Why Is Penn Credit Calling Me

Dena Standley | October 19, 2022

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Beating Penn Credit feels like ^^

Penn Credit may contact you, claiming you owe a debt. It can be tempting to avoid responding to a debt collector, but the harassment is likely to continue.

If Penn Credit engages in unscrupulous debt collection practices, federal and state laws protect your rights. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) outlines what debt collectors can and cannot do in an attempt to collect a debt. Penn Credit may contact friends and family for your contact information, but they cannot discuss your debt with anyone besides you or your spouse. A debt collector cannot lie, threaten or abuse you.

Here’s everything you need to know about Penn Credit and how to beat them.

What is Penn Credit Corporation?

The Penn Credit Corporation is a Pennsylvania-based financial firm focused on debt collection. Established in 1987, the firm provides accounts receivable management services for the following types of debts: student loans, utility bills, small claims, telecommunications, medical, and government.

You can use the following information to get in contact with Penn Credit:

General Mailing & Phone: 2800 Commerce Drive Harrisburg, PA 17110 (800) 800-3328

Payment Address: PO Box 69703 Harrisburg, PA 17106

Collections Department: Phone:800-900-1380 Email: [email protected]

Penn Credit has received many complaints and bad reviews

Debt collection is among the most vilified industries in our society. Penn Credit Corporation is no exception. As of 2022, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau(CFPB) reports 1,462 complaints against Penn Credit Corp. in a three-year time period, while the Better Business Bureau(BBB) reports 173 complaints in that same period.

These complaints document rude agents, inaccurate reporting, and harassment by phone and letter. These are violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and you can also file a complaint against them if they violate the FDCPA.

Let’s take a look at a real example from the CFPB complaint database.

Get more information to verify the debt

The legal way to get this information is to send a Debt Validation Letter when Penn Credit first contacts you about a debt.

You have 30 days to respond. During the 30 days, your legal rights to get verification information from a debt collector increase under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

A Debt Validation Letter will help you get information regarding:

  • The reasons a debt collector believes you owe this debt.
  • The amount and age of the debt.
  • Proof that Penn Credit is allowed to collect the money.

After you send a Debt Validation Letter, you may find that the debt does not belong to you or Penn Credit has other inaccurate information. If that happens, you should immediately send a Cease-and-Desist Letter discussed below.

Send a “stop contacting me letter.”

In this letter, also known as a Cease-and-Desist Letter, you ask the debt collector to stop contacting you unless they prove your responsibility for the debt. Cease and desist letters do not cancel the debt. Therefore, if Penn Credit collectors believe you are liable, they may take other actions to collect the debt.

Refer to more articles:  Why Are Californians Moving To Florida

Penn Credit may still sue you or report the debt to a credit bureau. According to federal law, debt collectors must stop contacting you once they receive a written request. However, they can reach you to inform you that they will not contact you again or plan to take legal action against you.

Pay the debt and request a goodwill deletion.

In exchange for paying off the debt, Penn Credit may extend a goodwill deletion. The term “goodwill deletion” refers to a debt collection agency ceasing to report a debt to major credit bureaus for the customer’s benefit. It can work as long as your credit report is clean and you have paid the debt.

Write a letter explaining your situation; why you were late with the debt to request a goodwill deletion.

Penn Credit Corporation will do you a favor by granting you a deletion if you are honest and polite in your letter. Sincere and apologetic letters are more likely to be accepted.

Pay-for-delete settlements

If you cannot secure a goodwill deletion, your next step is to negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement. A “pay-for-delete” agreement means Penn Credit Corporation will remove an account from your credit report when you pay the debt. The debt collector may occasionally accept a less-than-full settlement. Debt collectors often purchase original creditors’ debts at a discount. Therefore, they only need to recoup part of the money to turn a profit. Negotiate by offering to pay half the total amount. Once you agree, have it in writing.

Before you make your first payment to Penn Credit Corporation, wait to receive the agreement in the mail and ensure that they have spelled out their terms and that you agree to them. After making the payment, review your credit report 30 days afterward to see if Penn Credit Corporation is still listed. You can reach out to them and remind them of the agreement.

Defend yourself when sued by Penn Credit

File an answer to defend yourself. If you get sued, you may not take every action, but filing an Answer may buy you time to decide what to do. The answer is due thirty days after you receive the Complaint, and if you fail to respond promptly, the judge may issue a default judgment against you. Those thirty days include weekends but not court holidays.

You should take seriously their claims that they intend to sue you. According to the law, it is wrong for debt collectors to threaten any unacceptable action that they do not intend to take. Our Debt Lawsuit Settlement Letter will help resolve the lawsuit quickly when sued for debt.

Draft and file an Answer to a debt lawsuit against Penn Credit

The first step to beating Penn Credit Corporation in court is to respond to the Summons and Complaint. The proper way to respond is by filing a written Answer with the court and sending a copy of it to Penn Credit.

Know your state’s statute of limitations

State laws set limits on the time creditors or debt collectors can sue. This is known as the statute of limitations, which varies by state. Generally, the time is two or more years depending on your state. You may not need to pay the debt after the statute of limitations expires.

In some states, even partial payments will restart the timer. Make sure to investigate the statute of limitations before making any payments to Penn Credit.

Draft and file the Answer on time

Make sure to file the Answer before the deadline, which is 14-35 days depending on which state you live in.

Refer to more articles:  Why Did Esau Despised His Birthright

Follow these 6 tips when drafting your Answer:

  1. The Answer isn’t the place to tell your side of the story in detail.
  2. Deny, Deny, Deny.
  3. Include affirmative defenses.
  4. Use standard formatting or “style”.
  5. Include certificate of service.
  6. Sign it.

To learn more about these 6 tips, check out this video:

After you’ve drafted your Answer, file it with the court immediately. Some courts require you to file electronically, but usually you can mail it in or drop it off in person. You should also send a copy of the Answer to Penn Credit and request a return receipt for proof of delivery.

SoloSuit can help you file an Answer in all 50 states.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit’s Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we’ll have an attorney review your document and we’ll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

How to Beat Penn Credit

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to Beat Penn Credit

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here’s a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

  • Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
  • Accredited Collection Services
  • Alliance One
  • Amcol Clmbia
  • American Recovery Service
  • Asset Acceptance LLC
  • Asset Recovery Solutions
  • Associated Credit Services
  • Autovest LLC
  • Cach LLC
  • Cavalry SPV I LLC
  • Cerastes LLC
  • Colinfobur
  • Covington Credit
  • Crown Asset Management
  • CTC Debt Collector
  • Cypress Financial Recoveries
  • Delanor Kemper & Associates
  • Eagle Loan of Ohio
  • Educap
  • Estate Information Services
  • FIA Card Services
  • Forster & Garbus
  • Freshview Solutions
  • Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
  • Harvest Credit Management
  • Howard Lee Schiff
  • Hudson & Keyse LLC
  • Integras Capital Recovery LLC
  • Javitch Block
  • Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
  • LVNV Funding
  • Mannbracken
  • Mariner Finance
  • Medicredit
  • Michael J Adams PC
  • Michael J Scott
  • Midland Funding LLC
  • Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
  • Mountain Land Collections
  • MRS Associates
  • National Collegiate Trust
  • Nationstar Foreclosure
  • Northstar Capital Acquisition
  • NCEP LLC
  • NRC Collection Agency
  • OneMain Financial
  • Palisades Collection LLC
  • Pallida LLC
  • Paragon Revenue Group
  • Pinnacle Collections Agency
  • PMAB LLC
  • Portfolio Recovery Associates
  • Provest Law
  • PYOD LLC
  • Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
  • Revenue Group
  • Regents and Associates
  • RSIEH
  • Salander Enterprises LLC
  • Second Round Sub LLC
  • Security Credit Services
  • Sherman Financial Group
  • Suttell and Hammer
  • T-Mobile
  • Transworld Systems
  • Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
  • UCB Collection
  • Velo Law Office
  • Velocity Investments
  • Waypoint Resource Group
  • Weinberg and Associates
  • Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

  • Bank of America
  • Capital One
  • Chase
  • Credit One Bank
  • PayPal Synchrony Card
  • SYNCB/PPEXTR
  • Synchrony Bank
  • Target National Bank
  • Wells Fargo

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

Refer to more articles:  Why Nursing Essay

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter – The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws – What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

​​How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court

Related Posts

Why Do I Keep Getting Kicked Out Of Netflix

Why Do I Keep Getting Kicked Out Of Netflix

Within a society where instant digital gratification is the norm, the abrupt halt of Netflix streaming can feel like an untimely pause in a gripping narrative.You may…

Why Does My Tooth Hurt When I Chew

Simply put, your tooth shouldn’t hurt when you bite down. If you’re experiencing tooth pain when you chew or whenever pressure is applied, then you should contact…

Why Is My Zelle Payment Processing

What should you do if you notice your payment is pending on Zelle? Whether you are new to using Zelle or have been regularly using the app,…

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Beds

Entering your room and finding your furry bundle of joy passionately licking the bed…. You may be interested Why You Should Not Meditate At Night Why Would…

Why Bitter Taste In My Mouth

Below are some of the things that may cause a persistent bad taste in the mouth. However, this is not a comprehensive list. People can get a…

Why Am I Not Surprised

Why Am I Not Surprised

You may be interested Why Wer Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Have A Cold Why Is My Fridge So Loud All Of A Sudden Why…