A caveat could be added to the old adage about death and taxes: Nothing in life is certain except death, taxes and calls from debt collectors. With over 64 million Americans who have a debt that is currently in collections, recovering from things like unexpected medical debt can feel like an uphill battle.
If you want to put an end to the seemingly never-ending stream of harassment -- whether it's via text, phone call, email or snail mail -- the first step is establishing whether the debt is legitimate and what you can do to resolve it. In this article, we'll discuss some of the steps you can take to ensure you never receive another unwanted collections call again.
ARstrat is a Texas-based debt collection agency, with office headquarters in Houston. The company specializes in collecting medical debt from healthcare facilities like hospitals and private clinics – ARstrat profits off buying delinquent debt for a fraction of the amount due or is hired by medical institutions to collect outstanding debt with a percentage of what is collected going back to the institution.
Yes. It's important to note that despite the initial confusion you may experience after receiving a collections call from agency like ARstrat, its services are legitimate and should not be mistaken for a scam.
It is important for consumers to be aware of their rights when dealing with debt collection agencies like ARstrat. This starts by determining whether or not the debt is valid. While it will be in most cases, there are a few scenarios where consumers have been harassed for debts that they do not owe. Here are a few examples of why that could happen:
According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, ARstrat must provide proof of an alleged debt before attempting to collect it from the consumer. This means that the consumer has the right to demand verification of the amount claimed and other pertinent information related to the debt in question. Failing to do so could lead to legal action being taken against the agency.
It is critical for consumers in this situation to protect their own interests and not allow themselves to be taken advantage of by a debt collection agency with threats or intimidating language. If you are unsure of the validity of the debt ARstrat is contacting you about, get in touch with us today. Our firm offers a free case review, can identify mistakes in credit reporting, and will dispute errors on your behalf.
If you feel ARstrat is harassing you, it's important to determine whether their practices violated prohibitions under federal law. These include phone calls placed before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., discussing debts with friends and family, continuing calls after requesting written communication, using vulgar language or threats to intimidate payment, pretending to be associated with the U.S. government and threatening legal action that they are unable to take.
This federal law outlines what ARstrat and other debt collectors can and cannot do when attempting to collect a debt, including but not limited to the following:
If ARstrat has violated any of these laws, you may be eligible for compensation and should seek legal recourse. Many consumers choose to report these violations to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), but these complaints often end up getting ignored. A qualified attorney will be able to assist you and assess whether the violations – and your corresponding evidence – meet the necessary criteria to file a lawsuit.
ARstrat collects for a broad spectrum of companies and organizations. Most of these are healthcare facilities and private clinics – particularly those that provide services such as family care, general surgery, critical care and sports medicine.
Under the Biden administration, new laws have been enacted that limit collection activities for medical debt – this includes prohibitions on this type of debt appearing on your credit report. Working with an attorney familiar with these new laws will ensure your rights are being protected and provide a plan of action against any violations.
When you are sued for a debt, it is critical to respond to the summons and complaint as soon as possible. Failure to do so can result in a default judgment against you, which could give the creditor -- in this case ARstrat -- the right to garnish your wages or put liens on your property. By taking steps to defend yourself in a timely manner, you can substantially reduce your chances of incurring unwanted consequences.
At Fair Credit, we believe that everyone faced with the burden of medical debt should receive a fair chance at defending their rights under both state and federal law. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that each of our clients receives the full protection they deserve under the law. We pride ourselves on fighting for what is right and just - giving justice to those who have been taken advantage of by debt collectors.
Don’t wait - contact us for a free case review.
Don't let these companies get away with violating your rights and causing you financial & emotional distress.