Besides being persistent, debt collection agencies can engage in illegal conduct that makes consumers’ lives difficult. You may experience anxiety, anger, and sadness if a debt collector begins contacting you throughout the day. No debt should warrant harassing behavior like abusive language or threats against you; however, legal action may be necessary to find peace of mind.
Getting Bay Area Credit Service to stop its overreach may require hiring a knowledgeable debt collection attorney from Agruss Law. By contacting the legal team at Mike Agruss Law, you can get the debt collector to stop pressuring you with harassing tactics that state and federal legislation prohibits.
What Is Bay Area Credit Service?
Bay Area Credit Service is a debt collection organization that recovers accounts receivables on behalf of clients in healthcare, insurance, finance, and utilities. The company’s headquarters are in Norcross, Georgia, and the agency’s listed phone number is (866) 773-9877.
Common Complaints Consumers Have About Bay Area Credit Service
Bay Area Credit Service’s profile on the Better Business Bureau is not accredited and has a 1 out of 5-star rating from three customer reviews. The profile also contains 58 complaints by consumers that share their negative experiences regarding the debt collection agency.
Bay Area Credit Service also has a 1.3 out of 5 rating on Google Reviews, reflecting an average of over 80 reviews. Common complaints include being contacted regarding debts the consumer did not owe and claims of receiving badgering phone calls 24/7.
What Are My Rights if Bay Area Credit Service Contacts Me?
Consumers are not without protection against aggressive debt collectors. Several federal and state laws govern the operation of debt collection agencies and provide a path through which you can pursue justice against offending parties.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Passed in 1977, the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects consumers from unfair and abusive debt collection conduct. The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from using threats, intimidation, or violence when collecting a debt, and it also prohibits them from making false or misleading statements.
In addition, the FDCPA requires debt collectors to provide consumers with specific information about their rights and the debt they owe. This information includes the original creditor’s identity and the exact debt amount.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was passed in 1991 to safeguard consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls and texts. The TCPA also protects debtors from collection agencies like Bay Area Credit Service. This federal legislation prohibits using automated dialing systems and pre-recorded voice messages unless the consumer has given prior consent.
The law also requires telemarketers and debt collectors to disclose their identity and call’s purpose at the beginning of the communication. They must also provide an opt-out option from receiving future calls.
In addition, the TCPA imposes strict limits on call times and frequency. The goal of the TCPA is to protect consumers from unwanted and harassing debt collector calls while still allowing them to receive information about products and services they may be interested in.
State Laws
Besides federal legislation, state laws also provide protection from abusive debt collection practices. Many states have additional laws in place that prohibit illegal behavior and provide harassment victims with additional legal backing.
For example, California law requires debt collection agencies to share their license number with consumers when contacting them about an account.
How a Consumer Protection Attorney Can Help
If a debt collector is badgering you or someone you know, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). If necessary, the CFPB will look into your complaint and take appropriate action against Bay Area Credit Service.
Besides helping you file your complaint, a consumer protection attorney can sue Bay Area Credit Service in federal court if the debt collector violates the FDCPA. If you win the case, a court may award you $1,000 per lawsuit and require the debt collection agency to pay your legal fees.
Stop Harassment From Bay Area Credit Services
An account on your credit report can bring down your FICO score and cause you anxiety and stress. Debt collectors like Bay Area Credit Service use constant pressure to cause undue stress and coerce consumers to make payments. Contacting a consumer protection lawyer can stop harassment attempts and give you the space you need to find answers to your financial issues.
Mike Agruss Law can aggressively pursue actions that hold debt collectors like Bay Area Credit Service accountable for their illegal activities.
Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss potential legal strategies we can help you with your case.
