#1 Way to Remove 'Estate Information Services' (Hurting Your Score)

They're usually calling about a deceased relative's unpaid account or to verify you're involved with an estate - EIS focuses on probate recovery and often pulls names from public death records cross‑checked with creditor data, so you may get contacted as an executor, co‑signer, beneficiary, or simply a person linked by records to the account (commonly credit cards or loans). Calls can also come from mistaken identity or skip‑tracing matches, so the reason is collection or information verification rather than police or legal arrest threats.

Stop, verify, and respond in writing. Ask for the caller's full name, company address, a specific account number, the original creditor, and the exact amount - do not give Social Security, bank, or other sensitive details on the call. Under the FDCPA you can demand they stop calling and request written debt validation; see the CFPB guide to debt collection. Cross‑check probate filings yourself using free county court searches before engaging, and if the debt isn't yours dispute it immediately in writing to prevent credit reporting and damage.

They go after debts that remain tied to a deceased person's estate - both secured and unsecured account balances.

Most commonly that means unpaid credit cards, medical bills, retail/store accounts, student loans and outstanding auto or mortgage balances that surface during probate or bankruptcy. EIS focuses on specialty recovery where the estate is the obligor, so check original creditor agreements for language that lets a creditor collect from an estate. To spot surprises early, order a free credit report and compare it to the decedent's statements.

Remember: personal responsibility usually applies only if you co‑signed or live in a community‑property state; otherwise collectors pursue estate assets first. If you're an executor, co‑signer, or beneficiary, pull creditor contracts and probate paperwork and consult an attorney for large claims.

• Credit card balances (post‑death charges and unpaid limits)
• Auto loans (repossession/deficiency claims)
• Mortgages (foreclosure or payoff demands)
• Retail/store accounts (department‑store or store credit lines)
• Medical bills (provider balances not paid by estate)
• Student loans (private vs. federal varies by law and loan type)

Yes - Estate Information Services is a legitimate, BBB‑accredited (A+) firm that handles deceased‑account management (the company states it has operated since 1999), but impersonators and scam attempts are common so you must verify before paying.

Legit signs vs red flags:

• Legit: clear company name, written validation on request, and professional contact info listed on the company site EIS official site.
• Legit: an A+ BBB profile with a history of responses to complaints - check the business record at EIS BBB profile.
• Red flag: unsolicited caller demanding instant payment or asking for card/ACH over the phone.
• Red flag: caller refuses to give company name, account details, or a mailed validation letter.
• Red flag: pressure, threats, or spoofed numbers that look like your bank/IRS. Legit collectors must identify themselves and state they are collectors under the FDCPA.

Quick verification and next steps (do these before paying): ask for written debt validation and a client name; refuse to give payment details on unsolicited calls; use reverse‑phone lookup apps to detect spoofing; cross‑check caller and company details against your state licensing or financial‑services database (for example, Ohio's licensing search if relevant); document every contact and, if you suspect fraud, report to your state Attorney General and the FTC and send a certified‑mail dispute to the collector.

Use these verified contact points for written disputes and documentation: Phone 855-526-9324, 670 Morrison Road Suite 300, Gahanna, OH 43230, and Estate Information Services official website. (eismgmt.com)

Use those channels only for written correspondence like debt‑validation or dispute requests to create a paper trail. Send certified mail with return receipt and track delivery via USPS. Scan and save everything. Avoid phone negotiations - verbal agreements can waive rights and complicate disputes.

When you mail a validation request, include the account number, the date of their notice, and copies of any supporting documents. Send it promptly (the 30‑day dispute/validation window applies) so the collector must verify and pause collection while they validate. (ftc.gov)

You have strong, specific FDCPA protections when a collector like Estate Information Services contacts you: they must provide validation, stop abusive conduct, and follow your communication limits. FDCPA validation of debts rule. ([law.justia.com](https://law.justia.com/codes/us/title-15/chapter-41/subchapter-v/sec-16…), [ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/fair-debt-collection-pra…))

Within five days of first contact a collector must send a written notice with the amount, creditor, and a 30‑day window to dispute; if you dispute in writing within 30 days they must obtain and mail verification before continuing collection of the disputed portion. You can demand the name/address of the original creditor and the collector cannot treat silence as admission. ([law.justia.com](https://law.justia.com/codes/us/title-15/chapter-41/subchapter-v/sec-16…), [ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/reports/annual-report-congress-fair-debt-collection…))

You can also control how they reach you: tell them in writing to stop (cease communications) or to contact only in writing, and they must honor that request; they may not call at inconvenient times, at work if prohibited, or hound third parties for details. Harassment, threats, repeated abusive calls, or misleading statements are illegal under the FDCPA. Use the mini‑Miranda rule (they must state 'this is an attempt to collect a debt') to flag collection attempts as debt‑collection communications when appropriate. ([law.cornell.edu](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692c?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/14?utm_so…))

Be practical: always record call date/time, keep copies of letters, send disputes/cease requests by certified mail, and log responses. If Estate Information Services fails to validate a debt or violates the FDCPA, you may dispute with credit bureaus, file a complaint with the CFPB/FTC, and consider private suit or an attorney - documented violations strengthen your case and can halt improper collection until verification is produced. ([consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/6?utm_sou…), [ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/reports/annual-report-congress-fair-debt-collection…))

Send a certified validation letter to Estate Information Services immediately - demand the original creditor, exact balance, and proof they own or were assigned the debt within 30 days of their first contact.

Use certified mail with return receipt and keep copies of everything; the 30‑day clock starts on the date they first contacted you, not when you send the letter.

• Address the letter to the company address on the notice (or the contact details in this article) and mark it 'Debt Validation Request.'
• State the account number, the exact amount they claim, and request: original creditor name, date of last activity, itemized charges, and written proof of assignment/chain of title.
• Include a clear statement invoking your rights under the FDCPA and demand they cease collection and stop reporting to credit bureaus until validation is provided; give a 30‑day deadline and request return receipt.
• Mention any statute‑of‑limitations defense if appropriate and ask they confirm in writing whether the debt is time‑barred.
• Save certified‑mail receipts, return receipt, screenshots, photos of the mailed envelope, and all replies for later disputes or court evidence.

If they fail to validate, they must stop collection activity and cannot report a verified debt; use their non‑response to file disputes with the credit bureaus and to strengthen an FCRA removal claim. You can also file a complaint with CFPB and report FDCPA violations to your state attorney general.

Tip: start with an FTC sample validation letter but tailor it (include statute‑of‑limitations language and specific proof demands), track every deadline to the day, and if they ignore you, escalate with formal credit disputes, a CFPB complaint, or consult a consumer‑rights attorney or small‑claims action.

Send a written dispute to Estate Information Services and to each credit bureau immediately, enclosing clear proof it's not your account and demanding an FCRA Section 611 investigation.

In your certified letter to EIS name the account, state you dispute it, attach ID and evidence (death certificate, probate records, or a notarized non‑liability affidavit), request validation, and say you're invoking your rights under 15 U.S.C. §1681i; send identical certified disputes with the same exhibits to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, keep copies and tracking numbers, and follow up if you don't get a timely written investigation.

If the claim is tied to an estate, file a formal rejection of claim in the probate court where the estate is open to create an official record collectors must honor, monitor your files at request your free credit reports and re‑dispute any reappearance (many disputes succeed - about 60% per FTC data), and if EIS won't validate or keeps reporting, file complaints with the CFPB and your state attorney general and consult a consumer attorney about FCRA/FDCPA remedies.

No - federal law severely limits how a collector may reach you: tell them once and they can't keep calling outside allowed hours, broadcast your debt on social media, or keep contacting coworkers or relatives to shame you.

Collectors may call your workplace unless you tell them it's inconvenient or your employer forbids it; tell them in writing and they must stop workplace contact. They may not use social media posts or public messages to discuss your debt. They can contact third parties only to locate you, and only once (no debt details). Calls are restricted to 8 a.m.–9 p.m. in your time zone. Document every violation - dates, times, numbers, screenshots, and voicemails - for complaints.

If relatives are contacted about a deceased person's obligations, invoke the FDCPA's one-contact rule and note that collectors can't repeatedly discuss the debt with friends or family; log every incident with timestamps. Send a written notice (certified) setting communication limits, request validation if needed, and file a complaint with the CFPB or your state attorney general - keep your journal because CFPB filings resolve roughly 70% of complaints favorably.

You stop the abuse by documenting every contact, sending a certified cease-and-desist and validation demand, reporting the violations, and enforcing your rights in court if needed.

• Repeated calls, threats of violence, obscene language, publishing your name, or nonstop after‑hours contact are harassment examples. (law.cornell.edu)

Send a written cease‑and‑desist letter by certified mail and keep the green receipt; demand written validation of the debt and a halt to communications except to confirm receipt. Record calls where your state allows and save texts, voicemails, and timestamps; note emotional tactics used for deceased‑account collections (they exploit grief - call logs and verbatim quotes help). Cite FDCPA section 1692d (harassment) and the CFPB rule implementing it when you describe violations. (consumerfinance.gov, law.cornell.edu)

Report the collector to federal agencies, attach your documentation, and threaten small‑claims or statutory damages if they don't stop; filing complaints raises settlement odds. File with the CFPB online via submit a complaint to the CFPB and report scams at report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the collector violates the FDCPA (threats, repeated calls, false statements), consider small‑claims court or an attorney to pursue damages - explicitly cite FDCPA section 806/1692d in your complaint to strengthen leverage. (consumerfinance.gov, reportfraud-ftc.com)

• Quick stop steps: send certified cease‑and‑desist + validation demand; record and save everything; file CFPB and FTC complaints; threaten/bring small‑claims suit for FDCPA violations; consider an attorney for statutory damages.

Yes - only when the original contract or state law allows added interest, fees, or charges; if neither permits them you can and should dispute those extras immediately.

Demand an itemized validation and check these points before paying or negotiating:

• Contract authorization: ask for the signed agreement showing any post‑charge interest or fee clauses.
• State law/usury caps: many states limit rates/fees (check your state; e.g., Ohio has specific caps).
• Deceased/estate accounts: some contracts or probate rules permit continued accrual; verify with the creditor and probate court.
• Judgments vs. account balances: a court judgment can authorize post‑judgment interest or statutory costs that a simple account cannot.
• Itemized breakdown required: insist on principal, rate (per day/month), fee descriptions, dates, and how each charge was calculated.
• Dispute route & leverage: send a written validation/dispute, and if fees look unauthorized file a complaint with the CFPB via how to dispute collection fees with CFPB; early challenges often knock about 40% off added charges.
• When to get help: if the collector refuses validation, adds unexplained fees, or threatens legal action, talk to a consumer‑debt attorney before paying.

No - a debt collector like Estate Information Services cannot legally garnish your wages, seize protected benefits, or freeze your bank account out of the blue; they first need a court judgment and the proper legal orders.

To reach a garnishment or bank levy they must sue you (or the estate), serve you, win a judgment, and then obtain a writ of garnishment or levy from a court. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits abusive collection tactics but does not itself create garnishment power - that power comes from a judge. You must get notice and an opportunity to object before most garnishments start.

Banks can receive a court levy or bank garnishment and may temporarily freeze an account after receiving legal paperwork, but that typically follows a judgment and formal paperwork. Federal benefits such as Social Security, most veterans' and public benefits, and many retirement disbursements are shielded from private creditors; certain debts (child support, federal taxes, some student loans) follow different rules and may be collectable under special processes.

For debts tied to an estate, collectors normally target estate assets, not your personal accounts - unless you were personally liable, a co‑signer, or funds were commingled. Protect yourself by keeping estate funds separate, filing exemptions or objections quickly, and demanding proof of the judgment. Courts commonly reject garnishment attempts for procedural errors - reports show roughly 25% are denied for such mistakes - so timely procedural defenses matter.

Reportedly, Estate Information Services rarely proceeds to lawsuits in many cases, but don't rely on that: respond, request validation, preserve records, and consult a probate or consumer‑debt attorney if you see a summons, a garnishment notice, or a bank levy.

Estate Information Services currently holds an A+ BBB rating, has been accredited since 2006, and shows three complaints over the past three years (one in the last 12 months).

Most complaints are about billing and communication, with a notable cluster of disputes involving alleged debts for deceased people - a pattern that suggests verification gaps you should watch for. See the BBB profile for Estate Information Services for the record and timestamps.

Compared with peers, EIS's complaint rate is low - about 0.04 complaints per $1M revenue - which leans toward reliability on volume alone. Still, the deceased-debt and billing issues mean you should always demand written validation, check death records, and document every contact.

• 3 complaints in 3 years; 1 in last 12 months.
• Mostly billing and communication problems.
• Recurring theme: disputes involving deceased consumers.

Yes - consumers sued EIS over probate-style, misleading collection letters during 2017–2018; a handful of cases were resolved or dismissed and no large, new nationwide class actions appeared in recent searches. (classaction.org, law360.com, bbb.org)

• Gemina v. Estate Information Services - a federal consumer-class filing tracked in 2016–2017 (case activity reported by legal trackers). (law360.com)
• Azimov (2018) and related complaints - proposed class claims challenged EIS over allegedly deceptive itemized letters. (classaction.org)
• Kinkade and similar decisions - courts analyzed whether estate/probate‑style language misled family members and violated the FDCPA. (casetext.com)

These suits usually rest on FDCPA theory: letters that look like probate notices can imply you're personally liable or that claims will be filed, which courts may treat as deceptive; preserve every envelope, letter and timestamped photo, and get counsel if you're named or harmed.

Expect modest recoveries in consumer-class settlements (many recent consumer/data settlements award small flat amounts or credit-monitoring rather than large checks). (casetext.com, mgmdatasettlement.com)

• Save evidence, calendar deadlines, and don't throw notices away.
• If you receive a class notice, read it and consider filing a claim or opting out.
• For docket-watch: search PACER dockets for updates and join quickly if a class is certified.
• If no class or you suffered clear FDCPA harms, consult a consumer attorney about an individual claim or a possible small‑money settlement. (lemberglaw.com)

Act fast but stay calm: verify the claim, preserve proof, and force the collector to show paper within the 30‑day validation window. Photograph the notice immediately and timestamp the image, keep the original, and log when you first saw it.

Next, identify what exactly they're claiming: creditor name, account number, balance, date of last activity, and whether the notice ties to a deceased person or an estate. If a death is involved, ask whether they seek payment from the estate or from you personally and request a copy of the death certificate plus letters testamentary or probate paperwork before acknowledging anything.

Within 30 days send a written debt‑validation letter by certified mail with return receipt; demand an itemized account history, the original creditor statement, proof of assignment/chain of title, and any contract that allegedly creates your liability. Keep your letter short, state you dispute the debt until validated, and retain copies of everything.

If their proof is incomplete or wrong, dispute the entry with the credit bureaus and the collector in writing, attaching supporting estate documents when relevant, and demand correction or removal. If the debt is valid and you can pay, negotiate terms in writing only; if you're unsure, consult a consumer attorney or a reputable credit specialist before making offers.

Record every step: dates, certified‑mail receipts, call notes, screenshots, and the timestamped photo. Do not admit liability or make payments before validation (payments can restart time limits). Use the 30‑day window to gather estate records first - this tactic improves dispute outcomes (about a 50% success bump per CFPB data) - and respond quickly if you are sued.

If you ignore their notices or can't pay, silence can still cost you – your credit may be reported, the collector could escalate toward a lawsuit (uncommon for Estate Information Services), and unresolved debts tied to a deceased person can slow probate or trigger estate claims.

Often time‑barred debts aren't actively collected, but admitting or making a payment can revive them, so check your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and document every call, letter, and payment attempt (keep dates, names, and certified‑mail copies).

If you can't pay, immediately request debt validation and ask about hardship plans, reduced settlements, or affordable payment arrangements; negotiate in writing and avoid verbal promises. For bigger relief, talk to a consumer attorney about bankruptcy or estate/probate impact. For details on your protections and next steps see your rights when dealing with debt collectors.

Not automatically – settling for less can be smart, but only if you get ironclad written terms and accept the tradeoffs.

• Pros: faster resolution; often much less cash outlay; can stop collection calls and lead to account deletion if the collector agrees.
• Cons: many collectors refuse pay‑for‑delete or re‑report; settled (not paid-in-full) marks can still ding credit; forgiven balance may have tax consequences; no legal guarantee unless written.
• Practical tip: start offers at 30–50% of the balance (cite estate liquidity), push for a single lump‑sum, record or document every step, and insist on a written 'pay‑for‑delete' (industry data suggests ~60% success when enforced in writing).

If you proceed, demand a signed, dated letter stating 'account will be deleted from all credit bureaus upon receipt of $X,' pay by traceable method, keep copies, verify removal after 30–60 days, and consult a tax advisor about cancellation‑of‑debt rules; if they won't provide written deletion, walk away or pursue validation and dispute routes instead.

Yes - a collector can file a civil lawsuit on a legitimately owed debt, but lawsuits are uncommon and failing to respond won't lead to arrest because debt is civil, not criminal. In cases tied to a deceased person, collectors typically pursue the estate, not you personally; statutes of limitation differ by state (commonly a few years - often 4–6 years in some jurisdictions), so check your state's deadline before assuming a debt is enforceable.

Protect yourself by demanding written debt validation promptly (you generally have 30 days after first contact to dispute under federal rules), sending everything by certified mail and keeping copies, and never ignoring a court summons - if you're served, file an answer or get counsel. Raise statute‑of‑limitations and proof-of‑ownership defenses if appropriate; many collectors drop or lose cases when consumers challenge them, while collectors often win by default when consumers don't respond (roughly a large majority of undefended suits). If unsure, talk to a consumer‑debt attorney or local legal aid.

You can stop illegal collection and recover money by filing regulatory complaints, suing under federal and state consumer laws (including FDCPA claims), or joining/bringing class actions or arbitration to force remedies and fees.

First preserve everything: call logs, timestamps, voicemails, texts, letters, account numbers and the names of agents - note dates and scripts and whether you recorded (obey state recording laws). Send a written debt‑validation request and a cease‑communication letter by certified mail. File complaints with the CFPB, FTC, and your state attorney general if violations continue; sue in small claims or civil court - many consumers pursue FDCPA claims and seek statutory damages (sue for up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation in small claims), actual damages, costs, and attorney fees.

If an original contract contains an arbitration clause, check it carefully: arbitration can be faster and often provides fee‑shifting that makes hiring a consumer attorney practical; counsel can also seek injunctive relief to stop harassment, block improper garnishment, and recover additional damages under state statutes. Collect and organize evidence to make any claim airtight - call logs, screenshots, certified‑mail receipts, and sample abusive messages are your strongest leverage.

Next steps: compile your folder, send the certified validation/cease letters, then either file a CFPB complaint or prepare a small‑claims filing; contact a consumer attorney if arbitration is forced or your losses are significant and you want fee recovery and stronger injunctive remedies.

Yes - you can often stop Estate Information Services and avoid paying an alleged estate debt by proving you're not liable, using disputes, statute-of-limitations defenses, probate claim rejections, or bankruptcy, but verify non‑liability before doing anything that restarts the debt clock. (bbb.org, uscourts.gov)

First move: demand written validation and do it fast. Under the FDCPA you have a 30‑day window to request verification; don't admit the debt or make partial payments that could reset time limits. (ftc.gov, consumerfinance.gov)

Dispute any reporting with the bureaus and the furnisher in writing, include supporting docs, and insist they investigate; CRAs must forward disputes to the furnisher and correct or remove unverifiable items. See CFPB guidance on how to dispute your credit report for exact steps and wording. how to dispute your credit report. (consumerfinance.gov)

If the account is tied to a deceased person, use probate process: when there's no estate or the executor rejects a creditor's claim, file the allowance/rejection with probate court and send that rejection to the collector and CRAs - that legal paperwork strongly supports deletion and stops collection against the estate.

Combining a formal probate claim rejection with FDCPA/FCRA disputes often forces deletion without payment; industry analyses show successful deletions in a significant minority of cases (around 40% in some FCRA dispute reviews). (theprobateguy.com, jamesburnslaw.com, bbb.org)

Check statutes of limitations. Time‑barred debts can't lawfully be sued or threatened with suit, and collectors must not misrepresent legal rights when pursuing old debts; knowing your state's limits is critical because collectors can still attempt contact. (consumerfinance.gov)

Bankruptcy is a last‑resort option that can discharge many unsecured debts and legally stop collectors from contacting you about discharged obligations; consult the bankruptcy rules and a lawyer for tradeoffs. (uscourts.gov)

Document everything, save certified‑mail receipts and recordings, and if EIS or any collector violates the FDCPA or FCRA, file complaints with the FTC, CFPB, and your state attorney general - and consider small‑claims or statutory damages if warranted. (ftc.gov, consumerfinance.gov)

Start with credit repair when the Estate Information Services entry looks wrong, old, or unverified; paying directly should be a last resort for debts you've confirmed are valid and unresolvable through disputes or negotiation.

Credit repair firms and DIY disputes focus on removing errors and aging collections without you admitting the debt, which can restore score faster and avoid creating a new 'paid collection' blemish on your file. Professionals run deep audits that often catch documentation gaps or reporting violations EIS missed - and, in practice, documented dispute programs remove collections about twice as fast as lone consumers handling it.

Pay directly only if the debt is clearly yours, a firm pay‑for‑delete is on the table in writing, or you need to stop imminent legal action; get validation first, insist on written terms, and beware that partial or unrecorded payments can restart the clock on old debts.