National Credit Solutions Collection on my Experian credit report
Date: Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:39
Here is some solid information about NCS and how to deal with them...
What kind of agency is National Credit Solutions?
NCS is a third party entity; we are not affiliated with the original creditor although we collect unpaid debt on their behalf. Sometimes organizations hire NCS to work on their unpaid debts, and in this case we do not own the actual accounts. Any money collected goes back to the creditor, minus a percentage of the debts that is decided upon as the earnings for the agency. Other times NCS actually purchases the debt portfolio from the creditor for an agreed upon amount. This means that NCS owns these debts and will keep any money collected.
Who regulates a collections agency?
The Federal Trade Commission is the primary regulator of collection agencies. There are varying city-wide and state-wide laws that also regulate collection activities within their jurisdiction. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the primary United State Federal law governing debt collection practices.
In addition to state and federal laws, NCS is a certified ACA International member and has agreed to abide by the association's code of ethics as a condition of membership. ACA's standards of conduct require its members to treat consumers with dignity and respect, and equip agencies with the tools and resources needed to professionally address all consumer complaints.
What tools does NCS use to collect?
• Skip tracing – investigation of account bearer,
verifying contact information and whereabouts.
• Investigative Software
• Credit Reporting Capabilities
• Sophisticated Lettering System
National Credit Solution will not harass, bully, or threaten any consumer and we do not support these tactics in any situation.
Is it legal for NCS to report to my credit?
Yes it is legal. You may or may not have been contacted by the original creditor for attempts to receive payment before they handed over the account to a 3rd party collections agency. It is frustrating to find something on your credit report without any warning HOWEVER once the account is handed down to a collections agency (the last step) they have the right to report it to the Credit Bureau without notification (With the exceptions of 3 states).
National Credit Solutions gained credit reporting capabilities after the company was audited and fulfilled the requirements set by Credit Bureau. Unlike other agencies NCS contacts the credit bureau every Friday for the quickest possible updates to your credit. Whether you establish payment in full, a payment plan, a settlement, or have the account closed there is a difference in each option and how it affects your credit report. If you have any questions or would like to make an agreement that best suits your situation please call into the office at 1-800-384-0585 and have your account number ready.
Do I have to pay extra fees to NCS in addition to the principle balance?
Any additional late fees that have accumulated on your account depend on two things. These fees will vary according to the contract that you entered into with the original creditor at the time of your transaction. Varying state regulations also dictate what kind of fees and collections are permissible. If you have any questions about your account you may call National Credit Solutions at 1-800-384-0508 and ask for a breakdown of your charges.
Does NCS have to provide proof of purchase before collection?
The answer to this question is No. After NCS sends you validation of the debt they are not further required to prove any of the details of your original transaction with the creditor. Validation includes an itemized statement of your transaction, contact information of the original creditor, and your last known billing address. Even if you didn’t actually receive the product you were charged for that is an issue that needs to be taken up with the original creditor. When the agency receives accounts from the original creditor they trust that the accounts are correct and valid. Due to the large amount of accounts some errors and cases of identity theft may occur. In these situations the burden of providing proof lies with consumer. You must submit substantial evidence to NCS that proves that this debt is not yours, an example of this would be submitting identity theft policy reports and the official affidavit.
Will my account be closed if I send in a complaint?
There is a difference between filing a dispute and a complaint. If you feel that the debt is not rightfully yours send in a written dispute and submit proof accordingly to the NCS office. If you have experienced harassment or witnessed any unlawful business practices there are a number of places you can submit a complaint. However, filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, your Attorney General, or on the ACA International website does not close the account.
We will respond to any complaints filed through these organizations and provide validation. We pride ourselves on maintaining a healthy relationship with the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission and wish to defend our reputation and handle any and all complaints in a timely and professional manner.
What is the best way to dispute a debt?
*** If you have a valid dispute AND PROOF to back it up send it right in to NCS and they will close the account. If you send it to a representative to send to NCS it only takes longer and they want to let you know they can handle those matters for you.
•A dispute must be a written request.
•Provide proof that supports your claim
•Be clear in your request for deletion
•Be patient in waiting for a response ( may take up to 30 days for investigation)
Should I contact the original creditor?
If a mistake has been made and you have proof that you paid and closed your account with the original creditor, mail any documents you have directly to the NCS office with a request for deletion. It might be hard to contact the creditor and many times they will simply direct you back to NCS. The original creditor no longer has your account on file and NCS is not able to give out their contact information. If you wish to speak with them you will have to use your own resources and it is very important if for any reason you receive any instruction or approval for deletion that you get a written statement and mail it in to NCS.
How can I prove this debt is not mine?
Once you receive validation this means that the debt is in fact under your name and the agency that you are dealing with has legal authority to collect the debt. If you have never lived at the address on the file or were a victim of identity theft or have any special situation in which the debt being pursued is not yours you must send a written dispute to our office and also submit sufficient proof. After a dispute is filed an investigation will be taken up and you will be contacted within 30-60 days.
•If you contact NCS and make a request for payment in full (PIF) your account will be closed and the Credit Bureau will be contacted. We will request that the collection be deleted from your credit report entirely. NCS reports to the Credit Bureau with any updates to your credit every Friday. This ensures quicker updates than many other agencies out there. All that NCS can do however is notify the Credit Bureau and after that it is their obligation to make any changes as they see fit. The time that it takes to see any immediate results or removal varies.
•If you are seeing the date of December 2008 this is when National Credit Solutions received your actual account, this is NOT the date that indicates when the actual transaction occurred NOR does this date effect the fall-off date of the collection on your credit. The fall-off date for the collection on your credit is seven years from the last activity on the account. Your credit report will have this date listed. NCS does not “re-age†any accounts or manipulate any information illegally. NCS operates in compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). We are licensed and working continuously to adhere to different stipulations that vary from state to state. We follow a strict code of ethics and treat every one of our consumers respectfully.
•There are some consequences that come from leaving a collection report on your credit and waiting for 7 years for it to fall off. These consequences include but are not limited to drastic changes in your credit score, high interest rates, high insurance premiums, and difficulty acquiring loans or purchasing a house or car and may affect job eligibility.
•If you know that you owe money but have questions about the actual amount you can call into the NCS office and ask a Debt Resolution Representative for a breakdown of the principle balance as well as any late fees or interest accrued.
National Credit Solutions is a debt collection company. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. To ensure compliance with federal laws pertaining to debt collection, we are unable to correspond electronically. Please feel free to call the office at 1-800- 384-0585
This information is not to be construed as legal advice. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. Every effort has been made to assure that this information is correct and up-to-date. This is not a full and exhaustive explanation of the law nor should it be used as or considered legal council.
What kind of agency is National Credit Solutions?
NCS is a third party entity; we are not affiliated with the original creditor although we collect unpaid debt on their behalf. Sometimes organizations hire NCS to work on their unpaid debts, and in this case we do not own the actual accounts. Any money collected goes back to the creditor, minus a percentage of the debts that is decided upon as the earnings for the agency. Other times NCS actually purchases the debt portfolio from the creditor for an agreed upon amount. This means that NCS owns these debts and will keep any money collected.
Who regulates a collections agency?
The Federal Trade Commission is the primary regulator of collection agencies. There are varying city-wide and state-wide laws that also regulate collection activities within their jurisdiction. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the primary United State Federal law governing debt collection practices.
In addition to state and federal laws, NCS is a certified ACA International member and has agreed to abide by the association's code of ethics as a condition of membership. ACA's standards of conduct require its members to treat consumers with dignity and respect, and equip agencies with the tools and resources needed to professionally address all consumer complaints.
What tools does NCS use to collect?
• Skip tracing – investigation of account bearer,
verifying contact information and whereabouts.
• Investigative Software
• Credit Reporting Capabilities
• Sophisticated Lettering System
National Credit Solution will not harass, bully, or threaten any consumer and we do not support these tactics in any situation.
Is it legal for NCS to report to my credit?
Yes it is legal. You may or may not have been contacted by the original creditor for attempts to receive payment before they handed over the account to a 3rd party collections agency. It is frustrating to find something on your credit report without any warning HOWEVER once the account is handed down to a collections agency (the last step) they have the right to report it to the Credit Bureau without notification (With the exceptions of 3 states).
National Credit Solutions gained credit reporting capabilities after the company was audited and fulfilled the requirements set by Credit Bureau. Unlike other agencies NCS contacts the credit bureau every Friday for the quickest possible updates to your credit. Whether you establish payment in full, a payment plan, a settlement, or have the account closed there is a difference in each option and how it affects your credit report. If you have any questions or would like to make an agreement that best suits your situation please call into the office at 1-800-384-0585 and have your account number ready.
Do I have to pay extra fees to NCS in addition to the principle balance?
Any additional late fees that have accumulated on your account depend on two things. These fees will vary according to the contract that you entered into with the original creditor at the time of your transaction. Varying state regulations also dictate what kind of fees and collections are permissible. If you have any questions about your account you may call National Credit Solutions at 1-800-384-0508 and ask for a breakdown of your charges.
Does NCS have to provide proof of purchase before collection?
The answer to this question is No. After NCS sends you validation of the debt they are not further required to prove any of the details of your original transaction with the creditor. Validation includes an itemized statement of your transaction, contact information of the original creditor, and your last known billing address. Even if you didn’t actually receive the product you were charged for that is an issue that needs to be taken up with the original creditor. When the agency receives accounts from the original creditor they trust that the accounts are correct and valid. Due to the large amount of accounts some errors and cases of identity theft may occur. In these situations the burden of providing proof lies with consumer. You must submit substantial evidence to NCS that proves that this debt is not yours, an example of this would be submitting identity theft policy reports and the official affidavit.
Will my account be closed if I send in a complaint?
There is a difference between filing a dispute and a complaint. If you feel that the debt is not rightfully yours send in a written dispute and submit proof accordingly to the NCS office. If you have experienced harassment or witnessed any unlawful business practices there are a number of places you can submit a complaint. However, filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, your Attorney General, or on the ACA International website does not close the account.
We will respond to any complaints filed through these organizations and provide validation. We pride ourselves on maintaining a healthy relationship with the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission and wish to defend our reputation and handle any and all complaints in a timely and professional manner.
What is the best way to dispute a debt?
*** If you have a valid dispute AND PROOF to back it up send it right in to NCS and they will close the account. If you send it to a representative to send to NCS it only takes longer and they want to let you know they can handle those matters for you.
•A dispute must be a written request.
•Provide proof that supports your claim
•Be clear in your request for deletion
•Be patient in waiting for a response ( may take up to 30 days for investigation)
Should I contact the original creditor?
If a mistake has been made and you have proof that you paid and closed your account with the original creditor, mail any documents you have directly to the NCS office with a request for deletion. It might be hard to contact the creditor and many times they will simply direct you back to NCS. The original creditor no longer has your account on file and NCS is not able to give out their contact information. If you wish to speak with them you will have to use your own resources and it is very important if for any reason you receive any instruction or approval for deletion that you get a written statement and mail it in to NCS.
How can I prove this debt is not mine?
Once you receive validation this means that the debt is in fact under your name and the agency that you are dealing with has legal authority to collect the debt. If you have never lived at the address on the file or were a victim of identity theft or have any special situation in which the debt being pursued is not yours you must send a written dispute to our office and also submit sufficient proof. After a dispute is filed an investigation will be taken up and you will be contacted within 30-60 days.
•If you contact NCS and make a request for payment in full (PIF) your account will be closed and the Credit Bureau will be contacted. We will request that the collection be deleted from your credit report entirely. NCS reports to the Credit Bureau with any updates to your credit every Friday. This ensures quicker updates than many other agencies out there. All that NCS can do however is notify the Credit Bureau and after that it is their obligation to make any changes as they see fit. The time that it takes to see any immediate results or removal varies.
•If you are seeing the date of December 2008 this is when National Credit Solutions received your actual account, this is NOT the date that indicates when the actual transaction occurred NOR does this date effect the fall-off date of the collection on your credit. The fall-off date for the collection on your credit is seven years from the last activity on the account. Your credit report will have this date listed. NCS does not “re-age†any accounts or manipulate any information illegally. NCS operates in compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). We are licensed and working continuously to adhere to different stipulations that vary from state to state. We follow a strict code of ethics and treat every one of our consumers respectfully.
•There are some consequences that come from leaving a collection report on your credit and waiting for 7 years for it to fall off. These consequences include but are not limited to drastic changes in your credit score, high interest rates, high insurance premiums, and difficulty acquiring loans or purchasing a house or car and may affect job eligibility.
•If you know that you owe money but have questions about the actual amount you can call into the NCS office and ask a Debt Resolution Representative for a breakdown of the principle balance as well as any late fees or interest accrued.
National Credit Solutions is a debt collection company. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. To ensure compliance with federal laws pertaining to debt collection, we are unable to correspond electronically. Please feel free to call the office at 1-800- 384-0585
This information is not to be construed as legal advice. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. Every effort has been made to assure that this information is correct and up-to-date. This is not a full and exhaustive explanation of the law nor should it be used as or considered legal council.