ConServe , Inc. or Continental Service Group is a third-party collection agency based in New York state that specializes in collecting delinquent education loans. ConServe has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), such as using false or misleading information in an effort to collect a debt and threatening to take actions that cannot legally be taken. If CSG has contacted you about past due financial obligations,make sure you understand your rights before you respond.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), ConServe, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency, founded and incorporated in 1985. The BBB established a profile page for CSG in 2001, and CSG has been a BBB-accredited business since 2014. The BBB lists ConServe as a collection agency with an estimated 42 employees that uses the alternate business name, Continental Service Group, Inc. Buzzfile estimates CSG’s annual revenue at $115.5 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 148 employees, with an estimated 774 employees across all locations.
The debt collection agency is also referred to as Continental Service Group, Inc., ConServe NY, conserve — ARM, and ConServe Accounts Receivable Management. The majority of ConServe’s company is collecting student loan debt, and almost all of its clients are universities and colleges.
According to its website, ConServe has “made their mark in higher education specializing in providing accounts receivable management services for colleges and universities, guaranty agencies, and private lenders.” CSG states that its mission is to satisfy “the needs of …clients in a manner consistent with improving the human condition, and that will foster the development of long term mutually beneficial relationships with clients, employees, suppliers, business partners, and the community as a whole.”
CSG offers a full array of collection services for credit unions, government agencies, and institutes of higher education. These services include “collection services for past-due receivables that leverage… leading-edge technology infrastructure…to…secure payments in full; process compromises based on guidelines set by…clients; …establish recurring partial payment arrangements and agreements; and…enroll accounts in… consolidation and rehabilitation programs.” In addition, CSG provides skip tracing, account scoring, performance management, and administrative resolution services. CSG also accepts delinquencies for commercial business-to-business accounts.
CSG cites compliance with financial, technological, and privacy regulations, including the FDCPA, the FCRA, GLB, HIPAA, FERPA, the Privacy Act of 1974, “and all other applicable regulations regarding privacy and confidentiality.” CSG also states that it is “CA PPMS Certified, FISMA Compliant, and has achieved SSAE 16 Type II Engagement.” The CSG website does include links and references to consumer protection resources, but site visitors must first click on the Contact Us tab, scroll down to Consumer and Borrowers, click on the Consumer Resources link, then agree to be connected to another website. Resources are limited to lender-specific forms and information.
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of collection harassment and abuse. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. We’ve helped more than 15,000 consumers stop harassment and recover money from debt collectors. Harassed? Abused? Misled by a collector? Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
As of April 2019, the BBB has closed 106 complaints against ConServe in the past 3 years, with 31 complaints closed in the previous 12 months. Most of those complaints alleged problems with billing and collections, although 16 complaints also alleged problems with customer service. Since March 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 168 complaints involving CSG. Justia lists at least 5 cases of civil litigation involving CSG.
Continental Service Group
200 Cross Keys Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450
Phone Number: 800-724-7500
Website: http://www.conserve-arm.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely ConServe would sue you for a debt you may not owe or they cannot validate. However, debt collection agencies are known to have summoned debtors to court and garnish wages after a default judgement. Contacting an attorney BEFORE this could possibly happen would be a smart move. We’ve helped thousands of consumers fight back against unscrupulous debt collection harassers. Find out if we can help you too today!
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Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. You can sue a debt collector. Here is a Sample Case Filed in Federal Court:
In March 2017, in United States District Court for the Western District of New York, a judge issued an order in a case alleging ConServe had violated certain provisions of both the FDCPA and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). In this case, the plaintiff had incurred student loan debt and then defaulted on the repayment. The delinquent loan was sent to CSG for collection. The plaintiff alleged that in its attempts to collect the debt, CSG representatives “placed debt collection calls… at a harassing and unfair rate, including…up to four calls a day.” In addition, the “calls were made to the plaintiff’s cellular telephone using an ‘automatic dialing system.’…and an artificially reproduced voice employing text-to-voice technology.” The plaintiff also asserted that CSG’s calls “were not placed for emergency purposes, nor did CSG have express consent to place calls using an artificial or prerecorded voice to his cellular telephone.” As a result, the plaintiff alleged that CSG’s conduct violated the FDCPA’s prohibition against harassment by placing an excessive number of phone calls in an effort to collect a debt; and the TCPA’s prohibition against calling consumers’ cell phones using an automated dialing system and leaving pre-recorded messages without first obtaining consent.
Attorneys for ConServe attempted to argue that the plaintiff failed to state a claim under the TCPA. The court cited the TCPA’s provision making “it unlawful for any person in the United States to make a call ‘using any automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice … to any telephone number assigned to a … cellular telephone service,’ unless it is for emergency purposes or with ‘prior express consent.’” Violations of this law allow“for statutory damages in the amount of $500 for each violation as well as injunctive relief against future violations.” Because the plaintiff had demonstrated that CSG had violated the specific provisions of this law, the court dismissed their objections. As for the FDCPA claim, attorneys for CSG attempted to argue that they are not a debt collector as defined by the FDCPA, and that the plaintiff failed to prove that the calls placed to him were made for the purpose of collecting a consumer debt. The court disagreed, again stating that CSG’s argument lacked merit. CSG’s request for a judgment was denied, and the plaintiff was instructed to amend his complaint before proceeding.
Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. The FCRA regulates how collection agencies and creditors report delinquent debts to credit reporting agencies. Additional consumer protection laws include the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
Yes. If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. Federal laws provide individuals like you with a means to seek monetary damages in court. For example, the FDCPA allows consumers who have been violated to recover damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
Consumers have reported this agency harassing them from the following numbers:
You may have a case, if…
“I need to commend you and your company to your valuable support to individuals like myself, who have problems they want help with when confronted with collection difficulties.”
“After you chose my case, the calls stopped entirely. After you registered against two bureaus, you settled our situation and obtained compensation for me. I want all to understand that, if a collection agency harasses you, your friend, or your loved ones, put a stop to it by calling Lemberg Law. They’ll find the calls to stop, and they get results quickly.”
“I got a check yesterday in settlement of my case. I need to thank you and your staff for your services. I discovered the people I dealt with at Lemberg Law to be unfailingly polite, professional, and helpful when I called in with questions.”
In a word, yes. We ought to be able to assist. Call us today.
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Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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Another number they are using to harass ppl is 1844-466-5519
is con serve affiliated with the IRS?
A Atty / credit company filed a judgement against me in 2010 However a class action suit was brought against the company for fraudulently obtaining judgements, etc. I participated. I also never pad dime because ws constantly disputing it – in 2006 I had the judgement vacated thru Court. That company was no longer in business. Now, A new Attorney/collection who purchased the debt for pennies on the dollar has filed a “motion to renew” based on “that” judgement – Is this legal – Do they need to have original paperwork of creditor info. What is my recourse?? HELP!!