Is Rapid Collection Systems, Inc. Calling You?*

If Rapid Collection Systems is calling, you may want to know your rights.

It can be frustrating and distressing to fall behind on your credit cards, student loans, and other accounts. When calls start coming in from debt collectors, the stress increases.

But before you panic, take a minute to understand what debt collectors can and can’t do. There are federal laws in place to protect you.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, is a consumer protection law that controls what third-party debt collectors may say or do to collect a debt. When a collection agency uses methods like those below, they are breaking the law.

• Using profane and obscene language
• Pretending to be members of law enforcement
• Telling you that you have committed a crime and will be arrested if you don’t pay
• Ignoring a formal cease communications request
• Calling you at work if you’ve already told them that such calls are not permitted by your employer
• Refusing or failing the validate the debt

Company Profile: Rapid Collection Systems, Inc.

Rapid Collection Systems, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Phoenix, Arizona. It was established in 1991, has approximately 15 employees, and is managed by its President, H. Lee Goldblatt.

According to the company website, each of its agents averages over 18 years of collection experience.

According to civil litigation records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, consumers who believed they were being harassed by Rapid Collection Systems, Inc. initiated legal actions to stop the contact and demand damages.

Alleged Violations By Rapid Collection Systems, Inc.

According to PACER, on or about July 27, 2007 at 9:10 a.m., a Rapid Collection Systems, Inc. employee named Terry Cannon called an Arizona resident and advised that he was attempting to collect a debt allegedly due to an apartment complex.

He later claimed that no debt validation followed this initial communication.

Mr. Cannon allegedly called again on or about August 15, 2007 and only left his name and phone number on the answering machine. There was allegedly no disclosure stating that he was a debt collector seeking to collect a debt.

Feeling harassed by Rapid Collection Systems, Inc., the consumer hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA by:

• Failing to send a debt validation letter
• Using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt
• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for this collection agency is 1-602-279-7990. If it appears on your caller ID, it means that you may be getting a call from Rapid Collection Systems, Inc.

If they fail to identify themselves as debt collectors in all communications with you, hire a consumer attorney who can help you file a claim against debt collectors such as Rapid Collection Systems, Inc.

If you win your case, you could potentially receive $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus attorney’s fees, statutory damages and associated costs.

Don’t be bullied into inaction: fighting back can pay off.

**Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:07-cv-02179-SMM from the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

*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 Rapid Collection Systems, Inc.., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.