Action Collection Agency of Boston

Company Profile

The Action Collection Agency was founded in Boston in 1967. Since then, they had established offices throughout eastern Massachusetts. The company had been continuously operated by its founders, John F. “Jack” Lacey and, until 1988, the late Raymond L. Hill.

Action Collection Agencies, Inc., (“ACA”) a Massachusetts Sub-chapter S corporation, was formed in 1991 by ACA’s President and owner, Jay E. Gonsalves, at the time of the acquisition of the agencies from Jack Lacey, who were there for the next ten years as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Following an eleven-year career in the hospital industry, Jay was a senior executive at one of the largest healthcare collection agencies in Boston for eight years. He holds a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration. Jay also served as the president of ACA International, Inc. (formerly the American Collectors Association), and chaired its national healthcare services and interstate commerce committees.

He is a former president of the New England Chapter of the American Collectors Association and current chairman of its legislative committee. He has attained the ACA International designations of the International Fellowship of Credit and Collection Executives (IFCCE), Master Credit Executive (MCE), and Certified Instructor. Jay frequently speaks on credit and collection industry matters in the United States and internationally.

ACA’s Director of Operations, Brian Chamberlain, has an equally solid background in national and healthcare collection operation and call center management. Between them, they share well over forty years of collection experience and represent an ideal combination of long-term financial and operational stability, contemporary collection management and technology expertise, and solid commitment to the client service.

The company has grown to the point where they employ approximately forty individuals in their new Middleboro office location where they have consolidated all the collection operations as of January 2009. They are operational from 7:30 A.M to 9:00 P.M, Monday through Thursday, and until 5:00 P.M on Friday, and 1:00 P.M on Saturday.

ACA’s stability and growth have been due, in large part, to the professionalism, dedication, and experience of the employees. Their staff has an average service duration of over six years, and several have been with the company since its inception. Their collectors are provided with the best possible work environment and tools to perform their tasks. Each receives comprehensive training using ACA, International training programs, and are well-educated in all state and federal collection regulations.

Their clients include many of the largest medical facilities and physician networks, as well as small group practices and clinics. Many of their original clients are still with them today, enjoying the quality of service, appreciation, and respect that they have come to expect from the agency.

Office Address: 16 Commerce Boulevard, Unit #4, Middleboro, MA 02346
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 902, Middleboro, MA 02346-0902
Phone: 508-923-0310 or Toll-Free 800-478-7421
Fax: 508-923-0535

Read the below mentioned BBB review in which the customer got numerous phone calls for his already paid bills and was even being given the wrong email address for the customer to send the receipt as a proof, subject to the fact that his information was on the verge of being misused:

Read the next BBB review in which the customer had a terrible experience in settling debts with the company and was not referred to the concerned supervisor:

• Claiming to be a law enforcement agency or otherwise associated with a government agency.
• Falsely representing the character or amount of the debt.
• Falsely claiming to be an attorney or a credit reporting agency.
• Threatening the debtor with arrest or imprisonment, suggesting that failure to pay a debt is a crime.
• Threatening to seize debtor’s property or garnish wages
  (Unless such action is legal and actually intended).
• Threatening to report false information to credit reporting agencies.
• documents resembling those of a government agency or court.
• Using a false business name.
• Attempting to collect fees, fines, or interest that are illegal or not part of the agreement with the creditor.
• Failing to disclose status as a debt collector.
• Failing to disclose that any information obtained from the debtor will be used for the purpose of debt collection (except if the communication is a formal pleading made in connection with a legal action).
• Making calls at inconvenient times, especially before 8.A.M or after 9 P.M.
• Contacting the debtor if the collector knows the debtor has retained an attorney.
• Contacting debtor’s workplace if an employer prohibits such communications.
• Contacting, or threatening to contact, third parties such as relatives, neighbors, employers without express permission (except consumer reporting agencies and attorneys).
• Contacting the debtor after the debt collector has been notified in writing to cease the communication (unless to inform the debtor that collection efforts are being terminated, or to inform the debtor of certain actions that the collector intends to perform to which it is entitled under law).
• When communicating through the mail, using a postcard or placing information on the envelope that visibly indicates that the source is a debt collector.

These are counted amongst the most important consumer rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Informing a debt collector about the acknowledgment of these rights may spark any misbehaving collection behavior.

If a debt collector surpasses these rules while contacting you regarding a debt, then you can report the debt collector to your state attorney general’s office, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and or the Federal Trade Commission. A number of states have their own collection laws, and violators of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act may also be violating state collection laws. The state attorney general’s office will be able to inform the additional local rights that you may have.

Keep in mind that the first person who must stand up for the debt collection rights is you. So don’t allow a debt collector to frighten or harass you using unfair and illegal means. A debt collector who goes by the rules may also be a hectic experience as well. If you need a special type of assistance as well as advice, then contacting an attorney can be your answer.

The Consumer Protection website from the Federal Citizen Information Center shares links to both state and local consumer protection agencies located throughout the country, including the state attorney general offices. You can report any issues that you have faced with a specific debt collector to the Federal Trade Commission by logging at FTC. Gov.

For managing the calls from a collection agency, you might need to establish a contact with an attorney. Although, this entirely depends on you because doing so can help make sure your case is being handled in a legal way. A part of your debt collection rights consists of the term that the debt collection agency must contact your attorney, once you hire one.

When it comes to connecting low and moderate-income Americans with free legal aid programs in their respective communities, LawHelp.org can be of a great help. Apart from this, American Bar Association has a consumer guide that offers a directory of legal resources available in every state. You may also find an attorney with debt collection experience through the National Association of Consumer Advocates. This not-for-profit association of attorneys and consumer advocates has a myriad of members all across the country.

• Keep a written record of the contact
• Request verification that the debt collector and the debt are legitimate
• Verify the amount alleged as owed and the original creditor
• Request the caller to stop calling
• Follow-up all requests in writing sent via certified mail return receipt

Debt Academy is a highly experienced firm and this is one of its biggest advantages. Most people, seeking Debt Academy services, are new to this and unable to comprehend their way of working. The Agents of Debt Academy have worked on many more cases than any other company. Consequently, they have the know-how of working with creditors and may have even worked, formerly, with your lenders. As a consequence, they are familiar with the way, negotiations generally progress, and comprehend what the company will and will not accept to settle the debt. This has the implication of your probability, of getting a better deal, due to the fact, that an agent from Debt Academy will be able to push the company to settle for less than if the lender, formerly, was working directly with you.

In addition, Debt Academy offers more help as compared to an attorney. Most importantly, you must bear in mind, that, unless you represent yourself, you will have to pay some kind of money for your representation. But, there is a reason why Debt Academy costs less than a lawyer.