Is Atlantic Credit & Finance Calling You?*

Is Atlantic Credit & Finance calling you? Here’s what you need to know.

Getting calls from debt collectors is stressful, especially if they demand amounts that you can’t afford. In addition, Most collection agencies are paid according to what they collect, so they have a habit of crossing the line between legal persistence and outright abuse. If this happens to you, stay calm and realize that the law is on your side.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

While debt collectors are legally allowed to contact you while attempting to collect a debt, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits them from using unethical and unprofessional actions like the following:

• Using profane and obscene language
• Contacting you directly if they are aware that you are being represented by an attorney
• Contacting you at work if you are not allowed to receive calls there
• Trying to collect amounts that exceed the original debt
• Threatening legal action they are not eligible to take or have no intention of taking
• Threatening to report inaccurate information to the credit bureaus

Company Profile: Atlantic Credit & Finance

Atlantic Credit & Finance is a debt collection agency located in Roanoke, Virginia, with a branch office in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It was established in 1996 and is managed by its President, Kelly Woolwine. According to files archived on the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, Atlantic Credit & Finance has been sued for allegedly violating consumer rights during the debt collection process.

Alleged Violations against Atlantic Credit & Finance

Yvette Ford vs. Atlantic Credit & Finance

According to PACER**, on or about August, 2014, a debt allegedly incurred by California resident Yvette Ford was assigned to Atlantic Credit & Finance for collection. That month, a collector allegedly contacted Ms. Ford at her place of employment regarding the debt. During this conversation, she informed the collector that she could not take calls there due to company policy and to cease contacting her there.

Despite this request, Atlantic Credit & Finance allegedly continued to call Ms. Ford at work. When the calls allegedly continued until February 2015, she hired a consumer attorney and sued the agency for the following alleged FDCPA violations:

• Calling her at work when she had already advised that such calls were not allowed
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire a Creditor Harassment Attorney

The phone numbers for Atlantic Credit & Finance are:

• 1-540-772-7800
• 1-800-888-9419

If either one of these numbers appear on your caller ID, be aware that a debt collector is attempting to contact you. If they continue to call you at work despite repeated requests to stop, hire a consumer attorney and assert your rights in court. You could potentially win $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages.

Debt collectors may be allowed to try collecting your money, but violating your rights while doing so is illegal and penalized accordingly.

**Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is (Case 2:15-cv-01099-TLN-CKD from United States District Court for the Eastern District of California)

*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 Atlantic Credit & Finance or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.