How to Stop Gatestone & Company Debt Collection Harassment
Stop Gatestone & Company debt collection harassment by documenting violations, sending a cease-and-desist letter, and contacting The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122. You may recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) with no upfront costs.
Who Is Gatestone & Company
Gatestone & Company is a third-party debt collection agency based in Phoenix, Arizona, operating for over 15 years. You may be wondering, is Gatestone & Company a scam? The answer is no—Gatestone & Company is a legitimate business.
However, the Better Business Bureau indicates the company is not accredited and has received numerous consumer complaints regarding aggressive collection tactics. Many consumers report questionable practices that may violate federal debt collection laws.
Company Information:
- Address: 455 N 3rd St Ste 260, Phoenix, AZ 85004-3937
- Phone Numbers: 800-900-4238, 602-443-2920, 877-719-7015, 877-897-7006
If these numbers appear on your caller ID, keep detailed records of all calls. The Wood Law Firm can help you address Gatestone & Company phone harassment.
What Is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and How It Protects You from Gatestone & Company
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects consumers from abusive, unfair, and deceptive debt collection practices used by agencies like Gatestone & Company. When Gatestone & Company contacts you, they must follow strict FDCPA rules.
This law establishes specific restrictions on when, where, and how Gatestone & Company can communicate with you. Violations of these rules can result in statutory damages up to $1,000, plus actual damages and attorney fees.
FDCPA Rules Gatestone & Company Must Follow:
- Contact Restrictions: Gatestone & Company cannot call you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
- Workplace Contact: Gatestone & Company must stop calling your workplace if you inform them that calls are not allowed
- Prohibition of Abusive Language: Gatestone & Company cannot use profane, threatening, or harassing language when contacting you
- Written Notice Requirement: Gatestone & Company must provide written validation of the debt within five days of first contact
- False Statements: Gatestone & Company cannot misrepresent the debt amount, interest, fees, or threaten actions they don’t intend to take
Common Gatestone & Company Violations
Common Gatestone & Company violations include excessive calls throughout the day, threats of wage garnishment or lawsuits, discussing your debt with third parties, and contacting your workplace despite requests to stop. Here are specific behaviors consumers frequently report:
- Excessive Calling: Repeated calls at inconvenient times with the intent to harass violate FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692d.
- Threats and Intimidation: Claims of immediate wage garnishment, lawsuits, or credit damage without legal authority violate FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692e.
- Sharing Debt Information: Discussing your debt with family members, friends, or employers violates FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692b.
- Workplace Contact After Notice: Calling your job after being informed that such calls are prohibited violates FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692c.
- Abusive Language: Using profane or harassing language violates FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692d.
- False Statements: Misrepresenting the amount owed or consequences of nonpayment violates FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692e.
These complaints highlight significant patterns of debt collector misconduct experienced by consumers.
How to Stop Gatestone & Company Calls
Stop Gatestone & Company calls by sending a written cease-and-desist letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. Under FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692c, debt collectors must stop all communication after receiving your written request, except to confirm cessation or notify you of specific legal actions they intend to take.
Steps to stop the calls:
- Draft a clear statement requesting that all contact cease
- Include your name, address, and account number if known
- Send via certified mail with return receipt requested
- Keep copies of the letter and the certified mail receipt
- Document any contact that occurs after delivery
Contact that continues after the collector receives your cease-and-desist letter may violate federal law, giving you grounds for legal action. Call The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 for assistance.
When You Can Sue Gatestone & Company for Harassment
You can sue Gatestone & Company for harassment when they engage in prohibited behavior such as calling outside legal hours, using abusive language, threatening illegal actions, contacting your workplace after notification, or continuing contact after receiving a cease-and-desist letter.
The FDCPA allows you to recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. You have one year from the date of the violation to file a lawsuit.
What to Do If You Are Harassed by Gatestone & Company
Take immediate action to protect yourself if Gatestone & Company collectors are harassing you. Follow these steps to document violations and build your case:
- Document Every Interaction: Keep detailed records of every call including date, time, caller name, and conversation content. Note any inappropriate or threatening language used.
- Do Not Admit Liability: Avoid confirming or denying the debt over the phone. Request written verification of the debt as required by law.
- Understand Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with FDCPA protections against harassment, false statements, and abusive practices.
- Request Written Validation: Send a written request within 30 days demanding validation of the debt, including the amount owed, original creditor name, and account number.
- Reach Out for Legal Help: Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 to stop the harassment and hold collectors accountable.
We’ve also helped clients stop similar harassment from Qualia Collection Services using these strategies.
Can Gatestone & Company Sue You
Gatestone & Company can sue you for unpaid debts if the debt is within your state’s statute of limitations. They may garnish your wages or seize assets if they win a court judgment. However, the FDCPA prohibits them from threatening lawsuits they don’t genuinely intend to file.
Wage Garnishment: If the court grants a judgment against you, collectors can garnish wages. Federal limits restrict garnishment to 25% of disposable income or the amount by which weekly income exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less.
Credit Reporting: Debt collectors can report unpaid debts to credit bureaus, potentially damaging your credit score for up to seven years.
If you’re facing threats of lawsuits or wage garnishment, The Wood Law Firm can help protect your rights. We’ve successfully defended clients against tactics used by Advantage Financial Services and similar agencies.
How to Verify a Debt with Gatestone & Company
Verify any debt with Gatestone & Company before making payments to ensure accuracy and legitimacy. Follow these steps to protect yourself from paying incorrect or fraudulent debts:
- Request Written Validation: Send a letter to Gatestone & Company within 30 days requesting written validation, including the debt amount, original creditor name, and account number.
- Review the Validation: Carefully examine the validation to ensure it includes all required information and matches your records.
- Dispute Inaccuracies: If the validation is inaccurate or incomplete, dispute the debt with Gatestone & Company in writing. Provide supporting documentation such as payment receipts or account statements.
- Seek Legal Assistance: If you’re unsure about verification or disputing a debt, contact a consumer law attorney who can guide you through the process and protect your rights.
Verifying a debt is crucial to protecting yourself from paying debts that aren’t yours or are inaccurately represented.
Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects consumers regarding credit reports and credit scores. This federal law grants you important rights to maintain accurate credit information:
- Free Credit Reports: You can obtain a free credit report from each major credit bureau (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) once per year through AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Dispute Inaccuracies: You have the right to dispute incorrect information on your credit report. Credit bureaus must investigate and correct or remove errors within 30 days.
- Legal Recourse: You can sue credit reporting agencies and debt collectors for FCRA violations, potentially recovering actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney fees.
If Gatestone & Company reported inaccurate information on your credit report, you can dispute it and seek legal remedies if necessary.
How to Remove Gatestone & Company from Your Credit Report
Remove Gatestone & Company from your credit report by disputing inaccurate information with both the collector and credit bureaus. Follow these steps to clean up your credit report:
- File a Dispute: Submit disputes to both Gatestone & Company and the credit reporting agencies. Clearly identify the inaccuracies and provide supporting documentation.
- Provide Documentation: Include proof of payment, settlement agreements, or letters from the original creditor confirming the debt is resolved.
- Wait for Investigation: Credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate your dispute. They must correct or delete information found to be inaccurate.
- Monitor Your Credit Report: Regularly check your credit report to ensure inaccurate information has been removed and no new errors appear.
If Gatestone & Company violated the FCRA, you may be entitled to damages and attorney fees.
Know the Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
The statute of limitations on debt collection varies by state, typically ranging from three to six years. Once the statute expires, debt collectors cannot sue you for the debt, though they may still attempt collection.
Be cautious about acknowledging old debts, as this may restart the statute of limitations clock. Always verify the debt’s age before making any agreements or payments.
How The Wood Law Firm Helps Stop Gatestone & Company Harassment
The Wood Law Firm has specialized in FDCPA violations since 2010, helping clients stop Gatestone & Company harassment and recover damages under federal law. We maintain an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and handle all cases without upfront costs.
Our approach focuses on immediate intervention to stop harassment, thorough investigation of violations, aggressive pursuit of compensation, and protection of your rights throughout the legal process.
We have successfully stopped harassment from debt collection agencies using tactics similar to those reported against Gatestone & Company. When collectors violate federal law, we hold them accountable while ensuring you never pay legal fees out of pocket.
Attorney Jeff Wood Leads Consumer Protection Practice
Attorney Jeff Wood leads our consumer protection practice with extensive FDCPA and FCRA litigation experience. He has handled hundreds of debt harassment cases, establishing a track record of stopping illegal collection practices and securing compensation for victims. Jeff’s practice focuses exclusively on protecting consumers from debt collector violations, ensuring personalized attention and aggressive representation in every case.
Client Success Stories
“The harassing calls from debt collectors stopped within days. I received compensation for the harassment and never paid a dime in legal fees. The firm’s knowledge of consumer protection law made the process straightforward.”
“I was overwhelmed by constant calls until this firm intervened. They handled everything professionally, stopped the harassment, and secured damages on my behalf. I’m grateful for their support throughout the process.”
“This firm helped me avoid paying a debt that wasn’t mine. They explained my rights clearly, took immediate action, and protected me from further harassment. I highly recommend their services to anyone dealing with collection agencies.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Gatestone & Company
1. Is Gatestone & Company a legitimate debt collector or a scam?
Gatestone & Company is a legitimate debt collection agency operating for over 15 years. However, numerous consumers have reported aggressive and questionable collection tactics that may violate the FDCPA.
2. What should I do if Gatestone & Company calls me repeatedly?
Document every call with date, time, and content. Avoid admitting liability over the phone. Request written debt validation and contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 for legal assistance.
3. Can Gatestone & Company legally call my workplace?
No, debt collectors cannot contact your workplace if your employer prohibits personal calls or if you request in writing that they stop calling your job.
4. What rights do I have under the FDCPA?
The FDCPA protects you from harassment, threats, abusive language, and false statements. Debt collectors must follow strict rules regarding contact times, methods, and disclosure of debt information.
5. Can I stop Gatestone & Company from contacting me?
Yes, send a written cease-and-desist letter via certified mail. After receiving it, they may only contact you to confirm cessation or notify you of specific legal actions.
6. Can I sue Gatestone & Company for debt collection harassment?
Yes, you can sue for FDCPA violations and potentially recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus actual damages and attorney fees.
7. How can I verify a debt from Gatestone & Company?
Send a written request for validation within 30 days. The validation must include the debt amount, original creditor name, and account number. Review carefully before agreeing to pay.
8. Can I remove Gatestone & Company from my credit report?
Yes, dispute inaccurate information with credit bureaus and provide supporting documentation. Bureaus must investigate and remove errors within 30 days.
9. Can Gatestone & Company sue or garnish wages?
They can sue if the debt is within the statute of limitations. Wage garnishment requires a court judgment. They cannot threaten legal action unless they genuinely intend to file.
10. Will paying Gatestone & Company remove the debt from my credit report?
Not automatically. Paying changes the status to “paid collection” but doesn’t guarantee removal unless you negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement in writing before paying.
11. How long can Gatestone & Company collect on a debt?
The statute of limitations varies by state, typically three to six years. After expiration, they cannot sue but may still attempt collection.
12. Can Gatestone & Company report a debt that isn’t mine?
No, reporting fraudulent or inaccurate debt violates the FCRA. You can dispute it with credit bureaus and take legal action for false reporting.
13. Should I negotiate a settlement with Gatestone & Company?
If the debt is valid and within the statute of limitations, you may negotiate. Always get settlement terms in writing before paying and avoid providing direct bank access.
14. How do I file a complaint against Gatestone & Company?
File complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov, your state attorney general’s office, or the Federal Trade Commission.
15. What evidence should I keep if harassed by Gatestone & Company?
Keep call logs, voicemails, text messages, letters, notes on conversation content, and witness statements. Documentation strengthens your case for legal action.
If you’re experiencing harassment from other collection agencies, these resources can help you understand your rights and stop the abuse:
Account Services Phone Harassment
CashNetUSA Debt Collection Harassment
Debt Collector Contact Restrictions
For additional information about your rights, visit the Arizona Attorney General’s Consumer Protection.
