Allied Interstate

Allied Interstate is headquartered in West Palm Beach Florida and has been in operation for some thirty years. It has received an F ranking the Better Business Bureau who states, ”We strongly question the company’s reliability for reasons such as: 

• They have failed to respond to complaints
  

• Their advertising is grossly misleading
  

• They are not in compliance with the laws licensing or registration requirements.
  

• Their complaints contain especially serious allegations or the company’s industry is known for is fraudulent business practices.

Allied runs large call centers in the U.K, India, U.S, Philippines  and Canada for purposes of debt collection. They are also known as IRMC or Intellirisk Management. Services include debt collection, accounts receivable management, financial services for government agencies and utilities. The debt collection arm of the company has netted Allied hundred of millions from consumers who are unaware of their rights regarding Allied ‘s collection practices. 

Allied has had numerous complaints filed against them stating that even when the amount demanded was paid consumers failed to receive credit for the payment or were charged again. They also have received complaints for trying to collect debts that had already been paid off years ago and the account was never closed. Other complaints range from unprofessional behavior on the phone to the use of inappropriate language in an effort to collect a debt.  

In several states Allied has attempted to collect debt from the wrong person. They initiate debt collection over the phone without sending a letter to the consumer first. When the consumer disputes the debt over the phone they are informed that in order for Allied to consider the consumer’s claim valid they must have proof in writing. They must prove the debt has been paid or they are not the person from whom the debt should be collected, in effect that they are innocent.  

When the request is made by the consumer over the phone to have the bill sent(as is their right) in order to see it in writing it has been refused or ignored.  It has taken the intervention of the Minneapolis Attorney General’s office in one case to settled Allied’s hash. 

The Better Business Bureau is rife with cases of Allied employees harassing friends and family of their targets trying to collect debt, though this a clear violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Article 806 states,” A debt collector may not engage in  any conduct the natural consequence of which is to, harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt.” It seems that anyone dealing with Allied should be aware of their rights and be prepared to document the whole ordeal.

Comments