Bonneville Collections Debt Collector Relief: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Bonneville Collections?
Bonneville Collections is a debt collection agency; they buy unpaid debts from creditors – then try to collect that money from consumers. Dealing with debt collectors like Bonneville can be super stressful, but you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).This guide covers everything you need to know about Bonneville Collections, including how to stop their harassment, dispute debts, protect your rights, and more. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Your Rights vs Debt Collectors
The FDCPA lays out rules debt collectors must follow when trying to get you to pay up. Some key things they can’t do:
-- Call you before 8am or after 9pm
- Use abusive/profane language
- Threaten violence or illegal acts
- Lie about the amount you owe
- Discuss your debt with others
If Bonneville (or any collector) violates the FDCPA, you can sue them in federal court. More on that later!
Stopping Bonneville’s Harassment
Getting repeated calls from Bonneville can be super annoying – but you have the power to make it stop. Just send them a “cease and desist” letter via certified mail. This letter tells them to stop contacting you, except to confirm:
- They’re terminating collection efforts
- They plan to take specific legal action
Here’s a sample cease and desist letter you can use (be sure to send it certified mail/return receipt requested):*”Dear Bonneville Collections:**This letter is to formally notify you that you are to cease all communication with me, immediately, regarding any debt you claim I owe. All further contact, except to confirm you are terminating collection efforts or taking a specific legal action, will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to pursue charges under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.*My mailing address is:
[Your name]
*[Your address]*Thank you for your cooperation,
[Your name]”
How to Dispute a Debt with Bonneville
If you don’t think you actually owe the debt Bonneville is trying to collect, you can dispute it. The FDCPA requires collectors to validate debts when requested.To dispute, send Bonneville a debt validation letter within 30 days of their first contact. This makes them legally obligated to provide evidence you owe the debt, like the original creditor agreement.If they can‘t validate the debt, they have to stop collection efforts. If they can validate it, at least you’ll know for sure the debt is legitimate before paying.Here’s a sample debt validation letter:*”Dear Bonneville Collections:**I am writing to dispute the debt you claim I owe. Please provide verification and validation of this alleged debt, including:*– The name and address of the original creditor
– The account number for the alleged debt
– Adequate documentation showing I am legally obligated to pay this debt
– The amount of the original debt and an accounting of all additions*Please cease all collection activity until the debt is properly verified and validated. I am requesting you remove any negative reporting from my credit reports until then.*Thank you for your cooperation,
*[Your name and address]”*Send this certified mail, with return receipt requested. Bonneville then has 30 days to respond with validation info.
-Negotiating a Settlement with Bonneville
If the debt is valid, you may be able to negotiate a settlement where you pay less than the full amount. Debt collectors often accept settlements since it’s better than not getting paid at all.A good negotiation strategy is the “debt settlement ratio” – you offer to pay a percentage of the total debt. Most experts recommend starting between 25-40% as your first settlement offer.For example, if you owe $5,000, your initial offer might be $1,500 (30% of $5,000). From there, you can negotiate back and forth until reaching an agreement.Be sure to get any settlement deal in writing before paying! This prevents issues down the road.You can also look into debt relief programs and bankruptcy as potential options.
Suing Bonneville for FDCPA Violations
If Bonneville violates the FDCPA, you can sue them in federal court within one year of the violation. Potential damages include:
- Actual damages (lost wages, medical bills, etc.)
- Statutory damages up to $1,000
- Attorney fees and court costs
To have a case, you’ll need evidence like call recordings, written logs of interactions, witnesses, etc. Consulting a consumer protection lawyer is highly recommended.Some common FDCPA violations by debt collectors:
- Harassment (repeated calls, abusive language)
- False statements (lying about debt amount)
- Unfair practices (contacting others about the debt)
Don’t let debt collectors like Bonneville push you around! Know your rights and take action if they overstep.
Dealing with Debt Collectors on Reddit
Reddit has some great communities for dealing with debt collectors and learning about consumer rights, like:
-- r/personalfinance – General personal finance advice
- r/Debt – Debt-related questions and support
- r/ConsumerProtection – Info on consumer laws/rights
- r/legaladvice – Getting advice from lawyers/law students
These subreddits are goldmines of info from people who’ve been in your shoes. You can ask questions, read debt collection horror stories, and get tips for handling situations with Bonneville or other agencies.
Bonneville Collections Complaints on Consumer Sites
Checking sites like the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs, and Yelp can give you a sense of Bonneville’s reputation and how they operate. A few key things to look for:
- Overall rating and number of complaints
- Specific complaints about violations or unethical practices
- How (or if) the company responds to complaints
You can also leave your own review detailing your experience with Bonneville, to help warn others.Some sites with Bonneville Collections reviews:
-Finding a Lawyer for Bonneville Debt Issues
If Bonneville is giving you a hard time or you need to take legal action, it’s wise to consult a consumer protection lawyer who specializes in debt collection cases.Some key benefits of hiring a lawyer:
- They understand all applicable laws and regulations
- They know proper debt collection procedures
- They can negotiate with Bonneville on your behalf
- They can represent you in court if needed
Look for lawyers who offer free consultations, so you can discuss your situation before paying any fees.You can find lawyers through online directories like:
Bonneville Collections Debt Buyer Lawsuits
As a debt buyer, Bonneville Collections may file lawsuits to try and collect on purchased debts. If they sue you, do NOT ignore it – that can lead to a default judgment.Some potential defenses against debt buyer lawsuits:
- Lack of proof/documentation of debt
- Statute of limitations has expired
- Mistaken identity (debt isn’t actually yours)
- Debt was already paid or settled
Definitely consult a lawyer ASAP if sued by Bonneville. They‘ll know the proper legal procedures and defenses to use in your state.
The FDCPA and Debt Collection Laws
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law that governs what third-party debt collectors can and cannot do when trying to collect consumer debts.Some key FDCPA provisions:
- Debt collectors can’t harass or abuse you
- They must stop communication if you send a cease letter
- They have to validate debts if you dispute them
- They can’t make false/misleading statements
- They must identify themselves as debt collectors
In addition to the FDCPA, some states have their own debt collection laws that may provide extra protections.
Bonneville Collections Contact Info
Bonneville Collections
6026 S Stratler St
Murray, UT 8410
Phone: (801) 290-0311If you need to contact Bonneville, experts recommend doing so in writing only – not over the phone. This creates a paper trail you can reference later.
Dealing with Debt Collectors on Quora
Quora has some great threads on dealing with debt collectors, knowing your rights, and handling specific situations. A few examples:
- How to stop debt collectors from calling you
- Advice for dealing with aggressive debt collectors
- Disputing debts with debt collectors
You can also post your own question about Bonneville Collections or a specific situation you‘re dealing with.
Bonneville’s Debt Collection Tactics
Like many debt collectors, Bonneville may use some aggressive or deceptive tactics to try and get you to pay up, such as:
- Calling repeatedly at all hours
- Threatening legal action (even if they can’t take it)
- Trying to revive/collect on old “zombie” debts
- Misrepresenting what you actually owe
It’s important to know your rights under the FDCPA – and take action if Bonneville oversteps. Document everything, send debt validation letters, and don’t let them bully you.
Credit Reporting by Bonneville Collections
Bonneville may report any unpaid, validated debts to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). This can severely damage your credit score.Under the FDCPA, you can request debt collectors remove any inaccurate negative reporting from your credit reports. If they don‘t comply, you can dispute the reporting directly with the credit bureaus.You’re also entitled to receive debt validation before any reporting occurs. So if Bonneville reports a debt before validating it, that’s an FDCPA violation.
Statute of Limitations on Bonneville Debts
The statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit on how long a creditor/debt collector has to sue you over an unpaid debt. This varies by state and type of debt.If the statute of limitations has expired on a debt Bonneville is collecting, you may have grounds to get the debt dismissed if they try to sue.However, the statute of limitations clock can “re-set” if you make a payment or acknowledge the debt is yours. So be very careful about doing either of those things for old debts.
Bonneville’s Debt Buying and Reselling Practices
As a debt buyer, Bonneville purchases unpaid consumer debts from original creditors for a fraction of the face value. They then try to collect the full amount from consumers.Bonneville may also “re-sell” or assign debts to other debt buyers/collectors if they can’t collect. This passing around of debts increases chances of inaccuracies, lost documentation, and shady collection practices.Whenever a debt gets resold, be sure to get full debt validation from the new collector. Don’t just assume it’s legitimate based on the previous collector‘s word.
Dealing with Debt Collectors and Bankruptcy
If you’re considering or have filed for bankruptcy, this can impact how debt collectors like Bonneville pursue you.In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, an “automatic stay” immediately stops most debt collection efforts. Collectors have to get approval from the bankruptcy court before restarting collection attempts.For Chapter 13, collectors can still try to collect the portion of debt not covered by your repayment plan – but only through approved channels.Bankruptcy can discharge or reorganize many types of consumer debts you may owe Bonneville. But be sure to list them properly in your bankruptcy filings.
Bonneville’s Debt Collection Licensing and Bonds
Debt collectors like Bonneville are required to obtain proper licensing and bonds in states where they operate. These requirements aim to regulate the industry and protect consumers.You can check if Bonneville is properly licensed/bonded in your state by contacting your state‘s banking, finance, or consumer protection office.If Bonneville is operating without proper licensing, you may have grounds to get any judgments vacated or dismissed.
Debt Collector Complaints Against Bonneville
The Better Business Bureau, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and your state‘s consumer protection office all accept complaints against debt collectors like Bonneville.Documenting violations and filing official complaints can help build a case against Bonneville – and potentially spark investigations or enforcement actions.When filing a complaint, include specifics like:
- Dates, times, and details of violations
- Copies of letters, recordings, or other evidence
- How the violations negatively impacted you
The more evidence you can provide, the stronger your complaint will be.