Is Unifin a Legit Debt Collector? How to Handle Calls and Texts

Getting a call from a company like Unifin out of the blue isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. I know; I’ve gotten phone calls from companies before saying I owed them money, too. 

But it doesn’t automatically mean you’ve done anything wrong. And even if it does, you have plenty of ways to fix it. We’ll walk you through what to do if you get a call from a Unifin debt collector.

Table of Contents

1. What is Unifin?
2. What should you do if Unifin contacts you?
   1. 1. Ask for a debt validation letter
   2. 2. Verify the debt is real
   3. 3. Consider a debt attorney 
   4. 4. Review your options
3. Is Unifin harassing me?
4. What happens if you ignore Unifin?

What is Unifin?

Unifin is a business consulting firm out of Skokie, Illinois. Companies hire Unifin to handle back-end account management. In this case, that’s collecting overdue debts.

If you can’t pay your credit card bill, for example, your creditor might hire Unifin to collect the debt from you, rather than doing it themselves. Creditors often do this for two reasons:

1. Collecting debts is a pain.
2. There are many consumer protection laws to follow, which Unifin should theoretically know more about. 

That said, Unifin doesn’t get good reviews on the Better Business Bureau website, where it has a 2-star rating. (It is, however, BBB-accredited, but it earns a B rating due to the number of complaints filed.)

Complaints are also rapidly rising with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

Now, you can’t just switch to a different debt collector if you’re not happy with Unifin. It’s your creditor who chooses which debt collector to hire, not you. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless.

What should you do if a Unifin debt collector contacts you?

Anytime a debt collector contacts you about an unpaid debt, it’s important to follow a few steps. The goal is to make sure you really do have to pay the debt, because sometimes you don’t. 

It could be a scam, an error, or a legitimate debt that’s so old they’ve lost the right to collect on it anymore (although they will often try). Here’s how to tell:

1. Ask for a Unifin debt validation letter

Listen, getting a call or a letter about a debt in collections can be scary. Scammers (and legitimate Unifin debt collectors alike, for that matter) can prey on that energy by getting you to pay money before you’ve even verified whether it’s a real claim. 

So, step one is to do just that: Verify that it’s real. On the phone, ask the company to send you a debt validation letter. If they mailed you a demand for payment, write back and ask for that validation letter. Here’s what to look for to make sure it’s a real debt:

• Your original account number
• Debt collector’s name and mailing address
• The original creditor (i.e., the one who hired Unifin, saying you owe them money)
• How much you owe, broken down into the original balance, fees, interest, and more

2. Verify the debt is real

After you receive your validation letter, you’ll have 30 days to check everything over. Go through your records to see if you remember the debt. Check your credit report, too, to see if it’s listed there.  

If you don’t recognize the debt, you can dispute it. Send Unifin a letter contesting the debt. They’ll need to stop collection efforts during this time and conduct an investigation. 

It’s also a good idea to watch out for signs that it’s not actually a Unifin debt collector who’s contacting you, so you don’t fall victim to a scam, too. Here are a few warning signs to watch out for when dealing with debt collectors:

• They ask you for your other personal financial details
• They won’t give you their contact info or verify your debt
• They’re hostile and threaten you with legal charges from the get-go
• They won’t give you their license number in states that require debt collector licensing

If in doubt, try contacting your state attorney general, who can take appropriate steps if it is a scam.

3. Consider working with a debt attorney 

Debt collection is strictly regulated in the United States, and it’s not uncommon for companies to run afoul of the law. That’s where debt attorneys come in; they can help you navigate problems with debt collectors, such as:

• Lawsuits
• Harassment
• Dealing with time-barred debts
• Collection efforts on debts you don’t owe

A debt attorney can handle all communications with a debt collector, giving you some peace. (FWIW, you can also ask debt collectors to stop contacting you without an attorney, but that doesn’t remove your obligation to take care of the debt.)

After three to 10 years, depending on which state you live in, debt collectors can no longer sue you for unpaid debts. It becomes a “time-barred” debt, although debt collectors can still contact you about it. After this point, it’s worth consulting an attorney to check your best course of action.

4. Consider your options

If you’ve verified that it actually is a Unifin debt collector contacting you about a debt that you actually do owe, here are some options:

• Ask Unifin for a payment plan 
• Pay off the charge, if you’re able
• Hire a reputable debt settlement company like National Debt Relief
• Make Unifin a DIY settlement offer to repay less than you owe
• Ask a nonprofit credit counselor for advice or to get set up on a debt management plan

Is Unifin harassing me?

Ever feel like you’re being harassed by debt collectors? The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) puts clear boundaries on what is and isn’t considered harassment. (Heads up: Just contacting you isn’t necessarily “harassment,” even though sometimes it sure feels like it.)

If Unifin debt collectors are harassing you, you have legal recourse under the law. (See an attorney for more details.)

Here are some general rules for what Unifin debt collectors can’t do:

• Use abusive or profane language
• Contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Call your boss and tell them you owe a debt
• Contact you more than seven times per week
• Contact you at work if you tell them you can’t take calls
• Make violent threats to you, your property, or anyone you know

It’s important to keep records of each communication you have with Unifin debt collectors, because if they break the law, you’ll have proof that you can use to sue them in some cases. Reach out to a debt attorney or your state’s attorney general for more help if you’re being harassed.

What happens if you ignore Unifin?

Don’t ignore Unifin debt collectors, even if you don’t think you owe the debt. You could face many unpleasant consequences:

• Tanking your credit score
• Owing more in interest, fees, and penalties
• Having a bank levy or lien put on your assets, like your home
• Harassment (or at least pestering) by debt collectors for many years
• Being sued in court (and automatically losing if you don’t attend the hearing)

It sucks, but it’s best to be proactive when debt collectors contact you. That way, you can take steps to clear the problem faster, and it will soon be a distant memory.