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Fair Collections & Outsourcings, Inc.

Other Names: FCO, FCO Collections
Fair Collections And Outsourcing Inc

Looking to make informed decisions about Fair Credit & Outsourcing? Our Fair Credit & Outsourcing Review offer valuable insights from real consumers, along with thorough research from Tenant Watch Dog. By exploring these reviews, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of others’ experiences, helping you navigate your interactions with this debt collection agency.

If you’ve dealt with Fair Credit & Outsourcing, whether positive or negative, we invite you to share your story. Use our feedback form at the bottom of this page to provide your review and help others make more informed choices. Together, we can promote fair and transparent practices in debt collection.

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Consumer Reviews

2.1
2.1 out of 5 stars (based on 47 reviews)
Excellent0%
Very good11%
Average23%
Poor30%
Terrible36%

Business Details

Licensing Information:

According to the NATIONWIDE MULTISTATE LICENSING SYSTEM as of September 8, 2024 Fair Collections & Outsourcings is licensed in 9 States.

Liscense No. 980983 Issued by:
State of Maryland

1100 North Eutaw Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone number: 410-230-6231

Additional Customer Service Telephone Numbers:

Important Information

Confirmed Common Questions & Answers about Fair Collections and Outsourcings

Is Fair Collections and Outsourcing Legit?

YES, as mentioned in the business details section they have been in business since January 01,1994.  

Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) is a debt collection agency known for purchasing delinquent debts, particularly in the real estate and property management sectors. They acquire unpaid debts from original creditors, such as landlords and property management companies, and then attempt to collect these balances from consumers.  If you have an account with them, it likely means they purchased your debt and are now seeking to recover the amount owed.

They are known as a DEBT BUYER!  They work to collect unpaid rent, fees, and other debts from former tenants on behalf of landlords and property owners. They are known for reporting unpaid debts to the credit bureaus, which can affect a consumer’s credit score.

Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) primarily collects debts for landlords, apartment complexes, and property management companies. If you’ve moved out of a rental property and left unpaid rent, fees, or utility bills, FCO might be contacting you on behalf of the original creditor, or they may have purchased the debt outright.

Consumers should be aware that FCO has a reputation for harassing consumers in their collection efforts, including reporting the debt to credit bureaus. It’s crucial to verify the debt’s accuracy and your legal responsibility before making any payments. 

Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) may operate under several variations of their name. In some cases, you may see them listed as FCO Collections, Fair Collections & Outsourcing, Inc., or simply Fair Collections. It’s important to recognize these variations, as they may appear differently on your credit report or in correspondence.

Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) is likely calling because they either purchased your alleged debt or are attempting to collect it on behalf of a property management company, landlord, or utility provider. If you’ve moved out of a rental and left unpaid rent, fees, or utility bills, FCO may have acquired that debt from the original creditor, which is a common practice in the debt collection industry.

There are 5 legal ways to remove them from Your Credit Report.

  1. Dispute inaccuracies with the credit bureaus.
  2. Pay for Delete Agreement.
  3. Goodwill Removal Request.
  4. Wait for the Debt to Age Off.
  5. Settle the Debt and Dispute the Entry.

Yes, you can negotiate with Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) to settle your debt for less than the full amount. However, it’s important to be aware of their reputation for sometimes not honoring negotiated agreements.

While FCO may agree to a settlement, there are reports from consumers stating that even after making payments, FCO did not follow through on removing negative credit entries or marking the debt as “paid in full.”

Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) does not have a strong reputation for honoring pay-for-delete (PFD) agreements. While some consumers report success with having debts removed after negotiating PFD, the general feedback on forums like myFICO and Reddit indicates that such outcomes are inconsistent.

In many cases, FCO may agree to settlements, but they are known to be difficult when it comes to actually deleting the negative entry from a credit report after payment.

Consumers who have successfully navigated this process often recommend negotiating directly with the original creditor, as FCO sometimes acts as an assigned collector rather than the owner of the debt. It’s also crucial to get any agreements in writing and follow up regularly to ensure the deletion occurs as promised​.

Given the mixed success rates, it’s important to approach PFD negotiations with caution when dealing with FCO.

Fair Collections and Outsourcing Collection Agency

Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) is a debt collection agency based in Beltsville, Maryland, specializing in the recovery of unpaid debts, particularly from rental properties such as apartment complexes and condos. They often work with property management companies to collect on outstanding balances related to rent, damages, and other fees owed by former tenants.

When dealing with FCO or any debt collector, it’s crucial to carefully review and adhere to any settlement terms you agree upon. Failing to meet these terms could result in further negative entries on your credit report. If you receive communication from FCO, it is typically an attempt to collect a debt or verify an alleged debt.

FCO often obtains personal information from the original creditor, which is usually the property management company or landlord of the apartment you rented. This is how they gain access to your contact information and debt details. Always request debt validation to ensure the debt is legitimate before making payments.

Our 2024 Fair Collections and Outsourcing Collection Agency Research

Based on the research conducted by TenantWatchDog.org, Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) is another debt collector to be cautious of, particularly due to their past issues with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). FCO has been involved in multiple complaints related to deceptive practices and violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including inaccurate reporting and aggressive collection tactics. These issues have made them a focus for consumer advocacy groups who aim to protect tenant rights.

We began monitoring and reporting on FCO in recent years due to the rise in consumer complaints. With so much misinformation surrounding debt collection agencies, Tenant Watch Dog is committed to providing accurate, thoroughly fact-checked details. Our goal is to help consumers understand their rights and protect themselves from unfair practices. You can explore more about your rights as a consumer, including how to dispute a debt or seek validation, on our detailed debt collector profile page.

Our findings have been backed by multiple consumer reports and a CFPB enforcement action, confirming that FCO has been fined for deceptive collection practices. These violations were not only committed by individual representatives but also involved decisions made at higher levels of management. You can read more about this case and other related information through our blog.

Fair Collections and Outsourcing Collection Agency Fact-Checked Information

Fair Collections and Outsourcing (FCO) is a legitimate debt collection agency that focuses on recovering debts primarily in the property management sector, including unpaid rent, fees, and other charges from former tenants. They work with property management companies and landlords to collect outstanding balances after tenants move out. FCO operates within the framework of federal laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which are designed to protect consumers during the debt collection process. Despite their legal standing, FCO has faced multiple complaints and issues due to aggressive practices, which have resulted in actions from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

A common area of confusion involves pay-for-delete agreements, where consumers attempt to negotiate the removal of negative entries from their credit reports after settling a debt. While some consumers have reported success in negotiating pay-for-delete with FCO, these agreements are not guaranteed, as credit reporting agencies discourage altering credit reports to ensure accurate financial histories. Consumers seeking such an agreement should always ensure it is documented in writing, as results have varied depending on the situation.

There is also a misconception about how FCO handles debts. FCO both purchases and collects debt on behalf of creditors. They frequently buy delinquent accounts from property managers, meaning they take ownership of the debt, but they also act as third-party collectors for other clients. When they purchase debts, they often do so in bulk, which is why you may be contacted by FCO regarding a balance from a previous apartment or rental agreement. Understanding how they operate can help consumers better manage communication and negotiations with this collection agency.

Know Your Consumer Rights

Are you dealing with another debt collector? An important part of the Apartment Debt Collector Reviews on our site is to make sure consumers have the information they need.  Be aware that the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is in place to protect your rights!

This law prevents collectors from contacting you

  • At early or late hours
  • Continuing to call after being asked not-to
  • Harassing anyone involved with the debt and
  • Making false claims.

It is also required for them to validate any requested debts within 30 days of receiving notice – so ensure they are complying by brushing up on FDCPA regulations first.

When it comes time to interact with Fair Collections and Outsourcing Collection Agency or other agencies like them: knowledge really IS power!

Recent Consumer Reviews About Fair Collections and Outsourcing Collection Agency

Previous Paid Debt

July 7, 2022

Paid this debt years ago and it popped up on my credit report, after providing the proof they were very helpful closing the account and removing from my credit report.

Emelia
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

Identity Fraud

July 6, 2022

Glad they actually know what they are doing, was a victim of identity fraud.

Adelyn
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

The Worst

June 30, 2022

Worst collection company to deal with. Anyone unlucky enough to get a collection with FCO Collections Good luck. They will refuse to work with you whether the debt is yours or not.

Humberto
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

Hateful reps

June 23, 2022

Just rude, and hateful people they scream at you and do not try to help at all.

Adolfo
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

Crooks

June 4, 2022

Biggest Crooks and liars on the planet. There’s a special place in hell for disrespectful people. I am appalled and so freaking pissed off.There hateful and rude and disgraceful!

Jackson
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

Unhelpful for sure

May 3, 2022

Not helpful bone in their bodies at all !! Rude, unwilling to help resolve the error, not to mention they treat me as if I done something wrong and refuse to allow me to speak to a supervisor because they can’t help me unless I’m paying the balance.

Alexzander
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

No Communication

March 12, 2022

Never got a telephone call, a letter or a negotiation for 7 years. Well too bad for them, it will be off my report soon, i would have gladly paid the debt.

Nickolas
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

Rediculous

December 21, 2021

Maybe hire reps that can actually speak real english and not pure ghetto. They are mean and hateful.

Marley
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

Abusive and Rude

December 18, 2021

Fair Collections and Outsorcing, aka Fco Collections is fraudulent and abusive not to mention deceptive. They are violating the FCRA ( Fair credit reporting act ) and FDCPA ( Fair debt collection practice act ). Their employees and supervisors yelled at me, used violent language and didn’t give a crap about anything I had to say.

Damaris
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

Customer Service Needs Help

December 13, 2021

Nothing positive to say about the experience. Their customer service skills definitely need help.

Amiya
Verified

Response from Tenant Watch Dog

Thank you for providing a review on FCO Collections, also Known as Fair Collections and Outsourcing your review will help other consumers going through similar situations.

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