by Paul MankinIs FBCS, Inc. Harassing You?
FBCS, Incorporated is a collection agency located in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. The collection agency has been in business since 1982 and is also known as Financial Business and Consumer Solutions, Inc.
Contact Information:
330 S Warminster Rd Ste 353
Hatboro, PA 19040-3433
Phone: (800) 220-2018
There have been 58 complaints filed against FBCS, Incorporated with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in the last three years.
49 complaints have been filed against Federal Adjustment Bureau, Inc. with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) since 2015. The CFPB is a federal agency created to help ensure that banks, lenders, and other financial companies, such as collection agencies, treat consumers fairly. These complaints allege various violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as:
- Failure to verify a debt
- Using obscene, profane, or abusive language
- Failing to mail proper notices to consumers
- Calling before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Contacting consumers after being asked in writing not to
- Attempting to collect on a debt that was discharged in bankruptcy
- Reporting false information to credit reporting agencies
Some of the complaints that say the credit collection agency reported false information on their credit report allege that the information actually belonged to someone else and the agency refused to remove it even after being provided with proof that it was not their debt. One consumer states in his complaint that he was unable to get a job for quite some time due to this false information on his credit report and was forced to sell family heirlooms in order to keep his bills current while attempting to repair the damage.
If Federal Adjustment Bureau, Inc. is harassing or abusing you, it is time they are held accountable for their actions. Please call our office at 1-800-219-3577, for a free, no obligation case review.
by Paul MankinIs Ideal Collection Services, Inc., Harassing You?
Ideal Collection Services, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Tampa, Florida. It has been in business since 1992 and also uses the name Ideal Recovery Services, Inc. The company collects nationwide for all types of companies.
Contact Information:
5223 Ehrlich Rd Ste A
Tampa, FL 33624-2053
Phone: (813) 920-0141
Ideal Collection Services, Inc.’s website states that it follows all state and federal law when attempting to collect on a debt. The 100 plus complaints filed against it with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) since 2015 seem to indicate that this might not be completely accurate. Complaints allege that the collection agency:
- Reported false credit information to the credit reporting agencies
- Failed to provide debt verification
- Used abusive language when attempting to collect on a debt
- Called a consumer after 9:00 p.m.
- Failed to send proper notices to consumers
- Falsely implied that a consumer was committing a crime by not paying a bill
These may be violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a federal law enacted to help protect consumers from unfair, abusive, and deceptive practices used by debt collectors. The Act provides consumers with a cause of action against violating debt collectors wherein they can stop the collection attempts, settle the account, or even collect money from the debt collector.
A large number of the complaints concern residential leases and utility bills that the consumer was unaware that they owed until the collection agency began reporting a delinquent account to the credit reporting agencies. Another theme in these complaints concerns consumers who were the victim of identity theft and Ideal Collection Services, Inc.’s procedure for resolving these issues. The company apparently requests police reports that do not exist within the police department, multiple forms of identification, prior year tax returns, social security card copies, and utility bills, or a fee from the identity theft victim in order to remove false information from their credit report or stop collection attempts. Many consumers are unable to provide or obtain all of the requested information or do not feel comfortable providing it and so the collection attempts continue and the false negative information remains on their credit report.
If Ideal Collection Services, Inc. is using unfair, abusive, or deceptive practices in order to collect a debt from you, please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.
by Paul MankinIs Pacific Coast Credit Harassing You?
Pacific Coast Credit is a debt collection agency located in Eugene, Oregon. The agency has been in business since 1968 and provides debt collection services to a wide range of creditors, including utility companies, healthcare providers, and government entities.
Contact Information:
PO Box 40580
Eugene, OR 97404-0091
Phone: (541) 688-9445
http://www.pacificcoastcredit.com/
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an agency created to help ensure that debt collectors, and other companies in the financial industry, do not abuse consumers, report no complaints filed against Pacific Coast Credit.
The company’s website states that it is their policy to maintain the relationship between the original creditor who hires them and the consumer from whom they attempt to collect. It also says that the collection agency strives to create a professional image for the companies that hire it to collect on unpaid debt. The two company reviews on the BBB’s website however tell a different story. Both were posted by consumers who chose to write reviews instead of filing complaints. They both state that the company’s representatives were unprofessional and that it was attempting to collect on old debt. One of the reviewers alleges that the company threatened to file a lawsuit and add fees and interest because she was being “difficult” and refused to provide any information so that she could verify the debt was hers and was still owed.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal act that was passed in order to protect consumers from abusive and unfair debt collection practices, such as refusing to provide verification of a debt, using abusive language when attempting to collect a debt and adding fees and interest that were not authorized by the original credit agreement. The Act also prohibits debt collectors from using other unfair and abusive practices such as threatening to take legal action that it has no right to take or does not intend to take.
If Pacific Coast Credit is using unfair or abusive practices in order to collect a debt from you, it is time to hold them accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.
by Paul MankinIs the debt collection agency Midland Credit Management, Inc. Calling or Harassing You?
Midland Credit Management Inc. Profile:
Headquarters: 350 Camino De La Reina #100, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 939069, San Diego, California 92193
Telephone numbers: (800) 296-2657; (800) 825-8131s
Debt collection number: 888-405-9988 (one of the numbers their debt collectors use when calling you; others may be used as well).
President and CEO: Ashish Masih
Website: https://www.midlandcredit.com/
INTRODUCTION:
Founded in 1953, Midland Credit Management, Inc. (“MCM”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Encore Capital Group, Inc. It employs an international workforce of over 4,000 employees, and iIt operates in all 50 US states as well as the District of Columbia. Overseas, it operates in Costa Rica and India.
Encore Capital Group,, Midland Credit Management, Midland Funding and Asset Acceptance Capital Corp are all part of the same family of companies — Encore Capital Group is the parent company, while the other three companies are siblings. This group of companies “enjoys” perhaps the most dismal record of consumer complaints of any debt collection agency in the US.
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) COMPLAINTS:
Although MCM maintains an A- BBB Rating, such ratings are notoriously unreliable. More revealingly, MCM received only one of five possible stars based on BBB customer reviews and complaints. MCM has been the subject of over 1,000 complaints to the BBB over the last several years. 282 complaints were closed in the last 3 years, and 94 complaints were closed in the last 12 months.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Complaints
Encore Capital Group, MCM’s parent company, has over 1,500 consumer complaints registered with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a government agency. At least as recently as 2015 Encore, together with the three subsidiaries mentioned above (including Midland Credit Management, Inc.) was the nation’s largest debt buyer and collector.
CFPB allegations against Encore include:
- buying debts that were either inaccurate; unenforceable or lacking proper documentation to prove their validity;
- collecting payments on unverified debts;
- pressuring alleged debtors using misrepresentations; and
- filing mass lawsuits using robo-signed court documents.
CONSUMER REPORTS ACCUSATIONS:
Consumer Reports has accused MCM of employing collection practices that violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act as well as other statutes. based on behavior such as:
- Contacting third parties about debts, including employers and relatives;
- Employing deceptive means to ensure payment of the debt;
- Refusal to compromise with distressed debtors;
- Threatening legal action that the company was not entitled to take, such as garnishing wages before a judgment had been rendered, or unilaterally liquidating the debtor’s assets;
- Attempting to collect non-existent debts; and
- Failing to issue the alleged debtor with a debt verification as required by law,
CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMPLAINTS:
Consumer Affairs is a private watchdog organization, and its reviews of MCM were perhaps the most dismall of all. Overall, MCM, which is not accredited by Consumer Reviews, received one out of five possible stars, based on 200 consumer reviews — hardly a small sample. These reviewers accused MCM of the following offenses, among others:
- Calling them repeatedly at work;
- Harassing third parties (people who use the debtor’s old telephone number) and refusing to stop even after being informed that the number no longer belonged to the debtor;
- Refusing to compromise with physically disabled debtors;
- Using insulting and derogatory remarks to shame debtors;
- Notifying a debtor of a lawsuit by taping a notice to the door of his old address; (notification normally must take place through in-person face-to-face service);
- Charging outrageous late payment fees;
- Calling several times a day to collect an illegitimate debt;
- Providing a false return address to prevent alleged debtors from disputing a debt before the applicable deadline expires;
- Arbitrarily adding hundreds of dollars to a debt; and
- Refusing to provide validation of the debt being pursued.
THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT:
Almost all of the foregoing allegations, if true, would violate the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Under the FDCPA, you have the right to:
- control your communication with third-party debt collectors such as collection agencies;
- prevent harassment or abuse;
- demand that the debt collector be strictly honest with you;
- prevent unfair tactics, such as soliciting post-dated checks from you;
- receive validation of your debt containing enough information for you to be able to tell whether the debt is legitimate; and
- many other rights too numerous to list here.
You have rights under other statutes too, such as the California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Consult a lawyer to learn the full extent of your rights,
LAWSUITS, ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES AND OTHER SANCTIONS:
ENCORE SANCTIONS:
In response to the CFPB allegations leveled in 2015, MCM’s parent company Encore was ordered to:
- Reform its debt collection practices;
- Refrain from reselling its debts to third parties;
- Pay a fine if $10 million;
- Refund customers over $40 million; and
- Cease collection efforts on $125 million in debts.
All told, Encore’s total losses exceeded a staggering $175 million, not including the opportunity costs associated with reforming its debt collection practices. .
MCM SANCTIONS:
MCM has been bleeding too, although not as heavily as Encore, due to its smaller size. All told, however, it has been ordered to pay back millions of dollars to consumers. In a 2015 case, for example, MCM was ordered by a Colorado court to pay a $23,000 fine in response to a consumer complaint.
Far more serious sanctions were assessed against MCM in State of Alaska, District of Columbia, et al., v Midland Credit Management Inc. in 2018. MCM was accused of using illegal means to collect debts by failing to verify debts or properly document these debts. As a consequence, MCM entered into a settlement agreement that obligated it to:
- pay $577,783 to consumers in the District of Columbia;
- pay $25,000 to each US state;
- provide accurate information about valid debts;
- pay a $6 million penalty to the states;
- Refrain from debt-reselling activity for at least two years; and
- Retrain its agents.
Although the settlement did not include an admission of guilt of illegal conduct by MCM, such clauses are typical in settlement agreements where the paying party has the bargaining power to demand them.
If you are being harassed by any of the companies in the Midland Credit Management, Inc. family, contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.
by Paul MankinIs RCS Recovery Services, LLC Harassing You?
RCS Recovery Services, LLC is a debt collection agency doing business in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The company has been doing business since 2011 and collects on deficient mortgages. According to its website, RCS Recovery Services, LLC’s goal is to assist the consumer in resolving their deficient mortgage in a professional and respectful manner. The complaints filed against the debt collection agency however tell a different story.
Contact Information:
600 Fairway Dr Ste 108
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441-1806
(561) 244-2880
http://www.rcsrecovery.com/
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received three complaints about RCS Recovery Services, LLC in the last three years. These complaints allege that the collection company has made repeated telephone calls threatening legal action which was never taken, attempting to collect on an old debt, and refusing to provide verification of a debt. 17 complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) allege the same types of violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) as well as calling before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., attempting to collect on a debt discharged in bankruptcy, and telling consumers not to respond to a lawsuit they have filed.
In 2016, a consumer filed a class action complaint in the U.S. District Court in Florida against RCS Recovery Services, LLC and Glad Stone Law Group alleging the companies attempted to collect on a time barred debt (a debt so old that the statute of limitations does not allow collection attempts). The complaint also alleges that the law firm and debt collection agency failed to notify the consumers that making a payment on the time barred debt may revive the statute of limitations (cause the statute of limitations time limit to start all over again). The Plaintiffs say that failing to inform consumers of the consequences of making a payment on a time barred debt is deceptive and misleading, and therefore a violation of the FDCPA. The case was settled in 2017 without a public settlement agreement being filed. A search of Justia shows that the debt collection agency has been sued under the FDCPA several times; in Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, and California.
Creditors and debt collectors may only attempt to collect on a debt for a certain period of time. Each state has a statute of limitations which sets that amount of time. The creditor or debt collector must sue before the statute of limitations is up, or they cannot attempt to collect on the debt. The time starts from the date the consumer made the last payment on the account. Therefore, if a debt collector can convince a consumer to make a payment on an account that is time barred, the time period allowed for collection attempts will start all over.
Is RCS Recovery Services, LLC attempting to collect on a debt that is time barred by the statute of limitations, threatening you with legal action, or harassing or annoying you? It is time to hold them accountable for their unlawful actions. Contact our office for a free, no obligation case review at 1-800-219-3577.
by Paul MankinIs the debt collection agency Asset Management Outsourcing, Inc., harassing you?
When it comes to debt collection, there are some companies that may seem legitimate. They call, politely inform you of a debt that you may owe, and leave it at that. However, more often than not, debt collectors and their representatives are pushy, excessive, and in some cases, extremely threatening and rude. It has been alleged that the debt collection agency Asset management Outsourcing Inc has treated people in this way. Here is what you need to know if you have been contacted by the debt collection agency Asset management Outsourcing Inc.
What is Asset Management outsourcing Inc?
Asset Management Outsourcing inc is listed as a debt collection agency operating out of Norcross, Georgia. They are said to serve the Metro Atlanta, Athens, and North East Georgia areas, with an emphasis on helping consumers manage their debts quickly and efficiently. They are headed by Ms. Kathy Hronek, who is listed as the Principal and Compliance Specialist.
Is Asset Management Outsourcing Inc a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Asset Management Outsourcing is considered to be a legitimate debt collection agency. The business was started in 1999, and have been in business for 21 years. Their Better Business Bureau file was opened in 2002, although they have not been accredited through the BBB as of yet. They currently have an A+ rating with the BBB, but they do not have any reviews on their company.
Asset Management Outsourcing Inc. is known to have multiple different aliases and names. Because of this, although they are legitimate, it is assumed that they utilize illegal and immoral practices in an attempt to stay relevant.
Asset management Outsourcing Inc. Contact Information
Address: 5655 Peachtree Pkwy Ste 213 Norcross, GA 30092-2812
Phone Number: 1-800-801-3502
Other Phone: 1-800-771-3400
Other Phone: 1-770-825-8000
Other Phone: 1-770-825-8032
Fax Number: 1-678-282-1513
Alternate Names: Nationwide Recovery Services, AMO Recoveries Inc., AMO Recoveries
Does Asset Management Outsourcing Inc have Complaints against them?
Asset Management Outsourcing Inc. does have quite a few complaints made against them within the last few years. A search of them on the BBB database yields that their company profile has had 3 complaints against them within the last 3 years, with 1 complaint being made within the last 12 months.
A quick search of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Consumer Complaint Database yields larger results. A total of 427 complaints have been made against Asset Management Outsourcing Inc. covering a wide variety of issues and problems.
There are no listed complaints against their known aliases.
What kind of Complaints have been made?
The complaints made encompasses a wide variety of problems and complications. Through the BBB’s database, the complaints are due to issues with advertisement, billing collections, and issues with the product and service provided.
Through the CFPB’s CCD, 396 of the complaints are due to debt collection issues, 26 issues with credit reporting and repair, 4 with credit reporting on its own, and 1 consumer loan complaint.
The complaints all document illegal activities, such as:
- Excessive and inappropriate calls and messages being sent to consumers
- Attempting to collect on a debt not owed
- Abusive and threatening language used in an attempt to elicit payments
- Threats to the consumers’ well-being
- Utilizing misinformation and attempting to lie to consumers about amount owed
- Using falsified statements and reports to misinform consumers
All of the tactics used above go directly against the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act that protects consumers and debtors against predatory debt collection techniques and harassment. The FDCPA directly states that debt collectors may not use these tactics in any way or form in an attempt to collect on the debt. If they do, then it is considered debt collection harassment, and is punishable by law.
How can I protect myself and fight back against Asset Management Outsourcing Inc?
There are many ways for you to fight back against such predatory companies such as asset management outsourcing Inc. To start, you must be willing to tell them to stop calling you. Although this may seem silly and ridiculous to do, they are legally obligated under the FDCPA to stop contact with you if you request them to. If they do not, it is a breach of the FDCPA laws, and considered illegal in terms of debt collection practices.
The second way to protect yourself is to verify the debt. As stated above, debt collectors like asset management outsourcing inc. will use just about anything in an attempt to get paid, including falsifying a debt entirely. Requesting authentication of the debt is well within your rights as a debtor and consumer. This can be done in several ways, such as asking to speak with the original debt holder, or asking for written authentication in a letter or note. If they do not provide you with this information, then you are not obligated to pay the debt in any form.
If they continue to contact you and threaten you, it may be time to seek legal counsel. We here at the Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC have a strong and knowledgeable set of attorneys and lawyers that are well versed in debt collector harassment and their tactics. We are able to assist you in identifying debt collector harassment, putting a stop to the harassment, and reporting the harassment to the proper authorities to keep debt collectors such as Asset management Outsourcing Inc. in check.
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 MankinIs Beacon Services, LLC Harassing You?
Beacon Services LLC is a debt collection agency located in Lutherville Timonium, Maryland. The agency has been in business since 1994 and provides debt collection services to a wide range of creditors.
Contact Information:
PO Box 4597
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21094-4597
Phone: (410) 842-1065
http://www.beacon-services.com/
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an agency created to help ensure that debt collectors, and other companies in the financial industry, do not abuse consumers, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) report no complaints filed against Beacon Service, LLC. However, it has been sued at least once for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a federal act that was passed in order to protect consumers from abusive and unfair debt collection practices. The Act prohibits debt collectors such as Beacon Service, LLC from using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt. This includes:
- Calling before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Using profane or abusive language
- Refusing to provide verification of a debt to a consumer
- Threatening to take illegal actions or actions they do not intend to take
- Allowing a consumer’s phone to ring continuously
- Communicating with a third party about a debt
- Continuing collection attempts after being asked in writing to stop
- Falsely representing that nonpayment could lead to a consumers arrest
This is not an all inclusive list of the acts prohibited by the FDCPA and if you feel that Beacon Service, LLC is using unfair or abusive practices in order to collect a debt from you, it is time to hold them accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation case review at 1-800-219-3577.
by Paul MankinIs the collection agency ACL Adjustment Associates, Inc., harassing you?
Founded on July 1, 1990, ACL Adjustment Associates, Inc. has operated in New Jersey for more than 29 years. With fewer than ten employees, ACL is a closely held collections company that is managed by its founder and president, Tony Labrosciano.
165 Central Avenue
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604-1306
(201) 288-7144 (phone)
(877) 288-7144 (alt. phone)
One additional phone number associated with ACL’s collection efforts is (716) 406-4447.
A Better Business Bureau (BBB) file was opened for ACL Adjustment Associates, Inc on February 16, 2010 but does not report any consumer complaints or reviews. The collector is not BBB accredited but does maintain an A+ rating.
ACL Adjustment Associates appears by all accounts to operate in its client’s interests without stirring up contention and complaints among the targeted consumer community. ACL does not have an extensive or consequential litigation record, and no consumer complaints appear to have been reported to private or public consumer reporting agencies like the CFPB.
It is against federal debt collection regulations to engage in certain annoying and unkind acts in furtherance of pursuing repayment of a debt, including: calling before 8:00AM or after 9:00PM, calling repeatedly or even just a few times per week (no matter how many different phone numbers they use), calling your place of work if you are not permitted personal calls, calling you after you have made an unmistakable request for them to stop calling, using profanity or other threatening language, and other intimidating actions. It is also unlawful for collectors to misrepresents who they are and what the purpose of their communication is, as well as for them to attempt collection on an amount more than you owe or to collect from someone who is not legally responsible for the debt. These actions, each and all, amount to collector harassment, and you have the right to be free of this behavior.
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. Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of marketplace abuse, can file a complaint with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200. Complaints regarding a collector in any state may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or (877) FTC-HELP (877-382-4357), and complaints regarding any collector or other business can be made at BBB complaints.
If you believe you have a claim for collector harassment or are a victim of another violation of state or federal debtor’s rights, you should speak with a consumer rights attorney or debt collector harassment lawyer immediately. Contact us today at 1-800-219-3577 to discuss your matter and see how we can help at no cost to you.
by Paul MankinARE YOU RECEIVING DEBT COLLECTION LETTERS?
THE G-NOTICE DEBT COLLECTION LETTER
Unfortunately, debt collectors are allowed to mail you collection letters requesting that you repay the alleged debt the collectors claim that you owe. In fact, in most situations the FDCPA requires a debt collector to send at least one letter to the person that it claims owes money. This letter is referred to as a G-Notice and requires that debt collectors mail a G-Notice within 5 days after the first communication with the person it is trying to collect money from. Click here to read 15 U.S.C. 1692g.
The G-Notice requires a lot of specific language to be included. Some of the most basic information required is:
(1) the amount of the debt and
(2) the name of the creditor, along with a statement that he will
(3) assume the debt’s validity unless the consumer disputes it within 30 days,
(4) send a verification or copy of the judgment if the consumer timely disputes the debt, and
(5) identify the original creditor on written request.
If the G-Notice does not include all the language required by the FDCPA, the debt collector is in violation of the FDCPA.
OTHER TYPES OF COLLECTION LETTERS
Debt collectors are also allowed to send other types of debt collection letters. Most often I see letters where the debt collector states that the consumer owes a debt, the amount of the debt, and that the collector is offering a payment plan or a reduced repayment amount if the alleged debt is paid by a certain time. Oftentimes, these collection letters follow all the rules required by the FDCPA. However, I believe that each collection letter should be carefully analyzed. Debt collection letters are required to have many disclosures to protect the consumers receiving them. If the letters do not, then the letter violates the FDCPA. Collection letters must not be deceptive or make any deceptive threats, be humiliating, or abusive in any way. While many debt collection letters do not violate the FDCPA, a fair amount of them do.
SEND ME COPIES OF ALL OF YOUR DEBT COLLECTION LETTERS!
If you have received a debt collection letter, please send a copy to my office for our free review. In most situations the debt collection letter will not be in violation of the FDCPA, but it is very common for us to find FDCPA violations in the collection letters. There are just so many rules under the FDCPA to follow when creating a collection letter. If you send us a copy of your collection letter, there is no cost to you and no obligation. We will review the letter and let you know if we have found an FDCPA violation. If we cannot find a FDCPA violation, you will not be charged for our time. If we are able to find an FDCPA violation, we will let you know and provide you with your options. You will not be under any obligation to hire us and you will not be charged.
If you are receiving debt collection letters in San Diego, Los Angles, or any other part of California, contact us 1-800-219-3577 so we can review your collection letters to if it violates the FDCPA.
by Paul MankinIs the debt collection agency Amsher Collection Services harassing you?
What is Amsher Collection Services?
Founded and incorporated in Alabama in 1986, Amsher Collection Services offers debt collection services for creditors and other businesses. It is currently operated by its president, Mr. Seth DeForest, and co-founders, Mr. David Sher and Mr. Martin Sher. Amsher Collection Services appears to be the “parent” operation but does conduct business under various similar aliases, including “AmSher,” “Amsher Collection Services, Inc.,” and “Amsher Receivables Management.”
Is Amsher Collection Services a legit Debt Collection Agency?
Yes, Amsher Collection Services is a legitimate debt collector. They have been recognized by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1986, have been BBB-accredited since July 1, 1986, and maintain an A- BBB rating. Even though the collector conducts business under a few different aliases, they are all similar and appear to be linked on the up and up.
Amsher Collection Services Contact Information:
4524 Southlake Pkwy STE 15
Hoover, AL 35244-3271
(205) 322-4110 (phone)
(205) 251-0448 (fax)
What kind of complaints does Amsher Collection Services have against them?
Amsher Collection Services has received 64 BBB consumer complaints and 836 Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaints, the substantial majority dealing with debt that is allegedly not owed. In several cases, the collector continued reporting debt to consumer collection agencies even after being informed the debt was paid or was otherwise unreportable.
Are Amsher Collection Services’ Practices Legal?
According to complainants, Amsher has a habit of attempting to collect on debts that have been discharged in bankruptcy or have been paid off. Once a debt collector is informed that a debt they are trying to collect on has already been paid or is no longer legally owed, such as after completing bankruptcy, it is considered collection harassment for them to continue calling or writing to the alleged debtor about the old debt. This is a blatantly illegal practice under both state and federal law, and remedy is available to consumers who act in a timely manner. In addition to state remedies, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) could provide statutory damages up to $1000.00 plus actual damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
How can I defend myself against a debt collector like Amsher Collection Services?
To learn more about how the federal government regulates debt collection and protects debtors and other individuals from debt collection harassment, see FTC Debt Collection pamphlet. 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 debt collector or other business can be made at BBB complaints. Residents or those who have been victimized by a debt collector located in Alabama can file a complaint with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office online at https://www.alabamaag.gov/consumercomplaint.
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 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.