Alliance One is a debt collector, and when you see their name on your credit report, you can know for certain your score will be negatively impacted. If Alliance One reports that you have a collection account, there are ways to fight back against the damage this can do to your credit. In this article, we will guide you through 3 simple steps to remove Alliance One from your credit report.
Who is Alliance One?
Based in Pennsylvania, Alliance One Receivables Management, Inc. is a debt collection agency who tries to recover unpaid debts for their clients. Companies hire Alliance to go after consumers who haven’t paid their bills. They make money by recovering that money and earning a percentage of what they recover.
Alliance One works with a huge range of global clients: automotive, government, utilities, healthcare, education and credit card companies all call on them to recover outstanding debts.
Consumer Complaints
In fact, if you have a collections account with Alliance One, you may already be familiar with them thanks to repeated phone calls. They might have even tried to contact you and been less than clear about who they really are. These and other very un-consumer-friendly practices have given this company a bad reputation as a debt collector.
Customers have lodged complaints with the Better Business Bureau against Alliance One, claiming unethical communication tactics. Some have reported facing attempts to collect a debt that they did not owe. A common complaint is rude, unprofessional customer service and harassing phone calls. These tactics violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If you happen to receive a call from Alliance One, you should know your rights before giving them information or agreeing to make payments towards the alleged debt.
Step 1: Request Communications in Writing
When AllianceOne contacts you, it’s important to assert your rights and request that all communication take place via written correspondence. It is best to always deal with debt collectors in writing, so there is record of communications and so you can better negotiate.
In the event that Alliance One calls you, politely let the representative know that you prefer not to discuss the matter over the phone and ask for future correspondence via mail only.
Here’s a helpful tip: When talking with Alliance One or any debt collector, do not give them personal information, such as your Social Security number or date of birth. It’s best to protect your privacy, and a debt collector does not need to know this information.
When to send a Cease and Desist Letter
After a request to communicate in writing, there should be no more phone calls. However, if a debt collector continues to call you after you’ve asked for written communications, you have the right to send a Cease and Desist letter. The letter does not absolve you of the debt, however, and you should still make a plan to resolve it in order to repair your credit.
This cease and desist letter should:
- State that you have requested all further communication be written via the mail.
- Provide your name and address to receive future communication.
FDCPA regulations require that after you send the Cease and Desist letter, they can contact you again by phone only to notify you that their collection efforts have stopped or that they are pursuing a different course of action.
Step 2: Write a Debt Validation Letter
Moving on to step two, let’s discuss debt validation. A debt collector has to prove the debt is yours, so exercise your right to request debt validation. You can do this by sending a letter to AllianceOne. Use this free debt validation letter template. This letter should ask the agency to provide documentation verifying that the debt belongs to you. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collection agencies must provide this information upon request.
Send the debt validation letter to:
Alliance One
PO Box 3100
Southeastern, PA 19398-3100
If Alliance One fails to validate the debt within the required timeframe, they must remove the collection entry from your credit report and cease further collection attempts. To protect yourself, send the debt validation letter via certified mail so you have documented proof of delivery.
Step 3: Dispute Inaccurate Information
If Alliance One successfully validates the debt as yours, it’s time to get serious about investigating every detail of the debt. Go over the debt on your credit report with a fine-tooth comb. Check for any error or discrepancy. If your records show a different account balance than Alliance One, note this. There could be a mistake in payment status, balances, names, addresses, account numbers, dates, and credit limits. If you identify any inaccuracies, write a letter to each of the three major credit bureaus—TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax—explaining the specific entry that is incorrect.
To make it easy, CambioMoney offers a free template to dispute errors with credit agencies. Once the dispute is investigated, if the collector can not prove your dispute is false, the credit bureaus must remove Alliance One from your credit report.
Bonus Step: Negotiate a Pay-for-Delete Agreement
In some cases, to remove Alliance One from your credit report, consider negotiating a pay-for-delete agreement. Write a letter stating you will pay the debt in full in exchange for the removal of their collection account from your credit report with all three credit bureaus. While negotiating a lower payment or payment plan might not be successful, offering full payment gives you a higher chance of getting a collector to agree. Many collection agencies are willing to consider this arrangement to come to a resolution.
Healthy Credit After Alliance One Collections
Dealing with AllianceOne directly can be daunting, but by following these three simple steps, you can make progress towards removing their negative entry. Remember to request written communication, validate the debt, and dispute any inaccuracies on your credit report. If necessary, explore the option of negotiating a pay-for-delete agreement. Stay proactive in your credit management efforts and seek guidance from a legal professionals if needed. CambioMoney can help you stay on top of your credit and rebuild after you’ve had a collections account. With determination, you can work towards improving your credit history and securing a brighter financial future.
