A call or letter from Coast Professional, Inc. about a student loan or tax debt can feel intimidating. The agency has 32 complaints on file with the Better Business Bureau in the past three years. Federal law still limits what a debt collector can say and how often they can call.
Key Takeaways
- Coast Professional, Inc. is a BBB-accredited, A+ rated collector based in Geneseo, NY, founded in 1976.
- The company has 32 BBB complaints in the past three years, with 3 closed in the last 12 months.
- Several federal class actions allege misleading or confusing collection letters.
- Coast Professional is not banned by the FTC and collects for the Department of Education and IRS.
- The FDCPA and FCRA govern how the agency may contact you and report your debt.
- The Wood Firm PLLC reviews potential violations on contingency, at no upfront cost.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is Coast Professional, Inc.
Coast Professional, Inc. is a third-party debt collection agency and business process outsourcing provider founded in 1976. The company is headquartered in Geneseo, New York, with offices in Louisiana, New York, and New Jersey. It specializes in collecting defaulted student loans and government debts.
The agency is BBB accredited with an A+ rating. Its BBB complaint history shows 32 complaints in the past three years. Only 3 of those closed in the last 12 months.
Accreditation does not waive your protections under the FDCPA or FCRA. Any collector, accredited or not, must follow federal law.
- Headquarters: Geneseo, New York
- Also Operates In: West Monroe, LA; East Aurora, NY; Voorhees, NJ
- Founded: 1976
- BBB Status: Accredited, A+ rating
- BBB Profile: Coast Professional, Inc. BBB listing
In our practice, we request the original account placement letter on every Coast Professional file. That document shows which government agency or school referred the account and for how much. A mismatch with later collection notices can be worth examining closely.
What Types of Debt Does Coast Professional, Inc. Collect
Coast Professional, Inc. primarily collects defaulted federal student loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. It also collects overdue tax debts under a contract with the IRS.
Government agencies and colleges make up most of its client base.
Because it works under federal contracts, the agency operates under additional oversight frameworks. That does not exempt it from the FDCPA when dealing directly with consumers. The same validation and dispute rights apply regardless of who referred the account.
Why Is Coast Professional, Inc. Calling You
Coast Professional, Inc. is calling you because a government agency or school referred your account for collection. That does not always mean the balance stated is accurate. Before you respond, ask for written validation of the debt.
Ask for the original creditor’s name, the loan or account number, and the exact balance claimed. A legitimate agency will provide this information without pressuring you first.
Has Coast Professional, Inc. Been Sued
Yes. Coast Professional, Inc. has faced multiple federal class actions alleging misleading or deceptive collection letters. These cases focus mainly on unclear interest disclosures in written notices sent to consumers.
- Graham v. Coast Professional, Inc., No. 5:18-cv-01980 (C.D. Cal. 2018): alleged a collection letter was deceptive for listing two separate interest charges without explanation.
- Harper v. Coast Professional, Inc., No. 3:18-cv-00439 (M.D. Tenn. 2018): alleged a notice misleadingly listed a $0.00 interest charge while warning the balance could still change daily.
- Oakley v. Coast Professional, Inc., No. 1:2021-cv-00021 (S.D.W. Va.): alleged a student loan collection letter violated West Virginia’s consumer credit law; the court granted summary judgment to Coast Professional in 2023.
- Coast Professional, Inc. v. United States, No. 15-5077 (Fed. Cir. 2016): a contract dispute over federal debt collection contract awards, not a consumer claim.
In our practice, we compare a client’s collection letter against the exact language challenged in these prior cases. A near-identical fee disclosure or interest listing can strengthen a new claim significantly. That comparison is often the fastest way to spot a violation.
Is Coast Professional, Inc. a Scam
Coast Professional, Inc. is a real, BBB-accredited collection agency that contracts with federal and state government agencies. Accreditation does not mean every letter or call is free of legal problems. Watch for these signs regardless of the company’s overall reputation:
- Collection letters listing multiple unexplained interest or fee charges
- Notices that contradict themselves about the balance owed
- Calls that continue after a written validation request
If your letter resembles the ones challenged in prior lawsuits, the FDCPA may still apply to your situation. Save the letter exactly as received.
Is Coast Professional, Inc. Banned by the FTC
No. Coast Professional, Inc. has not faced a public Federal Trade Commission enforcement action, based on available records. The absence of an FTC ban does not rule out other remedies.
In our practice, we still review a client’s full call and letter history. Pattern evidence can matter even when no FTC action exists.
Consumers can still pursue claims through the CFPB or their state attorney general’s office. A private FDCPA claim remains available regardless of the company’s BBB rating. Each path builds a separate record of the agency’s conduct.
What Happens If You Ignore Coast Professional, Inc.
Ignoring calls or letters does not make a valid federal debt disappear. If the balance is accurate and the dispute deadline passes, the agency may continue collection efforts.
Federal student loan debt can also be subject to tax refund offsets. Wage garnishment is possible too, sometimes without a court order.
Responding in writing preserves your rights even if you plan to dispute everything. A brief letter requesting validation starts the clock on the agency’s legal obligations. It also creates a paper trail if the collection activity continues anyway.
Can Coast Professional, Inc. Report Your Debt to Credit Bureaus
Yes, Coast Professional, Inc. can report unpaid accounts to the major credit bureaus. That reporting must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The agency may not use credit reporting as a threat to force payment.
If reporting looks inaccurate, you may have grounds for an FCRA dispute. A credit bureau dispute can run alongside any FDCPA claim you decide to pursue.
How Do You Dispute a Debt With Coast Professional, Inc.
You can dispute a debt with Coast Professional, Inc. by sending a written validation request within 30 days. Collection activity must pause until the agency verifies the debt. If calls continue after a written cease request, each call afterward may be a separate FDCPA violation.
In our practice, we date-stamp every validation request our clients send us. The FDCPA’s five-day and thirty-day deadlines often decide whether a case has merit. Missing that window can weaken an otherwise strong claim.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps Stop Coast Professional Debt Harassment
When we open a file, we review your letters, call log, and correspondence for FDCPA and FCRA violations. We compare your letter’s language against disclosures already challenged in prior class actions.
The Wood Firm PLLC represents consumers exclusively, and we handle these cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover on your behalf. To start a free case review, call +1-844-638-1122.
Ready to find out if Coast Professional, Inc. crossed a legal line? Call +1-844-638-1122 or visit our contact page for a free case review. The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coast Professional, Inc.
Who Is Coast Professional, Inc.
Coast Professional, Inc. is a third-party debt collection agency founded in 1976 and based in Geneseo, New York. It collects defaulted student loans and government debts.
Is Coast Professional, Inc. Accredited by the BBB
Yes, Coast Professional, Inc. is BBB accredited with an A+ rating. It has 32 complaints on file in the past three years.
Has Coast Professional, Inc. Been Sued
Yes, the company has faced several federal class actions over allegedly misleading collection letters. Most focus on confusing interest or fee disclosures.
Is Coast Professional, Inc. Banned by the FTC
No, it does not appear on the FTC’s list of banned debt collectors. That does not waive your rights under the FDCPA.
How Do I Stop Coast Professional, Inc. From Calling
Send a written cease communication request. The agency must legally stop contacting you except to notify you of legal action. Keep a copy of the letter and proof of mailing.
Can Coast Professional, Inc. Report My Debt to Credit Bureaus
Yes, it can report unpaid accounts to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax under the FCRA. That reporting must be accurate and cannot be used as a threat.
Also read: Coast Professional debt collection harassment.
What to Do Next If Coast Professional, Inc. Keeps Calling
Your next step is to save your collection letter exactly as received and request written validation. Compare its language to the disclosures challenged in prior lawsuits. The Wood Firm PLLC reviews these cases on contingency.
There is no upfront cost to learn if your rights were violated. If the pattern continues, call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review.
Jeff Wood represents consumers exclusively, never creditors or collectors. He holds federal court admissions across 9 districts, including all courts of AR, CO, NM, and TX. He practices from Little Rock, AR.
