Greater Collection Agency Bureau , LLC (GCAB) is a third-party collection agency based in North Carolina. GCAB has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as threatening to take actions that cannot legally be taken and attempting to collect debts not owed. If GCAB has contacted you about past due collection items,make sure you know your rights before responding.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) established a profile page for Greater Collection Agency Bureau , LLC in 2017. The BBB lists GCAB as a collection agency. GCAB has not authorized or claimed this profile page, and the BBB does not provide any details about GCAB’s founding date or how long they have been in business.
According to its website, GCAB is “redefining the accounts receivable industry by providing businesses and healthcare organizations with better tools for accounts receivable, debt recovery, and past due accounts.” GCAB’s mission is to “build a world-class company based on superior accounts receivables and customer service.”
Greater Collection Agency Bureau collects delinquent debts for large and small businesses, “including, but not limited to, healthcare, communication, retail, and utilities.” GCAB is a family-owned business focused on providing“personalized service and stability.”
GCAB “collects… delinquent funds using an in-depth understanding of the debt collection process and a team of debt collection specialists.” They have “a two-step process to ensure fast resolution.” During Step One, GCAB sends out “the first of four legal demand letters.” Next, a “collector will start to contact the debtor and produce a resolution to the matter. If all attempts to reach a conclusion to the account fail,” GCAB moves on to Step Two.
During Step Two, a “receiving attorney will immediately draft the first of several legal letters to the debtor on … law firm letterhead demanding payment.” Next, the “receiving attorney… will immediately start attempting to contact the debtor via the phone, in addition to the series of letters.” Third, “if all attempts to resolve the matter continue to fail, GCAB will… recommend actions for the next and final step.” During the final step, “if after a thorough investigation of the facts surrounding the case,GCAB determines the possibility of recovery is not likely, they will recommend …closing the case.”
Greater Collection Agency Bureau states that they are “thoroughly knowledgeable of the requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, as well as regulations encompassing every state in America.” However, their website does not provide any detailed information about their regulatory compliance policies, and 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 3 complaints against Greater Collection Agency Bureau in the preceding three years, with 2 of them closed in the previous 12 months. Two of those complaints alleged problems with billing and collections; the third alleged problems with customer service. As of February 2017, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 6 complaints against GCAB. Justia does not list any cases of civil litigation involving GCAB.
Greater Collection Agency Bureau, LLC
PO Box 680574
Charlotte, NC 28216-0010
Telephone:(877) 217-0668
Website: http://www.gcabllc.net/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely GCAB 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 Greater Collection Agency Bureau cite problems resulting from disputes about the validity of debts and allegations of fraud and harassment. In February 2019, a complainant stated that GCAB had “contacted him several times.” According to the complainant, several of GCAB’s collectors “raised their voices on several occasions and made threats.” The complainant stated that the calls had begun about 2 years previously. He said that during this time, GCAB had “never identified themselves, “ and that “the only way he learned who they were was… by typing the phone number into the computer.” Greater Collection Agency Bureau alleged that the complainant owed a debt from several years previously, resulting “from an old payday loan” that he acknowledged having taken out. However, when the complainant researched the details about where the loan originated, the bank records revealed that “nowhere over the course of the account” was there any indication that the “payday loan company was not paid.” The complainant said he had spent several months obtaining the records, and on the day of the complaint, he“received a voicemail from a GCAB representative who was yelling about him not keeping a promise to get back to him…and that GCAB was going to file for a monetary judgement on his taxes.” In addition, they had previously “threatened to serve a judgement on him at his house.” He also said that the amount of the alleged debt “keeps going up each time” GCAB makes a contact attempt. In response, GCAB apologized to the complainant regarding his encounter with the GCAB representative. GCAB insisted the collector was not yelling, but that he normally speaks in an overly loud voice. GCAB promised to counsel him to use a quieter tone in the future. They promised not to make any further calls and stated that they had sent out a validation letter.
In August 2019, a complainant stated that Greater Collection Agency Bureau had been calling“multiple days in a row from disguised phone numbers, leaving messages implying there is a ‘case’ pending.” In addition, GCAB had been leaving “recorded ‘scripted’ messages implying legal action,” with calls also placed to family members. The complainant stated that GCAB had “not mailed any debt notification letters.” The complainant recorded the messages and forwarded the audio files to the State Attorney General’s office. He accused GCAB of “violating debt collection practices by claiming they are a legal firm and that cases are pending.” In response, GCAB denied making an excessive number of calls and stated that they had sent notification letters to the complainant. The complainant rejected GCAB’s attempted resolution and insisted that they answer for the alleged FDCPA violations.
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 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!”
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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