| Allied Interstate is one of the sleaziest collection | | | | collector to stop the harassment. |
| agencies in the world. The Minneapolis debt | | | | Under the FDCPA, collectors are supposed to |
| collectors are known to harass consumers | | | | advise consumers that they have a right to |
| repeatedly, even when they are told to stop | | | | dispute the debt, but that if consumers don't do |
| calling. This kind of harassment is in violation of | | | | so promptly and in writing the collector can |
| federal law under the Fair Debt Collection | | | | assume after 30 days that the debt is valid. This |
| Practices Act (FDCPA). | | | | consumer right is called debt validation and should |
| Allied Interstate was sued by the Minnesota | | | | always be practiced. A consumer should never |
| attorney general for repeatedly calling innocent | | | | pay on a debt unless it is proven. |
| consumers despite requests to stop. Allied | | | | Once collectors are notified that they've |
| Interstate eventually agreed to a settlement that | | | | contacted the wrong party or that the consumer |
| prohibits them from contacting such consumers | | | | denies owing the debt, the companies are |
| after being told that they don't owe the debts in | | | | supposed to provide proof of the debts' validity. If |
| question. Will that be enough to stop the | | | | they can't supply the proof, collections are |
| harassment? It’s highly doubtful. | | | | required by law to cease. They are also required |
| There are more complaints to the Federal Trades | | | | to remove the debt from your credit report. |
| Commission about debt collectors than about any | | | | The best way to stop these miserable collectors |
| other industry. Yet, despite the many complaints | | | | is to know your rights and to let them know that |
| and class action law suits, debt collectors are still | | | | you know your rights. Otherwise they will take |
| managing to harass consumers on a regular basis. | | | | advantage of you as they have so many other |
| In many cases, the consumers don’t even | | | | innocent people that didn’t deserve it. |
| owe the money. They simply play off the | | | | |