Is Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. calling you? Here’s what you need to know.
Being in serious debt has a negative impact on several areas of your life. It is highly stressful, which affects your relationship with your friends and family, and when you are no longer able to meet even the minimum payments, it gets worse because debt collectors will start calling and sending letters. Although they are permitted to try collecting your debt, you as a consumer have certain rights and protections that make it illegal for them to go too far.
Your Rights Under the FDCPA
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a consumer protection law designed to prevent people from being harassed by debt collectors. Since 1977, it has been illegal to use pressure tactics like the following to convince people to settle a debt.
- Using profane and abusive language
- Discussing the debt with anyone except the you, your attorney, spouse, or co-signer
- Calling at inconvenient times, such as before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
- Calling you at work after being informed that your boss does not permit such calls
- Threatening legal action they cannot take or have no intention of taking
![Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. Harassment Lawyer]()
Company Profile: Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc.
Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. is a collection agency located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1993, has 250 to 499 employees, and is managed by its owners, Dick Tate and Harry Kirlin. A review of records on file at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. has been accused of violating the FDCPA when pursuing consumer debts.
Alleged Violations against Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc.
Charles Young vs. Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc.
On April 15, 2015, Texas resident Charles Young filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas. Despite the filing, on May 8 and June 15, 2015, Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. allegedly sent collection letters regarding a debt owed to HSBC Card Services, Inc., which was included in Mr. Young’s bankruptcy petition.
He took the collection notices to an attorney and sued Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. for engaging in conduct that harass, oppress and/or abused him in connection with the collection of the alleged debt.
The matter was later dismissed.
Hire an Attorney
The phone numbers for Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. are 1-800-355-0333 and 1-215-464-4500. If either of these numbers appear on your caller ID, it means that a debt collector is trying to reach you about a debt that has been placed with them for collection. If they attempt to collect a debt that has been discharged by an earlier bankruptcy, hire a consumer attorney. Trying to recoup such a debt is illegal, and if the matter goes to court, you could potentially receive $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. Even if you owe a debt, it must be collected according to the law, or the agency could end up paying you instead.
*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is3:15-cv-02461-L from United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division
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 Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.