Is True North, AR Calling You?*

Is True North, AR calling you? Here’s what you need to know.

No one wants to hear from a debt collector, especially when you know you can’t afford to pay what they’re demanding. When they do manage to connect with you, they can be abrupt, rude, and dismissive of the reasons for your financial problems. You may be surprised to know, however, that by mistreating you, they are actually breaking the law.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed in September 1977 to protect consumers from harassment by third-party debt collectors. This law, which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, prohibits actions like the following:

• Calling at inconvenient times
• Shouting, swearing, and making threats
• Contacting you at work after you make it clear that your employer does not allow you to take such calls
• Talking to your friends, neighbors, and coworkers about the debt
• Refusing to validate the debt when requested

Company Profile: True North, AR

True North, AR is a collection agency headquartered in Novato, California. It was established in 1968 and has 50-200 employees, and was acquired by EOS-CCA, a Massachusetts-based collection agency, in 2010. Files archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website indicate that True North, AR has been accused of violating the FDCPA during its years in business.

Alleged FDCPA Violations against True North, AR

Kevin A. Berlin vs. True North, AR et al

On or before July 18, 2013, California resident Kevin Baker received a call from a True North, AR representative, who allegedly claimed that he owed $90.97 for medical services. Mr. Baker replied that he had medical insurance and did not owe this money. He requested written verification of the debt, but True North, AR allegedly refused to send it and submitted more collection notices.

Mr. Baker later complained that collectors even contacted his mother on August 28, September 3, and September 10, 2013, each time leaving a recording on her cell phone that stated, “This is Rolanda calling with an important message from True North AR. This is a call from a debt collector. Please call me back at 888-224-5557, Ext. 81228.”

Mr. Baker finally hired a consumer attorney and filed a lawsuit against True North AR for the following alleged FDCPA violations:

• Calling a third party for purposes other than location information
• Using harassing and oppressive means to collect a debt
• Using false, deceptive or misleading representations or means to collect the debt
• Using unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Failing to send a debt validation notice

The matter was later settled.

Hire an FDCPA Attorney

The phone numbers for True North, AR are:

• 1-888-224-5557
• 1-800-366-9368
• 1-916-369-9850

If your phone rings and any of these numbers appear on your caller ID, it means a third-party debt collector is attempting to reach you. If True North, AR refuses to validate the debt upon request and discusses your financial situation with uninvolved third parties, hire a consumer attorney immediately.

Tactics like these are illegal under the FDCPA, and if the matter goes to court, you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. When debt collectors fail to be discreet, they could end up in debt themselves.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 3:14-cv-00434-JCS from United States District Court, Northern District of California

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 AR North, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.