Who Is 9784445800? (How They Affect Your Credit Score)

Who Is 978-444-5800 & How Are They Hurting My Credit Score?

The phone number 978-444-5800 is a known contact number for Performant Recovery Inc., a legitimate debt collection agency that specializes in recovering defaulted debts on behalf of various creditors and government agencies. Performant Recovery is a large, publicly-traded company that often handles debts for student loans, healthcare, utilities, and credit cards.

How They Hurt Your Credit Score:
The damage to your credit occurs when the original creditor writes off your delinquent account and sells it to a debt buyer like Performant, or hires them to collect. This action is reported to the credit bureaus.

1. The Collection Account is Added: Once Performant Recovery begins collection efforts, they place a "collection account" on your credit report. This is a severe negative mark.

2. Significant Score Drop: A collection account signals to future lenders that you have failed to repay a debt as agreed. This can cause a drastic drop of 50-100 points or more in your credit score.

3. Long-Term Consequences: This account can remain on your credit report for 7 years from the date of the first delinquency with the original creditor. This makes obtaining new credit, loans, mortgages, or even renting an apartment difficult and more expensive. It can also affect insurance premiums and some employment background checks.

Ignoring the debt will not make it go away. It allows the collector to continue reporting the account, further cementing the damage to your credit history. In some cases, especially with larger debts, they may escalate to filing a lawsuit to obtain a judgment against you.

Is 978-444-5800 a Scam or Legitimate?

978-444-5800 is a legitimate number for Performant Recovery Inc. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant, as scammers often "spoof" (fake) caller ID to display legitimate numbers to gain your trust.

How to Verify the Legitimacy of a Call:

• Request Written Validation: Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to request written validation of the debt. A legitimate collector will send a letter within 5 days of first contact detailing the original creditor, the amount owed, and your rights. A scammer will avoid sending anything in writing.

• Check Your Credit Report: Pull your reports for free from www.AnnualCreditReport.com. A legitimate debt will appear, likely listed under "Performant Recovery" or the original creditor's name.

• Contact the Original Creditor: If you recognize the debt, contact the company you originally owed (e.g., your student loan servicer, credit card company) to confirm they assigned the debt to Performant.

• Identify Red Flags: Be extremely wary if the caller:

  • Threatens immediate arrest or jail time. (This is illegal; you cannot be arrested for a consumer debt).

  • Demands payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

  • Is overly aggressive, abusive, or refuses to provide their company's mailing address.

  • Asks for highly sensitive information (like your full SSN or bank account number) before verifying your identity and the debt.

How Do I Stop 978-444-5800 From Harassing Me?

You are protected from harassment by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). You have the right to control how and when a collector contacts you.

Steps to Stop Harassment:

1. Verbally Request Them to Stop: You can tell the caller that you wish them to cease all communication. It is highly recommended to follow up any verbal request in writing.

2. Send a Formal "Cease and Desist" Letter: This is a powerful tool. Send a letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested that formally instructs them to stop all contact with you. By law, they can only contact you after this to confirm they will stop calls or to notify you of a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Keep a copy of everything.

3. File a Complaint: If the harassment continues after your written request, file official complaints with:

   • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

   • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

   • Your state's Attorney General's office (Performant is based in California, but you file with your home state).

Should I Block or Ignore 978-444-5800?

Blocking the number may provide temporary relief from calls, but it is a dangerous strategy if you actually owe the debt. It does not make the debt disappear. The collector can still:

• Report the account to credit bureaus.

• Continue to contact you via mail.

• File a lawsuit against you, which you might miss if you are ignoring all communication, leading to a default judgment.

The prudent approach is to engage on your terms. Answer one call to identify the collector, then shift all communication to written mail. This creates a paper trail and allows you to exercise your rights properly by requesting debt validation.

Can a Debt Collector Like 978-444-5800 Sue Me?

Yes, Performant Recovery Inc. can sue you to collect a debt. If they obtain a court judgment, they may be granted the right to garnish your wages, levy your bank account, or place a lien on your property.

Critical Information Regarding Lawsuits:

• Statute of Limitations: Each state has a law that sets a time limit (3-10 years typically) on how long a collector has to file a lawsuit. This is different from the 7-year credit reporting period. If the debt is older than your state's statute of limitations, it is "time-barred," meaning they cannot legally win a lawsuit to collect it. Warning: Making a partial payment or even acknowledging the debt can restart this clock.

• DO NOT IGNORE A SUMMONS: If you are served with court papers, you MUST respond by the deadline. Ignoring a lawsuit will result in a default judgment against you, giving the collector broad powers to collect.

How to Remove 978-444-5800 (Performant Recovery) From Your Credit Report

Removing this collection account is crucial for rebuilding your credit.

1. Demand Debt Validation: Your first step is to send a debt validation letter. If Performant cannot provide adequate proof that the debt is yours and that they own it, they must cease collection and remove it from your credit report.

2. Negotiate a "Pay for Delete": This is a negotiation where you offer to pay a portion of the debt in exchange for them completely removing the collection account from your credit reports. This is not guaranteed, and you must get the agreement in writing before you send any payment.

3. Dispute Inaccuracies: If any information on the credit report listing is incorrect (wrong amount, wrong date, not your account), file a formal dispute with both the credit bureaus and Performant. They are legally required to investigate and correct inaccurate information.

4. Wait for It to Age Off: The collection account must be automatically removed from your report approximately 7 years from the original delinquency date.