Are You Being Called By Telecheck Services, Inc.?*

Although there are federal laws in place to curb debt collector conduct, too many collection agencies completely disregard them because they know that few consumers understand their rights.

When you’re getting abusive calls and rudely-worded letters, knowing your options will put you in a position of power over these debt collectors.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

Although the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires third party debt collectors to treat consumers with respect, collection actions like those below result in complaints to the Federal Trade Commission every year.

• Using profane or obscene language
• Calling you at work after you’ve told them that your employer won’t let you take such calls
• Ignoring a formal cease communications request
• Demanding amounts inflated by ‘service charges’ and other miscellaneous fees
• Failing to report to the credit bureaus that a debt is in dispute
• Presenting themselves as attorneys (if they are not) or police officers

Company Profile: Telecheck Services, Inc.

If you are being called by Telecheck Services, Inc., information about the company is below.

Telecheck Services, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Sugar Land, Texas. It was established in 1966, has approximately 25 employees, and is managed by Alain Barbet.

Litigation files viewable at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirm that people who believed they were being harassed by Telecheck Services, Inc. investigated their options before deciding to sue.

Alleged Violations against Telecheck Services, Inc.*

According to PACER, in or around February 2006, Telecheck Services, Inc. started trying to collect a debt from a North Carolina resident. He disputed the claim and the added $25.00 ‘returned item fee.’

His bank also confirmed that he did not owe the debt, but Telecheck Services, Inc. allegedly demanded that he supply his driver’s license, bank account and Social Security numbers each time he called them to dispute the debt.

Feeling harassed by Telecheck Services, Inc., he hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Refusing to allow him to dispute the debt
• Failing to validate the debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this debt collection company are as follows:

• 1-800-366-2425
• 1-888-612-7431

If you see either of these numbers on your caller ID, you are being called by Telecheck Services, Inc.. If they appear to obstruct you every time you try to dispute a debt, hire a consumer attorney.

Should you file a claim against Telecheck Services, Inc. and win your case, you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus applicable costs. Any time a collection agency disregards your rights, they risk legal penalties that could exceed the original debt.

Additional Resources

• Is a Debt Collector Calling at Odd Hours?
• How to Stop a Debt Collector from Calling You Repeatedly

*Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:07-cv-00060-RAE from the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

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 Telecheck Services, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.