Are You Being Called By Meridian Financial Services, Inc.?*

Are you being called by Meridian Financial Services, Inc.?* Here’s what you need to know

Although some people are cast into debt by their own financial irresponsibility, in most cases the issue is an unexpected financial crisis due to job loss, illness, or a personal situation like divorce. However, collection agencies rarely concern themselves with the whys and wherefores. If they think that calling you nonstop or harassing you at work will bring forth payment, they will go for it.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, protects consumers from abusive third-party debt collection practices. This law has been in effect since 1977 and penalizes any collection agency that uses strategies like these to compel debt payment.

• Using profane and abusive language
• Demanding amounts that exceed the amount of the original debt
• Leaving voice messages that do not identify the collector and the reason for their call
• Calling you outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
• Contacting your friends, family and co-workers and discussing the debt with them
• Reporting inaccurate information to the credit bureaus

Company Profile: Meridian Financial Services, Inc.

If you are being called by Meridian Financial Services, Inc., information about the company is below.

Meridian Financial Services, Inc. is a debt collection company located in Asheville, North Carolina. It was established in 1989, has 19 employees, and is managed by its President, Gregory B. Sheperd. Civil litigation records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website indicate that several consumers who believed they were being harassed by Meridian Financial Services, Inc. acted on their right to sue the company.

Alleged Violations against Meridian Financial Services, Inc.

Jennifer Szweda vs. Meridian Financial Services, Inc.*

According to PACER, on September 17, 2014, Wisconsin resident Jennifer Szweda obtained a copy of her credit report and found an account from Meridian Financial Services, Inc. for an amount allegedly owed to a vacation condo association. She claimed that she had been released from all contractual obligations regarding the vacation property in December 2012 and did not owe anything on it.

Feeling harassed by Meridian Financial Services, Inc., Ms. Szweda hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt
• Using false and deceptive means to collect a debt
• Misrepresenting the character, amount, or legal status of a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

The matter was later resolved.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this collection agency are:

• 1-828-575-9564
• 1-800-849-1236
• 1-828-365-1084

If any of these numbers appear on your caller ID day or night, be aware that you are being called by Meridian Financial Services, Inc.. If they try to collect a debt you don’t even owe, hire a consumer attorney who can help you seek compensation in court. If you file a claim against Meridian Financial Services, Inc., you could potentially win $1,000 per violation plus damages, legal bills, and costs associated with pursuing the action. When you refuse to pay a debt you do not legally owe, the law is in your corner.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:14-cv-01513-CNC from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 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 Meridian Financial Services, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.