Debt collection agencies like Sentry Credit Inc. cannot harass you over a debt. You have rights under the law, and we will stop the harassment once and for all.
THE BEST PART IS…
If Sentry Credit violated the law, you may be compensated for the damages and they will pay your attorney’s fees and costs. You won’t owe us a dime for our services. Plus, some of our clients also receive debt relief and cleaned-up credit reports. You have nothing to lose! Call us today at 888-572-0176 for a free case evaluation.
Who is Sentry Credit Inc.?
Sentry Credit Inc. is a third party debt collector based in Everett, Washington. Founded in 1992, it has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 202o.
Sentry Credit’s Contact Information
Sentry Credit is located at 2809 Grand Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. The main telephone numbers are 800-608-2581 (toll-free) and 425-740-5400 and the main website is sentrycredit.com.
Fair Debt Collection
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law which applies to everyone in the United States. In other words, everyone is protected under the FDCPA, and this Act defines what Sentry Credit can and cannot do while collecting a debt, as well as things they must do while collecting debt. If Sentry Credit is engaging in debt collection harassment, you have rights under the FDCPA.
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) protects electronic payments that are deducted from bank accounts. If Sentry Credit took unauthorized deductions from your bank account, you may have an EFTA claim against the agency. To increase revenue, they want to set up recurring payments from consumers; if you agreed to this type of reoccurring payment, the agency must follow certain steps to comply with the EFTA. Did Sentry Credit continue to take electronic payments after you told them to stop? Did they take more money from your checking account than you agreed to? If so, we can discuss your rights and potential case under the EFTA.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) works to ensure that no information reported to your credit report is false, and gives you the right to dispute any inaccuracies found on your report. We’ve handled many cases in which a debt collectors reported debt on consumers’ credit reports simply to obtain leverage over them. If Sentry Credit is on your credit report, they may say they’ll remove the debt if you pay it; this is commonly known as “pay for delete.” In addition, if the original creditor is on your report rather than the debt collector, and you pay off the debt, both entities should accurately report this on your credit report.
Several states also have state debt collection laws to provide its citizens an additional layer of protection. For example, if you live in California, Florida, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, or Wisconsin, you may be able to add a state-law claim to your federal law claim. North Carolina, for example, has one of the most consumer-friendly statutes in the country: if you live in NC and are harassed over a debt, you may receive $500 – $4,000 in damages per violation. We work with a local counsel in NC and our NC clients have received some great results in debt harassment cases. If you live in North Carolina and are being harassed by a debt collection agency, you have leverage to obtain a great settlement.
What Our Clients Say about Us
“Michael Agruss handled two settlements for me with great results and he handled them quickly. He also settled my sister’s case quickly and now her debt is clear. I highly recommend Michael.”
“Michael was very helpful, they helped me solve my case regarding the unwanted phone calls. I would highly recommend them. Thank you very much Mike Agruss!”
“Mike Agruss Law was very helpful to me and my veteran father! We were harassed daily and even called names for a loan that was worthless! Agruss stepped in and not only did they stop harassing, they stopped calling altogether!! Even settled it so I was paid back for the problems they caused!”
Can Sentry Credit Sue Me?
Although anyone can sue anyone for any reason, we have not seen Sentry Credit sue consumers, and it’s likely that the agency does not sue because they don’t always own the debt they are attempting to collect, and would also need to hire a lawyer, or use in-house counsel, to file a lawsuit. If an agency’s debt collection efforts extend throughout the country, it would be quite difficult to have lawyers, or an entire firm, licensed in every state.
However, there are debt collection agencies that do sue consumers. For example, Midland Credit Management is one of the largest junk-debt buyers, and it also collects and sues on debt. Still, it is less likely for a debt collector to sue you than for an original creditor to hire a lawyer or collection firm to sue you. If Sentry Credit has threatened to sue you, contact Mike Agruss Law as soon as possible.
Can Sentry Credit Garnish Wages?
No, unless they have a judgment. If Sentry Credit has not sued you, then it cannot get a judgment. Barring limited situations (usually involving debts owed to the government for student loans, taxes, etc.), a debt collection agency must have a judgment in order to garnish someone’s wages. In short, we have not seen this agency file a lawsuit against a consumer, so the agency cannot garnish your wages, minus the exceptions listed above. If Sentry Credit has threatened to garnish your wages, contact our office right away.
Sentry Credit Settlement
If you want to settle a debt with Sentry Credit, ask yourself these questions first:
Do I really owe this debt?
Is it within the statute of limitations?
Is it on my credit report?
If I pay it, will Sentry Credit remove it from my credit report?
If I pay it, will the original creditor remove it from my credit report?
If I pay it, will I receive confirmation in writing from Sentry Credit for the payment and settlement terms?
These are not the only things to consider when dealing with debt collectors. We are here to help you answer the questions above, and much more. Whether it’s debt collection harassment, settlements, pay-for-delete, or any other legal issue with Sentry Credit, we at Mike Agruss Law are here to help you.
Top Debt Collection Violations
Debt collection laws define what collectors like Sentry Credit can and cannot do while collecting consumer debt. Based on our years of experience handling thousands of debt collection harassment cases, here’s what collection agencies most often do to violate the law:
Called you about a debt that isn’t actually owed.
Called you at work after you told them you cannot receive phone calls at work.
Left you a message without identifying the company’s name.
Left you a message without disclosing that the call is from a debt collector.
Called third parties (family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors) even though the collection agency knows your contact information.
Disclosed to a third party (family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors) that you owe a debt.
Contacted you after you said to stop calling.
Threatened you with legal action (such as a lawsuit or wage garnishment).
Called you before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM.
Continued to call you after you have told the collector you cannot pay the debt.
Communicated (phone or letter) with you after you filed for bankruptcy.
Failed to mark the debt on your credit report as disputed after you disputed the debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay your fees and costs for helping me with my consumer rights case?
No. Our law firm handles consumer rights cases based on a fee-shift provision and/or a contingency fee. That means either Sentry Credit will pay your fees and costs, or we take a percentage of your recovery. Whether it’s a fee-shift case or a contingency-fee case, we don’t get paid unless you get paid, and you’ll never owe us a penny for our time.
What are the damages I can get under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
If Sentry Credit violates any section of the FDCPA, you are entitled to damages up to $1,000.00. You may also be entitled to actual damages if the violation caused you out-of-pocket expenses. For example, if Sentry Credit threatens you with legal action to induce you to pay the debt, you may be able to get your payment back as actual damages.
What type of debt is covered under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
Only consumer debt, such as personal, family, and household debts. For example, money owed on a personal credit card, an auto loan, a medical bill, or a utility bill. The FDCPA does not cover debts incurred to run a business, or debts related to unpaid taxes or traffic tickets.
Does the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act apply to banks or credit card companies?
No. Only third party debt collectors, like Sentry Credit, are bound by the FDCPA. Original creditors, such as banks and credit card companies, are not bound by the FDCPA.
Are there state laws that protect me from original creditors?
Yes! Several states also have laws that provide its citizens an additional layer of protection. If you live in California, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, or Wisconsin, you have additional state-law rights.
Are mistakes on credit reports common?
Yes! Are you one of the 40 million Americans who have a mistake on their credit report? These mistakes can be very costly: along with causing you to pay higher interest rates, you may be denied credit, insurance, a rental home, a loan, or even a job because of these mistakes. Some mistakes may include someone else’s information on your credit report, inaccurate public records, stale collection accounts, or maybe you were a victim of identity theft.
What if I have a mistake on my credit report?
If you have a mistake on your credit report, there is a process to dispute them. My office will help you pull your credit report and dispute any inaccurate information. If a credit reporting agency violates its obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you may be entitled to statutory damages up to $1,000.00, plus the credit reporting agency will be required to fix the error. The FCRA also has a fee-shift provision, which means the credit reporting agency pays your attorney’s fees and costs. Therefore, you will not pay me a penny for my time. To speed up the process, please get a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also learn more about the FCRA and your rights here.
Share your Complaints against Sentry Credit Inc. Below
We encourage you to post your complaints about this agency below. Is Sentry Credit calling in violation of federal law? Are they even calling the wrong person regarding the alleged debt? Sharing your complaints against Sentry Credit can help other consumers understand what to do when a third party debt collector starts calling. Sharing your experience may help someone else!
HERE’S THE DEAL!
If you are being harassed by Sentry Credit or another collection agency over a debt, you may be entitled to compensation – up to $1,000 for harassment. Under state and federal laws, our law firm will help you based on a fee-shift provision and/or contingency fee, which means the debt-collector pays your attorney-fees and court costs. You won’t owe us a dime for our services. We have settled thousands of debt harassment cases, and we’re prepared to help you, too, and ensure that your legal rights are protected. Contact Mike Agruss Law at 888-572-0176 for a free case evaluation, and we will stop the harassment once and for all.
