Your phone has been ringing nonstop from a Colorado number – (303) 288-1455. When you finally answered, someone from The Advantage Group was aggressive, talked over you when you tried to ask questions, and threatened to “destroy your credit” if you didn’t pay immediately.
Then they called your mom. And your boss. Now you’re dealing with embarrassment at work and family members asking questions about your finances. You didn’t even know if this debt was legitimate, and they’re already contacting everyone you know.
If this describes your situation, you may be dealing with a Colorado-based debt collector with over 26 years of documented consumer complaints, including excessive calling, third-party disclosures, and false threats about legal actions they haven’t taken – behaviors that may violate federal law.
If The Advantage Group is contacting you:
- Yes, they’re a real debt collection agency (based in Thornton, Colorado since late 1990s)
- No, they cannot call your family, friends, or employer about your debt
- No, they cannot “destroy your credit” or garnish wages without a court judgment
- Yes, you can legally make them stop calling
- Yes, calling multiple times daily or contacting third parties may violate FDCPA
- Yes, you may be entitled to damages if they violated your rights
Who Is The Advantage Group?
The Advantage Group is a third-party debt collection agency based in Thornton, Colorado, operating for over 26 years with a documented history of consumer complaints regarding aggressive collection tactics.
Contact Information:
- Address: 500 E. 84th Ave. #C-6, Thornton, CO 80229
- Main Phone: (303) 288-1455
- Toll-Free: (800) 864-4358
- Operating Since: Late 1990s (26+ years)
- BBB: Multiple consumer complaints filed
Federal court cases involving The Advantage Group:
- VCM Ventures Enter v. Advantage Group (6:03-cv-00722-GKS-JGG)
- Fraire v. Advantage Group (1:13-cv-01089-MV-SMV)
- Chavez v. The Advantage Group (1:12-cv-02819-REB-MEH)
- Longoria v. Advantage Group (1:15-cv-02517-MSK-CBS)
Unlike Asset Acquisition Group, Revenue Group, or Central Management Group, The Advantage Group operates from a single Colorado location but has faced multiple federal lawsuits alleging FDCPA violations.
Why Third-Party Contact May Be The Advantage Group’s Biggest Problem
Based on complaint patterns, The Advantage Group appears to have a recurring issue: contacting people OTHER than the debtor. This isn’t just annoying – it may be one of the most serious FDCPA violations.
Here’s what the law says about third-party contact:
The FDCPA strictly limits when and how debt collectors can contact anyone other than you. They can ONLY contact third parties to get your location information (phone number, address, workplace). That’s it.
They CANNOT:
- Tell your family members you owe a debt
- Tell your employer you owe money
- Discuss the amount you owe with anyone
- Call your mom, dad, siblings, friends more than once
- Leave voicemails that reveal they’re a debt collector
- Ask anyone to “pass along a message” to you about the debt
If The Advantage Group called your family or employer and discussed your debt, they likely violated federal law.
This isn’t a minor violation. Third-party disclosure cases often result in statutory damages because they’re clear-cut violations that cause real harm – embarrassment, damaged relationships, workplace issues.
Real scenario that may violate FDCPA:
Advantage Group collector calls your mother:
“Hi, this is The Advantage Group calling about your son/daughter’s unpaid debt of $3,500. We’ve been trying to reach them but they won’t return our calls. Can you have them call us at 303-288-1455 to resolve this account before we pursue legal action?”
This single call may violate FDCPA multiple times:
- Disclosed the debt to a third party ✗
- Stated the amount owed to someone else ✗
- Made it sound urgent/threatening to pressure you ✗
- Asked your mother to intervene ✗
Each violation may be worth up to $1,000 in statutory damages.
What to Do If The Advantage Group Contacts You
Many consumers question whether The Advantage Group is a real debt collector or another scam operation. Despite operating for over 26 years, this company has faced many complaints, including cases filed with the Better Business Bureau.
While they’re a legitimate debt collection agency, experiencing aggressive collection methods can make consumers question their practices. If you believe their methods seem deceptive or intrusive, you’re not alone in feeling this way.
The key question isn’t just whether they’re real—it’s whether their tactics comply with federal consumer protection laws.
What to Do If The Advantage Group Is Harassing You
If you believe The Advantage Group is harassing you, here’s what you should do:
- Document Everything: Keep records of all calls, including dates, times, and what was said
- Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with FDCPA protections
- Request Written Validation: Ask them to verify the debt in writing
- Stop Communication: Send a cease and desist letter if needed
- Seek Legal Help: Contact a consumer protection attorney
As a consumer, the FDCPA affords you specific protections under federal law designed to safeguard you from potentially abusive debt collection practices. One of the key pieces of legislation that protects your rights is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA sets clear boundaries on what debt collectors, including The Advantage Group, can and cannot do when attempting to collect debts.
Also read: Central Management Group Debt Collection Harassment
How to Stop Debt Collection Calls from The Advantage Group
To stop debt harassment from The Advantage Group, you have several options:
- Option 1: Send a Written Cease Communication Request: Under the FDCPA, you can request that a debt collector stop contacting you. Send a certified letter requesting that they cease all communication.
- Option 2: Dispute the Debt: If you believe the debt isn’t yours or the amount is incorrect, send a debt validation letter within 30 days of their first contact.
- Option 3: File a Complaint: You can report The Advantage Group to the CFPB or FTC if you believe they’ve engaged in harassing behavior.
- Option 4: Legal Action You may be able to sue The Advantage Group for phone harassment if they’ve violated the FDCPA. This can result in statutory damages and attorney fees.
How to Stop Calls From The Advantage Group
If they’re calling multiple times daily, contacting people you know, or making threats they can’t legally follow through on, you need to protect yourself immediately. Here’s exactly what to do:
Don’t:
- Don’t acknowledge the debt exists
- Don’t give them your bank information or make a payment
- Don’t agree to a payment plan under pressure
- Don’t tell them where you work if they don’t already know
- Don’t let them convince you to call back from a different number
Do:
- Ask for their name and company
- Ask what debt they’re collecting and who the original creditor is
- Tell them to send written validation
- Document the call (date, time, what they said, threats made)
- Note if they called anyone else about your debt
How to Request Debt Validation and Stop Third-Party Contact
The Advantage Group must validate the debt if you request it within 30 days. More importantly, you can explicitly prohibit them from contacting third parties. Send this via certified mail:
[Your Name/Address/Date] The Advantage Group 500 E. 84th Ave. #C-6, Thornton, CO 80229
Re: Account #[if known]
I dispute this debt. Provide: (1) Original creditor, (2) Original and current balance, (3) Proof I owe this (signed contract), (4) Proof you’re authorized to collect.
CEASE ALL THIRD-PARTY CONTACT: Do NOT contact my family, friends, employer, or any third party about this debt. Such contact may violate FDCPA § 1692c(b).
If you have already contacted third parties, provide: Names of everyone contacted, dates of contact, what was disclosed. This information is required under FDCPA.
Cease all contact with me except by mail. All communications to this address only.
[Your Signature]
Keep your certified mail receipt. If they continue calling you OR contact any third parties after receiving this letter, document everything – it strengthens your case.
When Excessive Calling Crosses Into Harassment
While FDCPA doesn’t specify exactly how many calls per day constitute harassment, courts look at patterns: multiple calls per day for weeks, calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and calls continuing after you’ve requested validation.
Document every call: Note phone number, time, whether you answered, and what was said. This log becomes evidence.
Learn how many times collectors can call and workplace call rules.
Can The Advantage Group Garnish Wages or Sue You?
They threaten it constantly. Here’s the reality:
- Wage garnishment: They CANNOT garnish wages without first suing and winning a court judgment. Threatening garnishment without a judgment may violate FDCPA. See wage garnishment threats.
- Lawsuits: They CAN sue if the debt is within the statute of limitations (3-6 years). Threatening to sue without intent may violate the FDCPA. Check judgment expiration.
- Arrest: They CANNOT have you arrested for debt. Arrest threats are clear FDCPA violations.
- The pattern: Empty threats designed to scare you into paying without validating the debt.
When You Should Call a Lawyer About The Advantage Group
Most people can handle validation letters themselves. But call a lawyer if:
- They contacted your family or employer: If they discussed your debt with anyone other than you, this may be a serious FDCPA violation worth significant damages.
- They’re calling excessively: If you’re getting multiple calls daily despite requesting validation or asking them to stop, document everything and contact an attorney.
- They made false threats: Threatening arrest, immediate wage garnishment without a judgment, or other legally impossible actions may violate FDCPA.
- They won’t validate but keep collecting: If they ignore your validation request and continue collection activities, each contact may be a separate violation.
- You’re being sued: If they filed a lawsuit, respond immediately. Don’t ignore court documents – this could result in a default judgment.
The Wood Law Firm works on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. If we win, The Advantage Group pays our attorney fees. You keep 100% of any damages awarded.
How The Wood Law Firm Stops The Advantage Group Harassment
Your phone rings constantly. The Advantage Group called your mother and told her you owe $4,000. Your boss pulled you aside because they called your workplace. You’re embarrassed, stressed, and you don’t even know if this debt is legitimate.
This behavior has been documented in federal lawsuits against The Advantage Group. If they contacted your family or employer, called excessively, threatened actions they haven’t taken, or refused to validate the debt, they may have violated federal law.
We can help stop harassment and pursue compensation up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees. Since 2010, an A+ BBB rating in 14 states.
Call The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 for a free consultation. Know top FDCPA violations, FDCPA protections, and Colorado Attorney General resources.
About Attorney Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood has over 15 years of experience in consumer protection law, specializing in FDCPA third-party disclosure violations and excessive calling cases. He’s handled numerous cases where collectors contacted family members or employers, causing embarrassment beyond the debt itself. Network of attorneys in 14 states, A+ BBB rating.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Advantage Group
1. Can The Advantage Group legally call my family or employer about my debt?
No. They can only contact third parties to obtain your location information. Discussing the debt, amount owed, or asking family to pass messages may violate FDCPA § 1692c(b). If this happened, document who they called, what was said, and when.
2. How many times can The Advantage Group call me per day?
FDCPA doesn’t specify an exact number, but excessive calling may constitute harassment. Multiple calls daily, especially after you’ve requested validation or asked them to stop, may violate FDCPA. Document each call as evidence.
3. What if The Advantage Group threatens to garnish my wages without suing me first?
This may be a false threat violating FDCPA. They cannot garnish wages without first suing you and obtaining a court judgment. If they threaten immediate wage garnishment, this may violate prohibition on false threats.
4. Can they sue me for this debt?
Only if the debt is within your state’s statute of limitations (typically 3-6 years). If the statute expired, they cannot sue, though they may still attempt to collect. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt can restart the clock.
5. What should I do if The Advantage Group called my workplace?
This may violate FDCPA. Document the call: who at your workplace received it, what was said, when it occurred. If they disclosed you owe a debt, this is likely a violation. Send them written notice prohibiting workplace contact and contact an attorney.
6. Can I sue The Advantage Group for contacting my family?
Yes, if they discussed your debt with family members. Third-party disclosure violations may result in statutory damages up to $1,000 plus actual damages for embarrassment and harm. Attorney fees are paid by them if you win.
7. Where do I report The Advantage Group violations?
File with CFPB, FTC, The Wood Law Firm, and Colorado Attorney General. Include documentation of third-party contacts, excessive calling, or false threats. Reference their federal court cases when filing.
Don’t let The Advantage Group’s threats or third-party contact tactics intimidate you. Call The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 to protect your rights.
