Are You Being Called By Universal Credit Services, Inc.?*

When the economy lags, companies shut down and jobs are lost, resulting in millions of people across the country being chased by debt collectors. These agencies will spare no effort to get you to provide your checking account details, hoping that you will never realize that such treatment is illegal.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, is a consumer protection law that regulates what third party debt collectors may do to collect a debt you allegedly owe. It prohibits abuse and harassment, so illegal collection tactics include:

• Swearing, yelling, and making threats they cannot legally carry out
• Ignore a cease communications notice, which the FDCPA allows you to send
• Contacting you after you retain a lawyer
• Refusing to provide you with information about the debt
• Calling you at work after you’ve told them that you aren’t allowed to talk to them there
• Pretending to be members of law enforcement

Company Profile: Universal Credit Services, Inc.

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

Universal Credit Services, Inc. is a debt collection office located in Hartland, Michigan. It was established in 1998, has approximately 27 employees, and is managed by its President, Robert Dietrich.

It has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. Records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirm that many consumers who believed they were being harassed by Universal Credit Services, Inc. chose to pay a lawyer instead of the debt.

Alleged Violations against Universal Credit Services, Inc.

According to PACER, sometime in December 2010, Universal Credit Services, Inc. called the parents of a Michigan resident who allegedly owed a debt. On or about December 27, he called the company back, said that he didn’t live with his parents, and directed it to stop calling them.

He also requested validation of the debt. However, on or about September 7, 2011, Universal Credit Services, Inc. allegedly called his parents again and identified itself as a debt collector.

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

• Using harassing and abusive means to collect a debt
• Failing to send a debt validation letter within the required timeframe
• Contacting uninvolved third parties about the debt

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire a Lawyer

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

• 1-800-931-3711
• 1-810-632-3450

If either number appears on your caller ID, it means that you are being called by Universal Credit Services, Inc.. If they persist in calling third parties about your debt, hire a consumer lawyer.

If you decide to file a claim against Universal Credit Services, Inc., you could potentially be aw $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus lawyer fees and court costs. Standing up to a ruthless collection agency could put them in debt to you instead.

Additional Resources

• Can a Debt Collector Claim to be Police or IRS?
• What Types of Damages Are Involved in an FDCPA Claim?

Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:11-cv-14204-GER-MKM from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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