Hey man, have you been getting calls from this Credence company? I hear stories from many of my clients who've been there before. Credence is a well-known debt collector. They say you owe them money, but you're not really sure where from.
So, about these calls from Credence Resource Management regarding some supposed debt you owe? Chances are, they're coming from Credence that's notorious for buying up debts or getting hired by lenders to chase them down. It's like they've got a radar for any unpaid bills or forgotten subscriptions. And you know what? Sometimes, they even come after you for stuff you've already sorted out, like that auto-pay you canceled ages ago.
But what if it's all a mix-up? The calls could also result from a mistaken identity, in which case working with a credit repair company like ASAP Credit Repair may help resolve the issue.
I know how stressful these types of calls can be. I even had one client go through therapy because of unmanageable stress from collection calls. Receiving persistent phone calls from debt collectors, like Credence Resource Management, can be distressing and overwhelming. However, understanding your rights and knowing how to handle these calls is crucial for protecting yourself and managing your financial situation effectively.
This guide covers handling Credence phone calls. We discuss your legal rights, strategies for dealing with collection calls and options for resolving debts.
Contents:
- Getting To Know Credence Resource Management
- How To Handle Credence Debt Collection Calls
- Know Your Rights under the FDCPA
- Take Action If the Debt Does Not Belong to You and Is Not Being Dropped
- How Credit Repair Works
- Beyond Just Repair
Getting To Know Credence Resource Management
"Hey Joe, since you have been in the financial industry for over 17 years, can you tell me more about Credence?"
Absolutely, dear readers!
Credence Resource Management is a well-established debt collection agency headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It specializes in debt recovery services, working with creditors to collect outstanding debts from individuals who owe money. The company pursues debtors using various tactics, including phone calls, letters, and other forms of communication.
Are they legitimate?
As for their legitimacy, Credence Resource Management is a licensed and registered debt collection agency operating within the bounds of the law. They are regulated by federal and state laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which sets guidelines for ethical debt collection practices.
What about reviews?
Regarding reviews, opinions about Credence Resource Management are mixed, as is common with many debt collection agencies. While some individuals may have positive experiences with the company, others may report negative encounters, such as aggressive communication tactics or disputed debts. It's essential to note that reviews can vary based on individual circumstances and perspectives.
Checking their BBB profile
To check the rating of Credence Resource Management on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, you can follow these steps:
Visit the official BBB website: Go to www.bbb.org.
Search for Credence Resource Management: In the search bar at the top of the page, enter "Credence Resource Management," and press Enter or click the search icon.
View the BBB profile: Look for the listing of Credence Resource Management in the search results and click on it to access their BBB profile.
Check the rating: On the company's BBB profile page, you should see their rating prominently displayed. The rating is typically represented by a letter grade, such as A+, A, B, etc. Additionally, you can find information about customer complaints, customer reviews, and any other relevant details about the company's performance.
Review additional information: Take some time to explore the details provided on the BBB profile, including any accreditation status, accreditation history, and any alerts or warnings issued by the BBB.
By following these steps, you can easily check the rating and other important information about Credence Resource Management on the BBB website.
Overall, Credence Resource Management is a legitimate debt collection agency with a track record of pursuing outstanding debts on behalf of creditors. However, like any collection agency, it's crucial for individuals to understand their rights under the law and to seek assistance if they believe they are being treated unfairly or if they dispute the validity of the debt being pursued.
How To Handle Credence Debt Collection Calls
If you believe Credence Resource Management has contacted you in error regarding a debt that you do not actually owe, there are steps you can take to resolve the issue.
Stay calm, But be careful.
When Credence Resource Management calls you, remain calm and polite. Don't provide any personal information or admit that the debt is yours. Do not raise your voice or become aggressive. Simply state that you do not have any information regarding the alleged debt and politely ask the caller to stop calling. If they continue to contact you, repeat that you do not have the requested information and ask them to communicate only in writing going forward.
Verify the debt in question.
After getting the call, it's time to take action! Request debt validation from Credence in writing. You can do this by email. You can also visit their website, https://credencerm.com/, to learn more about their contact information.
You can also check the details below:
Customer Care: 1-855-880-4791
Consumer Complaints: 1-855-880-4792
Disputes: 1-855-880-4792
Office Hours: Monday to Friday - 8 AM EST to 9 PM EST; Saturday - 11 AM EST to 7 PM EST
customerservice@credencerm.com
complaints@credencerm.com
disputes@credencerm.com
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors must provide written verification of the debt upon your request. This should include details of the original creditor, account number, and amount owed. Credence must respond within 30 days to provide this information.
If Credence fails to provide sufficient validation, the debt is likely illegitimate, and you can ignore the calls. However, you should contact Credence directly to discuss your options if the debt is valid. Explain any extenuating circumstances that led to your falling behind on payments, and be prepared to offer to settle for less than the full amount owed.
Keep detailed records.
Document all communication with Credence, including dates, times, and the content of conversations. This information can be valuable if you need to dispute the debt in the future.
Keeping accurate records of your interactions with Credence Resource Management will help you build a strong case if you need to dispute the debt. In addition to notes of phone calls, save the following:
Copies of any letters or emails from Credence. This includes debt validation requests and responses.
Records of payments made to Credence, including transaction details, dates, and amounts.
Documentation of any disputes or investigations you file with credit reporting agencies regarding the reported debt.
If you believe the debt is invalid and want to formally dispute it, having this documentation will strengthen your position. Credence will be required to prove the debt is accurate and legitimate. Without adequate proof on their end, they will need to stop collection efforts and remove the debt from your credit reports.
So remain diligent about recording the details of every communication you have with Credence. Request correspondence in writing whenever possible. Ask for a copy of any documentation they have to substantiate the debt. Staying organized in this manner will help you resolve the issue efficiently and accurately.
Ignore threats and intimidation tactics.
The collector may threaten legal action or wage garnishment but do not engage with these threats. Simply repeat your request for debt validation in writing and tell them to communicate only in writing going forward. Do not provide any personal or financial details during phone calls.
If Credence continues to call after you have requested debt validation and offered payment, you can threaten legal action for harassment under the FDCPA. At that point, involving an attorney or credit counseling service may be your best option to get the calls to stop for good.
Consider contacting an attorney.
If Credence continues to contact you after your requests, an attorney can send them a cease and desist letter on your behalf to get them to stop calling. You may also have grounds to pursue legal action for illegal debt collection practices.
Knowing your options.
Evaluate your financial situation and explore options for resolving the debt, such as negotiating a settlement or setting up a repayment plan.
Credence may be willing to negotiate, especially if you can pay a lump sum to settle the debt. Getting the debt resolved, even for a lesser amount, is better for your credit than simply ignoring the calls.
The most important thing is to document your interactions with Credence and always communicate with them in writing to build a case should you need to take legal action in the future. With a bit of persistence and negotiation, you may be able to resolve the alleged debt and end Credence's calls.
I hope you guys feel confident now whenever you get those calls from unknown numbers. Stay tuned, since in the next sections we'll discuss more about your rights and how to repair your credit.
Know Your Rights under the FDCPA
Since we mentioned the FDCPA earlier, let's get to understand your rights as a consumer. The Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides consumers with legal protections against abusive and unfair debt collection practices. Some key rights under the FDCPA include:
Just so you know, there are laws around how these debt collectors can contact you. They can't call before 8 AM or after 9 PM unless you agree. And they can't threaten you or pretend to be the police. Once you tell them to stop calling your work, they have to respect that, too.
Protection against harassment: Debt collectors cannot engage in harassing or abusive behavior, such as making repeated calls or using threatening language.
Right to verification: You have the right to request verification of the debt within 30 days of receiving a validation notice from the collector.
Limits on communication: Debt collectors are prohibited from contacting you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM, without your consent.
Take Action If the Debt Does Not Belong to You and Is Not Being Dropped
If you're positive this debt isn't yours, it's time to get some help. A credit repair company can communicate with the big three credit bureaus - Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian - to get inaccurate stuff removed. Those bureaus control your credit report and score.
One bad collection account can really bring your score down. A credit repair company will prove to the bureaus and original creditor that the debt isn't yours, so they remove it. They'll send certified letters to make it official.
Remember, it's not worth paying for some fly-by-night operation that just says nice things to the bureaus. Go with a licensed company like The Phenix Group that can give you real advice. They'll explain how the credit system works so you make smart choices. Just one point lower interest on a big loan could save you tens of thousands over 30 years.
If Credence or another collector won't leave you alone, getting help is the move. I know it costs something, but messing up your credit long-term will cost way more. Hit up The Phenix Group to see your options, man.
If the collection agency refuses to drop the debt when you insist that it does not belong to you, consider hiring a credit repair company to resolve the issue and restore your credit record.
How Credit Repair Works
As you know, I own a successful credit repair company. A credit repair company's goal is to help remove inaccurate information from your credit report by communicating with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. These bureaus hold all the power when it comes to your credit report and score.
Even a single collection account reported to one bureau can seriously hurt an otherwise good credit score, so it's important to address issues as soon as possible. The credit repair company first contacts the bureaus to verify any collection accounts. They'll also find out which bureaus have the reported debt. Next, they file paperwork with the original creditor to prove the debt isn't yours.
Once the debt has been confirmed as not belonging to you, the credit repair company sends certified letters to all involved parties to help remove the inaccurate information from your reports.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of how credit repair works in a simplified list format:
Initial Assessment:
A credit repair company begins by assessing your credit report from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
Identifying Inaccuracies:
The company identifies any inaccuracies, errors, or questionable items on your credit report that may be negatively impacting your credit score.
Communication with Credit Bureaus:
The credit repair company communicates directly with the credit bureaus to dispute the inaccurate information. They request verification of the reported items and their legitimacy.
Verification Process:
Upon receiving the dispute, the credit bureaus investigate the reported items with the creditors who provided the information. They have a limited time frame to verify the accuracy of the disputed items.
Documenting Disputes:
The credit repair company meticulously documents the disputes and maintains records of all communications with the credit bureaus and creditors.
Reviewing Results:
Once the credit bureaus complete their investigation, they provide the results to the credit repair company, indicating whether the disputed items have been verified or removed.
Appealing Disputes:
If the disputed items are verified, the credit repair company may appeal the decision by providing additional evidence or challenging the validity of the reported information.
Resolution:
If the credit bureaus determine that the reported items are inaccurate or unverifiable, they are legally required to remove them from your credit report.
Sending Certified Letters:
Upon successfully resolving disputes, the credit repair company sends certified letters to you and the credit bureaus confirming the removal of inaccurate items from your credit report.
Monitoring and Maintenance:
After the disputed items are removed, the credit repair company may provide ongoing credit monitoring services to ensure that your credit report remains accurate and to address any new issues that may arise.
By following these steps, credit repair companies aim to improve your credit score by removing inaccuracies and negative items from your credit report. However, it's important to note that results may vary depending on the individual's specific credit situation and the effectiveness of the credit repair company's efforts.
Beyond Just Repair
Some services claim they can build your credit just by sending nice messages to the bureaus, but that won't get real results. A licensed credit repair company like ASAP Credit Repair does more than that. We provide counseling on maintaining a high score long-term.
There's actually more to just repairing your credit. You can count us on the things below:
Comprehensive Credit Analysis:
We start by conducting a thorough analysis of your credit report to identify areas for improvement and potential factors affecting your credit score.
Customized Action Plan:
Based on the analysis, we develop a personalized action plan tailored to your specific credit goals and financial situation.
Debt Management Strategies:
We offer guidance and strategies for managing debt effectively, including debt consolidation, negotiation with creditors, and setting up manageable repayment plans.
Credit Building Techniques:
Beyond disputing inaccuracies, we provide actionable advice and techniques to help you build a positive credit history, such as responsible credit card usage, timely bill payments, and diversification of credit accounts.
Financial Education and Counseling:
We offer financial education and counseling sessions to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions and maintain a healthy credit profile.
Budgeting Assistance:
We assist in creating a realistic budget that aligns with your financial goals, helping you prioritize expenses, track spending, and allocate funds effectively to reduce debt and improve creditworthiness.
Identity Theft Protection:
We provide strategies and resources to safeguard your personal and financial information against identity theft and fraud, including proactive monitoring services and identity theft resolution assistance.
Credit Monitoring Services:
We offer ongoing credit monitoring services to keep track of changes to your credit report, detect suspicious activity, and alert you to potential signs of identity theft or fraudulent transactions.
Long-Term Credit Maintenance Guidance:
Lastly, we offer long-term guidance and support to help you maintain a high credit score over time, emphasizing responsible financial habits and proactive credit management strategies.
ASAP Credit Repair explains how the entire credit system works so clients make smart financial choices. Consider that just one point lower mortgage interest, from 7% to 6%, could save over $50,000 on a 30-year, $300,000 loan. For that return, credit repair services are very affordable.
By offering these comprehensive services beyond just credit repair, we aim to empower individuals to take control of their financial future and achieve lasting improvements in their credit health.
Take Action Today
If collection calls are constant, it may be time for help. Credit repair has a cost, but a damaged score costs even more. Contact ASAP Credit Repair USA now to review your options with credit experts. Don't delay improving your credit report and score.