United Consumer Financial Services is a sales financing company that works with both small and large businesses. The company opened in 1980 in Westlake, Ohio.
With less than 200 employees, it serves businesses in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the U.K. It’s a part of the Scott Fetzer Company, a coalition of businesses in Ohio.
To protect you from harassment or abuse from the company and other debt collectors, the Federal Trade Commission enacted the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) in 1977 with rules and restrictions for collecting.
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According to the FDCPA, collectors must tell you who they are, who they’re working for, and that they are attempting to collect a debt the first time they contact you, as well as send you written notice of the debt and how to dispute it. It’s against the law for debt collectors to:
- Call you excessively, early in the morning, late at night, or at other inappropriate times.
- Lie about the amount you owe.
- Add on interest and other fees not present in the initial purchase.
- Tell friends and family that you are in debt.
- Use rude, obscene, or abusive language and tactics.
Laws United Consumer Financial Services Has Been Accused of Breaking
United Consumer Financial Services has received almost one hundred complains in the last three years through the Better Business Bureau and other consumer affairs websites. Most of the complaints are for customers who bought a Kirby vacuum, which is also a Scott Fetzer Company. Most of these vacuums were sold in home demonstrations.
Allegedly, the United Consumer Financial Services collectors and other Scott Fetzer Companies salespeople have*:
- Lied about total product cost, interest rates, and monthly payments.
- Added interest to loans up front and reported higher sum to credit companies.
- Harassed customers by calling excessively.
- Used rude and abusive language and tactics.
- Pressured consumers into buying vacuums.
- Refused to reasonably work with consumers.
- Held payments past due so consumers would be forced to pay higher interest.
- Refused to answer questions or give services offered by the company.
What do to if United Consumer Financial Services is Trying to Collect a Debt from You*
This company is accused of misquoting prices by consumers, so you should always keep any contract or sales receipt from purchases they’ve financed. Make sure you know the terms of the contract, price of the item, and the interest rates.
Have you received a call from 1-508-923-0289? This may be United Consumer Financial Services. If you want United Consumer Financial Services to stop contacting you, you have to send them the request in writing. After they’ve received it, they are only allowed to call you to confirm they’ve received your request or to take a specific action against you, such a summoning you to court.
If they continue to call you after your request, use abusive language, or violate other FDCPA restrictions, you should hire an experienced FDCPA attorney. An attorney will be United Consumer Financial Services’ only contact for you, and can help you settle with them outside of in court, and they could be forced to pay $1,000 for each violation, plus more in punitive damages.
*According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against United Consumer Financial Services, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.