Respond to Advantage Collection Professionals (2024)

Having debt collectors call you creates stress and pressure. When Advantage Collection Professionals contacts you, you might feel like paying immediately is your only option. You have more choices than you think. You can challenge the debt, negotiate a settlement, or arrange a payment plan.

What Is Advantage Collection Professionals?

Advantage Collection Professionals is a debt collection agency based in Cambridge, Minnesota. The company also operates under the name Advantage Collection Pros. Don’t confuse this company with the Advantage Approval Program, which is a known scam.

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Here’s how to reach Advantage Collection Professionals:

Phone: (763) 689-1500
Address: 495 2nd Ave SE, Cambridge, MN 55008
Email: collections@advantagecollections.com
Website: advantagecollections.com

Advantage Collection Professionals Reviews and Complaints

The company claims to treat customers with dignity and respect. Online reviews tell a different story. Google reviews show an average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers say the company appeared on their credit reports without warning. Others report collection attempts for debts their original creditors say don’t exist.

The Better Business Bureau gives Advantage Collection Professionals an A+ rating despite not being accredited. BBB reviews describe staff hanging up on consumers and failing to send written notices. Some reviewers claim the company reports fraudulent information to credit bureaus.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau database shows dozens of complaints against Advantage Collection Professionals. Common issues include appearing on credit reports without notice and refusing to validate debts when requested.

How to Respond to Advantage Collection Professionals

Stay calm when a debt collector contacts you. You may not owe the amount they claim. Follow these steps to protect your rights.

Request Debt Validation First

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you the right to demand proof. Debt collectors must validate that you actually owe the debt. If they can’t prove it, you don’t have to pay it.

You must request validation within 30 days of first contact. Send your request in writing using a Debt Validation Letter. Our partner Solo helps you draft and send this letter quickly.

Missing the 30-day window doesn’t eliminate your debt. It just makes challenging the debt harder. Send your validation request as soon as possible.

Choose Your Settlement Strategy

The best outcome is when Advantage fails to validate your debt. You’ll likely never hear from them again. If they do validate it, you have three strategic options.

Pay the Full Amount

Paying in full immediately resolves the debt. Choose this option for small debts or when you want closure. Request a written agreement showing the debt is satisfied before you pay.

Negotiate a Settlement

Debt collectors often accept less than the full balance. You can offer a settlement before any lawsuit gets filed. Start by offering 50-60% of the total debt. Most collectors will negotiate with you.

Here’s an example: Bob receives a letter from Advantage Collection Professionals for $440 on an old medical bill. He offers to pay $300. Advantage counters with $400. They agree on $350, saving Bob $90.

Always get settlement terms in writing before paying. The agreement should state the reduced amount satisfies the debt completely.

Request a Payment Plan

Can’t afford to pay everything at once? Ask for monthly payments. Most debt collectors prefer receiving smaller payments over getting nothing. Propose a realistic monthly amount you can sustain. Get the payment plan terms in writing before sending any money.

How to Answer a Lawsuit From Advantage Collection Professionals

Advantage Collection Professionals may sue you if you don’t respond to collection attempts. You’ll receive a court summons and complaint. Never ignore a debt collection lawsuit, even if you think you don’t owe the debt.

You must file an Answer with the court within your state’s deadline. Most states give you 20-30 days to respond. Our partner Solo helps you draft and file your Answer properly.

Your Answer should respond to each claim in the complaint. Admit what’s true, deny what’s false, and state you lack knowledge for unclear claims. Include affirmative defenses like statute of limitations or lack of proof.

Filing an Answer protects you from default judgment. Default judgments let collectors garnish wages and freeze bank accounts. Responding to the lawsuit keeps your options open for settlement.

Know Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive collection tactics. Advantage Collection Professionals must follow these federal rules. Understanding your rights helps you fight back against violations.

Debt collectors cannot call before 8 AM or after 9 PM. They can’t call you at work if you tell them not to. They must stop contacting you if you send a written cease communication letter.

Collectors cannot threaten you with arrest or violence. They can’t use obscene language or repeatedly call to harass you. They must identify themselves and state they’re collecting a debt.

If Advantage violates the FDCPA, you can sue them. You may recover up to $1,000 plus actual damages and attorney fees. Document every interaction with dates, times, and what was said.

Advantage Approval Program vs Advantage Collection Professionals

Don’t confuse Advantage Collection Professionals with the Advantage Approval Program. The Advantage Approval Program is a known scam operation. They robo-call people offering loans or debt relief services.

Advantage Approval Program calls come from various numbers including:

(570) 203-7146
(906) 323-4361

The scam uses different area codes to appear local. Block these numbers immediately. Never provide personal or financial information to Advantage Approval Program callers.

You might also receive calls from The Advantage Group. The Advantage Group is a legitimate debt collector, not a scam. Treat calls from The Advantage Group the same way you’d handle Advantage Collection Professionals contact.

Remove Advantage Collection Professionals From Your Credit Report

Collection accounts hurt your credit score significantly. Advantage Collection Professionals may report your debt to all three credit bureaus. You have options to remove this negative item.

Request debt validation if the account is recent. If Advantage can’t validate it, they must remove it from your credit report. Send validation requests to both the collector and the credit bureaus.

Negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement when settling the debt. Pay-for-delete means the collector removes the account in exchange for payment. Get this agreement in writing before sending any money.

Dispute inaccurate information directly with credit bureaus. Check your credit report for wrong amounts, incorrect dates, or debts you never owed. Credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days.

When to Consider Professional Help

Some debt situations require professional guidance. Consider getting help if you’re facing multiple collection lawsuits. An attorney can review your case and identify your best options.

Large debts may require more sophisticated strategies. Professional debt negotiators understand collector tactics and legal requirements. They can often negotiate better settlements than you could achieve alone.

Repeated FDCPA violations deserve legal action. Consumer protection attorneys often work on contingency for these cases. You pay nothing unless you win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Advantage Collection Professionals?

Advantage Collection Professionals is a debt collection agency based in Cambridge, Minnesota. The company also operates under the name Advantage Collection Pros and collects various types of consumer debt including medical bills and credit card debt.

How do I validate a debt from Advantage Collection Professionals?

Send a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days of first contact. The letter requests proof that you owe the debt and that the collector has the legal right to collect it. Send it via certified mail with return receipt requested to document your request.

Can I settle my debt with Advantage Collection Professionals for less?

Yes, you can negotiate a settlement for less than the full balance. Start by offering 50-60% of the total debt. Most collectors will negotiate with you. Always get settlement terms in writing before making any payment.

What happens if I ignore a lawsuit from Advantage Collection Professionals?

Ignoring a lawsuit results in a default judgment against you. The collector can then garnish your wages, freeze your bank accounts, and place liens on your property. Always respond to a lawsuit by filing an Answer before your state's deadline.

How do I remove Advantage Collection Professionals from my credit report?

Request debt validation if the account is recent and unverified. Negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement when settling the debt. You can also dispute inaccurate information directly with the credit bureaus, who must investigate within 30 days.