#1 Way to Remove 'Professional Collectors' (Hurting Your Score)

Most often a third party is calling because a creditor sold or assigned a past‑due account to a collection agency - common sources are medical bills, retail accounts, utilities, or small business invoices. It can also be a clerical error or identity theft that tied an account to your name, so stay calm, note the caller's name, company, phone number, and alleged account details, and never give out additional personal or financial information on the call.

Protect yourself by demanding written validation of the debt within 30 days and exercising your rights under the FDCPA. Send a written validation request, keep copies and delivery receipts, don't pay or provide bank/SSN details until they prove the debt, check your free credit report, and if the debt looks wrong or unfamiliar, quietly consult a reputable credit‑repair or consumer‑law specialist to assess errors or identity theft rather than paying under pressure.

They mainly pursue consumer and small‑business debts: medical bills, commercial accounts, rental arrears, retail purchases and service‑provider invoices.

Work can span early‑stage outreach to buying charged‑off portfolios for bad‑debt recovery; they tend to target sectors with frequent delinquencies (healthcare providers, landlords, retailers, local service vendors).

Check your credit report for matching entries, request validation if contacted, and get a credit counselor or consumer‑attorney involved if you dispute ownership or accuracy.

• Medical bills (hospitals, clinics, dental)
• Commercial accounts (B2B invoices, vendor debt)
• Rental arrears (unpaid rent, lease charges)
• Retail purchases (store cards, returned‑goods balances)
• Small service business obligations (contractors, salons, local services)

Yes - Professional Collectors Corporation is a real debt‑collection firm and not a known scam. Founded in 1958 and operating from Fond du Lac, WI, the company was accredited by the BBB in 2024 and holds an A+ rating.

Watch for classic scam behavior: high‑pressure demands for immediate payment via untraceable methods (gift cards, wire, crypto), refusals to provide written account details, callers who won't give a company name or account number, or illegal threats - legitimate firms must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and provide written validation when you ask.

Verify everything before sharing data or paying: check the company's history and accreditation on the BBB profile for Professional Collectors, request debt validation in writing within 30 days, refuse untraceable payment methods, and report suspicious or unlawful conduct to the CFPB, your state attorney general, or the BBB.

Use these verified contact details to send debt‑validation requests and formal correspondence to Professional Collectors Corporation.

Confirm the listing before you contact them - check their Professional Collectors BBB profile. Send validation letters by certified mail and keep copies; avoid unsolicited calls and only call after you verify the account.

• Phone: (920) 921-3982
• Fax (for documentation): (920) 921-1339
• Mailing address (use certified mail for validation requests): Professional Collectors Corporation, 755 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

You're protected by the FDCPA: collectors must treat you fairly, give written details, allow disputes, and face penalties if they break the rules.

• No harassment or abuse - no threats, obscene language, repeated calls meant to annoy, or calling at unreasonable hours.
• No false or misleading statements - they can't lie about the debt, pretend to be lawyers, or falsely claim legal action.
• Required disclosures - collectors must identify themselves and, within five days of first contact, provide written info about the amount and creditor; if you dispute within 30 days they must verify the debt. See the FDCPA full text at FTC.
• Stop-contact right - tell them in writing to stop; they must cease most contact except to notify you of limited actions.
• Privacy limits - they can't discuss your debt with third parties (friends, co-workers) except to get contact info.
• Timing and place rules - no calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. (unless you agree) and no contacting you at work if your employer forbids it.
• Remedies - you can document violations, file complaints with regulators, or sue for statutory damages and attorney's fees.

Document every call and message, send written validation or cease letters by certified mail, avoid admitting liability while you investigate, and get a consumer-lawyer or nonprofit review before escalating; these steps connect directly to requesting validation and stopping harassment elsewhere in this guide.

Send a written demand for proof by certified mail within 30 days of the collector's first contact.

In the letter state your name and account number, say you dispute the debt, and demand validation/verification - the original creditor's name, signed contract, chain-of-title and an itemized payment history. Use certified mail with return receipt and keep copies; a ready-made example is the CFPB debt validation template.

Once you request validation the collector must stop collection activity until they provide it; a reasonable response window is typically about 30 days, and continued collection without verification can violate the FDCPA. If they don't validate, dispute the entry with the credit bureaus, file complaints with the CFPB or your state attorney general, and preserve all records for possible legal action.

Practical tips: never admit liability or make a payment before validation, include a clear deadline in your letter, track certified-mail receipts, and consider a credit-specialist review or an attorney if records are messy or the collector stonewalls.

If the collection isn't yours, immediately send a written dispute and demand validation - do it in writing (certified mail) within 30 days and attach proof like an identity-theft report or evidence you don't own the account.

Tell Professional Collectors exactly which account data is wrong, request they stop collection until they validate it, and keep copies and return receipts; include police reports, an FTC identity-theft affidavit, or other documents that prove non‑ownership. (ftcsupport.com, consumerfinance.gov)

At the same time file disputes with the three credit bureaus and include the same supporting documents under the FCRA so they must investigate and flag the item as disputed while they check it; if the furnisher cannot verify the debt the data must be corrected or removed. (consumerfinance.gov, law.cornell.edu)

If the collector or bureaus won't fix it, escalate: file a formal complaint (and upload your docs) with the CFPB or the FTC, and consider a credit-repair specialist or consumer‑rights attorney to find data‑mismatch roots that consumers often miss. Collectors and furnishers must treat disputed items properly during investigation - keep meticulous records and timestamps. submit a complaint to CFPB. (consumerfinance.gov)

• Send a written dispute to Professional Collectors (certified mail) within 30 days; demand validation and stop-contact if identity theft.
• Attach identity-theft proof: police report, FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, government ID, and account docs.
• Simultaneously dispute with Experian, TransUnion, Equifax and include the same evidence.
• Track timelines: bureaus/furnishers must investigate (generally 30 days) and mark the account as disputed while reviewing.
• If unresolved, file a CFPB complaint and an FTC complaint; consider a credit-repair pro or consumer attorney.

Yes - the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits when and how third‑party collectors may reach you.

Tell a collector once that contact at work is inconvenient and they must stop; they also may not contact you via social media in ways that disclose your debt, call after hours (generally before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM), or communicate about your debt through friends or family except to ask where you live or work - and even then they cannot reveal debt details. Exceptions exist if the collector has no other means to reach you, but those are narrow.

Document every contact (dates, times, caller, content). Send a written cease‑contact letter (keep proof, use certified mail) and demand validation if you doubt the debt. If violations continue, file complaints with the CFPB and your state attorney general and consider brief credit counseling to help manage responses and stop abusive outreach.

Stop the harassment: send a written cease‑and‑desist by certified mail, document every contact, and report violations so collectors legally must stop contacting you.

• Send a certified‑mail cease‑and‑desist demand (FDCPA §805(c)) using the CFPB cease-and-desist letter template.
• Simultaneously request debt validation if you dispute the debt.
• Keep the certified‑mail receipt and returned delivery notice.
• Log all contacts (date, time, caller, words said), save texts, emails, and voicemails.

Make the letter short and exact: your full name, account or reference number, the clear demand that they stop all communications, the date, and your signature. Send it certified with return receipt. When collectors receive a valid FDCPA cease‑and‑desist, they may only contact you to confirm no further contact or to advise of specific legal actions; otherwise they must stop.

Record every abusive or unfair practice with copies and timestamps. File complaints online with the CFPB, the FTC, and your state attorney general, and keep complaint confirmation numbers. Violations of the FDCPA can lead to statutory damages (commonly up to $1,000 per violation) and attorney's fees; if harassment continues, consult an attorney to evaluate a pattern claim or to send a demand letter. If you prefer less drama, reputable credit‑repair or consumer‑advocacy services can quietly help resolve validation and reporting issues.

• Report to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
• File an FTC complaint.
• Contact your State Attorney General's consumer division.
• Keep paperwork for small‑claims or FDCPA litigation and share with an attorney.
• Submit a Better Business Bureau complaint and preserve all certified‑mail receipts and contact logs.

Yes - but only when the original contract or state law allows it; collectors can't freely tack on new interest, fees, or penalties that the account agreement or governing statute doesn't permit. If your contract or state caps permit post-charge interest or collection fees, those may be added; otherwise they're not legitimate.

Always demand an itemized debt validation showing each charge and its legal basis, then compare every line to your original agreement. Excess or undisclosed additions can breach the FDCPA, so dispute them in writing if they don't match. If the math or legal basis is unclear, get a consumer-attorney or experienced negotiator involved - professionals can spot hidden errors and often negotiate reductions you'd miss on your own.

No - a private collection agency can't legally garnish your wages, withdraw benefits, or freeze your bank account out of the blue; they must sue you, win a judgment, and use court orders or proper levies to force garnishment. Debt collectors usually need a court judgment before asking your employer or bank to hand over money, though federal agencies (like the IRS) or child‑support authorities have separate powers to levy or garnish under different procedures. (consumerfinance.gov, irs.gov)

Many federal benefits are largely protected. Social Security, VA, SSI, and other federal payments get special shields when directly deposited and banks must usually protect two months' worth of direct‑deposited benefits; SSI is especially exempt. State exemption rules and garnishment limits also vary, so some income or account funds may be partially protected depending on your state and the debt type. how federal benefits are protected. (ssa.gov, consumerfinance.gov)

If a collector threatens immediate garnishment or freezes your money without paperwork, demand written proof of a judgment and the court order, check local court records, and contact your bank to flag protected deposits. If the threat or action is unlawful, file complaints with the CFPB, FTC, and your state attorney general, and seek free legal aid or a consumer‑law attorney; addressing disputed debts early (or using credit‑repair help) often stops escalation. (consumerfinance.gov, ftc.gov)

Professional Collectors Corporation holds an A+ BBB rating (accredited since September 2024) and has 22 complaints recorded in the past three years. Most entries are labeled as order issues that the company marked resolved or answered; many consumer complaints cite disputed debts and aggressive collection tactics. See the Professional Collectors Corporation BBB profile for full details.

• Disputed debts - consumers contest balances; many cases show verification requested or account adjustments.
• Order/service issues - largely marked resolved or answered by the company.
• Harassing or aggressive contact - frequent in reviews; fewer formal BBB rulings but documented complaints exist.
• Reporting errors to credit bureaus - disputes sometimes lead to corrections after follow-up.
• Credit-pattern monitoring recommended - tracking reporting and collection behavior reveals trends; an expert review can uncover systemic problems.

As of current public records there are no major, publicly reported class-action lawsuits or large settlements against Professional Collectors Corporation, although the firm shows isolated consumer complaints and regulatory filings. (bbb.org, fairshake.com)

• Why no large class actions so far: low-volume, localized complaints; most disputes are handled case-by-case rather than system-wide litigation. (bbb.org)
• Complaint channels and company responses are visible (they publish a disputes process and investigate individual claims). (pccfdl.com)
• The industry, however, has had high-profile FDCPA and phantom-debt settlements, so systemic collectors can face class actions when practices are widespread. (ftc.gov)
• Monitor filings and trends yourself via CFPB complaint portal and check the public complaint database for new patterns. (consumerfinance.gov)

If you're harmed by unlawful collection tactics you can still file an individual FDCPA claim or join future class suits if one emerges; document everything, file a CFPB (and state AG) complaint, and ask a consumer-attorney or trusted credit specialist to discreetly review eligibility. (suethecollector.com, consumerfinance.gov)

Act fast: within 30 days of the notice, send a written debt‑validation request by certified mail, track everything, and immediately check your credit reports for accuracy.

• Date the notice and record how you were contacted.
• Mail a debt‑validation letter (certified, return receipt) demanding: original creditor name, full account number, itemized balance, chain of assignment, signed contract or promissory note, date of last payment, and collector's license.
• Do not admit the debt or make partial payments until validation arrives.
• If harassment occurs, assert your FDCPA rights and request cessation of calls in writing.

Review all three credit reports for the entry, date of first delinquency, and duplicates; if the collector provides proof and the debt is valid, negotiate only in writing (get a signed settlement or payment‑plan agreement and insist on exact reporting language).

Check the statute of limitations for your state before acknowledging or paying time‑barred debt.

• If validation is missing or entries are inaccurate, dispute with each bureau (include copies of your certified‑mail receipt and any correspondence).
• Keep all records, set calendar reminders for 30/45/90‑day follow ups, and preserve originals.
• This proactive approach minimizes impact; professional credit repair can automate and enhance dispute efficacy and consult an attorney if you're sued.

Ignoring collectors puts you at real risk: your credit can take big hits and the situation can escalate to lawsuits, court judgments, wage garnishment or bank levies if you leave it alone.

Collectors can report after 30 days, affecting scores for 7 years, and a judgment can create separate, longer-term consequences that are harder to fix.

Don't ghost them – respond. Ask for debt validation in writing, explain a hardship, and propose a realistic plan or settlement; get any agreement in writing before you pay.

If you truly can't pay, explore hardship programs, reduced‑lump‑sum settlements, or deferments, and treat bankruptcy as a last resort after talking with a bankruptcy attorney or a nonprofit credit counselor.

Also check your reports for errors and dispute anything incorrect, consider low‑cost legal help if a collector sues, and beware of time‑barred debts (avoid acknowledging or paying those without advice); acting early gives you the most options.

Not necessarily - settling for less can save you real money if you *always get the agreement in writing*.

Get a signed settlement letter before you pay. The letter must state the exact dollar amount, that the account will be marked "paid in full" on reporting, and that the collector won't resell or re‑report the debt. *Aim for 30–50% off and insist on "paid in full" wording* to limit tax exposure and close the account; pay by a traceable method and keep copies.

There are risks. Partial payments or informal deals can revive old debts or change legal timelines. *Be aware settling can restart the statute of limitations.* Forgiven balances may trigger IRS reporting (1099‑C), and "settled" entries can still hurt scores more than full payment. If you're unsure, hire a credit pro or attorney to negotiate and use disputes tactically.

Yes - a collection agency can sue you in civil court for unpaid debt, but they cannot have you arrested for not responding. If you lose or don't answer a lawsuit you risk a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens depending on state law, so treat any summons as urgent and respond promptly.

Debt collection is civil, not criminal; threats of arrest for ordinary debt violate the FDCPA. Collectors may still sue if the debt is valid and within your state's statute of limitations (or if you don't timely request validation). If they obtain a judgment they gain stronger collection tools - but you have defenses (e.g., statute of limitations, identity theft, improper service, payment already made).

Practical moves matter and are simple. Ask for written debt validation immediately. Don't ignore a summons - file an answer or get an attorney. Negotiate or settle before suit when possible; use credit-repair tools to dispute inaccurate listings. Keep copies of everything and consider free legal aid if money's tight.

• Send a written debt-validation request (send and keep proof).
• Check your state's statute of limitations before admitting liability.
• If served, file an answer by the court deadline or seek counsel to avoid default.
• Gather proof: payments, identity documents, correspondence.
• Negotiate a pay-or-settlement plan before suit to limit damage.
• If sued, raise defenses: SOL, improper service, identity theft, or lack of standing.
• Report FDCPA violations to the CFPB/FTC and your state attorney general.
• Consider a consumer attorney or legal aid and use certified mail for key notices.

You can forcefully push back: sue, report, dispute, and use collection-law violations to reduce or stop the alleged balance while seeking damages and fees.

Common violations include harassment, false or misleading statements, contacting third parties or your workplace, calling after a written cease request, failing to provide validation, adding unauthorized fees, or reporting inaccurate information; save dates, call logs, voicemails, texts, letters, and screenshots as evidence.

Sue under FDCPA within one year for up to $1,000 statutory damages plus fees - document violations and file in small claims or with an attorney; see Fair Debt Collection Practices Act text. Report to the CFPB and FTC for investigations.

Also file complaints with your state attorney general and dispute inaccurate entries directly with the credit bureaus; successful claims often stop harassment, force removal or correction on credit reports, offset or reduce the debt, and can yield statutory damages and fee recovery - use a consumer-attorney or credit pro for complex cases.

Yes - sometimes you can legally avoid paying, but only when the collector's claim is invalid, time‑barred, or can't be validated; otherwise ignoring it usually makes things worse.

Start with the basics: collectors must prove the debt and follow the FDCPA. Check who owns the account, whether the collector produced signed contracts or chain‑of‑assignment, and whether the statute of limitations has expired in your state. If the debt is on your credit report, a successful dispute can remove it. If the debt is valid, unpaid, or you acknowledge it, collection can escalate to a lawsuit, garnishment, or bank levy.

• Request validation in writing immediately and keep certified‑mail receipts.
• Check the statute of limitations for your state; don't admit, sign, or make a partial payment if you want to preserve the time‑bar defense.
• File disputes with the credit bureaus and demand verification from the collector.
• Send a written cease‑and‑desist if you want calls to stop (note: it stops contact but not the debt).
• Negotiate a written settlement or payment plan if the debt is valid.
• Consider bankruptcy only after legal advice if the debt is overwhelming.
• Hire a consumer‑law attorney or a reputable credit‑repair firm to audit complex or old accounts.

Consequences matter: bogus or unvalidated debts can be removed. Legitimate debts left unpaid can lead to suits or wage garnishment. Keep every document. Record calls. If sued, don't ignore the complaint - respond or lose by default. Credit repair services excel at identifying escapable debts through thorough audits not typically done individually, and an attorney will protect you if litigation starts.

What to do now: send a written debt‑validation request within 30 days of first contact, dispute any inaccurate entries with the bureaus, and preserve all evidence (statements, bills, texts, voicemail logs, certified‑mail receipts). If a lawsuit arrives, contact a consumer attorney or legal aid immediately and file an answer. Stay calm, document everything, and act - doing nothing is rarely the safest escape.

Yes - when errors, identity issues, or time‑barred entries are possible, start with dispute-based credit repair; pay collectors only after validation or a written deal.

Credit repair pros force furnishers to investigate and can get inaccurate or unverifiable collection entries removed without you paying, because credit bureaus and data furnishers must investigate disputes under the FCRA; that often clears items faster and cleaner than handing cash to a collector. (consumerfinance.gov, ftc.gov)

Paying a collector can stop calls and settle the balance, but it also confirms the debt and usually converts the record to 'paid' rather than removing it; true pay‑for‑delete wins are rare and scoring models vary in how they treat paid collections, so payment isn't a guaranteed path to a higher score. (bankrate.com, nerdwallet.com)

Be careful with old debts: making a payment or acknowledging liability can restart legal time limits in many states, which can let collectors sue again - so validate the account first, and never make payments or admissions until you understand the statute of limitations and have a written agreement. (consumerfinance.gov, bankrate.com)

Best practice is sequential and strategic: request debt validation, file targeted disputes for inaccuracies, push for deletions when items can't be verified, and only negotiate payment when you have leverage or a written pay‑for‑delete/settlement offer. Use written agreements, keep records, and consider a reputable credit‑repair or legal service to uncover reporting errors collectors miss. (investopedia.com, nerdwallet.com)