#1 Way to Remove 'Butler and Associates' (Hurting Your Score)

Most calls mean a collector believes you owe an account, but common causes are wrong-number skip-trace, identity theft, a legitimately placed or sold account, a time-barred "zombie" debt, or a balance inflated by added interest and fees.

• Wrong-number / skip-trace: outdated or mis-linked contact info.
• Identity theft: someone opened an account using your information.
• Placed/assigned/sold account: creditor transferred the account to a collector.
• "Zombie" (time-barred) debt: legally old but still pursued.
• Inflated balance: fees or repeated collection charges increased the amount.
• On the call do NOT admit owing or make promises by phone. Capture the caller's full legal name, company, callback, mailing address, and reference number. Ask for the §809(a) validation notice if you haven't received it. Keep a dated call log and save voicemails.

Next steps: pull your current credit reports at your free credit reports, then send a written validation request within 30 days; if you're unsure which tradeline triggered the call, consider an independent review before engaging, and use CFPB sample validation letters for wording and templates.

Most third-party firms that buy or collect for Butler and Associates usually handle credit card charge-offs, personal loans, medical bills, utilities/telecom, store cards and BNPL, auto deficiency balances, and small business debts with personal guarantees.

Each portfolio changes how you respond: medical bills trigger HIPAA and EOB checks, utilities and telecom often hinge on billing dispute records, auto deficiencies involve UCC/repo timelines and title paperwork, BNPL/store accounts follow seller/merchant return and billing windows, and business-guaranteed debt requires scrutinizing guaranty language.

Before naming specifics confirm recent complaints, licensing filings, or the collector's portfolio notices because mixes shift over time; for each debt type request the original contract, itemized statements, EOBs or explanation of benefits, payment histories, and chain-of-title documentation.

Checklist, what to check for each debt type:

• Credit cards/charge-offs: original cardmember agreement, payment history, charge-off date, account number.
• Personal loans: signed promissory note, payoff ledger, assignment records.
• Medical: itemized bills, EOBs from insurer, provider contracts, HIPAA authorization chain.
• Telecom/utility: detailed monthly bills, service start/stop dates, dispute logs.
• Store cards / BNPL: merchant invoices, return/adjustment records, BNPL contract terms and timing.
• Auto deficiencies: title, bill of sale, repossession notice, UCC filing details.
• Small business personally guaranteed debt: business loan docs, signed personal guaranty, account ledgers.
• Universal check: chain of ownership (assignment/sale) and collector licensing in your state.

Quick check: treat the contact as unknown until you verify a mailed validation notice, confirm the collector's exact legal name and mailing address, match the account details without oversharing, independently look up the company phone on its official site (not caller ID), and only pay after licensing and reputation checks clear.

Do this checklist now and watch for these red flags:

• Request written validation by mail, then match the notice name and address to what the collector gave you.
• Call the company number from its own website, not the incoming caller ID, to confirm the caller's identity.
• Search the collector's profile on the BBB, for example Butler and Associates BBB profile, and check complaints and responses.
• Verify state collection licensing with your state regulator before paying; lack of a license is a warning sign.
• Immediate payment demands, requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps are scams; refuse these payment methods.
• Refusal to mail a validation notice, threats of arrest, or fake court 'case numbers' are classic fraud signals.
• If suspicious, file records with your state regulator and submit a complaint to CFPB, and preserve all messages and documents for disputes or legal help.

Use these official Butler & Associates contact details to verify identity and send disputes: Ph (785) 267-6444, Toll‑Free (888) 702‑6444, Fax (785) 267‑7341, Mail 5835 SW 29th St, Ste 101, Topeka, KS 66614.

Contact block (short):

Phone: (785) 267‑6444, Toll‑Free: (888) 702‑6444

Fax: (785) 267‑7341

Physical / Remit-to: 5835 SW 29th St, Ste 101, Topeka, KS 66614 (confirm invoice)

Website: Butler & Associates official website

Business hours: Call 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (per their payments page).

Before you act: confirm the phone/address on any recent letter, the firm website, and your state attorney licensing or debt‑collector registry pages; prefer written mail - send disputes by certified mail, return receipt requested; never send sensitive documents by plain email unless encrypted; verify any payment portal is on the official domain (butlerlaw.com) before paying.

Phishing tip: if a caller refuses to give a mailing address or a verifiable website, treat the contact as suspect and do not provide personal or payment information.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you clear limits and rights when Butler and Associates contacts you.

• No harassment, abusive language, repeated calls, or threats are allowed.
• No false statements, misrepresenting amounts, or threats of arrest or criminal charges.
• No sharing your debt details with friends, employers, or social media; third-party contact is limited and only for location.
• Contact times are limited to roughly 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time unless you agree otherwise.
• You may demand written validation within 30 days after first contact; if you dispute in writing, collectors must pause collection until they verify the debt.
• You can send a written cease-communication notice, after which the collector must stop contacting you except to confirm there will be no further contact or to notify of specific legal action.
• Collectors cannot add unauthorized fees or interest beyond what the underlying contract or law allows.
• Litigation and venue rules restrict where and how they may sue you; they cannot lawfully threaten suits in jurisdictions that lack proper standing.
• Call-recording consent varies by state, so check local law before you record any call.

If Butler and Associates calls you, immediately get names, dates, and the account details, then: request written validation by certified mail and keep the receipt; send a written cease letter if you want calls to stop; document every contact (dates, times, what was said);

if they violate the FDCPA, file complaints with regulators and consider speaking with a consumer attorney about damages and counterclaims.

Practical next steps:

• Read the official federal statute summary at FTC FDCPA overview.
• Review consumer guidance and complaint options at CFPB debt collection rights.
• Keep organized evidence: call logs, voicemails, certified-mail receipts, and copies of letters.
• If harassment continues, document violations and consult a consumer law attorney or your state attorney general.

Send Butler and Associates a written, certified-mail debt validation request within 30 days of their first written notice, and stop responding to demands until they prove the debt; if they fail to verify, dispute the listing with the credit bureaus and escalate.

• Within 30 days of the initial collection notice, mail a written validation request by certified mail, return receipt requested.
• Ask for these specific items: original creditor name, the account number (show only last 4 digits), an itemized breakdown of principal, interest and fees, the chain of title or assignment, date of last payment, and the signed agreement or contract that authorizes interest or charges.

When you send the request, keep copies and the certified-mail receipt, and note the date you mailed it. Collections must pause while the collector verifies the debt and mails you documentation. If Butler and Associates continues collection activity before providing verification, document every contact and treat it as a potential FDCPA violation.

If verification is inadequate or never arrives, file written disputes with each credit bureau under the FCRA, include copies of your validation request and certified-mail proof, and demand deletion or suspension until verification is provided; see CFPB sample debt letters for templates and wording. Expect bureaus to investigate, typically within about 30 days, and keep all records of communications and proof of mailing.

• If still unresolved: (1) File a complaint with the CFPB and your state attorney general, (2) send the collector a written cease communication/verification demand and keep return receipt, (3) dispute the tradeline online or by mail with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, attaching your proof, (4) consider an FDCPA attorney for a lawsuit if they harass or won't verify, and (5) freeze or monitor your credit while you resolve the dispute.

Treat the Butler and Associates entry as identity theft and remove it by proving it is not yours with swift, documented steps you can execute today.

• 1) Pull all three credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and save screenshots and PDFs showing the Butler and Associates item.
• 2) File an identity-theft report at FTC IdentityTheft.gov report and download the affidavit.
• 3) Place fraud alerts and/or credit freezes at each bureau immediately.
• 4) Mail Butler and Associates an identity-theft dispute by certified mail, include copies of your FTC affidavit, a photo ID, proof of address, and demand validation and removal; request written confirmation.
• 5) If the furnisher requests it, file a local police report and send the report number to the furnisher and collector.
• 6) Ask each credit bureau to block the fraudulent tradeline under FCRA §605B using your FTC affidavit and police report.

Note: never send originals; redact account numbers not needed and keep copies of everything.

Keep a dated paper trail, track certified-mail receipts, and log phone calls. If Butler and Associates or the bureaus refuse to remove the item, file complaints with the CFPB and your state attorney general, and consider a consumer attorney for FCRA violations or damage claims.

Yes, but federal law tightly limits where, when, and how a collector may reach you.

Timing and workplace: No calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local unless you agree. If your employer forbids personal calls and the collector knows that, they may not contact you at work. On social media, contact must be a private message, the collector must identify themself, and you must be given a way to opt out (CFPB social media contact rules).

Third parties and stopping contact: Collectors may only contact friends or family to get your location, only once, and must not mention the debt. To stop or limit contacts, send a written notice stating your preferred channels and times (keep proof, use tracked mail or email). If rules are broken, report the collector to the CFPB or your state attorney general.

Document everything, demand they stop, and escalate if they keep abusing you.

Harassment means repeated or excessive calls or messages, obscene or threatening language, publishing your debt, calling without identifying themselves, or using spoofed/rotating numbers - these practices violate the FDCPA and CFPB rules. (consumerfinance.gov)

Do this now:

• 1) Record details, keep a call log and screenshots (dates, times, caller ID, message text).
• 2) Send a written cease-communication or 'limit contact' letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, saying you want all contact stopped except written notices; keep the receipt.
• 3) Still request debt validation in writing within 30 days of the collector's first written notice, which forces them to verify the debt. (ftc.gov)
• 4) Block numbers and silence unknown callers, knowing collectors may rotate or spoof numbers.
• 5) If calls continue, file complaints with regulators and your state attorney general; you can submit a complaint to the CFPB and preserve your documentation for their review. (consumerfinance.gov)
• 6) If the abuse continues or you've suffered harm, speak with a consumer attorney about suing under the FDCPA (statute of limitations applies). (consumerfinance.gov)

Only when your original contract or your state law explicitly allows those extra charges; collectors cannot legally invent junk fees. Collectors may try to tack on post‑charge‑off interest, processing or "transaction" fees, and duplicate late charges, but many states bar those and blanket add‑ons are not permitted.

Demand an itemized accounting that shows each added charge and the exact contract clause or statute that authorizes it, and flag post‑charge‑off interest, transaction fees, and repeated late fees as common red flags.

If a charge is not authorized, send a written debt‑validation request and dispute the charge with the collector and the credit bureaus, cite FDCPA §808(1), keep copies, send by certified mail, and escalate to your state attorney general or a consumer lawyer if the collector refuses to remove the unauthorized amounts.

Short answer: No, not without legal authority - collection agencies like Butler and Associates generally must get a court judgment or rely on specific government levies before garnishing wages, freezing bank accounts, or taking benefits, though taxes, child support, and certain federal offsets are exceptions.

• Court judgment first: for most consumer debts the collector sues, wins judgment, then seeks a garnishment or bank levy; you should receive notice tied to that court action.
• Wage garnishment: requires a court order or statutory right, served on your employer, with federal limits on how much can be taken.
• Bank levies: banks typically freeze funds only after a judgment and formal levy, and you get a short window to claim exemptions.
• Protected benefits: Social Security, SSI, VA and many federal benefits are exempt from ordinary collection.
• Special rules: IRS levies, federal student-loan offsets, and child-support orders can bypass normal state-judgment processes.
• If they threaten enforcement, ask for the case number, the court name, and written proof of judgment before doing anything.

If you get a summons or a bank/ employer notice, verify the case with the clerk, file a claim of exemption if eligible, and seek legal aid or an attorney fast - do not ignore a real court notice. For plain facts on how wage garnishment works and limits, see CFPB explanation of wage garnishment.

As of August 19, 2025, Butler & Associates, P.A. holds an A+ BBB rating but shows a small number of published complaints and consumer reports that repeatedly raise debt-validation and collection-practice concerns. (bbb.org, fairshake.com)

Data current as of Aug 19, 2025. BBB rating: A+. See BBB profile for Butler & Associates, PA. Per BBB, 1 complaint in the last 3 years and 0 complaints closed in the last 12 months (closure rate recently 0% for that window). Common themes from BBB and CFPB/archived complaints include failures or delays in debt validation, attempts to collect wrong balances, threats of legal action or suits, and multiple-call/harassment reports. BBB is not a regulator, but its track record plus CFPB complaint archives can reveal consistent patterns you should factor into removal or dispute steps. (bbb.org, fairshake.com)

No widely reported class actions or national settlements appear to name Butler and Associates; public records show individual FDCPA/FCRA suits and consumer complaints instead. (casetext.com, fairshake.com)

Known filings are mostly individual consumer suits alleging false statements, inaccurate reporting, or improper collection practices under the FDCPA and FCRA, with no clear class-wide settlement notices found in major dockets; some consumer complaint archives also list repeated harassment and validation‑request problems. For your own check, search CourtListener for cases by entering "Butler and Associates" (use quotes), review matching dockets for any settlement or claim notice, and also scan Justia, PACER, and your state attorney general site for UDAP actions or settlements. (consumercreditattorney.com, law.justia.com)

What you need to know now: settlement claim windows vary and are set in each docket, proof requirements differ by case but commonly include the demand letter, account numbers, payment records, and identity documents; if a class notice appears, file claims promptly and keep copies of all communications. File a CFPB or state AG complaint, preserve evidence, monitor dockets, and consult a consumer attorney if you see a class notice. (fairshake.com)

• Search tip: use quotes around "Butler and Associates" on CourtListener, filter by party role, then open docket entries for settlement notices and claim deadlines.
• If you get a mailed class notice, save it, note the deadline, and read proof instructions carefully.
• Typical proof items: demand/validation letters, billing statements, payment receipts, and ID; for identity-theft claims include an affidavit.
• If no class exists, pursue individual remedies: dispute with bureaus, send debt‑validation, file CFPB/state AG complaints, or talk to a consumer attorney.
• Want help searching dockets, tell me and I'll run a targeted case search for you.

Act quickly: document the notice, verify the account, and use the 30-day validation window to force proof or negotiate.

Keep the envelope, write the date you received it on the mail, and don't admit or promise payment over the phone; first focus on verification.

• 1) Save envelope and note date.
• 2) Verify the collector is contacting the right person, get the account number, original creditor, and balance.
• 3) Calendar the 30-day validation deadline from the date you received the notice.
• 4) Pull your credit reports (optional light review if the notice is vague) by ordering free annual credit reports.
• 5) Send a written validation letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, using templates such as CFPB sample letters.
• 6) When they respond, review the itemization, chain of ownership, and your state's statute of limitations before acknowledging the debt.
• 7) Decide the path: dispute if proof is missing or the debt is not yours, or pursue negotiation/settlement if validation is clear.

If Butler and Associates fails to validate, file disputes with the credit bureaus, preserve all receipts and correspondence, and escalate to the CFPB or a consumer attorney if you see FDCPA violations.

If you choose to settle, get any agreement in writing before paying, confirm removal or reporting terms, keep every record, and respond promptly if you are sued; seek free legal help if needed, you don't have to face this alone.

Ignoring Butler and Associates or missing payments won't make the account disappear; it usually triggers continued collection attempts, credit damage, and a real risk of legal action.

They can keep calling and mailing, and may report the debt to credit bureaus if it is still within the reporting period (credit bureaus typically report up to seven years from the original delinquency date), which hurts your score; permitted interest and fees may increase the balance, and the collector can sue before your state's statute of limitations expires, potentially leading to judgments that allow garnishment or liens in some states.

If you can't pay, act: request written debt validation within 30 days, send a hardship letter asking for pause or lower payments, seek nonprofit credit counseling, or negotiate a written settlement; if the debt is inaccurate, dispute it with the collector and the credit bureaus and keep certified-mail records, and if you are sued get legal help and never ignore court papers.

Not necessarily; settling for less can be a smart move, but only when the debt is verified, still collectible under the statute of limitations, and you can actually fund the agreed payment.

• When it makes sense: verified debt that Butler and Associates proves, account is not time-barred (SOL still open), you can pay a lump sum or affordable plan, and the settlement materially lowers cost compared with continuing collection.
• When it's a bad idea: you suspect errors or identity theft, the debt is time-barred, Butler won't validate the debt, or they refuse written terms about the agreement and reporting.

Major risks you must know: a partial or new payment can restart the statute of limitations in some states, forgiven balances can trigger a 1099-C taxable event, and paying does not remove the tradeline from credit reports unless you secure that deletion in writing.

• Do this first: get debt validation in writing before negotiating.
• Insist on a signed settlement letter that names the exact amount, due date, and how they will report the account (delete, settled, or paid).
• Never pay before you have the signed terms, pay by traceable method only, and keep every document.
• Consider a neutral credit-report analysis or legal advice if you suspect errors, identity theft, or if the SOL is close.

Arrest is not a consequence of consumer debt nonpayment, but a collector can sue you if the claim is still within your state's statute of limitations.

If you are served, do not ignore it; respond by the deadline, consider filing a formal Answer, and plan to appear in court so you avoid a default judgment. If you need help preparing defenses, such as lack of standing, faulty accounting, or that the debt is time-barred, find an attorney who handles consumer debt.

Practical steps are simple: confirm the statute of limitations, request debt validation in writing, gather paperwork (contracts, payment records, correspondence), and weigh settlement versus fighting the suit based on evidence and cost.

• Do not ignore a summons; respond or risk default.
• Check whether the debt is time-barred under your state SOL.
• Request written debt validation immediately.
• Explore defenses: lack of standing, bad accounting, or SOL.
• Get legal help early if served or unsure.

You have clear options: demand validation and stop contact, file complaints, sue under the FDCPA for statutory and actual damages, and hire a consumer lawyer to recover fees and stop the abuse.

Start now: send a written debt‑validation dispute within 30 days of the collector's first written notice and, if calls are abusive, a written cease‑and‑desist. Mail both by certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep copies.

• 1) Document everything, including dates, times, caller names, call durations, saved voicemails, screenshots, bank records, and envelopes.
• 2) Send a short, firm validation letter and/or a cease‑and‑desist letter by certified mail and keep the receipts.
• 3) File regulatory complaints with federal and state agencies, for example submit a complaint to the CFPB.
• 4) Bring a private suit under the FDCPA to seek statutory damages (up to $1,000), actual damages, and attorney's fees; state consumer laws can add higher damages or longer time limits.
• 5) Engage counsel for negotiation, small‑claims actions, or litigation; find qualified consumer attorneys using the NACA directory at search NACA attorney directory.

Practical legal notes: the FDCPA private‑action deadline is short (typically one year from the violation), state statutes vary, and many consumer lawyers handle FDCPA claims on contingency so you may pay nothing upfront.

Small claims can work for smaller losses; federal court suits cover FDCPA statutory claims and attorney fees.

Preserve evidence and avoid traps: keep call recordings where legal, save voicemails, keep certified‑mail receipts and envelopes, record witnesses, do not admit the debt, and forward all collection letters and credit‑report entries to your attorney or the agencies when filing complaints.

You might be able to avoid paying Butler and Associates only if you can legally defeat the claim, for example by proving the account is invalid, discharged in bankruptcy, someone else's debt, or past the statute of limitations; otherwise skipping payment risks judgments and credit damage. Challenge first, don't pretend it isn't there.

Immediately request written debt validation and send any disputes by certified mail, keep copies, and note dates. If you suspect identity theft, file a police report and a fraud alert. Check the statute of limitations for your state before making promises, and use FCRA disputes with the credit bureaus for unverifiable entries. Document every step, and demand proof.

If Butler sues, respond to the court, then consult a consumer attorney if needed; negotiation or a written settlement can stop collection but get everything in writing and insist on specific terms (no verbal promises). Do not rely on myths like 'ignoring will make it go away'; use validation, SOL checks, FCRA disputes, bankruptcy where appropriate, and careful documentation instead. Act smart, not scared.

If Butler and Associates' account is unverified or wrong, fight it with disputes and validation; if the debt is legitimate and still collectible, negotiate payment or settlement instead of hiring a credit repair company.

Start by requesting debt validation in writing and immediately dispute any reporting errors with the bureaus and the furnisher, keeping certified mail receipts and copies of everything, because correcting or removing incorrect listings is free and often faster than paying a firm - see the CFPB's CFPB dispute errors guide for step-by-step instructions.

If Butler and Associates proves the debt and it's within the statute of limitations, weigh negotiating a settlement or payment plan against disputing only reporting details: paying can stop collection activity and reduce stress but usually leaves a 'paid' or 'settled' notation that may still hurt your score, while a written pay-for-delete can remove the tradeline but is rare and must be documented before you pay; always get any deal in writing and confirm how the account will be reported.

Run a neutral, full credit report review (get your free reports at annualcreditreport.com), confirm the statute of limitations for your state, and choose the lowest-cost path - dispute/validate first for unverified items, negotiate or pay only for valid debts - and beware upfront-fee credit repair promises, see the CFPB's CFPB guide on credit repair scams for what to watch for.