Are You Being Called By The Collection Analyst, Inc.?*

Are you being called by The Collection Analyst, Inc.?* Here’s what you need to know.

People can become overwhelmed by serious debt through no fault of their own. They’ve lost their jobs, become too sick to work, or had an unexpected financial setback. Debt collectors don’t always care, however, and can use extreme measures to settle accounts. It is important to remember that collecting debts is not against the law, harassing a consumer is the process definitely is.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA prohibits abusive, coercive, or deceptive conduct during a debt collection attempt. If a collection agency disregards this mandate and uses tactics like those listed below, it risks heavy fines and even license revocation.

• Swearing and calling you names
• Calling at all hours of the day and night
• Talking to uninvolved parties such as your friends, family, and co-workers about the debt
• Contacting you at work after being informed that your employer does not permit such calls
• Threatening legal action they have no intention of carrying out
• Claiming to be police officials or government agents

Company Profile: The Collection Analyst, Inc.

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

The Collection Analyst, Inc. is a debt collection company located in Omaha, Nebraska. It was founded in 1987, has 10 to 19 employees, and is managed by its owner, Steve A. Cortese. Files archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website indicate that consumers who felt they were being harassed by The Collection Analyst, Inc. have sued the agency to recoup associated damages.

Alleged Violations against The Collection Analyst, Inc.

According to PACER, on or about September 26, 2013, The Collection Analyst, Inc. sent a collection letter to a Nebraska consumer. The letter, which was later submitted as an exhibit, contained wording that the consumer believed to be misleading regarding his debt dispute rights. Soon afterwards, a collector called his mother and asked for him. When his mother said that she would not provide any information unless she knew what the call was about, the caller allegedly said that unless the consumer paid the debt, his driver’s license would be suspended.

On or about November 21, 2013, an attorney for The Collection Analyst, Inc. sent the consumer a collection letter. It began with, “Please be advised that our office has been retained to file suit against you in regard to the above matter. Unless payment has been received by the close of business, a week from the date of this letter, our office will proceed accordingly.”

Feeling harassed by The Collection Analyst, Inc., the consumer hired a consumer attorney and sued the firm for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Discussing his debt with uninvolved third parties
• Misleading him as to his debt dispute rights
• Using unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Using harassing and oppressive means to collect a debt

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for The Collection Analyst, Inc. is 1-402-894-5370. If you see this number on your caller ID when the phone rings, it means that you are being called by The Collection Analyst, Inc.. If they discuss your debt with third parties and threaten legal actions they are not in a position to take, hire a consumer attorney. If you file a claim against The Collection Analyst, Inc. and win, you could potentially receive $1,000 per violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. Don’t tolerate abuse because you owe money: fight back instead.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 8:14-cv-00292-LSC-FG3 from the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.

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 The Collection Analyst, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.