How to Settle Debt With National Credit Systems (NCS)

Did National Credit Systems contact you recently? Have they added debt to your credit report? You may owe a landlord an unpaid rent balance. National Credit Systems Inc. is a legitimate third-party collection agency. They specialize in collecting for the multifamily residential industry.

Don’t ignore National Credit Systems (NCS). Ignoring them will hurt your credit score and could lead to a lawsuit. Collection agencies tied to unpaid housing debt carry more weight on your credit report. They impact your score more than other collection activities.

Although NCS can damage your credit score, you can address the situation. You have the opportunity to remove the item from your credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act provides valuable protections against unfair credit reporting. It empowers you to request that National Credit Systems verify the debt. They must prove ownership and accuracy. The debt must be removed from your credit report if they cannot provide adequate proof.

Below, we explain how you can remove the debt from your credit report. We’ll show you how to negotiate a settlement. We’ll also cover what to do if NCS has sued you. But first, what is National Credit Systems, and who do they collect for?

What Is National Credit Systems?

National Credit Systems is one of the leading debt collection agencies for apartment owners. The company started in 1991 and operates from Atlanta, Georgia. It has a legitimate license to collect debt throughout the United States. According to its website, it provides professional and compliant services. Their services are tailored to the needs of the apartment industry.

National Credit Systems’ contact information is:

• Phone Number: (404) 629-9595, Toll-Free: 800-367-1050
• Email: info@nationalcreditsystems.com
• Headquarters: 3750 Naturally Fresh Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30349
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 312125, Atlanta, GA 31131
• Website: National Credit Systems

Who Does National Credit Systems Collect For?

National Credit Systems primarily collects debts on behalf of landlords and property management companies. They specialize in recovering unpaid rent, fees, and other charges related to residential leases. National Credit Systems collects for:

• Apartment owners
• Property management companies
• Multifamily housing providers
• Student housing complexes
• Affordable housing providers

When NCS contacts you for a debt, do not dismiss them immediately. You didn’t transact with them directly, but that doesn’t matter. Seek more information to determine if you have a debt with one of their clients.

Read National Credit Systems Reviews Online

When reading National Credit Systems reviews online, approach debt collectors with a positive mindset. Remain open to communication because many collectors aim to help you resolve debts. Engaging respectfully can lead to better outcomes and less financial stress. Here are three reliable platforms to read their reviews:

• National Credit Systems reviews with Better Business Bureau
• National Credit Systems reviews with the CFPB consumer database
• National Credit Systems reviews on Google

You may encounter mixed reactions after reading the reviews. Many consumers report positive experiences when they approach NCS with the intent to resolve their debt. Communication and cooperation often lead to better outcomes.

Remove National Credit Systems From Your Credit Report

A debt entry by NCS in your credit report remains there for seven years. You will experience difficulty getting a credit card or loan approval. Residential real estate collections carry significant weight on your credit report. Here are steps to remove the debt from your credit report.

Ask NCS for a Goodwill Deletion for Paid Debt

Write a letter of goodwill deletion if you have paid the debt. NCS may not have removed it from your credit report yet. Collection agencies are legally allowed to either change the status to paid or delete the debt. Both options are within their rights.

A paid status on your credit report still limits your chances of getting a loan. It still shows you previously had an unpaid debt. Requesting goodwill deletion involves explaining the reason for delayed payments. Explain why you would like the paid debt deleted.

Make the request politely and refrain from demanding deletion. They are still operating within legal grounds by keeping it on your credit report.

Ask National Credit Systems to Verify the Debt

If you have not paid the debt, you may doubt whether you owe NCS. The debt amount may be inaccurate. Send a debt validation letter to get more details. Even if you recognize the debt, sending a validation letter is smart. You need to ensure that National Credit Systems has complete and accurate information. Debt information often gets lost or mixed up as it moves from creditors to collectors.

Send the debt validation letter within 30 days of the first contact from NCS. National Credit Systems should respond with a debt validation. The validation includes a breakdown of the debt and information on the original creditor. It also includes a statement allowing you to dispute the debt.

Go through the validation document carefully. If you notice discrepancies, request NCS to correct the errors. Request removal of the debt from your credit report if errors exist. If they fail to respond, dispute the debt with the credit bureaus.

Dispute the Debt With the Credit Bureaus

The law allows you to receive a free credit report once a year. You can get reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Contact each credit bureau within 30 days after receiving the validation notice. Ask for your credit report.

Check for the errors you saw on the NCS validation document. Highlight them and dispute the debt online, by mail, or via phone. Use the following contact information:

Experian

• Address: P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013
• Phone: (714) 830-7000
• https://www.experian.com/consumer/upload/

TransUnion

• Address: P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016
• Phone: 800-916-8800
• https://dispute.transunion.com

Equifax

• Address: P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374
• Phone: (800) 846-5279
• https://www.equifax.com/personal/disputes

These credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate. They must correct or remove any incomplete, inaccurate, or unverifiable information.

Negotiate a Settlement With National Credit Systems

Collection agencies sometimes agree to settle for less than the original debt amount. They may accept less due to your financial inability or the age of the debt. Once you confirm the debt is accurate and rightfully yours, approach NCS. Make a settlement offer.

Use the following steps when negotiating a settlement with National Credit Systems:

1. Carefully evaluate your personal finances. Determine the maximum amount you can offer as a settlement.
2. Contact NCS to initiate settlement negotiations. Explain any hardships that affect your ability to pay. Follow up in writing so there is a written record.
3. Once you’ve reached an agreement with National Credit Systems, get everything in writing. Make sure you receive a signed copy of the settlement agreement.
4. Make your payment on time.

For a smoother process and better chances of getting a settlement deal, work with our partner Solo. Solo helps track correspondence with the debt collector. You get a secure way to make payments while protecting your personal financial information.

Give NCS a month after you have paid to fulfill their end. Check your credit report for confirmation that they have removed the debt. Here are some tips for negotiating a settlement:

• Start with a low offer (30-40% of the total debt)
• Get all settlement terms in writing before paying
• Request deletion from your credit report as part of the agreement
• Never give collectors direct access to your bank account
• Keep records of all communications and payments
• Don’t agree to terms you cannot afford

What If National Credit Systems Is Suing You?

The first step after receiving a lawsuit is to draft an Answer. Send it within the 14-30 day deadline listed on your Summons. Our partner Solo can help you draft an Answer within minutes. They can also have an attorney review the document. They’ll file it with the courts at a small fee.

Here are six helpful tips for drafting a winning Answer:

1. The Answer isn’t the place to tell your side of the story in detail: At this stage, the burden of proof is not on you. You don’t have to elaborately explain your side of the story. In fact, doing so can hurt your case. Let the plaintiff (in this case, National Credit Systems) prove their claims. All you have to do is respond to each claim listed in the Complaint.
2. Deny Deny Deny: Most attorneys recommend that you deny as many claims as possible. Denying is like saying, “prove it.” Proving requires documentation on National Credit Systems’ end. If NCS doesn’t have enough evidence, they will likely dismiss the case altogether.
3. Include defenses: You should include a section in your Answer stating your affirmative defenses. These are short statements that explain why National Credit Systems doesn’t have a case. For example, the debt may be past the statute of limitations. You may be sued in the wrong state or county. You may not have received a Summons notifying you of the lawsuit. These are all common affirmative defenses that can strengthen your case.
4. Use standard formatting or “style”: Your Answer should be clean and professional. Use standard font, font size, and formatting. It should include a caption that states the court information, parties, and case number.
5. Include a certificate of service: The certificate of service is a short statement at the end. It certifies the document was actually sent to the opposing party. It should include the address used and how it was sent. Certify that you sent the Answer to the attorney representing NCS. Use the address listed on the Summons document.
6. Sign it: Almost all courts require a signature at the end of the Answer. Without a signature, the court will most likely reject the document. Make sure to double-check whether your court accepts electronic signatures.

Don’t ignore a lawsuit from National Credit Systems. Responding with a proper Answer protects your rights. It forces NCS to prove their case in court. Many debt collection lawsuits get dismissed when consumers respond properly.