Who Called From 1-888-899-6650? It's TSI (And Here's What to Do)

Your phone rings. Again. The same 1-888-899-6650 number lights up the screen. You don't recognize it, so you send it to voicemail. An hour later, it calls back. By the end of the week, you've had seven missed calls.

That number belongs to Transworld Systems Inc. (TSI), one of the largest third-party debt collectors in the country. TSI operates out of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and works for creditors ranging from hospitals to credit card companies. If you're getting calls from 1-888-899-6650, someone believes you owe them money.

The question is: do you actually owe it?

Who Is Transworld Systems Inc.?

TSI is a debt collection agency that buys old debts or gets hired by creditors to collect on accounts that are 90 to 180 days past due. Once your account lands on their desk, they start dialing.

TSI collects for a wide range of industries:

• Medical and dental providers
• Banks and credit unions
• Student loan servicers
• Utility companies
• Retail chains and Fortune 500 companies

Sometimes the original creditor sells the debt to TSI for pennies on the dollar. When that happens, TSI legally owns the debt and has every right to pursue you for the full amount. Other times, TSI acts as a hired gun, collecting on behalf of the original creditor in exchange for a cut of whatever they recover.

Either way, TSI's business model depends on volume. They call relentlessly because it works. About 14% of Americans have debt in collections, according to the Urban Institute. Most people pay just to make the calls stop.

What TSI Wants When They Call

TSI wants one thing: payment. They may offer a settlement for less than the full balance, especially if the debt is several years old. They may also push you to set up a payment plan.

But before you hand over a dime, you need to verify three things:

1. The debt is actually yours. Debt collectors make mistakes. Identity theft happens. Names get mixed up.
2. The amount is accurate. TSI may tack on fees, interest, or charges the original creditor never authorized.
3. The statute of limitations hasn't expired. In most states, creditors have 3 to 6 years to sue you over unpaid debt. After that, the debt is "time-barred." You still owe it, but they can't take you to court. Making a payment can restart the clock.

If TSI can't prove the debt is valid, they're required by law to stop contacting you. That law is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and it's your shield.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The FDCPA gives you real power over debt collectors. Here's what TSI cannot legally do:

• Call before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m. In your time zone
• Call you at work if you've told them your employer doesn't allow personal calls
• Call repeatedly to harass you (what counts as "excessive" varies, but multiple calls per day often qualifies)
• Threaten you with arrest or jail time
• Use profane or abusive language
• Contact your friends, family, or employer about your debt (except to locate you)
• Lie about how much you owe or who they are
• Ignore your written request to stop contacting you

If TSI violates any of these rules, you can sue them. The court can award you up to $1,000 in damages, plus attorney fees. That's not speculation. Real people win these cases.

How to Stop the Calls From 1-888-899-6650

You have two main options: verify the debt or tell them to stop calling. Both start with a letter.

Option 1: Send a Debt Validation Letter

Within five days of their first contact, TSI must send you a written notice that includes the creditor's name, the amount owed, and your right to dispute the debt. If they didn't send that notice, they've already broken the law.

Once you have the notice (or if you don't), send TSI a debt validation letter. This is a formal request for proof that the debt is yours and the amount is correct. Mail it certified, return receipt requested. Keep a copy.

Your letter should say:

"I dispute this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I request that you provide written verification of the debt, including the name and address of the original creditor, the original account number, and an itemized accounting of the amount owed. I also request proof that you are licensed to collect debts in my state. Do not contact me again until you provide this information."

Once TSI receives your letter, they must stop all collection efforts until they send you the verification. If they can't verify, they have to drop the matter.

Option 2: Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter

If you know the debt is yours but you want the calls to stop, send a cease-and-desist letter. This tells TSI they can only contact you to confirm they've stopped calling or to notify you if they're suing you.

Your letter should say:

"Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c, I am requesting that you cease all communication with me regarding this debt. This includes phone calls, letters, emails, and text messages. You may only contact me to confirm you will stop contacting me or to inform me of specific legal action you are taking. Continued contact after receipt of this letter will be considered a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act."

Mail it the same way: certified, return receipt. Once they receive it, the calls must stop.

One warning: a cease-and-desist letter doesn't make the debt disappear. TSI can still sue you. If that happens, you need to respond. Ignoring a lawsuit guarantees you lose.

What Happens If You Ignore TSI?

TSI won't give up. If you don't pay and don't respond, they'll likely escalate. That can mean:

• Lawsuits. TSI can sue you for the debt. If they win (and they usually do if you don't show up), they get a judgment. That judgment lets them garnish your wages or freeze your bank account in most states.
• Credit damage. TSI reports to the three major credit bureaus. A collection account can drop your credit score by 50 to 100 points and stay on your report for seven years.
• Sale to another collector. If TSI can't collect, they may sell the debt to another agency. The cycle starts over.

Ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away. But you also don't have to pay blindly. Verification first, payment second.

What If TSI Is Calling About Medical Debt?

Medical debt is TSI's bread and butter. Hospitals, surgery centers, and labs often hand accounts to TSI after a patient misses a few payments.

Medical debt has special rules. As of 2023, the three major credit bureaus give you a one-year grace period before medical collections show up on your credit report. That's longer than the usual 180 days for other types of debt.

If you're getting calls about a medical bill, check these things:

• Did your insurance pay what they were supposed to? Medical billing errors are rampant. Call the provider and request an itemized bill.
• Did you apply for financial assistance? Many hospitals have charity care programs that can reduce or eliminate your balance if you qualify.
• Is the bill still with the hospital, or has it already been sold to TSI? If it's still with the hospital, negotiate directly with them.

Once TSI owns the debt, the hospital can't help you anymore. But TSI may settle for less than the full amount, especially on older accounts.

Should You Pay TSI?

Only after you verify the debt. Once you're sure the debt is yours and the amount is accurate, you have three choices:

1. Pay in full. This clears the debt. Ask TSI for a "pay for delete" agreement in writing before you pay. This means they'll remove the collection from your credit report once you pay. Not all collectors agree to this, but it's worth asking.
2. Negotiate a settlement. TSI often accepts 40% to 60% of the balance, especially if the debt is old. Get the settlement terms in writing before you pay a cent. Make sure the agreement says the debt will be marked "paid in full" or "settled," not "settled for less than owed."
3. Set up a payment plan. If you can't pay the full amount, TSI may let you pay over time. Get the terms in writing. Confirm that they won't sue you as long as you're making agreed-upon payments.

Never give TSI access to your bank account or provide your debit card number over the phone. Pay by check or money order so you have proof.

What If You Can't Afford to Pay?

If the debt is legitimate but you genuinely can't pay, you have options. One is bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out most unsecured debts, including credit card bills, medical debt, and personal loans. If you qualify (based on income), you can discharge the debt in about four months. TSI has to stop calling. The debt disappears.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy sets up a repayment plan. You pay what you can afford over three to five years, and the rest is discharged. Your creditors, including TSI, can't take further action while you're in the plan.

Bankruptcy isn't right for everyone, but it's not the disaster people think it is. Millions of Americans file each year. If you're drowning in debt and TSI is one of several collectors harassing you, it's worth exploring. You can check if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in under two minutes.

How to File a Complaint Against TSI

TSI has thousands of complaints on file. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau lists nearly 5,000 complaints against them. The Better Business Bureau has over 700. ConsumerAffairs reviews show 90% of users gave TSI a one-star rating.

If TSI breaks the rules, report them. File complaints with:

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): consumerfinance.gov/complaint
• Your state attorney general: Find your AG's office through the National Association of Attorneys General.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov

These agencies can't recover money for you, but they track patterns. If enough people complain, TSI faces fines and enforcement actions.

You can also sue TSI directly for FDCPA violations. You don't need a lawyer, though having one helps. If you win, TSI pays your attorney fees.

TSI's Contact Information

If you need to reach TSI to resolve a debt or dispute a charge, here's their information:

• Phone: 1-877-420-4789 (customer service)
• Address: 500 Virginia Drive, Suite 514, Fort Washington, PA 19034
• Website: tsico.com

But remember: phone calls create no paper trail. Handle disputes in writing whenever possible.

The Bottom Line

1-888-899-6650 is TSI, and they're calling because they think you owe money. You don't have to answer. You don't have to pay without proof. You can stop the calls with a single letter.

Debt collectors count on fear and confusion. The FDCPA puts you in control. Use it. If the debt is real and you can't pay, bankruptcy might be the reset you need. Either way, you're not powerless. Start by sending that validation letter. Everything else follows from there.