“The Bureaus, Inc.” is a name that may sound vague and ominous, but if they’ve started sending you letters or calling your home phone, you may have already sussed out what type of business they are: a debt collection agency.
Thankfully, there’s no reason to be alarmed. The Bureaus is just like any other debt collection agency. That means you have the power to fight against them to protect your finances, credit, and legal rights.
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What is The Bureaus, Inc.?
The Bureaus, Inc. is a debt collection agency based in Northbrook, IL that was originally founded in 1928.
As a third-party debt collection agency, The Bureaus works to recover debts for businesses in a variety of industries. Specifically, they provide the following debt collection services: 1 2
- Acquiring debt portfolios
- Developing debt collection technologies
- Analyzing consumer data
- Filing and handling lawsuits
In addition to working for creditors and lenders, The Bureaus also collects debts on behalf of debt buyers that have purchased severely delinquent accounts.
Who does The Bureaus, Inc. collect debts for?
The Bureaus collects debt in a wide range of industries, although they don’t disclose any specific information about the companies they work for on their website.
However, complaints filed against the company on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website indicate that The Bureaus, Inc. collect debts on behalf of the following types of companies: 3
- Credit card companies
- Banks and other financial institutions
- Retailers (e.g., jewelry, clothing, and department stores)
If you’re receiving communications from The Bureaus, it probably means that they think you owe money to one of the lenders or debt buyers that they work for.
Is The Bureaus, Inc. a scam?
No, The Bureaus isn’t a scam. They’re a legitimate debt collection agency, with accreditation or certification by several reputable organizations, including the BBB, the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI), and ACA International. 4 5 6
With that said, even legitimate debt collectors can break the law. In fact, The Bureaus, Inc. has gotten into legal trouble in the past for allegedly violating consumer rights. 7 8
You should also be on the lookout for scammers who are merely pretending to represent The Bureaus in order to rob you of your money. Don’t send any payments or give out your personal information until you’ve contacted The Bureaus, Inc. directly to verify your debts. You can do so using the contact details provided below.
How to deal with The Bureaus
Ready to take control of your debt with The Bureaus? Choose the methods you want to attempt below.
Dispute Collections If the debt is inaccurate, learn how to remove the collection from your credit report. | Stop Harassment If your rights are being violated, learn how to fight back using protections under federal law. |
Verify Debt If you're not certain the debt is yours, request more information (and temporarily stop collection efforts). | Pay Debt Collector If you're ready to pay up, learn how to do it in a way that keeps you on better financial footing. |
