Are You Being Called By Certified Collectors, Inc.?*

Once you have missed a certain number of payments on your debts, your creditors may turn the accounts over to third-party debt collectors.

Although there are laws in place that regulate how and when these collection agencies may communicate with you, many of them try to push the envelope in the hope that they can bully you into paying.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, is a consumer protection law that protects consumers from being harassed and threatened by collection agencies. Third-party debt collectors are prohibited from using tactics like those below to collect a debt.

• Shouting and using profanities
• Contacting you at work after learning that the employer does not permit such calls
• Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
• Pretending to be police officers or government employees
• Calling non-stop with the intention of annoying and harassing you
• Ignoring your request to cease communications

Company Profile: Certified Collectors, Inc.

If you are being called by Certified Collectors, Inc., information about the company is below.

Certified Collectors, Inc. is a debt collection office located in Amarillo, Texas. It was established in 1955, has approximately 17 employees, and is managed by President Stephanie Rifenberg.

When lawsuit records are inspected at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, it becomes apparent that consumers who felt they were being harassed by Certified Collectors, Inc. chose to challenge the company’s claims instead of pay them.

Alleged Violations against Certified Collectors, Inc.

According to PACER, in or around early 2012, Certified Collectors, Inc. began trying to collect a consumer debt from a Texas resident. She quickly retained an attorney, but the direct calls allegedly continued.

Feeling harassed by Certified Collectors, Inc., she hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA by contacting her although she was represented by an attorney regarding the debt. The matter was later dismissed.

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for this debt collection company is 1-806-376-5505. If it appears on your caller ID in response to an incoming call, it means that you are being called by Certified Collectors, Inc.

If they keep calling you instead of your attorney, hire a consumer attorney who can help you file a claim against Certified Collectors, Inc., you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation in addition to applicable fees, costs, and damages.

Never passively accept abuse from a collection agency when such mistreatment is against the law.

Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:12-cv-00008-J from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division.

Additional Resources

• Is a Debt Collector Calling at Odd Hours?
• Can a Debt Collector Claim to be Police or IRS?

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