#1 Way to Remove 'Forster and Garbus' (Hurting Your Score)

They're most often calling about an alleged past‑due account, but calls can also come from wrong‑number skip‑traces, recycled phone numbers, mixed‑file or identity‑theft matches, or pre‑litigation outreach.

Do this immediately.

Immediate steps:

• Ask the caller to identify the account, then independently locate the firm's phone number via your state bar or the firm website and call back, do not use a number they text or give you.
• Never provide your SSN, DOB, bank or card numbers to an inbound caller.
• Switch to written‑only communication and demand validation, expect a mailed validation notice within 5 days under FDCPA, see CFPB validation notice FAQ.
• Log date/time, caller identity, phone number, and what was said; save voicemails and letters.
• Pull all three credit reports at free annual credit reports to see what's reporting and where disputes will help.
• If the account is unfamiliar, send a written dispute, consider an identity‑theft report, and consult a consumer‑debt attorney before negotiating.

They most often handle standard consumer collection work, including credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, auto deficiency balances, private student loans, utilities/telecom, and charged-off accounts bought by debt buyers.

• Credit cards and retail accounts, documentation typically: original note or account record, charge-off statement, assignment to the collector.
• Personal loans and fintech lenders, documentation: promissory note, payment history.
• Medical balances, documentation: itemized EOBs, provider billing ledger, assignment.
• Auto deficiency after repossession, documentation: repo sale statement, deficiency calculation, title paperwork.
• Private student loans, documentation: promissory note, payment ledger, assignment.
• Utilities and telecom, documentation: final bill, service agreement, account history.
• Charged-off accounts bought by debt buyers, documentation: purchase agreement, chain of title showing assignment.

Before you respond, verify three things: original creditor, current owner (chain of title), and date of last payment (statute of limitations check). Demand validation in writing and keep all records; if they can't produce proper documentation you have strong grounds to dispute or seek removal.

Often the name you see is a real law firm, but scammers copy it, so never assume legitimacy - verify before paying or sharing data.

How to verify:

• Confirm the attorney or firm is listed with your state bar.
• Compare the caller's phone and mailing address to the firm's official website.
• Search the CFPB complaint database for pattern complaints.
• Check the BBB profile and complaints for volume and trends.
• Ask for written debt validation, original creditor details, and a case or account number.
• Call a verified phone number (from the firm site or state bar), not the inbound caller, to confirm any reference numbers.

What genuine collection behavior looks like:

Legitimate collectors send validation by mail, provide verifiable firm contact details and court info when applicable, accept traceable payments, and do not demand instant, untraceable methods. If they cooperate with documentation and let you verify, that strongly indicates legitimacy.

Red flags:

• Demands for gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid cards, or crypto.
• Threats of arrest, jail, or immediate legal action to force payment.
• Pressure to act right now, refusal to mail validation, or blocking written requests.
• Spoofed caller ID, very poor grammar, or inconsistent contact details.
  
  If you see red flags, stop contact, document everything, and report to the CFPB, your state attorney general, and the state bar.

Primary phone: 1-800-245-9943 (main line); confirm hours before calling. Primary office (most widely listed): Forster & Garbus, 60 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy, Commack, NY 11725; multiple listings also show offices in Farmingdale (500 Bi-County Blvd) and Ronkonkoma (2950 Express Dr S), so send mail to the Commack address unless instructed otherwise on their site. See the firm's official contact page at Forster & Garbus official site and the New York attorney directory listing at New York attorney directory listing for verification.

Mail to (Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested):

Forster & Garbus, LLP

Attn: Compliance/Collections

60 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy

Commack, NY 11725

Do not email sensitive documents, confirm current hours before calling, and keep certified-mail receipts. For how to send certified mail and request return receipt use USPS Certified Mail info.

You have federal rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act when dealing with Forster and Garbus, including protections against abuse, false threats, and unwanted contact, plus the right to dispute or stop communications.

Collectors may not harass you, use profane or threatening language, falsely threaten arrest or legal action, or repeatedly call to annoy you. They must stop calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time, and they cannot contact your employer if you tell them not to or if the employer forbids it. They may not publicly discuss your debt with friends or family, except to locate you. Read the FDCPA statutory text for the law's exact language.

You have 30 days from the collector's first written contact to dispute the debt in writing and request validation, which forces them to pause collection until they verify the debt. You can also send a written cease-communication request, or specify that contact be mail-only; keep copies and send by certified mail. If they violate these rules you can complain to regulators and sue in federal or state court for damages and costs. For a plain-language overview, see the CFPB FDCPA overview.

Your key rights:

• No harassment, threats, or abusive language
• No false or misleading statements
• No contact before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local
• No workplace contact if you object or employer forbids
• No third-party disclosure about your debt
• 30 days to dispute and request validation in writing
• Right to limit or cease communications, and to take legal action if violated

Send Forster and Garbus a certified debt‑validation letter immediately, within 30 days of their first written notice, and demand exact proof before you acknowledge or pay.

Write and mail by Certified Mail, return receipt requested, keep copies and tracking; clearly state, 'This is a request for validation under 15 U.S.C. §1692g' and include your account reference, current contact info, and a deadline (e.g., 30 days).

• itemized balance and fees, showing how total was calculated;
• name of the original creditor;
• complete chain of title or assignment paperwork proving ownership;
• a copy of the signed contract or account terms;
• date of last payment and payment history;
• proof they are licensed or otherwise authorized to collect in your state.

Collections must pause while they validate; if their response is missing or inadequate, keep every mail and delivery receipt, send a short follow-up stating the validation was insufficient, and dispute any credit reporting immediately using official templates (see CFPB sample debt-collection letters) and dispute instructions (see CFPB dispute credit-report instructions).

If they still fail to validate, file a complaint with your state attorney general and the CFPB, consider a small‑claims suit for FDCPA/validation violations, and refuse to make payments or acknowledge liability until you receive acceptable proof; preserve certified mail receipts and timelines as evidence.

Treat a Forster and Garbus account you didn't open as an identity or mixed-file error and act fast: freeze/alert your credit, gather evidence, demand validation, and force a legal block under the FCRA.

• Freeze or place a fraud alert on your file with each bureau immediately.
• Pull all three credit reports from get all three credit reports and save PDFs showing the disputed item.
• If theft is likely, file an FTC identity theft report and get the recovery affidavit.
• Send a targeted FCRA dispute to each bureau, attach the FTC report, ID, proof of address, and the report pages showing the Forster and Garbus entry. Request correction or removal and cite FCRA rights.
• Send a certified mail validation demand to Forster and Garbus asking for original creditor name, account numbers, and chain of title; state the account is not yours.
• Invoke FCRA §605B blocking for identity-theft items by sending the FTC report and affidavit to bureaus and the collector.
• Keep police reports, affidavits, certified-mail receipts, and all records; if bureaus or the collector refuse to fix it, submit a CFPB complaint.

Act within 30 days of your dispute, follow up in writing, and consult a consumer rights attorney if the entry persists or leads to legal action.

Yes and no: Forster and Garbus can reach you, but federal rules tightly control where, when, and what they may say, and you can limit or stop most contacts.

• Work: Rule - they may call at your workplace unless your employer forbids it or you tell the collector to stop; Action - tell them in writing that workplace contact is banned, keep a copy and any employer policy proof.
• Social media: Rule - private direct messages are allowed but public posts that reveal the debt are prohibited; Action - block/report, demand written-only contact, and review CFPB social media contact rules.
• After-hours: Rule - generally no calls before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. local time; Action - send a written notice specifying allowed hours and record violations.
• Friends/family: Rule - collectors may only contact third parties to obtain your location, not to discuss the debt; Action - demand in writing that they stop third-party contacts except for location information.

To stop all unwanted outreach, send a signed, dated written request (certified mail) stating 'cease communication except in writing' or revoke consent, keep proof, and report violations to the CFPB or your state attorney general; if they continue, you may have FDCPA remedies.

Stabilize the situation:

• Document everything: call times, caller ID, voicemail copies, screenshots, envelopes, certified-mail receipts; keep originals.
• Move all communication to written mail only, and refuse phone or social-media contact.
• Send a written limited-contact/cease-communication letter that demands debt validation and cites the FDCPA; send by certified mail and keep the return receipt. (ftc.gov)

Write the letter clearly: state you want all future contact via U.S. mail, request validation within 30 days, do not admit or promise payment, and reference the FDCPA section that forbids further contact after your written notice. Send one copy certified with return receipt, and keep a scanned copy and the postal receipt.

If harassment continues, escalate: file a complaint with the CFPB so they forward it to the company and create a record, contact your state attorney general via the NAAG directory, and file a state bar complaint if a lawyer or law firm is involved. Preserve evidence for enforcement or a lawsuit; under the FDCPA you can recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, plus attorneys' fees and costs. (consumerfinance.gov, naag.org, law.cornell.edu)

Where to report:

• Submit a complaint to CFPB
• Find your state attorney general
• FDCPA statutory text

Forster and Garbus can only add interest, fees, or other charges if your original contract or state law authorizes them.

Add-ons not in the signed agreement or allowed by statute are not legitimate; common red flags are post-charge-off interest added after the creditor closed the account and flat 'collection fees' that never appeared in your contract. Think of it as asking for the receipt.

You are entitled to an itemized validation that shows principal, interest, fees, and any credits before those amounts become enforceable, so demand that breakdown and keep it in writing; see the CFPB debt itemization explanation for what that looks like. If charges lack support, dispute the specific amounts in writing, send by certified mail, withhold payment on disputed charges until proven, and escalate to the CFPB or your state attorney general or pursue an FDCPA claim if they persist.

No, a collection firm like Forster and Garbus generally cannot garnish your wages, seize benefits, or freeze your bank account without first getting a court judgment or other legal order.

Collectors must sue and win, then use that judgment to get a garnishment, levy, or bank writ. Certain debts (child support, some taxes, federal student loans) follow different rules, but most consumer garnishments require court process. Many income types are protected or partially exempt, for example Social Security and VA benefits are typically sheltered from garnishment, and states set limits on how much of your disposable wages or bank funds can be taken (commonly a percentage or amount above a multiple of the minimum wage). A bank freeze usually needs a formal levy served to the bank.

If you ignore a summons you risk a default judgment, which makes garnishment fast and easier for the collector, so respond on time and consider legal help. For local help use the find legal aid tool and check state court information for filing deadlines and exemption rules.

If sued, do this:

• Read the summons immediately and note the response deadline.
• File a written response or appearance by the deadline.
• Request debt validation and ask for proof of judgment.
• Seek free or low-cost counsel quickly.
• Ask the court about exemptions or file a claim of exemption.
• Attend hearings or move to vacate a default judgment if one was entered.

Short answer: their BBB record shows a small but active complaint history and no accreditation, while the CFPB has taken enforcement action against the firm for filing large volumes of suits with weak documentation, resulting in court-ordered restrictions and a penalty. In the BBB profile you'll see total complaints, recent closures and accreditation status - pull those exact figures from BBB profile showing complaint summary to note volume and closure rate; then cross-check CFPB records and enforcement notes for corroboration. ([bbb.org](https://www.bbb.org/us/ny/islandia/profile/collection-attorney/forster-…), [consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/forster-garbus-llp/…))

Read patterns like a detective: recurring themes of missing paperwork, mass filings, or short attorney review times point to a 'sue-first, verify-later' strategy you can exploit (request validation, demand documentation, or cite CFPB findings). Compare trends and specific consumer complaints from the last 12–24 months at the CFPB consumer complaint database, use matching complaint language as evidence in disputes or FDCPA claims, and prioritize documentation gaps when negotiating or challenging suits. ([consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/forster-garbus-llp/…))

Class actions involving Forster and Garbus can give you notice, a claims deadline, and sometimes practice changes, but they rarely wipe out an individual account or remove reporting automatically.

Where to search:

• Check PACER court dockets for federal case filings and settlement documents.
• Review CFPB enforcement actions for agency consent orders or enforcement related to debt collectors.
• Scan state attorney general press releases and state court portals for statewide suits and settlements.
• Look for class notices by mail, email, or court-appointed settlement websites; search case names and 'Forster and Garbus' with your state name.

What it means for you:

• Eligibility, claim forms, and payout windows are governed by claims-made deadlines, miss one and you may lose recovery.
• Settlements often provide injunctive relief or small cash payments, not automatic debt forgiveness.
• If a settlement requires account corrections, follow the claim procedure and keep proof.
• Opt-out rules matter, some suits require you to opt out to sue individually.
• Attorney fees and cy pres awards can appear in settlement terms; read notices closely.

If you see a notice act quickly: save documentation, file the claim on time, and don't assume a settlement clears your balance - continue verification, dispute reporting with bureaus if wrong, or request validation from Forster and Garbus while the class process runs.

Act immediately: preserve evidence, start the 30-day validation clock, and demand written validation by Certified Mail.

Do this in the first 48 hours, then follow the checklist below:

• Calendar the 30-day validation window using the letter's date, not voicemail.
• Save the envelope, all enclosures, and note the postmark and return address.
• Create a physical file and a scanned, date-stamped backup of everything.
• Compare the account name, number, balance, and original creditor to your credit reports.
• Choose written-only contact to avoid verbal admissions, log any calls with dates and names.
• Send a validation request via Certified Mail, return receipt requested, keep tracking and copies.

Before promising payment, review your state's statute of limitations for the debt. Use CFPB sample debt validation letters to build your request and pull your AnnualCreditReport.com free credit reports to verify account details.

Ignoring Forster and Garbus or telling them you can't pay can make matters escalate, from repeated calls and third‑party collection to a lawsuit and, if they obtain a judgment, enforcement like wage garnishment or bank levies.

Send a written dispute and request validation right away, keeping copies and using certified mail; that creates a record, preserves your defenses, forces them to prove the debt, and gives you evidence if they break the law. Do not admit the debt in casual messages.

If you truly cannot pay, respond without admitting liability, document your hardship (pay stubs, bills), prioritize essentials, and negotiate only after they validate the claim - ask for a realistic payment plan or a settlement in writing. For free guidance on budgeting and negotiating, contact national nonprofit credit counseling. Get every agreement in writing and consider speaking with a consumer attorney if you're sued.

You can save money, but negotiating with Forster and Garbus carries real risks, so only do it after you validate the debt and lock every term in writing.

• Request full debt validation first, do not admit responsibility.
• Confirm who owns the debt, the original creditor, balance details, and date of last activity.
• Check your state's statute of limitations, because a payment or written acknowledgement can restart it.
• Insist on a written settlement agreement specifying exact amount, due date, payment method, and how the account will be reported to credit bureaus.
• Refuse post-dated checks or open ACH without written safeguards and a receipt requirement.
• Ask whether forgiven amounts will be reported as cancelled debt and note potential tax consequences.

Settling can lower what you owe and stop collection actions, but it may be reported as 'settled' or 'paid for less than full,' which can still hurt scores, and forgiven balances over $600 can generate taxable cancelled-debt income, see IRS 1099-C tax guidance. If the debt is time-barred or ownership is unclear, consult a consumer attorney before paying, and always get a signed, unconditional payoff or settlement letter before transferring funds.

Yes, a collection firm can file a civil lawsuit to try to collect, but they cannot have you arrested just for not paying consumer debt; criminal arrest only follows separate contempt or criminal process if you ignore court orders. A collector may sue if they believe they have standing and the claim is within the applicable statute of limitations; if they win and you still don't pay, remedies can include a judgment, wage garnishment, bank levy, or lien, not a jail cell for the debt itself.

If you receive a paper summons, treat it as real until proven otherwise, note the court name, case number, plaintiff, and the answer deadline. File an appearance or written answer with the court by that deadline, ask the court clerk for default-set-aside rules if you miss it, and consider a motion to dismiss for lack of standing or time-barred debt. For step-by-step forms and local procedures check your state court self-help center and get legal help if possible.

You can stop illegal collection tactics and get paid for harms, starting with targeted written demands and escalating to regulatory complaints or an FDCPA lawsuit.

First, send a short, firm demand letter by certified mail, return receipt, stating the violation, demanding they stop or validate the debt, and asking for damages; keep the certified-mail receipt and the exact letter copy.

Next, file complaints to create an official paper trail: submit a debt-collection complaint to the CFPB (file a CFPB debt complaint), report the collector to your state attorney general and use the NAAG directory to find your office (find your state attorney general), and, if the collector is an attorney, file with your state bar. ([consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/debt-collection/?utm_sou…), [naag.org](https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

If violations persist, sue under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for statutory damages (up to $1,000), actual damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, remembering the FDCPA statute of limitations is one year from the violation. Consider small-claims court for actual damages or FDCPA claims where allowed, and weigh attorney representation for fee-shifting advantages; preserve evidence (calls, texts, letters, dates, witnesses). ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/fair-debt-collection-pra…))

Build your case file:

• Certified-mail receipts and letter copies
• All call logs, timestamps, and recordings
• Screenshots of texts/emails and social posts
• Validation requests and any responses
• Billing statements, account numbers
• Witness names, affidavits, and dates
• Copies of filed CFPB/AG/bar complaints

Yes - you can sometimes stop Forster and Garbus from collecting without paying, but there is no magic erase; removal depends on proving the claim is invalid, time-barred, or settled.

If the account is not yours, request verification in writing and submit identity-theft evidence; if they cannot produce original documentation or chain-of-title, the collection must be removed from your credit reports or disputed entries corrected.

When the statute of limitations has expired the collector generally cannot sue or legally force payment, though they may still attempt contact; learn how regulators treat time-barred claims and what collectors may not do at the CFPB's guidance on time-barred debt: CFPB guidance on time-barred debt.

Beware 'debt elimination' or pay-to-remove scams that promise a wipe for a fee; your fastest legitimate routes are formal debt validation, disputing inaccurate entries with the bureaus, negotiating a documented settlement, or, if appropriate, using bankruptcy as a separate legal remedy. If identity theft is involved follow CFPB steps to report and block fraudulent debts so bureaus must remove them: what to do if you've been a victim of identity theft.

Start by sending a written validation request by certified mail, dispute any incorrect credit-report entries immediately, keep every proof and correspondence, and consult a consumer-attorney if they threaten suit; these actions give you the strongest, lawful path to remove or neutralize alleged debts without simply paying them.

If the Forster and Garbus entry is wrong or they can't validate it, focus on disputes and repairing your reports; if the debt is accurate and still collectible, consider paying or settling only if that clears reporting or raises your score faster than disputing.

If inaccurate or unvalidated, send a written debt validation request and dispute the tradeline with each bureau under your FCRA rights; correct or remove the item before paying. If the debt is valid, check the statute of limitations and lawsuit risk, then model outcomes: full pay, settlement with written terms (request deletion), or dispute only if reporting errors exist. Short-term score gains often come from removing a tradeline, not just marking it paid.

Pull a tri-merge review to see how the entry affects all three bureaus, and run scenarios before deciding; get your reports at least once via FCRA dispute rights (CFPB) and your reports via free annual credit reports. Credit-repair services can help but cannot do more than you legally can, and they charge for work you can do yourself.

Decision factors:

• Accurate vs unverified debt
• Presence of reporting errors
• Statute of limitations and lawsuit risk
• Tri-merge score impact differences
• Likely outcome: deletion vs 'paid' notation
• Cost and guarantees of repair services
• Written settlement/pay-for-delete proof