How to Resolve a Debt with FCO Collections and Outsourcing
FCO Collections and Outsourcing specializes in rental housing debt and has an F rating with the BBB. You can protect yourself by verifying the debt within 30 days, responding to any lawsuit before the deadline, and negotiating a settlement for less than you owe.
Answer Your LawsuitDealing with FCO Collections and Outsourcing can feel overwhelming. You might worry about your credit, your rights, or court action.
You have options. You can verify the debt, respond to contact, and even settle before court. The key is acting quickly and knowing your rights.
FCO Collections Sued You? Respond Before Your Deadline
Don't let FCO win by default. Draft and file your Answer in minutes with step-by-step guidance. Attorney review included.
Respond to FCO NowWhat is FCO Collections and Outsourcing?
Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) specializes in rental housing debt. The company contacts tenants who fell behind on rent or left apartments with unpaid balances.
FCO Collections has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company is not BBB accredited and has received numerous complaints.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports thousands of complaints against FCO. Common allegations include attempting to collect invalid debts, failing to verify debts upon request, and reporting inaccurate information to credit bureaus.
Here’s one real complaint from a co-signer:
“In 2020, I co-signed for a one-year lease for my daughters. Monthly rent was $2,700. My daughter paid with money orders every month, and I verified this. The complex emailed claiming $6,300 was owed. How could this be accurate without prior notice or eviction proceedings? Now my credit report shows I owe $16,000 to FCO. The apartment complex has reviews stating they lose payments from their drop box.”
These complaints underscore why you must protect yourself. Understanding your rights is your first line of defense.
Understand Your Rights Under Federal Law
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from abusive collection practices. FCO debt collectors cannot violate these rules.
Debt collectors cannot:
- Call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Contact you at work when your employer prohibits it
- Discuss your debt with family or friends
- Continue calling after you request they stop in writing
- Harass, oppress, or abuse you
- Threaten to sell your debt to coerce payment
- Call repeatedly to annoy you
- Hide their identity as debt collectors
- Lie about who they are or who they represent
- Threaten to seize property they cannot legally take
- Threaten lawsuits they don’t intend to file
Pay attention to how FCO communicates with you. Document every interaction, including dates, times, and what was said.
If FCO violates the FDCPA, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You may also have grounds to sue the collector for damages.
Verify the Debt Before Paying Anything
Never pay a debt without verifying its legitimacy first. The FDCPA gives you this right.
You can request debt validation within 30 days of first contact. Send a written Debt Validation Letter to FCO Collections and Outsourcing.
FCO must then prove the debt by providing:
- Documentation that you owe the debt
- The exact amount owed
- The age of the debt
- Proof they own or have authority to collect the debt
- Their license to collect in your state
- Whether the statute of limitations has expired
- The last action taken on the account
If FCO can’t provide this information, they cannot pursue collection. They definitely can’t sue you for an unverified debt.
Debt validation is your shield against invalid collection attempts. Use it.
Contact FCO Collections at:
Phone: 1-877-324-7959
Email: consumer@fco.com
Address: 12304 Baltimore Ave., Ste #E, Beltsville, MD 20705
Respond to a Debt Lawsuit From FCO
FCO may escalate your debt to court. You’ll receive a Summons and Complaint if they sue you.
You must file an Answer before your state’s deadline. Missing this deadline means FCO wins by default.
Follow these steps when drafting your Answer:
- Keep your Answer brief and factual
- Deny as many claims as you legally can
- Include your affirmative defenses
- Use proper legal formatting
- Add a certificate of service
- Sign and date the document
Your Answer tells the court you’re contesting the lawsuit. You force FCO to prove their case with evidence.
Our partner Solo can help you draft and file your Answer. The service asks you questions and generates a legally sound response.
Don’t ignore a lawsuit. Responding is your most powerful defense.
Settle Your Debt Before Going to Court
Settlement often costs less than the full debt amount. You can negotiate with FCO after filing your Answer.
In a typical settlement, you offer 50-70% of the total balance. FCO accepts a lump sum payment and releases you from the remaining debt.
Start by offering a lower amount if you can pay immediately. Lump sum settlements typically save the most money.
If you can’t pay a lump sum, propose a payment plan. Make sure any monthly payment is realistic for your budget.
Never agree to payments you can’t maintain. Broken payment plans often lead to renewed lawsuits.
Get every agreement in writing before sending money. The settlement letter should state:
- The settlement amount you’re paying
- That this payment resolves the debt in full
- That FCO will dismiss any lawsuit
- That FCO will report the debt as settled to credit bureaus
Keep all documentation forever. You may need proof years later if disputes arise.
Our partner Solo offers settlement software that helps you negotiate directly with collectors. The platform manages offers, documentation, and secure payments.
Monitor Your Credit After Resolving the Debt
Check your credit report after settling with FCO. The account should reflect your settlement or payment.
Errors on your credit report can damage your score for years. Dispute any inaccuracies immediately with the credit bureaus.
Your settlement should show as “paid” or “settled” on your report. The account should no longer show as delinquent.
Keep all receipts, letters, and settlement agreements. You’ll need them if FCO reports incorrectly or tries to collect again.
Document everything throughout the process. Good records protect you from future problems.
Take Action on Your FCO Debt Today
Dealing with FCO Collections requires quick action and knowledge of your rights. You can verify the debt, respond to lawsuits, and negotiate settlements.
The worst thing you can do is ignore FCO’s contact. Ignoring collectors leads to lawsuits, wage garnishment, and credit damage.
Start by sending a debt validation letter. Respond to any lawsuit immediately. Consider settlement as a way to resolve the debt affordably.
You have more power than you think. Federal law protects you from abusive practices.