Called By Viking Collection Service, Inc.?*

Statistics suggest that household debt is growing more quickly than income. The modern household in the U.S. carries approximately $15,000 in credit card debt. With the average credit card interest rate amounting to 18%, this means that up to 9% of a household income could be going toward paying off the balance. Many people are unable to do so, especially if other financial problems strike, and sooner or later debt collector will be calling.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

While debt collectors are legally allowed to contact you while attempting to collect a debt, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits them from using actions like the following:

• Using profane and obscene language
• Contacting you at work if you are not allowed to receive calls there
• Threatening legal action they are not eligible to take or have no intention of taking
• Calling at all hours of the day and night
• Demanding an amount that’s not supported by law or the original creditor agreement
• Discussing your debt with any third party except you, your spouse, or your attorney

Company Profile: Viking Collection Service, Inc.

If you are being called by Viking Collection Service, Inc. information about the company is below.

Viking Collection Service, Inc. is a collection agency located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Phoenix, Arizona. It was established in 1969, has 100 to 249 employees, and is managed by its President, Cory G. Kloeckner. Records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, people who believed they were being harassed by Viking Collection Service, Inc. used the federal court system to fight back.

Alleged Violations against Viking Collection Service, Inc.

Jamie Oliver vs. Viking Collection Service, Inc. et al*

According to PACER, on or about October 25, 2010, a Viking Collection Service, Inc. collector who identified himself as Chris Thomas called Minnesota resident Jamie Oliver to collect a debt. He left a voicemail message that allegedly did not identify him as a debt collector, and Mr. Oliver later complained that similar, obscure, messages were left.

Mr. Thomas also allegedly called Mr. Oliver’s mother on her home and cell phones. On one occasion, when she said she did not know how to contact Jamie, Mr. Thomas allegedly retorted, “Well, you’re his mother, you don’t know where he is?”

Feeling harassed by Viking Collection Service, Inc., Mr. Oliver hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Harassing him by phone
• Using oppressive, harassing, or abusive means to collect a debt
• Using unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire an FDCPA Attorney

The phone numbers for this collection agency are:

• 1-800-767-7920
• 1-866-604-1416
• 1-952-944-7575

If any of these numbers show up on your caller ID when the phone rings, it means that you are being called by Viking Collection Service, Inc.. If they leave voice messages that do not identify them as debt collectors and discuss your debt with third parties, hire a consumer attorney. If you file a claim against Viking Collection Service, Inc. and the judge rules in your favor, you could potentially receive $1,000 per violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. When a debt collector goes too far, the law helps you assert your rights and receive compensation in the process.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is CASE 0:11-cv-01851-ADM-TNL from the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.

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 Viking Collection Service, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.