#1 Way to Remove 'Financial Management Solutions' (Hurting Your Score)

Most often they're calling because a creditor sold or assigned a delinquent medical or rental account to Financial Management Solutions, LLC - usually after the original creditor charged the debt off - and the collector is trying to recover the balance. Errors also happen: wrong account, repeated assignments, or misreported balances, so calls can stem from a legitimate balance, a paperwork mistake, or identity mix-ups; verify the debt fast by requesting written validation within 30 days and cite your FDCPA rights if you dispute ownership or accuracy.

Take these steps now:

• Request written validation within 30 days (send by certified mail; keep the receipt).
• Pause payments until you verify the debt's accuracy and chain of ownership.
• Log every contact: date, time, caller name/ID, and what was said.
• Send a written dispute/assignment error letter invoking the FDCPA if details are wrong.
• Pull your credit reports (AnnualCreditReport.gov) or get a professional review to spot inaccuracies to challenge without direct confrontation, and file complaints (FTC/state AG) or consult an attorney if calls are abusive or unlawful.

Financial Management Solutions, LLC mostly goes after small consumer medical bills and unpaid rental/lease balances - typically past‑due accounts that original providers wrote off.

They focus on accounts usually under about $5,000, often medical claims tangled with insurance denials or adjustments, and rental debts from lease breaches, unpaid rent, or move‑out damages. These are generally charged‑off or assigned accounts that hospitals, clinics, property managers or landlords considered uncollectible.

If you get a notice, ask for a written breakdown showing the debt origin, dates, original creditor, and any insurance activity - then cross‑check those items against EOBs, hospital bills, leases, and move‑in/out records to spot mismatches not shown on standard collection notices.

• Debt types: medical bills (patient balance, ER, outpatient), rental debts (past rent, damage, fees).
• Typical size: consumer balances commonly under $5,000.
• Common causes: insurance disputes, claim denials, lease breaches, charge‑offs.
• Account status: past‑due, written off, sold or assigned to collections.
• What to demand: itemized origin, assignment paperwork, date of service/lease, original balance.
• How to verify: compare EOBs, provider bills, insurance denials, lease and move‑out records.
• Quick actions: request validation in writing, dispute inaccuracies fast, keep certified‑mail proof.
• Watch for: phantom fees, wrong dates, wrong creditor, or debts already paid/covered by insurance.

Yes - Financial Management Solutions, LLC is a real debt-collection firm (formed in 1990 and registered as an LLC in Maryland), but it has recorded FDCPA complaints for improper communications so you should verify before paying.

• Gives full company name and a physical address (compare to 9001 Edmonston Rd Ste 20, Greenbelt, MD 20770-4074).
• Provides written validation with creditor, balance, and account number on request.
• Sends a mailed notice before demanding payment (ask for it every time).
• Uses normal payment channels; avoids urgent wire/crypto demands or pushy scripts.
• Caller ID, company email and paperwork match the company domain and address.
• No threats of arrest, jail, or illegal action (those are FDCPA red flags).
• Refuses to mail validation or pressures for immediate payment - likely a scam.

Demand a written validation and a mailed notice before discussing money. Record every call and keep letters. If something smells off, check the CFPB complaint database, Maryland business records and the BBB, then file an FDCPA complaint or consult a consumer attorney. Think of the mailed validation as your paperwork armor - don't pay without it.

Call Financial Management Solutions, LLC at (301) 220-1849 (additional lines: (301) 656-1369 and (800) 486-7677); their office is 9001 Edmonston Rd Ste 20, Greenbelt, MD 20770-4074 and fax is (301) 220-1915. For more information visit the official FMS Financial Solutions site.

When dealing with them, communicate in writing and send disputes or validation requests by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery; keep copies of everything and note any phone calls (date, time, agent name) but avoid unrecorded negotiations as written records protect your rights. Open every correspondence slowly, include relevant account identifiers in letters, and treat certified mail as your best evidence if you later need to dispute reporting or file an FDCPA complaint - short, careful steps that keep you in control.

You have clear federal protections when you deal with a collector like Financial Management Solutions.

• Right to written validation of the debt and creditor details (they must send a validation notice; if you dispute in writing within 30 days they must pause collection until they verify).
• Right to stop communications: send a written 'cease and desist' and they must stop contacting you except to tell you they'll take a specific legal action.
• Protection from harassment, threats, false statements or misrepresentations (no abusive language, false threats of arrest, or pretending to be law enforcement).
• Limits on contact times and third‑party contact: no calls before 8 AM or after 9 PM and they may not contact friends/family about your debt except to get your location.
• Right to sue for FDCPA violations - possible statutory damages (including up to $1,000 in statutory damages per violation), actual damages, and attorney fees if a court finds a willful violation; document everything.

When you interact, keep it short and mostly in writing. Request written validation by certified mail and keep the receipt. Don't admit the debt on phone calls - a simple 'send validation' is enough. Log every call, save voicemails and texts, and note dates, times, numbers and what was said. If you want them to stop, send a signed written cease request by certified mail and keep proof.

Consulting a credit specialist early can help you craft responses that preserve your rights without accidentally admitting the debt.

If they violate FDCPA rules, enforce by documenting and escalating quickly. File a complaint with the CFPB and your state attorney general. Keep copies of certified mail, call logs, screenshots and voicemails - those are evidence.

For calls outside the 8 AM–9 PM window, note time stamps and report to CFPB; those off‑hour calls can support claims for statutory damages (possible $1,000 per violation) and strengthen an FDCPA lawsuit.

• Violation examples and remedies: calls before 8 AM/after 9 PM - log timestamps and report to CFPB;
• Continuing calls after a written cease request - send certified proof, then sue under FDCPA;
• Failure to provide validation after a timely written dispute - stop paying and file CFPB/state complaints and consider court action;
• Harassment, threats, or false representation - collect evidence, report to CFPB and state AG, and seek statutory/actual damages with an attorney.

Send a certified debt-validation letter to Financial Management Solutions at 9001 Edmonston Rd Ste 20, Greenbelt, MD 20770‑4074 within 30 days of their first contact to force verification before you engage.

In the letter state your full name and current address, list the account/reference number, cite your right to validation under the FDCPA, and expressly demand the original creditor's name, an itemized balance and date, and written proof of assignment or chain of title; add a clause limiting all future contact to mail only.

Send it certified with return‑receipt requested, keep copies and stamps, and demand a written response within 5 days of their receipt.

If they don't provide the requested documents within that 5‑day window, they must stop collection efforts and you may sue for FDCPA violations and seek attorney fees; meanwhile monitor your credit reports for improper entries, dispute any inaccurate tradelines with the bureaus, preserve all records, and consider filing a CFPB/state attorney general complaint or consulting a consumer‑rights attorney.

Dispute it immediately in writing with Financial Management Solutions and the three credit bureaus, and send clear proof that the account isn't yours.

Begin by sending a written dispute to FMS demanding debt validation and removal, and simultaneously file disputes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion under the FCRA. Send everything by certified mail (return receipt), keep copies, and note dates. If identity theft is involved, include an identity-theft affidavit and a police or FTC report.

• What to send and do:
  
  Written dispute to FMS: short statement that the debt is not yours, account number, and request for validation and deletion.
• Identity/fraud evidence: government ID, proof of current address, FTC identity-theft affidavit, police report (if any).
• Account evidence: creditor statements, billing records, or screenshots showing account belongs to someone else.
• Credit bureau disputes: dispute online + mailed dispute letters to each bureau; demand reinvestigation under FCRA.
• FDCPA/debt-validation: send a debt-validation request to FMS within 30 days of their first contact (if applicable).
• Proof & tracking: send certified mail, keep receipts, save emails, and log call dates and names.

If FMS or the bureaus fail to remove the item after investigation, escalate by submitting your documentation and complaint to file a CFPB complaint, and notify your state attorney general or consumer protection office. Consider a demand letter from an attorney or a small-claims suit if harassment continues or damages occur.

Monitor results closely: bureaus must investigate within 30 days (and can extend to 45 days if you provide additional information), so track those deadlines and expect written results. If the entry isn't corrected, hire a professional credit analyst to look for related reporting errors and keep checking your reports for reappearances.

Short answer: debt collectors can contact you only within strict legal limits - tell them not to call your workplace and they must stop; they can't publicly post about your debt; they must avoid calls before 8 AM or after 9 PM unless you agree; and they may contact third parties only to locate you. Debt collectors must stop workplace calls if you tell them your employer forbids personal calls or it's otherwise inconvenient, and regulators treat a statement like 'I can't take personal calls at work' as sufficient notice - that prohibition covers employer‑provided email when rules apply. (law.cornell.edu, consumerfinance.gov)

On social media the rules are tight: messages must be private, not visible to your followers, and cannot disclose debt details in a public post or comment; if they message you privately they generally must identify themselves as a debt collector and offer a way to opt out of that channel. Public shaming or revealing account/loan details is prohibited and can be evidence of unlawful conduct. (consumerfinance.gov)

About times: collectors may not call at 'unusual' times or places or at times known or reasonably known to be inconvenient - federal law presumes convenience is 8:00 AM–9:00 PM local time unless you agreed otherwise, and telling a collector a specific time is inconvenient creates an obligation to stop calls then.

You can stop most abusive contact by sending a clear written demand that the collector stop contacting you, using official templates, and then reporting and documenting any violations for enforcement or a lawsuit. (consumerfinance.gov)

Write a precise cease-and-desist using the CFPB sample letters and add exact dates, account numbers, and the communication method (phone, text, social). Send it by send certified mail with return receipt and keep copies, screenshots, call logs, and voicemails; the collector may only reply to acknowledge receipt or to tell you it's suing. Use the CFPB model forms or validation/stop-contact templates as your base and customize every incident date to strengthen your record. CFPB sample letters for collectors. (consumerfinance.gov)

If harassment continues, report to CFPB (and the FTC and your state attorney general), submit a complaint with your evidence, and consult an FDCPA attorney - courts commonly award statutory damages, actual/emotional damages, and fees when collectors violate the law. Preserve every delivery receipt, message, and date-stamped record; these are the facts that win complaints or suits. While resolving the abuse, quietly explore credit-repair steps (dispute inaccurate bureau entries and consider paid-off/settlement strategies) so your score stops bleeding even if you cut off direct contact. (stopcollectorcalling.com, findlaw.com, library.nclc.org)

Yes - but only in narrow, lawful circumstances tied to your contract or state law.

Collectors may add interest, late fees, or post‑judgment charges when the original credit agreement expressly allows them or a statute authorizes them (for example, some states set a post‑judgment interest rate - Maryland's cap is 10% per year on judgments). They cannot lawfully invent new charges beyond what the contract or state law permits. Time‑barred debts and accounts where the contract stopped interest often don't lawfully accrue new fees unless a court order says otherwise.

Protect yourself by demanding validation and an itemized accounting in writing. Send a written dispute/validation request (keep proof of delivery) asking for the exact contract, creditor statements, and a line‑by‑line calculation of added interest/fees; under the FDCPA a timely written dispute forces the collector to verify before continuing collection. Compare the collector's math to your original statements. If you see unauthorized amounts, send a written notice pointing to the discrepancy, with copies of supporting docs, and consider filing complaints with the CFPB or your state attorney general or speaking with a consumer‑debt attorney before paying or negotiating.

No - a debt collector like Financial Management Solutions normally cannot seize your pay, benefits, or bank funds out of the blue; they must sue you, obtain a judgment, and get a court order before pursuing garnishment or levies. (consumerfinance.gov, consumer.ftc.gov)

• Protected funds: Social Security, SSI, VA and many federal retirement benefits are largely exempt (and banks must protect two months' direct‑deposited benefits), but some debts (child support, federal taxes, certain federal loans) can still be collected. (consumerfinance.gov, ssa.gov)
• Watch for lawsuits: if you're served, respond on time - ignoring a complaint lets the plaintiff win a default judgment, which then allows garnishment, bank levies, or liens. (consumer.ftc.gov, nerdwallet.com)
• Immediate actions: monitor court filings (local clerk or PACER) so you don't miss service; file an Answer or claim of exemption; gather proof your funds are protected (benefit statements, direct‑deposit records). (uscourts.gov)
• Get help fast: contact free legal aid or a consumer‑law attorney to assert exemptions and stop post‑judgment collections. For an overview of benefit protections see CFPB protections for benefits. (consumer.ftc.gov)

Financial Management Solutions, LLC has no BBB accreditation or formal letter grade and shows multiple consumer complaints rather than a positive rating. (bbb.org)

BBB records list 11 complaints in the last three years (three closed in the past 12 months) and the published reports commonly allege false or inaccurate debt reporting, aggressive collection tactics, and harassment; many entries note resolution only after consumers demanded debt validation. (bbb.org)

You can review the full complaint ledger at Financial Management Solutions BBB complaints page. Patterns in the filings suggest a concentration on older account balances, so check the statute of limitations for your state before engaging. (bbb.org)

• Common complaint types: false reporting of debts, failure to provide original-account validation, repeated/harassing phone calls, inaccurate balances, and disputes not corrected.
• Quick resolution tips: always send a written debt validation request (certified mail); dispute inaccurate tradelines with bureaus and include your validation letter; document calls (dates/times); check state statute of limitations before paying; file complaints with BBB and CFPB if ignored; consult a consumer attorney for FCRA/FDCPA violations.

Yes - there are no widely reported class-action settlements against Financial Management Solutions, LLC, but there are individual federal cases (for example, Husbands v. Financial Management Solutions, filed in 2020) that show problematic practices you should watch for. (law.justia.com)

• Repeated failure to provide debt validation on request.
• Harassing or excessive phone calls and improper call methods.
• Inaccurate credit reporting or refusing to correct disputes.
• Adding unauthorized fees, charges, or misapplied payments.
• Unlawful workplace practices and covert recordings (raised in Husbands). (bbb.org, law.justia.com)

Keep an eye on class-action trackers and PACER-style monitors for changes; if a multidistrict or consumer class is filed you'll see notice there and via official settlement administrators. You can track class-action updates at classaction.org and check docket-monitoring services for federal filings. (pacermonitor.com, classaction.org)

• Document every contact (dates, times, rep names, recordings if legal).
• Send certified debt‑validation requests and keep copies.
• File complaints to CFPB, state AG, and the credit bureaus with supporting docs.
• Consider an individual FDCPA or state-law claim quickly - they often resolve faster than waiting for a class.
• Save court notices and settlement mail; opt in or opt out only after reading the offer and deadlines. (law.justia.com, classaction.org)

Act quickly: document the notice, file a written dispute within the 30‑day window, demand debt validation, and do not pay until you verify it.

First, preserve proof - photograph the entire notice (front and back), note the delivery date, and keep the original. Do not admit responsibility over the phone. Cross‑check the claimed account and amount with your records and your credit reports from each bureau.

Second, exercise your rights: within 30 days of first contact send a debt‑validation/dispute letter by certified mail, return receipt requested. State that you dispute the debt and request verification under the FDCPA, include the notice details, and keep copies of everything. Hold off on payments until the collector produces written validation.

Third, verify what they send: compare their paperwork to the original creditor's records and your credit reports. If validation is insufficient or the entry is inaccurate, send a written dispute to the credit bureaus with copies of your certified‑mail receipts and the notice. Track all dates and save postal receipts as evidence.

If the collector fails to validate or engages in harassment, escalate: file complaints with the CFPB and your state attorney general, consider a consumer‑law attorney or reputable credit‑repair expert to pursue removal or damages, and use certified mail for all follow‑ups so you have an audit trail.

Don't ignore collection contact - silence often makes things worse because collectors can sue, get a judgment, garnish wages or keep reporting your account and that will damage your credit. Potential lawsuit and a court judgment can lead to wage or bank garnishment and long-term score harm, so treat notices seriously. (consumerfinance.gov, consumer.ftc.gov)

If you truly can't pay, call or put offers in writing and try to negotiate or use a hardship program before a suit starts; many collectors will accept settlements, payment plans, or reduced payoffs. Check your state's statute of limitations - in Maryland, for example, creditors generally have about three years to sue on most consumer debts (four years in limited sale‑of‑goods cases), and Maryland law notes that post‑period payments or acknowledgements do not revive an otherwise time‑barred claim; laws vary by state, so confirm your state rule. (peoples-law.org, consumerfinance.gov)

Keep everything. Document everything (dates, call logs, validation letters, copies of offers and returned mail) because your records are vital if you're sued or to prove collector violations. At the same time dispute inaccurate entries with the bureaus and the furnisher, pursue credit‑repair steps (disputes, goodwill letters, rebuilding payment history), and get legal or nonprofit help quickly if you receive court papers. Dispute errors and keep proof - that's often the fastest way to limit long‑term score damage without blindly paying. (consumerfinance.gov, experian.com)

Not necessarily - settling can save money and stop collection pressure, but it also carries risks like restarting the statute of limitations, leaving a harmful 'settled' notation, and producing taxable forgiven debt.

• Aim for a 40–60% settlement range when possible.
• Never pay until you have a signed settlement agreement that names the exact account, amount, and a clear promise to delete or remove the trade line from all credit bureaus.
• Get a written 'pay‑for‑delete' or deletion clause and a release letter before sending money.
• Record calls only after checking your state's consent law; always note date/time and agent name.
• Pay by traceable method and keep receipts.
• Request debt validation and confirm the collector actually owns the debt before negotiating.
• Ask about potential Form 1099‑C reporting and consult a tax advisor if forgiveness is possible.

If the collector won't guarantee deletion, weigh negotiated payment against credit‑repair routes that might remove the entry without paying; if you do settle, insist on written deletion and a release first.

Yes - Financial Management Solutions can sue you for unpaid debts, but they cannot have you arrested for ordinary consumer debt.

A collection lawsuit is civil. If they file, you'll get a summons and complaint. You must respond in the time the court gives (usually about 20–30 days depending on the state) or the court can enter a default judgment against you. A judgment lets the collector pursue wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens - but only after they win in court.

Criminal arrest for a consumer debt is not a thing. The rare exceptions are separate criminal conduct (fraud, criminal judgments, or willful contempt of a court order such as child‑support enforcement). Ignoring a civil summons won't get you arrested, but it can cost you a judgment and your money.

Protect yourself: request written debt validation, preserve all documents and communications, and assert your FDCPA and state rights if collectors cross the line. If sued, file a written answer or use SoloSuit free answer templates to meet deadlines, and consider filing counterclaims or an FDCPA complaint if you were harassed or misled.

• If you're served: open the papers immediately.
• Respond within 20–30 days to avoid default judgment.
• Request debt validation in writing right away.
• Check the statute of limitations for your state.
• Preserve records: calls, letters, dates, and receipts.
• Use SoloSuit templates to file an answer or counterclaim.
• File an FDCPA complaint and consider small‑claims or civil action if violated.
• Consult a consumer attorney or legal aid if unsure.

You have several paths: file regulator complaints, bring a private FDCPA/state-law suit, or pursue small‑claims for damages and fees - start by preserving proof now.

File a complaint with the CFPB and the FTC, and document everything: file a CFPB complaint and report the issue to the FTC. Collect call logs, timestamps, voicemails, letters, texts, account statements, and certified‑mail receipts. You can sue under the FDCPA (statutory damages, attorney's fees) or in small claims - many plaintiffs pursue up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus fees - or seek actual damages for stress, lost work, or wrongful reporting.

Use process: send a debt‑validation or cease‑and‑desist letter (keep proof of delivery), then decide small claims vs. hiring a consumer attorney. If you're in Maryland, add claims under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act for extra state remedies - it can potentially double what you recover. Act quickly and consult a consumer‑law attorney about statute of limitations and strategy.

Yes - you can sometimes avoid paying a claimed balance, but only when you can disprove it, it's time‑barred, or it's discharged in bankruptcy; otherwise silence can lead to a lawsuit and a judgment.

Start by demanding written debt validation and keep every reply. If the collector can't prove the debt, file FCRA disputes with the three bureaus to remove the tradeline and send a cease communication letter under the FDCPA; if the statute of limitations in your state has passed, a successful SOL defense can bar a suit (don't admit or partially pay, which may restart the clock). Bankruptcy (Chapter 7/13) can discharge eligible debts but has lasting credit consequences, so weigh that option with an attorney.

Don't ignore court papers - respond or you risk default judgment. Save all records, dates, and certified‑mail receipts. If the account is unverifiable, a reputable credit repair pro or consumer attorney can often get it removed or negotiated without paying the collector, but always verify credentials and get everything in writing.

Choose credit-repair help when the Financial Management Solutions entry is inaccurate, unverifiable, or time‑barred; hire repair if disputes can remove the remark without you admitting the debt, because that can be faster and cheaper than paying.

Pull your free credit reports and confirm what FMS reports, then dispute any errors first - reputable repair firms mainly file and follow up on disputes and can sometimes negotiate deletions after a successful dispute, avoiding the tax headaches that can come with settling forgiven debt. If the debt is clearly valid and you can get a clean pay‑for‑delete or a written settlement, negotiate directly; but beware that payments or partial acknowledgments can restart state time limits, settlements may still show on your file, and many repair companies are costly or fraudulent, so compare fees, ask for written promises, and consider DIY disputes if you prefer to save money.