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How to Beat UCB Collection

George Simons | December 07, 2023

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: United Collection Bureau is a third-party debt collection agency, which means other companies and financial institutions hire it to collect on their accounts that have become delinquent. If you are being sued by UCB for a debt you owe, you have up to 35 days to respond before you automatically lose. Use SoloSuit to respond to your lawsuit against UCB in just 15 minutes.

Have you gotten calls or letters from United Collection Bureau Inc. (UCB) claiming you owe them money? If you're feeling confused, overwhelmed, or scared by the idea of a debt collector coming after you, you're not alone. Debt collectors often use very persistent, intimidating methods and messages in the hopes of collecting debt.

You probably have a lot going on in your life, and it may seem like the best option is to ignore calls and letters from UCB, wishing they will just go away and forget about you. But the truth is, they won't, and things will only get worse for you. It's far better to deal with the demands from UCB right away.

In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about UCB Inc, how to respond when they first contact you, and how to beat them in a debt collection lawsuit.

Let's get right to it.

What is UCB Inc?

UCB is United Collection Bureau, Inc., based in Toledo, Ohio. They are a massive national collection agency that serves as a third-party debt collector for clients in government, healthcare, utilities, financial services, communications, student loan services, and other areas. So, if you owe money to any companies in these fields, chances are they may hand the matter over to UCB to collect that debt from you.

If you've never heard of UCB before, that doesn't mean you don't owe money. You can reach out to UCB debt collectors to get more information about the debt they are trying to collect. Here is UCB's contact information:

United Collection Bureau, Inc. (UCB)
5620 Southwyck Blvd.
Toledo, OH 43614
866.209.0622
sales@ucbinc.com

Use SoloSuit to respond to debt collectors like United Collection Bureau fast.

Is United Collection Bureau legitimate?

If you're doubting how legitimate a company UCB is, we can assure you it is as legitimate as debt collectors come (though that's a very reasonable question to ask). UCB has in fact been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2013 and currently has an A+ rating.

However, a good rating with the BBB doesn't mean there aren't complaints about their collecting practices. Anyone can read the reviews on the BBB website to see what other people experienced when UCB came knocking on their door asking for payment.

A good rating also doesn't mean that plenty of people haven't accused UCB of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law that regulates what third-party debt collectors can and cannot do when attempting to collect payments. The FDCPA was designed to protect you, so it's in your best interest to get to know what a violation of this law could look like.

United Collection Bureau has received many complaints and bad reviews

If you feel like UCBinc has harassed you, you're not alone.

As of 2022, the BBB has received 166 complaints against United Collection Bureau in the most recent three-year period. Similarly, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported 289 complaints over the last ten years.

UCB has an average Google rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars based on more than 100 Google reviews.

These complaints mention bad debt collection practices at the hands of UCB. Many of these stories suggest possible violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA). Here are some examples of UCB's questionable debt collection methods:

  • UCB fails to validate debts upon request.
  • UCB fails to apply monthly settlement payments approved by debtors.
  • UCB calls debtors at odd hours of the day, often early in the morning or late in the evening.
  • UCB uses robo-calls to contact debtors.
  • UCB reports fraudulent debts to the credit bureaus.
  • UCB debt collectors use vulgar and berating language to intimidate debtors into paying off their debt to the agency.

Let's take a closer look at a real complaint from the UCB's BBB profile:

“My account was turned over to UCB from a hospital for a surgery performed December 2021. A representative from UCB reached out to me via phone to settle my account in monthly installments. I agreed to a specific amount and a date each month for the funds to be auto-withdrawn from my account. 2-3 months later, I have yet to see any funds come out of my account. I have contacted the collections agency on numerous occasions via email and voicemail with no result. If this company isn't going to adhere to our mutual agreement, I'd like my account withdrawn from their collections. I don't want this going on my credit report because the collections agency isn't doing their job.”

If any of these debt collection tactics sound familiar to you in connection with United Collection Bureau, you should learn more about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. and how to protect yourself from debt collectors who violate it.

The FDCPA can protect you from UCB debt collectors

Educate yourself on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and what actions by UCB could be violations of this law. Predatory and high-pressure tactics by debt collectors are designed to take advantage of people who are caught off-guard, scared, and uniformed. That's not you! You're prepared to face them head-on, and even turn the legal tables if they have broken the law.

Here are some common ways that many debt collection agencies violate the FDCPA:

  • Calling more than seven times in a seven-day period
  • Using profane or abusive language
  • Harassing you of any kind
  • Calling at inconvenient times, including before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
  • Asking you to pay more on the debt than you owe
  • Calling at work when they know it is not allowed
  • Telling a third party other than your spouse about your debt
  • Failing to announce themselves as a debt collector
  • Failing to admit the name of the agency they work for
  • Pretending to be law enforcement

What to do if UCB collectors start contacting you

So, you've started hearing from UCB, and they are insisting you owe their client money. Sounds about as fun as getting a root canal. But the good news is that facing these claims does not have to be as painful as dental procedures.

While it's easy to just not deal with something as stressful as paying off a debt you cannot afford right now, you can bet it will only get worse if you delay too long. Like a leaky water pipe, it's better to address the problem ASAP than to wait until your whole house is flooded and ruined. Debt that piles up and goes to collections can wreak havoc on your credit score, and lead to so many other headaches down the road.

So, when UCB debt collectors first contact you, send them a Debt Validation Letter which forces them to validate the debt before they can keep contacting you about it or take legal action.

If UCB cannot prove that you actually owe the debt and that they have the rights to collect on it, they can't keep bothering you about it. If they fail to validate the debt they are contacting you about, it is a violation of the FDCPA.

Learn more about debt validation in this video:

If UCBInc has already validated the debt and is suing you, there is still hope. You don't have to stress about finding a lawyer to help you respond to the case. You can represent yourself in court and beat UCB. Here's how.

You can beat UCB in court

Make UCB prove their case.

That's right: Make. Them. Prove. It. Debt collectors like UCB count on fear, inexperience, and desperation in the people they pursue, but you're going to be different because you know that the burden of proof is actually on them. They must show A) You are responsible for the debt, B) They have the right to sue you, and C) That you owe a specific amount.

You may be surprised to learn this, but the truth is that most debt collectors don't have the evidence that would be needed to support their case in court.

You can beat UCB collection in court if you're being sued. Remember, debt collectors count on people not knowing how to fight back. They count on going to court against you and being completely unopposed. You need to demand evidence and documentation that UCB owns the debt they claim you owe. If they can't prove it, you win! Even if they can, there are still options that are beneficial to you.

You should also be aware of the statute of limitations on debt in your state. Typically, it's between three and six years. The details of the law vary from state to state, but essentially, if you have not had any activity on the account during the timeframe specified in your state (any payment on the debt can restart the clock), then it's too old for UCB to sue you. However, that defense only works if you do your part and file your Answer.

If you ignore the lawsuit and UCB gets a judgment against you, your situation only gets worse. We can't emphasize this enough: If you want to beat UCB collections in court, don't delay. File an Answer! Time is of the essence. Don't wait to get help. Prepare a strong Answer to respond to the UCB lawsuit against you.

Respond to a debt collection lawsuit against UCBInc

When you get sued for a debt, you receive a Summons and Complaint—usually in the mail. The Summons notifies you of the lawsuit, and the Complain lists all the specific claims made against you.

The first step to beating UCB debt collectors in court is to respond with a written Answer.

You have up to 35 days to respond to a debt lawsuit, depending on where you live. If you don't respond in time, UCB will probably request a default judgment against you. If the court grants the default judgment, UCB will be able to garnish your wages and put liens on your property.

Use these six tips to draft and file your Answer before your state's deadline:

  1. The Answer isn't the place to tell your side of the story in detail. Instead of using an elaborate story to respond to the lawsuit, your Answer should focus on responding to the claims listed in the Complaint document. Keep it simple. You can admit, deny, or deny due to lack of knowledge.
  2. Deny, deny, deny. Most attorneys recommend that you deny as many claims as possible, forcing UCB to do more work to prove their side of the case.
  3. Include affirmative defenses. These are any legal reasons that UCB should not win the case. A common affirmative defense used in debt lawsuits is the statute of limitations, which is the time period that a debt collector has to sue someone for a debt. If the debt is past the statute of limitations, then the lawsuit is void.
  4. Use standard formatting or “style”. At the head of the Answer document, be sure to include a caption where you list the court information, party information, and case number.
  5. Include a certificate of service. It's important to serve your Answer to UCB. At the end of your Answer document, include a certificate of service when you verify the address you used to serve UCB the Answer.
  6. Sign it. Most courts reject any legal documents without signatures, which is why this last step is so crucial.

You can draft and file your Answer with SoloSuit in all 50 states.

Watch this video to learn more about these six tips:

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.

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Watch out for United Collection Bureau scams

Debt collection scams are common, and it is possible for a fake debt collector to pose as United Collection Bureau and contact you about paying off a debt that you don't recognize.

Here's how to spot a fake debt collector:

  • Fake debt collectors ask you for information they should already have. A real debt collector will probably have your personal information already, including the debt amount, your address, social security number, birth date, etc. If a “collector” asks you for any of this information, it is a huge red flag. You should never give your personal information out over the phone.
  • Fake debt collectors threaten and lie to you. Many fraudulent collectors try to intimidate you into paying your debt off quickly so you don't have time to investigate the claims or report them. If a “collector” threatens to arrest you, investigate further before making any payments.
  • Fake debt collectors won't share information about their organization with you upon request. When a real debt collector calls you, they must disclose that they are a debt collector and all their communications are attempts to collect a debt. If you ask the collector for more information about the organization they work for, they should give that information to you immediately and without question.
  • Fake debt collectors pressure you to pay immediately. If a “collector” seems to be in a hurry and is heavily pressuring you to pay right now, there is a good chance they are a scammer.
  • Fake debt collectors try to get you to pay through sketchy avenues. Fake debt collectors will try to get you to pay your alleged debt quickly and through odd methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Beware of these tactics and know that real debt collectors have traceable methods for you to pay off your debt.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

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Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

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Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

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Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

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Learn more with these additional debt resources


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