Called By Accredited Collection Services, Inc.?*

Debt collectors may have a job to do, but too many of them take it to extremes. They behave in ways that disregard both your privacy and your dignity, which compels many people to declare bankruptcy. Don’t go that far unless it really is the best solution for your debt situation. Instead, contact a consumer attorney.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, was passed to protect consumers from unscrupulous debt collectors. If a collection agency subjects you to the following types of mistreatment, call an attorney.

• Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. your time
• Calling you at work after you’ve told them that your employer doesn’t allow such calls
• Maliciously reporting false information to the credit bureaus
• Yelling, swearing, and using language meant to intimidate you
• Telling you that you will arrested or your wages garnished if you don’t pay
• Keep contacting you even after you dispute a debt or demand its validation

Company Profile: Accredited Collection Services, Inc.

If you are being called by Accredited Collection Services, Inc., information about the company is below.

Accredited Collection Services, Inc., which also does business as Fasttrack, is a debt collection company located in Papillion, Nebraska. It opened for business in 1984, has approximately 17 employees, and is managed by its President, Robert E. Cox. On the company website it stated, “We have no FDCPA violations and are recognized by the Better Business Bureau as an “Outstanding Member”.” Records on file at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) confirms that consumers who felt they were being harassed by Accredited Collection Services, Inc. went to court to demand compensation.

Alleged Violations against Accredited Collection Services, Inc.*

According to PACER, in October, 2010 an Illinois resident received a collection letter from Accredited Collection Services, Inc. The creditor was listed only as ‘various accounts’ so she called the agency for more information. The party she spoke with allegedly refused to identify the original creditor.

When no validation letter arrived, she called Accredited Collection Services, Inc. again and was allegedly told that the company did not have to identify the original creditor and that it could place a lien on her home and garnish her wages. The representative she spoke to also claimed to be an attorney.

Feeling harassed by Accredited Collection Services, Inc., she hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using harassing and abusive language
• Failing to send a debt validation letter
• Threatening actions that could not legally be taken
• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire an FDCPA Lawyer

The phone numbers for this debt collection agency are as follows:

• 1-402-331-0103
• 1-402-592-0941
• 1-402-593-1397

If you see any of these numbers appear on your caller ID it means that you are being called by Accredited Collection Services, Inc. As a consumer you have the right to receive information about your debt, so if the company refuses to help you, contact a consumer attorney who can help you file a claim against Accredited Collection Services, Inc. If the case goes to court you may be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation in addition to court costs and reasonable attorney fees. When a collection agency plays games, taking it to court can stop the harassment for good.

*Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 4:2011cv00054 from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Central 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 Accredited Collection Services, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.

Additional Resources

• Did a Debt Collector Use Profane or Abusive Language?
• Has a Debt Collector Threatened Legal Action?