Sunrise Credit Services is an infamous debt collection agency. Are they pestering you about an alleged unpaid debt? Hundreds of consumers are contacted daily regarding debt, but what do you do when it happens to you?
Though it can feel unnerving to confront, carrying unpaid debt will inevitably damage your credit. This is why it’s essential to act quickly and utilize the resources available to you to keep your credit score good.
In this article, we’ll discuss what Sunrise Credit Services is, why they’re contacting you, and the steps you can take to remove them from your report.
Sunrise Credit Services is a debt collection agency based in New York. Founded in 1974, they are a family-owned business, and a third-party debt collector who buys rogue debts from creditors.
Previous creditors or businesses who have tried to collect the debt themselves turn toward agencies like Sunrise when they’ve given up on getting paid. Since they were ultimately unsuccessful in their collection efforts, they pay third-party collectors to handle the debt for them. This is what’s known as a “charge-off.”
Although Sunrise Credit Services may own the debt outright, it’s more than likely they paid a small price for the original debt. Once the debt is paid, Sunrise Credit Services gets a hefty commission from the original creditor.
Yes, Sunrise Credit Services is a legitimate company. You should not ignore them, but you don’t have to deal with them alone. Although Sunrise Credit Services is attempting to collect a debt from you, it may not be yours. It’s common for debt collectors to make mistakes and go after consumers who do not actually owe a debt.
Due to their spam tactics and unrelenting phone calls, Sunrise Credit Services can seem illegitimate to unknowing consumers. It’s common practice for debt collection agencies to call consumers every day, sometimes multiple times per day. This has led to overwhelmingly negative consumer complaints and lawsuits against Sunrise Credit Services.
Although Sunrise Credit Services is a legitimate business entity, keep an eye out for any suspicious messages. There are hundreds of scammers who pose as Sunrise Credit Services in an attempt to scam consumers out of money.
Do not respond to calls from a representative who claims to be Sunrise Credit Services unless you have verified the number, verified the debt, and sought advice from a professional on how to proceed.
If the phone call doesn’t come from the phone number, email address, or mailing address listed below, you may be on the receiving end of a phishing scam.
If you search for Sunrise Credit Services on Google, you’ll find many negative consumer reviews. Common complaints include refusal to remove the debt from credit reports and debt falsely attributed to them. They are also known for leaving customers on hold for extended periods of time with no resolution or help.
Another customer commented that he paid his bill in full and requested that the account be closed. Then, Sunrise Credit Services proceeded to move the debt to another account and charged it twice. The customer is now burdened with double the debt he initially inquired about. Errors, misreporting, and duplicate debts are unfortunately rampant in the debt collection industry.
Sunrise Credit Services, like many other debt collection agencies, does not publicly disclose who they collect for. However, if Sunrise Credit Services contacts you, you may owe a debt to one of their creditors. Since their client list and purchased debts is publicly unknown, it’s important to verify the debt is YOURS before making any payments to Sunrise.
Sunrise Credit Services is calling you in an attempt to collect an alleged past-due debt. Unfortunately, this debt may be falsely attributed to you in many cases. Luckily for consumers, the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) legally protects you from fraudulent credit reporting.
According to Consumer Finance, there are many different credit reporting errors to look out for:
These are just some common errors to look out for. If you’re being harassed by Sunrise Credit Services, you could have a debt falsely attributed to you.
Any derogatory mark on a credit report stays on the report for 7 years. This is why consumers shouldn’t feel pressured to pay off the debt right away, even if Sunrise Credit Services is pressuring them to do so. Paying the debt will change the debt status from “unpaid” to “paid,” but it will remain on your credit report.
Having an unpaid debt on your credit report can lower your credit score, too. If a debt is attributed to you and under your name, this poses several financial risks. Therefore, you should take the steps to address the debt reporting on your credit report, whether you think the debt is valid or not.
First things first, check your credit report for any suspicious items. Are there charges you don’t recognize? Is a debt that’s already been paid off appearing again? If you see an open or unpaid account from Sunrise Credit Services, investigate further.
Don’t let Sunrise Credit Services get the best of you. Debt collectors can be a pain to deal with but they can be successfully negotiated with. They will always try to collect the full amount due on a valid debt, but this can often be negotiated down to a smaller pay-off amount. In such a case, an attorney that specializes in debt collection and credit repair is your best resource here.
If you believe you’re dealing with unfair debt collection from Sunrise Credit Services, or owe them a valid debt, contact Fair Credit LLC today. We have experience in credit reporting errors, background check errors, and debt resolution. An FCRA attorney can provide you with a free consultation. Together, we can relieve you of Sunrise Credit Services and get you on the road to a healthier financial future.
Don't let these companies get away with violating your rights and causing you financial & emotional distress.