If ConServe is calling you about a student loan you thought was resolved, sending letters that state “0.00% interest rate” while also claiming your debt “might accrue interest,” or making robocalls to your cell phone without consent, federal law provides specific remedies for each of those practices.
ConServe (Continental Service Group, Inc.) is not a typical debt collector. It is a U.S. Department of Education and IRS private collection contractor with 40 years of operations and over 1,100 BBB complaints. Multiple federal lawsuits have challenged the company’s contradictory interest rate letters, illegal robocalls, and unauthorized electronic withdrawals from consumer bank accounts.
If ConServe has crossed the line with you, call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency. ConServe pays our fees if we win.
Also searched as: ConServe debt collection, Continental Service Group, ConServe collections, ConServe student loan, ConServe ARM, and conserve-arm.com.
Key Takeaways
- ConServe (Continental Service Group, Inc.) is at 200 Cross Keys Office Park, Fairport, NY 14450. Founded 1985. BBB-accredited since 2014. A+ rating. CEO: Mark E. Davitt.
- ConServe is a U.S. Department of Education and IRS private collection contractor specializing in student loans and government debt. Call centers in Rochester, NY and Phoenix, AZ.
- Federal lawsuits include: contradictory interest rate letters (2017-2018 class actions), illegal robocalls (Laura K. v. ConServe, 2016), calls after cease-and-desist (Dwaine B. v. ConServe, 2017), and unauthorized bank withdrawals (Anne H. v. ConServe, 2015).
- 1,100+ BBB complaints over 33 years. 158+ CFPB complaints.
- You may be entitled to up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation and $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall. ConServe pays your attorney fees if we win.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is ConServe?
ConServe (Continental Service Group, Inc.) is a debt collection agency headquartered at 200 Cross Keys Office Park, Fairport, New York 14450. The company was founded in 1985 by Mark E. Davitt, who also served as president of ACA International (the collection industry’s primary trade association). Website: conserve-arm.com.
ConServe is BBB-accredited since September 4, 2014 with an A+ rating. The company operates call centers in the Rochester, NY area and in Phoenix, Arizona, with all employees based in the United States. Average employee tenure is 6 years.
What makes ConServe different from most collectors is its government contractor status. ConServe holds contracts with the U.S. Department of Education to collect defaulted federal student loans and with the IRS to collect delinquent tax debt. This government affiliation gives ConServe’s calls an appearance of authority that can intimidate consumers into paying without understanding their options.
Despite the government contractor status and A+ BBB rating, ConServe has accumulated over 1,100 BBB complaints and 158+ CFPB complaints. Multiple federal lawsuits allege deceptive practices in the company’s collection letters and calling patterns.
Why Is ConServe Calling You?
ConServe is calling because you have a debt assigned to them for collection. Based on the company’s specializations, the debt is most likely one of these:
Federal student loans. If you defaulted on a federal student loan, the Department of Education may have assigned your account to ConServe. Verify through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at studentaid.gov.
IRS tax debt. ConServe is one of the few private collection agencies authorized to collect delinquent federal tax debt. If this is an IRS account, you should have received IRS Notice CP40 before ConServe contacted you. If you never received that notice, the call may not be legitimate.
University or college debt. ConServe collects tuition balances, fees, and institutional loans for colleges and universities directly.
Private student loans. ConServe also collects for private lending institutions.
Do not pay before verifying. Request debt validation in writing. Learn what to do when a debt collector contacts you.
Is ConServe Harassing You?
Whether You Owe the Debt or Not, We Can Help You
Federal law protects you from abusive debt collection. You may be entitled to:
- Up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation
- $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall under the TCPA
- Attorney fees paid by ConServe if we win
We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.
FREE Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
The Federal Lawsuits Against ConServe
ConServe has been named in multiple federal lawsuits. The pattern across these cases reveals specific, repeated violations.
- Contradictory Interest Rate Letters (2017-2018). A California class action alleged ConServe sent collection letters stating “0.00% interest rate” while simultaneously claiming the debt “might accrue interest.” A second case, Casarez v. Continental Service Group (2018, Texas), raised similar allegations. The contradictory language was designed to confuse consumers about whether their balance was growing.
- Lepak v. Continental Service Group (2018, E.D. Wisconsin). A consumer sued ConServe alleging its debt collection letters for a $19,494.38 federal student loan contained “false, deceptive, misleading, confusing, and unconscionable” information about the balance.
- Laura K. v. ConServe (2016, W.D. New York). TCPA and FDCPA violations for illegal robocalls. The court rejected ConServe’s argument that it was not a “debt collector” under the FDCPA and denied its request for judgment, allowing the plaintiff’s claims to proceed.
- Dwaine B. v. ConServe (2017). Alleged persistent calls after the consumer sent a cease-and-desist request.
- Anne H. v. ConServe (2015). Alleged violations of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act for unauthorized withdrawals from a consumer’s bank account.
If you received a contradictory interest rate letter from ConServe, photograph it. That letter is evidence. Review the top FDCPA violations.
Is ConServe a Scam?
No. ConServe is one of the most established collection agencies in the United States. It has operated since 1985, holds U.S. Department of Education and IRS contracts, is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, and has a named CEO who is a former president of the collection industry’s trade association.
However, legitimate government contractors can still violate federal consumer protection laws. Over 1,100 BBB complaints and multiple federal lawsuits confirm that ConServe’s “consumer-centric” marketing does not always match its collection practices.
ConServe Phone Numbers
- (800) 724-7500 (also 8007247500): Primary toll-free line
- (866) 467-4300 (also 8664674300): Frequently searched toll-free number
- (866) 524-1166: Additional toll-free line
- (585) 421-1000: Fairport, NY headquarters
- (585) 421-1011: Fairport office secondary
- (585) 598-6191: Additional Rochester area number
- (866) 633-7945: Listed on court filings
Document every call. Automated calls to your cell without consent may be separate TCPA violations worth $500 to $1,500 each, as established in the Laura K. case. Check how many times a collector can legally call per day.
How to Stop ConServe
1. Verify Your Loan Type First
Check the National Student Loan Data System to determine whether your loan is federal or private. This distinction determines your rights: federal loans allow administrative wage garnishment without a lawsuit, but also offer rehabilitation programs. Private loans require a lawsuit before garnishment.
2. Request Debt Validation
Certified letter to ConServe, 200 Cross Keys Office Park, Fairport, NY 14450 within 30 days. Demand: original creditor, loan origination date, itemized balance, copy of the promissory note, and clarification of the actual interest rate. If ConServe’s letter showed contradictory interest rates, specifically reference the contradiction. See our debt validation guide.
3. Do Not Acknowledge the Debt by Phone
For student loans, verbal acknowledgment over the phone can affect federal rehabilitation eligibility and may restart the statute of limitations on private loans. Demand all communication in writing. Review what to say and not say.
4. Send a Cease-and-Desist
Certified mail to the Fairport address. If ConServe continues calling after receiving it (as alleged in Dwaine B. v. ConServe), every subsequent call is a documented federal violation.
5. Call an Attorney
Call +1-844-638-1122. The Wood Firm PLLC stops contact within 48 hours.
Can ConServe Garnish Your Wages?
Federal student loans: yes, without a lawsuit. The Department of Education can authorize administrative wage garnishment of up to 15% of your disposable pay without filing a lawsuit first. This is unique to federal student loans and is one of the most powerful collection tools in the country.
Private student loans: no, not without a lawsuit. For private student loans, ConServe must sue you, win a judgment, and obtain a court order before garnishing wages.
IRS tax debt: The IRS has its own garnishment powers independent of ConServe. ConServe’s role as an IRS contractor is to facilitate payment, not to initiate levies directly.
If ConServe threatens wage garnishment, ask whether the debt is federal or private. A garnishment threat on a private student loan without mentioning lawsuits or judgments is a federal violation. Learn about garnishment rules.
Federal Student Loan Rehabilitation: What ConServe Should Tell You
If ConServe is collecting a defaulted federal student loan, it is required to inform you about the loan rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation allows you to make 9 on-time payments over 10 months to remove the default status from your record. This is often the best option for federal loan borrowers.
If ConServe is pressuring you into immediate full payment or a large lump sum without explaining rehabilitation, income-driven repayment, or consolidation options, that failure may itself be actionable.
How to Remove ConServe From Your Credit Report
- Contradictory interest rate letter: If ConServe reported your balance with accruing interest but sent you a letter stating “0.00% interest,” dispute the reported balance as inaccurate.
- Federal loan rehabilitation: Completing rehabilitation removes the default notation from your credit report (the original late payments remain).
- Validation failure: If ConServe cannot produce the promissory note, dispute with the bureaus.
- Pay-for-delete: Negotiate written deletion before paying.
- Inaccurate reporting gives you a separate FCRA claim. Learn about your credit reporting rights.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps
When ConServe sends contradictory interest rate letters, makes robocalls without consent, continues contact after cease-and-desist, makes unauthorized bank withdrawals, or pressures immediate payment without explaining rehabilitation options, those are actionable claims under the FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA.
The Wood Firm PLLC has handled these cases exclusively since 2011. Never represented a creditor. You pay nothing up front. Contact stops within 48 hours. Learn about how we work for you and why clients choose us. Read the attorney profile.
Real Cases Against Collectors Like ConServe
Client identities are protected.
- Contradictory letter case. A collector sent letters with contradictory interest rate information. The Wood Firm PLLC pursued FDCPA claims for the misleading communications and obtained statutory damages.
- Robocall violation. A collector made automated calls to a client’s cell phone without prior consent. The Wood Firm PLLC documented each call as a TCPA violation and recovered damages per call.
- Post-cease-and-desist calls. A collector continued calling after receiving a written cease-and-desist. The Wood Firm PLLC documented each subsequent call and secured statutory damages.
Has ConServe Violated Your Rights?
Whether You Owe the Debt or Not, We Can Help You
Free Consultation – No Upfront Costs – ConServe Pays Our Fees
Frequently Asked Questions About ConServe
Is ConServe legitimate or a scam?
ConServe is legitimate. Operating since 1985, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, and holds U.S. Department of Education and IRS contracts. However, 1,100+ BBB complaints and multiple federal lawsuits show that government contractor status does not prevent FDCPA violations.
Why is ConServe calling me?
Most likely a defaulted student loan (federal or private), IRS tax debt, or university balance. Verify federal loans through studentaid.gov. For IRS debt, check whether you received Notice CP40.
What is the contradictory interest rate letter?
ConServe sent letters stating “0.00% interest rate” while also claiming the debt “might accrue interest.” This was the subject of 2017-2018 class actions. Photograph the letter as evidence.
Can ConServe garnish my wages without suing me?
For federal student loans, yes. Administrative garnishment up to 15% of disposable pay without a lawsuit. For private loans, no. They must sue and win a judgment first. Verify your loan type through NSLDS.
What is student loan rehabilitation?
A federal program allowing 9 on-time payments over 10 months to remove default status. ConServe should inform you of this option. If they pressure immediate full payment without mentioning rehabilitation, document that failure.
What phone numbers does ConServe use?
(800) 724-7500, (866) 467-4300, (866) 524-1166, (585) 421-1000, (585) 421-1011, (585) 598-6191, and (866) 633-7945. Document every call.
How do I stop ConServe from calling?
Cease-and-desist via certified mail to 200 Cross Keys Office Park, Fairport, NY 14450. If calls continue after receipt, each one is a documented FDCPA violation.
Can I sue ConServe?
Yes. For FDCPA violations: up to $1,000 in statutory damages. For TCPA robocall violations: $500 to $1,500 per call. ConServe pays your attorney fees if violations are proven. The Wood Firm PLLC handles these on contingency.
Take Action Against ConServe Today
A government contractor with 1,100+ BBB complaints and multiple federal lawsuits for contradictory letters, illegal robocalls, and unauthorized bank withdrawals has a documented pattern. If ConServe is violating your rights, the Wood Firm PLLC has handled consumer protection cases exclusively since 2011, works on contingency, and makes ConServe pay.
Call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. Browse our list of collection agencies, review our practice areas, or file with the CFPB.
