George Simons | December 01, 2022
If Covington Credit is calling you, here's how to make it stop.
First, we're sorry you're going through. Nobody likes being a victim of debt collection. Especially if they're playing dirty by threatening you, calling late, or saying they'll have you arrested.
Here's a few strategies you can use against them.
A debt validation letter is your secret weapon. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act allows you to request the validation of a debt: it says you can make Covington Credit prove you owe the debt.
Here are the basic steps.
You can use one of these sample debt validation letters approved by the CFPB. Each of these letters have a slightly different message to the collector.
Choose one of these free templates, download it, edit it with Word or another word processor, and send it out.
For more details, here is the section of the FDCPA that supports the use of debt validation letters.
§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Notice of debt; contents
Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing --
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.
(b) Disputed debts
If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. Collection activities and communications that do not otherwise violate this subchapter may continue during the 30-day period referred to in subsection (a) unless the consumer has notified the debt collector in writing that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor. Any collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer's right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.
(c) Admission of liability
The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer.
(d) Legal pleadings
A communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action shall not be treated as an initial communication for purposes of subsection (a).
If Covington Credit violates the FDCPA you can sue them for $1000. Isn't that cool? Instead of you paying them money, now they're paying you money.
Starting an FDCPA lawsuit isn't a super standardized process. That means you need to find an attorney. We can connect you to an attorney that specializes in this. Just email us here or call us at 480.297.1210.
To find a court in your state and to look into their rules on FDCPA lawsuits use this link.
If Covington Credit is acting shady, you can file a complaint against them with the CFPB.
The CFPB is a government agency that protects consumers against “unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and take action against companies that break the law.” The CFPB deals with thousands of debt collection complaints a month. They are in your corner, so use them.
File a complaint with the CFPB against Covington Credit here.
They usually hear back from companies in about 15 days, and 97% of consumers hear back in a timely manner.
Wondering if Covington Credit broke some laws under the FDCPA? Here's the breakdown of violations Covington Credit may commit.
First, here's the shortlist of things that debt collectors MUST do when they contact you:
Now let's look at the don'ts. This list is a little more intensive than the last. There are rules, exceptions, and exceptions to those exceptions, so buckle up.
A list of things that debt collectors MUST NOT do when they try to collect your debt:
In regards to not contacting third parties about your debt, there are some exceptions, and this is where the fun begins. Debt collectors can contact:
However, if they are trying to find you, they actually can contact third-parties, but they can't
Finally, they cannot send postcards or other insecure means of communication. The purpose of this rule is to make it so that someone who simply sees your mail won't know about your debt.
If Covington Credit breaks any of these rules you sue them or file a complaint against them.
Unsurprisingly, Covington Credit has 1 star on the BBB. And it's had 94 complaints logged against in the last 3 years. It's a debt collection company headquartered in Georgia with branches in Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. It started back in 1994 and has hundreds of employees. The CEO is Robert F. Bloom.
In short, it is a debt buyer. It buys debts for pennies on the dollar and then pursues them.
Here are some phone numbers Covington Credit is known to call from.
Most of the time, however, it will probably show up as “Private Number” or “No Caller ID”.
If you're actually being sued for a debt by Covington Credit, we have an article about what to do here.
Most of this article is about what to do if you are simply getting calls from Covington Credit. Actually getting sued by them is much worse. Depending on your state, you only have 20-30 days to respond before you automatically lose your case. Go here to find your deadline.
So, in short, here's the review on how to stop calls from Covington Credit.
Good Luck!