Are You Being Called By Ashwood Financial, Inc.?*

Being in debt can inspire shame and a sense of defeat, which is why so many people who are bullied by debt collectors fail to fight back or review their rights in the matter. No matter what a collector may tell you, you are not a ‘deadbeat’ or criminal.

You are an indebted consumer with rights that protect you from such treatment.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

A consumer protection law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, gives you the right to dispute a debt and tell the collection agency to stop contacting you. You are also protected from abusive collection practices like the following:

• Contacting a third party, such as a family member, neighbor or employer, about your debt
• Seeking fees, interest charges or taxes not permitted by law
• Threatening to ruin your credit
• Using a Caller ID that hides their identity
• Attempting to collect more than what is really owed
• Using abusive language on the phone

Company Profile: Ashwood Financial, Inc.

If you are being called by Ashwood Financial, Inc., an overview of the company background is below.

Ashwood Financial, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Indianapolis, Indiana. It opened for business in 1992, has 30 employees, and is managed by its President, Pat J Santangelo. The company has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau for failure to respond to consumer complaints.

Records on file at the PACER website indicate that people who believed they were being harassed by Ashwood Financial, Inc. chose to contest the agency’s demands in court.

Alleged Violations against Ashwood Financial, Inc.

According to PACER, on or around June 22, 2006, Ashwood Financial, Inc. sent a collection letter to a New York consumer. It stated, in part, that unless the debt was paid, it would be turned over to an attorney.

Investigation revealed that the attorney who handled debt litigation for the company did not handle debts this small ($65.00).

Feeling harassed by Ashwood Financial, Inc., the consumer sued the agency for allegedly:

• Threatening legal action it had no intention of taking
• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire a Consumer Lawyer

The phone numbers for this collection agency are:

• 1-317-633-6633
• 1-800-851-5736

Their presence on their caller ID confirms that Ashwood Financial, Inc. is calling you. If they threaten litigation simply to scare you into paying, don’t fall for their bluff. Hire a consumer lawyer who can help you navigate the legal system as you file a claim against Ashwood Financial, Inc.

Too many debt collectors assume that consumers don’t know their rights – filing a lawsuit will prove them wrong.

Additional Resources

• How Much Could I Earn If I File an FDCPA Claim?
• How Do I Pay a FDCPA Lawyer?

Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:06-cv-05684-ADS-ETB from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

*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 Ashwood Financial, Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.