California Accounts Service

California Accounts Service (CAS) is a family-owned, third-party debt collection agency. CAS has been operating since 1963. It provides debt collection services to medical professionals, veterinarians, utility companies, and retail.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive debt collection practices, has received consumer complaints regarding CAS’ unlawful debt collection practices. According to the CFPB, CAS most commonly engages in the following debt collection practices:

• Attempting to collect a debt that is not owed by the consumer;
• Attempting to collect a debt that was discharged in bankruptcy;
• Threatening to harm credit if payment is not made; and
• Refusing to validate or provide proof of a debt.

A consumer reported that CAS attempted to collect a debt that was discharged in bankruptcy. After receiving calls from CAS, the consumer provided a written response to CAS requesting that they cease communication and acknowledge that the debt was discharged in bankruptcy. The calls stopped; however, the consumer soon learned that CAS had reported the debt to the credit bureau. CAS refused to remove the debt from the credit report unless the consumer paid the debt or proved, to their satisfaction, that CAS made a mistake.

CAS’ actions directly violate federal law. Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code prohibits debt collectors and creditors from collecting on a debt that has been discharged in bankruptcy. Once a debt has been discharged in bankruptcy, then the debt collectors and creditors are permanently barred from collecting on that debt.

Creditors and debt collectors should be held accountable for these unethical and unlawful practices. If you are being harassed or subjected to any of these, deceptive, or abusive debt collection practices, it is time to hold CAS accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.