Why Is CCS Offices Calling Me? How to Settle Debt
CCS Offices is a legitimate debt collector that contacts consumers about unpaid debts from banking, healthcare, telecom, and other industries. You can settle your debt by validating it, negotiating a payment plan, and getting everything in writing to protect yourself legally.
Respond to CCS NowWhen you fall behind on debt, you deserve dignity and respect. You need peace of mind to develop a strategy for getting back on track.
Credit Collection Services (CCS) has reached out to you. You can take several steps to protect your rights and settle the debt legally.
CCS Offices Sued You? Respond in 15 Minutes
Don't let CCS Offices win by default. Answer their lawsuit and negotiate a settlement on your terms. Most consumers lose simply because they don't respond.
Answer the LawsuitWhat Is CCS Offices?
Credit Collection Services is a legitimate debt collection company. The agency has been in business for over 58 years. CCS Offices operates under the umbrella “CCS Companies,” which is based in Massachusetts.
You can contact the company at:
- Phone: (617) 965-2000
- Address: 725 Canton Street Norwood, MA 02062
- Website: https://www.ccsusa.com/
Credit Collection Services is one of the largest collection agencies in the United States. The company uses advanced technology, skilled agents, and robust compliance programs.
CCS employs strategies like skip tracing, payment plan administration, and multilingual support. These tools ensure comprehensive and effective collection efforts.
Is CCS Offices Legit?
Yes, CCS Offices is legit. The agency will call you to collect an alleged unpaid bill. The company isn’t BBB accredited, but they have a B rating on their profile.
Who Does CCS Offices Collect For?
CCS Offices pursues all types of consumer-related debts. The agency collects for companies in the following industries:
- Banking
- Cable
- Credit card
- Government
- Healthcare
- Insurance
- Medical
- Personal loans
- Retail
- Telecom
- Tolls
- Utility bills
CCS Offices also collects debts on behalf of original creditors.
Why Is CCS Offices Calling Me?
Legally, debt collectors can contact you via phone, mail, emails, texts, and social media.
No matter what method the debt collector uses, they must follow regulations. For example, if CCS reaches you via social media, they must:
- Identify themselves as debt collectors
- Message you privately
- Provide you with a way to opt out of receiving messages
Keep track of every communication with debt collectors. Prefer written communication with CCS Offices. Avoid giving your information to alleged debt collectors on the phone. Fraudsters may try to steal your identity.
If you would like to discuss your options, the CCS Offices phone number is (617) 965-2000.
How to Negotiate With CCS Offices to Settle Debt
You can negotiate for debt settlement at any stage of the collection process. You can even negotiate after being sued and filing an Answer. A debt settlement offer asks CCS Offices to accept a lower amount than what is owed. Many debt collectors are willing to settle for less, especially for a reasonable lump sum payment.
Here are steps you can take to negotiate a debt settlement:
- Calculate what you can actually pay towards the balance. Could you reasonably pay half of the amount owed? Can you still cover your living expenses? Doing this calculus gives you a guidepost for settlement negotiations.
- Make a reasonable settlement offer via a debt settlement letter. The settlement offer should be lower than the number you calculated in Step 1. You’ll have room to negotiate upward if they reject your first offer. Engage in written settlement communications with CCS Offices throughout the process.
- If you reach an agreement on a settlement amount, draft a Debt Settlement Agreement. Both parties should sign it.
- Pay the agreed amount on time.
Want help negotiating with CCS Offices? Our partner Solo can help you settle your debt and respond to lawsuits.
Read CCS Offices Reviews Online Before You Negotiate
You can read what people have said about their interactions with CCS Offices. Check these reviews:
- CCS Offices reviews on Better Business Bureau
- CCS Offices reviews on Yelp
The online reviews of CCS Offices are pretty mixed. Don’t let this deter you from taking steps to engage with them. Many debt collectors, including CCS Offices, are open to working with individuals. They want to resolve concerns and get debt paid in a manner that works. Proactive communication is the key.
How to Get CCS Offices Off Your Credit Report
Whether the CCS account is on your report rightfully or due to an error, its presence ruins your credit score. You can get CCS Offices off your credit.
The most straightforward CCS account to remove is if it’s an error. You need to contact the concerned credit bureaus, either by phone or mail. Ask them to delete the account. The bureau has up to thirty days to resolve the matter. Contact each bureau separately if you notice the error in more than one report.
Pay off a legitimate CCS account, especially if it’s new. Although paying the account may affect your credit score, it’s better to have it as a paid account. A paid account is better than an account in collections. It will eventually fall off your report.
You can also remove old, past-due credit accounts from your report. Check if they are past the statutes of limitations. Instead of paying off such an account and resetting the clock, dispute it. Contact the furnishing company to have it removed.
Make it a habit to request your credit report often. Scan thoroughly for mistakes. You’re entitled to a free annual report from each leading credit reporting bureau.
Report Misconduct by CCS Offices to the CFPB
Both federal and individual state laws protect you against misconduct by debt collectors. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) demands that debt collectors stick to a code of ethics.
The FTC enacts the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The law requires debt collectors to:
- Identify themselves as debt collectors
- Follow up the first contact with a written debt validation notice within five days
- Contact you only between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm your time
- Provide company address, phone number, license number
CCS Offices may not:
- Threaten you with wage garnishment or arrest if they are not authorized to do so
- Use misleading information to collect a debt
- Embarrass you by making your credit account public
- Lie to you
- Ask you to pay more money than you owe
- Spam call you
If CCS violates your rights, report them to CFPB online or call 855-411-2372.
The Better Business Bureau is also an excellent place to air your views and reviews. The company gets an opportunity to respond to your complaints.
Take Charge of Your Credit
Buying on credit is the American way. The health of your credit affects your daily life. Renting an apartment, financing a car, getting a personal loan all depend on your credit score. Many companies have come up to help consumers deal with credit issues. These include errors in your report and accounts in collections.
The good news is that you don’t need credit repair companies or lawyers. You can handle everything all by yourself. Develop these habits:
- Check your credit report regularly
- Dispute any incorrect information on your report
- Always send a debt validation letter for every debt
- Pay validated accounts as soon as possible
- In case of a lawsuit, Answer immediately
CCS Offices are notorious for rubbing consumers the wrong way. The situation is not hopeless, though. You can beat them if you have the necessary information.
Respond to a Debt Lawsuit Against CCS Offices
If CCS Offices is taking you to court over a debt, don’t give up. The first step to winning your case is to respond. Most consumers ignore debt lawsuits like this. They usually don’t know how to respond.
When responding to a debt lawsuit, follow these three steps:
- Answer each allegation listed in the Complaint document
- Include a section where you assert your affirmative defenses
- File the Answer with the court, and send a copy to CCS Offices
Following these three steps has proven to help consumers beat debt collectors like CCS Offices. Our partner Solo can help you respond in minutes and negotiate a settlement.
Example: In California, Hannah was sued by CCS Offices for a medical debt she didn’t know about. The debt was from a doctor’s visit from more than seven years prior. Hannah drafted her response and filed it with the court. As one of her affirmative defenses, Hannah declared that the statute of limitations on medical debt in California was only 4 years. The statute had passed for this debt. When CCS Offices couldn’t prove that the debt was still within the statute of limitations, they dismissed the case.
You have rights when dealing with CCS Offices. You can settle your debt on your terms. You can respond to lawsuits and protect yourself from abusive collection practices.