Debt collection can be an overwhelming experience, especially when they bombard you with endless calls and demands for payment. If you’re dealing with Coast Professional debt collection harassment, a company known for its debt collection services, you don’t have to endure the stress alone.
This guide will explain your rights, offer practical advice for handling Coast Professional phone harassment, and help you protect yourself from any undue stress caused by CP collectors.
Who Is Coast Professional Inc?
Coast Professional Inc. is a comprehensive debt collection agency specializing in recovering unpaid federal and private student loans. With over 40 years in the industry, they work on behalf of creditors to collect outstanding balances.
Company Information:
- Location: West Monroe, Louisiana
- Established: 1976
- CEO: Bryan W. Brice
- Specialization: Federal and private student loans
However, their tactics often lead to numerous complaints, with consumers reporting excessive calls, intimidation, and even threats of violence. While they claim to operate within the law, many consumers feel their methods border on harassment.
Is Coast Professional a Scam?
Many consumers ask, “Is CP a scam?” The answer is no. Coast Professional is a legitimate debt collection agency authorized to recover federal and private student loans. The company has been in business since 1976 and is located in West Monroe, Louisiana.
However, legitimate agencies can still engage in unethical practices. Numerous CP reviews highlight aggressive collection tactics, leading to harassment allegations. Common complaints include:
- Persistent phone calls
- Misleading threats of legal action
- Refusal to validate debts upon request
These behaviors make it essential to know your rights and take action against unlawful practices. If you’re dealing with harassment from Coast Professional collectors, understanding your legal protections is crucial.
Federal Laws That Protect You from Harassment
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides essential protections against abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices by debt collectors. If you’re facing Coast Professional harassment, these rights safeguard you:
Demand Verification of the Debt
Coast Professional must verify the debt upon request, which is a legal requirement under the FDCPA. When you request a validation letter, the collector must provide critical details, such as:
- The original creditor’s name
- The amount owed, including a breakdown of interest, fees, and principal
- Documentation proving the debt is yours
- The taxpayer authentication number for verifying your identity
Collectors can only legally proceed with collection efforts with this validation. This step is especially critical if you suspect errors, identity theft, or outdated debts in their claims.
Control When They Contact You
Debt collectors, including Coast Professional, can only call you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. If these times are still inconvenient for you, you can specify preferred times for communication. For example, you can instruct them to call only during work hours or avoid contacting you on specific days.
By setting boundaries, you maintain control over your schedule and reduce unnecessary stress. Always communicate these preferences clearly and keep records of your requests if the agency violates them.
Stop All Communication
If you no longer wish to hear from Coast Professional, send a cease and desist letter. Upon receiving this formal request, the agency must cease all contact, except in two instances:
- Confirming they’ll no longer pursue the debt
- Notifying you of potential legal action
This legal right empowers you to eliminate harassing calls and regain peace of mind. Ensure your cease and desist letter is sent via certified mail and retain proof of receipt for your records.
Take Legal Action for Harassment
Debt collection harassment, such as CP threats, repeated calls, or abusive language, violates the FDCPA. If these behaviors persist, you can sue the agency. Successful cases can result in:
- Up to $1,000 in statutory damages per violation
- Reimbursement for attorney fees and court costs
Document all interactions with Coast Professional, including call logs, voicemails, and written correspondence. These records strengthen your case if you pursue legal action.
Also read: Professional Accounts Services, Debt Collection Harassment
Handling Phone Calls from Coast Professional
Coast Professional phone harassment can feel overwhelming, but you can handle these interactions strategically. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you stay in control:
1. Stay calm: When you receive a call, remain calm and composed. Emotional reactions can hinder effective communication. If you’re unprepared to talk, politely ask the caller to reach out later.
2. Listen carefully: Pay close attention to what the debt collector says. Gather crucial details about the debt, such as the creditor’s name, the amount owed, and when the debt originated.
3. Avoid sharing personal information: Debt collectors may try to extract sensitive information, such as your income, bank account details, or Social Security number. Only share what is legally required.
4. Request debt validation: If you’re uncertain about the debt’s legitimacy, request a validation letter from them. This letter proves the debt and includes details about the original creditor and the amount owed.
5. Send a cease and desist letter: If phone harassment persists despite your requests, draft a cease and desist letter. Sending this formal request will stop all further communication.
6. Seek legal help: If harassment or threats continue, consumer protection attorneys can provide guidance and explore potential legal action.
Understanding Credit Report Impact
Dealing with Coast Professional can have significant implications for your credit report. As a debt collection agency, they have the authority to report your debt to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This action can negatively impact your credit score, making it more challenging to obtain credit in the future.
However, Coast Professional must adhere to fair debt collection practices. Before they report your debt to the credit bureaus, they are required to provide you with a debt validation letter. This letter will outline the specifics of the debt, including the amount owed, the name of the creditor, and any relevant documentation.
If Coast Professional contacts you, it’s crucial to respond promptly and request this debt validation letter. This step allows you to verify the debt and ensure its accuracy. If there are any discrepancies or if the debt is not yours, you can dispute it before it affects your credit report.
In some cases, they may agree to remove the debt from your credit report if you pay the debt in full or set up a payment plan. However, this is not always guaranteed, and you should negotiate this explicitly with the debt collector.
To protect your credit report:
- Respond promptly to Coast Professional’s communications
- Request a debt validation letter to verify the debt
- Ensure the debt is accurate and dispute any errors
- Negotiate a payment plan or settlement, if possible
- Monitor your credit report regularly for any errors or inaccuracies
By understanding the credit report implications, you can take proactive steps to protect your credit score and financial well-being.
Also read: Advantage Collection Professionals, Debt Collection Harassment
Filing Complaints Against Coast Professional
If you’ve experienced harassment, you can file a complaint through several channels to hold them accountable:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The CFPB allows you to file complaints about unethical debt collection practices. Visit their website to submit a detailed account of your interactions with Coast Professional.
Better Business Bureau
The BBB records consumer complaints and helps mediate disputes with businesses. Filing a complaint here contributes to public records about complaints and may prompt the agency to address your concerns.
Legal Representation
For legal assistance, consumer protection attorneys can help you navigate your rights, file lawsuits, and potentially recover damages from Coast Professional.
Understanding your rights is the first step to combating harassment. Federal laws like the FDCPA protect you from abusive practices, while resources empower you to hold collectors accountable. Whether you need to stop calls, validate a debt, or seek legal recourse, taking proactive steps can alleviate stress and safeguard your rights as a consumer.
Protecting Yourself from Future Harassment
Preventing Coast Professional phone harassment requires proactive steps to safeguard your rights and maintain control over your interactions with debt collectors.
Document Every Interaction
Keeping thorough records is critical when dealing with debt collectors. Documentation provides evidence to support your case if harassment occurs or legal action becomes necessary:
- Record call details: Note each call’s date, time, and duration. Include the name of the caller and any relevant information discussed.
- Save correspondence: Keep copies of all letters, emails, and text messages you receive from the debt collector.
- Log harassment instances: If you experience abusive language, repeated calls, or other violations, document the details immediately.
- Maintain written communication: Whenever possible, communicate in writing so that you have a paper trail.
Proper documentation helps you build a solid case to file a complaint or seek legal action.
Learn Your Rights
Understanding your rights under the FDCPA and TCPA is essential. These laws set clear boundaries for debt collectors:
FDCPA Protections:
- Debt collectors cannot use abusive, deceptive, or unfair tactics
- You have the right to request debt validation before making payments
- Collectors must honor your request to cease communication
TCPA Protections:
- Debt collectors cannot use auto-dialers or prerecorded messages without your consent
- The TCPA prohibits unwanted calls to your cell phone under certain circumstances
- You can take legal action for violations, with fines ranging from $500 to $1,500 per call
By familiarizing yourself with these protections, you can confidently identify and challenge illegal practices.
Consult Legal Experts
If harassment persists, seeking professional help is wise. A legal expert can guide you to protect your rights and pursue compensation:
- Get personalized advice: Every case is unique. An attorney can assess your situation and recommend the best action.
- Draft legal documents: A lawyer can help you write a cease and desist letter or a formal complaint to regulatory agencies.
- Pursue legal action: If the harassment includes FDCPA or TCPA violations, legal experts can help you file a lawsuit to recover damages.
Also read: Professional Adjustment Corp Phone Harassment
Additional Protection Strategies
- Verify the debt’s legitimacy: Before taking action, confirm that the debt is valid and within the statute of limitations. Request a validation letter from Coast Professional to ensure they have the legal right to collect.
- Avoid sharing personal information: Debt collectors may try to extract sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank account details. Share what is necessary and avoid discussing your financial situation.
- Stay calm and assertive: Harassment can be distressing, but staying calm and assertive helps you take control of the conversation. Politely but firmly assert your rights.
- Set communication boundaries: Inform collectors of your preferred communication methods and times. If they violate these boundaries, document the incidents for potential legal action.
How Our Firm Helps Stop Coast Professional Harassment
At The Wood Law Firm, we’ve dedicated over a decade to protecting consumers from aggressive debt collection tactics like those employed by Coast Professional. Our team understands the emotional and financial toll that relentless phone calls and threats can take on individuals and families.
We take a personalized approach to every case. When you reach out to us, we don’t just see another file number; we see a person who deserves dignity, respect, and strong legal advocacy. Our attorneys will:
- Evaluate your situation at no cost: We offer free consultations to understand the specifics of your case and determine if Coast Professional has violated your rights.
- Handle all collector communication: Once you retain us, Coast Professional must communicate through our office, giving you immediate relief from harassing calls.
- Build a strong case: We meticulously document violations, gather evidence, and prepare compelling legal arguments to hold collectors accountable.
- Fight for maximum compensation: If Coast Professional violated the FDCPA or TCPA, we pursue the full extent of damages you’re entitled to, including statutory damages and attorney fees.
What sets us apart is our commitment to consumer protection and our extensive network. The Wood Law Firm has cultivated strong Of Counsel relationships with attorneys licensed in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. This means we can help you regardless of where you live.
You pay nothing unless we win your case. The debt collector is responsible for attorney fees when violations are proven, making justice accessible to everyone.
Meet Our Lead Consumer Protection Attorney
Jeff Wood founded The Wood Law Firm with a clear mission: to level the playing field between ordinary consumers and powerful collection agencies. Licensed to practice law in Arkansas, Jeff brings over 15 years of specialized experience in consumer protection law.
His practice focuses exclusively on three critical areas: the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This focused expertise means that when you work with Jeff, you’re working with an attorney who lives and breathes consumer protection law.
Jeff’s approach combines aggressive legal advocacy with genuine empathy for his clients. He understands that behind every case is a real person dealing with real stress, and he works tirelessly to achieve outcomes that not only compensate his clients but also send a clear message to collection agencies that violations won’t be tolerated.
Throughout his career, Jeff has successfully represented hundreds of clients against debt collectors, securing significant damages and, more importantly, providing clients with the peace of mind they deserve.
Success Stories from Our Clients
Rachel’s Relief from Student Loan Harassment: Rachel, a recent college graduate, received 15+ calls daily from Coast Professional about student loans she was already making payments on. The harassment became so severe that it affected her job performance. The Wood Law Firm documented the violations, filed suit, and secured $3,400 in damages for Rachel while stopping all future contact.
Thomas Protects His Credit: Coast Professional reported inaccurate debt information on Thomas’s credit report, lowering his score by 80 points and preventing him from refinancing his mortgage. The Wood Law Firm proved the violations, resulting in $2,900 in damages, the complete removal of the incorrect information, and the restoration of his credit score.
Maria Stops Workplace Calls: Coast Professional repeatedly called Maria at her hospital job despite multiple requests to stop. The Wood Law Firm intervened within 48 hours, stopped all workplace contact, and secured $2,600 in statutory damages for the FDCPA violations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coast Professional
1. What is Coast Professional?
Coast Professional is a debt collection agency that has been collecting federal and private student loans since 1976, based in West Monroe, Louisiana.
2. Why is Coast Professional calling me?
They are likely contacting you about unpaid student loans or other debts. You are protected under the FDCPA from unfair practices and can request debt validation.
3. Is Coast Professional debt collection a scam?
No, Coast Professional is a real debt collection company, but many people report aggressive or harassing practices that may violate federal law.
4. Can I stop Coast Professional from calling me?
Yes, by sending a written cease and desist letter via certified mail, you can legally stop most communications except for notifications about legal action.
5. What rights protect me from Coast Professional harassment?
The FDCPA and TCPA prevent debt collectors from harassing, threatening, or repeatedly calling you. Consumer protection attorneys can help enforce these rights at +1-844-638-1122.
6. How can I validate a debt from Coast Professional?
Ask them to send a debt validation letter showing the creditor, the amount owed, and proof that the debt belongs to you. They must provide this within five days of first contact.
7. Can Coast Professional affect my credit report?
Yes, they can report debts to credit bureaus, but only after properly validating the debt. You can dispute inaccurate information with help from consumer rights attorneys.
8. How do I file a complaint against Coast Professional?
You can report them to the CFPB, the BBB, or contact The Wood Law Firm for legal assistance at +1-844-638-1122.
9. Can I sue Coast Professional for harassment?
Yes. If they break FDCPA rules, you may sue and recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees and actual damages.
If you’re facing harassment from Coast Professional, don’t wait. Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1-844-638-1122 today for a free case review. Take action now to stop the calls and hold them accountable.
Readers in New York can also reach out to the New York State Attorney General for assistance.
