Convergent Outsourcing Debt Defense

Convergent Outsourcing is a third-party debt collection company. If the company has reached out to you trying to collect on a debt, you must force them to validate that the amount is correct. If Convergent Outsourcing has already taken legal action against you, you must respond to any lawsuit so you have a much better chance of winning your case.

Who is Convergent Outsourcing?

Convergent Outsourcing is one of the oldest and most well-known debt collection companies. They have been in operation in the United States since 1950. Like other debt collection companies, Convergent Outsourcing buys old debts from original creditors including banks, utility companies, telecommunications agencies, financial service providers, and cable companies. Essentially, if you owe any outstanding debt, there is a chance that Convergent Outsourcing has purchased it and will contact you in an attempt to recover it.

Convergent Outsourcing’s profile on the Better Business Bureau shows a lawsuit filed by the State of Washington against the company. It also shows that the average customer review of the company is 1.37 out of 5 that the BBB has given the company an “F” rating and that the business is not BBB accredited. Within the last three years, there have been 1,054 complaints filed against the company and 270 of those have been closed in the last 12 months.

One of the most common complaints filed by consumers against the company is that they try to collect debts that have already been settled. It is for this reason that it is critical that you force Convergent Outsourcing to validate the debt, and that you speak with a Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyer if the company has tried to contact you.

The Debt Validation Letter

If Convergent Outsourcing has sent you a collection letter, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. It is natural to feel anxious, angry, and frustrated after receiving notice that Convergent Outsourcing has taken action against you. Again, the first step is to force Convergent Outsourcing to validate the debt. The debt validation letter the company sends you should include the following information:

• The name and account number for the original debt
• The amount owed, including fees and interests
• The last payment or other type of transaction on the account
• Analysis regarding the age of the debt
• If the statute of limitations on the debt has expired
• The license number for Convergent Outsourcing gives them the authority to collect on debt in the state of Florida

The law requires consumers to ask for debt validation within 30 days after receiving notice of debt collection. You must ask Convergent Outsourcing to validate the debt. If they are unable to, the company will need to stop further collection activity.

Paying Off the Debt

If the debt is small, such as $50 and you can repay it, Convergent Outsourcing cannot contact you anymore regarding it. If your debt is larger, the company may allow you to repay it in installments. Through an installment plan, you can make smaller payments over a certain period, such as six months or a year. While the installment amounts are smaller, you will still be responsible for paying it every month.

Settling the Debt

If the debt is fairly old and you can afford to make a lump sum payment, Convergent Outsourcing may agree to settle it. A settlement means that you will pay only a portion of the debt, usually between 40 and 60 percent, right away. Convergent, like other debt collection companies, are often happy to settle debt with consumers because they will still receive a portion of it instead of risking not obtaining any of the debt at all. The older your debt is, the more likely debt collection companies are to agree to a settlement.

If you can settle with Convergent, it has benefits for you, as well. You will be able to save some money and perhaps even more importantly, you will not have to think about the debt again.

Before entering into negotiations, you should determine how much of the debt you can afford to repay. The higher the amount, the more likely Convergent is to accept the offer. Still, you should not offer more than you can afford to pay.

Debt and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act

In an attempt to prevent debt collection companies from using unscrupulous and unfair tactics against consumers, federal legislators enacted the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) in 1978. This Act outlines many actions debt collection companies are not allowed to take when trying to collect on debt. Unfortunately, debt collection companies do not always comply with the law. A few ways companies such as Convergent Outsourcing violate the FDCPA are as follows:

• Informing you that it will seize your property if you fail to repay the debt immediately
• Threatening jail time if you do not repay the debt right away
• Calling several times a day
• Calling more than once a week
• Calling you at inconvenient hours, such as before 8:00 in the morning or after 9:00 at night
• Speaking to family members, friends, or your employer about the nature of the debt
• Contacting you at your place of employment after you have asked them not to

Only debt collection companies, and not original creditors, are bound by the FDCPA. Additionally, the above are not the only ways debt collection companies violate the law. If you believe Convergent is treating you unfairly, it is important to speak to an attorney.

Call Our Debt Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Today

If Convergent Outsourcing is contacting you and trying to collect on a debt, it is important to speak to a Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyer. At Loan Lawyers, our experienced attorneys can negotiate with Convergent on your behalf and raise the appropriate defenses in your case. Call us now at (954) 523-4357 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to get the legal help you need.