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

They're most likely calling about an unpaid business-to-business balance - often commercial invoices or medical bills that were charged off and assigned or sold to a collector like Norman and Associates, and such transfers can be sloppy (errors in assignment happen in as many as 'up to 20%' of cases in FTC data). FTC debt buying study. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2013/01/first-its-k…))

Don't corroborate over the phone - send a written request for debt validation by certified mail with return receipt immediately; under the FDCPA a timely written dispute or validation request forces collectors to pause most collection activity until they verify the debt, and certified mail gives you proof of delivery. If the account shows on your reports or the call risks your score, consider a credit‑repair specialist to spot reporting errors and disputes you can file without direct negotiation. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/fair-debt-collection-pra…), [thebalancemoney.com](https://www.thebalancemoney.com/debt-validation-requires-collectors-to-…))

They primarily go after commercial and larger consumer accounts – B2B receivables, medical bills, NSF (bounced) checks and skip‑traced/defaulted accounts, usually balances large enough (commonly over ~$500) to justify contingency fees.

This pattern matches their public profiles and typical industry practice: contingency‑focused firms favor claims where recovery covers commissions and tracing costs. Because these kinds of accounts are often reported to credit bureaus, regularly view your credit reports to spot mismatches or unexpected entries.

If you find something that isn't yours or looks time‑barred, get a professional review (consumer‑credit specialist or attorney) to verify validity before responding to the collector.

• B2B / commercial receivables
• Medical debts and patient balances
• NSF / bounced check collections
• Skip‑traced or hard‑to‑locate defaulted accounts

Yes - Norman & Associates is a real, long‑standing Georgia collection firm (incorporated in 2001) and isn't listed as a widespread scam in public CFPB/FTC complaint archives through 2025, but a few consumer complaints exist so you should verify before paying. Legit collectors will give a written validation notice (the 'mini‑Miranda'/debt‑validation info) and must allow you 30 days to dispute; scammers push instant payment, demand untraceable methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers), or refuse to provide written proof - use those signals to avoid a fraud trap. (normanandassoc.com, bbb.org, fairshake.com)

• Confirm corporate registration in Georgia (incorporation date and agent).
• View the company record on the Better Business Bureau: Norman and Associates BBB profile.
• Search CFPB/FTC complaints for recent enforcement or patterns.
• Send a written debt‑validation request (you must get proof within 30 days) and never pay until you receive it.
• Red flags: demands for gift cards, threats of arrest, requests for full SSN, or refusal to give account/creditor details.
• If validation isn't provided or you suspect fraud, send a written cease‑and‑desist, file complaints with CFPB/FTC/BBB, and consult a consumer‑law attorney. (georgiacompanyregistry.com, bbb.org, fairshake.com, normanandassoc.com)

Call or fax Norman & Associates at 770-442-8771 (phone) and 770-442-8239 (fax), and note a commonly listed business address of 6230 Shiloh Rd Ste 230, Alpharetta, GA 30005. (normanandassoc.com, dandb.com)

Their official contact page is the best first stop; for quick verification visit Norman & Associates contact page, since public records and their site show different mailing/office addresses (so don't rely on a single directory). (normanandassoc.com, mapquest.com)

Do not call numbers you find from unverified listings - scammers spoof collection agencies. Send any disputes or instructions by certified mail so you have proof of delivery, and consider having a credit expert or authorized representative handle dispute communications to avoid missteps that could harm your score. (normanandassoc.com)

You're protected: the FDCPA stops harassment, requires verification of any alleged debt, and lets you demand collectors stop contacting you in writing.

Key rights (short):

• No harassment or abusive tactics.
• A written validation notice is required after first contact - use the collector's failure to properly give that notice to challenge the debt.
• You have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing to force verification.
• Send a written cease‑contact request and they must stop other than to say they won't.

Read the official FTC debt collection guide for plain-language examples.

Practical tactics and remedies:

• Record only where lawful; many states require all‑party consent (e.g., California, Florida) while others allow one‑party recording (e.g., Georgia).
• Keep a dated log of calls, texts, and letters; save voicemails and screenshots.
• If they violate the FDCPA, you can seek actual damages, statutory damages (up to $1,000), plus costs and attorney fees under federal law.
• Collectors commonly skip the 5‑day validation timing - cite that in disputes and don't pay until they verify.

Immediate steps you can take now:

Send a written debt‑validation request within 30 days and a separate written cease‑contact if you want them to stop. Mail by certified mail with return receipt and keep copies. If violations continue, file complaints with the CFPB and your state attorney general and consider consulting a consumer‑protection attorney.

Send Norman and Associates a certified debt-validation letter within 30 days demanding itemized proof and original-creditor documentation; if they fail to produce it, the debt is legally unverifiable under the FDCPA and they must stop collection until validation is provided.

Do this now:

• Mail a certified letter (return receipt requested) and keep copies.
• Demand itemized debt proof, original creditor name, date of last payment, account number, and a signed copy of the contract or assignment.
• State you're requesting validation under the FDCPA and that collection must cease until they validate.
• Use the CFPB sample letter as a template.
• Track delivery via USPS and set a calendar reminder to follow up at 30 days.

If they don't respond, treat the account as unverifiable: file disputes with the three credit bureaus, send a second certified letter citing the lack of validation and demanding removal, and submit a complaint to CFPB and your state attorney general. Keep every receipt and timestamped record; non‑response strengthens a credit dispute and can lead to deletion or other enforcement action - consider speaking with a consumer‑law attorney if collectors ignore the law.

Dispute it in writing right away and force them to prove the account - if Norman & Associates cannot verify the debt as yours, insist it be removed from your credit file.

First, do not pay or admit the debt. Within 30 days of their first contact send a written debt-validation request asking for the original creditor, account number, itemized charges, and proof you signed or agreed. Send by certified mail with return receipt and keep copies and notes of every call.

• Send a validation letter to Norman & Associates demanding verification and a stop to collection until they provide it.
• Simultaneously file written disputes with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, attaching any proof you have.
• If you suspect identity theft, include an FTC identity theft affidavit form and a police report.
• Mail everything certified, keep receipts, and label each document (dates, who you spoke with, copies).

If verification is not provided within legal timeframes, escalate: file a CFPB complaint and dispute again with the bureaus asking for deletion - CFPB data shows many disputes (about 40%) lead to removals.

Consider a reputable credit-repair service to automate thorough disputes or consult a consumer attorney for FDCPA/FCRA violations if the collector refuses to correct errors.

Keep meticulous records and timelines. If you find clear identity theft, freeze your credit, notify the original creditor, file police and FTC reports, and consider small-claims or attorney action for wrongful reporting or harassment. Act fast and stay organized.

Short answer: yes – they can attempt contact, but federal law tightly limits when, where, and how they may reach you.
Collectors may not call outside reasonable hours (generally 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time), may not publicly contact you on social media or disclose your debt, and may only speak to third parties to get location information (they cannot discuss the debt itself). If you tell them that workplace calls are inconvenient or forbidden, the FDCPA requires them to stop calling you at work.

Protect yourself by telling the collector in writing not to contact you at work and by documenting every call, text, message, and social post; save screenshots, voicemails, and call logs. If they ignore written limits, keep the record and file complaints with your state attorney general or the CFPB guide to debt collection rights. Use call-blocking and logging tools like Truecaller to block numbers and build admissible evidence.
A clear paper trail makes lawsuits or small-claims actions effective – consumer FDCPA suits commonly settle in the low hundreds to low thousands (often roughly $500–$1,000), and the FDCPA also allows statutory damages (up to $1,000) plus costs and attorney fees, so consult a consumer attorney if violations continue.

Make them stop by sending a formal written demand, keeping tight records, and reporting any illegal behavior immediately.

Send a written cease-and-desist via certified mail (keep the return‑receipt) using the CFPB sample as a template: CFPB sample cease-and-desist letter. After the collector receives a valid written request they may only contact you to confirm they will stop or to notify you of specific actions; anything beyond that can be a legal violation. Document and date every contact and keep copies of letters, texts, and call logs. (consumerfinance.gov)

If calls or messages continue, report violations to the FTC/Complaint Assistant and the CFPB and file with your state attorney general. You can also send the complaint online or call 1‑877‑FTC‑HELP. Harassment (repeated calls, obscene language, threats, contact at work or via social media) is explicitly prohibited under the FDCPA and its implementing rules. (consumer.ftc.gov, consumerfinance.gov)

If the harassment persists, consult a consumer attorney - many take FDCPA cases on contingency and can recover fees if you win. As a parallel step, a credit professional can help by disputing the underlying tradeline or asking bureaus to re‑investigate, which often reduces pressure while you pursue complaints or legal action. (consumerfinance.gov, fdic.gov)

Only when the original contract or state law permits it - otherwise added interest, fees, or surcharges are not lawful. (law.justia.com)

If you're dealing with Norman and Associates, demand a written validation that shows the itemization date and a line‑by‑line breakdown of principal, interest, fees, payments, and credits - the rules require that level of detail in a validation notice. Send your validation/dispute in writing (certified mail) and insist they stop collection on any disputed portion until they verify it. See the CFPB/Regulation F validation and FDCPA requirements for what must be provided. CFPB model validation forms. (consumerfinance.gov, law.justia.com)

You're not alone if fees look wrong. The CFPB's debt‑collection work shows a large share of complaints allege amounts or charges are incorrect (over half of collection complaints in 2023 involved consumers saying the debt wasn't owed). That's strong grounds to challenge any unexpected fees. (consumerfinance.gov)

Practical next moves: send a dated, certified validation/dispute that requests the math and original‑creditor docs; simultaneously dispute the item with the credit bureaus and the furnisher and include your proof. Credit bureaus and furnishers must investigate; if the collector can't verify the extra charges, the entry can be corrected or removed. Keep every receipt and message; document wins and use them when negotiating or escalating to CFPB/state regulators or an attorney. (consumerfinance.gov)

No - a collector can't legally take your pay, seize federal benefits, or freeze your bank account without first getting the proper court judgment or a lawful statutory levy and following notice procedures. (nolo.com)

Federal benefits like Social Security, SSI and many VA payments are generally protected from private garnishment; banks must also follow rules that protect a portion of those deposits. (ssa.gov, library.nclc.org, cbsnews.com) In Georgia the cap for wage garnishment is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum wage; act fast to claim

Norman & Associates shows an A+ BBB rating but is not BBB‑accredited, and its BBB profile lists only a small number of complaints - mostly communication issues; see the BBB profile showing A+ rating. ([bbb.org](https://www.bbb.org/us/ga/alpharetta/profile/collections-agencies/norma…))

That complaint volume is low compared with many small collectors (small agencies often log only a handful of complaints annually - roughly 1–2 on average in practice), but BBB can undercount unresolved disputes so you should also search the CFPB complaint database for any recent or open entries. ([insidearm.com](https://www.insidearm.com/news/00040314-ftc-data-most-collection-agenci…), [directrecovery.com](https://directrecovery.com/blog/breaking-down-collection-complaints-dat…), [cfpb.website](https://cfpb.website/data-research/consumer-complaints/?utm_source=chat…))

• Communication problems (frequent calls, unclear written notices)
• Requests for verification not handled promptly
• Alleged wrong account or incorrect balance
• Harassing or repeat contact (timing/venue complaints)
• Billing, settlement, or reporting disagreements

• No major federal class actions or FTC enforcement actions naming Norman & Associates were located in PACER or agency searches through 2025.
• An individual FDCPA suit from 2014 alleging threatening language was filed and later dismissed.
• If you want heads-up on new filings, monitor ClassAction.org listings. ([pacer.uscourts.gov](https://pacer.uscourts.gov/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [stopcollections.org](https://stopcollections.org/debt-collection-agencies-in-united-states/n…))

There isn't a ready-made class to opt into right now, so your best leverage is individual rights enforcement. Keep every letter, call log, and date. Send a written debt-validation request immediately and preserve responses. If collection language crossed the FDCPA line, consider a consumer-attorney consult or filing a CFPB/state complaint. ([fairshake.com](https://fairshake.com/cfpb/norman--associates-inc/2020/4/p1/?utm_source…))

Expect modest class recoveries even when collector classes form – historically many consumer/debt-collector settlements pay small per-member amounts (often in the low tens to low hundreds), so individual statutory damages or injunctions are usually more meaningful for stopping bad practices. If a pattern emerges, class notices may offer opt-in/exclusion choices; weigh litigation delay and likely per-person payout against a direct FDCPA claim. ([alliancelitigationfunding.com](https://www.alliancelitigationfunding.com/index.php/en/blog/the-average…), [accountsrecovery.net](https://www.accountsrecovery.net/2023/11/20/judge-grants-preliminary-ap…))

• Quick action: send debt-validation by certified mail and document everything.
• If harassment continues: file CFPB/state complaints and gather proof for an FDCPA demand or small-claims suit.
• Watch class-action listings and opt in only if the class terms and probable per-member award make it worth your time.

Don't ignore a Norman and Associates collection notice - validate the claim, document everything, and protect your credit right away.

First, preserve the notice and any envelope or electronic message; photograph and scan everything. Write down who contacted you, the date, phone numbers, account or reference numbers, and what was said. Log every future call with time, name, and summary, and never admit responsibility on the phone.

Next, send a written debt validation request as soon as possible - ideally within 30 days of first contact - asking for the original creditor, an itemized balance, proof of assignment, and the date of last activity. Mail it certified with return receipt and keep every copy. If they don't validate, file disputes with the three credit bureaus and with the furnisher, attaching whatever evidence you have.

Check the statute of limitations for your state - in Georgia most consumer collection claims fall between 4 and 6 years depending on the type of debt - and avoid any written acknowledgement or partial payment if the debt is time‑barred because that can restart the clock. If you consider settling, insist on a written settlement or pay‑for‑delete agreement before paying, and if they sue respond to the summons and consult a consumer attorney.

After you've validated or disputed, monitor your credit reports and follow up if the item isn't corrected; legitimate removals can take weeks, and credit‑repair professionals can sometimes accelerate removals after successful disputes. Stay organized, act quickly, and if you feel lost get free help from a nonprofit counselor or a consumer‑law attorney so you don't inadvertently hurt your score while trying to fix it.

You must respond - silence won't make the account disappear and can lead to a lawsuit, a court judgment, and credit damage that can affect your reports for up to seven years.
Ignoring also weakens your position: failing to answer may be treated as implicit acceptance, which makes it easier for a collector to sue or win a judgment that leads to garnishment or bank levies in some states.

If you can't pay, act instead of hiding: request debt validation, send a hardship or settlement letter, propose a realistic payment plan, or seek a written reduced‑pay offer. If the debt is time‑barred, be careful - a payment or written admission can restart the clock; consult a consumer attorney or a credit counselor before acknowledging or paying. Know your rights and options at CFPB guide to debt collection.

Long term, an unpaid judgment is far costlier than negotiating now - it can lower scores, create liens, and follow you for years; conversely, documented negotiations or settlement letters can stop escalation. Keep records of every contact. If collectors break the law, you can sue and report them; if you're overwhelmed, get legal advice or a bankruptcy consultation before making irreversible moves.

Not inherently - settling can be smart, but only if you accept the trade-offs and do it carefully.

You can often cut the balance substantially; potential 30–50% savings is realistic when you offer a lump sum or short payment plan. Start by validating the debt before negotiating; if it's not the right account, don't pay. Always insist the settlement terms be written and signed.

There are real downsides. The forgiven portion can be taxable (expect a Form 1099‑C) and the account will usually post as 'settled' rather than 'paid in full,' which hurts your score more than a full payoff and can stay on your report for years. Also, try to avoid verbal-only deals; payments or admissions can affect statutes of limitation in some states.

Negotiate in writing, demand clear terms, and ask for pay‑for‑delete (rare but possible - persistence yields about a 25% success rate). Keep copies of everything. If the numbers, tax hit, or credit impact aren't worth it, explore dispute, validation, or legal help instead.

Yes - they can sue you if the claim is timely and collectible, but they cannot have you arrested for failing to respond (debtor's prison is illegal).

• They may file suit when the debt is within the statute of limitations; check the date of last activity to know if it's time‑barred.
• Civil collection suits can lead to default judgments if you don't respond; answer a summons within 30 days to avoid that.
• Georgia venue rules apply here, so cases may be filed where the contract was made or where you live.
• Request debt validation and assert your FDCPA/state rights; monitor court dockets to spot filings early.

If you ignore a valid lawsuit you risk a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens - not arrest. Time‑barred debts are a defense but can still be used to pressure you; don't admit liability in writing.

File an answer, raise defenses (SOL, identity, improper service), or get an attorney or legal aid quickly.

• If you're served: file an answer and seek help immediately.
• If you get only letters/calls: send a written validation request and document everything.
• If you can't pay: consider negotiating, settling for less, or payment plans - get offers in writing.
• Protect yourself: watch court searches, keep records, and consult a consumer/collection attorney for tailored next steps.

If Norman and Associates breaks debt‑collection law, you can file regulatory complaints, gather evidence, and bring a claim (often in small claims or federal court) to recover statutory damages and costs.

• Gather everything: call logs, dates/times, recorded messages (if legal in your state), texts, letters, account statements and caller IDs.
• Send a written debt validation or a certified cease‑and‑desist and keep proof of delivery.
• File complaints with the CFPB and FTC and your state attorney general - these trigger investigations.
• Sue for FDCPA violations (statutory damages up to $1,000 plus court costs and attorney fees) in small claims or federal court depending on the claim.
• Get help: use NACA find an attorney or local legal aid to evaluate suit viability; settlements commonly exceed statutory minimums, so document everything before negotiating.

Act fast: FDCPA claims generally must be filed within one year of the violation, and state rules or small‑claims limits vary, so timestamped evidence and prompt complaints dramatically improve your odds.

Sometimes – you can avoid paying Norman and Associates if you prove the debt is invalid, time‑barred, discharged, or removed after a successful dispute. (consumerfinance.gov, moeb.uscourts.gov)

Start by demanding validation in writing under the FDCPA (send a certified 'validation'/dispute within 30 days). If they can't prove ownership, original creditor, or amount, you can refuse payment and press for removal; consumer disputes and agency actions do produce deletions. (law.cornell.edu, ftc.gov) Also escalate via government channels by filing a complaint – for example, you can submit a CFPB complaint to trigger a company response. (consumerfinance.gov)

Watch for two big wins: (1) time‑barred debts – collectors may not sue or threaten suit on expired debts under Regulation F, and (2) paperwork/assignment gaps – debt buyers often lack chain‑of‑title evidence, which courts and bureaus treat seriously.

If validation fails or the collector violates the FDCPA/FCRA, document everything and consider a dispute, a CFPB complaint, or consulting a consumer‑debt attorney; bankruptcy can discharge many debts but will still hurt your credit history. (consumerfinance.gov, thelangelfirm.com)

Yes - if the Norman and Associates entry is inaccurate or disputed, pursuing credit repair first is usually the smarter move. Disputes to the bureaus can sometimes remove erroneous or unverified tradelines without payment, and professional repair services can attack several items at once (many consumers see improvements in the 50–100 point range). Paying the collector will stop collection pressure but typically only changes the status to 'paid' while the negative remark often stays on your report and can continue to hurt your score.

Choose a CROA-compliant credit repair company with a clear written contract, no upfront illegal fees, and a money-back or performance guarantee. Always request debt validation before paying. If the debt is clearly valid or you face an imminent lawsuit, negotiate or pay for a documented 'paid as agreed/settled' status; otherwise start with disputes or a reputable repair firm and keep records of every step.