Stop Calls from 855-267-7451 (Personal Finance Company)

Your phone rings. Again. The caller ID shows 855-267-7451. You know what's coming: another demand to pay a debt you may or may not owe.

That number belongs to Personal Finance Company (PFC), a debt collector operating out of Greeley, Colorado. They work for credit card companies, medical providers, retailers, and government agencies. If you're getting these calls, your account likely went 90 to 180 days past due, and your original creditor handed it off.

You can stop these calls. Federal law gives you tools to do it, whether the debt is valid or not. Start by understanding who you're dealing with.

Who is Personal Finance Company?

Personal Finance Company is a third-party debt collector. They don't own the debt initially. Instead, creditors either hire them to collect on a commission basis or sell them the debt outright at a steep discount. PFC then tries to collect the full amount from you.

According to their website, they've been around since 1904, though their Better Business Bureau profile shows incorporation in 2017. They collect on behalf of banks, hospitals, utilities, and government agencies.

Contact details:

• Phone: 800-864-4391 (M-F, 7 AM-6 PM MST)
• Mailing address: PO Box 1686, Greeley, CO 80632
• Physical address: 5754 West 11th Street, Suite 100, Greeley, CO 80634

The 855-267-7451 number is legitimate. That doesn't mean every call from it is.

Why Personal Finance Company is calling you

Most debts don't go to collections overnight. If you're getting calls from PFC, here's what likely happened:

1. You missed payments on a credit card, medical bill, personal loan, or utility account.
2. After 90 to 180 days of nonpayment, your creditor wrote off the debt.
3. They either hired PFC to collect (paying them a percentage of what they recover) or sold the debt to PFC outright.
4. PFC now wants the full amount, plus interest and fees if your original agreement allows it.

If the debt was sold, PFC bought it for pennies on the dollar. A $3,000 debt might cost them $300. They'll still demand the full $3,000 from you.

How to verify the debt is real

Before you pay a dime, make sure the debt is valid. Debt collectors make mistakes. Sometimes they pursue debts that are too old, already paid, or assigned to the wrong person.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to request written proof of the debt. This is called debt validation.

Send a debt validation letter within 30 days of their first contact. Mail it certified with return receipt. In your letter, demand:

• The original creditor's name
• The amount owed
• Proof that you owe it (a copy of the original contract or signed agreement)
• Proof that the statute of limitations hasn't expired
• Proof that PFC owns the debt or is authorized to collect it

Once you send the letter, PFC must stop collection activity until they provide validation. If they can't prove the debt, they have to drop it.

Use our free bankruptcy screener to see if filing Chapter 7 might eliminate this debt entirely.

Your rights under federal law

The FDCPA and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) protect you from abusive and illegal collection tactics. Here's what debt collectors cannot do:

• Call you before 8 AM or after 9 PM in your time zone
• Call you at work if you've told them your employer prohibits it
• Use threats, profanity, or harassment
• Misrepresent the amount you owe or their authority to collect
• Contact you after you've requested communication in writing only
• Leave voicemails that reveal your debt to others

If PFC violates any of these rules, document it. You can sue them for up to $1,000 per violation, plus attorney's fees.

How to stop the calls immediately

You have three options to stop calls from 855-267-7451:

1. Send a cease-and-desist letter

You can demand that PFC stop calling you entirely. Mail a letter (certified, return receipt) stating:

"Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am requesting that you cease all communication with me regarding the alleged debt. All future correspondence must be in writing to the address below."

Include your name, address, and account number if you have it. Once they receive this, they can only contact you to confirm receipt or notify you of specific legal action (like a lawsuit).

This won't make the debt disappear. It just stops the calls. If the debt is valid and they decide to sue, they still can.

2. Request written-only communication

If you want to stay informed but avoid phone harassment, tell PFC to communicate only by mail. Put it in writing. They must comply.

3. Negotiate or settle the debt

If the debt is valid and you can afford to pay something, settling for less than the full amount is often possible. Debt collectors like PFC bought or are collecting the debt at a discount. They'd rather get 40-60% of the balance than nothing.

Start low. Offer 30% of the total and negotiate up. Get the settlement in writing before you pay. The agreement should state:

• The settlement amount
• That payment satisfies the debt in full
• That they'll report the account as "settled" or "paid" to credit bureaus

Never give them direct access to your bank account. Use a money order or cashier's check.

What happens if you ignore Personal Finance Company

Ignoring debt collectors doesn't make them go away. If PFC can't reach you by phone, they'll try mail. If that doesn't work, they'll escalate.

Here's what that looks like:

• Credit reporting: PFC will report the debt to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion if they haven't already. That tanks your credit score.
• Lawsuit: If the debt is large enough (usually over $1,000) and within the statute of limitations, PFC may sue. If they win, they can garnish your wages or freeze your bank account.
• Judgment: A court judgment stays on your credit report for seven years and can be renewed in many states.

If you're being sued or think a lawsuit is coming, don't ignore it. You have defenses. The debt might be too old. They might lack proper documentation. An attorney can help you fight it, or you can explore filing for bankruptcy protection to stop collection efforts cold.

When bankruptcy makes sense

If you're drowning in debt and Personal Finance Company is just one of multiple collectors calling, bankruptcy might be your best move.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. It takes about four months, and most people who qualify lose no property. The filing triggers an automatic stay, which stops all collection calls, lawsuits, and wage garnishments immediately.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy restructures your debts into a 3-5 year repayment plan based on what you can afford. At the end, remaining unsecured debt is discharged. This option works if you're behind on a mortgage or car loan and need time to catch up.

Both stop PFC's calls permanently and give you a fresh start. Check if you qualify using our bankruptcy screening tool.

How to file a complaint against Personal Finance Company

If PFC violates the FDCPA or TCPA, report them. File complaints with:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): consumerfinance.gov/complaint
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Your state attorney general's office

Keep records of every call: date, time, what was said, and who called. Save voicemails. Screenshot caller IDs. This evidence matters if you decide to sue.

What to do right now

If Personal Finance Company is calling from 855-267-7451, take these steps today:

1. Don't admit the debt is yours. Ask for written validation.
2. Send a debt validation letter within 30 days of first contact.
3. Request written-only communication if you want the calls to stop.
4. Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to see what PFC is reporting.
5. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney if you're juggling multiple debts. Many offer free consultations.

You don't have to face this alone. Whether the debt is valid or not, you have rights. Use them.