Are You Being Called By Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC*?

Has Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC* been calling you? Here’s What You Need to Know

Debt collectors are the subject of regular complaints to consumer protection agencies, second only to identity theft. The FTC even has a list of collection agencies that have been closed down for abusing consumers. If you find yourself dealing with such an agency, it is important to read up on your rights so you know how to respond.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) uses a consumer protection law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or FDCPA to regulate the activities of third-party collection agency activities. Conduct like the following is illegal when used to collect a debt.

• Calling you outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
• Failing or refusing to report a debt as disputed to the credit bureaus
• Contacting you after you have formally requested that all communications cease
• Trying to collect after you have formally disputed a debt
• Trying to collect an amount that is not authorized by law or the original creditor agreement
• Using profane and obscene language when trying to collect the alleged debt

Company Profile: Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC

If you are being called by Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC, more details about the agency are below.

Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC is a debt collection agency in Southfield, Michigan. The also does business as Servicing Solutions, LLC. Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC opened for business in 1998, has 32 employees. It is managed by owner, James Blasius. Files at the PACER website reveal that consumers who believed that they were being harassed by Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC took legal action.

Alleged Violations against Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC**

According to PACER, on January 15, 2013, Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC sent an elderly Colorado consumer a letter in regards to collecting a debt, suggesting that he could receive a 40% discount by paying the alleged debt off in full with one lump sum payment. It also invited him to “visit our in-state office, Colorado Manager, Inc., at 80 Garden Center, Ste 3, Broomfield, CO 80020.” This office, however, was only a registered agent.

The consumer sent a validation request on February 13, but the agency allegedly continued to contact him during the validation period.

Feeling harassed by Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC, the consumer filed an FDCPA lawsuit against the agency for:

• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt
• Using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire an Attorney

This debt collection agency uses the numbers below:

• 1-800-420-3657
• 1-866-361-6631

Seeing these numbers flashing on your caller ID means that Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC is trying to reach you. If they send collection letters that mislead you on debt repayment, hire a consumer lawyer and file a claim against Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC. You could receive $1,000 per FDCPA violation in addition to statutory damages and legal costs, so you have every reason to fight back.

Additional Resources

• Can a Debt Collector Collect Old Debts?
• Did The Debt Collectors Ignore Your Lawyer’s Letter?

**Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:13-cv-01873-KMT from the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.

*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 Michael Andrews & Associates, LLC or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.