Three calls before lunch. Five more by dinner. Your phone buzzes again at 8:47 PM—it’s The Bureaus Inc. Again. You’re exhausted, stressed, and wondering if this will ever end. The good news? It can end, and federal law is on your side.
Call The Wood Law LLC at +1 844-638-1122 for immediate help. Their team specializes in stopping The Bureaus Inc debt collection harassment and holding collectors accountable.
Who Is The Bureaus Inc and Why Won’t They Stop Calling?
The Bureaus Inc is a collection agency based in Minnesota that buys old debts or gets hired to collect them. Here’s what makes them different from your original creditor: they often pay just pennies on the dollar for these debts, which means almost every payment they collect is profit.
This profit motive can lead to what many consumers describe as relentless contact. When The Bureaus Inc purchased or was assigned your account, they may have received:
- Incomplete account information
- Inaccurate balance details
- Outdated contact information
- No proof you actually owe the debt
Yet they call anyway. Sometimes multiple times per day. This is where The Bureaus Inc debt collection harassment becomes a serious problem—and where your legal rights come into play.
Is What The Bureaus Inc Doing Actually Illegal?
If you believe you’re harassed by The Bureaus Inc, you might be experiencing violations of federal law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets clear rules, and breaking them can cost collectors thousands of dollars per violation.
Red flags that suggest potential violations:
Calling you before 8 AM or after 9 PM? That may violate the FDCPA’s strict timing rules. There are no exceptions—even if they claim they’re in a different time zone or didn’t realize the time.
Calling your job after you told them not to? Once you inform The Bureaus Inc that your workplace doesn’t allow personal calls, they must stop. Continuing to call may be harassment.
Using threats or aggressive language? Debt collectors cannot curse at you, threaten you with arrest, or claim they’ll garnish your wages without a court order. These scare tactics may violate federal law.
Calling 10, 15, or 20 times per day? While the FDCPA doesn’t set a specific number, excessive calling with intent to annoy or harass is prohibited. Courts have ruled that calling patterns like this may constitute harassment.
Telling your family, friends, or coworkers about your debt? With very limited exceptions, The Bureaus Inc cannot discuss your financial situation with third parties. Doing so may violate your privacy rights.
If you’re experiencing any of these behaviors, you may have grounds to sue The Bureaus Inc for harassment.
Your Legal Arsenal: Three Federal Laws That Protect You
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
The FDCPA is your main protection against abusive debt collectors. This law applies specifically to third-party collectors like The Bureaus Inc (it doesn’t cover original creditors collecting their own debts).
What makes the FDCPA powerful? If The Bureaus Inc violates it, you can potentially recover:
- Up to $1,000 in statutory damages without proving any actual harm
- Additional money for emotional distress, anxiety, lost wages, or other damages
- Your attorney fees paid by The Bureaus Inc, not by you
This fee-shifting provision is huge—it means you can afford to hire experienced attorneys without worrying about legal bills.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
The TCPA addresses modern technology. If The Bureaus Inc is using automated dialing systems or robocalls to reach your cell phone without your written consent, they may be violating this law.
TCPA violations can add up fast: $500 to $1,500 per illegal call. If you’ve received 50 robocalls, that’s potentially $25,000 to $75,000 in damages.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The FCRA ensures accuracy in credit reporting. If The Bureaus Inc reports false information about you to credit bureaus—wrong amounts, debts that aren’t yours, or accounts you’ve already paid—they may be violating this law.
Credit damage can affect your ability to rent an apartment, get a car loan, or even land a job. The FCRA gives you legal recourse when this happens.
How to Stop The Bureaus Inc Debt Collection Calls (Step-by-Step)
Ready to take control? Here’s your action plan for how to stop The Bureaus Inc debt collection calls:
Document Everything First
Before you do anything else, become a detective. Your evidence will be crucial if you decide to take legal action to stop The Bureaus Inc debt collection harassment.
Start a simple spreadsheet with these columns:
- Date and time of call
- Duration
- Phone number used
- What was said
- How you felt afterward
Save every voicemail. Your phone lets you save messages or email them to yourself. Do it immediately—these recordings can provide smoking-gun evidence of violations.
Screenshot every text message. Make sure the date, time, and phone number are visible. Text messages from collectors often contain violations because collectors write things they’d never say in recorded phone calls.
Keep every letter and envelope. The postmark date matters. The envelope matters. Don’t throw anything away.
Demand Proof They Can Collect This Debt
Here’s something most consumers don’t know: The Bureaus Inc must prove you owe the debt if you ask them to. This is called debt validation, and it’s one of your most powerful rights.
Write a letter (send it certified mail with return receipt) that says:
“I dispute this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I demand that The Bureaus Inc provide complete validation including: the original creditor’s name and address, the original account number, the original debt amount, how you calculated the current amount including all fees and interest, proof that I am the person who owes this debt, a copy of the original signed agreement, and proof that The Bureaus Inc owns this debt or is authorized to collect it.”
Once they receive this letter, they should stop collection activities until they send you proper validation. Many collectors can’t provide complete validation—especially for old debts that have been sold multiple times.
No validation = they may not legally continue trying to collect.
Send the Magic Letter That Stops Contact
The FDCPA gives you an absolute right to make The Bureaus Inc stop contacting you. It’s called a cease and desist letter, and it’s incredibly effective for stopping The Bureaus Inc debt collection harassment.
Your letter should say:
“Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am directing The Bureaus Inc to cease all communication with me regarding the debt referenced as account [account number]. This includes phone calls, text messages, emails, letters, and any other form of contact. Future communication must be limited to: (1) confirming receipt of this letter, or (2) notifying me of specific legal action you are taking.”
Send this via certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything.
After they receive this letter, they can only contact you for those two specific reasons. Any other contact may be an automatic FDCPA violation—and strong evidence if you decide to sue.
Report The Bureaus Inc to CFPB and Other Agencies
Creating an official paper trail helps you and helps other consumers. When you report The Bureaus Inc to CFPB, you contribute to a database that regulators use to identify problem collectors.
File online at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Be specific about dates, times, and what happened. Include details about how the harassment has affected your life—missing work, anxiety, sleep problems, relationship stress.
Also file a complaint against The Bureaus Inc with:
- The Federal Trade Commission
- Your state Attorney General’s office
- The Better Business Bureau
These complaints create records, but they typically won’t get you compensation. For that, you need to take the next step.
Get Experienced Legal Help
This is the most important step to stop debt harassment from The Bureaus Inc. Consumer protection attorneys know exactly how to handle these cases because they do it every day.
The Wood Law LLC focuses exclusively on consumer rights. When you have legal representation:
The calls often stop within 48-72 hours. Once The Bureaus Inc knows an attorney is involved, most of them significantly reduce or completely stop their contact.
You never have to talk to them again. Your attorney becomes your shield, handling all communication while you get back to your normal life.
Attorneys spot violations you might miss. Consumer protection laws are complex. What seems like aggressive collection to you might be three or four separate federal violations to an experienced attorney.
You pay nothing upfront. The Wood Law LLC works on contingency—no fees unless they win your case. And when they win, The Bureaus Inc typically pays your attorney fees separately from your compensation.
Learn about their approach to helping clients and what makes them different.
Call The Wood Law LLC at +1 844-638-1122 for a free consultation. No obligation, no pressure—just straight answers about your situation.
Can You Really Sue The Bureaus Inc for Harassment?
Absolutely. If you believe The Bureaus Inc has potentially violated federal consumer protection laws, you may be able to sue The Bureaus Inc for harassment and recover significant compensation.
Here’s what many consumers don’t realize: you can sue even if you actually owe the debt. Your right to be treated lawfully during collection is completely separate from whether the underlying debt is valid.
What You Could Potentially Recover
Statutory damages: Up to $1,000 under the FDCPA without proving any actual harm. This is your baseline compensation just for the violation.
Actual damages: Money for the real harm you suffered—emotional distress, anxiety attacks, lost sleep, missed work, medical bills for stress-related treatment, damaged relationships, and more.
TCPA damages: $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall. These add up shockingly fast if The Bureaus Inc has been calling your cell phone with an autodialer.
FCRA damages: If they reported false information to credit bureaus, you could recover for credit score damage, denied credit applications, lost housing opportunities, and more.
Attorney fees and costs: The Bureaus Inc pays these separately from your damages if you win. You keep your full compensation.
Real-World Example
Imagine The Bureaus Inc called you 15 times per day for two weeks (that’s 210 calls), including calls before 8 AM and after 9 PM. They called your workplace three times after you told them to stop. Left a voicemail mentioning your “debt problem” where your coworkers could hear it. They threatened to have you arrested if you didn’t pay immediately.
How many violations is that? Potentially dozens. Each violation strengthens your case and increases potential compensation.
What You’ll Need to Prove
To sue The Bureaus Inc for harassment successfully, you’ll typically need to show:
- The Bureaus Inc contacted you to collect a debt
- They are a “debt collector” under the FDCPA (they are)
- They violated specific FDCPA, TCPA, or FCRA provisions
- You suffered harm (though not required for FDCPA statutory damages)
Your evidence—call logs, voicemails, text messages, letters, witness statements—makes or breaks your case. This is why documentation is so critical.
How the Legal Process Works
Free case review: You talk with an attorney who evaluates your situation at no cost. They’ll tell you honestly whether you have a strong case.
Investigation: Your attorney gathers all evidence, identifies every potential violation, and calculates possible damages.
Demand letter: Often, this is enough. A legal demand from an attorney frequently results in a settlement without filing a lawsuit.
Filing suit: If necessary, your attorney files in federal or state court. The complaint details every violation and demands specific compensation.
Discovery: Both sides exchange evidence. The Bureaus Inc must produce their call records, policies, training materials, and account documentation.
Settlement: Most cases settle. Your attorney negotiates the best possible compensation without the uncertainty of trial.
Trial: If settlement fails, your case goes to trial. Your attorney presents evidence to a judge or jury.
Getting paid: Your attorney ensures The Bureaus Inc pays what they owe, whether through settlement or judgment.
Common Violations in The Bureaus Inc Debt Collector Complaints
Understanding patterns in The Bureaus Inc debt collector complaints helps you recognize when you may be experiencing violations.
The Daily Barrage
Multiple consumers report receiving 10, 15, even 20 calls per day from The Bureaus Inc. While federal law doesn’t specify an exact number, courts have consistently ruled that excessive calling with apparent intent to harass violates the FDCPA.
The Federal Trade Commission has suggested that more than seven call attempts per week about a specific debt may be presumed harassment. If The Bureaus Inc is calling you multiple times daily, that may substantially exceed this threshold.
Time Zone “Mistakes”
Many complaints involve The Bureaus Inc phone harassment early in the morning or late at night. Some collectors claim they didn’t know your time zone, but that’s generally not a valid defense. Collectors must take reasonable steps to determine your time zone before calling.
If your phone rings at 7:45 AM or 9:15 PM, that’s a potential violation—plain and simple.
Workplace Intrusion
The Bureaus Inc debt collector complaints frequently mention calls to workplaces. Federal law allows collectors to initially call your workplace, but they must stop immediately once you inform them that your employer prohibits such calls or that it’s inconvenient.
Some consumers report that The Bureaus Inc continues calling their workplace daily even after explicit requests to stop. This persistence may constitute intentional harassment.
Threats That Cross the Line
Common potentially illegal threats include:
“We’ll have you arrested” – Debt collection is civil, not criminal. Threatening arrest may clearly violate the FDCPA.
“We’re garnishing your wages tomorrow” – Wage garnishment requires a lawsuit, judgment, and court order. Threatening immediate garnishment may be false and misleading.
“We’re seizing your car this week.” – Property seizure requires legal process. These threats may be designed to scare you into paying without verifying anything.
“I’m an attorney” (when they’re not) – Misrepresenting who they are or their authority is specifically prohibited.
Privacy Violations
The Bureaus Inc debt collector complaints often mention violations of privacy protections. Examples include:
- Discussing your debt with family members or roommates
- Leaving detailed voicemails at work where colleagues can overhear
- Sending letters in envelopes that reveal debt collection on the outside
- Telling your employer about the debt (except in very limited circumstances)
- Posting about your debt on social media or online
Even seemingly small privacy breaches may violate federal law.
Deceptive Statements
Complaints frequently involve potentially misleading tactics:
- Inflating the amount with unauthorized fees
- Claiming legal action is “guaranteed” when they haven’t decided to sue
- Falsely stating that payment is your “only option” to avoid legal trouble
- Failing to identify themselves as debt collectors (the “mini-Miranda” disclosure)
- Claiming the debt will “never” come off your credit report
Ignoring Your Cease and Desist Letter
Once you’ve sent a proper cease and desist letter via certified mail, any contact beyond the two permitted reasons may violate the FDCPA. Yet some consumers report that The Bureaus Inc continues calling repeatedly even after receiving these letters.
This is often the easiest violation to prove because you have the certified mail receipt showing they received your letter, plus phone records showing they called anyway.
Protecting Your Financial Health While Fighting Harassment
While addressing harassment, protect your broader financial wellbeing.
Check Your Credit Reports
Get free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com—the only legitimate source for free reports.
Look for:
- Any accounts from The Bureaus Inc
- Duplicate listings of the same debt
- Wrong amounts or dates
- Debts that don’t belong to you
- Information older than seven years
Dispute Errors Immediately
Find something wrong? Dispute it in writing with both the credit bureaus and The Bureaus Inc. Send disputes via certified mail.
The bureaus must investigate within 30 days. If they don’t, or if they verify inaccurate information, you may have an FCRA claim.
Know Your State’s Statute of Limitations
Each state sets a time limit for debt collection lawsuits—usually 3 to 6 years for consumer debts. After this expires, collectors cannot legally sue you (though they may still try to collect).
Critical warning: Making even a small payment may restart the statute of limitations in many states. Never pay old debts without consulting an attorney first.
Never Give Bank Account Access
Don’t provide The Bureaus Inc with your bank account or routing numbers. Once they have electronic access, they might:
- Take more money than you authorized
- Continue withdrawing funds after the debt is satisfied
- Cause overdraft fees and banking problems
If you must pay, use methods you control: money orders or one-time card payments.
Get Written Agreements
Never trust verbal promises. Before paying anything, demand written confirmation of:
- Exact payment terms and amounts
- Settlement agreements showing the amount satisfies the debt in full
- Agreements to update or remove credit reporting
- Zero balance confirmation
Verbal agreements are nearly impossible to enforce when problems arise.
The Wood Law LLC Handles Many Debt Collectors
The Wood Law LLC represents consumers dealing with harassment from numerous collection agencies. Their broad experience means they understand the industry’s tactics.
They handle cases involving:
- Direct Recovery Associates
- Vision Financial
- The Outsourcing Group
- Capital Recovery Group
- Firstsource Solution
- United Recovery Systems
- Radius Global Solutions
- American Profit Recovery
- Aargon Agency
- Alliance One Receivables Management
- Collection Service of America
- FMS Investment Corp
- Account Control Technology
- NCO Financial
- Municipal Services Bureau
See their complete list of collection agencies they handle.
Explore their practice areas to learn more about their consumer protection focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Bureaus Inc a Legitimate Debt Collector?
Yes, The Bureaus Inc is a legitimate debt collection agency based in Minnesota. However, being legitimate doesn’t mean they always follow federal law. If you believe you’re harassed by The Bureaus Inc, you have legal rights regardless of their legitimacy or whether you owe the debt. Legitimate businesses can still potentially violate consumer protection laws, and when they do, you may be entitled to compensation.
How Can I Verify The Bureaus Inc Actually Has the Right to Collect My Debt?
Request debt validation in writing within 30 days of their first contact (though you can request it anytime). Send a certified letter demanding proof that you owe the debt, documentation of the original creditor, the original account number, proof they own or are authorized to collect the debt, and a complete breakdown of the amount including all fees. They should stop collection efforts until providing proper validation. Many collectors struggle with this, especially for older debts. If they can’t validate properly, they may not legally continue collection.
Can The Bureaus Inc Sue Me If the Debt Is Really Old?
Only if the debt is within your state’s statute of limitations (typically 3-6 years for most consumer debts). For time-barred debts beyond this period, they cannot legally sue you, and threatening to do so may violate the FDCPA. However, they may still attempt to collect through calls and letters. Be extremely careful—making even a small payment or acknowledging the debt in writing may restart the statute of limitations in many states. Always consult an attorney before paying or acknowledging old debts.
What Should I Do If The Bureaus Inc Threatens Legal Action?
First, don’t panic—many collection threats are bluffs designed to scare you into paying immediately. Document the threat with exact details (date, time, what was said). Then understand that if they were actually filing a lawsuit, you’d receive official court papers—not just phone threats. If they’re threatening action they cannot or will not take, that may violate the FDCPA. Contact an attorney immediately to evaluate whether these threats are legitimate or potentially illegal harassment. Call The Wood Law LLC at +1 844-638-1122 for immediate guidance.
Can I Sue The Bureaus Inc Even If I Legitimately Owe the Money?
Absolutely yes. Your right to be free from potentially harassing, abusive, or deceptive collection tactics exists independently of whether you owe the debt. The FDCPA and other consumer protection laws protect all consumers—those who owe debts and those who don’t. If The Bureaus Inc violated federal law in their collection attempts, you may be able to sue The Bureaus Inc for harassment and recover compensation regardless of the debt’s validity. Many consumers successfully pursue legal action while also working to resolve the underlying debt on better terms.
Will Filing a Complaint with the CFPB Stop The Bureaus Inc from Calling?
When you report The Bureaus Inc to CFPB, it creates an official record and they must respond to your complaint. However, CFPB complaints alone typically don’t immediately stop contact or result in direct compensation to you. They’re valuable for building a paper trail and helping regulators spot patterns. The most effective approach combines multiple strategies: sending a cease and desist letter, requesting debt validation, filing official complaints, and consulting with consumer protection attorneys who can take immediate legal action if needed.
Do I Have to Pay Legal Fees Upfront to Take Action?
No. The Wood Law LLC works on contingency for consumer protection cases. You pay zero upfront—no retainer, no hourly fees, no costs you must advance. You only pay attorney fees if they successfully recover compensation for you. Even better, in successful FDCPA cases, federal law may require The Bureaus Inc to pay your attorney fees separately from your damages, meaning you keep your full compensation. This makes it possible for consumers to hold powerful collection companies accountable without financial risk.
Can The Bureaus Inc Take My Social Security Benefits?
Most federal benefits are protected from garnishment by private debt collectors, including Social Security retirement, Social Security disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Veterans benefits. However, if The Bureaus Inc obtains a court judgment, they might temporarily freeze your bank account if protected funds are mixed with other money. Protect yourself by keeping federal benefits in a dedicated bank account and ensuring your bank knows these are exempt funds. This makes it easier to quickly unfreeze the account if problems occur.
What Happens If I Just Ignore The Bureaus Inc Completely?
Ignoring them is risky. If the debt is legitimate and within your state’s statute of limitations, The Bureaus Inc may file a lawsuit. If you ignore the lawsuit and don’t respond to court papers, they’ll likely win a default judgment—giving them powerful collection tools like wage garnishment and bank levies. More importantly, by not responding to harassment, you may miss the opportunity to hold them accountable for potential violations and recover compensation. The smarter approach is to assert your rights through validation requests, cease and desist letters, and consultation with experienced attorneys.
How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action Against The Bureaus Inc?
The statute of limitations for FDCPA violations is typically one year from the violation date. For TCPA claims (illegal robocalls), you usually have four years. For FCRA violations (false credit reporting), it’s generally two to five years depending on the violation type and when you discovered it. This is why quick action matters. The longer you wait, more violations may occur, but you could lose your right to sue entirely if you wait too long. Additionally, evidence becomes harder to gather and memories fade over time. If you’re experiencing harassment, consult an attorney promptly to preserve your rights and maximize potential recovery.
Take Control: Your Action Plan Starts Now
You’ve learned about your rights, the laws protecting you, and the potential remedies available. Now it’s time to act. Every additional day of harassment is a day you don’t have to tolerate.
What to Do Right Now:
1. Document aggressively starting today. Create your call log, save every voicemail, screenshot all texts, and organize every letter from The Bureaus Inc.
2. Send debt validation via certified mail. Demand complete proof of the debt and their authority to collect it. This often reveals serious problems with their case.
3. Send your cease and desist letter via certified mail. Make The Bureaus Inc stop contacting you except for the two permitted reasons. Any other contact after receipt may be a violation.
4. Report The Bureaus Inc to CFPB and file complaints with other agencies to create official records of their potentially abusive practices.
5. Call The Wood Law LLC at +1 844-638-1122 for your free case evaluation. Stop fighting this alone—experienced consumer protection attorneys are ready to help.
You deserve peace of mind and respect. Federal consumer protection laws exist specifically to protect you from harassment, and experienced attorneys stand ready to enforce those laws on your behalf.
The Wood Law LLC has the knowledge, experience, and dedication to potentially stop The Bureaus Inc debt collection harassment, hold them accountable for violations, and work to recover compensation for what you’ve endured.
Don’t wait. Every day of continued harassment makes your situation more stressful. Take the first step today by calling The Wood Law LLC and learning exactly how they can help you stop The Bureaus Inc debt collection harassment.
Review their privacy policy and terms of service to understand their commitment to protecting your information.
Get Your Free Consultation: +1 844-638-1122
Stop letting The Bureaus Inc control your life with constant calls and stress. Federal law gives you power—use it. Call today and start your journey toward ending the harassment and potentially recovering compensation for violations.
