#1 Way to Remove 'Automated Accounts' (Hurting Your Score)

They're most likely calling because a collector now owns - or was assigned - an unpaid account and wants payment. Often those calls come from sold medical bills, utility balances after a move, charged-off credit cards, or defaulted loans; consumers commonly report sudden calls about old medical or utility accounts or higher‑balance debts that were recently sold. Calls usually increase if the account is recent, high‑value, or has been resold to a third party rather than the original creditor.

Don't give money or sensitive info on the phone; instead mail a written debt‑validation request within 30 days of first contact that names the original creditor, the amount, and asks for proof of assignment and account history - this forces them to verify or stop collection under the FDCPA. If validation fails or the account looks wrong, demand removal and dispute errors on your credit report; if it feels overwhelming, quietly consider hiring a credit‑repair specialist to audit and dispute inaccuracies. For official next steps see what to do when a debt collector contacts you.

They mainly collect consumer, unsecured accounts - think medical bills, utilities, retail balances and small personal loans - typically recoverable accounts under about $15,000.

They buy charged‑off or delinquent paper from original creditors at a discount and then attempt collection themselves or assign it to third parties. That broad approach means they're not specialty servicers; they chase many small, buy‑for‑collection accounts.

Because they acquire portfolios, misassignments happen. Cross‑check every account number, date, and original creditor against your records. CFPB data shows misassigned or inaccurate accounts in roughly 20–30% of cases, so document discrepancies and dispute in writing. Send disputes and validation requests by certified mail, keep copies, and note state statutes of limitations (for example, Washington's oral contract limit is 3 years).

• Medical debts - hospital and provider bills often sold months after nonpayment.
• Utility bills - past‑due electric, gas, water accounts that were charged off.
• Retail/store card balances - department‑store and point‑of‑sale unpaid balances.
• Unsecured personal loans/credit cards - including charged‑off credit cards and small loans.
• Short‑term or installment consumer debts under $15K - commonly packaged for resale or collection.

Yes - Automated Accounts, Inc. is a legitimate debt collection firm founded in 1989, registered in Washington state, and operates under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), though it is not BBB‑accredited and scammers sometimes impersonate it. Verify any caller by asking for written validation, comparing the contact details to official records, and refusing instant payment demands until you confirm identity.

• High-pressure immediate payment requests - scam. Legit firms provide time and written notice.
• Refusal to send written validation or vague account details - scam. Legit collectors must validate debts in writing.
• Illegal threats (arrest or jail) - scam; FDCPA forbids this, so take note.
• Caller‑ID spoofing or insistence on odd payment methods (gift cards, crypto) - scam red flag.
• Mismatched or unverifiable company info (address, state registration, trade name) - investigate; legit agencies have searchable records.

If you suspect fraud, do not pay or give personal data. Ask for a written validation notice and the collector's official phone/address, then verify independently. Cross‑check complaint patterns at the CFPB complaint database and, if suspicious, report fraud to the FTC. Consider placing a credit freeze or monitoring, send dispute/validation requests by certified mail, document every contact, and consult a consumer‑law attorney if you're sued or harassed.

Use these official contact channels to reach Automated Accounts, Inc. and make every exchange traceable. The company's phone is (509) 326-2276, fax (509) 252-2815, and mailing address is 430 W Sharp Ave, Spokane, WA 99201; send dispute letters by certified mail so you have a paper trail. Ask that all communications be in writing and avoid verbal agreements - invoke your FDCPA right to written verification when you request validation.

If contacting feels stressful, a trusted credit expert can quietly handle verifications and correspondence for you.

• Send disputes and settlement offers by certified mail with return receipt.
• Keep photocopies and scans of every letter, fax confirmation, and postal receipt.
• Request written validation before paying or admitting the debt.
• If you must call, note date, time, agent name, and what was said; then follow up in writing.
• Require written agreement for any payment plan or removal before sending funds.
• Consider hiring a credit or consumer-law specialist to communicate on your behalf.

You're protected by the FDCPA: automated collectors must follow strict rules about when and how they contact you and cannot misrepresent who they are. They may not call before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM your local time, must identify themselves as collectors, and must stop contacting you if you request that they cease; they also may only contact third parties in narrow 'location information' circumstances.

You have the right to written validation of the debt. After the collector's initial communication, you can demand verification (the debt amount, original creditor, and supporting documentation) and the collector must provide it; if you send a timely written dispute or validation request, use that to pause collection and to force proof before anything is reported or sued on.

The FDCPA forbids harassment, false or misleading statements, threats, repeated annoying calls, and deceptive practices - and that applies equally to automated systems or robo-calls. Document every call and message with dates, times, caller ID, transcript or screenshots and short notes, because violations show up often (violations occur in 40% of complaints per CFPB) and well‑documented files strengthen claims for statutory damages and fees.

If your rights are violated, send a written cease-and-desist and debt-validation letter, preserve all evidence, and consider suing for statutory damages (up to $1,000 plus attorney fees) while also filing a formal complaint; you can file a complaint with CFPB immediately. For credit impact, get a professional review - it can reveal leverage points to dispute inaccurate reporting and improve your outcome.

Send a certified, return‑receipt letter within 30 days of the collector's first contact demanding written verification and a full itemization of the alleged debt.

State the account identifier, that you dispute the debt, and that you request the original creditor's name, an itemized balance (principal, interest, fees), proof of the collector's license or assignment, and copies of any signed contract or bill. Use the CFPB model validation notice as a template, keep copies, and send by certified mail with a return receipt.

If the collector fails to provide complete validation, they must stop collection efforts until they adequately verify the debt; partial or evasive replies won't satisfy Regulation F and FDCPA standards. If they keep calling or keep reporting the account, file disputes with the three credit bureaus under the FCRA, ask the bureaus to remove unvalidated entries, and file complaints with CFPB/FTC or your state attorney general. If ignored, escalate to a consumer-attorney or a credit‑specialist to speed enforcement and possible damages.

• Your full name, address, and date.
• Exact account number as shown on their notice.
• Request: name and address of the original creditor.
• Request: itemized balance (principal, interest, fees, date of last activity).
• Request: copies of signed contracts, billing statements, and chain‑of‑title/assignment documents.
• Request: proof of state collection license or registration and collector's authority to collect.
• Clear statement: 'Cease collection until you validate.'
• Send method: certified mail, return receipt requested; keep copy and delivery proof.

Dispute it in writing right away and force verification - if they can't prove the account is yours, have it removed.

Start by gathering proof: a completed FTC identity theft affidavit if you're a victim, photo ID, account numbers, dates, and any correspondence that contradicts the claim. Send a clear written dispute to Automated Accounts and to each credit bureau that lists the debt. Send by certified mail with return receipt and keep copies. Under the FCRA they must investigate and respond within 30 days. CFPB data shows roughly 25% of disputes lead to removals, so this works more often than you'd think.

Steps (do these now):

• Write a short dispute letter stating you are not liable and demand validation.
• Include evidence: ID theft affidavit or other proof of non-liability.
• Mail to Automated Accounts and to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax (certified mail).
• Mail a copy to the collector's address shown on your report and request they stop reporting until verified.
• Use the CFPB credit dispute guidance to format your dispute and track timelines.

If they fail to validate or remove it, escalate. File a complaint with the CFPB and your state attorney general. Threaten (and be ready for) an FCRA suit if they won't correct a provable error. A written complaint plus certified-mail proof often gets faster action. Credit-repair specialists can help if your file is 'mixed' with someone else's records.

If removal still fails, freeze your credit, file an identity-theft report with the police, keep meticulous records of every letter/call, and consider hiring an attorney for a consumer-rights case or to negotiate a formal correction.

You're protected: federal rules generally stop collectors from contacting you at work (once you say it's prohibited), calling outside 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. local time, posting public messages on social media, or speaking to friends/family about your debt beyond basic location info. (law.cornell.edu, consumerfinance.gov)

• Prohibited: calling your employer after you say stop, leaving public social posts, discussing debt with friends/family, or phoning outside 8am–9pm local time.
• Allowed (limited): private direct messages that identify the collector and offer an opt‑out, leaving a limited-content voicemail, or asking a third party only for where you live or work (no debt talk). (consumerfinance.gov)

Tell them in writing to stop unwanted channels, keep records, and use targeted disputes if credit reports change; you can sue for actual or statutory damages under the FDCPA (courts may award up to $1,000 plus costs and fees).

For harassment or repeated violations, file a complaint with the agency and move fast - statutes impose tight deadlines. Also consider a subtle, professional credit dispute if your score is harmed and validation wasn't provided. CFPB complaint submission page. (law.cornell.edu)

• Practical steps: send a dated, signed cease‑and‑desist letter specifying work/social/contact bans; save texts, screenshots, and call logs.
• If ignored: file a CFPB complaint, dispute with bureaus, and consult an FDCPA attorney about suing for damages.

You can stop most abusive contact quickly by demanding written validation and sending a firm cease‑and‑desist by certified mail, then documenting every violation for enforcement. (consumerfinance.gov, bbb.org)

First, identify the abuse: repeated calls, threats, fake garnishment claims, social‑media or third‑party disclosures, or failure to provide a validation notice within five days are red flags and common BBB complaints. (bbb.org, consumerfinance.gov)
Next, demand verification and a stop to communications in writing; send the stop letter via certified mail so you have proof of receipt, and use a validation demand to counter unproven garnishment threats - see instructions on how to verify a debt collector. (consumerfinance.gov)

If the collector ignores the written cease or abuses you, preserve records (calls, texts, letters, dates, names) and pursue remedies: the FDCPA allows actual damages, court costs and attorney fees and statutory damages up to $1,000 for individuals, and regulators can act on patterns of abuse. (law.cornell.edu, ftc.gov)
File complaints with the CFPB/FTC and your state attorney general, and if harassment continues consult a consumer‑law attorney or reputable credit‑repair counselor to address reporting and legal options. (ftc.gov, consumerfinance.gov)

Yes - collectors can only add interest, fees, or other charges when the original contract or state law allows and those additions are properly disclosed; otherwise tacking on extras risks being unfair or illegal under the FDCPA.

Collectors and debt buyers must follow the contract terms and applicable state/usury law. If the contract authorizes post‑sale interest or set fees, the collector may collect them, but they must be included in validation/verification. Excessive or undisclosed charges can be challenged as unfair or deceptive. Check your state caps (they vary - e.g., some Washington limits run around 18% in certain contexts). Time‑barred debt and assignment agreements can change what's lawful, so document everything and dispute unexplained increases.

• Review the original contract for interest/fee clauses immediately.
• Request full debt validation and an itemized ledger showing each added charge.
• Compare the collector's balance to your last statement from the original creditor; flag sudden jumps.
• Check statute of limitations and state usury caps before accepting new interest.
• If charges weren't disclosed in validation, dispute in writing and demand itemization.
• Preserve proof: letters, screenshots, payment receipts, and timelines.
• Consider a professional audit - CFPB data shows roughly 15% of complaints involve inflated amounts, and audits often reveal overcharges.
• If unauthorized additions persist, report to the CFPB and your state attorney general and consult a consumer‑protection attorney about FDCPA claims and possible recovery of damages.

No - a debt collector (including Automated Accounts) can't legally take your pay or freeze your bank without first getting the proper legal order or judgment.

Collectors must sue, win a judgment, and serve notice before garnishing wages or levying a bank account; some federal or statutory exceptions (taxes, certain federal offsets, child support) follow different administrative paths. Social Security and many public benefits are generally protected from ordinary garnishment.

If you get a notice, act fast. Respond to court papers to avoid a default judgment. Ask the collector for written validation and proof of a court judgment. Check court records for any lawsuit. If your bank account is frozen, demand the legal order that authorized it and identify exempt funds. File a claim of exemption and request a hearing if applicable. If a collector or bank froze funds without an order, push the bank to release exempt benefits and consider a motion in court or a demand letter from an attorney. Many complaints show lack of prior contact before garnishment - don't ignore notices. For practical rights and next steps see the CFPB guide on garnishments, and if money is at stake contact free legal aid or a consumer attorney immediately.

Automated Accounts has no BBB accreditation and no formal BBB rating; the BBB record shows 3 complaints in 3 years (2 in the last 12 months).

The complaints focus on garnishment without contact and lack of proof. That complaint volume is small compared with the industry norm of 50+ complaints for similar firms, but the themes are serious - check the full timeline on BBB profile for Automated Accounts for dates and case notes.

If you're dealing with them, save every notice, demand written debt validation, document any garnishment attempts, and run a targeted credit review to see whether unresolved disputes have damaged your score - patterns in the BBB file help decide if escalation or legal steps are warranted.

No large, systemic class actions or multi‑million‑dollar settlements tied to Automated Accounts appear in CFPB/FTC public complaint records or federal case indexes through 2025. (fairshake.com, bbb.org)

Possible reasons you don't see big class recoveries:

• The firm is relatively small, so harms are scattered and hard to certify as a class.
• Complaints are mostly isolated consumer disputes, not the systemic pattern plaintiffs' lawyers need.
• Proving common injury across thousands is costly and time‑consuming for attorneys.
• Older individual or limited class filings exist (e.g., Connor v. Automated Accounts, 1999) but produced no major nationwide settlement. (casetext.com)

Keep watch and act if you're harmed: preserve all letters, calls and notes; file a CFPB/FTC complaint; consider an individual FDCPA claim or small‑claims suit; and routinely search PACER dockets for cases to spot new collective actions early. (pacer.uscourts.gov, pcl.uscourts.gov)

Act now - today is August 13, 2025: date the notice, demand written validation, and don't pay until you verify the debt.

• Note the receipt date and immediately send a written validation request (certified mail, keep tracking and copies).
• Scrutinize the notice: amount, account number, original creditor, charge-off date, and statute-of-limitations.
• If information is missing or wrong, dispute in writing within 30 days and demand proof; if validated and correct, negotiate only with a written settlement.
• Log every call, message, and document; monitor your credit report for the account and any related entries.

Why these steps matter: validation protects you from paying the wrong account, identity-theft debt, or time‑barred claims. The 30‑day window forces the collector to prove the debt; certified mail and records create legal proof you requested validation.

Checking dates and creditor identity reveals bookkeeping errors or recycled accounts that collectors often use. Written disputes pressure collectors to halt collection or produce documentation you can use to win a dispute.

Tactics that work: if the debt checks out, demand a written settlement before you pay - ask for specific reporting language (e.g., 'will be reported as paid as agreed' or 'will be removed'). Use standardized templates to save time and ensure completeness.

The CFPB's sample letters are a good model, and you can automate repeat disputes with mail-repeat services or credit‑monitoring tools to track responses and deadlines. If collectors ignore validation or break the law, file complaints and consider counsel if they sue.

• Action checklist: send a certified validation request within 30 days; keep copies and tracking.
• Dispute any error in writing with dates and documentation.
• Negotiate only for written settlement and get receipts.
• Monitor credit reports monthly and save all proof; use the CFPB sample dispute letter as a template.

Ignoring collection contact usually makes things worse fast - silence often leads to lawsuits, judgments, wage garnishment, or bank levies and can leave negative marks on your credit report for about seven years.

In the short term collectors escalate contact, report delinquencies, and 70% of ignored accounts end up in more serious collection steps, so not answering is rarely neutral.

Longer term a court judgment can permit garnishment or levies and judgments/collections typically remain visible on credit files for roughly seven years from the first delinquency date, hurting loans, housing, and job prospects.

If you can't pay, act: communicate to buy time, send a hardship letter, request debt validation, negotiate a settlement or payment plan, or consult a bankruptcy attorney if needed; know your legal rights and how to request validation at your FDCPA rights and options.

Prevent further harm by documenting every contact, getting any deal in writing, checking and disputing credit-report errors, and using legitimate credit-repair help only when it uncovers inaccuracies that can remove collection entries without full payment.

Not inherently - settling can be a smart, practical fix if you get a written agreement and control how the payment is reported.

Pros: you stop collection activity fast, pay far less than the balance, and often regain peace of mind. Cons: settled accounts often stay on your credit file as 'settled' (not removed), forgiven amounts can trigger a tax form (1099‑C), and some collectors will report the account as less‑than‑paid. Aim for roughly 40–60% of the balance depending on the account's age (older = lower percent). Record calls for leverage and always request debt validation first.

Demand a written settlement that states exact terms and reporting language (seek 'paid as agreed' or 'paid in full' if you can). Never pay until you have the signed agreement. Ask for a deletion clause if possible, but expect resistance; otherwise get clear reporting language. If the situation is complex or the balance is large, a consumer‑debt attorney or experienced negotiator can often secure better terms and handle tax/credit ramifications for you.

Yes - a collector can sue you for a valid debt within the state statute of limitations, but they cannot arrest you for not answering.

• Myth: "They'll have me arrested if I ignore them."
  
  Fact: Civil collectors can't arrest for debt; criminal arrest requires a crime. Threats to arrest are illegal under federal law.
• Myth: "Old debts never lead to court."
  
  Fact: Statutes of limitations vary (commonly about 4–6 years). Suits filed after the limit may be defensible, but you must raise that defense.
• Myth: "Collectors always prove the account in court."
  
  Fact: Studies and case reviews show many debt suits lack strong documentation - roughly 95% are filed without solid, contestable proof and often end in default judgments when people don't respond.
• Myth: "A judgment isn't a big deal."
  
  Fact: Judgments can last longer than the original debt on your record and can lead to wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens depending on state law.

If you're sued, answer the summons on time to avoid a default judgment. Demand written validation and a chain-of-title showing they own the debt. Use the statute-of-limitations defense if applicable.

Know your rights under the federal debt collection rules, document every contact, and get legal help (legal aid or a consumer‑debt attorney) before agreeing to terms or ignoring the case.

You have concrete remedies: sue under the FDCPA, force validation and dispute the account, report the collector to regulators, and - if the abuse is broad - get counsel to evaluate a class claim.

Violations that matter are harassment, repeated or misleading calls, false statements, contacting third parties, refusing to validate debt, or adding unauthorized fees; these are the legal hooks you'll use to build a case. Keep every contact record. Dates, phone logs, texts, voicemail clips, letters, and screenshots are the proof courts and regulators want, and the FDCPA's private‑right clock is short (about a 1‑year window from the violation).

For immediate, individual steps you can take: send a written debt‑validation and dispute letter and a written cease‑and‑desist if calls continue; preserve and timestamp all evidence; and file an FDCPA claim in small claims court (you can seek up to $1,000 statutory damages plus costs/attorney fees if violations like harassment are proven). If a collector sues you, respond - don't ignore court papers.

Report the conduct to the CFPB, FTC, and your state attorney general/consumer protection office to trigger investigations. Results can include statutory damages, actual damages, fee awards, injunctions, settlement payments, and corrected credit reporting. Class actions are uncommon but possible - get a consumer‑law attorney to evaluate whether your situation fits a group claim.

Often - yes: if the account is invalid, unverified, or time‑barred you can stop the collector without paying, but only by acting decisively and documenting every step.

Start by demanding debt validation from the collector in writing (send certified mail and keep proofs). Dispute the entry with each credit bureau immediately and attach evidence - IDs, payment records, account statements. Dispute vigorously with evidence to bureaus and the collector; errors are common (about 1 in 5 reports, per FTC) so precise records help you win. For a ready template, use this sample credit dispute letter.

Know the traps: time‑barred debts can often be ignored, but admitting or making a payment may restart the statute of limitations. If validation isn't provided, insist on removal. Bankruptcy can discharge eligible debts but will noticeably hurt credit. If you're uncomfortable DIYing it, a reputable credit‑repair service can spot disputable flaws without direct confrontation. If a collector sues, respond and get legal help - ignoring suits is the fastest way to lose.

Usually choose credit repair when the account is questionable or time‑barred; pay directly only if the debt is clearly valid and you need immediate, certain resolution.

Credit repair works by finding reporting errors, forcing validation, and using FCRA procedures that can remove a tradeline without payment - especially if the collector can't validate the debt or the statute of limitations has passed. Paying a collector may stop collection activity, but it often does not remove the negative entry from your credit file. Learn how to dispute credit report errors before handing over money.

Quick comparison:

• Cost: repair = dispute fees or firm fee; pay = principal plus possible fees.
• Speed: paying is fast for stopping calls; disputes can take weeks but remove records.
• Result on score: repair can remove the hit; payment usually leaves the negative tradeline.
• Legal risk: paying may restart statute clocks; disputing tests validity and can avoid payment.
• Guarantee: reputable repair can't promise results; paying settles the account.

Why many people prefer repair: it can save money long‑term and restore score faster when disputes succeed, because validated or removed items no longer drag your score down.

Action steps: pull all three reports. Request debt validation in writing. File disputes for inaccuracies. Consider a reputable repair service only if you need expertise. If you choose to pay, get a written settlement/deletion agreement first and keep every record.