Trans-Continental Credit & Collection Corp. (TCC) is a third-party collection agency that specializes in healthcare collections. TCC has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) such as failure to verify debts and using false or misleading language to collect a debt. If you have been contacted by TCC, understand your rights before taking action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trans-Continental Credit & Collection Corp. is a legitimate collection agency, founded and incorporated in 1975. The BBB established its profile page in 2005. TCC is listed as a collection agency that uses the alternate business name, Law Office of Mark Nichter. Buzzfile estimates TCC’s annual revenue at $5.4 million, and the size of its headquarters staff at 75 people.
According to its website, TCC began “as a one-person operation…and has grown to one of the Nation’s top 100 collection agencies, resulting in the collection of hundreds of millions of dollars for thousands of satisfied customers.” TCC’s “staff has a thorough understanding of the collection business and has the utmost regard for respecting and maintaining our client’s image.”
TCC has “extensive experience with healthcare receivables.” In addition, they collect consumer debts, government agency debts, and commercial debts. As a full-service agency, TCCC offers “mail programs designed for earliest possible collection and highest possible dollar return to you”; phone call and email service delivered by a staff with “decades of experience”; debtor evaluation and classification; payment options that include “check, money-order, credit card or online” payment; special project services; litigation services; and seminars and consulting.
TCC “has won numerous awards… and has been featured in numerous leading publications illustrating its innovative collection techniques and technologies.” TCCC cites membership in the International Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA International). However, their website does not provide any information about its regulatory compliance polices; 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 November 2017, the BBB has given Trans-Continental Credit & Collection Corp a rating of D-. The BBB has closed 9 complaints against TCCC in the past three years, with 6 closed in the past 12 months. Almost all of those complaints allege problems with billing and collections. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has not received any complaints about TCCC. Justia lists at least 7 cases of civil litigation involving TCCC.
Trans-Continental Credit & Collection Corp.
44 South Broadway, Suite 401
White Plains, NY
Telephone:(914) 421-3000
Website: http://transcontinentalcredit.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely TCCC 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 Cases
In July 1995, in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, a judge issued a Memorandum and Order in a case alleging Trans-Continental Credit & Collection Corp had violated provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that prohibit collection agencies from threatening action that cannot legally be taken; using false or deceptive language; or using unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt. Specifically, the plaintiff in this case received two collection letters from TCCC that contained the following language:
Letter #1:
“THIS PAST DUE STATEMENT REFLECTS A BALANCE DUE THE STATED CREDITOR.
“THIS ACCOUNT HAS BEEN REFERRED FOR COLLECTION AND WE MUST ASK THAT YOU REMIT THE BALANCE SHOWN IN FULL BY RETURN MAIL WITHIN FIVE DAYS.
“THE AMOUNT WILL BE ASSUMED TO BE CORRECT UNLESS YOU INFORM US OTHERWISE WITHIN 30 DAYS. IF YOU DISPUTE THIS DEBT IN WRITING, WE WILL SEND YOU VERIFICATION OF THIS OBLIGATION.
…
“TO BE SURE OF PROPER CREDIT AND TO WITHHOLD FURTHER ACTION, RETURN THIS STATEMENT WITH PAYMENT IN FULL….”
Letter #2:
“Stores, banks, credit card companies usually draw credit reports when authorizing credit. Unless this bill is cleared within 5 days, we will be obligated to recommend to our client that it report this debt to the various credit bureaus for general distribution availability. This can hurt your ability to obtain credit for many years.”
The court cited case law that upheld verdicts in which similar language was found to be a violation because it created the false impression that the collection agency intended to take legal action when no legal action was forthcoming. The letter also overshadowed the plaintiff’s right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter. As a result, the court agreed that the plaintiff had shown a cause of action with regard to the language in the letter; however, they did not agree that the plaintiff had provided evidence that TCC’s practices were unfair or unconscionable. All of the other plaintiff’s motions were upheld, and he was given the right to amend his complaint with regard to the charge that was dismissed.
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.
Your debt harassment checklist:
“The group at Lemberg Law was professional, courteous, and effective. Their grasp of consumer protection laws and guidelines are second to none, and they work extremely difficult to ensure this procedure is client-friendly.”
“After a few months of frustration with a debt collector, I eventually called Lemberg Law. It was among the best financial decisions I have ever made. Jody and her staff were comprehensive, useful, and above all else powerful. I highly recommend their services and thank them for their continual efforts.”
“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.”
Chances are good that we can help. Call us today and we’ll explain.
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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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