Are You Being Called By Fleet Billing?*

Are you being called by Fleet Billing?* Here’s what you need to know

If you’ve fallen behind on your credit card bills or student loans, you likely won’t be surprised when debt collectors start calling. Once they get you on the phone, they will almost certainly insist that you need to pay them immediately, and in full. They won’t tell you that you have the right to dispute the amount demanded and tell them to stop calling, but you certainly can.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

Although the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires collection agencies to treat you professionally and with respect, consumers complain to the Federal Trade Commission every year because too many debt collectors use unethical tactics like the following:

• Demanding outrageous amounts that exceed the amount of the original debt
• Discussing the debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney
• Pretending to be police officers or federal agents to frighten debtors into paying
• Swearing, yelling, and using obscene language
• Demanding amounts that are not supported by law or the original creditor agreement
• Calling you outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in your time zone

Company Profile: Fleet Billing

If you are being called by Fleet Billing, information about the company is below.

Fleet Billing, which also does business as Palm Beach Credit Adjusters, Inc. and Focus Financial Services, is a debt collection agency located in Boynton Beach, Florida. It was established in 1985, has approximately 23 employees, and is managed by its President, Robert Hill. The company retains a membership in both the American Collectors Association and National Healthcare Collectors Association. According to records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, consumers who felt they were being harassed by Fleet Billing fought for their rights in court.

Alleged Violations against Fleet Billing

According to PACER, on or about December 7, 2011, Palm Beach Credit Adjustors d/b/a Fleet Billing Service called a Florida resident in an effort to collect an alleged debt. The collector left the following message on her answering machine:

Good Morning, this message is for [plaintiff’s name]. My name is Debbie with Boca Raton Regional Hospital. This is not a medical emergency, by it is important that we speak with you as soon as possible, please return my call at (888) 255-1064…. Thank you.

Feeling deceived and harassed by Fleet Billing, the plaintiff 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 identify itself as a debt collector in all communications

The matter was later settled.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this debt collection agency are:

• 1-561-279-1800
• 1-800-428-0923
• 1-888-255-1064

If you see any of them on your caller ID when the phone rings, be aware that you are being called by Fleet Billing. If they leave voice messages that do not identify them as debt collectors trying to collect a debt, hire a consumer attorney who can help you protect your rights in court. If you file a claim against Fleet Billing and win, you could potentially receive $1,000 per FDCPA violation in addition to court costs and attorney fees. When debt collectors disregard your rights, they could end up owing you money.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 0:12-cv-61254-WPD from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

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 Fleet Billing, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.