IC Systems Illegal Practices  Internet

On March 25, 2013, I.C. Systems drafted a letter addressed to me, upon which I received 03/31/2013. The letter advised me of fees I owed to Sprint from a previous cell phone contract, the total owed was $103.00. I left my Sprint contract greater than 1 year ago, and the contract then transferred in to my ex's name, as we were on the contract together originally. At the moment I left Sprint, the contract should have been transferred, but my ex left Sprint with the $103.00 bill and since the contract transference was never complete, the collection agency has now started the collection process on me. I sent them a letter of dispute and asked them not to contact me via phone on 04/01/2013, upon which they advised me it was my debt and I just needed to pay without listening to my story. In doing some research through the Texas Attorney General's office, it was discovered that this debt collection agency is not bonded in the state of Texas. Section 392.101 of the Texas Finance Code prohibits a third-party debt collector or credit bureau from engaging in debt collection in Texas unless the third-party debt collector or credit bureau has obtained a surety bond and filed a copy of the bond with the Office of the Secretary of State.  I have informed the Federal Trade Commission of this illegal debt collection practice, and now have informed the Texas Attorney General’s office.  I called I.C. Systems as a courtesy to advise them that their debt collection practices were breaking Texas law, and they should be careful, because this could result in several fines and lawsuits if discovered.  At this time, the agent I was speaking with assured me that I.C. Systems was not breaking the law and had never broken the law. Strange things happen when you search the internet, because I immediately found this article:

• Government Actions

The following describes a government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency. If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below.

On July 29th, 2011, the Minnesota Department of Commerce entered into a consent order with I C System Inc. I C System Inc shall cease and desist from any further violation of Minn. Stat. 332.33 (2010), and comply with all other laws of the state of Minnesota.

I C System Inc shall procure a license for each place where the business is to be conducted in accordance with Minn. Stat. 332.33 (2010), shall report to the Commissioner on a quarterly basis during the two year period following the effective date of this order any and all individuals who are considered for employment but rejected based in whole or in part on the Screening Process. The information provided to the Commissioner shall include the reason for each rejection.

I C System Inc shall report to the Commissioner any debt collector terminations that occur as a result of their Screening Process for the renewal periods June 30, 2011 through June 30 2013.

I C System Inc shall provide a copy of this Consent Order to all states, cities, or other governing bodies where the respondent is licensed for debt collections.

I C System Inc shall pay to the state of Minnesota a civil penalty of $65,000.

Additional information can be found at www.commerce.state.mn.us.

What government actions does BBB report on?

This came directly from the Better Business Bureau, funny, huh, considering this is displayed on the I.C. System website:

Compliance

I.C. System has a dedicated Compliance Department and a robust compliance program that is forward thinking in its design.  Great attention is paid to issues pertaining to case-law as well as legislative and regulatory guidelines.  With oversight by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) a new reality, I.C.

System continues to conduct itself with the greatest possible degree of compliance.

100% of our phone calls are recorded for client, consumer and  I.C. System’s protection.

I.C. System is licensed and bonded in all states requiring licensure and bonding of collection agencies.

We comply fully with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the code of ethics as adopted by the American Collectors Association.

I.C. System maintains at least $1,000,000 of errors and omissions coverage to assure our clients that we have the assets with which to back up our Hold Harmless Agreement.

All collection practices employed by I.C. System adhere to all applicable state and federal regulations.

Our Legal Department works proactively on industry-related legislative initiatives to benefit our clients, and monitors internal, operational compliance to all statutes, such as HIPAA.