Applied Business Services or ABS is a debt collection agency, which receives a lot of consumer complaints to our law firm for debt harassment. Find out who they are, why they might be calling, and how you can stop them.
Applied Business Services, Inc. (ABS) is a third-party collection agency based in North Carolina. ABS has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including using false or misleading language in an effort to collect a debt and attempting to collect debts not owed. If ABS has contacted you about a debt, make sure you know your rights before taking action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Applied Business Services, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency, founded in 1974 and incorporated in 1995. The BBB established a profile page for ABS in 2003. The BBB lists ABS as a collection agency that uses the alternate business names, Applied Business Systems, Inc. and Security Collection Agency. Buzzfile estimates ABS’s annual revenue at $1.8 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 18 employees, with an estimated 25 employees across all locations.
According to its website, ABS “provides custom-designed collection services with the flexibility that allows clients to choose the range of services that best matches their collection philosophy and generates the most revenue for their bottom line.”
The ABS website consists of only one page, although there are links to off-site portals for online consumer payments and client account access. The ABS website does not provide a lot of detailed information about its collection practices or client base. ABS states that it is “aggressive in its pursuit of collections,” but “the procedures employed are geared toward prevention of harassment and intimidation of its clients’ customers.”
ABS also states that it uses “a problem-solving approach, in conjunction with a thorough follow-up process” to ensure “greater debt recovery rates and fewer customer complaints.” ABS also “understands that it works for its clients and never forgets that optimum service is the only acceptable product worth providing.”
The rest of the one-page website consists of an ACH/debit authorization form for recurring payments and a web-based contact form for questions. The site does not include a mini Miranda officially identifying ABS as a bill collector. There is no detailed information about its regulatory compliance polices. ABS has posted the logo and a link to the site for the International Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA International). However, there are no links or references to consumer protection resources, laws, or enforcement agencies.
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 March 2019, the BBB has given ABS a rating of C. The BBB has closed 2 complaints against Applied Business Systems, Inc in the preceding three years, with 1 complaint closed in the previous 12 months. Both of those complaints cited problems with billing and collections. Since July 2015,the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)has closed 27 complaints involving ABS. Justia lists at least 3 cases of civil litigation involving ABS.
Applied Business Services, Inc.
617 Soundside Road
Edenton, NC 27932
Telephone: (252) 482-7666
Website: http://www.abs-sca.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely ABS 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. Here are some Sample Complaints
In February 2018, in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, a judge issued an opinion and order in a case alleging Applied Business Systems had violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In this case, the plaintiff claimed that “in August 2015, she was erroneously billed by a hospital for medical services for which she was not responsible…Despite her… attempts to resolve the billing error with the hospital,” the plaintiff alleged that “the hospital forwarded the unpaid bill to” ABS. Subsequently, in December 2015, she received a “dunning letter from ABS with respect to the unpaid hospital bill, and she soon learned that ABS had reported the debt to” the credit reporting agencies. She also stated that she had “contacted both ABS and Equifax on numerous occasions to dispute the charge, but the unpaid hospital bill remained on her credit report without modification or notations.” As a result, the plaintiff asserted four counts against ABS and five counts against Equifax, claiming that they had both violated the FCRA. Counts against ABS included “failing to conduct a reasonable investigation into the disputed charge; …failing to review all relevant information provided by Equifax with respect to the disputed charge; …and failing to report the results of such investigation to Equifax and properly block, modify, or delete the disputed charge from” her credit report. She also claimed that ABS was guilty of defamation by having reported inaccurate information. Charges against Equifax included “failing to assure the accuracy of…credit information; …failing to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of the disputed charge; … failing to notify ABS of the disputed charge; …failing to review all relevant information submitted…with respect to the disputed charge; and…failing to properly delete or modify the disputed charge…and notify the plaintiff of such action.”
ABS failed to answer the plaintiff’s complaint, so at the February 2018 hearing, the plaintiff sought an “entry of default judgment as to liability against ABS.” She also asked the court to grant her “a trial by jury on the issues of damages to be awarded against ABS after such judgment is entered.” The complainant had filed a complaint against both ABS and Equifax, but unlike ABS, Equifax had filed an Answer to her complaint. Although the court agreed that the plaintiff had stated a valid claim, the case against Equifax had not yet been decided. The court agreed that a default judgment may be appropriate; however, the court was also concerned that the pending decision in the Equifax claim may have a bearing on the outcome of her trial for damages. As a result, the court delayed judgment in the case against ABS “pending resolution of the instant case against defendant Equifax.”
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).
But here’s the rub: If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. These 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.
You may have a case, if…
“With your help the nagging collection calls have finally ceased! I was thrilled I was also able to get damages from the collection agency. I am unable to adequately express my joy. I am so thankful I made the call.”
“When I first emailed the office, I was not exactly sure what they could do for me. I had an idea, but they responded back with everything I could expect to take place. I never believed I would be receiving a check, it was definitely a silver lining. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking customer legal services.”
“I just wanted to let you know we received the check from your office on now and I wanted to take some time to inform you that we really appreciate all of your efforts in this matter.”
We can absolutely help. 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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