Ever noticed FFCC Cleveland on your credit report? And it has been hurting your credit score for quite some time now? Unpaid medical bills may have slipped your mind, causing debt collection agencies to run after your credit report. Collections from healthcare industries are hardly a surprise; out-of-pocket medical costs have exponentially increased in recent years.

Both private and employer-funded health insurance plans experience financial issues such as this. Consumer responsibilities such as out-of-pocket costs have been rising due to higher medical premium insurance plans. Dealing with them may help your credit report avoid as many collection accounts as it can in the future. Browse below to learn more:

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What Is First Federal Credit Control?

Started in 1970, First Federal Credit Control is a legitimate third-party debt collection agency based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is also important to notice that they have an affiliate company, FFCC-Columbus, Inc. Founded in Columbus, Ohio, FFCC-Columbus started operating in 1997 and uses the same name and corporate website such as FFCC-Cleveland. 

Having a Better Business Bureau score of “B” on a scale of A to F, FFCC isn’t still a BBB accredited collection company. Almost eighty complaints have been filed against the agency in recent years. You are not the only one who has been having a hard time with FFCC. Know your options here: https://www.crediful.com/collection-agencies/ffcc-cleveland/.

Before Dealing With First Federal Credit Control

Before you decide to deal with First Federal Credit Control, you must first know the unspoken rules when coming in contact with collection companies. Check the guide we prepared for you below:

  • Never Speak With Collection Companies Through Phone

Collection agencies will always prefer to make transactions with consumers through phone calls. Collectors take this opportunity to milk off information from consumers that may be used against them in future disputes. Receiving their phone calls will only give them more advantage to coercing consumers like you to send payments. 

They may force you, but you are protected under the Federal Law and can insist on doing all transactions via writing. Always remember your consumer rights and don’t be intimidated by them. Establish your requests during the first contact, and collection agents should respect your concerns. 

  • Deal With Them Through Writing

As mentioned above, collection agencies tend to play tricks on the phone to coerce you into paying. That is why it is very important to only speak to them through writing. By writing to them, you have the freedom to provide as little information as you wish without an agent intimidating you. 

Remember not to write disrespectfully. This approach may come back to haunt you in future transactions with them. Also make sure your data is safe, as large credit bureaus like Equifax have faced class-action lawsuits recently after data breaches.

  • Avoid Promising Payments Unless Certain With Paying

Promising to make any payments cannot guarantee to drive collection agents away from your credit score. This action is bound to make your current situation worse. Implying to pay off your debts and not keeping up your word can be interpreted as a breach of contract and will have legal consequences on your part. 

It can be tempting to think of this action as an easier way out for you. But, making promises to collection agencies will only lead to more problems. Resort to this approach only when you have enough funds available to pay off your debt.

Dealing With First Federal Credit Control

After knowing the rules when dealing with collection companies such as First Federal Credit Control, it is time for you to finally deal with them. Check the provided strategies below and see what works best for you:

  • Demand For Debt Validation Letter

A debt validation letter contains information such as the original creditor’s name, collection date, and debt confirmation that states your name. Collection agencies must provide you this letter or consider the collection account removed if they don’t. Make sure to check for inconsistencies so you can dispute their claims against you.

  • Request For Pay-For-Delete Agreement

If the company agrees to remove the collection account in exchange for your full payment, be certain to ask for a pay-for-delete letter. You can use this provided letter as proof of an agreement between you and FFCC-Cleveland. They may not be essentially required to remove collection accounts from credit reports, but it is still best to try out as many options as you can.

  • Negotiate A Settlement

A debt settlement allows you to pay partial payments to the collection company. You need to send a letter to FFCC-Cleveland to ask for negotiation. If they agree to a settlement, First Federal Credit Control is liable to end all collection efforts made to you. The collection account may still stay on your credit report, but at least you paid less than you owed. 

Takeaway

Dealing with collection agents from First Federal Credit Control may cause you some headaches in the process. But, to avoid running into them, removing them from your credit report is the best option you have there. Review our provided strategies to have an idea of what alternative works best for you.