Is NCMI Corporation calling you? Learn how to protect yourself!*
When your phone rings and the caller ID reflects the number of a debt collector, you probably get stressed and upset.
Debt collectors have a negative reputation for a reason: many of them are rude, argumentative, and refuse to accept payment plans. What you need to know is that legally, they are not permitted to treat you like that.
In 1977 Congress enacted the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, to put a stop to the abusive collection tactics being practiced by third-party debt collectors.
Examples of such behaviors include:
- Calling someone at all hours of the day and night
- Calling a person at work when they know the employer doesn’t allow you to take personal calls
- Swearing, raising their voice, and making threats they have no intention of carrying out
- Pretending to be attorneys, police officers, or federal agents
- Leaving voice messages that do not identify the collector and the purpose of their call
- Discussing the debt with the debtor’s family, friends, and co-workers
![NCMI Corporation Harrasment Lawyer]()
Alleged Violations against NCMI Corporation Calling You*
Unfortunately these types of collection practices remain in use by many collections agencies, if the yearly complaints to the Federal Trade Commission are any indication.
NCMI Corporation is a debt collector located in Kennewick, Washington. It was established in 1987, employs 10 to 19 staff, and is a member of the Washington Collectors Association.
Records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirm that NCMI Corporation has been accused of violating the FDCPA while attempting to collect a debt.
In May 2011, NCMI Corporation and Craig P. Hayes filed suit against two married Washington residents over an alleged debt to their former attorney.
Mr. Hayes had already sent letters to the the plaintiffs, both himself and on behalf of NCMI, that allegedly did not indicate that the communications were from a debt collector.
After multiple delays, the trial was set for August 2012. The Skagit County District Court Commissioner found in favor of the the plaintiffs, stating in relevant part:
The court finds in favor of the defendants. A preponderance of the evidence favors the defendant’s version of events on most disputed issues….
During the course of the August 30, 2012 trial, Hayes and NCMI allegedly submitted a bill for attorney’s fees that was not accurate.
They responded by hiring a consumer attorney and filed a lawsuit accusing both Hayes and NCMI of violating the FDCPA in the following ways:
- Falsely representing the character and amount of the the plaintiffs’ alleged debt in numerous ways, including but not limited to maintaining a lawsuit and continuing to collect an alleged debt that was disputed and exceeded the fees the Schrecks expressly agreed upon with with their former attorney
- Using unfair or unconscionable means against the plaintiffs in connection with an attempt to collect an alleged debt.
On or about September 18, 2012, the court entered final judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, and the matter was dismissed.
What to do if you get ‘the call’
The phone number for NCMI Corporation is 1-509-783-1919. If this number shows up on your caller ID, it means that a debt collector may be trying to contact you about an alleged debt.
If they file a lawsuit against you for an unreasonable debt amount and send you communications that fail to identify them as debt collectors, contact a consumer attorney who can help you assert your rights in court.
You could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages.
When a debt collector harrasses you, they could end up being forced to pay you.
*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 2:12-cv-02211-RSL, from United States District Court, District of Washington at Seattle.
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 NCMI Corporation Calling You or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.