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consumer hotline (800) 316-2262

The California Association of Collectors offers an 800 hotline for consumer inquiries about the industry, and provides a liaison between consumers and member agency owners when complaints or questions arise. The Association represents collection agencies within California, making it uniquely positioned to serve as the liaison between the industry and the public. With its toll-free hotline, CAC is helping to maintain overall professionalism in the industry.

Call CAC's Consumer Hotline at (800) 316-2262.

The Consumer Complaint Process:

Complaints are accepted and processed in the order received to us by the consumer. A CAC staff member sorts the complaint according to a non-collection complaint, third party collections or inquiries. We may then proceed with the complaint if the agency is a third party collector and a member of CAC. We act as a facilitator between the consumer and the member agency to resolve rightful complaints.

  • Our staff contacts the member agency's senior management directly to receive a thorough and accurate response to the consumer's situation.
  • Consumers are sent a complimentary brochure containing answers to the most frequently asked questions about collection agencies.
  • All complaints for a non-member agency will be referred to additional sources of information, such as: Consumer Credit Counseling, DA, and ACA International.
  • The CAC staff monitors resolutions that have been returned to insure the closure of the complaint.

Note: CAC is happy to help with as much as possible. However, we can only process complaints regarding third-party collection agencies and those collection agencies that are CAC members. Our staff cannot address complaints dealing with creditors or credit reporting agencies.

(The consumer hotline and CAC shall provide no legal advice. Any consumer with legal inquiries shall be recommended to seek alternative means of assistance.)

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Consumer Complaint Form