Is DBG Collection Inc. calling you? Here’s what you need to know.
Being pursued by a debt collector is one of life’s most stressful experiences. You jump every time the phone rings, and dread looking into your mailbox, anticipating another demand letter. It’s even worse when the collector is rude and abrasive every time they get you on the phone, and you often wonder if it’s really legal for them to call you names, talk about the debt with your neighbors, or call you at 6:00 a.m.
It isn’t. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, was passed in 1977 to protect consumers who owe a debt from this type of abuse by third-party debt collectors. Under the law, a collection agent may not use tactics like the following to intimidate you into paying:
![]()
- Calling you outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
- Demanding outrageous amounts that are not authorized by law or the original agreement with the creditor
- Threatening to have you arrested or your children taken away if you don’t pay the debt
- Discussing the debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney
- Contacting you at work after you advise them that your boss won’t let you take such calls
- Ignoring you when you dispute the debt and persisting in their collection efforts
Unfortunately, many debt collectors are so determined to get your money that they don’t let the FDCPA hinder them.
DBG Collection Inc. is a collection agency located in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. It was established in 2001 and has a staff of approximately 37 employees. According to records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, DBG Collection Inc has been accused of disregarding the FDCPA during its debt collection practices.
Marlene Moses v. Law Offices of Harrison Ross Byck, Esq., P.C., et al
According to PACER**, in May 2008 a Pennsylvania resident received a collection notice from the Law Offices of Harrison Ross Byck, in-house attorney for DBG Collection Inc. The letter contained a mechanically generated reproduction of The Plaintiff’s signature and appeared to be a form letter sent out in bulk by DBG Collection Inc, without direct supervision or involvement on the attorney’s part.
The Plaintiff had the impression that the debt was being directly pursued by Attorney Byck, when in fact, DBG was doing the collecting. She interpreted the letter to mean that DBG had referred the account to an attorney for disposition, when that was not the case.
After receiving this letter, The Plaintiff was called by a debt collector from DBG Collection Inc. The employee, who identified himself as Paul Tyler, allegedly told her that the sheriff would come and take the contents of her house if she did not pay the debt.
The Plaintiff hired a consumer attorney and filed a complaint accusing DBG Collection Inc. of the following FDCPA violations:
- Making calls that failed to meaningfully disclose the caller’s identity (15 U.S.C. § 1692d(6))
- Using deceptive means in connection with the collection the alleged debt (15 U.S.C. §1692e)
- Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt (15 U.S.C. § 1692f)
- Failing to validate the debt after the initial communication (15 U.S.C. § 1692g)
The matter was later settled.
The phone number for DBG Collection Inc. is 1-215-428-0666. If it appears on your caller ID, it means that a collector for the agency is trying to contact you. The FDCPA mandates transparency and professionalism when collecting a debt, so if they send you a letter implying that your debt is being pursued by an attorney, or threaten to have your property seized if you don’t pay, contact a consumer attorney and pursue an action against DBG Collection Inc.
Deceptive and hostile debt collection practices are against the law, and you could be awarded $1,000 in statutory damages per FDCPA violation, as well as court costs and attorney fees. There are rules that must be followed when collecting a debt, and any collection agencies that choose to disregard them set themselves up for financial penalties.
**Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is (Case 3:08-cv-01939-JMM, from United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania)
*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 DBG Collection Inc or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.