Debt collection can be a very stressful and overwhelming experience, especially when the collectors are using threatening or aggressive tactics. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to put an end to harassment.
One strategy is to send the collector a debt validation letter. This letter requests proof that you actually owe the debt in question. Without this evidence, the collector is not allowed to contact you further.
Another option is to sue the collector for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This law protects consumers from unfair and abusive debt collection practices.
Contact Covington Credit with a Debt Validation Letter
If you’re being hounded by debt collectors, you may be able to get them to back off by sending what’s called a validation letter.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives consumers the right to request proof that they actually owe the debt in question. If the collector can’t provide such proof, they are not allowed to contact you further.
Here is an example:
Dear Covington Credit,
As per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I request that you provide proof that I am liable for the debt in question. Until such time, I kindly request that you cease all communication with me. Please find a copy of this request for your records.
Thank you for your understanding.
Remember to keep a copy of the letter for your records, in case you need it again.
For more details, here is the section of the FDCPA that supports the use of debt validation letters.
§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Notice of debt; contents
Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing —
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.
(b) Disputed debts
If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. Collection activities and communications that do not otherwise violate this subchapter may continue during the 30-day period referred to in subsection (a) unless the consumer has notified the debt collector in writing that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor. Any collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.
(c) Admission of liability
The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer.
(d) Legal pleadings
Communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action shall not be treated as an initial communication for purposes of subsection (a).
Covington Credit is Being Sued for Violating the FDCPA
If you think that Covington Credit has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you can take legal action against them. You could be entitled to damages of up to $1,000 if you win your case.
Finding an attorney who specializes in this area can be a challenge, but we may be able to help you connect with the right person for your needs.
Make a Complaint to the CFPB about Covington Credit
The CFPB is a great resource to use against companies like Covington Credit that may be engaging in shady practices. The CFPB is a government agency that works to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices.
They deal with thousands of debt collection complaints every month and can help you take action against a company that breaks the law. Usually, you will hear back from the company within 15 days, and 97% of consumers receive a timely response from the CFPB.
Covington Credit May Commit the Following FDCPA Violations
As a consumer, you have certain rights when it comes to dealing with debt collectors. Here are some things that they MUST do:
• Tell you that they are attempting to collect a debt.
• Inform you that any information shared will be used for the purpose of collecting the outstanding amount owed.
• Provide their name, as well as the name of the agency they work for.
There are also several things that they are NOT allowed to do, which include:
• Making threats or using profanity.
• Pretending to be someone else – like an attorney or government representative.
• Telling you that you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debts.
It is not acceptable for collectors to do these things
Debt collectors are not allowed to contact you at an unusual or inconvenient time, call you at work if they know your boss does not allow debt collection calls, or contact third parties about your debt.
They also cannot threaten to use violence, harm you or another person’s reputation, use obscene or profane language, publish your name as someone who doesn’t pay bills, list your debt for sale to the public, call repeatedly, claim to be a law enforcement agency, lie about the amount you owe, claim to be an attorney, threaten to do things they don’t actually intend to do, use fake business names, add fees and interest that weren’t allowed by the original agreement.
If you’re trying to avoid debt collectors, there are some exceptions to the rule. Here’s what you need to know.
Debt collectors can contact:
- Your attorney (if you have one)
- A credit reporting agency
- The original creditor
And unless you’ve asked them to stop, they may also contact co-debtors, your parents (if you’re a minor), and your spouse
However, if they are trying to find you, they actually can contact third parties. But they can’t:
- Tell someone who their employer is unless asked
- Say that you owe a debt
- Contact the third-party more than once, unless they are asked to do so by the person, or they think the person gave them incorrect information when the person had the correct information
There are a few things that Covington Credit cannot do in order to collect a debt from you. They cannot send postcards or other insecure means of communication.
The purpose of this rule is to make sure that your confidential information remains confidential. If Covington Credit breaks any of these rules, you can take legal action against them.
The Covington Credit Company
Covington Credit is a debt collection company that has been in business since 1994. The company operates in five states – Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee – and employs hundreds of people. Robert F. Bloom is the CEO of Covington Credit.
The company buys debts for pennies on the dollar and then pursues them. Unsurprisingly, Covington Credit has 1 star on the BBB (Better Business Bureau). In the last three years, 94 complaints have been logged against the company.
Contact Information for Covington Credit
Covington Credit is known for its aggressive debt collection practices.
Here are some of the numbers they have been known to call from:
- 1-866-413-1836
- 1-404-297-0282
- 1-706-660-8869
- 1-770-787-5320
Covington Credit Debt Collection Lawsuit Response
If you’re being sued by Covington Credit, you probably already know that you’re in a bad spot. Depending on your state, you may only have 20-30 days to respond to the lawsuit before you automatically lose your case. So what can you do?
The first thing to do is try to calm down and assess the situation. You’ll need to look at the papers served to you and figure out what exactly Covington Credit is suing for.
The Verdict
If you’re being harassed by Covington Credit for a debt you may not even owe, there are a few things you can do to stop the calls. First, send them a debt validation letter requiring proof of your debt. If they can’t provide it, you can sue them for violating the FDCPA. You could potentially get $1000!
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