Is Professional Debt Mediation, Inc Calling You?*

Is Professional Debt Mediation, Inc calling you? Here’s what you need to know.

Debt collectors have a bad reputation for a good reason. Judging by the thousands of complaints that reach the Federal Trade Commission every year, there are collectors who contact consumers, their families, and even employers in a way that causes alarm and humiliation. If this is happening to you, be aware that these collection methods are illegal and you have recourse to fight back

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, is a consumer protection law that prohibits actions like the following when used to collect or attempt to collect a consumer debt:

• Using profane and abusive language
• Calling you at work after you tell them that you can’t take personal calls there
• Calling you repeatedly and leaving messages that do not identify them as debt collectors
• Contacting your friends and family and telling them that you owe money
• Demanding outrageous “fees” in addition to the original debt
• Pretending to be police officers or federal agents

Too many debt collectors ignore the FDCPA in favor of using whatever pressure tactics will make their targets settle the debt.

Company Profile: Professional Debt Mediation

Professional Debt Mediation, Inc is a collection agency located in Jacksonville, Florida. It was established in 1998, has fewer than 10 employees, and collects consumer debt all over the country. According to records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, Professional Debt Mediation, Inc has been sued by consumers who felt that their rights were being violated during the debt collection process.

Alleged FDCPA Violations Against Professional Debt Mediation

According to PACER, in late 2013 a Colorado resident checked her credit report and found that Professional Debt Mediation, Inc had reported a personal debt. On October 7, she called the agency and formally disputed the debt. She later alleged that the collector she spoke to told her that the only way to get the account off of the credit bureau reports was to pay it.

When she checked her credit report later and found that Professional Debt Mediation, Inc failed to report the account as disputed, she hired a consumer attorney and sued the agency for the following alleged FDCPA violations:

• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Communicating false credit information
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

The phone numbers for Professional Debt Mediation, Inc are 1-888-676-9873 and 1-904-398-0286. If either number appears on your caller ID, a debt collector from the company is attempting to reach you about a debt you allegedly owe. If they communicate false information to the credit bureaus and imply that the only way to remove the debt from your report is to pay it, see a consumer attorney.

Such actions and statement violate the FDCPA, and if you sue Professional Debt Mediation, Inc you could win $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. When a debt collector infringes on your rights, a good consumer attorney will help you re-assert them.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 1:13-cv-03093-WYD-BNB from United States District Court, 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 Professional Debt Mediation, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.