The debt collection tactics of Radius Global Solutions often target vulnerable consumers. Knowing your rights and understanding the law are vital to protecting yourself from their aggressive practices.
For many people in debt, being contacted by Radius Global Solutions (RGS) is a frightening prospect. Like most debt collectors, RGS may use unethical tactics to pressure consumers into repaying their debts, such as threatening legal action or harassing phone calls.
However, debtors should remember that they are protected by law from most of these practices. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prevents debt collectors from using unfair, deceptive, and harassing methods for collecting a debt.
If Radius Global Solutions contact you, do not panic or be intimidated. There are some steps you can take to defend yourself and prevent harassment.
Who are Radius Global Solutions?
Radius Global Solutions is a consumer engagement and intelligence company that provides various services to businesses, particularly in the healthcare industry. They specialize in business process outsourcing, contact center services, healthcare revenue cycle management, and debt collection solutions. Founded in 1985, Radius provides one of the oldest and most successful debt collection services in the US, with over billions of dollars in recovered debt.
Radius Global Solutions LLC is based in Edina, Minnesota, and currently employs over 4000 people across 14 states.
Complaints and Customer Reviews Against Radius Global Solutions
Radius Global Solutions has a history of complaints in the debt collection industry. As of 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) received 2,167 complaints about Radius Global Solutions. The company has been accused of making frequent and harassing phone calls even after requesting to stop, contacting friends and family members of debtors, and providing false credit bureau information.
Furthermore, their BBB business profile is rated 1.09/5, with over 400 customer complaints filed against them, indicating a high level of customer dissatisfaction.
Like most debt collection companies, Radius GS is known for using deceptive tactics to collect debts, such as threatening legal action, falsely implying that a debtor may be arrested, or falsely claiming that the company is working on behalf of the government.
One of the “Consumer Complaint Narratives” against Radius Global Solutions reads as follows:
” I have an outstanding debt reported on my credit report that does not belong to me. The original bank has no record of the account, but the debt collection agency continues to call, mail, and report this on my credit report, resulting in bad credit. “
Why is Radius Global Solutions Contacting Me?
As a debt collection agency, Radius Global Solutions act as an intermediary between debtors and creditors. They may contact you because you have an outstanding debt that needs to be repaid to a creditor. The creditor(e.g credit card company) has likely hired Radius Global Solution to collect the debt on their behalf.
Sometimes, your original creditor might have sold your delinquent debt for pennies on the dollar to Radius Global Solutions. This makes Radius Global Solutions the legal owner of the debt and gives them the right to collect it. Debts sold to third-party collectors like Radius Global Solutions are known as “charged-off” debts and may include unpaid credit card debts, medical debts, or loans.
This debt collection agency may reach out to you through various means, such as phone calls, emails, mail, or a debt collection letter to discuss the debt and try to come to a resolution for repayment.
What are Your Rights Under the FDCPA?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects consumers from unfair debt collection practices. The FDCPA protects you from aggressive tactics like threats of legal action, excessive phone calls, or any other forms of harassment by debt collectors.
You have the right to:
- Request debt verification
- Ask for a written repayment plan with reduced interest rates
- Request that all collection activities cease until your debt is validated
- Dispute any debts you do not recognize or believe to be accurate
- Request contact only through mail and refrain from phone calls
On the other hand, debt collectors are not permitted to:
- Harass you with phone calls, emails, or mail
- Misrepresent the amount of debt you owe
- Utilize deceptive tactics to collect debts or use any threatening language to urge payment
- Contact your friends, family, or employer to discuss the debt
- Use any false statement or fraudulent representation of the character, amount, or legal status of your debt
- Contact you outside of the allowed hours of 8 am to 9 pm
- Contact you before they have sent the required “validation” notice
How to Effectively Respond to Radius Global Solutions Debt Collection Attempts
- Ask to Validate the Debt: First and foremost, it’s essential to validate the debt. When you are contacted by Radius Global Solutions, they are required by law to provide you with a debt validation letter which hosts certain information about the alleged debt, including the amount owed, the name of the creditor, and proof of the debt. It’s essential to request this information and review it carefully to ensure that the debt is actually yours and that the amount is accurate.
- Negotiate a Debt Repayment Plan: If the debt is accurate, you can negotiate a repayment plan. Radius Global Solutions may be willing to accept lower monthly payments or reduce the interest rate on your debt if you are having difficulty making larger payments. A credit counselor can be helpful in this situation. Sometimes, they may even be willing to accept a lump sum payment to settle the debt in full. When seeking debt settlement, be honest and transparent about your financial situation so that the agency can work with you to find a manageable solution for you.
- Write a Cease and Desist Letter: A cease and desist letter is a legal document that requests a debt collection agency to stop contacting you regarding a debt. This letter can be used as a last resort when the agency is engaging in illegal or harassing behavior or when you are seeking to validate the debt. This will legally request them to stop all further contact with you regarding the debt until they can provide the required validation. This will also give you time to investigate the debt and determine the next steps.
- Dispute Inaccurate Debts: Disputing a debt challenges the validity or accuracy of a debt that a creditor or debt collection agency claims. You have the right to deny a debt if you believe it is inaccurate, you’re not responsible for it, or the debt has passed the statute of limitations. You must provide proof of your dispute and submit a written letter to the debt collector. The collector must investigate your dispute within 30 days and respond with their findings before any collection attempts can continue.
What to Do if you are sued by Radius Global Solutions
- Respond to the lawsuit: If you are served with a lawsuit, it’s important to respond within the time frame specified in the debt collection summons. This is typically 20-30 days, depending on the state. If you fail to respond, the collection agency may be able to obtain a default judgment against you. A default judgment is a legal ruling that grants the debt collector what they are asking for, often including access to your wages or bank account.
- Review the complaint: Carefully review the complaint as outlined on the summons. Ensure that the amount and debt information are accurate, and check the state’s statute of limitations to ensure that the debt stays within the allowed time frame. You can file a counterclaim or an answer stating your defense if you believe the complaint is inaccurate.
- Gather evidence: Gather any evidence that proves the debt is inaccurate or invalid. This can include bank statements, credit card statements, and other documents that can serve as proof.
- File an answer: File an answer to the complaint with the court. In this document, you should state your affirmative defenses and provide evidence to support your case. Your response should be about denying the debt and giving legal reasons why the claims against you should be dismissed. Some examples of affirmative defenses include the statute of limitations has expired, the debt has been paid, or the debt being inaccurate.
Conclusion
Radius Global Solutions is a large and experienced debt collection agency. They are known for using aggressive tactics to collect consumer debts, which may violate the FDCPA. If you suspect that Radius Global Solutions has violated your rights, contact a qualified consumer attorney to explore your legal options. Additionally, remember that you have the right to request validation of your debt or dispute any debts you do not believe are accurate. These steps can help protect you from aggressive debt collectors and ensure your rights are respected.
If you are dealing with a debt collection agency and would like to know more about your rights, fill out the form below. we can help you explore all of your legal options.
FAQS
why is radius global calling me?
If you are unable to make payment on your bills, it is possible that you will receive phone calls from the Radius Global Solutions debt collection agency. This signifies that Radius Global Solutions has taken ownership of your debt from the original lender and established a collection account on your credit report.
is radius global solutions legit?
Radius Global Solutions is a legitimate debt collection agency that purchases debt from major credit card companies, banks, and industries such as retail & consumer goods, government & education, utilities & communications, and entertainment & hospitality.
