Is Bonded Collection Corporation calling you? Here’s what you need to know
A lot of Americans carry some form of debt these days, and for some the burden is so great that they fall behind and debt collectors start calling. A quick perusal of consumer complaint boards indicates that collection agencies can be aggressive and even abusive when trying to get consumers to pay the debts.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the way that third-party debt collectors can deal with consumers while attempting to collect payments for personal, household, and family obligations. Under the law, they are prohibited doing any of the following:
- Calling at inconvenient times and places, such as before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in the consumer’s time zone. Calls to the workplace are also not allowed if the collector is informed that the employer is against them.
- Revealing details about the debt to anyone but the debtor, their spouse, attorney, and co-signers.
- Using abusive and obscene language
- Threatening legal actions they cannot take, such as having the consumer arrested and imprisoned
- Threatening harm to someone’s person, property, and/or credit rating
Failing to respect these guidelines can result in a fine of up to $1,000 per violation if the consumer takes the debt collector to court.
Bonded Collection Corporation was established in 1964 and presently employs a staff of 100 to 249. Located in Des Plaines, IL, the company indicates on its website that it “adheres to the utmost integrity in our practices as defined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).” Despite this claim, Bonded Collection Corporation has been in court many times for allegedly disregarding FDCPA during its dealings with consumers.
Linda Orrick v. Bonded Collection Corporation
According to PACER**, sometime before 2009, a Colorado consumer allegedly incurred a personal financial obligation. When it became delinquent, the debt was assigned to Bonded Collection Corporation to collect. The consumer disputed the amount owing and told the collection agents that she wanted no further contact on the matter.
According to the complaint later filed with the US District Court, Bonded Collection Corporation agents continued to call the consumer and leave voicemail messages for her. In 2010 the consumer called the company in response to the calls and messages, and was allegedly told that until the debt was paid, it would be reported to the credit bureaus. A representative also allegedly told her that she could only dispute the account if she had a reason and put it in writing.
Bonded Collection Corporation was accused of the following FDCPA violations:
- Making statements that constitute harassment or abuse (1692d)
- Making false and misleading representations about the debt (1692 e(2)(A), e(5), e(8) and e(10))
- Using unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect a debt (1692f)
The matter was later settled.
The phone numbers for Bonded Collection Corporation are 1-312-279-8300 and 1-800-326-6333. If you receive calls from either of these numbers, a debt collector is attempting to collect payments on a debt you allegedly owe. You have the right to dispute the debt and request no further contact from the agency. If they threaten to harm your credit rating or bring about other consequences they cannot legally initiate, see a consumer attorney. You could win compensation of $1000 per FDCPA violation, plus actual damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The FDCPA grants you rights that you should never hesitate to use.
**Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is (Case 1:10-cv-02822-ZLW-MEH, from United States District Court, District of Colorado)
*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 Bonded Collection Corporation or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.