Frequently Asked Questions
Where financial solutions are top priority
What kind of agency is National Credit Solutions?
NCS is a third party entity; we are not affiliated with the original creditor although we collect unpaid debt on their behalf. Sometimes organizations hire NCS to work on their unpaid debts, and in this case we do not own the actual accounts. Any money collected goes back to the creditor, minus a percentage of the debts that is decided upon as the earnings for the agency. Other times NCS actually purchases the debt portfolio from the creditor for an agreed upon amount. This means that NCS owns these debts and will keep any money collected.
Who regulates a collections agency?
The Federal Trade Commission is the primary regulator of collection agencies. There are varying city-wide and state-wide laws that also regulate collection activities within their jurisdiction. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the primary United State Federal law governing debt collection practices. For more information check out http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre01.shtm In addition to state and federal laws, NCS is a certified ACA International member and has agreed to abide by the association’s code of ethics as a condition of membership. ACA’s standards of conduct require its members to treat consumers with dignity and respect, and equip agencies with the tools and resources needed to professionally address all consumer complaints.
What tools does NCS use to collect?
• Skip tracing – investigation of account bearer, verifying contact information and whereabouts.
• Investigative Software
• Credit Reporting Capabilities
• Sophisticated Lettering System
National Credit Solution will not harass, bully, or threaten any consumer and we do not support these tactics in any situation.
Is it legal for NCS to report to my credit?
Yes it is legal. You may or may not have been contacted by the original creditor for attempts to receive payment before they handed over the account to a 3rd party collections agency. It is frustrating to find something on your credit report without any warning HOWEVER once the account is handed down to a collections agency (the last step) they have the right to report it to the Credit Bureau without notification (With the exceptions of 3 states).
National Credit Solutions gained credit reporting capabilities after the company was audited and fulfilled the requirements set by Credit Bureau. Unlike other agencies NCS contacts the credit bureau every Friday for the quickest possible updates to your credit. Whether you establish payment in full, a payment plan, a settlement, or have the account closed there is a difference in each option and how it affects your credit report. If you have any questions or would like to make an agreement that best suits your situation please call into the office at 1-800-384-0585 and have your account number ready.
Do I have to pay extra fees to NCS in addition to the principle balance?
Any additional late fees that have accumulated on your account depend on two things. These fees will vary according to the contract that you entered into with the original creditor at the time of your transaction. Varying state regulations also dictate what kind of fees and collections are permissible. If you have any questions about your account you may call National Credit Solutions at 1-800-384-0508 and ask for a breakdown of your charges.
Does NCS have to provide proof of purchase before collection?
The answer to this question is No. After NCS sends you validation of the debt they are not further required to prove any of the details of your original transaction with the creditor. Validation includes an itemized statement of your transaction, contact information of the original creditor, and your last known billing address. Even if you didn’t actually receive the product you were charged for that is an issue that needs to be taken up with the original creditor. When the agency receives accounts from the original creditor they trust that the accounts are correct and valid. Due to the large amount of accounts some errors and cases of identity theft may occur. In these situations the burden of providing proof lies with consumer. You must submit substantial evidence to NCS that proves that this debt is not yours, an example of this would be submitting identity theft policy reports and the official affidavit.
Will my account be closed if I send in a complaint?
There is a difference between filing a dispute and a complaint. If you feel that the debt is not rightfully yours send in a written dispute and submit proof accordingly to the NCS office. If you have experienced harassment or witnessed any unlawful business practices there are a number of places you can submit a complaint. However, filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, your Attorney General, or on the ACA International website does not close the account.
We will respond to any complaints filed through these organizations and provide validation. We pride ourselves on maintaining a healthy relationship with the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission and wish to defend our reputation and handle any and all complaints in a timely and professional manner.
What is the best way to dispute a debt?
• A dispute must be a written request.
• Provide proof that supports your claim
• Be clear in your request for deletion
• Be patient in waiting for a response ( may take up to 30 days for investigation)
Should I contact the original creditor?
If a mistake has been made and you have proof that you paid and closed your account with the original creditor, mail any documents you have directly to the NCS office with a request for deletion. It might be hard to contact the creditor and many times they will simply direct you back to NCS. The original creditor no longer has your account on file and NCS is not able to give out their contact information. If you wish to speak with them you will have to use your own resources and it is very important if for any reason you receive any instruction or approval for deletion that you get a written statement and mail it in to NCS.
How can I prove this debt is not mine?
Once you receive validation this means that the debt is in fact under your name and the agency that you are dealing with has legal authority to collect the debt. If you have never lived at the address on the file or were a victim of identity theft or have any special situation in which the debt being pursued is not yours you must send a written dispute to our office and also submit sufficient proof. After a dispute is filed an investigation will be taken up and you will be contacted within 30-60 days.
Because I am advising you to contact NCS I must state by law:
National Credit Solutions is a debt collection company. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides that a debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of debt. Section 807 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides that “false, deceptive, or misleading representation” includes the failure to disclose the mini Miranda in the oral or written communication with the consumer and in addition to this within five days after first contact, the debt collector must send a written notice advising the consumer of the amount of money owed; the name of the creditor to whom the money is owed; and the actions which the consumer may take if the consumer believes that he, or she, does not owe the money.
Please Note: Your rights, the amount and types of fees accumulated on your account, and formal procedures may vary according to your residence and governing state laws. To ensure compliance with federal laws pertaining to debt collection, we are unable to correspond electronically. The reason I can not give you any assistance via email is due to third-party disclosure (someone might read the email and NCS is held liable for the unauthorized disclosure of collections activities to an outside party) We want to help you, but we also want to do everything according to the law. Please feel free to call the office at 1-800- 384-0585 our hours are:
8am- 8pm Monday
8am- 6pm Tuesday
8am- 9pm Wednesday
8am- 8pm Thursday
8am- 5pm Friday
Central Standard Time
