Is United Resource Systems Calling You?*

Is United Resource Systems calling you?* Here’s what you need to know.

Debt has a negative effect on other aspects of your life. You are constantly stressed out over how you will afford to pay all the bills, and when even the minimum payments become impossible, third-party debt collectors will eventually start calling. Although they are legally permitted to try collecting the debt, you as a consumer have certain rights that prohibit them from doing so in unethical ways.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), third-party debt collectors may not indulge in unprofessional and unethical conduct when trying to collect a consumer debt. This means that tactics like those below can result in heavy fines and even revocation of an agency’s license.

• Using profane or obscene language
• Demanding amounts not supported by the law or the original creditor agreement
• Calling someone at work if they know that the employer does not permit such calls
• Calling before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. in the consumer’s time zone
• Telling the person’s friends, neighbors, and co-workers that they owe money
• Telling someone that they will be arrested or lose their home if they don’t pay

Company Profile: United Resource Systems

United Resource Systems, Inc is a collection agency located in Lakewood, Colorado. It was founded in 1994, is a member of the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, and is managed by owner Richard Lammers. Records on file at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirm that United Resource Systems, Inc has been accused of debt collection tactics that violate the FDCPA.

Alleged Violations against United Resource Systems

Jane R. Latimer vs. United Resource Systems Inc

On or about March 25, 2014, United Resource Systems Inc filed a lawsuit against Colorado resident Jane R. Latimer seeking to collect an unpaid debt for dental treatment. In the lawsuit, the agency claimed that it was entitled to attorney fees in the sum of $350.00. The same amount appeared to be requested in all lawsuits filed by United Resource Systems Inc. Ms. Latimer concluded that to assess a fixed, flat fee for attorney fees without a court order was misleading, deceptive and false.

In addition to seeking attorney fees, United Resource Systems Inc in its Adams County lawsuit sought “interest accrued thereon in the sum of $173.48 and continuing to accrue at the Colorado statutory rate of 18.00% per annum…”. Colorado actually had a statutory interest capped at 8.0%.

Ms. Latimer hired a consumer attorney and sued United Resource Systems Inc for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Seeking recovery of any amount that is not authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law
• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Misstating the character, amount and/or legal status of the debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire an FDCPA Attorney

The phone numbers for United Resource Systems Inc are:

• 1-800-441-7364
• 1-303-205-9588

If your phone rings and either number appears on your caller ID, a debt collector is trying to reach you. If the United Resource Systems Inc collector tries to collect amounts you do not believe you legally owe, hire a consumer attorney. If the matter escalates to court, you could receive $1,000 per violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. As a consumer you have rights that you should never hesitate to act on.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 1:14-cv-01420-RM-KLM from United States District Court for the 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 United Resource Systems, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.