You come home one night to find your spouse waiting anxiously by the home landline. Your spouse plays back a message from someone claiming to represent the local sheriff’s office. The message says you have a limited amount of time to pay off a debt you owe to an original creditor.
With your head spinning, there seems like there is nowhere to turn for help. Fortunately, a monumental federal consumer protection law passed in 1977 protects you against harassing and deceptive debt collection tactics.
Written into law in response to consumer anger, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) outlaws the longstanding practice of threatening consumers. CCS companies cannot threaten to seize your property, nor can the company threaten you with bodily harm. Moreover, a debt collection agency is not allowed to deceive you in any way.
About CCS Companies
With nearly 450 consumer complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) over the past three years, CCS Companies has earned the reputation of being a difficult company to work with for resolving consumer debt issues.
The Norwood, Massachusetts debt collection agency started in business more than 50 years ago, with a focus on collecting delinquent bank card balances. BBB research into the practices implemented by CCS Companies has led the leading advocacy organization to decline several accreditation requests.
What Defines Misrepresentation?
Misrepresentation as defined by the FDCPA comes in many forms. A third party debt collector cannot impersonate another organization like the IRS or a credit reporting agency.
Hiding behind the veil of the IRS is a popular debt collection technique because of the fear instilled into consumers by the federal government tax collection entity. Falsely representing a credit reporting agency is an effective way to motivate consumers into taking care of outstanding credit card and personal loan accounts.
Another form of misrepresentation involves a bill collector trying to collect a consumer debt that has already been paid off. A company might contact and try to get more money out of you than you actually owe. In both cases, it is important for you to maintain accurate financial records to demonstrate that a bill collector misrepresented your financial status.
![Did CCS Companies Misrepresent Themselves?]()
Going to Court for FDCPA Violations
Despite the legal ramifications of the violating one or more provisions of the FDCPA, some debt collection agencies continue to implement deceiving and intimidating debt collection tactics. If CCS Companies harassed or deceived you, a licensed FDCPA lawyer will determine if you have enough evidence to take the third party debt collector to court.
The FDCPA grants consumers the right to file claims seeking monetary damages for one or more violations of the historic federal consumer protection law. You have the right to seek statutory damages, as well as pursue actual damages that cover the pain and suffering costs associated with illicit bill collector behavior.
Never allow a debt collection agency to trick you into paying off a debt you have already paid off or trick you into sending the company more money than you actually owe. Schedule a free initial consultation with an FDCPA attorney today to decide how to proceed with your case.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against CCS Companies, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.