If you believe Professional Debt Mediation (PDM) is contacting you about a debt, you may have questions about your rights. Many people facing debt collection calls feel confused, stressed, or unsure what to do next. You are not alone, and federal law protects you from abusive collection practices.
This article explains your legal rights when dealing with Professional Debt Mediation, what behaviors may violate federal law, and how to protect yourself. Speaking with a consumer protection attorney does not restart your debt or admit you owe anything.
Who Is Professional Debt Mediation
Professional Debt Mediation, Inc. (PDM) is a company that contacts consumers about outstanding debts. Despite the word “mediation” in their name, they function as a debt collection agency working on behalf of creditors to collect money.
If you receive calls from PDM, they may be collecting on:
- Credit card debts
- Medical bills
- Personal loans
- Utility accounts
- Other consumer debts
Like all debt collectors, PDM must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which sets strict rules for how collectors can communicate with consumers.
Understanding who is calling you and what rights you have can help reduce stress and give you control over the situation. You do not need to know whether you owe the debt to have legal protections.
When Debt Collection May Cross Legal Lines
Federal law prohibits certain collection behaviors. If you believe Professional Debt Mediation has used any of these tactics, you may have grounds to take legal action:
- Using abusive or profane language: Collectors cannot curse at you, call you names, or use language intended to harass or intimidate you.
- Threatening actions they cannot take: If a collector threatens arrest, lawsuit, or wage garnishment without authority or intent to follow through, this may violate federal law.
- Contacting you at unreasonable times: Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone could violate the FDCPA.
- Discussing your debt with others: Collectors cannot tell your family, friends, neighbors, or employer about your debt without your permission.
- Continuing contact after you request they stop: If you send a written cease communication letter, the collector must stop most contact.
- Collecting debts you don’t recognize: If they cannot verify the debt belongs to you, continuing collection efforts may violate your rights.
These behaviors may constitute FDCPA violations. If you recognize any of these patterns, consulting with a consumer protection attorney may help you understand your options.
Is Professional Debt Mediation Legitimate
Professional Debt Mediation is a real company that collects debts. However, if you believe their name is misleading or their collection methods feel aggressive, you may have concerns about how they operate.
The word “mediation” typically suggests a neutral party helping both sides reach agreement. If you feel PDM is acting more like a traditional collection agency than a neutral mediator, you are not wrong to question this.
Red flags that may indicate problematic collection practices:
- Unrecognized debts: Attempts to collect debts you do not recognize or already paid
- Harsh language: Use of threatening, abusive, or profane language during calls
- False threats: Threats of legal action without proper authority
- Unauthorized disclosure: Disclosure of your debt to family members or employers
- No verification: Refusal to provide debt verification when requested
- Ignoring requests: Continuing to call after you request they stop
If any of these apply to your situation, federal law may provide you with remedies and protections.
How to Stop Unwanted Calls from Professional Debt Mediation
If you believe Professional Debt Mediation is harassing you, these steps may help protect your rights:
- Document every contact: Write down the date, time, caller name, and what was said during each call. If the collector uses inappropriate language or makes threats, record exact words. This documentation could become important evidence.
- Request debt validation: Within 30 days of first contact, you can send a written request demanding the collector prove you owe the debt. They must provide the original creditor’s name, the amount owed, and verification that they have the right to collect. Until they validate, they cannot continue collection activity.
- Send a cease communication letter: You can send a written letter telling PDM to stop contacting you. Send it via certified mail with return receipt. After receiving your letter, they can only contact you to confirm they will stop or to notify you of specific legal action.
- Report unauthorized disclosures: If PDM told anyone else about your debt, document who was contacted and what was said. Each unauthorized disclosure may constitute a separate violation.
- Check licensing requirements: Verify whether PDM is properly licensed to collect debts in your state by contacting your state banking or financial regulation department.
- Never provide payment information under pressure: If you feel threatened or confused, do not give payment details. Legitimate debts can be addressed calmly after you verify the information.
- Contact a consumer protection attorney: If you believe your rights were violated, call +1 844-638-1122 for a free consultation. The Wood Law Firm handles cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket.
We have helped clients stop harassment from agencies like Hunter Warfield and Sequoia Financial Services using similar approaches.
Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you specific protections when dealing with debt collectors.
You have the right to:
- Request written verification of any debt
- Dispute debts you believe are incorrect or do not belong to you
- Tell collectors to stop contacting you through a written request
- Sue collectors who violate the FDCPA
- Recover damages if violations occurred
Understanding these rights can reduce fear and help you respond confidently. You do not lose these rights even if you actually owe the debt. Requesting validation does not admit liability or restart the statute of limitations on old debts.
Many people worry that exercising their rights will make their situation worse. This is not true. Federal law protects consumers who assert their rights, and collectors face penalties for retaliation.
How The Wood Law Firm Protects Consumers from Collection Abuse
The Wood Law Firm focuses on holding debt collectors accountable when they violate federal law. We understand that receiving collection calls creates stress and confusion, and we work to stop the harassment while protecting your rights.
When collectors may have crossed legal lines, we:
- Systematically document all communication and patterns of behavior
- Investigate whether proper debt validation was provided
- Research the collector’s licensing status in your state
- Identify behaviors that could violate the FDCPA
- Build strong cases based on federal law violations
We have recovered compensation for clients facing aggressive tactics from agencies like Action Collection Agency and similar collectors.
You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If collectors violated federal law, they pay your attorney fees. Call +1 844-638-1122 for a free case evaluation.
Potential Compensation for FDCPA Violations
If a debt collector violated your rights under the FDCPA, you may be entitled to recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages per lawsuit, actual damages for emotional distress or other harm, additional damages if multiple violations occurred, and full attorney fees and costs paid by the collector.
When collectors use multiple problematic tactics, each violation could create a separate claim. For example, if a collector used abusive language, contacted your employer without permission, and continued calling after you requested they stop, these could constitute multiple violations.
The goal is not just compensation but also accountability. Holding collectors responsible when they break the law helps protect other consumers from similar treatment.
Removing Professional Debt Mediation from Your Credit Report
If Professional Debt Mediation has reported information to your credit file that you believe is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute it.
Step 1: Dispute with all three credit bureaus
Send a detailed dispute letter to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Explain specifically why the Professional Debt Mediation entry is inaccurate. The bureaus must investigate within 30 days.
Step 2: Demand validation from Professional Debt Mediation
Send PDM a written request asking them to verify the debt. They must provide proof that the debt is yours, the amount is correct, and they have the legal right to collect it. If they cannot verify these details, the credit bureaus must remove the entry.
Step 3: Document any FDCPA violations by PDM
If Professional Debt Mediation violated your rights during collection attempts, document these violations. Include this information in your credit disputes. Collectors who violate federal law have less credibility with credit bureaus.
Step 4: Include evidence of problematic practices
If PDM disclosed your debt to unauthorized third parties, used abusive language, or failed to validate the debt when requested, mention these practices in your dispute. This undermines their reliability as a creditor.
Step 5: Follow up every 30 days
Track your disputes carefully. If the credit bureaus do not respond within 30 days or fail to remove unverified information, send follow-up letters. Consider legal action if they ignore valid disputes.
Similar strategies have helped clients dealing with debt collectors using questionable collection methods remove inaccurate accounts from credit reports.
What Our Clients Say About Working with Us
“They stopped the harassment immediately”
A consumer was receiving repeated calls with harsh language and threats that felt intimidating. After working with The Wood Law Firm, the calls stopped immediately. The case resulted in compensation for the stress caused, and the client finally had peace of mind.
“I didn’t even owe that debt”
A person was contacted about a debt they had never heard of and did not recognize. The Wood Law Firm demanded validation, and the collector could not provide adequate documentation. The collector agreed to stop all contact and remove the item from the consumer’s credit report completely.
“They contacted my family and my job.”
A collector contacted both the consumer’s workplace and family members about the debt. The Wood Law Firm documented each unauthorized contact and built a strong case. The matter settled with compensation and the complete removal of the debt from all credit reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do if Professional Debt Mediation contacts me?
Ask for written verification of the debt. Do not provide payment or personal information until you confirm the debt is valid and belongs to you.
2. Can debt collectors use threatening or abusive language?
No. The FDCPA prohibits abusive, threatening, or profane language. Collectors must communicate professionally.
3. What if I don’t recognize the debt they claim I owe?
Request written validation within 30 days. Do not pay anything until the collector proves the debt is accurate and you are legally responsible for it.
4. Can Professional Debt Mediation contact my family or employer?
Generally no. Collectors cannot discuss your debt with third parties except in limited circumstances, such as locating you.
5. Will requesting debt validation hurt my credit?
No. Exercising your legal right to validation does not negatively impact your credit or restart the statute of limitations.
6. What if they threaten to sue me or have me arrested?
Threats of arrest for debt are always illegal. If they threaten a lawsuit, demand proof they have the authority and intent to sue. Empty threats may violate the FDCPA.
7. How do I verify if PDM is licensed in my state?
Contact your state’s banking department or financial regulation agency. They can confirm whether the collector is properly licensed.
8. Can I tell them to stop calling me?
Yes. Send a written cease communication letter via certified mail. They must stop most contact after receiving it.
9. What if I think they violated my rights?
Document everything and contact a consumer protection attorney. Call +1 844-638-1122 for a free consultation about your situation.
10. Does speaking with an attorney mean I admit I owe the debt?
No. Consulting an attorney about your rights does not admit liability, restart debt timelines, or obligate you to pay anything. You are simply learning your options.
Call +1 844-638-1122 now for a free consultation with The Wood Law Firm.
