Are You Being Called By Anderson & Associates?*

Are you being called by Anderson & Associates?* Here’s what you need to know

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau receives more complaints about collection agencies than any other industry. Some people complain of being threatened with lawsuits and wage garnishment, while others say that they being chased for money they never owed. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is important know your rights.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

In 1977 Congress passed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, which gave consumers the right to dispute a debt and demand no further contact from a collection agency. Debt collectors were also prohibited from using harassing or deceptive tactics like those listed below to collect a consumer debt.

• Calling you constantly every day
• Pretending to be police officers, government officials, or any other law enforcement figure
• Demanding amounts not supported by law or the original creditor agreement
• Disguising the fact that they are debt collectors trying to collect a debt
• Using profane and obscene language
• Demanding amounts that are inflated by ‘service charges’

Company Profile: Anderson & Associates

If you are being called by Anderson & Associates, information about the company is below.

Anderson & Associates is a debt collection company located in Folsom, California. It was established in 1985, has less than 10 employees, and collects consumer debt across the country. Its primary focus is the collection of outstanding medical debt. A review of litigation records retained at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that consumers who felt they were being harassed by Anderson & Associates chose to challenge the company’s claims instead of pay up.

Alleged Violations against Anderson & Associates

Christine Salinas vs. Anderson & Associates*

According to PACER, on or about September 30, 2010, a collector for Anderson & Associates allegedly left a voicemail for Illinois resident Christine Salinas. The caller allegedly stated they were calling from a “private processing service firm that had been contacted to schedule the delivery of [Ms. Salinas’] summons to appear in court” and that if she wanted to prevent further “legal complications” then she would have to contact the “attorney signed up on [her] case, William Wesley”.

When Ms. Salinas called, a collector named Sandra Ramirez allegedly claimed that she owed $2,648.67 although the original debt was $570, and that a lawsuit had been filed against her. Feeling harassed by Anderson & Associates, Ms. Salinas hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Failing to identify itself as a debt collector in all communications
• Misrepresenting the character, amount, or legal status of the debt
• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for this debt collection agency is 1-916-988-8184.. If you see it on your caller ID at any time, it means that you are being called by Anderson & Associates. If they pretend to be attorneys and threaten you with legal action, hire a consumer attorney. The FDCPA prohibits the abuse of indebted consumers, and if you file a claim against Anderson & Associates, you may be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus attorney’s fees and applicable court costs. Don’t let a debt collector bully you into submission- when you fight back, the law is on your side.

*Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:10-cv-01367-JBM-JAG from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Peoria 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 Anderson & Associates, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.