Centron Services Inc or CSI 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.
Centron Services, Inc. (CSI) is a third-party collection agency based in Montana. CSI has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including failing to verify debts and improper contact or sharing of information. If CSI has contacted you about past due financial obligations, make sure you know your rights before you take action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Centron Services, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency founded in 1927 and incorporated in 1994. The BBB established a profile page for CSI in 2004, and CSI has been BBB-accredited since 2010. The BBB lists CSIas a collection agency and billing service that uses the alternate business names, Credit Systems and Accounts Management Corporation. Buzzfile estimates CSI’s annual revenue at $1.5 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 18 employees.
According to its website, CSI employs “certified collection professionals who consistently collect above the national average and will diligently attempt to recover…past-due accounts.” CSI states that it has “provided the best in customer service and results in the industry since 1927.”
CSI “accepts accounts from a wide variety of creditors including medical, dental, utility, retail, mental health counselors, attorneys and municipal fees, among others.” Their range of services includes “competitive rates; high recovery success; a certified collection staff; status reports upon request; reporting of certain unpaid accounts to two national credit reporting networks; educational seminars and on-site training; and legal actions filed only with clients’ written consent.”
CSI cites its membership in Rural Dynamics, Inc., but their website does not include any information about its regulatory compliance policies. Their Consumers tab provides access to an online payment portal and a web-based contact form. There is also a legal disclaimer for site visitors who choose to make online payments or use the contact form. However, the CSI websites does not provide any 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 February 2019, the BBB has closed 6 complaints against Centron Services, Inc in the preceding three years, with 1 complaint closed in the previous 12 months. All of those complaints cited problems with billing and collections. Since April 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 13 complaints against CSI. Justia lists at least 2 cases of civil litigation involving CSI.
Centron Services, Inc.
2525 Colonial Drive, Ste. C
P.O. Box 875
Helena, MT 59624
Telephone:(406) 442-3728
Website: http://www.centronservices.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely CSI 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
Complaints against Centron Services cite problems resulting from disputes about the validity and amount of debts, as well as allegations of aggressive collection tactics. In January 2018, a complainant stated that CSI “had a judgement against him for $600…that he signed off for.” The complainant stated that CSI “used the judgement to garnish his wages, and he was fine with that.” However, “one month later CSI used the judgement paperwork to levee his bank account for the same debt and took 2 times the amount in the collection papers that he had signed.” He also stated that CSI has now “collected 3 times the amount for this debt than the judgement allowed.” He also stated that “no warning was given before cleaning his account, and he is too poor with 8 children to feed to sue them.” In response, CSI stated that the judgment “was granted by the Stillwater County Justice Court… in the amount of $621.74, as well as ongoing costs of prosecution.” They said that they had explained “in the complaint served to the complainant that CSI sought the judgment for not only the $621.74, but also interest which accrues at a rate of 6.75% annually, and costs incurred and accruing in the prosecution of this matter. This means that the actual amount of funds ultimately seized will exceed the amount of $621.74.” CSI indicated that “at the present time, there is a balance of $623.93 owing in their office,” and that “this amount only includes interest, as the costs incurred and accruing are only applied at the time asset seizure takes place and, as such, cannot be calculated ahead of time.” They stated further that CSI “is currently executing on the plaintiff’s wages from his employer and monies due him from the State of Montana IRS as a result of an income tax return.” In addition, the “writ of execution is being managed by Equity Process Management (EPM). EPM currently holds $594.24 that is intended for CSI. The amount of $594.24 is not representative of the amount withheld from the plaintiff’s wages at this time, as EPM represses their fee prior to issuing payment to CSI. Those fees are inclusive of the costs incurred and accruing.”
In October 2016, a complainant stated that Centron Services was “attempting to collect a debt that was never his or in his name.” According to the complainant, the debt “was a hospital debt supposedly owed by his deceased mother,” which he allegedly told CSI “on several occasions.” The complainant “asked for some form of original billing or proof of original debt with his name on it, or even his mother’s name for that matter, and they have never provided anything.”On the day of the complaint, the complainant “was notified that CSI had posted collection notices with both Equifax and Trans Union credit reporting agencies for this debt that was NEVER in his name.” He indicated he would be “contacting his attorney.” In response, CSI stated they had only spoken with the complainant once, despite having made several attempts. They acknowledged the error; stated their agreement that the complainant was not responsible for the debt; apologized; and said they would request that the information be removed from his credit reports.
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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