Is Imperial Credit Systems Inc calling you? Here’s what you need to know.
If you’ve ever had problems paying your bills, you’re likely familiar with debt collectors. While many of them are courteous and professional when dealing with debtors, others can be so intrusive and hostile that consumers end up declaring personal bankruptcy just to make the phone stop ringing incessantly.
Although collecting a delinquent debt is perfectly legal, there are certain protocols that need to be followed. Zealous collectors can’t intrude on your privacy and harass you to make you pay a debt. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which was enacted in 1977 as a consumer protection measure, entitles you to protection from unethical, abusive, and deceptive collection practices like the following:
- Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
- Contacting you at your place of employment after you indicate that you can’t take calls there.
- Discussing your debt with friends, family, neighbors, and other uninvolved parties
- Threatening to have you arrested or imprisoned
- Presenting themselves as attorneys (if they are not) or police officers
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Alleged Violations against Imperial Credit Systems Inc*
Not all debt collectors let themselves be reined in by the FDCPA. Imperial Credit Systems Inc is a collection agency located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was established in 1998, has 50 to 99 employees, and appears to specialize in locating challenging debtors. A search of records on file at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website indicates that Imperial Credit Systems Inc has been accused of violating the FDCPA during certain debt collection attempts.
Justin Deveroux v. Imperial Credit Systems Inc
In or around early 2011, Arizona resident Justin Deveroux starting getting calls and letters from Imperial Credit Systems Inc seeking payment for an alleged auto loan. During one call, an agency representative allegedly stated that Mr. Deveroux’s wages would be garnished if he did not pay the debt, and implied that a lawsuit was imminent. It was later discovered that no lawsuit was ever filed.
Mr. Deveroux reacted to the pressure by hiring a consumer attorney and filing a lawsuit that accused Imperial Credit Systems Inc of the following alleged FDCPA violations:
- Engaging in oppressive, harassing, and abusive conduct
- Making false, deceptive, and misleading representations in connection with the debt collection
- Indicating that non-payment of the alleged debt would result in Plaintiff’s wages being garnished
- Threatening legal action it did not intend to take
The matter was later settled.
The phone numbers for Imperial Credit Systems Inc are 1-888-240-3954 and 1-719-473-4671. If either number appears on your caller ID, it means that a debt collector is trying to collect a debt from you. If they make threats that they have no intention of taking, such as garnishing your wages and suing you, see a consumer attorney who can help you assert your rights in court.
Using deceptive and abusive means to collect a debt is illegal under the FDCPA, and you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per violation plus attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages, such as stress, embarrassment, and lost opportunities due to denial of credit. You may owe a debt, but bullying you to collect it is against the law.
*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 2:11-cv-01431-FJM, from United States District Court, District of Arizona.
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 Imperial Credit Systems Inc or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.