Is Professional Credit Service Legit? Know Your Rights

You get a call from an unfamiliar number. You answer out of curiosity. A debt collector from Professional Credit Service demands payment. You’ve never heard of this debt before.

Sound familiar? Many people face this exact situation. The good news is you have more power than you think.

Professional Credit Service Demanding Payment?

Don't face debt collectors alone. Respond to Professional Credit Service with a proper debt validation letter or lawsuit answer today. Time-sensitive deadlines apply.

Answer the Collector

You can request debt validation. You can negotiate a settlement. You can avoid a lawsuit entirely.

Here’s everything you need to know about Professional Credit Service and your rights.

What Is Professional Credit Service?

Professional Credit Service is a debt collection agency based in Springfield, Oregon. The company has operated since 1933.

The agency collects debts across multiple industries. Their collection portfolio includes:

Medical debt
Court fees and fines
Auto loans
Utility bills
Various consumer services

Professional Credit Service’s main phone number is 800-972-1635. Representatives may call from different numbers though.

The company’s office is located at 400 International Way, Suite 100, Springfield, OR 97477.

Is Professional Credit Service a Legitimate Company?

Yes, Professional Credit Service is a legitimate debt collector. The company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

However, consumers have filed dozens of complaints over the past three years. Many complaints involve collection accounts appearing on credit reports without warning.

Several consumers report receiving no contact before the collection appeared. Professional Credit Service claims to be 99.99% complaint-free.

As of December 2023, the company has no complaints in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau database.

Your Rights When Professional Credit Service Contacts You

Don’t panic when a debt collector calls. Collectors want you scared enough to pay immediately without questions.

You have legal rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You can demand proof before paying anything.

Request Debt Validation

Send a Debt Validation Letter to Professional Credit Service. You have the right to request specific proof of the debt.

Your validation letter should request:

The original creditor’s name
The exact amount claimed
A copy of the original contract
The most recent account transaction
Proof of their legal right to collect
Their state license number

Professional Credit Service must provide this documentation. If they can’t validate the debt, they must stop collection efforts.

Working with our partner Solo makes responding to debt collectors easier and faster.

What Happens After Debt Validation

Professional Credit Service may stop pursuing you if they can’t validate the debt. They must remove any negative marks from your credit report.

If they do validate the debt, you still have options. Most debt collectors prefer negotiating over filing lawsuits.

Settlement Options Available

You can negotiate a lower payoff amount. Many collectors accept 50-70% of the total debt.

You can request a payment plan. Monthly installments make large debts more manageable.

You can pay in full if financially possible. Full payment resolves the matter immediately.

Example Scenario

Sarah receives a letter from Professional Credit Service for $500 in medical debt. She sends a Debt Validation Letter.

The company validates the debt successfully. Sarah can’t afford $500 immediately.

Professional Credit Service offers two options: pay $350 now to settle, or pay $50 monthly for 10 months. Sarah chooses the payment plan.

By addressing the debt proactively, Sarah avoids a lawsuit. Lawsuits cost more time and money than negotiated settlements.

How to Respond to Professional Credit Service

Act quickly when Professional Credit Service contacts you. Ignoring debt collection notices makes problems worse.

Step 1: Document Everything

Keep records of all communications. Save letters, emails, and call logs.

Note the date, time, and content of each contact. Documentation protects you if disputes arise.

Step 2: Send Your Validation Request

Mail your Debt Validation Letter within 30 days of first contact. Send it via certified mail with return receipt.

Professional Credit Service must pause collection efforts while investigating. They cannot report the debt until validation completes.

Step 3: Review Their Response

Examine all documentation they provide. Verify the debt matches your records.

Check that amounts and dates are accurate. Look for any errors or discrepancies.

Step 4: Negotiate or Dispute

If the debt is valid, negotiate payment terms. If you find errors, dispute the debt in writing.

Professional Credit Service must investigate disputes. They must correct or remove inaccurate information.

What If Professional Credit Service Sues You?

Debt collectors sometimes file lawsuits for unpaid debts. You must respond to any lawsuit within the deadline stated.

Ignoring a lawsuit leads to automatic judgment against you. Collectors can then garnish wages or freeze bank accounts.

Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt lawsuits quickly and correctly.

How to Answer a Lawsuit

File an Answer with the court before the deadline. Your Answer should address each claim in the lawsuit.

Raise any defenses you have. Common defenses include statute of limitations and lack of proof.

You can still negotiate settlement after a lawsuit starts. Many collectors prefer settlement over court costs.

Protecting Your Credit Score

Collection accounts damage your credit score significantly. Professional Credit Service reports to all three credit bureaus.

Negative marks remain on your credit report for seven years. However, you can minimize the damage.

Negotiate Pay-for-Delete

Ask Professional Credit Service to remove the collection in exchange for payment. Get any agreement in writing before paying.

Not all collectors agree to pay-for-delete. But negotiating costs nothing and might work.

Dispute Inaccurate Information

Review your credit reports regularly. Dispute any errors with the credit bureaus.

Professional Credit Service must verify disputed information. Unverified items must be removed.

Your Consumer Rights Protection

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive practices. Professional Credit Service must follow strict rules.

Prohibited Collection Tactics

Debt collectors cannot harass or threaten you. They cannot call before 8 AM or after 9 PM.

They cannot contact you at work if you ask them to stop. They cannot discuss your debt with others.

They cannot lie about the amount owed or legal consequences. They cannot threaten arrest or violence.

What to Do About Violations

Document any FDCPA violations immediately. File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Report violations to your state attorney general. You can also sue the collector for damages.

Violations can result in up to $1,000 in damages plus attorney fees.

Timeline for Resolving Debt with Professional Credit Service

Most debt collection matters resolve within a few months. Your timeline depends on several factors.

Validation requests typically take 15-30 days. Negotiating settlement adds another 2-4 weeks.

Payment plans can last several months to years. Lawsuits extend timelines by 3-6 months or more.

Acting quickly shortens the resolution timeline. Delaying responses extends the process unnecessarily.

Alternatives to Paying Professional Credit Service

Sometimes you genuinely cannot pay the debt. You still have options beyond ignoring the problem.

Statute of Limitations

Old debts may be past your state’s statute of limitations. Collectors cannot sue over time-barred debts.

The statute varies by state and debt type. Check your state’s laws before using this defense.

Making a payment can restart the statute of limitations. Be careful before acknowledging old debts.

Bankruptcy Consideration

Bankruptcy eliminates many types of debt permanently. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debts.

Chapter 13 creates manageable payment plans. Bankruptcy affects your credit but provides a fresh start.

Consult a bankruptcy attorney before filing. Professional guidance ensures you choose the right option.

Preventing Future Collection Issues

Avoiding debt collection starts with managing your finances proactively. Small changes prevent big problems.

Set up automatic payments for bills. Contact creditors immediately if you can’t pay.

Many companies offer hardship programs. Payment arrangements prevent accounts going to collections.

Monitor your credit reports regularly. Catch errors and identity theft early.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Professional Credit Service?

Professional Credit Service is a debt collection agency based in Springfield, Oregon, that has operated since 1933. The company collects medical debts, court fees, auto loans, utility bills, and other consumer debts for original creditors.

How do I verify a debt from Professional Credit Service is legitimate?

Send a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days of first contact requesting proof of the debt. Ask for the original creditor's name, the exact amount owed, a copy of the original contract, recent transactions, proof of their collection rights, and their state license number.

Can I negotiate a lower payment with Professional Credit Service?

Yes, Professional Credit Service often negotiates settlements for less than the full amount or offers payment plans. Many collectors accept 50-70% of the total debt as settlement or allow monthly installments to make repayment more manageable.

What happens if I ignore Professional Credit Service?

Ignoring Professional Credit Service can lead to a lawsuit, wage garnishment, or bank account levies. The collection will also damage your credit score for up to seven years. Responding quickly gives you more options and prevents escalation to legal action.

How do I respond if Professional Credit Service sues me?

You must file an Answer with the court before the deadline stated in your lawsuit papers. Your Answer should address each claim and raise any defenses. Even after a lawsuit starts, you can still negotiate a settlement with Professional Credit Service.

Is Professional Credit Service Legit? What You Need to Know