Are You Being Called By Advanced Credit Management, Inc.?*

Are you being called by Advanced Credit Management, Inc.?* Here’s what you need to know.

Debt collectors are disliked for a reason. The honest and ethical ones are overshadowed by those that use aggressive and bullying tactics to settle a debt you may not even owe. Fortunately, if you’re getting calls and letters from an especially belligerent agency, you have rights that can compel them to stop.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, gives consumers the right to dispute a debt and tell a collector to stop contacting them about it. It also regulates collection methods and prohibits tactics like those below.

• Using profane and obscene language
• Threatening consequences they cannot legally inflict, or have no intention of carrying out
• Trying to collect amounts that exceed the original debt
• Calling you at work if they know what such calls are not allowed
• Attempting to collect a debt that is in dispute
• Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in your time zone

Company Profile: Advanced Credit Management, Inc.

If you are being called by Advanced Credit Management, Inc. information about the company is below.

Advanced Credit Management, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Orem, Utah. It was established in 1987, has less than 10 employees, and is managed by its owner, Merilee Jones. According to the company website, it is also the parent company to Advanced Billing Management, a medical billing company. Records retained at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirm that consumers who believed they were being harassed by Advanced Credit Management, Inc. hired consumer protection attorneys and fought back in court.

Alleged Violations against Advanced Credit Management, Inc.

Carrie J. Nicholes vs. Advanced Credit Management, Inc.*

According to PACER, in or around early 2010 Advanced Credit Management, Inc. started trying to collect a debt from Maryland resident Carrie J. Nicholes although it allegedly did not have a debt collection license in the state. At the end of April 2010 the agency sent her a letter that stated ‘Legal Action Pending’ in bold lettering, although no action was pending at the time the letter was mailed.

Feeling harassed by Advanced Credit Management, Inc., Ms. Nicholes hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Attempting to collect in a state where it lacked an appropriate license

A judge awarded her $1,000 in damages, $3,150 in attorney’s fees; and $442.00 in court costs.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this collection agency is 1-801-224-6200. If it appears on your caller ID when the phone rings, it means that you are being called by Advanced Credit Management, Inc.. If they send you letters threatening lawsuits even though no such actions are pending, hire a consumer attorney. If you file a claim against Advanced Credit Management, Inc. and the judge rules in your favor, you could potentially receive $1,000 per violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. Fighting for your rights could get you the compensation you deserve.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:10-cv-01270-WDQ from the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

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 Advanced Credit Management, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.