How to Resolve a Debt With Consumer Collection Management

Legal Expert, Paralegal
Dena Standley, BA

Dena Standley is a seasoned paralegal with more than 20 years of experience in legal research and writing, having received a certification as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal from Southern Technical College.

Edited by 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: Consumer Collection Management is a debt collection agency that may use questionable tactics to get you to pay up. Luckily, there are ways to resolve your debt with Consumer Collection Management, like responding to a debt lawsuit against them and then negotiating a debt settlement plan. SoloSettle makes the debt settlement process easier.

Dealing with a debt collection agency like Consumer Collection Management (CCM) can be an intimidating and stressful experience if you have fallen behind on your debts. To impress their clients, CCM sometimes resorts to aggressive and even unlawful tactics to ensure you pay the debt.

It is essential as a consumer to know your rights and understand how to protect yourself from illegal debt collection practices. This article will help you deal with CCM at any stage of the collection process.

As a start, stop CCM calls by sending SoloSuit’s Debt Validation Letter. The law requires them to stop all communications until they verify the debt. Next, let’s give you more information on Consumer Collection Management and various ways to beat them.

Sued by Consumer Collection Management? Settle your debt for good with SoloSettle.

Settle with SoloSettle

Make an Offer

What is Consumer Collection Management, and how does it work?

Consumer Collection Management, Inc is a legitimate Missouri debt collection agency founded in 1979. CCM specializes in collecting unpaid debts on behalf of creditors such as credit card companies, banks, and other financial institutions.

The agency works in two ways; they offer to collect the debt for the creditor then they are given a percentage of what was recovered. Or, they purchase delinquent accounts from creditors at a discounted rate and then attempt to recover as much of the debt as possible. You can reach CCM using the contact information below:

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1839, Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Physical address: 2333 Grissom Dr Ste 100, Saint Louis, MO 63146-3322
Telephone: (800) 325-6611
Website: www.consumercollection.com

Complaints against Consumer Collection Management

CCM is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and its BBB profile page has gathered many complaints from consumers who had a bad experience with the personnel or the services offered. The CFPB complaint database also contains hundreds of complaints against CCM. These complaints range from:

Talking to rude and uncooperative agents
Failure to respond to a Debt Validation Letter
Being asked to pay for a debt they do not owe
Reporting inaccurate debt figures to the credit bureaus

The following is an example of a real complaint from Consumer Collection Management’s BBB profile:

“Consumer Collection Management has bought a fraudulent debt from Timberline Apartments. They are a leasing agency to whom we have never been tenants and owe no money. CCM put a strike on our credit reports for money that is not owed. We applied for a viewing on the Timberlines website and have yet to receive a reply. Around two months later, we see this collection strike saying we owe them $150. We have already won a dispute with one of the credit bureaus. Legal action will be sought if CCM does not close this fraudulent account.”

As shown in the complaint above, Consumer Collection Management doesn’t always comply with the rights granted by federal and state laws that protect consumers. Knowing your rights can help you defend yourself and know how to properly respond when CCM contacts you about a debt.

Exercise your rights when Consumer Collection Management contacts you

Sometimes, consumers feel helpless when dealing with big companies like debt collection agencies. To avoid consumers being taken advantage of, the Fair Debt Collection Practises Act was enacted to protect the debtor’s rights. The guidelines state that CCM should not:

Make repeated phone calls for the same debt
Make false threats
Report the wrong debt to credit reporting agencies
Contact your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues about your debt
Misrepresent the legal repercussions

If CCM violates these laws, submit a complaint to BBB, CFPB, Fair Trade Commission, and your attorney general's office.

Follow these steps to respond to Consumer Collection Management lawsuit

Consumers sometimes feel like it is the end of their financial world when they receive a lawsuit letter. But you can still resolve a debt with Consumer Collection Management even at this stage. Use the following three steps to respond to the lawsuit.

1. Answer each claim listed in the Complaint

Each lawsuit has a Complaint document outlining the plaintiff's allegations against the defendants. In your case, CCM will have listed several allegations against you. The law allows you to respond in three ways:

Admit: This position means you agree with the claims CCM has made about the debt.
Deny: With this response, you want CCM to prove that the allegations made are true.
Deny for lack of knowledge: You are saying you cannot respond well for having insufficient information about the matter.

A debt counselor will advise you to deny most of the allegations and let CCM prove their case. They may dismiss the case or approach you for a settlement deal if they don't have enough evidence.

2. Assert your affirmative defenses

This section allows you to explain why you are not responsible for the debt or how CCM conducted itself during the debt collection process. It is your chance to show CCM that you understand your consumer rights. Some allegations you can use include:

CCM hasn't verified the debt on request.
CCM entered inaccurate figures on your credit report and lawsuit.
You paid the debt in full, or it was canceled.
You are a victim of identity theft.
CCM haven't proved that your creditor passed the debt to them.

SoloSuit can help you draft your affirmative defenses using our Answer Document.

3. File the Answer in court, and send a copy to Consumer Collection Management

Filing your answer in time will ensure CCM does not receive a default judgment. Hence, confirm your state's deadline for filing. After you’ve completed the form, make three copies. Send one to the court where CCM filed the case, send the second copy to CCM’s lawyer, and keep the last one in your records.

To learn more about these three steps, watch the following video:

Settle your debt with Consumer Collection Management

After you’ve responded to your debt lawsuit against Consumer Collection Management, you’ve given yourself time to discuss debt settlement options with the agency.

Entering a settlement deal with CCM can help you avoid bank and wage garnishment if they win the debt collection case. If you have money saved or expect some cash soon, you can approach CCM for a settlement deal. Once they accept an offer, you must pay the debt more quickly than the earlier repayment plan.

In a debt settlement, you offer a portion of the total amount due, usually at least 60% of the debt’s value. In exchange for a lump-sum payment, CCM agrees to drop its legal claims against you and release you from the remaining balance.

If you decide to settle your obligation, you’ll want to ensure you get the terms of your agreement in writing and pay the creditor before your court date. If you’ve never tried debt settlement before, consider working with a professional organization that will guide you through the process.

To learn more about how to settle a debt with Consumer Collection Management, check out this video:

SoloSettle, powered by SoloSuit, is a tech-based approach to debt settlement. Our software helps you send and receive settlement offers until you reach an agreement with the collector. Once an agreement is reached, we’ll help you manage the settlement documentation and transfer your payment to the creditor or debt collector, helping you keep your financial information private and secure.

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.

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

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

We have answers

Join our community of over 40,000 people.

You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now are are just look for support, we're here for you.

Get Started

Win against credit card companies

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

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court

Not sued yet?

Use our Debt Validation Letter.

Out Debt Validation Letter is the best way to respond to a collection letter. Many debt collectors will simply give up after receiving it.

Let's Do It

It only takes 15 minutes.

And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.

"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather