Did you recently receive a call from 866-209-0622 or a mailer from 5620 Southwyck Blvd Toledo, OH 43614 stating you have remaining debt that needs to be paid? This is UCB Collections.
When struggling with debt, receiving calls from a debt collection agency like United Collection Bureau (UCB) can be overwhelming. However, knowing your rights and taking necessary measures to secure your financial stability in such circumstances is crucial. Knowing how to stop these calls is also important.
UCB Collections has collaborated with prominent companies such as Verizon, AT&T, and Capital One to collect their debts. This agency specializes in collecting delinquent dues from various industries.
While some consumer complaints have been filed against UCB Collections in the past, it is a legitimate debt collection agency that must comply with legal guidelines and protocols. Staying informed about debt collection can help you make informed decisions and avoid being scammed.
What is UCB Collections?
United Collection Bureau (UCB) is a contingency collection agency based in Ohio, United States. The company provides debt collection services to clients across various industries, including government, healthcare, utilities, communications, and financial services.
As a contingency collection agency, UCB only receives payment for its services if they successfully recover the debt owed to its clients. UCB Collections typically contacts debtors through phone, mail, or email to request prices and negotiate repayment terms.
Contact Details
Phone: 812-380-5477 or (866) 209-0622.
Address: 5620 Southwyck Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614
UCB Collections History
UCB Collections is a privately held, third-party debt collection agency based in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The company was founded in 1959 by Gerald and Betty Clark, who started the business from their home.
UCB initially focused on collecting debts for healthcare providers but later expanded to serve a variety of industries. The company grew steadily over the years and expanded its operations to multiple states across the United States.
In 2014, UCB Collections was acquired by Encore Capital Group, a publicly traded company specializing in debt buying and collection. Encore Capital Group also owns several other debt collection agencies.
UCB has been recognized for its commitment to compliance and ethical practices in the debt collection industry. It is also a member of the BBB and has received an A+ rating for its customer service and complaint resolution practices.
UCB Collections Reviews
Based on the reviews, UCB Collections is an agency with mixed ethics. Despite having a good rapport with BBB, some consumers have accused UCB Collections of violating the FDCPA rules.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported 289 complaints over the last ten years. The numerous complaints are due to UCB’s debt collection practices.
Google Reviews
UCB Collections has received an average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars on Google based on 121 reviews. These reviews often highlight UCB Collections’ poor debt collection practices, which may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
It is important to note that these reviews are from different locations and different consumers, which may have contributed to the varying experiences. Overall, UCB Collections has some improvement areas, particularly in communication and collection tactics.
It would be helpful to gather more information about the agency’s culture to better understand UCB Collections’ overall performance as a consumer.
BBB Reviews
UCB Collections has been accredited by BBB since 2013 and has an excellent A+ rating. BBB has received 183 complaints about UCB Collections in the last three years and resolved 48 of them in the last year.
Some consumers have reported positive experiences with UCB, such as prompt and professional service. However, others have said issues with UCB Collections’ communication and aggressive collection tactics.
Other Reviews
These are some customer reviews on UCB Collections. In addition to these, the Complaints Board has received numerous complaints since 2015 about UCB Collections’ inappropriate communication tactics, improper contact or information sharing, attempts to collect the debt that was not owed, and false statements or representations.
If you receive calls or letters from UCB Collections regarding a debt collection account, you must take measures to protect yourself. Consider negotiating a settlement at this time, depending on your situation.
How To Stop UCB Collections
UCB Collections can be a persistent and intimidating debt collector, bombarding you with incessant calls and letters. However, there are steps you can take to stop their harassment. Here’s what you need to do to put a halt to UCB Collections’s communication:
1. Use The 11 Word Phrase
By simply saying, “Please cease and desist all calls and contact me immediately,” you can end the call and stop the debt collector from contacting you. If this doesn’t work, you can send a demand letter with the same phrase.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), once you ask a debt collector not to contact you, they must honor your request. Your cease-and-desist letter should contain your name, contact information, social security number, and address. It’s crucial to send the letter via certified mail with a return receipt to prove that the company received it.
Once the debt collector receives the letter, they should not contact you unless:
1. They’re responding to acknowledge your request. They may send you a reply acknowledging receipt of your letter and agreeing to stop contacting you.
2. They’re serving you. The debt collection company may contact you to let you know that they’ve filed a lawsuit against you.
2. Make UCB Collections Validate the Debt
When UCB Collections contacts you about a debt, it’s important to verify that the debt is actually yours. Many people rush to repay the debt out of panic, but requesting that LVNV validate the debt is a crucial step. You can ask them to send a debt validation letter, which should include:
- your name,
- your creditor’s name,
- the amount you owe, and
- instructions on how to dispute the debt.
If you haven’t received a validation letter yet, be sure to request one. Once you receive it, review the information and check for any unfamiliar debts. You can request a credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax) to see if the debt is legitimate. If you find an error, be sure to contact the credit bureau to rectify the mistake.
How to Tell If It Is a Scam
Are you worried about being scammed by an UCB Collections agent? Unfortunately, it can happen. Scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate agents from the company, which can be a big problem for unsuspecting individuals. One of the ways to identify a scam is to look out for personal information requests from the agent. If an agent asks for your personal information, it’s likely that they’re trying to scam you. Additionally, if the agent can’t give you any answers about the debt they’re claiming you owe, it’s another red flag.
To avoid being scammed, always ask for the agent’s employee ID number. If they cannot provide one, it’s likely that they’re not a legitimate agent. Furthermore, it’s always best to avoid giving out personal information unless you are certain that the agent is legitimate. A debt validation letter is an excellent way to verify that an agent is legitimate and not a scammer.
Note: New regulations now require debt collectors to send a debtor a Notice of Debt within five days from the first day of contact. This notice should contain vital information about the debt in question, such as:
- the date of the last invoice or statement provided by the original creditor,
- the date of the last payment made by the debtor, the date on which the transaction became a debt,
- the charge-off date, and
- the judgment date in case there is a court judgment for the debt.
By examining these dates, you can determine if the statute of limitations applies to the debt. If the notice is incomplete or does not include all the necessary information, it is considered invalid, and the debt is not collectible.
Be aware of these regulations because many debt collectors who bought debts before the new regulations were implemented may not have access to this information. Some of them may try to intimidate you into paying the debt or admitting that you are the debtor. Therefore, once an agency sends you a Notice of Debt, be sure to examine it carefully to ensure that it complies with the law. If it does not comply with the law, you can write back to them, stating that you will not engage in any further discussions until they send you a Notice of Debt that complies with Regulation F.
3. Confirm the Statute of Limitations on the Debt
It’s crucial to determine if your debt is still within the statute of limitations before making any payments or arrangements. The statute of limitations refers to the period after which the creditor or debt collector cannot take any legal action to recover the debt. Check the statute limitation on your debt to see if the period has lapsed. If it’s time-barred, you may be lucky not to have to pay it. Review the date of your debt against your state’s statute of limitations to ensure you are within the legal timeframe.
Note that the statute of limitation begins from the date the creditor reported the debt as delinquent. If you acknowledge the debt or make payments towards it, it restarts the statute of limitations. However, failing to pay will keep the statute of limitation in place, but it will not remove the debt from your credit history until seven years have passed. Evaluate your financial situation, the amount, and your debt to decide if waiting for the statute of limitation to expire is a good idea.
4. Act
In the face of debt collectors, there are only two possible courses of action: pay up or dispute.
Paying the Debt
If you’re certain that the debt is yours, it’s best to settle it quickly before it spirals out of control. Paying off the debt is a straightforward option, but you should consult with the collection agency to ensure that you’re paying the right party. After all, debts can be sold and resold multiple times, making it confusing to know who to pay.
If you don’t have enough money to pay the full amount, you can explore debt relief options like debt settlement. This involves negotiating with the collection agency to accept a lump sum payment that’s less than the total amount owed. However, be cautious when dealing with debt settlement companies, as many are known to be fraudulent. These companies should not charge any fees upfront or make any guarantees before successfully settling your debt.
Another option is to seek credit counseling, where professionals can provide guidance on managing your debt. Alternatively, you can file for bankruptcy, which allows you to have some or all of your debts forgiven. The best course of action will depend on your current financial situation.
Disputing the Debt
On the other hand, if the debt isn’t yours, it’s important to dispute it promptly. You have 30 days from the time you’re contacted by the collection agency to dispute the debt. If you don’t, the debt will be presumed valid, and you’ll be held liable for it. When disputing the debt, make sure to send a debt validation letter following the template design for notices sent after the Regulation F implementation on November 20, 2021. This will help ensure that the collection agency has the burden of proving that the debt is valid, rather than you having to prove that it isn’t.
Does UCB Collections Sue for Unpaid Debt?
UCB Collections is notorious for suing debtors who have unpaid debts. Being served with a lawsuit from a debt collection company like UCB Collections can be stressful and overwhelming. However, there are ways to fight back and protect yourself.
It is essential to note that UCB Collections typically resorts to suing as a last resort. Initially, they will make a phone call to inform you about the debt and ask you to settle it. Often, they may offer you a discount if you pay the debt within a specific date. They may call several times after that, especially if you do not make the payment. In some cases, they may resort to harassment by contacting your family or friends to pressure you to make the payment. They may also report your unpaid debt to credit bureaus like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
If all their attempts to collect the debt fail, UCB Collections may file a lawsuit against you. Most debt collection agencies sue debtors with the hope of obtaining a default judgment. However, it is crucial to know that most of these companies may be able to sue you, but they are not well-equipped to do so. The attorneys who represent these agencies in court may not have enough knowledge or documentation on your case since they handle numerous lawsuits.
What You Can Do
One common mistake that debtors make is feeling intimidated after being sued and not knowing what to do next. As a result, they fail to appear in court, and a default judgment is filed against them. It is crucial to appear in court, even if you cannot afford to hire an attorney. Your appearance will demonstrate good faith and prevent the company from obtaining a default judgment against you.
What You Can Avoid
Ignoring the lawsuit and failing to appear in court is the worst thing you can do. Debt collection agencies like UCB Collections often win in court because their lawsuits go uncontested. Failure to appear in court can result in a full judgment being awarded to the debt collector. This can lead to wage garnishment, frozen bank accounts, or other extreme measures against you. The court judgment may also be listed on your credit report, negatively affecting your ability to qualify for credit and making the default public knowledge.
Understand Debt Collection
It is essential to understand debt collection and how to handle it. Receiving constant phone calls and letters from debt collection agencies can be intimidating, and debtors often panic and ignore them. However, ignoring the issue will not make it go away. Instead, it would be best if you got as much information as possible on debt collection, what to do, and what not to do. Understanding debt collection will help you handle the issue calmly and confidently.
UCB Collections sues debtors who have unpaid debts. If you are sued by UCB Collections, it is crucial to appear in court and, if possible, hire an attorney to represent you. Ignoring the lawsuit and failing to appear in court can result in a default judgment against you, leading to severe consequences like wage garnishment and frozen bank accounts. Therefore, it is crucial to understand debt collection and how to handle it to protect yourself.