How To Deal With United Collection Bureau Inc.

What Is United Collection Bureau Inc.?

United Collection Bureau Inc. (UCB) is a debt collection agency based in Ohio. UCB collects consumer debt for various industries, including telecommunications companies, government entities, healthcare providers, financial services, and utility providers. 

Here is their contact information:

Website: https://www.ucbinc.com 

Address: 5620 Southwyck Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614-1501

Phone number: (866) 209-0622

Debts usually end up with a debt collector like UCB when the original creditor writes off the debt and passes collection efforts to a third-party. 

This doesn’t usually happen for a while though. First, the creditor will notify you that you’re late on your payment. They may send written notices or make phone calls. If you ignore the creditor’s efforts, they may sell your debt to a debt collection service like UCB. 

Why Is UCB Collection Contacting Me?

UCB is probably contacting you because a lender or creditor sold your debt to them. UCB collects debt for telecommunications companies, government entities, and others.

You’ll need to work directly with the debt collection agency to resolve the debt.

Is UCB Collection Legit?

Yes, United Collection Bureau is a legitimate company. However, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), UCB has received a lot of complaints. 

As of early 2024, almost 200 consumers have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau against UCB. Multiple consumers complained that they didn’t get the proper paperwork documenting the details of the debt they allegedly owed.* 

A debt collector not giving sufficient information about a debt is a common violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). 

The FDCPA is a federal law that protects you from harassment and unlawful behavior from third-party debt collectors and collection agencies. If you believe a debt collector has committed a violation, you can report them to the CFPB and even sue for compensation. 

*Note to reader: These reviews and complaints highlight relevant issues but may not represent all consumers’ experiences.

How Do I Know if I’m Being Scammed?

Even though United Collection Bureau is a legitimate company, some scammers may use the company’s name to try to trick you. If anyone asks you for sensitive information like your bank account or Social Security number that’s a red flag of a potential debt collection scam.

To protect yourself, always validate your debt (more on this below) and ask for more information if anything seems suspicious. Report suspected scammers to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Do I Have To Pay UCB Collection?

Before you pay anything, validate the debt. Verify that:

• You’re the owner of the account

• The debt collector genuinely owns the debt

• The debt amount is accurate   

Because debt collection is a major industry where blocks of debt accounts are bought and sold regularly, it’s not uncommon for collection agencies to get information wrong. Validating the debt protects you from paying money you may not actually owe. And legally, debt collectors must give you information about your debt.

Let’s look at the steps you can take to verify the accuracy of the debt.

Step 1: Send a Debt Verification Letter

If you haven’t already received a debt validation letter from United Collection Bureau, request one from them. You can also craft and send your own debt verification letter. 

The two have the same end-goal in mind, but here’s how they’re different:

Debt collectors are supposed to send debt validation letters to debtors. This letter should include basic information about the debt they’re trying to collect. 

By law, a debt collection company is supposed to send you a debt validation letter before or within five days of first contacting you. They must also give you a 30-day window to dispute the debt. During the dispute period, the collection agency can't call you or try to continue trying to collect from you. If UCB can't verify your debt within 30 days, you shouldn't have to pay. 

If they can verify your debt within the 30-day window, you’ll have to decide what to do next. 

Step 2: Decide What To Do Next

You may not feel like you have a lot of say in this situation, but you do have the right to choose how to proceed. If the debt collector was able to verify that you owe the debt they claim you do, you’ll need to decide what to do next. 

Your three main options are to: 

• Dispute the debt

• Negotiate or settle the debt 

• Ignore the debt (while this is technically an option, this is not recommended)

Option 1: Dispute the Debt

You can dispute the debt if you disagree with the debt amount or other details outlined in the letter. In addition to disputing the debt with the collection agencies, you’ll want to check your credit report and dispute any inaccurate information there as well.

Often, if there’s incorrect information in the debt validation letter, the same information is on your credit report. It’s a good idea to check your credit report and dispute any errors you find. 

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — once every 12 months. 

You also have the right to ask credit bureaus to remove negative entries from your credit report. To do this, write a credit dispute letter.

Option 2: Negotiate the Debt and Make a Settlement Offer

Most people haven’t paid outstanding debt because they can’t afford to. If this rings true for you, consider negotiating a debt settlement. 

Most creditors will settle for 40%–60% of the original amount owed. You can expect a few rounds of back-and-forth negotiation, so it’s a good idea to start with a lower offer than where you want to end up. 

For example, your opening offer could be for 25% of what you owe. Then you can see what the debt collector says. It’s a good idea to be willing to pay around 50% of the debt.

Despite how intimidating this process may seem, you have some power. Debt collectors are typically open to negotiating because, in many cases, they purchase your debt from the original creditor at a fraction of the amount. They still profit even with a debt settlement.

Read Upsolve’s Guide to Beating United Collection Bureau to learn more about negotiating a successful settlement.

Can You Negotiate Every Past-Due Debt?

You can negotiate many, but not every past-due debt. Common past-due consumer debts like credit card debt, medical bills, personal and payday loans are often negotiable. Tax debt is usually negotiable, too, though the IRS’s settlement process.

Debt from mortgages or car loans typically cannot be negotiated. If you fail to pay these loans, the creditors can foreclose on your home or repossess your car. 

Federal student loans are also non-negotiable. If you’re struggling with student loan payments, look into student loan forgiveness.

Option 3: Ignore the Debt (Not Recommended)

While it may be tempting to do, ignoring the debt is not recommended. We know that dealing with debt and debt collectors can feel overwhelming and stressful. But ignoring the situation won’t make it go away. In fact, it’ll probably make things worse in the long run. 

What Happens if I Ignore UCB Collection?

If you don’t address the situation with UCB, they won’t just give up. Instead, you risk:

• Hurting your credit score

• Increasing the amount you owe though interest charges, fees, and potential court costs

• Getting sued by the debt collector and having your wages garnished

It’s true that negative information disappears from your credit report after seven years, but the underlying debt may not. Collection efforts may continue as long as the statute of limitations hasn’t run out.

Here’s the bottom line: The best thing you can do is know your options and take action. You can take on UCB and come out the other side. 

Can UCB Collection Sue Me?

Yes, UCB and other debt collectors can sue you. This isn’t typically the first action they’ll take though. Most debt collectors will start by making phone calls and sending notices. After a time, if their collection efforts are ignored, they may choose to take legal action and file a debt collection lawsuit. 

Whether or not a debt collector sues you depends on several factors. These factors can include:

• Your state’s wage garnishment laws

• How long your debt has been in collections

• How much you owe

If a debt collector sues you, you’ll  receive a summons and complaint. These are the official court documents that notify you of the lawsuit and outline the case details. These documents are often delivered to you in person or left with an adult at your home. 

Let’s Summarize…

United Collection Bureau (UCB) is a legitimate debt collector that collects consumer debt for government entities, utility providers, and telecommunications companies. If they contact you, validate the debt before doing anything else. Then, take the appropriate action and respond to UCB as soon as possible.