How to Resolve a Debt With Consumer Collection Management
Consumer Collection Management can be aggressive, but you have legal rights and options. Respond to lawsuits promptly, demand debt validation, and negotiate settlement on your terms. Professional help from our partner Solo makes responding to CCM lawsuits and settling debt easier and more effective.
Respond to CCMDealing with Consumer Collection Management can feel overwhelming. You have options to protect yourself and resolve the debt on your terms.
Consumer Collection Management sometimes uses aggressive tactics to collect debts. Knowing your rights changes everything. You can fight back legally and effectively.
Respond to Your Consumer Collection Management Lawsuit Today
CCM won't wait and neither should you. Answer their lawsuit properly to avoid default judgment and negotiate better settlement terms. Our partner Solo guides you through every step.
Answer CCM LawsuitStart by sending a Debt Validation Letter to stop CCM calls immediately. Federal law requires them to pause all contact until they verify your debt. Our partner Solo can help you respond if they’ve already filed a lawsuit.
What Is Consumer Collection Management?
Consumer Collection Management, Inc is a Missouri-based debt collection agency founded in 1979. They collect unpaid debts for creditors like credit card companies and banks.
CCM operates two ways. They either collect debts for a percentage of recovered amounts. Or they buy delinquent accounts at discounted rates and collect directly.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1839, Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Physical address: 2333 Grissom Dr Ste 100, Saint Louis, MO 63146-3322
Telephone: (800) 325-6611
Website: www.consumercollection.com
Common Complaints Against Consumer Collection Management
CCM is not BBB accredited. Their profile shows numerous consumer complaints about aggressive practices.
The CFPB complaint database contains hundreds of complaints against CCM. Common issues include:
- Rude and uncooperative collection agents
- Ignoring Debt Validation Letter requests
- Demanding payment for debts consumers don’t owe
- Reporting inaccurate debt amounts to credit bureaus
- Purchasing fraudulent debts and pursuing collection
One consumer reported CCM bought a fraudulent debt from an apartment complex. The consumer never lived there or owed any money. CCM still placed a negative mark on their credit reports.
These complaints show CCM doesn’t always follow consumer protection laws. You need to know your rights to defend yourself effectively.
Your Rights When Consumer Collection Management Contacts You
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive tactics. Federal law gives you specific rights against debt collectors.
Consumer Collection Management cannot:
- Make repeated phone calls about the same debt
- Threaten you with false legal consequences
- Report incorrect debt amounts to credit bureaus
- Contact family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers about your debt
- Misrepresent what can happen legally
If CCM violates these laws, you have recourse. File complaints with the BBB, CFPB, Federal Trade Commission, and your state attorney general.
Document every interaction with CCM. Keep records of calls, letters, and any violations. You may need this evidence later.
How to Respond to a Consumer Collection Management Lawsuit
Receiving a lawsuit notice feels scary. You can still resolve the debt and protect your rights.
Follow these three critical steps to respond properly.
Answer Each Claim in the Complaint
The lawsuit Complaint lists CCM’s allegations against you. You must respond to each claim individually.
You have three response options:
- Admit: You agree with CCM’s claims about the debt
- Deny: You require CCM to prove their allegations are true
- Deny for lack of knowledge: You lack sufficient information to respond
Deny most allegations and force CCM to prove their case. They may dismiss the lawsuit or offer settlement if evidence is weak.
Assert Your Affirmative Defenses
Affirmative defenses explain why you’re not responsible for the debt. You can also challenge CCM’s collection methods.
Strong defenses against CCM include:
- CCM failed to verify the debt when requested
- CCM reported inaccurate amounts to credit bureaus
- You already paid the debt or it was canceled
- You’re a victim of identity theft
- CCM can’t prove they own the debt
- The statute of limitations has expired
Our partner Solo helps you draft professional affirmative defenses quickly.
File Your Answer and Serve CCM
Filing your Answer on time prevents a default judgment against you. Check your state’s deadline immediately.
Make three copies of your completed Answer. File one with the court listed on the summons. Send one to CCM’s attorney listed in the lawsuit. Keep one for your records.
Use certified mail with return receipt when serving CCM. You need proof they received your Answer.
Negotiate a Debt Settlement With Consumer Collection Management
After filing your Answer, you’ve bought time to negotiate. Settlement can help you avoid wage garnishment and bank levies.
Debt settlement means paying less than the full amount owed. You typically offer 40-60% of the total debt balance.
CCM may accept settlement if you can pay a lump sum. They avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.
Start by offering 30-40% of the debt. CCM will likely counter with a higher amount. Negotiate until you reach an acceptable agreement.
Get Everything in Writing
Never pay without a written settlement agreement. The agreement must state the exact payment amount and terms.
Confirm the settlement amount satisfies the entire debt. CCM must agree they won’t pursue additional collection.
Request that CCM report the debt as “paid in full” or “settled” to credit bureaus. Avoid agreements showing “settled for less than owed.”
Pay before your court date if possible. Bring proof of payment to court if the date can’t be canceled.
Consider Professional Settlement Help
Negotiating with collectors requires strategy and patience. Professional help improves your settlement terms.
Our partner Solo offers tech-based debt settlement services. The platform sends and receives settlement offers until you reach agreement.
Solo manages all settlement documentation securely. They transfer your payment directly to CCM while protecting your financial information.
You control the entire process. Accept or reject any offer CCM makes.
Additional Options to Resolve CCM Debt
Settlement isn’t your only option. Consider these alternatives based on your financial situation.
Request Debt Validation
You can demand CCM prove they own the debt. Send a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days of first contact.
CCM must provide documentation showing the debt’s origin. They must prove your original creditor transferred it to them.
If CCM can’t validate the debt, they must stop collection. You can dispute the debt with credit bureaus.
Negotiate a Payment Plan
Payment plans let you pay the full debt over time. Monthly payments fit better into tight budgets.
Propose a realistic monthly amount you can afford consistently. CCM may accept if it guarantees eventual full payment.
Get payment plan terms in writing before making any payments. Confirm the plan prevents further legal action.
Check the Statute of Limitations
Old debts may be past your state’s statute of limitations. CCM cannot sue you for time-barred debts.
The statute varies by state and debt type. It typically ranges from three to six years.
Never make a payment on time-barred debt. Payment can restart the statute of limitations clock.
What Happens If You Ignore Consumer Collection Management
Ignoring CCM makes your situation worse. They will escalate collection efforts against you.
CCM can sue you in civil court for unpaid debts. They often file lawsuits when other tactics fail.
If you ignore a lawsuit, CCM wins by default judgment. The court awards them everything they requested.
Default judgments allow CCM to garnish wages and freeze bank accounts. They can place liens on your property.
Responding protects your rights and financial assets. Even a simple Answer gives you negotiating power.
How to Remove Consumer Collection Management From Your Credit Report
CCM collections damage your credit score significantly. Removing them improves your financial options.
You have several strategies to remove CCM from credit reports.
Dispute Inaccurate Information
Review your credit reports from all three bureaus. Look for errors in account numbers, dates, or amounts.
File disputes with credit bureaus for any inaccuracies. They must investigate within 30 days.
If CCM can’t verify the information, bureaus must remove it. Many collection accounts contain errors.
Negotiate Pay-for-Delete
Offer to pay the debt if CCM removes the collection account. Not all collectors agree to pay-for-delete arrangements.
Get the pay-for-delete agreement in writing before paying. Specify CCM must delete the account from all three bureaus.
Pay-for-delete isn’t guaranteed. Some collectors refuse this arrangement as policy.
Wait for Automatic Removal
Collections automatically remove after seven years from the delinquency date. You don’t need to do anything.
The seven-year clock starts when the original account first became delinquent. Collection doesn’t restart the timeline.
Older collections hurt your score less over time. Recent activity damages credit scores most.