Is National Service Bureau Inc. calling you? There’s a few things you might want to know.*
When you fall behind on your debt payments, your creditors may eventually hire a collection agency to collect the arrears and the remaining balance.
This can add even more stress to an already-difficult situation, as not all debt collectors are subtle or respectful when requesting payments. Some are even outright abusive.
If this happens to you, be aware that collecting debts is legal, but abusing consumers during the process is not. You do not have to suffer because of aggressive, deceptive, or coercive debt collection tactics.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates collection agency activities via the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or FDCPA.
Under this consumer protection legislation, actions like those below are prohibited:
- Calling at inconvenient times, such as before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
- Using profane or obscene language
- Threatening action they cannot legally take or have no intention of taking, such as having you arrested
- Ignoring a formal request to cease communications
- Calling you at work when they know that your employer prohibits such calls
- Discussing the debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney
![Is National Service Bureau Inc. Calling You?]()
Alleged Violations against National Service Bureau Inc.*
Some debt collectors persist in using these types of hostile methods because too many consumers yield to the pressure and pay to make it all stop.
National Service Bureau Inc. is a collection agency located in Bothell, Washington. It was established in 1986, has a staff of 10 to 19 employees, and is a member of the Association of Credit and Collections Professionals.
A search of court files archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that National Service Bureau Inc. has been frequently accused of illegal debt collection practices.
In September 2011 a Washington resident began getting collection calls from National Service Bureau Inc. about an alleged debt arising from an apartment rental.
An agent who identified himself as David Wright allegedly told her that if she did not pay, the company would get a judgement against her and seize her daycare business.
The plaintiff responded to the alleged threats by hiring a consumer attorney and filing a lawsuit against National Service Bureau Inc. for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:
- Threatening to get a judgement against her
- Ignoring the 30-day dispute period by demanding payment immediately
- Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt
The matter was later settled.
The phone numbers for National Service Bureau Inc. are 1-425-318-1124 and 1-800-798-1674. If either number pops up on your caller ID, it means that a collection agent may be trying to contact you about a delinquent account they have been assigned to collect.
If they threaten legal actions that never transpire and demand payment without giving you a chance to dispute the debt, see a consumer attorney who can help you protect your rights in court.
If National Service Bureau Inc. is found guilty of violating the FDCPA, you could potentially win $1,000 per violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages.
Your attorney will work with you to ensure the most favorable outcome possible and send debt collectors a stern message: even if you owe the debt, it must be collected according to approved guidelines.
*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 2:12-cv-01227-TSZ D, from United States District Court, Western District of Washington.
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 National Service Bureau Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.