Are You Being Called By Credit Bureau of the South, Inc.?*

No matter how responsible you try to be financially, all it takes is a layoff, illness, or other income interruption to put our monthly obligations in arrears.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to know that when collection agencies start contacting you by phone and sending demand letters, there are rules they must follow. If they don’t, you can sue.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, is a consumer protection law that makes it illegal for collectors to use hostile and deceptive means to collect a debt. Collectors who do any of the following are breaking the law and can be penalized.

• Calling you at work after you’ve told them that you aren’t allowed to talk to them there
• Telling you that you can be jailed for fraud or a related crime if you don’t pay
• Using profane or obscene language
• Telling your friends, neighbors, and co-workers that you owe money
• Failing or refusing to identify themselves as debt collectors in every communication
• Demanding amounts not supported by law or the original creditor agreement

Company Profile: Credit Bureau of the South, Inc.

If you are being called by Credit Bureau of the South, Inc., information about the company is below.

Credit Bureau of the South, Inc., which also does business as Delinquent Recovery Associates, is a smaller debt collection agency located in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was established in 1964, has approximately 14 employees, and is managed by its President, Greg Juneau.

According to the consumer litigation records retained by the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, consumers who believed they were being harassed by Credit Bureau of the South, Inc. filed lawsuits to end the incessant payment demands.

Alleged Violations Against Credit Bureau of the South, Inc.

Pedro Revollo, Individually and on Behalf of all Others Similarly Situated vs. Credit Bureau of the South, Inc.**

According to PACER, Credit Bureau of the South, Inc. sent a collection letter to a Louisiana resident in late January 2015.

Although this was the first communication he had received from the company, two months later, on March 25, 2015, he received a letter that appeared to be another initial written communication from Credit Bureau of the South, Inc., though it also contained the name and signature of an attorney.

Although it displayed “Credit Bureau of the South, Inc.” as the letterhead, the letter also contained an attorney’s name below (David G. Moore) and the first sentence stated, “[t]his letter is to advise you that the above referenced amount is past due and has been referred to my office for collection.”

He called and told the agency that he was not able to pay the full amount requested every month, but could pay up to $100.00 per month, an offer that Credit Bureau of the South, Inc. allegedly rejected.

The following month, he received another collection letter stating that because he had not cooperated, the company would move forward with a judgment against him. It stated in part:

“WE PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED YOUR VOLUNTARY COOPERATION IN RESOLVING THE ACCOUNT REFERENCED ABOVE. YOUR OBVIOUS REFUSAL DICTATES THE NECESSITY TO PROCEED FURTHER WITH YOUR FILE. IF OUR CLIENT AUTHORIZES LITIGATION, WE WILL CONDUCT AN ASSET INVESTIGATION AND PROCEED ACCORDINGLY. COURT COSTS AND ATTORNEY FEES COULD BE ADDED TO THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IF SUIT IS FILED AND JUDGMENT IS OBTAINED. WE ADVISE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR ATTORNEY PRIOR TO IGNORING THIS NOTICE.”

Feeling harassed by Credit Bureau of the South, Inc. and believing that other consumers were receiving similar letters, Mr. Revollo hired a consumer attorney and filed a class action suit against the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA by:

• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Implying attorney involvement in the case

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this collection agency are:

• 1-800-259-3695
• 1-318-221-3695

If you see either one on your caller ID, be aware that you are being called by Credit Bureau of the South, Inc. If they threaten legal action that they are not in a position to take, hire a consumer attorney who can help you protect your rights and help you determine what you need to file an FDCPA claim.

Using deception to collect a debt is illegal, and if you file a claim against Credit Bureau of the South, Inc., you could potentially receive $1,000 per FDCPA violation. Don’t be afraid to file a claim. When debt collectors disregard your rights, the law gives you the ability to send them a stern reminder that you are in control.

*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 Credit Bureau of the South, Inc., or any third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.

**Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:16-cv-00132-PM-KK from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lake Charles Division.