How to Beat AWA Collections

Dena Standley | February 24, 2023

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Although debt collection phone calls can be annoying, a ruined credit report is worse. AWA Collections knows that consumers will do anything to protect their credit scores.

By reporting, they hope to pressure you to pay in a hurry, sometimes without the full details of the account. But worse, collections make consumers panic, reacting in ways that can harm them further, like renewing zombie debts. In the company's own words, they “use credit reporting to compel (consumers) to make payment.”

But you can outwit AWA at their game. SoloSuit provides all the help you need.

Who, though, is AWA Collections? And how do consumers feel about the company?

Is AWA Collections legit?

Adler Wallach Associates, Inc (AWA Collections) is a debt collection agency, operating since August 1993. It is a legitimate third-party debt collector.

AWA Collections specializes in accounts receivables, skip-tracing, asset investigation, and credit reporting. In other words, they help credit providers track consumers, determine whether to pursue them, make collection calls and report delinquent accounts to credit bureaus.

The company works for almost every industry. It collects for:

• Bank cards and financial institutions
• Healthcare
• Telecommunications
• Utilities
• Retail/Commercial
• Government

So it is possible to hear from AWA Collections whether you have late medical bills, gas bills, or taxes.

AWA Collections has headquarters at 1045 W Katella Ave STE 230 Orange, CA 92876-3561. Its post office address is P.O. Box 6605 Orange, CA 92863-6605.

You can contact AWA Collections on the phone at 888-771-3690.

As of November 2022, AWA is not BBB accredited.

AWA Collections reviews and complaints

It's no secret that AWA is not a consumer favorite. It has an average 1-star review on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. The BBB itself gives it an F, the lowest possible rating. The response rate to customer complaints is below expectations at just 29%.

As of 2022, AWA Collections has received 95 complaints on its BBB profile in the last three years. Similarly, the CFPB has reported 176 complaints against Adler Wallach & Associates over the past ten years.

Here’s a real example of a complaint against AWA Collections, pulled from its BBB profile (edited for clarity):

“In May 2022, I received a letter stating that this account was in delinquency. I have never ever received anything from AWA Collections ever. I’m not the main account holder. By the time they mailed me the letter, they had already reported a delinquency on my credit report. They have never sent a bill nor called me. They never even went after the person whose debt it is. I sent out a letter of dispute back in July, and they never answered me. I even tried to call and they hung up in my face. They won't send me any verification of the debt nor will they even acknowledge me. They never contacted the person to whom the debt belongs. They have not documented proof of them trying to contact me. They have changed my credit report twice with no notice of anything.”

This complaint suggests that AWA Collections has violated the FDCPA on several counts, namely in its failure to validate the debt upon request. From all these complaints, it’s clear to see that, consumers disagree with AWA’s claim that it employs “compassionate collectors.”

As shown by the CFPB complaint above, AWA Collections makes mistakes. Some of these are honest, while others may be the company's trick to manipulate you. Whatever the case, you can defend yourself against AWA's illegal practices.

What are your FDCPA and FCRA rights?

We have explained the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) in everyday language in our blog for everyday consumers to understand.

In summary, debt collectors must follow these rules under federal law:

• Debt collectors cannot send you postcards to try and publicize your debt.
• Debt collectors must identify themselves and identify you when they call.
• Debt collectors cannot harass you with endless or odd-hour calls.
• A debt collector cannot scream profanities at you or call you demeaning names.
• Debt collectors cannot threaten to harm you or a family member.

You can find a more extensive explanation on the Fair Trade Commission's (FTC) website.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) also regulates how and what debt collectors can report to credit reporting agencies (CRAs).

For example, FCRA Section 623 (a) (1) (A) states that “A person shall not furnish any information...if the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate.”

You have the right to dispute any wrong information in your credit report. Contact each bureau that reported the error and ask them to rectify it. Also, reach out to AWA and ask them to either validate the debt or stop furnishing it.

You can find each of the three major bureaus' dispute contacts on their websites.

• Equifax
• TransUnion
• Experian

Technically, the law allows debt collectors to report collections to the bureaus without notifying you first. The only way to stay current is to check your information regularly. All agencies offer one (sometimes more) free report every year here.

Also, check whether the statute of limitations has expired on an account and take care not to resurrect any zombie debts.

Send a Debt Validation Letter to AWA Collection to avoid a lawsuit

You can prevent a lawsuit by using the Debt Validation Letter. AWA Collections acquires debts at all stages and may lose valuable information on an account. Asking AWA to validate each debt can stop collections if they cannot verify the debt.

Many debt collectors give up after receiving a Debt Validation Letter, because they simply cannot validate the debt they’re trying to collect. Because of this, a Debt Validation Letter is a great tool to get debt collectors off your back and move on with your life.

What can I do if AWA Collections sues me?

If your collection account goes to the courts, you can still win the lawsuit. The secret is to respond to the Summons.

Many consumers ignore the Summons, thinking the case will disappear because they are innocent. But that is not how lawsuits work.

Failure to file your Answer at the court can earn you a default judgment, and the debt collector may get permission to garnish your wages, place liens on your property, or freeze your bank accounts.

Even though responding to a lawsuit may seem complicated, it is straightforward.

Follow these three steps to respond to a AWA Collection lawsuit:

1. Answer every claim: The Complaint tells you why AWA is suing you. The document has a list of claims. You should answer each claim independently. State clearly whether you agree, deny, or deny for lack of knowledge.


2. Assert your affirmative defenses: Tell the court why you should win the case. For instance, mention if the collection is the result of identity theft.


3. File the Answer with the court and AWA's lawyer before the deadline: You have 14-35 days, depending on your residence. Check the Summons for how much time your lawsuit allows. SoloSuit can file for you. If you file for yourself, be sure to use certified mail so you can track the letter. Remember to keep a copy for your reference.

Use SoloSuit to draft and file your Answer in minutes.

You can learn more about these three steps in this video:

Now, let’s consider an example.

The most prevalent claim against AWA Collections is wrongful credit reporting. And it is no wonder because when they start tracking you down, AWA's skip-tracing agents “keep their eyes on the prize"—your money.

This article has shown you how to beat AWA Collections by knowing your rights, using the Debt Validation Letter, and responding promptly to a lawsuit. Winning against any debt collector starts with SoloSuit.

Settle your debt with AWA Collections..

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Target National Bank
• Wells Fargo

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