First Credit Services is a debt collection agency calling about money you owe

First Credit Services is a third-party debt collection company. When they call, it means a creditor — a credit card company, medical provider, utility, or loan servicer — has sold or assigned your unpaid debt to them for collection. They are not calling by mistake, and they are not a scam (though scammers do impersonate collection agencies, so verify the call is real before giving information).

The debt they are calling about is usually past due by at least 90 to 180 days. At that point, the original creditor typically stops trying to collect and instead sells the account to a collection agency like First Credit Services for a fraction of what you owe. First Credit Services then owns the right to collect the full amount and keeps whatever they recover.

This does not mean you owe them money instead of your original creditor — it means they now hold the debt. Paying them stops the calls and prevents further collection action, but it also appears on your credit report as a collection account, which damages your credit score.

Key Takeaways

  • First Credit Services calls because a creditor has transferred your unpaid debt to them for collection, usually after you have missed payments for several months.
  • You can request written proof of the debt within 30 days of their first contact, and they must stop collection efforts until they provide it.
  • Paying a collection agency does not remove the collection from your credit report, though it may improve your score slightly and stop future calls.
  • You have the right to dispute the debt if you do not recognize it, if the amount is wrong, or if the statute of limitations has passed in your state.
  • Recording the calls, asking them to stop calling, and keeping written records of all contact protects you if they violate debt collection laws.

How to verify the debt is real

Before you pay or discuss the debt, confirm that First Credit Services actually owns it and that the amount is correct. Scammers call pretending to be collection agencies, and even legitimate collectors sometimes pursue debts that have already been paid, belong to someone else, or are too old to collect.

Send First Credit Services a written request for a debt verification letter within 30 days of their first call. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof you sent it. In the letter, ask them to verify the original creditor's name, the account number, the original amount owed, and the date the account became delinquent. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, they must stop collection efforts until they send you this information.

Once you receive the verification letter, compare it to your own records. If you recognize the debt and the amount matches what you owe, you know the call is legitimate. If the amount seems wrong, the account is not yours, or you paid it already, respond in writing with your dispute and keep a copy.

Your rights when they call

First Credit Services must follow federal debt collection rules. They cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone, cannot call your workplace if your employer forbids it, and cannot threaten you, use profanity, or call repeatedly to harass you. They also cannot tell your employer, family, or friends about the debt — they can only contact those people to find your contact information.

You can tell them in writing to stop calling you. Send a letter by certified mail saying you do not want them to contact you by phone. After they receive it, they can only call to confirm they received your request or to tell you they are taking a specific action like filing a lawsuit. They can still pursue the debt through other means, but the calls must stop.

If they violate these rules — calling before 8 a.m., calling after you asked them to stop, threatening you, or discussing the debt with your employer — you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or sue them for damages. Keep records of every call: the date, time, what they said, and whether you asked them to stop.

What happens if you do not pay

If you ignore First Credit Services, they can file a lawsuit against you in your state's civil court. If they win, they get a judgment, which allows them to garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or place a lien on your property — depending on your state's laws. The lawsuit also appears on your credit report and damages your score further.

However, collection lawsuits are expensive, and First Credit Services does not always pursue them. They may keep calling and sending letters for years, hoping you will eventually pay. Your state's statute of limitations determines how long they can sue you — this ranges from three to ten years depending on the type of debt and your state. After the statute of limitations passes, they can still call and collect, but they cannot sue you.

Even if you cannot pay the full amount right now, answering the call or responding to their letters keeps you informed about what they plan to do next. Ignoring them entirely means you might miss a lawsuit filing and lose the chance to respond in court.

Negotiating a settlement or payment plan

Collection agencies often accept less than the full amount owed because they bought the debt at a discount. If you call them back or respond to their letters, you can ask what they are willing to accept. Many will settle for 40 to 60 percent of the original balance, though this varies by the agency and how old the debt is.

Before you offer money, know what you can actually afford. If you agree to a payment plan and miss a payment, they can resume collection efforts or file a lawsuit. Get any settlement offer in writing before you pay — do not rely on a verbal promise. The letter should state the amount, the important date for payment, and that paying it settles the entire debt.

Paying a settlement still appears on your credit report as a collection account, but it shows as "settled" rather than "unpaid," which looks better to future lenders. It also stops the calls and prevents a lawsuit.

Disputing the debt if you do not recognize it

If you do not recognize the debt, if the amount is wrong, or if you believe you already paid it, you can dispute it. Send a written dispute to First Credit Services within 30 days of their first contact, stating exactly why you dispute it. They must investigate and respond within 30 days. If they cannot verify the debt, they must remove it from your credit report.

You can also dispute the debt directly with the credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — by visiting their websites or mailing a dispute letter. If the collection account is inaccurate or if First Credit Services cannot prove it is yours, the agencies will remove it from your credit report.

Disputing takes time and requires documentation, but it is free and protects you if the debt is not actually yours or if the collector made an error.

Understanding the impact on your credit

A collection account damages your credit score significantly, even if you pay it. The damage comes from the missed payments that led to the collection, not from First Credit Services owning the debt. Paying the collection account does not erase it from your credit report — it will stay for seven years from the date the original account became delinquent.

However, paying does stop the calls, prevents a lawsuit, and shows future lenders that you eventually addressed the debt. Over time, as you make on-time payments on other accounts, the collection account's impact on your score decreases. After seven years, it falls off your report automatically.

If you are rebuilding your credit, paying the collection account is usually worth it, even though it does not remove the account itself. The alternative — ignoring it and risking a lawsuit — causes more damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is First Credit Services a real company or a scam?

First Credit Services is a real debt collection agency, but scammers do impersonate them. Before you give any personal information, ask for their mailing address and the original creditor's name, then hang up and call the number on your credit card statement or bank statement to verify. Real collectors expect this.

Can I get the collection removed from my credit report if I pay?

Paying does not remove the collection account from your report — it will stay for seven years. However, you can ask First Credit Services to remove it in exchange for payment. Some will agree; many will not. Get any removal promise in writing before you pay.

What if the debt is older than my state's statute of limitations?

First Credit Services can still call and try to collect, but they cannot sue you once the statute of limitations passes. Your state's limit ranges from three to ten years depending on the debt type. Even if the debt is old, paying it resets the clock in some states, so ask a lawyer before paying an old debt.

Do I have to talk to them if they call?

No. You can hang up, send a written request to stop calling, or ask them to contact you only by mail. However, if you ignore them completely, you might miss a lawsuit filing. Responding in writing protects you by creating a record of contact.

Can First Credit Services garnish my wages without going to court?

No. They must file a lawsuit, win a judgment, and then follow your state's garnishment process. If you receive a court notice, respond to it — ignoring a lawsuit is how they win by default and gain the right to garnish your wages.