent paradox is simple — a BBB rating means little or nothing anymore. If you want to investigate the quality of a company, look at the customer reviews

Debtor complaints against RadiusGS include the following actions which, if true, would violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

• Arbitrarily increasing the amount owed under a repayment agreement;
• Using threatening language (threatening legal action that the debt collector is willing and able to take is not illegal, however).
•  Calling four times a day for a credit card debt, starting six years after the statute of limitations deadline expired.
• Placing false debt defaults on peoples’ credit records.

WATCH OUT FOR THIS TRICK!

RadiusGS has been accused of another tactic that is unethical, although it is not illegal. Because of its counterintuitive nature, however, you should know how it works. It is true that the statute of limitations can protect you from legal liability for a debt. If a creditor fails to sue you before the statute of limitation deadline (let’s assume, for example, that it’s seven years), they cannot file a lawsuit against you over the same debt — unless you revalidate the debt.

You can revalidate an expired debt by paying anything at all, even a dollar, to a collection agency for the debt. The reasoning is that by paying even a small amount, you are acknowledging that you still owe the money. If you do this, your legal liability for the debt could be revived and you could be sued on the debt even after the statute of limitations deadline has expired. Never agree to pay anything on an expired debt!

LAWSUITS AGAINST RADIUSGS AND ITS ASSOCIATED/AFFILIATED COMPANIES:

RadiusGS, as well as its affiliates and associates (subsidiaries, etc.) have been defendants in quite a number of lawsuits, with mixed results. Following is a small sampling:

Henry v. Radius Global Solutions, LLC, (January 18, 2019, US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania). A class action lawsuit filed under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act concerning a debtor’s right to dispute a debt orally in the absence of a clear statement that any dispute must be in writing.

Selou v. Integrity Solution Services, Inc. (October 19, 2015.) United States District Court, E.D. Michigan, Southern Division. Civil Case No. 15-10927. A lawsuit that alleged violations of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, as well as Michigan’s Occupational Code and Regulation of Collection Practices Act.

Cox v. Hilco Receivables, LLC. and Central Credit Services, Inc. (November 24, 2010.) United States District Court, N.D. Texas, Dallas Division. No. 3:09-CV-897-M.. A lawsuit that alleged several violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Daugherty v. Central Credit Services (June 23, 2009.) US District Court, E.D. Missouri, Eastern Division. Case No. 4:08CV1967 CDP.. A lawsuit that alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, as well as negligent infliction of emotional distress. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What legal weapons are available for use against debt collectors?

Below is a list of the main federal and state statutes that you can use against rogue debt collectors:

• The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, for example, lists acts that debt collectors are forbidden from committing, such as calling you before 8 am or after 9 pm; threatening legal action that the debt collector is either unable or unwilling to take; impersonating a lawyer; making threats; and many other prohibitions.
• The California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which expands the protections available under the federal FDCPA.
   
•  The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) protects you against robocalls.
•  The federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) protects you from unauthorized deductions from your bank account.
• The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) helps you ensure the accuracy of your credit report.

CAN I SUE RADIUS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR MONEY DAMAGES?

Yes. You can receive up to $1,000, plus court costs and attorney’s fees, for each violation of the FDCPA; up to $500 for each robocall you receive from a debt collector; and perhaps additional amounts for damages such as emotional distress.

CAN RADIUS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC GARNISH MY WAGES?

Not unless they already have a judgment against you. If they have not even sued you on the debt, it is illegal for them to even threaten to garnish your wages. Be sure to check, however, whether a default judgment may have been entered against you. 

by Paul Mankin

Is the debt collection agency Alpha Collections Services harassing you?

Debt collector harassment has been an ongoing issue throughout the years. With many debts changing hands quickly due to the buying out of said debts, and fishy scams being run in an attempt to badger and solicit payments, there is no shortage of names on the market looking to make some money through unscrupulous means.

Because of this, it is difficult to distinguish who is legitimate, and who is a scam. Groups such as Alpha Collections Services may seem to be legitimate at first glance. However, there may be more to them than meets the eye. If you have been contacted by Alpha Collections Services, this is what you need to know.

What is Alpha Collections Services?

Also known as Alpha Billing & Collection Inc., Alpha Collections Services is a company that is known as an accounting agency. They are located within California, and the Better Business Bureau has had the file opened since 2008 for them.

Is Alpha Collections Services a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Although Alpha Collections Services is listed in the Better Business Bureau website, there is little to no information given for them. What we do know is that they have multiple locations in operation, and do not have a website.

They currently have no business reviews or complaints against them on the BBB. However, they also do not have a rating given by the BBB due to too little information being given.

They are currently not accredited by the BBB.

Alpha Collections Services Contact Information

Address: 1516 Shaw Avenue Clovis, CA 93611-4028

Other Address: 3714 N 1st St Fresno, CA 93726-5601

Phone Number: 1-559-297-5100

There is no other available information for Alpha Collections Services.

Does Alpha Collections Services have Complaints against them?

There are currently no complaints against Alpha Collections Services listed on the BBB.

There are no registered complaints against Alpha Collections Services

Issues with Alpha Collections Services

Although there are no registered complaints against Alpha Collections Services, the vastly inadequate amount of information that is able to be circulated for reference is something to consider if you are contacted by them. The lack of contact information may lead to a problem of getting information out of them about a debt, or attempting to submit a payment.

Not only is getting in contact with them a possible issue, losing contact with them will be a possibility as well. If you submit a  payment to Alpha Collections Services through payment channels that they give to you, you run the chance of not being able to hear from them ever again.

Should I be wary of Alpha Collections Services Attempts?

As stated, there is very little information listed for Alpha Collections Services. As such, we recommend that, if you have been contacted by Alpha Collections, there is a high probability that they are not legitimate.

How can I protect myself and fight back against Alpha Collections Services?

With the lapse in information given, and the potential for scams to occur with debt collector harassment and aggression, defending yourself against such advances is the top priority in this day and age.

One of the first steps to take when attempting to deal with debt collector harassment is to verify the debt, and get authentication from the debt collector. In this case, it would be Alpha Collections Services. If the debt is real, they will have no issue offering a physical letter with the information necessary, as well as any other data and personal information that will allow the process to be expedited quicker.

Whether or not the debt has been verified, it is important to note that debt collector harassment is illegal and improper. Learning the signs of harassment, as well as how to stop and report the harassment, will help you immensely. If you feel like you have been on the receiving end of debt collector harassment, it may be best for you to contact an experienced and knowledgeable debt collector harassment lawyer. We here at the Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC we have experienced debt collection harassment lawyers and attorneys that will be more than willing to work with you on your case.

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 Investment Retrievers, Inc. Harassing You?

Investment Retrievers, Inc.

Investment Retrievers, Inc. (Investment Retrievers) provides debt collection services. It acquires and services underperforming consumer loans and credit card accounts from banks. Investment Retrievers was founded in 2001 and based in Folsom, California.

Investment Retrievers’ mission statement is to provide compassionate solutions for consumers while successfully satisfying the consumers’ financial obligations. The consumer complaints filed against Investment Retrievers do not depict a compassionate debt collection agency. To the contrary, numerous consumer complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a government agency tasked with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive or abusive debt collection practices, allege that Investment Retrievers engages in unlawful debt collection practices. Investment Retrievers most commonly engages in the following harassing practices:

• Attempting to collect a debt not owed by the consumer;
• Improperly discussing the consumer’s debt with a third party;
• Threatening to file a lawsuit if payment is not made;
• Threatening to harm credit if payment is not made; and
• Refusing to validate or provide proof of a debt.

A consumer reported to the CFPB that Investment Retrievers faxed the consumer’s employer a request for information about the consumer with letterhead that identified the company as a debt collection agency.

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. While debt collectors and creditors may contact employers to receive information about your location, debt collectors and creditors cannot disclose that you owe a debt. Any written communication from a debt collector to a third party cannot contain any language or symbols that would indicate that the debt collector is in the debt collection business.

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 Investment Retrievers accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.

by Paul Mankin

Are you being harassed by the debt collection agency ACB Receivables Management, Inc.?

ACB Receivables Management, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The agency opened in 1948 and according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) may no longer be in business. Its mail is being returned and its website has been deactivated. ACB Receivables Management, Inc. also went by the name ACB Receivables Management and collected for the healthcare industry.

Contact Information:

19 Main St

Asbury Park, NJ 07712-7012

Phone: (800) 758-6767, (732) 776-8800, and (800) 280-2600

The BBB lists four complaints filed by consumers against ACB Receivables Management, Inc.

in the last three years.  Three of the four complaints allege that the collection agency reported derogatory information on their credit report and can now no longer be contacted so that they can pay or dispute the debt to have the information removed. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) does not report any complaints against ACB Receivables Management, Inc.

Before the company closed, it was sued by consumers several times for:

• Attempting to collect the wrong amount (listing the amount due as a higher amount than that listed as the amount owed)
• Failing to list accounts as disputed after being notified that they were
• Continuing collection attempts after being asked by a consumer in writing to stop
• Failing to provide proper debt validation information 

These are all 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 practices such as:

• Making telephone calls without properly identifying themselves
• Attempting to collect fees and charges not included in the original contract
• Falsely implying that a consumer will be arrested if they do not pay
• Calling consumers before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
• Threatening to commit acts of violence against a consumer
• Falsely indicating that they are an attorney, law enforcement officer, or affiliated with a government agency
• Charging fees or interest not allowed for in the original contract
• Refusing to provide a consumer with verification of a debt it is attempting to collect
• Threatening to take action it has no legal right to take or does not intend to take
• Using abusive, profane, or obscene language when attempting to collect on a debt
• Allowing a consumer’s telephone to ring continuously in order to annoy them

If a debt collector is using any 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 at 1-800-219-3577. We can help get the harassment to stop and may even get the debt collector to pay you, at no cost to you.

by Paul Mankin

Is the debt collection agency AllianceOne Receivables Management harassing you?

What is AllianceOne Receivables Management?

AllianceOne Receivables Management was founded in Pennsylvania and incorporated in Delaware in March 1999. The debt collection business operates under its president and CEO, Mr. Timothy Casey and serves an array of creditors, performing third-party debt collections on payday loans, mortgages, medical bills, credit cards, and auto loans.

Is AllianceOne Receivables Management a legit Debt Collection Agency?

Yes, it is legit. AllianceOne Receivables Management (also known as “AllianceOne”) is currently pending accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintains an A+ rating, which means it has a strong record of responding to consumer complaints, numerous as they are (58 BBB complaints at last count). The collector provides a publicly available consumer hotline in addition to its general contact number, which speaks to its validity as a consumer debt collector.

AllianceOne Receivables Management Contact Information:

4850 E Street Rd

Ste 300

Trevose, PA 19053-6643

(215) 354-5500 (phone)

(800) 858-4472 (consumer hotline available from 8 am to 5:30 pm CST)

(215) 396-7255 (fax)

(800) 501-4743 (alt. fax)

http://www.allianceoneinc.com

What kind of complaints does AllianceOne Receivables Management have against them?

In just over 20 years of business, AllianceOne Receivables Management has received an astonishing 58 BBB complaints 654 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaints. The collector has done a lot of business over its two decades, has served a variety of creditors, and received a broad range of complaints, including:

• Attempting to collect ‘bad’ debt, debt that’s been paid, or debt that belongs to someone else
• Harassing debtors by phone, including making threats and using obscene language and profanity
• Attempting to collect the wrong amount
• Accusing debtors of acting unlawfully
• Instructing debtors not to respond to lawsuits
• Impersonating attorneys or other officials as to intimidate debtors

(866) 834-4950

(800) 661-1353

(866) 385-0284

(215) 354-5500

(866) 385-0277

(877) 516-6555

(800) 624-6873

(866) 672-3308

(800) 858-4472

Are AllianceOne Receivables Management’s Practices Legal?

Among other practices, it is strictly unlawful for a collections agency like AllianceOne Receivables Management to make any false or threatening statements in connection with an attempt to collect on a consumer debt. Many complaints against AllianceOne contain allegations of gross violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including and especially allegations that AllianceOne impersonated an attorney or anyone in an official capacity for the purpose of intimidating a debtor into paying on a debt. FDCPA and could entitle you to $1000.00 in statutory damages, as well as other state and federal remedies.

How can I defend myself against a debt collector like AllianceOne Receivables Management?

If you receive a collection attempt from AllianceOne regarding a debt or amount you do not owe or that is made in a harassing, threatening, or overtly intimidating manner, you should consult with a debt collection harassment attorney as soon as possible to learn about your rights before attempting to resolve the matter with the collector. 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 consumer rights attorney or debt collection harassment lawyer immediately. Contact us today to discuss your matter and see how we can help at no cost to you.

Complaints regarding Pennsylvania-based collectors can made by submitting an online complaint form at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/. You can also contact the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit since the collector is incorporated in and subject to the laws of the State of Delaware. 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. 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.

by Paul Mankin

Are You Receiving Harassing Phone Calls From Bank of America?

Bank of America Corporation

Bank of America Corporation (Bank of America) provides banking and financial services to approximately 67 million consumers and small businesses. These services include personal banking, debit and credit cards, residential mortgages, auto loans, and other personal loans. Bank of America was founded in 1874 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to its website, Bank of America’s mission is grounded in its culture and its culture is rooted in integrity.

Despite its claims of integrity, Bank of America has received numerous consumer complaints. The Better Business Bureau has received 5,890 complaints against Bank of America in the last three (3) years. Of those 5,890 complaints, 1,621 complaints dealt with Bank of America’s billing and debt collection practices. The most common complaints leveled against Bank of America include:

• Harassing consumers by repeatedly and continuously calling;
• Attempting to collect a debt that is not owed by the consumer;
• Threatening legal action if payments are not made; and
• Making false or misleading statements.

A complaint was filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) against Bank of America for repeatedly and continuously harassing a consumer’s spouse. The CFPB is a Government agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive or abusive debt collection practices. The complaint stated that Bank of America repeatedly contacted the consumer’s spouse with the intention of harassing the spouse to make a partial payment on a time-barred debt. The debt was five (5) years old.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA) prevent creditors and debt collectors from filing lawsuits against old debt. Debt collectors only have a certain number of years to file a lawsuit to collect on a debt.  This is referred to as the statute of limitations. In California, there is a four (4) year statue of limitation for filing a lawsuit to collect a debt. Debts that are beyond the statute of limitations are considered “time-barred.” In some situations, a partial payment on a time-barred debt will actually restart the clock on the statute of limitations.

Bank of America’s actions clearly violated both federal and state consumer protection laws. Thus, Bank of America settled the complaint 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 Bank of America accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.