Associated Credit Services or ACS is an Accounts Receivable Management company based in Massachusetts that specializes in third-party debt collection. ACS has received consumer complaints alleging serious violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including misrepresentation and threatening to take actions that cannot legally be taken. If you have been contacted by ACS, make sure you understand your rights before responding.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Associated Credit Services, Inc. was founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1971. The BBB established ACS’ profile page in 1973. The BBB lists ACS as a collection agency. Buzzfile estimates Associated Credit Services’ annual revenue at $3.1 million with a staff 22 employees at its headquarters.
According to its website, Associated Credit Services “provides assistance regarding consumers’ accounts, placement activity, interest calculations and adjustments, recovery performance, monthly reporting, remittance support, and so much more.” In addition, ACS “is dedicated to serving the very specific needs of…clients with an unparalleled commitment to customer service…and programs tailored to exceed…goals and requirements.”
Associated Credit Services “services a national client base across a wide verity of industries, including commercial and non-commercial financial institutions (auto deficiencies, overdraft, consumer loans, DDA, etc.), consumer credit card servicers, credit unions, public utilities, healthcare and insurance providers, corporate business organizations, and higher education institutions.”
The Associated Credit Services website does not provide a lot of detailed information about its business practices. Instead, they indicate that their “technological capabilities…and dedication to advanced technology” are used to ensure their “staff of recovery specialists are professionally trained using the most up to date ACA training software available.” ACS employs an “approach to recovery though consumer education… to create a win-win situation for clients and consumers.”
Associated Credit Services’ Disclosure and Privacy Policy page provides mandated information privacy disclosures. References and links to consumer protection regulations and state-specific disclosures can be found by clicking on the Make a Payment tab, then scrolling down to the bottom of the page, where a Consumer Disclosure link appears in small print.
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 December 2017, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has closed 28 complaints against Associated Credit Services in the preceding 3 years, with 11 closed in the past 12 months. Most of those complaints allege problems with billing and collections. As of March 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received 21 complaints about ACS. Justia lists at least 6 cases of civil litigation involving ACS.
Associated Credit Services, Inc.
PO Box 5171
Westborough, MA 01581
Telephone: (800) 962-9898
Website: https://www.acsrecovery.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely ACS 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 are some Sample Complaints
In May 2018, in United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington, a judge issued an Order in a case alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Washington Consumer Protection Act (WCPA), and the Washington Collection Agency Act (WCAA). In this case, the plaintiffs filed a complaint alleging that an attorney employed by Associated Credit Services had “misrepresented information in writs of garnishment, which allowed ACS to unlawfully garnish the plaintiffs’ exempt property in violation of the FDCPA.” The plaintiffs alleged that this misconduct also violated the WCAA and the WCPA. Specifically, ACS, through its attorney, garnished “all available funds…from the plaintiffs’ respective bank accounts to repay consumer debts, pursuant to a writ of garnishment filed by” ACS. The writs were executed based on “declarations on behalf of Associated Credit Services in support of each writ application and asserted that Associated Credit Services had ‘reason to believe’ that the plaintiffs’ property ‘was not exempt under Washington or federal law.’” The plaintiffs contended that ACS’ attorney was acting as a “‘robo-signer’ who signs numerous writ applications without any reason to believe the veracity of the statements he makes.” The plaintiffs cited “notices of exemption rights to the plaintiffs post-garnishment that contained materially false and misleading information concerning the plaintiffs’ respective cash exemption rights,” which resulted in the release of “their respective writs of garnishment and…some or all of the garnished money.”
The May 2017 hearing was held to determine whether the case brought by the plaintiffs met with the qualifications to qualify for certification as a class action lawsuit. Class action certification requires that the plaintiffs prove that there are enough members of the proposed class of injured parties to constitute cause for class action; that the injury in all the cases is common to each member; that the defenses against the claims are typical across the class; and that representation for the proposed class is adequate. Although the plaintiffs met the qualifications for class certification for the final three considerations, they had not submitted enough evidence to prove numerosity—that a sufficient number of residents of Washington state had suffered the same injury by Associated Credit Services—to qualify the case as a class action. As a result, although the charges themselves were not dismissed, and class certification was not granted at the hearing, the matter was dismissed without prejudice, allowing the plaintiffs another opportunity to provide evidence of numerosity at a later date.
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.
You may have a case, if…
“We realize that ours is just one small case among many – and many more serious – but are heartened by the fact that you accepted it and represented us with a professionalism that belied the small dollar amount.”
“If you are unsure about this company…DONT BE!!! They are for real when they say they are here to help you. It only takes a few short minutes of your time to talk to a rep. I was a skeptic, but you did everything you said you would! I can’t say thank you enough!”
”Lemberg Law has saved me from the endless calls, and harassing voicemails. They really do go to bat for you. I didn’t know that debt collection agencies can end up paying your legal bill. What a surprise, to receive free legal help. I’m very grateful for all the hard work they did to finally give me my life back.”
“I won’t be afraid to contact you or recommend your services to others for debt collection difficulties. Please keep up the outstanding work you do, and again, thank you for helping me through this challenging time. I am most grateful.”
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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ACS calls from multiple numbers. They have called family and left multiple voice mails. They are threatening court summons. They are also saying I am going to be sued. Calling me while I’m at work. They refused to send me any information about their agency or the debts. They call all times of the days leaving threatening messages.
Sick of ACS calling multiple times a day with different numbers
ACS is threatening me. They tried to deliver a Summons but I no longer live at the address they had. They are nasty. I tried to ask for a letter to validate the debt- they refused. When I said I have rights they said they will not discuss the fair debt collections act and I am a criminal. How do I stop this?? I live in Florida
ACS is attempting to collect a debt on behalf of Suntrust Bank for $1,000. Number one, I do not have that kind of money to pay them, but I was wondering if I were to start paying in small increments, will that inhibit them from reporting anything negative on my Credit Report? Currently, they are not reporting anything, but I need to avoid it at all costs.