• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

FinanceJar

FinanceJar

Take the next step on your journey

  • Credit Scores
    • Credit Score Range
  • Credit Repair
  • Credit Reports
    • Credit Inquiries
  • Credit Cards
    • Credit Card Reviews
  • Debt
    • Debt Collection
    • List of Collection Agencies
  • Loans

Home Debt Debt Collection Collection Agencies Advanced Collection Bureau

How to Remove Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. from Your Credit Report

Credit report showing Advanced Collection Bureau account

At a glance

  • Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. is a debt collection agency based in Rockledge, Florida.
  • Find out what the company does (and what they’re not allowed to do), what your rights are, and how to get Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. off your credit report.
  • Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. is likely hurting your credit score.

Get expert help. Call now to remove Advanced Collection Bureau from your credit report.

Call (888) 859-0871 Tap to Call a Collections Expert Book a Free Consultation

Specialists available Monday to Friday, 10AM - 7PM EST.

Written by FinanceJar Team

Reviewed by Victoria Scanlon

Apr 7, 2022

Fresh advice you can trust

We promise to always deliver the best financial advice that we can. That's our first priority, and we take it seriously. Our writers and editors follow strict editorial standards and operate independently from our advertisers and affiliates. Learn more about how we make money.

Table of Contents

  1. What is Advanced Collection Bureau?
  2. Who does Advanced Collection Bureau collect for?
  3. Is Advanced Collection Bureau a scam?
  4. Medical collections vs. non-medical collections
  5. Why is Advanced Collection Bureau calling me?
  6. How to file a complaint against Advanced Collection Bureau
  7. How to get Advanced Collection Bureau off your credit report

What is Advanced Collection Bureau?

Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. is a debt collection agency based in Rockledge, FL that was established in 1995 and incorporated in 2009. 1 2

As a third-party debt collection agency, Advanced Collection bureau collects various types of consumer debt. Specifically, reports indicate that they collect medical debt and tenancy-related debt.

Who does Advanced Collection Bureau collect for?

Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. collects various types of consumer debt. Although they don’t disclose information on their website about who they collect for, complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) indicate that Advanced Collection Bureau collects debts on behalf of the following businesses and people: 2

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Landlords
  • Apartment managers

Is Advanced Collection Bureau a scam?

No, Advanced Collection Bureau isn’t a scam. They’re a legitimate debt collection agency, and they’re formally registered in the state of Florida. 3

However, Advanced Collection Bureau is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and they may still violate your rights. For example, they faced a class action lawsuit in 2018 for illegally charging consumers credit card processing fees to try to collect more money from them than what they actually owed. 4

What’s more, you should be vigilant about scammers that may pose as Advanced Collection Bureau representatives to collect money from you. Be sure to verify any debts you’re contacted about before you make any payments. To do so, contact Advanced Collection Bureau directly using the contact information below.

Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. Contact Information

If you want to remove Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc. from your credit report, write to their address:

advanced collection bureau

Address: 1535 N. Cogswell St.,
Ste. B-8 P.O. Box 560063
Rockledge, FL 32956-0063
Phone Number: (321) 633-4999
Website: www.advancedcb.com

Disputing an incorrect entry on your credit report can be stressful and difficult. Consider working with a professional.

Get a Free Consultation
finance jar gold coin

How to tell if a debt collection notice from Advanced Collection Bureau is a scam

If a debt collection agent calls you, you should receive written confirmation immediately afterward. If you don’t, it might be a scam. Be especially cautious of anyone asking you to pay a debt that you don’t recognize (or that you believe you already settled), and be sure to ask questions during the call to verify their affiliation with Advanced Collection Bureau.

Advanced Collection Bureau may still behave unethically

Even though Advanced Collection Bureau isn’t a scam, it’s possible they’ll still do something that violates your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Your rights (and how you can enforce them) are outlined further down in this article.

VIDEO: Advanced Collection Bureau in 2 Minutes—Fix Your Credit Report & Know Your Rights

Medical collections vs. non-medical collections

Advanced Collection Bureau often deals with medical bill collections. Medical and non-medical collections have some key differences in terms of how the debt is handled by debt collection agencies, the credit bureaus, and the main scoring models.

If you see medical debt on your credit report, there are a few implications you should be aware of:

  • Your debt is already several months old: Medical institutions usually wait 60–120 days before selling your debt to debt collectors. 5 After that, the credit bureaus wait an additional 180 days before adding the collection account to your report to give you time to make arrangements with your insurance company or set up a payment plan. 5
  • Advanced Collection Bureau probably owns your debt: Medical institutions don’t generally report to the credit bureaus. For this reason, the fact that your debt is showing up on your credit report indicates that it was sold to a company that does report to the credit bureaus.
  • Medical collections aren’t as harmful to your credit: Although medical bills do affect your credit score if they’re sent to collections, in newer credit scoring models developed by FICO and VantageScore (specifically FICO 9 and VantageScore 4.0), medical collections don’t hurt your credit score as much as non-medical collections. 6 7

Why is Advanced Collection Bureau calling me?

The reason debt collectors call you is that they believe you have an outstanding debt. When Advanced Collection Bureau calls, ask them to send a written notice detailing the debt they’re collecting, known as a debt validation letter, if they haven’t already.

In accordance with the FDCPA, all debt collectors are required to send this letter within 5 days of first contacting you. 8 It must contain the following information:

  • The amount you owe
  • Your name
  • A statement informing you of your right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receiving their letter
  • A statement informing you that if you dispute the debt in writing, they must mail you evidence of the debt within the 30 days
  • A statement informing you that within 30 days after you’ve received the letter, you can send them a written request to provide the name and address of the lender or healthcare provider that sold them the debt

Advanced Collection Bureau representatives will keep trying to contact you unless you either pay the debt or reach an agreement with them.

However, there are restrictions on how they can go about contacting you.

Restrictions on Advanced Collection Bureau

The FDCPA protects you from debt collector harassment by making it illegal for debt collectors to do any of the following: 8

  • Call you multiple times per day
  • Call you at night (before 8 am or after 9 pm, your time)
  • Call you at work if you tell them you can’t receive calls at work
  • Make automated calls or send pre-recorded messages telling you to make payments
  • Contact any third party, including your family, friends, or coworkers, to discuss your debt
  • Intimidate you or threaten to harm you, sue you, arrest you, or damage your credit
  • Lie about your debt and try to collect more than you owe
  • Accuse you of breaking the law or claim that not paying might result in jail time (you can’t go to jail over unpaid debt, unless you owe money to the IRS because you intentionally committed tax fraud)

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your rights by reading the FDCPA and Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

finance jar gold coin

Keep records of letters and phone calls

If you think that Advanced Collection Bureau may be violating your rights, then it’s a good idea to record your phone calls, save any letters they send you, and keep records of when they’ve contacted you. This will make things much easier if you need to take legal action against them in the future.

Can I sue Advanced Collection Bureau for harassment?

Yes, you can sue Advanced Collection Bureau for harassment. If you can show that the debt collection company has violated your rights under the FDCPA, then you can collect $1,000 in statutory damages for each violation as well as payment for any damages that you’ve sustained as a result of their violation. 8 Advanced Collection Bureau will also be required to pay your attorney fees and court costs.

How to file a complaint against Advanced Collection Bureau

If Advanced Collection Bureau has violated your rights under the FDCPA or done something illegal, then you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or your state attorney general. From there, you’ll be able to find out whether you can also sue Advanced Collection Bureau.

Another option is filing a complaint on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, but this might not have the outcome you’re hoping for. Bear in mind that the BBB is actually a private organization that has no affiliation with the US government. They’ll forward your complaint to Advanced Collection Bureau, but there’s no guarantee that the agency will address it in a satisfactory manner. What’s more, if your dispute is sent to an arbitrator, then you may give up your right to take Advanced Collection Bureau to court.

How to get Advanced Collection Bureau off your credit report

If your credit score is suffering as a result of Advanced Collection Bureau debt, then don’t worry. You can get medical collections removed from your credit report by following these steps:

  1. Tell Advanced Collection Bureau to stop calling you
  2. Ask your insurance provider to cover your debt
  3. Send a debt verification letter
  4. Send a credit dispute letter
  5. Request a goodwill deletion
  6. Negotiate “pay for delete”
  7. Negotiate a debt settlement
  8. Get help from a credit expert

Everyone should follow the first three steps. The ones after that are situational, and you should follow the ones that are appropriate for your circumstances.

Before you do anything else: Ask Advanced Collection Bureau to stop calling you

It’s important to keep a paper trail of all your communications with Advanced Collection Bureau, so make sure to only communicate with them in writing. Make sure to date your letters and send them by certified mail. If you’re not sure where to start, then check out the sample letters provided by the CFPB.

If you ask Advanced Collection Bureau to stop contacting you altogether, then they’re legally obligated to do so. 8 However, ignoring debt collectors can have negative consequences—in the end, you may get sued, and you may even have your wages garnished. It’s smarter to engage with them tactically to ensure you don’t have to pay, or you get the best deal you can.

If you owe medical debt: Ask your insurance provider to cover it

As part of the National Consumer Assistance Plan (an initiative launched by the three major credit bureaus), any medical collections that have been paid or are currently being paid by your insurance company will be removed from your credit report. 9

If you pay off the debts yourself, then Advanced Collection Bureau could stay on your credit report for up to 7 years. However, if you have health insurance and can work something out with your insurance provider and get them to pay it off, then Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion will remove the collection account from your credit reports.

If that doesn’t work: Send a debt verification letter

Sending a debt verification letter asking the collection agency to provide evidence of your debt is one of the quickest and easiest ways of getting rid of a debt item in your credit history.  It’s also an easy way of figuring out if the debt collector is a scam agency.

When you send a debt verification letter, third-party collectors like Advanced Collection Bureau are legally required to show evidence that you have an outstanding debt. If they can’t do that, then they have no choice but to delete it from your records. 10

Debt Verification Letter Template

Debt Verification Letter

Use this debt verification letter template if a debt collection agency has contacted you about a debt and you want to dispute it. The debt collection agency is obligated to respond to your letter with verification of the debt.

PDF Word

Once Advanced Collection Bureau receives your debt verification letter, they’re also required by law to stop contacting you about your debt until they’ve sent you evidence that you actually owe it. 8

Debt collection agencies sometimes don’t have adequate evidence, whether you owe the listed amount or not. If Advanced Collection Bureau isn’t able to verify your debt (or if you discover that the debt is more than a few years old), then proceed to the next step.

On the other hand, if it turns out that your debt is both legitimate and recent, then proceed to one of the steps after that, depending on your circumstances.

finance jar gold coin

Don’t confuse debt validation with debt verification

Although the terms are very similar, these are two different things. The debt validation letter is the initial written communication that Advanced Collection Bureau is legally obligated to send you. You can then reply with a debt verification letter, which requires them to provide evidence of your debt.

If the debt is old or invalid: Send a credit dispute letter to the three credit bureaus

You can write a credit dispute letter to Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion to delete the collection account from your credit report if the debt is an error or it’s past the 7-year credit-reporting limit.

Credit dispute letter to credit bureau

Credit Dispute Letter to a Credit Bureau

Use this credit dispute letter template to file a dispute directly with one of the credit bureaus. Mistakes in your personal information (e.g., an incorrect address), as well as credit accounts that you don't recognize, should usually be disputed with the bureaus. Often they're the result of the bureau confusing you for someone else.

PDF Word

When you dispute the item on your credit report, make sure to send along any supporting documentation that you have on hand. Credit bureaus have 30 days to respond to your dispute. If they don’t, then they’re legally obligated to remove the debt item. 10

If your debt is invalid or time-barred (meaning it’s passed the statute of limitations on debt in your state), then you can also send Advanced Collection Bureau a letter telling them to stop contacting you. However, this doesn’t affect the status of your debt, so it’s not a good idea if your debt is still current.

How to tell if your debt is past the statute of limitations

The statute of limitations on most debts is between 3 and 6 years, but this depends on several factors, including the state you live in. The best approach is to check your state attorney general’s website and email their office if the information you’re looking for isn’t available online.

If you’ve already paid the debt: Request a goodwill deletion

It may be possible to get a paid collection account removed from your credit report by asking for something called a goodwill deletion or goodwill adjustment.

To do this, send a goodwill letter to Advanced Collection Bureau explaining the circumstances that led to your delinquency. This is usually only an option if you’ve already paid the debt in full.

You’ll want to include any supporting evidence or documentation you have, including:

  • An explanation for why you didn’t pay your bill
  • Records demonstrating that you usually pay your debts
  • Examples of how the negative mark is affecting your life, such as making it difficult for you to take out a mortgage

You can also call Advanced Collection Bureau on the phone, although there’s a chance that the person you end up speaking to won’t have the authority to make changes to your records.

It’s important to bear in mind that sending a goodwill letter is a long shot, and the company you speak to is under no obligation to change your report. However, it doesn’t cost you anything, so there’s no reason not to try.

If the debt is recent and unpaid: Negotiate “pay for delete”

If you still owe the debt and it’s too soon to get it removed from your credit report, you’ll probably have to pay it. However, you might be able to convince Advanced Collection Bureau to remove their record of your debt after you’ve paid it by sending a pay-for-delete request.

A pay-for-delete request is different from a goodwill letter because it applies to debts that you haven’t yet paid off. It’s a negotiation where you agree to pay off your debt, and in return, Advanced Collection Bureau promises to remove the negative mark on your credit report that’s associated with it.

The first step is to use a pay-for-delete letter template to draft your letter and send it to Advanced Collection Bureau. It’s very important to get written confirmation that they’ll remove the collection from your credit report once you’re all paid up.

Once you’ve received written confirmation from Advanced Collection Bureau and paid your debt, you should monitor your credit reports to make sure that they follow through. If the collection account is still on your credit report in a couple of months, then follow up with them and use the letter they sent you to remind them of their obligation.

If the debt is old and unpaid: Negotiate for a debt settlement

If your debt is already fairly old, then there’s a chance that Advanced Collection Bureau will accept less than the full amount you owe (a practice known as debt settlement) in order to minimize their losses. The reason for this is simple: they know that older debts are harder to collect payments for.

According to a report published in 2021 by the Congressional Research Service, “In general, debt collectors expect to collect only a fraction of the face value of any particular debt, knowing that some consumers will never pay back their debts in full.” 11 Advanced Collection Bureau almost certainly bought your debt for only a small fraction of what you originally owed, meaning that they’ll make a profit even with a debt settlement.

Before trying to settle medical collections, you should carefully review your financial situation and come up with a realistic amount to offer. If you want, you can negotiate through a debt settlement agency, but be wary of scammers and avoid companies that charge you large amounts upfront.

Alternatively, you can just speak to someone from Advanced Collection Bureau over the phone. However, you should make sure to get the agreement in writing before you make any payments.

Bear in mind that debt settlements still hurt your credit score, and like most other negative marks, they’ll remain on your credit report for up to seven years. 12 With that said, lenders will probably look more favorably on a settled debt than a debt in collection.

If you feel overwhelmed: Get help from a credit repair company

If you feel like you might be in over your head, then seek professional assistance from a credit repair expert to remove Advanced Collection Bureau collection items from your credit report. This can save you time and help you avoid the frustration of trying to remove their negative marks on your own.

Ultimately, most collection accounts will stay on your credit report for 7 years after your first missed payment. Even if you pay off your debt to Advanced Collection Bureau, it will probably remain on your credit report unless you can persuade the collection agency to remove it.

Learn more about Advanced Collection Bureau’s impact on your credit score:

  • Does paying off collections improve your credit score?
  • How many points will my credit score increase after I pay off collections?
  • How to rebuild your credit after having a debt sent to collections

Takeaway: Advanced Collection Bureau is a legitimate debt collection agency

  • Advanced Collection Bureau is a medical debt collection agency, which means they buy debts that medical institutions have charged off.
  • Advanced Collection Bureau isn’t a scam, but you should make sure to avoid scammers by verifying your debts and only making payments once you’re sure they’re legitimate.
  • You have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act that prohibit debt collectors from harassing you. You can sue for harassment, and you won’t need to pay the legal fees if you win.
  • There are several ways of removing Advanced Collection Bureau debt from your credit report, but if these approaches fail, then you should consider seeking advice from a credit repair professional.

Other Collection Agencies

  • Account Services Collections
  • Accounts Receivable Services
  • Accounts Retrievable System
  • Action Financial Services
  • Ad Astra Recovery Services
  • Afni Collections
  • All State Credit Bureau
  • AllianceOne
  • Allied Collection Service
  • Allied Collection Services of California, LLC

Article Sources

  1. Advanced Collection Bureau. "Homepage" Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  2. Better Business Bureau. "Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc." Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  3. Florida Department of State Division of Corporations. "Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc." Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  4. ClassAction.org.. "Yamila Rodriguez, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Advanced Collection Bureau, Inc., and John Does 1-25" Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  5. Experian. "How Does Medical Debt Affect Your Credit Score?" Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  6. FICO. "The Impact of Medical Debt on FICO® Scores" Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  7. VantageScore. "Your score vs. medical debt" Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  8. Federal Trade Commission . "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act" Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  9. National Consumer Assistance Plan. "Highlights" Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  10. Federal Trade Commission. "Fair Credit Reporting Act" Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  11. Congressional Research Service. "The Debt Collection Market and Selected Policy Issues" Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  12. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "How Long Does Negative Information Remain on My Credit Report?" Retrieved December 7, 2021.

FinanceJar Team

Staff Writers & Editors

View Author

The FinanceJar Team is a group of financial experts, writers, and industry professionals who collaborate to bring you fresh and simple insights into your finances. They're dedicated to guiding you toward the right path on your financial journey.

Related Articles

Card being inserted into hospital representing paying medical bills with a credit card
Credit Cards

May 13, 2022

Should You Pay Medical Bills with a Credit Card? Pros and Cons

You can pay your medical bills with a credit card, but there are...

FinanceJar Team
Stop sign representing times you should never pay a debt collection agency
Debt

May 12, 2022

Should You Ever Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

You could face negative consequences for not paying debt collection...

Yi-Jane Lee
Several phones with one representing the debt collection agency you owe
Debt

May 11, 2022

4 Ways to Find Out Which Debt Collection Agency You Owe Money To

With countless debt collection agencies out there, it can be...

Yi-Jane Lee
Clock representing how long a debt collector can pursue old debt
Debt

May 9, 2022

How Long Can a Debt Collector Legally Pursue Old Debt?

The amount of time that debt collectors have before they can no...

FinanceJar Team
Scissors cutting away a ball and chain representing debt
Debt

May 5, 2022

Debt Management Plans: What They Are & How to Get Help

Debt management can help you get out of debt by simplifying your...

Jesslyn Firman
Debt validation letter next to a stamp
Debt

April 29, 2022

Debt Validation Letter: What It Is and Why You Need to Receive It

Debt validation is proof that you owe a particular debt. Debt...

Jesslyn Firman
FinanceJar

Footer

Credit

  • Credit Scores
  • Credit Repair
  • Credit Reports
  • Credit Cards
  • Debt

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Legal

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

How We Make Money

We make money from advertising. We place links on our website to our affiliates, and when you click those links, our affiliates compensate us for it. Our relationships with our affiliates may affect which products we feature on our site and where these products appear in our articles.

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Pinterest

© 2022 – ONR Financial Networks LLC – All Rights Reserved.

Worried about your credit?

Get collections and inquiries removed from your credit report.

Get A Free Consultation
  • Credit Scores
    • Credit Score Range
  • Credit Repair
  • Credit Reports
    • Credit Inquiries
  • Credit Cards
    • Credit Card Reviews
  • Debt
    • Debt Collection
    • List of Collection Agencies
  • Loans

What you’ll get

  • Assess

    Fill in your information and we will securely pull your TransUnion credit report.

  • Address

    We challenge inaccurate negative items with the bureaus and your creditors.

  • Advise

    We will give you advice for how you can improve your credit. Don’t want to wait? Call us now.

Don’t want to wait? Call us!

(888) 859-0871

Monday to Friday, 10AM - 7PM EST

FinanceJar

Get a FREE 5-minute credit consultation.

Get a credit improvement plan that works for you with 1 phone call.

What you’ll get

1
Assess

Fill in your information and we will securely pull your TransUnion credit report.

2
Address

We challenge inaccurate negative items with the bureaus and your creditors.

3
Advise

We will give you advice for how you can improve your credit. Don’t want to wait? Call us now.

This is completely secure and won’t hurt your credit score.

By clicking "Submit" I agree by electronic signature to: (1) be contacted about credit repair or credit repair marketing by a live agent, artificial or prerecorded voice and SMS text at my residential or cellular number, dialed manually or by autodialer, and by email (consent to be contacted is not a condition to purchase services); and (2) the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Don’t want to wait? Call (888) 859-0871 now

We hope this template helps you achieve your goals.

Would you please review us?

A review would mean a lot to us — and takes less than 20 seconds. Let us know what you think. Thanks!

Leave My Review
FinanceJar

Advertising Disclosure

Some of our articles feature links to our partners, who compensate us when you click them. This may affect the products and services that we showcase in our articles and how we place and order them. It does not affect our evaluations of them, which our writers and editors create independently, without considering our relationships with our partners.

FinanceJar

Editorial Standards

We promise to always deliver the best financial advice that we can. That’s our first priority, and we take it seriously.

To ensure that our articles and reviews are objective and unbiased, our writers and editors operate independently from our advertisers and affiliates. Our writers do not take FinanceJar’s relationship with its affiliates into consideration when writing their reviews and articles.

Everything we publish is as accurate and as complete as we can make it. All of our articles undergo several rounds of fact-checking before we publish them, and we do our best to keep them as no-nonsense and jargon-free as possible while still delivering the information that you need.

We know that taking financial advice from us requires a lot of trust on your part. We’re grateful for that trust, and we won’t abuse it.

FinanceJar

How We Make Money

FinanceJar partners with other companies in the credit and finance industry, such as credit card issuers and credit repair companies.

We make money through advertising. Our pages feature links to our partners’ websites. If you click on one of those links, we get paid.

The links to our partners are always clearly marked. You’ll always be able to tell what you’re clicking. We’ll never try to trick you into clicking anything you’re not genuinely interested in.

That’s the only way that we make money. We don’t accept compensation in exchange for reviews or articles, and we don’t directly sell any products or services ourselves. Our editorial team operates independently (with no influence from our affiliates or our advertising team) so as to avoid compromising the objectivity of our reviews.