How to Resolve Your Debt with Mercantile Adjustment Bureau
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau is a legitimate debt collector that you can negotiate with. You have rights under the FDCPA that protect you from abusive collection practices. Whether MAB contacts you by phone or files a lawsuit, you can settle the debt for less than you owe by filing an Answer and negotiating strategically.
Respond to MABNo one enjoys calls from debt collectors. You might feel frustrated after multiple contacts from Mercantile Adjustment Bureau (MAB).
A call or email from MAB means you likely have a pending debt. They will actively pursue payment. But you have options to resolve this issue.
Answer Your MAB Lawsuit in 15 Minutes
Don't let Mercantile Adjustment Bureau win by default. File your Answer before your deadline and start negotiating a settlement today.
Respond NowYou can handle your MAB debt effectively and avoid deeper financial trouble.
What Is Mercantile Adjustment Bureau?
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC is a legitimate debt collection agency based in Buffalo, New York. The company has operated since 1992 and incorporated in 2001.
According to their website, MAB traces its roots back to 1934. Several owners ran the business before formal incorporation.
Contact Information
- Phone: (800) 480-7094
- Address: 165 Lawrence Bell Dr. Ste 100, Buffalo, NY 14221-7900
- Website: Mercantile Adjustment Bureau
Who Does MAB Collect For?
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau collects outstanding debt for various industries. Healthcare institutions, municipal government agencies, and mortgage lenders use their services.
Higher education providers and tech companies also hire MAB. They either purchase old debt for pennies on the dollar or collect for a percentage.
What People Say About MAB
Reviews of Mercantile Adjustment Bureau appear on multiple platforms. Google Reviews, Better Business Bureau, and the CFPB consumer database feature MAB feedback.
Online reviews show mixed experiences with MAB. Some consumers report positive interactions with professional collectors.
One customer named Alexis shared a favorable review. She found the representative super nice and accommodating. The collector explained her debt clearly and offered payment plan options.
Many debt collectors at MAB will work with you. They often negotiate payment arrangements that fit your budget. You can resolve your debt through direct communication with them.
If calling sounds intimidating, our partner Solo offers online negotiation tools. You can settle your debt digitally without phone conversations.
Know Your Consumer Rights
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from abusive collection practices. Federal law restricts how debt collectors can contact you.
Prohibited Collection Practices
Debt collectors like MAB cannot engage in certain behaviors:
- Call you excessively throughout the day
- Contact family members or coworkers about your debt
- Threaten you with arrest or jail time
- Threaten to seize your driver’s license or documents
- Refuse to identify themselves or their company
- Ignore your debt validation requests
You have the right to request debt verification. Send a debt validation letter within 30 days of first contact.
MAB must stop collection attempts until they provide proof. They need to verify the debt amount and prove ownership.
How to Respond to a MAB Lawsuit
MAB provides litigation services to their clients. Ignoring collection attempts may result in a lawsuit against you.
You must act quickly after receiving a lawsuit. Taking proper steps prevents worse financial consequences. Missing your deadline leads to a default judgment.
Answer Each Claim in the Complaint
Your lawsuit includes a Complaint document with specific allegations. You must respond to every claim using one of three responses.
Admit: You acknowledge the claim is true. Admitting all claims results in judgment against you.
Deny: You force MAB to prove their claim. They must provide evidence supporting their allegations.
Deny due to lack of knowledge: You cannot confirm whether the claim is accurate. You lack sufficient information to admit or deny.
Legal experts recommend denying most claims. Making MAB prove their case often works in your favor. They may lose the case or accept a settlement offer.
Assert Your Affirmative Defenses
Affirmative defenses explain why you should not pay the debt. You must provide factual defenses with supporting documentation.
Strong defenses may lead to case dismissal or settlement offers. Common affirmative defenses against MAB include:
- The debt exceeded the statute of limitations
- MAB provided inaccurate debt information
- You already paid or canceled the debt
- MAB violated your consumer rights under FDCPA
- MAB lacks legal standing to collect from you
Our partner Solo can help you draft proper affirmative defenses. Their Answer document service guides you through the response process.
File Your Answer With the Court
Print your completed Answer and make three copies. One copy goes to the court clerk in person or by mail.
Some courts allow electronic filing through online portals. Send the second copy to MAB’s attorneys via certified mail.
Keep the third copy for your personal records. All three copies must be identical and complete.
Meeting your deadline is absolutely critical. Each state has specific timeframes for filing your Answer. Missing the deadline results in automatic judgment against you.
How to Settle Debt With MAB
You can negotiate a settlement before or after MAB files a lawsuit. Settlement becomes easier after you file your Answer.
Following proper steps increases your chances of favorable settlement terms.
Settlement Steps
File your Answer first: Never skip this step if MAB sued you. Courts enter default judgments when you fail to respond. Default judgments severely limit your negotiating power.
Calculate your available funds: Determine what you can realistically afford to pay. Use this formula: monthly income minus monthly expenses plus available savings.
Make your opening offer: Contact MAB with a settlement proposal below your maximum amount. You can send a written offer or negotiate by phone.
Negotiate multiple rounds: MAB will likely counter your initial offer. Be prepared for back and forth discussions. Stay firm but reasonable during negotiations.
Get everything in writing: Never send payment without written agreement. The settlement terms should specify the amount and payment schedule. Written agreements protect you from future collection attempts.
Keep all documentation: Save copies of every communication with MAB. Document phone calls with dates, times, and collector names. Keep proof of all payments made.
Many consumers successfully negotiate with MAB debt collectors. Settlement amounts often range from 30% to 70% of the original debt.
Our partner Solo provides a technology-based settlement platform. You can send offers and receive counteroffers entirely online. The system handles negotiations without stressful phone calls.
Verify the Debt Before Paying
Always request debt verification before making any payment. MAB must prove they own your debt and can legally collect it.
Send a debt validation letter within 30 days of first contact. MAB must stop collection activities until they provide verification.
What Verification Should Include
Proper debt verification contains specific information. MAB should provide the original creditor’s name and account number.
They must show the debt amount including any fees or interest. Documentation should prove MAB owns the debt or has authority to collect.
Review all verification documents carefully. Look for discrepancies in dates, amounts, or creditor information. Errors in verification can become powerful defense arguments.
What Happens After Settlement
Completing your settlement payment does not automatically clear your credit report. MAB will report the account as “settled” rather than “paid in full.”
A settled account still appears on your credit report for seven years. The impact on your credit score lessens over time. Recent positive credit activity helps rebuild your score faster.
Request a paid settlement letter from MAB after your final payment. Keep this documentation permanently in your financial records.
When to Consider Legal Help
Some situations require professional legal assistance. Complex cases benefit from attorney representation.
Consider hiring a consumer rights attorney if MAB violated the FDCPA. Violations may entitle you to damages and attorney fees. You might not owe the debt at all.
Attorneys can help if the debt exceeds your ability to settle. They understand bankruptcy options and debt relief programs. Professional guidance prevents costly mistakes during litigation.
Protect Your Financial Future
Resolving MAB debt clears a major obstacle to financial health. You can rebuild your credit and regain peace of mind.
Create a realistic budget after settling your debt. Track your income and expenses to avoid future collection issues. Building an emergency fund protects against unexpected financial setbacks.
Monitor your credit reports regularly for accuracy. You can get free reports from all three credit bureaus annually. Dispute any errors immediately to maintain accurate credit information.