If you believe Midwest Service Bureau is calling you excessively, threatening legal action, or contacting you at inappropriate times, you may be experiencing violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Federal law protects you from abusive collection tactics, and if you think MSB has crossed legal boundaries, you may be entitled to statutory damages up to $1,000 plus attorney fees.
Debt collection harassment can damage your credit reports and cause significant stress. You don’t have to face these calls alone. The Wood Law Firm specializes in holding collectors accountable and stopping illegal harassment under federal consumer protection laws.
What Is Midwest Service Bureau
Midwest Service Bureau (MSB) is a debt collection company operating since 1970, specializing in medical debt collection across Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. While MSB is a legitimate collection agency (not a scam), the Better Business Bureau reports 13 resolved complaints in the past three years, many involving potential FDCPA violations.
MSB Contact Information:
- Address: 625 W Maple St, Wichita, KS 67213-4618
- Phone: (316) 263-1051
MSB operates under the FDCPA and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which means they must follow strict federal regulations. If you believe they’ve violated these rules, you may have legal recourse.
Recognizing FDCPA Violations by MSB
MSB collectors may violate federal law in several ways. If you think you’ve experienced any of these behaviors, you could be a victim of illegal harassment:
Calling Outside Legal Hours The FDCPA prohibits calls before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. your local time. If MSB contacts you during these restricted hours, this may constitute harassment regardless of your time zone.
Excessive Call Frequency: Repeated calls designed to harass or annoy you violate federal law. If you believe MSB is calling multiple times daily without leaving messages or calling immediately after you’ve asked them to stop, this could indicate illegal conduct.
Threatening False Legal Action. If you think MSB collectors are threatening arrest, jail time, or lawsuits they cannot legally pursue, they may be violating the FDCPA. Collectors cannot make threats they have no authority to carry out.
Discussing Your Debt with Third Parties MSB may only discuss your debt with you, your spouse, or your attorney. If you believe they’ve told family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers about your debt, this could be a serious violation, causing embarrassment and distress.
Contacting Your Workplace. If MSB calls your job after you’ve informed them your employer prohibits such calls, they may be violating your rights. Even one call to your workplace without permission could potentially violate federal law if it jeopardizes your employment.
Using Abusive or Obscene Language Debt collectors must communicate professionally. If you believe MSB representatives have cursed, used racial slurs, or made sexually explicit comments, this may violate federal harassment protections.
Failing to Provide Debt Validation, MSB must send you a written validation notice within five days of first contacting you. This notice should include the debt amount, the creditor’s name, and your right to dispute. If you think they haven’t provided this information, they may be violating your consumer rights.
Adding Unauthorized Fees. If you believe MSB is attempting to collect interest, fees, or charges not authorized by your original agreement or state law, they could be engaging in unlawful collection practices that inflate your debt illegally.
Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA
The FDCPA requires debt collectors to follow specific rules. You have the right to:
- Request debt validation within 30 days of first contact, requiring MSB to prove you owe the debt
- Demand they stop calling by sending a written cease communication request
- Dispute the debt if you believe it’s inaccurate, not yours, or already paid
- Sue for violations and potentially recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages, attorney fees, and costs
- Report violations to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and your state attorney general
Understanding these rights gives you power against aggressive collectors. The Wood Law Firm can help you exercise these rights and hold MSB accountable if you believe they’ve violated federal law.
How to Stop MSB Harassment Calls
If you think MSB is harassing you, take these immediate steps:
Send a Cease Communication Letter. Mail a written request demanding that MSB stop contacting you. Under the FDCPA, they must comply except to confirm they’re stopping contact or notify you of specific legal actions. Send this letter via certified mail with a return receipt.
Request Debt Validation Within 30 days of MSB’s first contact, send a debt validation request. They must stop collection efforts until they provide proof you owe the debt, including documentation showing the original creditor and debt amount.
Document Every Interaction: Keep detailed records of all MSB contacts, including dates, times, caller names, phone numbers, and what was said. If you believe violations occurred, these records become critical evidence. Consider recording calls if your state law permits one-party consent.
File Official Complaints Report potential violations to the CFPB, FTC, and your state attorney general. While these agencies may not take direct action on your behalf, complaints create an official record and can trigger investigations.
Contact a Consumer Rights Attorney If you believe MSB has violated the FDCPA, contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122. Our attorneys can evaluate your case, stop the harassment, and potentially help you recover damages for violations at no upfront cost to you.
Removing MSB from Your Credit Report
If MSB appears on your credit report, you have several options that could help your credit score:
Dispute Inaccurate Information. If you believe the debt is inaccurate, not yours, or already paid, file disputes with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Provide supporting documentation, and the bureaus must investigate within 30 days. MSB must verify the debt or remove it.
Request Debt Validation Challenge MSB to prove the debt’s validity. If they cannot provide adequate documentation, they may be required to stop collection efforts and remove the tradeline from your credit report.
Negotiate Pay-for-Delete. Some collectors agree to remove negative marks in exchange for payment, though this isn’t guaranteed. Get any agreement in writing before sending money, and consider working with The Wood Law Firm to negotiate terms that protect your interests.
Wait for the Reporting Timeframe to Expire. Most negative items must be removed after seven years from the date of first delinquency. Medical debts under $500 may not be reported as of recent FCRA amendments.
Working with a credit repair company or consumer rights attorney can help navigate this process and ensure your rights are protected throughout.
Filing Complaints Against MSB
If you believe MSB has violated your rights, file complaints with these agencies:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Visit the CFPB website and complete their online complaint form. Provide specific details about the harassment, including dates, times, and what MSB representatives said. The CFPB investigates potential violations and may take enforcement action.
Federal Trade Commission: The FTC accepts complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices. While they may not resolve individual disputes, your complaint helps identify patterns of violations that could trigger investigations.
State Attorney General: Your state’s attorney general’s office enforces consumer protection laws at the state level. Kansas residents can file complaints at the Kansas Attorney General’s website.
Better Business Bureau: While not a government agency, BBB complaints become part of MSB’s public record and may pressure them to resolve disputes to maintain their rating.
These complaints create an official record if you decide to pursue legal action later. The Wood Law Firm can help you file complaints and determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Legal Actions Consumers Have Taken Against MSB
MSB has faced multiple federal lawsuits alleging FDCPA violations:
- Haskins v. Midwest Service Bureau, Inc. (2:12-cv-02155-CM-KMH)
- Johnson v. Midwest Service Bureau, Inc. (2:10-cv-02633-CM-GLR)
- Aponte v. Midwest Service Bureau (3:90-cv-00665-WWE)
These cases potentially demonstrate that collectors can be held accountable in court. If you believe MSB has violated your rights, you may have similar grounds to file a lawsuit seeking statutory damages, actual damages, and attorney fees.
How The Wood Law Firm Stops Debt Collector Harassment
If you believe Midwest Service Bureau has violated your rights, The Wood Law Firm provides experienced legal representation at no upfront cost. Our consumer protection attorneys have successfully stopped harassment and recovered damages for clients dealing with aggressive collectors since 2010.
We handle cases involving potential FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA violations. Our approach includes:
- Immediate intervention to stop harassing calls and communications
- Thorough investigation of your case to identify all potential violations
- Aggressive negotiation with collectors to protect your rights
- Litigation is necessary to hold collectors accountable and recover damages
You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. We work on contingency, meaning our fees come from any settlement or judgment we secure, not from your pocket.
Call +1-844-638-1122 for a complimentary case evaluation. Let us help you reclaim your peace and potentially recover damages for the harassment you’ve endured.
Meet Your Consumer Rights Attorney
Jeff Wood leads our consumer protection practice with over 15 years of experience holding debt collectors accountable. Licensed to practice in Arkansas and maintaining Of Counsel relationships with attorneys in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia, Mr. Wood has built a national practice defending consumer rights.
His focus on FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA cases means he understands exactly how collectors like MSB operate and where they cross legal lines. When you work with Jeff Wood and The Wood Law Firm, you gain an advocate who has successfully challenged collection agencies and secured justice for countless clients.
If you think you’re experiencing harassment, don’t face it alone. Contact our team at +1 844-638-1122 to discuss your situation and learn how we can help.
Client Success Stories
“MSB called me 8-10 times daily at work even after I asked them to stop. The Wood Law Firm got them to cease contact within days and recovered $1,000 in statutory damages for the violations.”
“I didn’t owe the debt MSB was collecting, but they wouldn’t listen. The Wood Law Firm forced them to validate it, and when they couldn’t, the entire tradeline disappeared from my credit report.”
“The harassment from MSB was destroying my peace of mind. The Wood Law Firm not only stopped the calls but held them accountable with a settlement that compensated me for their illegal tactics.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Midwest Service Bureau
Can Midwest Service Bureau Sue Me
MSB can only sue if the debt falls within your state’s statute of limitations, typically 3-6 years depending on location and debt type. If they threaten a lawsuit on time-barred debt, this may violate the FDCPA. Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 to verify if your debt is legally collectible.
How Do I Verify MSB Debt Is Legitimate
Request debt validation within 30 days of MSB’s first contact. They must provide the debt amount, original creditor name, and proof you owe the money. If they cannot verify these details, they must stop collection efforts and cannot report the debt to credit bureaus.
What Should I Do If MSB Calls My Workplace
Inform MSB representatives that your employer prohibits personal calls. If they call again after this notice, they may be violating the FDCPA. Document the call and contact a consumer rights attorney to discuss potential legal action.
Can MSB Report My Debt to Credit Bureaus
Yes, collectors can report valid debts to credit agencies, potentially affecting your credit score. However, if you believe the debt is inaccurate or MSB hasn’t followed proper validation procedures, you can dispute the tradeline with credit bureaus and demand they investigate.
How Can I Stop MSB from Calling Me
Send a written cease communication request via certified mail. MSB must stop contacting you except to confirm they’re ceasing contact or notify you of specific legal actions like filing a lawsuit. Keep copies of your letter and the certified mail receipt.
Can Debt Collectors Arrest Me for Unpaid Debt
No, MSB cannot arrest you or threaten arrest for unpaid consumer debt. If you believe they’ve made such threats, this may constitute a serious FDCPA violation. While ignoring a court summons could lead to a judgment against you, collectors themselves have no arrest authority.
What If MSB Is Collecting Someone Else’s Debt
If you believe MSB is attempting to collect a debt that isn’t yours, dispute it immediately in writing and request validation. They must stop collection efforts until they verify the debt belongs to you. If they continue pursuing the wrong person, you may have grounds for legal action.
Does MSB Accept Payment Plans
MSB may negotiate payment arrangements, but get any agreement in writing before making payments. Confirm the payment amount, schedule, and whether they’ll remove the tradeline from your credit report upon completion. The Wood Law Firm can help negotiate favorable terms.
Take Action Against Midwest Service Bureau Today
If you believe MSB is violating your rights through excessive calls, threats, workplace contact, or any other potentially illegal tactic, you have the power to stop them. Federal law protects you, and The Wood Law Firm can help you exercise those protections.
Don’t let debt collector harassment continue another day. Call +1-844-638-1122 now for a complimentary consultation. Our consumer rights attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you determine the best path forward.
You may be entitled to compensation for violations, and we’ll fight to hold MSB accountable at no upfront cost to you.
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