COLLECTING NAMES – Notable Debt Collection Companies That Consumers Hate
Debt collection agencies have become notorious for their aggressive, and at times illegal, collection practices.
Many consumers face constant harassment and threats from these companies, often for debts that have been settled or are not even owed.
Indeed, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) operates a Real-Time Debt Collection Complaint Database, where many of these companies are frequently reported for violations. Here, we break down some of the most notorious debt collection companies, providing key details, complaints, and steps you can take if you’ve been targeted by these collectors.
Notable Debt Collection Companies That Consumers Hate
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP
Headquarters: San Diego, California
Address: 350 Camino de la Reina, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108
Phone Number: (877) 445-4581
Complaints: Encore Capital Group is one of the largest debt buyers in the U.S. and consistently receives complaints for harassment and reporting inaccurate information to credit bureaus. Encore has been known to pursue consumers for debts that have already been paid or are not owed. They have faced significant regulatory action, including from the CFPB, for violating consumer protection laws.
MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT (MCM)
Headquarters: San Diego, California
Address: 350 Camino de la Reina, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92108
Phone Number: (800) 825-8131
Complaints: A subsidiary of Encore Capital, MCM frequently appears in the CFPB complaint database. Consumers report that MCM attempts to collect on debts beyond the statute of limitations and refuses to provide documentation for disputed debts.
CAVALRY PORTFOLIO SERVICES
Headquarters: Valhalla, New York
Address: 500 Summit Lake Dr., Suite 400, Valhalla, NY 10595
Phone Number: (866) 483-5139
Complaints: Cavalry Portfolio Services is known for attempting to collect on old debts. Consumers often report harassment and aggressive legal threats, particularly for debts that are no longer valid.
PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES (PRA Group)
Headquarters: Norfolk, Virginia
Address: 130 Corporate Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone Number: (800) 772-1413
Complaints: PRA Group is a significant player in debt collection and often faces complaints for unauthorized contact and aggressive legal threats. PRA Group has been criticized for pursuing old debts and filing lawsuits against consumers, even in questionable cases.
WAKEFIELD AND ASSOCIATES
Headquarters: Aurora, Colorado
Address: 10800 E Bethany Dr. Ste 450, Aurora, CO 80014
Phone Number: (866) 623-2069
Complaints: Wakefield and Associates is a third-party debt collection agency specializing in medical debt collection. They frequently receive complaints for harassment, inaccurate debt reporting, and failing to provide proper validation of debts. Consumers report that Wakefield attempts to collect on debts without verifying their legitimacy, which can result in unnecessary damage to credit scores.
LVNV FUNDING, LLC
Headquarters: Greenville, South Carolina
Address: 55 Beattie Pl, Greenville, SC 29601
Phone Number: (888) 665-0374
Complaints: LVNV Funding is notorious for attempting to collect on old or invalid debts, often pursuing consumers long after the statute of limitations has passed. They have been subject to numerous complaints for failing to verify debts .
CONVERGENT OUTSOURCING
Headquarters: Renton, Washington
Address: 800 SW 39th St, Renton, WA 98057
Phone Number: (800) 444-8485
Complaints: Convergent Outsourcing is known for harassment and misrepresentation. Consumers report repeated contact after debts have been settled, along with threats of legal action that never materialize.
TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC. (TSI)
Headquarters: Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Address: 500 Virginia Dr, Suite 514, Fort Washington, PA 19034
Phone Number: (877) 865-7686
Complaints: Transworld Systems has been cited for failing to provide proper debt validation and issuing baseless threats of legal action. They frequently use aggressive tactics without following required procedures.
CREDIT CONTROL, LLC
Headquarters: Hazelwood, Missouri
Address: 5757 Phantom Dr., Suite 330, Hazelwood, MO 63042
Phone Number: (888) 365-7145
Complaints: Credit Control has been accused of harassment and failing to verify disputed debts. Many consumers report that the company continues to collect even after disputes have been filed, leading to unnecessary stress.
AFNI, INC.
Headquarters: Bloomington, Illinois
Address: 1310 Martin Luther King Dr, Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone Number: (866) 352-0479
Complaints: Afni regularly receives complaints for persistent harassment calls and failing to update credit reports after debts have been resolved. This negligence often causes long-term credit damage.
RECEIVABLES PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC
Headquarters: Lynnwood, Washington
Address: 20816 44th Ave W, Suite 100, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone Number: (888) 452-9175
Complaints: RPM has received significant complaints for harassment and making contact outside legal hours. The company has also been criticized for failing to provide debt validation when requested.
STELLAR RECOVERY, INC.
Headquarters: Kalispell, Montana
Address: 450 North Meridian Rd, Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone Number: (877) 236-5791
Complaints: Stellar Recovery has been accused of using aggressive collection tactics, including threats of wage garnishment and lawsuits for debts that have already been resolved .
PERFORMANT RECOVERY, INC.
Headquarters: Livermore, California
Address: 333 N Canyons Pkwy, Livermore, CA 94551
Phone Number: (800) 927-7667
Complaints: Performant Recovery is known for inaccurate debt reporting and persistent attempts to collect disputed debts. Consumers report ongoing issues with dispute resolution.
DYNAMIC RECOVERY SOLUTIONS, LLC
Headquarters: Greenville, South Carolina
Address: 135 Interstate Blvd, Suite 6, Greenville, SC 29615
Phone Number: (877) 821-1657
Complaints: Dynamic Recovery Solutions is frequently reported for harassment and misrepresentation, particularly for attempting to collect on invalid or non-existent debts.
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
Headquarters: Stamford, Connecticut
Address: 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06902
Phone Number: (866) 419-4096
Complaints: Synchrony Financial has been cited for misleading debt collection practices and unauthorized charges. Consumers report difficulty disputing debts, and aggressive tactics are frequently employed.
NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
Headquarters: Horsham, Pennsylvania
Address: 507 Prudential Rd., Horsham, PA 19044
Phone Number: (800) 709-8625
Complaints: NCO Financial Systems has consistently ranked high for consumer complaints, particularly for harassment and unauthorized charges. Consumers often report being contacted about settled debts or debts beyond the statute of limitations.
The CFPB Real-Time Debt Collection Complaint Database
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) maintains a Real-Time Debt Collection Complaint Database, allowing consumers to track complaints against these companies. The database helps identify trends in illegal practices and provides a resource for consumers to file their own complaints. If you’ve been harassed by a debt collector, filing a complaint with the CFPB is a simple process:
Visit the CFPB website and navigate to the complaint section.
Submit your complaint with detailed information about the company and the violation.
The CFPB will investigate and work to resolve the issue.
Filing a complaint not only helps you but also aids other consumers in dealing with illegal debt collection practices.
Penalties Available for Debt Collection Violations
When debt collectors cross the line, they can be held accountable through state and federal laws, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and California’s Rosenthal Act.
These can include statutory damages, reimbursement for legal fees, and potential punitive damages. Collectors who engage in harassment, threats, or misrepresentation face serious legal consequences.
How R23 Law’s California Debt Collection Lawyers Can Help
If you’ve been a victim of harassment or illegal debt collection practices, R23 Law’s California Debt Collection Violation Lawyers are here to help you take action.
Our experienced team specializes in holding debt collectors accountable under state and federal laws, ensuring your rights are protected.
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Contact R23 Law’s California Debt Collection Violation Lawyers today for a free consultation. We offer services in multiple languages to ensure you receive the help you need. Don’t let a debt collector’s illegal practices harm your financial future—reach out to R23 Law and protect your rights.