Contacted by First Credit of America

Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record
BBB Definition:

unsatisfactory record - A company has an "unsatisfactory business performance record" with the Bureau is based on the experiences reflected in BBB files. This file condition results when the company has failed to resolve or respond to complaints, repeatedly failed to respond or resolve issues in a timely manner, failed to resolve the underlying issues for a pattern
BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.


of complaints, failed to honor their commitment to mediate or arbitrate disputes or honor mediated agreements or arbitrated decisions, failed to substantiate, modify or discontinue false advertising claims that are challenged by the BBB, or failed to discontinue unauthorized use of the BBB name and logo, a Federally protected trademark.


with the Bureau due to failure to respond to one or more complaints and or two or more otherwise unresolved
BBB Definition:

unresolved - The company failed to resolve the complaint issues.


complaints. However the business has resolved
BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.


some complaints presented to the bureau.

This company has an unsatisfactory record
BBB Definition:

unsatisfactory record - A company has an "unsatisfactory business performance record" with the Bureau is based on the experiences reflected in BBB files. This file condition results when the company has failed to resolve or respond to complaints, repeatedly failed to respond or resolve issues in a timely manner, failed to resolve the underlying issues for a pattern
BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.


of complaints, failed to honor their commitment to mediate or arbitrate disputes or honor mediated agreements or arbitrated decisions, failed to substantiate, modify or discontinue false advertising claims
BBB Definition:

advertising claims - The Better Business Bureau reviews business advertising, (newspaper, magazine, TV, radio, internet) routinely to ensure that it is truthful and ethical. Claims in advertising are measured against basic advertising principles of the BBB Code of Advertising
BBB Definition:

BBB Code of Advertising - http://www.bbb.org/membership/codeofad.asp


which was developed to guide advertisers, advertising agencies and advertising media.


that are challenged by the BBB, or failed to discontinue unauthorized use of the BBB name and logo, a Federally protected trademark.


at the Bureau due to a pattern
BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.


of complaints and unanswered complaints. Consumers allege company representatives call consumers multiple times daily, at home and/or at work when specifically told not to. Consumers allege that company's collectors are rude, and/or swear, and belittle the consumers, as well as hang up when consumers attempt to obtain additional information. Consumers likewise allege that when asked to substantiate allegedly owed debt in writing, company representatives refuse to do so and/or insist the consumer pay alleged debt immediately with no verification of debt.

Many consumers also state that the company makes calls to parties who no longer live at given address and allegedly refuse to take incorrect and/or invalid phone numbers off of their lists. Consumers further allege that 1st Credit of America representatives tell them that their wages will be garnished, and/or that they will go to jail, and that representatives do not verify and/or accept updated information when it is provided by the consumer. In many cases consumers state that they have filed for bankruptcy and were on a specific payment plan, but upon having presented this information to company's collectors, the information was rejected and/or consumers continued to be contacted.

On August 7, 2006 the Better Business Bureau sent a letter to 1st Credit of America, LLC requesting a written explanation from the company in regards to the company's pattern
BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.


of consumer complaints. The Bureau has also requested that the company provide a plan to obviate the pattern
BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.


of complaints. As of today, 1st Credit of America has failed to respond to this request.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

The Bureau processed a total of 187 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 187 complaints closed in 36 months, 117 were closed in the last year.

Advertising Issues
BBB Definition:

Advertising Issues - Claims alleging print or electronic media advertised claims or practices misrepresent the service or product offer.



No Response
BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.



1 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Billing or Collection Issues
BBB Definition:

Billing or Collection Issues - Claim alleging billing errors, unauthorized charges, or questionable collection practices.



Resolved
BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.



8 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
2 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Unresolved
BBB Definition:

Unresolved - The company failed to resolve the complaint issues.



4 - Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.
Administratively Closed
BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution



1 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.
No Response
BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.



118 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Service Issues
BBB Definition:

Service Issues - Claims of alleged delay in completing service, failure to provide promised service, inferior quality of provided service, or damaged merchandise as a result of delivery service.



No Response
BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.



3 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Customer Service Issues
BBB Definition:

Service Issues - Claims of alleged delay in completing service, failure to provide promised service, inferior quality of provided service, or damaged merchandise as a result of delivery service.



BBB Definition:

Customer Service Issues - Claims alleging unsatisfactory customer service, including personnel's failure to provide assistance in a timely manner, failure to address or respond to customer dissatisfaction, unavailability for customer support, and/or inappropriate behavior or attitude exhibited by company staff.



Resolved
BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.



5 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
3 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Unresolved
BBB Definition:

Unresolved - The company failed to resolve the complaint issues.



2 - Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.
No Response
BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.



34 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Refund or Exchange Issues
BBB Definition:

Refund or Exchange Issues - Claim of alleged failure to honor company policy or verbal commitment to provide refunds, exchanges, or credit for products or services.



Resolved
BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.



1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
No Response
BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.



4 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Issue Not Defined
No Response
BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.



1 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.



Competency Licensing

This company is in an industry that may require licensing, bonding or registration in order to lawfully do business. The Bureau encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

These agencies may include:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
100 W. Randolph
9th floor
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-4500
www.idfpr.com




Additional Telephone Numbers

Additional Phone Numbers
(800) 852-9465
(800) 293-1486