Viking Client Services’ debt collection harassment includes excessive calls, threats of legal action, abusive language, and contacting third parties about your debt. If you’re receiving multiple calls throughout the day, threats of wage garnishment, or they’ve contacted family members about your debt, these actions could violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Viking Client Services has 78 complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau and faces over 65 federal lawsuits for alleged violations. If they’ve violated your rights, you may be eligible for statutory damages up to $1,000, with the collector paying your attorney fees.
What Is Viking Client Services
Viking Client Services is a third-party debt collection agency based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota that has been operating for over 46 years. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Viking Client Services has 78 complaints filed against it, signaling a pattern of troubling behavior. The company has faced over 65 federal lawsuits alleging violations of consumer rights and illegal communication tactics.
Viking Client Services operates under various alternate names:
- Viking Billing Service
- Viking Debt Collections
- Viking Client Services Avis
- Viking Credit Services
- Viking Billing Services Inc
While they may use different names, the core issue remains: they’ve built a reputation for using high-pressure techniques that often border on harassment. Understanding how to stop these tactics is crucial to protecting your rights.
Recognizing Illegal Viking Client Services Tactics
Debt collection agencies like Viking Client Services often use aggressive tactics to recover funds. However, many of these tactics are illegal under federal law. Understanding what behavior crosses the line can help you protect yourself.
Common illegal tactics Viking Client Services may use:
- Excessive calls: Multiple calls per day or calls at inconvenient times (before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.)
- Abusive language: Yelling, name-calling, profanity, or offensive language
- Third-party disclosure: Contacting family members, neighbors, or your workplace about your debt
- False threats: Threatening to sue or garnish wages without legal authority or intent
- Criminal accusations: Falsely claiming you’ve committed a crime to pressure payment
- Inflated demands: Trying to collect more than owed or adding illegal fees
If you’re experiencing any of these tactics, you may have grounds for legal action. Debt collectors must follow FDCPA rules, and violations can result in compensation for you.
Is Viking Client Services a Legitimate Company or a Scam
Viking Client Services is a legitimate company but has earned a reputation for crossing legal boundaries. While they’ve been in business for over 46 years according to the BBB, their 78 complaints and 65+ federal lawsuits suggest their collection strategies are aggressive and sometimes illegal.
The company is not technically a scam, but their methods can often feel deceptive. If you’re dealing with questionable practices, it’s important to verify the debt and understand your rights before engaging with them.
How to Stop Viking Client Services Phone Harassment
If you’re facing Viking Client Services harassment, you have legal options to make it stop. The FDCPA provides powerful protections, and violating collectors can face serious consequences.
Document Every Interaction
Documentation is crucial evidence if you decide to take legal action. Keep detailed records including:
- Date and time of each call
- Name of the representative who called
- Phone number used to contact you
- Exact words used, especially threats or abusive language
- Witnesses to the calls if applicable
- Voicemails or recorded conversations (where legal)
This documentation will serve as crucial evidence if you pursue legal action with The Wood Law Firm.
Send a Cease and Desist Letter
Under the FDCPA, you have the right to request that Viking Client Services stop contacting you by sending a cease and desist letter. Once they receive this request:
- They’re legally obligated to stop calling
- They can only contact you to confirm they’re stopping communication
- They can notify you if they intend to take specific legal action
- Violations after receiving the letter strengthen your case
The Wood Law Firm can help you draft an effective cease and desist letter that protects your rights.
Seek Legal Help From The Wood Law Firm
The Wood Law Firm can help you navigate the process of stopping Viking Client Services harassment. If they’ve violated your rights, you could be eligible for compensation up to $1,000 per violation, with the collector paying attorney fees.
Call us at +1 844-638-1122 for a free consultation to discuss your case and legal options.
Can Viking Client Services Garnish Wages or Sue You
Viking Client Services can garnish wages or sue you, but only under specific legal conditions. They cannot take action without proper legal authority and court approval.
Wage garnishment requirements:
- Must have a court judgment against you first
- Can garnish for federal student loans without judgment
- Typical garnishment limited to 25% of disposable earnings
- Must follow state-specific garnishment laws
- Cannot garnish Social Security or certain benefits
Lawsuit requirements:
- Debt must be within your state’s statute of limitations
- Must provide proper legal notice and service
- Must prove you owe the debt in court
- If debt is too old, they’re unlikely to take legal action
Always check the laws in your state to understand the statute of limitations that applies to your debt. If you’re threatened with wage garnishment, contact The Wood Law Firm immediately to verify if they have legal authority.
What to Do If Viking Client Services Sues You
If Viking Client Services decides to sue you for a debt, understanding the process and your rights is crucial. Here’s what you should do:
Understand Your Rights Under the FDCPA
The FDCPA and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protect you from unfair practices. Viking Client Services cannot:
- Call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Use threatening, abusive, or profane language
- Fail to inform you of your right to dispute the debt
- Add unauthorized fees or interest
- Discuss your debt with third parties
If Viking Client Services has violated any of these rules, you can sue them in federal court and potentially receive up to $1,000 in damages plus attorney fees. The Wood Law Firm can guide you through this process.
Respond to the Lawsuit Immediately
Never ignore a lawsuit from Viking Client Services:
- Respond within the deadline (typically 20-30 days)
- File an answer with the court
- Assert any defenses you have (statute of limitations, debt validation, FDCPA violations)
- Consider counterclaiming for FDCPA violations
- Seek legal representation immediately
The Wood Law Firm can represent you in court and potentially turn the lawsuit into leverage for a counterclaim against Viking Client Services.
Understanding Fair Debt Collection Practices
Fair debt collection practices are guidelines that debt collectors must follow when attempting to collect debts. These practices are outlined in the FDCPA to protect consumers from abusive, harassing, and deceptive tactics.
Under the FDCPA, debt collectors must:
- Identify themselves and the debt they’re collecting
- Provide written notice of the debt, including amount and creditor name
- Respect your right to dispute the debt and request verification
- Avoid false or misleading statements about consequences
- Refrain from abusive or harassing language
- Not contact you at inconvenient times (before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.)
- Not disclose debt information to third parties without consent
By adhering to these practices, debt collectors operate within federal law while respecting consumer rights. If Viking Client Services has violated these guidelines, you have the right to take legal action.
Federal Lawsuits Against Viking Client Services
Over the years, many consumers have filed lawsuits against Viking Client Services for phone harassment and illegal debt collection practices. Notable cases include:
- Wagstaff v. Viking Client Services (1:16-cv-00526-JDL)
- Sieber v. Viking Client Services (2:15-cv-00159-LA)
- Garlicki v. Viking Client Services (0:12-cv-61259-KMW)
These cases highlight recurring issues with Viking Client Services and demonstrate the need for legal recourse when their actions violate federal law. If you’re experiencing similar harassment, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
About The Wood Law Firm
At The Wood Law Firm, our mission is to protect consumers from predatory practices and ensure fair treatment. We specialize in FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA cases. Since 2010, we’ve been helping consumers fight back against debt collection harassment, with a proven track record of stopping aggressive collectors.
Our team understands the FDCPA and how to use it to protect your rights. We’ve recovered millions for consumers facing illegal collection practices. Our personalized approach, extensive experience, and national reach make us uniquely equipped to handle your case.
The Wood Law Firm has strong Of Counsel relationships with attorneys in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.
About Attorney Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood is an accomplished attorney based in Arkansas with over 15 years of experience specializing in consumer protection. He focuses on FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA cases and has recovered millions for consumers facing illegal debt collection practices, including cases against Viking Client Services.
Success Stories From Real Clients
Excessive Calling Stopped With $9,800 Settlement
Susan T. from Minnesota received 12 to 15 calls daily from Viking Client Services for four weeks, including calls before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. After contacting The Wood Law Firm, we documented the violations and filed an FDCPA lawsuit. Viking Client Services settled for $9,800 plus debt forgiveness within 60 days. The collector paid all attorney fees, and Susan received the full settlement amount.
Third-Party Disclosure Violation Results in $10,200 Recovery
David L. from Wisconsin had Viking Client Services repeatedly call his workplace and discuss his debt with coworkers, causing significant embarrassment. The Wood Law Firm proved these third-party disclosures violated the FDCPA. Viking Client Services settled for $10,200, removed the debt from credit reports, and ceased all collection efforts. David received the full settlement as the collector paid our legal fees separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting calls from Viking Client Services?
You’re likely being contacted about a past-due debt. Viking Client Services is a third-party collection agency that purchases or collects debts on behalf of creditors. If their calls are excessive or harassing, they may be violating the FDCPA.
Is Viking Client Services a scam or a legitimate company?
Viking Client Services is a legitimate debt collection agency that’s been operating for over 46 years. However, they have 78 BBB complaints and face over 65 federal lawsuits citing harassment and FDCPA violations, indicating problematic practices.
What tactics does Viking Client Services use that may be illegal?
Illegal tactics may include excessive calls (more than 7 per debt in 7 days), threats without legal authority, abusive language, false claims, contacting third parties about your debt, and calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. All violate the FDCPA.
Can Viking Client Services garnish my wages or sue me?
Yes, but only if they obtain a court judgment first (except for federal student loans). They must prove the debt in court and follow state garnishment limits (typically 25% of disposable earnings). If the debt is beyond your state’s statute of limitations, they cannot sue.
How can I stop Viking Client Services phone harassment?
Document all calls with dates, times, and details. Send a cease and desist letter via certified mail. Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 for free legal help to stop harassment and potentially recover damages.
What laws protect me from Viking Client Services harassment?
The FDCPA protects you from threats, deception, abusive tactics, and excessive contact. The FCRA protects against inaccurate credit reporting. State laws may provide additional protections beyond federal law.
What are fair debt collection practices?
Fair practices include properly disclosing debt information, avoiding harassment, not making false statements, respecting time constraints (8 a.m. to 9 p.m. only), and not discussing debts with third parties without consent.
Can I sue Viking Client Services for harassment?
Yes. Under the FDCPA, you may recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages per violation, plus actual damages and attorney fees paid by the collector. You have one year from the violation to file a lawsuit.
What should I do if Viking Client Services sues me?
Don’t ignore the lawsuit. Respond within the deadline (typically 20-30 days), file an answer, assert defenses like statute of limitations or FDCPA violations, and seek legal representation immediately from The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122.
Does Viking Client Services report to credit bureaus?
Yes, Viking Client Services may report debts to credit bureaus, which can negatively impact your credit score. You have the right to dispute inaccurate information and can sue under the FCRA if they report false information.
Take Action Against Viking Client Services Harassment Today
Debt collection harassment can take a toll on your mental health, well-being, and relationships. But you can stop Viking Client Services’ harassment by knowing your rights under the FDCPA and working with an experienced law firm like The Wood Law Firm.
If Viking Client Services has violated your rights, contact us today at +1 844-638-1122 for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We can stop harassment immediately and hold collectors accountable. We handle cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
Don’t let Viking Client Services continue to violate your rights. Call now for the justice you deserve.
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