Getting calls from Credence Resource Management about a debt you don’t recognize can make you feel confused and powerless. You check your records, call the original creditor, and they confirm you don’t owe anything – yet Credence keeps calling, sometimes twice a day, insisting you pay for services you never used.
You’re experiencing what consumer advocates call “phantom debt collection,” and you’re not alone. With over 1,000 BBB complaints in three years, Credence Resource Management has become notorious for these exact tactics.
Who Is Credence Resource Management and Their Mixed Model
Credence Resource Management (CRM), based in Dallas, Texas, operates differently from most collection agencies. Founded in 2013, they serve healthcare (often Medicaid/Medicare), telecommunications, insurance, and utilities using a mixed first-party and third-party model.
What this means for you: When AT&T, DirecTV, Cox Communications, or T-Mobile sends your account to collections, Credence might be calling as their agent (first-party), or they might have purchased your debt outright (third-party). This dual role creates confusion about who actually owns your debt.
Common phone numbers:
- 855-732-2332
- 855-876-5347
- 855-880-4795
- 410-566-8441
Address: 17000 Dallas Pkwy STE 204, Dallas, TX 75248
Credence’s mixed model means they often lack proper documentation to prove you owe them anything.
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Is Credence Resource Management a Scam or Legitimate Debt Collector
Credence is a legitimate, BBB-accredited debt collection agency that has been operating since 2013. They’re not a scam – they’re a real business with a physical office in Dallas, Texas.
However, legitimacy doesn’t mean their tactics are legal. With over 200 BBB complaints in three years and four federal lawsuits for FDCPA violations, Credence has a documented pattern of phantom debt collection, refusal to validate, and threats of legal action they won’t take.
The real question isn’t whether they’re legitimate – it’s whether they can prove YOU owe THEM anything. Based on hundreds of consumer reports, they often cannot.
The Phantom Debt Problem
Consumer reports reveal Credence attempts to collect debts consumers don’t recognize, for services never used, from companies they never had accounts with.
Real experiences:
“I emailed Credence to dispute and request proof. Didn’t get any documentation. They said the debt was from 2014, not 2023 like on my credit report.”
“They claim I owe Sprint $320. I’ve never owned a Sprint phone. I contacted Sprint – nothing is tied to me. Then Credence claimed I owed $900 for a loan to pay the first debt I never owed.”
“I asked them to validate. They kept coming back with random phone numbers. They disappeared after 2 months.”
Why this happens: Credence buys massive debt portfolios at steep discounts. These portfolios contain inaccurate information, identity theft victims, and time-barred debts. Rather than verify, they pursue everyone, hoping some pay out of fear.
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Four Federal Lawsuits Show Credence’s Pattern
- Parker v. Credence (2017): Illegal collection of time-barred AT&T debt. Statute expired – Credence couldn’t sue but tried collecting anyway.
- Cadiz v. Credence (2017): Threatened lawsuits without intent to sue. Empty legal threats violate federal law.
- Morris v. Credence (2018): Federal litigation showing systematic violations.
- Betz v. Credence (2017): Additional litigation highlighting consumer protection concerns.
If Credence is collecting on old AT&T, DirecTV, Cox, or T-Mobile debt without disclosing statute limits, they’re repeating behaviors that got them sued.
🔗 Related: American Debt Management
When Credence Refuses Written Confirmation
Consumer experience: “They offered to settle $2,000 for $1,000. But they refuse written documentation confirming the $1,000 payment will fully close the debt. They said if I want documentation, I’d wait a week, and the settlement goes back to $1,500.”
This pressure tactic violates basic consumer protection. Never pay without written confirmation specifying an exact settlement amount, that payment satisfies the debt in full, a timeline for credit bureau removal, and the company letterhead with signature.
Consumers report paying Credence only to have them continue collection efforts because there’s no written proof of settlement terms.
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The “Recalled Debt” Strategy That Works
Since Credence often collects on behalf of original creditors (first-party), you can bypass them entirely:
Call the original creditor (AT&T, T-Mobile, Cox, etc.) and ask if they still own the debt. If yes, request they recall the collection in exchange for payment directly to them. Once recalled, Credence loses collection authority and must remove itself from your credit reports.
Why this works: Original creditors prefer direct payment because they keep 100% versus the percentage Credence takes.
Real success: “I called AT&T directly. They confirmed they still owned the debt and recalled it from Credence. Paid AT&T $150 less than Credence wanted, and the collection disappeared within 30 days.”
How to Verify Debt and Stop Credence
You can stop Credence by requesting validation, documenting their refusal, and leveraging their model confusion.
- Request validation within 30 days: Send a certified letter demanding proof, original creditor name, exact calculations, legal authority, and time-barred disclosure. Demand they clarify first-party agent or third-party buyer status.
- Document patterns: Keep records of calls, letters, and verification attempts with original creditors. Focus on refusal to provide evidence, vague responses, and time-barred debt threats.
- Contact original creditor: Call AT&T, T-Mobile, Cox, or DirecTV. Get written confirmation of account status and ownership.
- File strategically: Report to CFPB, Texas Attorney General, BBB, and FTC. Your complaint adds to documented patterns.
Don’t pay before validation. That’s their model.
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How The Wood Law Firm Stops Credence and Protects You
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by Credence’s calls about debts you don’t recognize, you need someone who understands their tactics and can shut them down within 48 hours.
What we do immediately: Send cease-and-desist demands stopping all contact. File complaints with Texas Attorney General and CFPB. Challenge their legal authority when they can’t prove first-party vs third-party status. Demand written settlement terms before any payment. Pursue damages up to $1,000 per violation.
Why Credence is vulnerable: Their mixed model creates documentation gaps. Their phantom debt approach means they bought bulk portfolios with no proof you owe anything. Four federal lawsuits show repeated violations. Refusal to provide written confirmation creates legal exposure.
Real results: We’ve forced Credence to delete collections after failed validation, recovered damages for harassment, and negotiated deletions when they couldn’t prove debts were real.
You pay nothing unless we win. Credence pays attorney fees if we prevail. The calls stop within 48 hours.
About Attorney Jeff Wood
Attorney Jeff Wood has spent over 15 years fighting for consumers against debt collectors who use illegal tactics. Licensed in Arkansas and admitted to practice in federal courts across nine districts (Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin), Mr. Wood focuses exclusively on FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA violations.
The Wood Law Firm maintains relationships with attorneys in 15+ states, allowing us to help consumers nationwide. When Credence violates your rights, we have the experience and network to hold them accountable, regardless of where you live.
Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credence Resource Management
1. Why can’t Credence provide proof of my debt?
Credence buys massive debt portfolios at steep discounts. These portfolios often contain inaccurate information, identity theft cases, and time-barred debts. They pursue everyone, hoping somewill pay without demanding validation.
2. What are phantom debts?
Phantom debts are debts you don’t owe – for services never used, accounts never opened, or debts already paid. Credence profits by purchasing questionable portfolios cheaply and collecting from confused consumers.
3. Can I bypass Credence and pay the original creditor?
Yes. If Credence is collecting as a first-party agent, call the original creditor and request that they recall the debt. Once recalled, pay directly, and Credence must remove itself from your credit report.
4. Why won’t Credence give written settlement confirmation before payment?
They pressure you to pay without documentation, so if they later claim you still owe money, you have no proof of settlement terms. Never pay without written confirmation.
5. Can Credence sue me for time-barred debt?
If the statute of limitations expired, they cannot legally sue. However, they may threaten lawsuits anyway, which violates federal law if they have no intent to file.
6. What if Credence keeps calling after I requested validation?
They must cease collection until providing proper documentation. Continuing to call violates the FDCPA and creates grounds for legal action.
7. Does paying Credence improve my credit score?
Paying shows “paid collection” with minimal score improvement. Paying the original creditor after debt recall removes the collection entirely, providing a significant score increase.
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