When an unexpected life situation occurs, you may find yourself unable to pay your bills and other living expenses. A sudden emergency can force you into a precarious situation that results in debt you can’t pay. Your lenders may sell your debt to a credit collection agency like Kingston Data and Credit International, Inc. (KDCII), which may use oppressive methods or legal avenues to collect the debt.
If a collection agency like KDCII contacts you, speaking with a debt collection lawyer can help. A debt collection attorney from Mike Agruss Law protects your consumer rights and ensures the collection agency abides by federal and state laws.
What is Kingston Data and Credit International?
KDCII is a debt collection agency located in Largo, Florida. The collections firm states that it supports its client’s entire credit cycle, including billing, receivable management, debt recovery, and credit reporting. Although the agency describes itself as an alternative to a collection agency, it reports 35 years of experience in collections.
The Florida branch of KDCII is incorporated as part of its international operation located in Ontario, Canada. The KDCII parent website mentions partnering with several gyms such as 5 Star Fitness, Physiomed Fitness, and Allure Fitness. They also contract with Anytime Fitness, a major gym franchise in the U.S.
When a gym member stops paying their membership dues, these gyms partner with KDCII to pursue the remaining balance of the person’s membership. Although KDCHI works primarily with gym membership debt collections, it may also contact consumers regarding other types of debt.
What is KDCII’s Rating with the Better Business Bureau?
KDCII has several BBB ratings due to the company’s incorporated status. The BBB does not show accreditation for several of the incorporated branches. One profile lists a one out of five-star rating with seven customer reviews, most of which accuse the company of trying to collect on gym debt. The complaints also state that KDCII employees use rude, dismissive, and threatening language when making contact.
A second profile page lists 49 complaints. Most of these complaints also discuss collections communications from KDCII regarding outstanding gym membership debt. Many of the complaints report that they canceled a gym membership but continued to receive correspondence from KDCII despite paying off the debt.
If you face similar collections by phone calls or letters regarding a former gym membership that you previously resolved, contact a consumer rights attorney from Mike Agruss Law to investigate. We can prevent further harassment and help you fix credit reporting errors caused by KDCII.
Aside from issues with the BBB, KDCII faces at least one class action lawsuit. A complaint filed in 2018 in Georgia alleges that KDCII failed to send a notice with the appropriate information required by the Federal Trade Commission and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). It also alleges that KDCII did not inform the defendant of their rights according to the FDCPA, resulting in misleading and deceptive communication.
What Constitutes Debt Collection Harassment?
The FDCPA prohibits several types of harassing behaviors often used by debt collection agencies. These prohibitions apply to collection agencies and their lawyers only, not the original lender. Prohibited behaviors include:
- Repeated calls intended to harass or annoy you
- Calling before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
- Contacting others about your debt, such as employers, family members, friends, or neighbors
- Opening or withholding your mail
- Cursing or using obscene language
- Making threats of violence or use of a weapon
- Communicating with you through means other than the phone
- Making false statements about your debt
- Contacting your place of employment
- Removing your belongings without permission
The difference between illegal harassment and legal debt notification is challenging to determine. It is vital to contact a debt collection lawyer to help you identify if harassment is occurring and what steps you can take to stop it.
What Should I Do if KDCII Contacts Me?
If you receive harassing phone calls from a debt collection agency, remain silent except to inform the company that you will only take phone calls from their attorney. Then, contact the U.S. Department of Financial Services to report the agency. You may also send the collection agency a written letter instructing them to stop contacting you.
If you receive further communication, document the incident. Any contact after a cease and desist letter is considered harassment. If this occurs, make a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission through their online portal.
Finally, if a debt collector from KDCII contacts you regarding gym membership debt or any other type of debt, contact Agruss Law firm to speak to a debt collections attorney. Our team has years of experience in consumer protection law, including fighting debt collection agencies that break FDCPA regulations.
Protect Your Rights With Mike Agruss Law
At Mike Agruss Law, we care about protecting your rights as an American consumer. If a collections agency like KDCII contacts you regarding an outstanding debt, call one of our consumer protection lawyers as soon as possible. We can protect you from harassment and pursue legal action if the company violated your rights per federal laws.
Schedule your free consultation today to stop collections harassment and move forward with your life.
