How to Respond to a United Collection Bureau Debt Lawsuit

United Collection Bureau is a debt collection company that often pressures consumers into paying alleged debts. The agency has been around since 1959 and serves healthcare facilities, financial services businesses, and government entities.

You have rights under federal law. You can fight back when UCB sues you for debt.

Who Is United Collection Bureau?

United Collection Bureau, Inc. (UCB) specializes in debt collection services. The company offers primary collection, secondary collection, and legal collection options to its clients.

Contact Information:

• Mailing address: 5620 Southwyck Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614
• Phone number: 866-209-0622
• Email address: ucbcompliance@ucbinc.com

UCB claims to perform collections “in a compassionate environment.” Consumer reviews tell a different story.

Consumer Complaints About United Collection Bureau

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received hundreds of complaints against UCB. The Better Business Bureau also lists dozens of complaints.

Here’s a real complaint from a consumer:

“I keep receiving phone calls claiming I have an outstanding debt with no proof from United Collections. I’ve received over 10 calls within the last 5 business days. The calls are early in the morning and late at night. It’s becoming harassing. United Collection Bureau is in violation of fair debt collection practices and have provided zero proof this debt belongs to me.”

Many complaints involve failure to validate debts or excessive calling. These practices may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

You have rights as a consumer. The FDCPA protects you from abusive debt collection tactics.

Demand Debt Verification From UCB

Never agree to or accept ownership of a debt when UCB contacts you. UCB has sometimes pursued debts from people who owe nothing.

Send UCB a Debt Validation Letter in writing by certified mail. The letter requires UCB to prove you owe the debt. If UCB doesn’t respond, they may be violating the FDCPA.

A Debt Validation Letter sometimes prompts debt collectors to give up entirely. You can create one quickly using online tools.

Three Steps to Respond to a UCB Lawsuit

UCB may sue you if you don’t pay the alleged debt. You must respond to the Complaint and Summons quickly to avoid losing by default judgment.

File an Answer even if you plan to settle before your court date. The Answer prevents UCB from gaining a default judgment if settlement negotiations fail.

Follow these three steps:

1. Answer each claim in the Complaint
2. Assert your affirmative defenses
3. File the Answer and send a copy to the opposing lawyer

Our partner Solo can help you draft and file your Answer before the deadline.

Step 1: Answer Each Claim in the Complaint

When you get sued, you receive two documents: the Summons and Complaint. The Summons notifies you of the lawsuit. The Complaint lists specific claims against you.

Read the Complaint carefully. In your Answer document, respond to each claim using one of these options:

• Admit: The claim is true
• Deny: Make them prove it
• Deny due to lack of knowledge: You don’t have enough information

Check the facts against your own records. Note the amount of money they’re requesting. Include any discrepancies in your affirmative defenses.

Step 2: Assert Your Affirmative Defenses

An affirmative defense argues that even if the facts are true, you shouldn’t lose the case. Affirmative defenses strengthen your position significantly.

Include your affirmative defenses in your Answer document. You may not get to raise them later in the case.

Common affirmative defenses for debt lawsuits include:

• The statute of limitations on the debt has expired
• The debt isn’t yours
• The debt resulted from identity theft
• UCB filed the case in the wrong court
• You already paid or settled the debt
• UCB doesn’t have proper documentation proving they own the debt
• The amount claimed is incorrect

The more affirmative defenses you list, the stronger your case becomes. Our partner Solo helps you identify the right defenses for your situation.

Step 3: File Your Answer and Serve the Opposing Lawyer

After responding to the Complaint and asserting your affirmative defenses, you’re ready to file. You must file before your state’s deadline or risk losing by default.

Most states give you between 14 and 30 days to respond. Check your Summons for the exact deadline.

Don’t Forget to Serve the Opposing Lawyer

Filing with the court isn’t enough. You must also serve your Answer to the opposing lawyer.

The attorney’s address appears in the Summons and Complaint documents. Send your Answer by certified mail with return receipt requested.

Keep copies of everything you file and send. You’ll need proof of service.

What Happens After You File Your Answer?

Filing an Answer forces UCB to prove their case in court. Many debt collectors drop cases once you file an Answer.

Why? Because proving the debt takes time and money. Debt collectors often lack proper documentation.

You may receive a settlement offer after filing. UCB might offer to settle for less than the full amount.

Evaluate any settlement offer carefully. Make sure you can afford the payment terms. Get any settlement agreement in writing before paying.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive debt collection practices. Debt collectors like UCB must follow strict rules.

UCB cannot:

• Call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Contact you at work if you tell them not to
• Harass, threaten, or abuse you
• Use false or misleading statements
• Contact third parties about your debt (except your attorney)
• Continue collection efforts after you dispute the debt in writing

If UCB violates the FDCPA, you may be entitled to compensation. You can sue for actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney fees.

Document all communications with UCB. Keep records of phone calls, letters, and voicemails. These records help prove FDCPA violations.

Consider Settlement as an Option

You don’t have to go to trial. Settlement can resolve your case faster and for less money.

Debt collectors often accept 30-50% of the original debt amount. They’d rather get something than risk getting nothing at trial.

Before settling, make sure:

• You can afford the settlement amount
• You get the agreement in writing
• The agreement states the debt will be satisfied in full
• UCB agrees to remove negative reporting from your credit report

Never give UCB access to your bank account. Pay by money order or cashier’s check instead.

Our partner Solo can help you negotiate a settlement and respond to the lawsuit simultaneously.

What If You Can’t Afford to Pay?

You have options even if you can’t afford to pay the debt. Don’t ignore the lawsuit.

Filing an Answer protects you from default judgment. A default judgment allows UCB to garnish your wages or bank accounts.

After filing your Answer, you can:

• Negotiate a payment plan with UCB
• Request a reduced settlement amount
• Dispute the debt if it’s not valid
• File for bankruptcy if your debts are overwhelming

Bankruptcy stops debt collection lawsuits immediately. Chapter 7 can discharge most unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills.

Get Help Responding to UCB’s Lawsuit

You don’t have to face United Collection Bureau alone. Legal help is available.

Responding to a debt lawsuit is easier than you think. You don’t need expensive attorneys to file an effective Answer.

The key is acting quickly. Miss your deadline and you lose automatically.

Start by reading the Complaint carefully. Identify claims you can deny or dispute. List your affirmative defenses.

Then file your Answer before the deadline expires. Serve a copy on UCB’s attorney.

You’ve taken control of your case. Now UCB must prove their claims in court.