Facing harassment from CCS Collections over a debt? The important thing to know is to not let their tactics overwhelm you.
We know that getting that CCS notice for a debt is a stressful experience. Unfortunately, many of these companies resort to aggressive and unethical methods to pressure consumers into paying, often without proper verification of the debt.
Common CCS Collections Harassment Tactics
- Excessive Calls: CCS Collections might call you at all hours of the day, ignoring boundaries to push you into paying.
- Workplace Harassment: They may contact you at your job, jeopardizing your reputation or peace of mind.
- Invasion of Privacy: Debt collectors sometimes try to contact you through social media or other personal channels.
These companies persist because they profit the most when consumers pay—even if the debt is disputed or inflated. As a result, they might hound you for years, hoping you’ll eventually give in to the pressure.
The good news is that you can fight back. Understanding your rights and taking the right steps can stop the harassment and even help you beat CCS Collections in court.
Click here if you want to understand more about credit collection harassment and how to handle it.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about protecting yourself and holding CCS Collections accountable.
Who Is CCS Collections?
CCS Collections is one of the largest debt collection companies globally.
Boasting nearly 700 employees and over $53 million in annual revenue. The company primarily purchases delinquent accounts. Which is in the world of finance also known as charged-off debts. These are debts from various sectors, including:
- Banking and financial services
- Healthcare and insurance
- Telecommunications and utilities
- Retail and education
Once CCS Collections buys these debts, they aggressively attempt to collect on them, often using tactics that consumers find distressing.
Complaints Against CCS Collections
If you’ve had a negative experience with CCS Collections, then you are not alone. Consumers have reported over 200 complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and more than 900 complaints on the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile.
Common Complaints About CCS Collections Include:
- Harassment through repeated calls and messages.
- Errors in reporting debts on credit reports.
- Fraudulent or incorrect debts linked to consumers.
- Difficulty resolving disputes or receiving proper communication.
Here’s an example:
A consumer reported that CCS Collections sent debt notifications to the wrong address. Despite repeated attempts to correct the error, CCS continued sending notices to the incorrect location. To make matters worse, CCS also reported fraudulent debts under the consumer’s name, severely impacting their credit score.
If CCS Collections is harassing you or pursuing a debt you don’t believe you owe, you don’t have to face it alone.
By understanding your legal rights, disputing inaccurate claims, and working with experts like ASAP Credit Repair, you can take the steps needed to stand up to
Know Your Rights When CCS Collections Contacts You
If you’re being pursued by CCS Collections, understanding your rights is critical. Debt collectors often rely on consumers being unaware of the protections afforded to them under federal law—especially the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
By learning the rules debt collectors must follow, you can shield yourself from harassment and take control of the situation. The FDCPA is a federal law designed to protect consumers from abusive, unfair, and deceptive debt collection practices.
Here are some key provisions that apply when CCS Collections contacts you:
- No Contact at Work: Debt collectors, including CCS Collections, are prohibited from contacting you at your place of employment if they know your employer disapproves.
- Respectful Communication Only: Debt collectors cannot use offensive, vulgar, or threatening language during their interactions with you.
- No Threats of Legal Action: Unless they genuinely intend to sue and are legally permitted to do so, debt collectors cannot threaten to file lawsuits against you.
- Contact During Appropriate Hours: CCS Collections is restricted from calling you before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM in your local time zone. Communication must occur during reasonable business hours.
- Written Verification of Debt: If you request validation of the debt in writing, the collector must provide documentation proving the debt is valid before continuing collection efforts.
If CCS Collections violates any of these rules, they are breaking the law. You have the right to report them to agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state’s attorney general.
How to Make Debt Collectors Stop: To stop harassment from CCS Collections, consider sending a Cease and Desist Letter or disputing the debt if you believe it’s invalid.
Protect Yourself if CCS Collections Files a Debt Collection Lawsuit
If CCS Collections escalates their efforts and files a lawsuit against you, it’s essential to respond promptly and strategically. Ignoring the lawsuit won’t make it go away—in fact, doing so can lead to severe consequences.
If you fail to respond, the court may grant CCS Collections a default judgment, allowing them to:
- Garnish your wages.
- Seize funds from your bank account.
- Place liens on your property.
However, there are steps you can take to fight back and potentially get the lawsuit dismissed. Keep reading to learn how to beat CCS Collections in court.
How to Beat CCS Collections in Court
If you’re facing a lawsuit from CCS Collections, understanding the legal process and taking the right steps can significantly improve your chances of success.
Here’s a more detailed guide on how to deal with this situation effectively.
Step 1: Respond to Each Claim in the Complaint and Deny as Many as Possible
The first step in fighting a lawsuit from CCS Collections is to file a written Answer with the court. This document is your official response to the claims listed in the Complaint (sometimes called a Petition, depending on your state).
Why Denying Claims Strengthens Your Case
Most legal experts recommend denying as many claims as possible. When you deny a claim, CCS Collections must provide evidence to support their allegations. If they fail to produce sufficient documentation, the court could dismiss the case entirely.
Here’s how to respond to each claim:
- Deny: This forces CCS Collections to prove the claim with evidence.
- Deny Due to Lack of Knowledge: Use this when you lack enough information to confirm or deny a claim.
- Admit: Only admit claims that are unquestionably true. Admitting too many claims could weaken your defense and lead to a judgment against you.
Important Note: If you admit all claims, you are effectively agreeing that you owe the debt as stated, which will likely result in a judgment requiring you to pay. Deny as many claims as possible to put the burden of proof on CCS Collections.
Good Read: How to Fix a Debt Issue with Harris and Harris Collections
Step 2: Assert Affirmative Defenses Against CCS Collections
Once you’ve denied claims in your Answer, the next step is to assert affirmative defenses. These defenses challenge the validity of CCS Collections’ lawsuit by pointing out weaknesses in their case.
What Are Affirmative Defenses?
Affirmative defenses are legal arguments that, if proven, could result in the dismissal of the lawsuit.
Examples include:
Lack of Proof: CCS Collections must demonstrate:
- They have the legal right to sue you.
- You are the correct debtor.
- The amount they claim is accurate and enforceable.
Statute of Limitations: Every state in the United States has laws about debt. Debt collection lawsuits must be filed within a specific time frame, known as the statute of limitations. If CCS Collections missed this deadline, the court could dismiss the case. Statutes of limitations vary by state but often range from 1–6 years for consumer debt.
FDCPA Violations: If CCS Collections violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act during their collection efforts (e.g., harassment, threats, or illegal communication), you could use these violations as a defense. Additionally, you may be entitled to compensation for damages and legal fees.
Example: Using an Expired Statute of Limitations as a Defense
Imagine CCS Collections sues you for a credit card debt, but the last payment you made was over five years ago, and the statute of limitations in your state is four years. You can assert this as a defense, potentially leading to the case’s dismissal.
Properly articulating your affirmative defenses strengthens your position and could even result in CCS Collections withdrawing their lawsuit altogether.
Step 3: File Your Answer with the Court and Serve CCS Collections
After drafting your Answer with all responses and affirmative defenses, you need to file it with the appropriate court. Timing is crucial, as you typically have 14–35 days from the date you were served to submit your Answer, depending on your state’s rules.
How to File Your Answer
- Submit to the Court: File your Answer with the court clerk by the deadline. Many courts allow electronic filing, but some may require in-person or mail submission.
- Send a Copy to CCS Collections: Mail a copy of your Answer to CCS Collections attorneys. Use certified mail with a return receipt to confirm delivery.
Why Filing on Time Matters
Failing to respond by the deadline may result in a default judgment, meaning the court automatically rules in favor of CCS Collections. This could lead to wage garnishment, bank account seizures, or property liens.
Take Back Control from CCS Collections
Dealing with a lawsuit or harassment from CCS Collections can be stressful, but you don’t have to face it alone. Knowing your rights under the law and responding proactively can help you level the playing field.
Whether it’s stopping collection calls or winning a lawsuit, companies like ASAP Credit Repair can empower you to fight back and protect your financial well-being. We can assist you with drafting responses to lawsuits, sending cease-and-desist letters, and even negotiating debt settlements.
By taking these steps, you can turn the tables on CCS Collections and move toward a resolution that works for you.