Credit Protection Association, L.P. (CPA) is a Dallas, Texas debt collector with federal lawsuits for charging a $5.25 “convenience fee” on online payments, sending letters with “veiled threats,” and a $72,000 FTC settlement for FCRA violations.
In our practice, clients describe unexpected fees on payment portals and collection letters that imply consequences without explicit demands. If CPA has crossed the line with you, call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency. CPA pays our fees if we win.
Also searched as: Credit Protection Association LP, Credit Protection Association Texas, Credit Protections Associations, CPA collection agency, CRD PRT Assoc, Equipment Recovery Services, Automated Mail Services, DFW Recruiting Solutions, Credit Protection Associates, and Credit Protection collection agency.
Key Facts About Credit Protection Association
- Credit Protection Association, L.P. is a Dallas, Texas partnership. BBB business start date: July 21, 1997 (28 years). President: Nathan Levine. Not BBB-accredited. 0 complaints on file.
- Alternate names include Equipment Recovery Services, Automated Mail Services, DFW Recruiting Solutions, and CRD PRT Assoc. Specializes in high-volume, low-balance accounts for utilities and cable providers.
- Federal lawsuits allege unlawful $5.25 convenience fees (Moreno, 2017), “veiled threat” letters (Phillips, 2018), TCPA robocall violations (Lanteri, 2020), and failure to mark debts as disputed (Brown, 2017).
- The FTC settled with CPA in 2016 for $72,000 in FCRA violations, specifically for failing to handle consumer disputes and not notifying consumers of investigation outcomes.
- Damages available: up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation, $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall under TCPA, plus actual damages and attorney fees.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is Credit Protection Association
Credit Protection Association, L.P. is a debt collection agency headquartered in Dallas, Texas, operating as a partnership. The BBB records a business start date of July 21, 1997, making the company 28 years old. President Nathan Levine founded the company around his background in the cable industry. Executive Administrator Heather Hinton and Manager Debbie Abercrombie are also named in BBB records.
Credit Protection Association Contact Information
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
- Phone: (800) 800-6499 (also 8008006499) / (800) 326-1879 (also 8003261879) / (972) 677-6364 (also 9726776364) / (972) 991-3171 (also 9729913171) / (844) 543-6091 (also 8445436091)
- Fax: (972) 385-9601
- Alternate Names: Equipment Recovery Services, Automated Mail Services, DFW Recruiting Solutions, CRD PRT Assoc, Credit Protection Association L.P.
- BBB Profile: Credit Protection Association BBB Page
CPA describes its model as “relationship management” with a “no percentage on recovery” fee structure. Debtors pay the original creditor directly rather than CPA. The company specializes in high-volume, low-balance cable and utility accounts.
In our practice, clients frequently describe confusion about who they are paying when CPA redirects them to a portal that charges an additional processing fee on top of the original balance.
Why Is Credit Protection Association Calling You
CPA was assigned your account by a cable company, utility provider, or similar creditor. The company focuses specifically on high-volume, low-balance accounts in those industries. If you have an unpaid cable or utility bill, it is likely how CPA acquired your account.
The $5.25 convenience fee allegation. According to court filings in Moreno v. Credit Protection Association (2017), CPA allegedly charged a $5.25 “convenience fee” for online credit card payments. Collecting fees not authorized by the original agreement or state law violates the FDCPA. If CPA’s online payment portal is showing you a fee above the original balance, document it before paying.
Letters described as containing “veiled threats.” Court filings in Phillips v. Credit Protection Association (2018) alleged that CPA sent aggressive, misleading letters intended to pressure consumers with implied consequences that were not clearly stated. In our practice, clients describe letters that feel threatening but are carefully worded to avoid explicit demands.
Failure to mark disputed debts. According to court filings in Brown v. Credit Protection Association (2017), CPA allegedly failed to notify credit bureaus that consumers had disputed debts. Under the FCRA, when you dispute a debt, that dispute status must be reported. Failure to do so harms your credit report and violates federal law. See the BBB profile for additional background.
Is Credit Protection Association Harassing You?
Whether You Owe the Debt or Not, We Can Help You
Federal law protects you from unlawful fees and abusive collection. You may be entitled to:
- Up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation
- $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall under the TCPA
- Actual damages for financial harm and emotional distress
- Attorney fees paid by CPA if we win
We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.
FREE Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Has Credit Protection Association Been Sued
Credit Protection Association has accumulated a documented federal lawsuit record across multiple years and legal theories.
- Moreno v. Credit Protection Association, L.P. (2017). Proposed class action alleging CPA violated the FDCPA by charging a $5.25 “convenience fee” for online credit card payments. Collecting amounts not authorized by the original agreement or applicable law is a federal violation.
- Brown v. Credit Protection Association, L.P. (2017). Filed in Mississippi, alleging CPA violated the FDCPA by failing to report disputed debts as “disputed” to national credit reporting agencies.
- Phillips v. Credit Protection Association, L.P. (2018). Alleged that CPA sent misleading, aggressive collection letters containing “veiled threats” intended to harass or pressure consumers into payment.
- Lanteri v. Credit Protection Association, L.P. (2020). TCPA class action alleging automated, unsolicited calls to consumers without prior express consent.
- Schumacher v. Credit Protection Association (2015). S.D. Indiana, Case 4:13-cv-00164.
- Peters v. Credit Protection Association LP (2015). S.D. Ohio.
- Alvarado v. Credit Protection Association, L.P. (2015). M.D. Florida, Case 8:14-cv-447.
- FTC Settlement (2016). According to the FTC settlement record and the FTC enforcement action list, CPA agreed to pay $72,000 for FCRA violations including failing to handle consumer disputes properly, not notifying consumers of investigation outcomes, and not informing consumers whether their credit information was corrected. Review the top FDCPA and FCRA violations.
What to Do If CPA Is Charging a Convenience Fee
If CPA’s online payment portal is showing a fee above your original balance, do not pay before taking these steps.
Step 1. Document the fee. Screenshot the payment page before completing any transaction. Record the original balance, the fee amount, and the total being requested. This is your evidence.
Step 2. Request debt validation. Send a certified letter within 30 days of first contact demanding the original balance without any added fees, documentation of any agreement authorizing the fee, and the name of the original creditor. All collection activity must stop until CPA responds. See our debt validation guide.
Step 3. Send a cease-and-desist. Certified mail to CPA in Dallas if calls continue. After receipt, CPA can only contact you to confirm cessation or notify you of legal action. Review what to say and not say.
Step 4. Call an attorney. The Wood Firm PLLC stops contact within 48 hours and evaluates whether the fee constitutes an FDCPA violation.
How to Remove Credit Protection Association from Your Credit Report
CPA failed to mark your debt as disputed. The Brown lawsuit specifically alleged CPA did not report disputes to credit bureaus. If you disputed the debt and CPA kept reporting it as undisputed, file a bureau dispute citing the FCRA violation and reference CPA’s FTC settlement history.
The reported balance includes unauthorized fees. Per the Moreno lawsuit allegations, if the amount CPA reported to the bureaus includes the $5.25 convenience fee, that amount may be inaccurate and disputable under the FCRA.
CPA never provided investigation outcomes. The FTC settlement specifically cited CPA’s failure to notify consumers whether disputed information was corrected. If you never received that notification, you have documented grounds for a bureau dispute.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Fights Credit Protection Association
We Know CPA’s Specific Playbook
In our practice, CPA cases arrive with one of two patterns: a payment portal that added a convenience fee before the client noticed, or a letter worded to imply consequences without explicit threats. We look for both first.
The Moreno and Phillips cases confirm these are systemic practices. The legal theories are road-tested by federal courts, which strengthens the damages position from the start.
We Stop the Calls Within 48 Hours
Once we take a CPA case, we send legal demand notice immediately. In our experience, CPA contact stops within 24 to 48 hours of that notice. If calls or letters continue after we enter the case, each subsequent contact is a documented violation that strengthens the damages claim.
We Handle FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA Claims
CPA cases frequently involve all three statutes. The FDCPA covers the convenience fee and threatening letter claims. The FCRA covers dispute reporting failures and the credit report issues. The TCPA applies if CPA used automated dialing to your cell without consent. Each statute carries separate statutory damages, and we evaluate all three in the initial review.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
The Wood Firm PLLC handles all consumer protection cases on contingency. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover for you. When we win, the FDCPA and FCRA require the violating company to pay our fees directly. Learn about how we work for you and why clients choose us.
About Attorney Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood founded The Wood Firm PLLC exclusively to represent consumers, never creditors or collection agencies. He is admitted to practice in federal courts across multiple districts and has built Counsel relationships with attorneys in over a dozen states. Read his full attorney profile.
Has Credit Protection Association Violated Your Rights?
Whether You Owe the Debt or Not, We Can Help You
Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • CPA Pays Our Fees
This article was reviewed for legal accuracy by Attorney Jeff Wood, Esq., founding attorney of The Wood Firm PLLC. Last reviewed: April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credit Protection Association
Is Credit Protection Association a legitimate debt collector
Yes. CPA is a registered Dallas, Texas partnership in operation since 1997. However, it has faced multiple federal lawsuits and paid a $72,000 FTC settlement in 2016 for FCRA violations involving improper dispute handling.
Is the Credit Protection Association $5.25 convenience fee legal
Court filings in Moreno v. Credit Protection Association (2017) allege this fee violates the FDCPA, which prohibits collecting amounts not authorized by the original agreement or law. If CPA’s payment portal is showing you a fee above your original balance, document it and request written validation before paying. See the BBB profile.
What was the CPA FTC settlement about
According to the settlement record, CPA paid $72,000 in 2016 for FCRA violations including failing to properly handle consumer disputes, not notifying consumers of investigation outcomes, and not confirming whether inaccurate credit information was corrected.
Can Credit Protection Association call me on my cell phone
Lanteri v. Credit Protection Association (2020) alleged CPA violated the TCPA by making automated calls without prior express consent. If CPA is using automated dialing to your cell without your consent, each call may be worth $500 to $1,500 in statutory damages. Check call frequency limits.
What phone numbers does Credit Protection Association use
(800) 800-6499, (800) 326-1879, (972) 677-6364, (972) 991-3171, and (844) 543-6091. Document every call with date, time, and number. If you receive calls from numbers not listed here, ask the caller to confirm their company name and mailing address before providing any information.
How do I dispute a Credit Protection Association credit report entry
CPA’s FTC settlement specifically addressed its failure to report disputes and investigation outcomes. File a written dispute with all three bureaus citing the debt as disputed, reference any unanswered validation request, and note CPA’s documented history of FCRA violations through the FTC action. Learn more about your FCRA rights.
Can I sue Credit Protection Association
Yes. The FDCPA allows up to $1,000 in statutory damages per lawsuit plus actual damages and attorney fees. The FCRA provides similar remedies for credit reporting violations. The TCPA provides $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall. The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency.
Credit Protection Association has a documented federal lawsuit record, a $72,000 FTC settlement, and allegations of unlawful fees and misleading letters. The Wood Firm PLLC has handled consumer protection cases exclusively since 2011, works on contingency, and makes CPA pay. Call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. Browse our list of collection agencies, review our practice areas, or learn about your consumer rights.
