Consumer Resources

CollectionCenter, Inc. is dedicated to the fair treatment of all of our consumers. We have taken a firm stance on respecting our consumers’ rights while utilizing ethical collection tactics that benefit both clients and consumers.

CollectionCenter, Inc. is calling me; what is this about?

It can often be unnerving to receive a call from a collection agency. You don’t know who is calling or what it’s about, you’re asked to verify your first and last name, and you may be asked to confirm other personal information before they will tell you why they are calling.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from sharing any of your information regarding these debts with a third party. To comply with this law an agent must verify they’re speaking with the correct party before divulging any information regarding the debt or the reason for the call. Only the individual, their spouse, attorney or another specifically authorized party may be told about the existence of debt, account balance(s) or the creditor.

Although the confirmation process at the beginning of the call may be awkward and a bit off-putting, it is a federal requirement and will be conducted every time you speak with an agent regarding your account(s).

Why doesn’t CollectionCenter, Inc. leave a message?

To avoid accidentally disclosing debt information regarding a debt to a third party, agencies avoid leaving a voicemail stating the purpose of their call. This is a precautionary measure taken by agencies to comply with the FDCPA. If the voicemail was inadvertently heard by an unauthorized third party, it would be a violation of this law. Unless explicit authorization for leaving a message is given by the consumer, no messages will be left.

At CollectionCenter, Inc. we want to help. We’re here to assist in the resolution of any outstanding past balance(s) due.

CollectionCenter, Inc. sent me a notice; what should I do?

If an account has gone unpaid for several weeks or months with little or no communication with a consumer, the creditor may deem the account as delinquent and engage a third-party collection agency to assist in recovery of the balance. This is not an uncommon occurrence, as many businesses are specialized in the type of services or products they provide and not in the business of collecting outstanding balances.

After receiving an account from a creditor, a debt collector will make attempts to contact the consumer, which will include sending you a collection notice. When you receive a notice, you should not ignore it. Take time to review the information carefully and initiate contact with the agency. Most agencies provide a toll-free number and their address on the notice for you to contact them directly. Any questions or concerns you have regarding the account or the notice should be directed to the agency and not the original creditor.

Several things can occur between the time in which you originally interacted with the creditor and when you are first contacted by an agency. It is important to communicate with the agency regarding your past-due account(s), even if you’re unable to pay.

Not communicating could suggest you are trying to avoid the debt entirely, and further action may be taken by the debt collector. That action may include listing the debt with one or more of the credit reporting bureaus or pursuing legal remedies.

Regardless of the reason for the past-due account, it is best to contact the collection agency and engage in a conversation, as payment possibilities or alternative resolution options may result from a simple conversation.

At CollectionCenter, Inc. we want to help. We’re here to assist in the resolution of any outstanding past balance(s) due.

CollectionCenter, Inc. is listed on my credit report; what now?

If CollectionCenter, Inc. (or any other agency) appears on your credit report, it’s best to reach out to them directly to discuss the matter. Upon receiving an account from a creditor, a collection agency will typically make several attempts to contact the consumer. At CollectionCenter, Inc., while making several attempts to contact a consumer we wait 45 days or more before posting the record with one or more of the credit reporting bureaus.

These contact attempts may include phone calls and collection notices, which are sent to the consumer’s residence address provided by the original creditor. If a consumer is unresponsive to these attempts, posting to the consumer’s credit record is often the next step taken to encourage repayment of the debt.

An unpaid collection item can be damaging to your credit score and negatively impact your ability to secure credit in the future, while a paid collection item has less impact on your ability to secure future credit. If CollectionCenter, Inc. is listed on your credit report, please contact us immediately.

At CollectionCenter, Inc. we want to help. We’re here to assist in the resolution of any outstanding past balance(s) due.

Know Your Rights

Below is a list of resources and links that may be of assistance.

Free answers. Debt Solutions. Know My Debt

Your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

Visit the three major credit bureaus:

http://www.experian.com/

https://www.transunion.com/

https://www.equifax.com/personal/

You are entitled to one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. Order online from annualcreditreport.com, the only authorized website for free credit reports, or call 1-877-322-8228.