How to Beat Lakeside Collection and Resolve Your Debt

Few things are worse than finding out your old debt landed with Lakeside Collection. You might feel overwhelmed, confused, or even scared about what comes next.

Lakeside Collection operates as a debt collector in New York. The company also goes by Lakeside Receivables LLC or Lakeside Recovery Solutions. They purchase unpaid debts and attempt to collect from consumers.

Don’t panic if Lakeside Collection contacts you. You have rights and options to resolve your situation.

What You Need to Know About Lakeside Collection

Lakeside Collection maintains a minimal online presence. Their website offers limited contact information and a brief About Us page.

The company’s mailing address is 5815 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, New York 14075. You can reach them at (888) 306-2878.

The Better Business Bureau lists two separate profiles for Lakeside Collection. Both profiles reveal concerning patterns.

Lakeside Recovery Solutions BBB Profile

Lakeside Recovery Solutions has earned an F rating from the BBB. The BBB currently warns that the company lacks proper licensing as an out-of-state collection agency.

The company has eight current complaints. Multiple complaints report abusive or condescending language from collectors.

One woman reported that a collector told her to “be a nice little wife and have your husband call me.” Another consumer said a collector threatened immediate wage garnishment without proper authorization.

Lakeside Receivables LLC BBB Profile

Lakeside Receivables LLC holds a C rating from the BBB. The company has received 128 complaints in the past three years.

Many complaints involve abusive debt collection practices. One consumer reported that the company called extended family members, including aunts, uncles, and cousins. Other consumers report multiple calls daily, which violates federal law.

These poor reviews and BBB alerts should raise red flags. Proceed carefully if you receive communications from Lakeside Collection.

Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

The FDCPA protects you from abusive debt collectors. Federal law sets strict rules about what collectors can and cannot do.

Lakeside Collection must follow these rules. Violations can result in fines and penalties for the company.

Common FDCPA Violations to Watch For

• Using obscene or profane language during communications
• Threatening violence against you or your family
• Falsely claiming to be an attorney
• Threatening actions they cannot legally take
• Contacting you at work after you’ve asked them to stop
• Calling you repeatedly throughout the day
• Contacting you more than once in seven days about a debt

If Lakeside Collection violates these rules, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. Document every interaction with dates, times, and what was said.

You can also use these violations as leverage in negotiations. Collectors facing FDCPA complaints often settle for less money.

Your First Step: Request Debt Validation

Never assume a debt is legitimate just because a collector contacts you. You have thirty days to dispute a debt and require validation.

Send Lakeside Collection a Debt Validation Letter immediately. This letter forces them to prove they own the debt and have the right to collect.

What to Include in Your Validation Letter

Your Debt Validation Letter should request specific information. Include your account number if you have one to help them locate your records.

Ask Lakeside Collection to provide:

• The age of the debt and original creditor information
• The original account number and current amount due
• Their debt collector license number for your state
• The date of your last payment or interaction with the original creditor
• Proof the debt isn’t past your state’s statute of limitations

Demand that they stop all collection activity until they fully validate your debt. If they’ve violated the FDCPA, mention you’re considering legal action.

Send your letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything for your records.

What to Do If They Validate Your Debt

Lakeside Collection might respond with proper validation documents. If they prove the debt is legitimate, you still have options.

Don’t wait for them to sue you. Proactive settlement is almost always better than going to court.

Calculate Your Settlement Offer

Review your finances and determine what you can realistically pay. Most collection agencies will settle for 40-60% of the debt’s value.

Start your offer below what you can actually afford. Negotiations typically involve back-and-forth, so leave room to increase your offer.

Our partner Solo can help you negotiate a settlement and handle the payment process securely.

Settlement Example

Karen owes $1,000 for an outstanding medical bill. Lakeside Collection validates the debt completely.

Karen can’t afford to pay $1,000. She offers $400, which is 40% of the total debt.

Lakeside Collection counters with $650. Karen agrees and pays the settlement amount.

Karen saves $350 and avoids a lawsuit. The collection agency closes the account as settled.

How to Respond If Lakeside Collection Sues You

Lakeside Collection might file a lawsuit to collect your debt. Don’t ignore the lawsuit or you’ll automatically lose.

You must respond within your state’s deadline. Missing this deadline results in a default judgment against you.

Step 1: Respond to Each Claim

You’ll receive a Complaint that outlines all claims against you. Your Answer document must respond to each claim individually.

You have three options for each claim: admit it, deny it, or deny it due to lack of knowledge. Most attorneys recommend denying everything to preserve your defenses.

Step 2: Assert Your Affirmative Defenses

Affirmative defenses explain why you shouldn’t be held liable. Include these in your Answer because you likely cannot raise them later.

Common affirmative defenses include:

• The debt is past your state’s statute of limitations
• You already paid the debt
• The amount claimed is incorrect
• Lakeside Collection lacks proof they own the debt
• The collector violated the FDCPA

Step 3: File Your Answer and Serve the Plaintiff

File your Answer with the court before your deadline. Send a copy to Lakeside Collection’s attorney using your state’s required service method.

Missing your filing deadline is the biggest mistake you can make. The court will grant a default judgment, allowing Lakeside Collection to garnish your wages or levy your bank account.

Our partner Solo helps you draft and file your Answer in all 50 states. The platform guides you through each step with simple questions.

Protect Yourself When Dealing With Lakeside Collection

Lakeside Collection has a poor reputation based on BBB complaints. Many consumers report aggressive tactics and FDCPA violations.

Never assume their claims are accurate. Always validate the debt before agreeing to pay anything.

Document every phone call, letter, and interaction. These records protect you if the situation escalates.

You have the power to resolve this situation. Whether through validation challenges, settlement negotiations, or a lawsuit response, you can beat Lakeside Collection.