ARC Management Group Debt Defense in Florida

ARC Management Group is a debt collection agency that has many complaints filed against them by consumers. In some cases, consumers are surprised to receive phone calls from ARC Management because they have never heard of them before. Others are even more shocked to learn that the company has started legal action and is now suing them. If you are among the many people ARC Management Group has contacted, it is important to speak to one of our Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyers today.

Who is the ARC Management Group?

ARC Management Group, often referred to as simply ARC is a third-party debt collection company that has headquarters in Georgia. According to their website, they have offices in Tampa and Hollywood, Florida, and in New York City. They attempt to collect from consumers throughout the country and, with an office in Manila, Philippines, throughout the world. They specialize in collecting outstanding medical bills. The company uses several different phone numbers when contacting consumers and they are as follows:

• 1-678-486-5200
• 1-844-511-0511
• 1-866-510-9754
• 1-214-469-1838

Is ARC Management Group Legitimate?

Even though ARC Management Group does not always treat consumers fairly, they are a legitimate company. According to the company’s website, they are a full service pre-legal and legal consumer and commercial debt collection agency that operates throughout the country and has the authority to litigate in many different states. According to the Better Business Bureau, ARC was founded in 2006, has an annual revenue of $5 million, and staffs approximately 38 people.

Complaints Filed Against ARC Management

ARC Management has had 30 complaints closed against them with the Better Business Bureau in the last three years. Fifteen of those have been closed in the last year. Approximately half of the complaints allege that ARC Management tried to collect on debt that was not owed, while the other half of the complaints focus on the company’s customer service. Justia’s website also lists at least seven civil litigation cases that name ARC as a defendant.

You Have Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed in 1977 to protect consumers from harassment and to prevent them from having to file bankruptcy due to unethical debt collection agencies. When debt collectors use the following tactics, you can sue them and they can even be shut down.

• Ignoring you if you tell them to stop calling you or want to dispute a debt,
• Using an auto-dialer to leave multiple pre-recorded messages,
• Swearing or using language that is sexist or racist,
• Talking about the debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your lawyer,
• Using ‘service charges’ to inflate the amount of debt, and
• Calling at inconvenient times such as before 8:00 am and after 9:00 pm in your local time zone.

The above are just a few of the protections you are granted under the law. If ARC Management Group has violated any of your rights, you can file a lawsuit against them. The damages available in these cases include any loss you sustained, your attorney fees, and up to $1,000 in statutory damages.

Can ARC Management Group Garnish My Wages?

Garnishing the wages of borrowers is one of the most common threats ARC Management Group uses when they are trying to collect a debt. Whether or not they can do so depends on different factors in your case.

If ARC Management Group has a legitimate case and you do owe the debt they claim you do, they can file a lawsuit against you. If they are successful with their lawsuit, a judge may decide in their favor and allow them to garnish their wages. It is natural to assume that if ARC does not have a legitimate case against you, they cannot garnish your wages. Unfortunately, that is not always true.

ARC Management Group, like so many other debt collection agencies, hopes that consumers will ignore notice of a lawsuit. When this happens, which is quite often, the company can then proceed with its lawsuit and even obtain a default judgment. A default judgment essentially means that the company automatically wins its case and that you do not have the opportunity to defend yourself. If ARC Management Group is awarded a default judgment, they can garnish your wages even if you do not owe the debt.

It is for this reason that you must respond to any lawsuit filed against you by ARC Management. In Florida, you have 20 days to do this. What you include in your response is just as important as filing one. A Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyer can help you prepare your response and ensure it is filed properly so ARC cannot obtain a default judgment against you.

Force ARC Management to Validate the Debt

Many people receive notice that ARC Management is trying to collect on a debt and assume that they owe it. In many instances, this is not the case. You can force ARC Management to validate the debt, which means proving that you owe the debt and that the amount is correct. Until ARC can validate the debt, all collection attempts must stop.

Do You Have a Case Against ARC Management?

You likely have a case against ARC Management if the following apply:

• ARC is calling you multiple times a week,
• ARC is calling you very early in the morning or very late at night,
• ARC is calling you at work, even though you have asked them to refrain from contacting you there,
• ARC is contacting your family members, friends, co-workers, or neighbors about the debt,
• ARC has threatened you with violence, a lawsuit, or an arrest,
• ARC is trying to collect more debt than what you owe,
• ARC has threatened to negatively report you to the credit bureaus,
• ARC is trying to intimidate you,
• ARC has made criminal allegations against you,
• ARC has used obscene language while trying to collect a debt,
• ARC is using automated robocalls to try and collect a debt.

Our Debt Defense Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale Can Help You Fight Back

At Loan Lawyers, our Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyers have extensive experience dealing with ARC Management Group, and we will put that expertise to work for you. Call us now at (954) 523-4357 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case and to get the legal help you need.