Is Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems Calling?*

If Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems is harassing you, you need to know about your rights.

Debt collectors have a reputation for deceiving and harassing people they are trying to get money from. While this is not true of every collection agency, it does happen often enough for the Federal Trade Commission to receive thousands of complaints each year.

If you are facing this type of debt collector, read on to learn more about your rights.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, is a consumer protection law that regulates what third party debt collectors may say and do while trying to collect a consumer debt.

Examples of illegal activities include:

• Using profane and obscene language
• Raising their voice and making threats
• Refusing to provide proof that you owe a debt and they are authorized to collect it
• Claiming that you have committed a crime and threatening to call the police on you if you don’t pay
• Demanding amounts not supported by law or the original creditor agreement
• Telling uninvolved third parties like your friends and co-workers that you owe money

Company Profile: Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc. is a debt collection company located in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was established in 2005, has 75 employees, and is managed by its President, Steve Norwood.

According to the company website, it has a proprietary technology and agent network that allows it to maintain a recovery rate that is 10% to 15% higher and a cure rate that is 5% to 8% higher than the norm.

A review of litigation records at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that consumers who believed that they were being harassed by Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc. sought damages in court.

Alleged Violations by Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc.

According to PACER, on August 18, 2009 a collector from Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc. allegedly called a Texas resident , who was believed to be behind in her car payments.

Claiming to be an employee of Harris County, Texas, the collector allegedly said that unless she surrendered possession of her car by 4 p.m. that same day, she would be arrested.

She believed it and gave up possession of the car to people calling themselves ASAP Auto Recovery, who were allegedly acting on behalf of Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc.

When she relinquished possession of the car, she received a so-called “impound order” included a threatening reference:“POLICE DEPT:__________” although the police did not appear to be involved.

Feeling harassed by Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc., she hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt
• Failing to send a debt validation letter
• Threatening legal action it was not in a position to take
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for this debt collection agency is 1-919-518-2277. If it flashes on your caller ID when the phone rings, it may mean that you are being called by Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc. If they appear to use deception to get you to surrender an asset or pay a debt, contact a consumer attorney who can assist you in asserting your rights in court.

If you file a claim against Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc. you may win $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as reasonable court costs and attorney fees. Knowing your rights is always the wisest course of action when debt collectors cross the line.

**Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 3:10-cv-00312 from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston 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 Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems, Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.