Are You Being Called By Financial Credit Network?*

Unfortunately divorce, illness, and job loss can make it impossible for the most conscientious consumer to maintain their monthly bill payments. When the economy fluctuates, financial hardship results and debt collectors start making calls. If they contact you, they must comply with federal law or risk legal and financial penalties.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed to prevent third-party debt collectors from using harassing, unfair and deceptive methods to collect a debt. If you are being harassed by a debt collector in egregious ways like those below, the amount of compensation you may receive can be significant.

• Using profane and abusive language
• Threatening to have you arrested, seize your property or garnish your wages
• Discussing the debt with anyone except you, your spouse, and your attorney
• Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. your time
• Calling you at work after you’ve told them that your employer doesn’t allow such calls
• Using an autodialer to leave a series of pre-recorded messages

Company Profile: Financial Credit Network

If you are being called by Financial Credit Network, information about the company is below.

Financial Credit Network is a debt collection office located in Visalia, California. It was established in 1954, has an estimated 65 employees, and is managed by its President, Alicia Sundstrom. Its profile with the Better Business Bureau currently mentions 22 complaints and comments like |This place is a JOKE”. A review of legal files archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that people who believed they were being harassed by Financial Credit Network sought legal counsel.

Alleged Violations against Financial Credit Network*

According to PACER, on or around March 25, 2011, a Financial Credit Network collector called a California woman and left their name and number but did not identify themselves as a debt collector seeking to collect a debt. Feeling harassed by Financial Credit Network, the woman hired a consumer lawyer and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt
• Failing to identify themselves in all communications
• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire an FDCPA Lawyer

The phone numbers for this debt collection company are:

• 1-800-540-9011
• 1-559-733-7550

If either of them appear on your caller ID at any time, it means that you are being called by Financial Credit Network. If they leave voice messages that do not identify them as debt collectors, hire a consumer lawyer who can help you protect your rights in court. If you file a claim against Financial Credit Network and win your case, you could potentially receive $1,000 per FDCPA violation, putting the agency in debt to you instead.

Additional Resources

• Did a Debt Collector Threaten You With Legal Action?
• Has a Debt Collector Misrepresented Himself?

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 5:11-cv-00853-VAP-SP from the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Eastern 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 Financial Credit Network, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.