Allied Interstate

Allied Interstate is one of the sleaziest collection agencies in the world. The Minneapolis debt collectors are known to harass consumers repeatedly, even when they are told to stop calling. This kind of harassment is in violation of federal law under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

Allied Interstate was sued by the Minnesota attorney general for repeatedly calling innocent consumers despite requests to stop. Allied Interstate eventually agreed to a settlement that prohibits them from contacting such consumers after being told that they don't owe the debts in question. Will that be enough to stop the harassment? It’s highly doubtful.

There are more complaints to the Federal Trades Commission about debt collectors than about any other industry. Yet, despite the many complaints and class action law suits, debt collectors are still managing to harass consumers on a regular basis. In many cases, the consumers don’t even owe the money. They simply play off the collector to stop the harassment.

Under the FDCPA, collectors are supposed to advise consumers that they have a right to dispute the debt, but that if consumers don't do so promptly and in writing the collector can assume after 30 days that the debt is valid. This consumer right is called debt validation and should always be practiced. A consumer should never pay on a debt unless it is proven.

Once collectors are notified that they've contacted the wrong party or that the consumer denies owing the debt, the companies are supposed to provide proof of the debts' validity. If they can't supply the proof, collections are required by law to cease. They are also required to remove the debt from your credit report.

The best way to stop these miserable collectors is to know your rights and to let them know that you know your rights. Otherwise they will take advantage of you as they have so many other innocent people that didn’t deserve it.

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[Via Credit]