If Valentine & Kebartas is calling you repeatedly, and you believe they are making threats, using language you consider abusive, or demanding payment without proof, it is worth understanding your rights. Conduct like this, if accurate, may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and depending on the facts, you may be entitled to statutory damages plus attorney fees.
This guide covers who Valentine & Kebartas is, which tactics may violate federal law, and general steps consumers can take.
Who Is Valentine & Kebartas
Valentine & Kebartas is a third-party debt collector headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts, that has reportedly operated since 1994. According to public court records, the company has been named as a defendant in numerous federal lawsuits alleging FDCPA violations. A lawsuit reflects an allegation, not a proven fact, unless a court has made a specific finding.
According to the Better Business Bureau, 11 complaints were reportedly closed within the past three years, with six closed in the past 12 months. These figures come from public BBB records and are consumer-reported, not independently verified by this firm.
Some consumers have alleged, in litigation, that the company attempted to collect debts in states where it was not licensed to operate. This is an allegation from court filings and is not a proven fact unless established by a court. Some consumers report experiencing frequent calls and statements they characterize as threats.
What May Make Debt Collection Conduct Illegal
Debt collection conduct may raise legal concerns under the FDCPA when it involves repeated calls intended to annoy, threats of legal action a collector does not genuinely intend to take, misrepresenting the amount owed, adding unauthorized fees, contacting a consumer outside the generally permitted hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., or continuing contact after being asked to stop.
Conduct that may raise concerns includes:
- Frequent phone calls throughout the day
- Threatening legal action without an actual intent to sue
- Language a consumer considers abusive or obscene
- Misstatements about the debt amount or the collector’s legal authority
- Sharing debt details with third parties, such as family members or employers
- Failing to validate a debt when a consumer requests proof
Conduct of this kind may, depending on the facts, violate the FDCPA and give rise to a legal claim.
Phone Numbers Associated with Valentine & Kebartas
Consumers have reported calls from the following numbers associated with Valentine & Kebartas:
- 731-7766
- 975-0799
- 686-1150
- 347-6518
- 932-0978
- 912-0396
- 500-0177
Calls may also come from other numbers not listed here. Some consumers report calls spaced less than an hour apart, which may be relevant to a harassment-related claim depending on the overall pattern.
If you are receiving persistent calls from unfamiliar numbers and suspect they are from Valentine & Kebartas, it is generally a good idea to document each call, including the date, time, and what was said.
How to Respond to Valentine & Kebartas Calls
Consider sending a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail, requesting that the company stop all communication except for legal notices or debt validation. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a collector is generally required to honor this kind of request once received.
A cease-and-desist letter typically includes:
- Your name and address
- Your account number, if known
- A clear statement such as: “I request that you cease all communication with me regarding this alleged debt.”
- The date and your signature
Send the letter by certified mail with a return receipt as proof of delivery. After receiving it, the collector is generally limited to contacting you to confirm it is stopping or to notify you of specific legal action.
It is also generally advisable to request debt validation in writing within 30 days of first contact. A debt collector is generally required to provide accurate details about the debt, including the original creditor, amount owed, and proof of authority to collect. Failing to validate on request may raise a separate concern.
You can also consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or your state’s Attorney General’s office.
If you retain an attorney, the collector is generally required to direct further contact through counsel rather than to you directly.
Can Valentine & Kebartas Sue Me or Garnish My Wages?
A collector can generally sue if a debt is valid and within your state’s statute of limitations, but wage garnishment generally requires first winning a court judgment. Without a court order, wage garnishment is not legal, so any garnishment threat made before a lawsuit has been filed may, depending on the facts, violate the FDCPA.
If you are sued, it is generally important to respond by the deadline stated in the court papers, since failing to do so can result in a default judgment. Consider requesting debt validation, checking whether the debt is past the statute of limitations, and speaking with a defense attorney.
Your Rights Under the FDCPA
Rights under the FDCPA generally include the ability to dispute a debt, request validation, ask a collector to stop contacting you, be free from harassment and threats, have calls limited to between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., keep your debt private from unauthorized third parties, and pursue damages for violations, up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages and attorney fees in a successful case.
A debt collector generally cannot use excessive calls, abusive language, misstate what you owe, collect more than legally owed, contact you at unreasonable hours, or share your debt information with unauthorized people.
How to Request Debt Validation
To request validation, consider sending a written dispute within 30 days of first contact asking for proof that the debt is accurate and verifiable. A collector is generally required to provide documentation showing the original creditor, the amount owed, and its authority to collect before continuing collection efforts.
Information to request in writing:
- The original creditor’s name and address
- The amount when the debt was charged off
- An itemization of the current amount
- Proof that the collector owns the debt or has authority to collect it
- Documentation showing the debt belongs to you
Send the request by certified mail and keep copies. A collector is generally required to pause collection activity until it provides complete validation, and to stop entirely if it cannot validate the debt.
It is also a good idea to check your credit report with all three bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, to confirm the debt is being reported accurately. You can dispute errors directly with the credit reporting agencies.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Approaches These Matters
The Wood Firm PLLC represents consumers in disputes with debt collectors, including matters involving Valentine & Kebartas. Depending on the facts, potential issues our firm reviews can include excessive calling, threats of legal action not genuinely intended, misstatements about a debt, unauthorized disclosure of debt information to third parties, and failure to validate a debt on request.
The Wood Firm PLLC has represented consumers in debt collection disputes since 2010. Representation in qualifying matters is generally handled on a contingency basis, meaning a consumer generally pays nothing upfront. Outcomes depend on the specific facts of each matter and are never guaranteed.
About Attorney Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood founded The Wood Firm PLLC after more than a decade of experience in consumer protection law. His practice focuses on FDCPA, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Telephone Consumer Protection Act matters, representing consumers exclusively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valentine & Kebartas a legitimate company?
Valentine & Kebartas appears to be a registered debt collection agency that has reportedly operated since 1994. Being a legitimate business does not exempt a collector from FDCPA requirements, and complaints or lawsuits are allegations rather than proof of wrongdoing.
Why is Valentine & Kebartas contacting me?
Generally, they are contacting you to collect a debt they claim you owe, whether from an original creditor or a debt purchased from another party. It is generally advisable to request validation before acknowledging any debt.
Can Valentine & Kebartas harass me with calls?
No. A collector is generally not permitted to harass, threaten, or use language you consider abusive while contacting you. Excessive calls, threats, and abuse may raise concerns under the FDCPA.
How do I stop Valentine & Kebartas from calling me?
Consider sending a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail requesting that all communication stop.
Can I raise a legal claim against Valentine & Kebartas?
Depending on the facts, if the FDCPA was violated, a consumer may be able to recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages and attorney fees. No outcome is guaranteed.
What if I don’t owe the debt Valentine & Kebartas claims?
Consider sending a written dispute and requesting debt validation promptly. The collector is generally required to provide proof before continuing collection efforts.
Can Valentine & Kebartas garnish my wages?
Only after winning a court judgment. Without a court order, wage garnishment is not legal, and threats made before a lawsuit is filed may raise a concern under the FDCPA.
Does Valentine & Kebartas report to credit bureaus?
Debt collectors generally may report unpaid debts to credit bureaus, which can affect your credit score. You can dispute inaccurate information directly with the credit reporting agencies.
How much compensation can I get if the FDCPA was violated?
Depending on the facts and outcome of a case, a consumer may be able to recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus actual damages and attorney fees. This is not a guarantee of any particular result.
Should I consider speaking with a consumer protection attorney?
It is generally a reasonable option if you believe your rights may have been violated, so an attorney can review the facts and explain what options, if any, may apply.
