If you are looking for information about Phoenix Financial Services, there is a pretty good chance you have either seen their name pop up on your credit report during a routine check or heard from them in one way or another.
You may have been contacted by one of their representatives. Maybe you have been getting phone calls, emails, or letters — or all three — from them, and you want a few minutes of quiet to eat dinner uninterrupted.
If you are trying to maintain or improve your credit score, you might be more interested in finding out who exactly this company is. So let’s start there and answer the question “What is Phoenix Financial Services?” to help you get to the heart of the problem and stop those annoying calls.
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What is Phoenix Financial Services?
Phoenix Financial Services, LLC is a relatively new small debt collection agency. Its headquarters are based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Debt collectors operate in two main ways. The first is by contracting with other companies. Under this method, you will not usually see the collection agency’s name on your credit report.
Another common practice is for debt collectors to purchase bad debt from creditors, which is often when they start appearing on your credit record.
Is Phoenix Financial Services a Legitimate Company?
While you may be unfamiliar with them, Phoenix Financial Services is a legitimate company. They work with various companies to collect past due balances, mainly in medical billing and student loan accounts.
Of course, that doesn’t mean they have a legitimate claim to your money. There are cases of both mistakes and outright fraud. If you suspect this applies to you, you may be able to dispute the balance and have it removed from your credit report. Take some time to learn your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
FAQ: What Is Phoenix Financial Services on My Credit Report?
We get a lot of questions about Phoenix Financial Services from concerned consumers just like you. Here are some of the most common ones we hear, along with common sense answers to guide you.
Who Does Phoenix Financial Services Collect For?
Phoenix Financial Services works primarily in medical debt and defaulted student loans. However, the company is not limited to these industries and maybe collecting for any past due account.
Why Do I Owe Phoenix Financial Services?
If you see Phoenix Financial listed as a creditor or in your default items on your credit report, they have probably purchased your debt from another company.
The most direct way to determine what account they are trying to collect is to call their customer service department at (855) 342-6567 and ask them. You have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Phoenix Financial has to answer some basic questions about your debt.
However, many people understandably do not want to take this route, in which case you can try to find out on your own. Since they tend to be a specialized company, look at outstanding medical bills.
Request a free copy of your credit report and look at delinquent accounts; there is a good chance that Phoenix Financial has purchased the debt from one of these companies.
Is It Legit or a Scam?
There is a pretty good chance that the claim on your credit report is legitimate. That is true even if you have never heard of Phoenix Financial, let alone opened an account with them.
Because of the nature of debt collection companies, Phoenix Financial Services may have purchased your account from another creditor. As a result, that account may also still be listed on your credit report.
Can They File a Lawsuit Against Me?
If you fail to pay your bills, debt collectors can take you to court to settle their claims. However, this is often not the best way to settle balances. They will be more receptive to other options to resolve your past-due account in many cases.
Should I Negotiate or Dispute Their Claim?
At this point, the question of “what is Phoenix Financial Services?” is not your primary concern. Instead, taking action should take center stage. No matter why they call you, the worst thing you can do is nothing.
That does not mean you have to pay the balance they claim. Many consumers can successfully dispute claims or negotiate settlements for lower amounts.
Even if you can negotiate a lower payment, it may not help repair your credit. That is why, for many people, the best option is to work to remove the claim entirely.
How Can I Remove Phoenix Financial Services From My Credit Report?
You have several options when it comes to removing Phoenix Financial Services from your credit report. The most obvious one is to pay off the balance you owe them. If you are sure that the account in question is past due and that you are responsible for it, and you have the means to pay the amount owed, this can be a simple solution to resolving your credit concerns.
However, if any of those conditions are not met, you may have other options. These can include:
- Disputing the claim: In many cases, you can fight a claim from Phoenix Financial Services. If they have not sent you a debt validation letter — which they are legally required to do — your first step is to file a request for one. Then, if the collection agency cannot prove the debt is yours, you can dispute its claim.
- Negotiating a lower balance: Debt collectors usually pay much less than face value to purchase debt. In many cases, it is pennies on the dollar. That is why they are often willing to negotiate a lower payoff balance. Remember, though, that this will leave the account history on your credit report.
- Contracting with a debt settlement company: If you don’t want to negotiate with Phoenix Financial Services on your own, you can hire a debt settlement company to work on your behalf.
- Filing bankruptcy to have debts eliminated: This is often the last resort, but it can be used to close multiple bad accounts at once. You should seek advice from a professional bankruptcy attorney or financial counselor before taking this route.
Phoenix Financial Services is a debt collection agency specializing in medical billing accounts. They may or may not have a legitimate claim against you, but its representatives tend to use aggressive tactics to get a quick response.
Once you get past the question of “What is Phoenix Financial Services?” and “Why are they on my credit report?” it’s time to take action.
Remember that you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and that Phoenix Financial must honor those.