Berlin-Wheeler , Inc. (BW) is a third-party collection agency based in Kansas. BW has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as using false or misleading information in an effort to collect a debt and failing to provide written verification of debts. If BW has contacted you about past due collection items,make sure you understand your rights before you take action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Berlin-Wheeler, Inc. was founded in 1951 and incorporated in 1961. The BBB established a profile page for BW in February 1969; BW has been a BBB-accredited business since January 1969. The BBB lists BW as a collection agency. Buzzfile estimates Berlin-Wheeler’s annual revenue at $10.2 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 135 employees.
According to its website, BW is “a quality-driven integrated call service enterprise, dedicated to providing superior customer service for…clients and their customers.” Berlin-Wheeler “assists companies to successfully manage delinquent accounts and… helps…clients… develop strategies to reduce accounts receivable and maintain a compliant and positive image within the community.”
The Berlin-Wheeler website does not provide any detailed information about the types of businesses or industries for whom they collect debts. Their collection services include “telephone collections that are synonymous with quality customer service because they never forget that the past due consumer is also the client’s customer.” BW’s active account management service provides “prompt attention to …accounts receivable, which means increased cash flow.” BW also provides litigation options for those accounts that resists efforts using “a friendly basis through consistent, professional telephone contact.”
Berlin-Wheeler states that it “complies with all federal, state, and local regulations, and are PPMS and PCI certified, HITRUST and HIPAA compliant.” BW’s training team “combines the efforts of both Quality Assurance and Training through their Learning and Development Department” with a focus on “overall customer experience.” Their website provides a lot of information about current job openings, working conditions, and salary and benefit options. 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 August 2019, the BBB has closed 36 complaints against Berlin-Wheeler in the preceding three years, with 17 complaints closed in the previous 12 months. Most of those complaints alleged problems with billing and collections.As of July 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 12 complaints against BW, all of them attributed to a company called Wakefield & Associates, Inc. Justia lists at least 5 cases of civil litigation involving BW.
Berlin-Wheeler, Inc.
2942A SW Wanamaker Drive., Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66614
Telephone: (785) 271-1000
Website: http://www.berlinwheeler.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely BW 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 Complaint:
Complaints against Berlin-Wheeler cite problems resulting from disputes about the validity of debts and the accuracy of information reported to the credit reporting agencies. In October 2018, a complainant stated that he had “received a letter from BW… that he owed a debt for” about $400.00. The complainant sent BW “a certified debt validation letter.” According to the complainant, BW “sent back a copy of invoices, an itemized printout, and a demand for payment, but nothing to verify the debt, since the FTC has stated that itemized printouts are not verification of a debt.” The complainant “checked his credit report… and the debt was reporting to the credit bureau, but it was not marked disputed within the 30 days that are required by law,” according to the FDCPA. The complainant “sent another certified letter to BW, … letting them know of the violation and asking them to remove the inaccurate information from his credit file.” However, the complainant stated that “the debt has not been removed nor has BW responded.” His complaint requested that BW remove “this inaccuracy…from his credit report immediately.”
In April 2017, a complainant stated that he had contacted Berlin-Wheeler “several times about removing… incorrect information from his credit report, but they refuse to.” According to the complainant, he had “contacted the original creditor…about his account with them.” Allegedly, “they said his account was paid in full, but they refused to give him anything that shows it’s paid in full or report it to BW as being paid in full.” The complainant stated that he had “paid this collection item several years ago,but they are still reporting it as not being paid.” He had also “contacted the credit report agencies, … and they still haven’t done anything about it other than say that it takes 30 days.”
In July 2015, a complainant stated that Berlin-Wheeler was “reporting a $50.00 collection from his primary care physician.” According to the complainant, his “doctor requires all co-payments to be made at the time of visit,” and he insisted that the $50.00 co-pay was already paid. He stated that he had “returned to his physician many times since then, and they had never inquired or requested the $50.00” payment. He provided all the contact and account number information he had received in his letter from BW and requested assistance in resolving the dispute.
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…
“With your help the nagging collection calls have 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.”
“I would recommend your company to anyone. You have the debt collectors off my back, and I will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout the entire procedure your employees were courteous and professional. I was blown away by their efficacy also.
“After speaking to one of the partners, and going over the plan of action, I felt I’d chose the perfect company to go to work for me. He was very accommodating in describing what was going to happen. I would strongly recommend Lemberg Law to anybody being hassled by debt collectors”
“Prior to contacting you, we had tried repeatedly to handle this matter without threatening litigation. In the end, not only were they unapologetic, but they were dismissive – even of an attorney friend who called on our behalf. Sincerest thanks for resolving this matter for us!”
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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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I am currently being garnished for a bill that is not showing on my credit report. They are not showing that I am making payments on that account is that legal?
Berlin wheeler added a collection to my credit report and everyday they are flagging it I disputed it with the credit bureau and it came back verified so I have sent a debt validation letter
BW have been calling me about hospital debts that are over 7 and 9 years old! This is the first I’ve heard from BW about these debts. Never received a bill for any of it from any hospital, (I had insurance). None of the debt is listed on my credit report. Not sure what they’re up to, but I call foul. I even explained to BW that I can provide old insurance info and was told that it didn’t matter now, nearly a decade later, and that my former insurance company wouldn’t be able to process the claims anyway, so just pay the debt, but since it is is so old, they could probably knock off a bunch of that interest. Without committing, I informed BW that I would be contacting the hospital to get to the bottom of this, and promptly said goodbye. That was around the first week of April. Haven’t heard a peep out of BW until today, 3 weeks later. And no one was on the other end when I answered. I even tried calling back! Four times! I was hung up on after the first ring each time I tried to call back.
Got a call from someone at Berlin Wheeler who threatened to send authorities? at my home or place of employment over an unpaid debt that is NOT mine. Please help with this harassment