If Professional Debt Mediation (PDM) is calling you repeatedly, contacting your family, or threatening legal action, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do next.
You are not alone.
Federal and state laws protect consumers from abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. Even if you owe the debt, you still have rights. Speaking with a consumer protection attorney does not admit liability, restart the debt, or make your situation worse.
Who Is Professional Debt Mediation?
Professional Debt Mediation, Inc. (PDM) is a third-party debt collection agency based in Jacksonville, Florida. Despite the word âmediationâ in its name, PDM functions as a traditional debt collection agency. It collects debts on behalf of creditor clients and, in some cases, may report accounts to credit bureaus.
PDM commonly collects debts related to apartment and multi-family housing balances, utility bills, credit card debts, medical accounts, personal loans, lease terminations and move-out charges.
Address:
7948 Baymeadows Way, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Main Phone Number: (904) 398-0080
Is Professional Debt Mediation a Scam?
According to the Better Business Bureau website, Professional Debt Mediation has been in business for 21 years. There have been 127 complaints filed against PDM with the BBB. However, legitimacy does not mean every collection action complies with the law.
Public records show numerous federal lawsuits filed against PDM alleging violations of consumer protection laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Additionally, online consumer reviews reflect complaints involving aggressive or unprofessional communication. If something about their conduct feels wrong, trust your instincts and verify your rights.
Phone Numbers Used by Professional Debt Mediation
Debt collectors often use multiple phone numbers. Consumers have reported calls from numbers including:
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904-398-0286
The list is not exhaustive. Calls may come from different or spoofed numbers.
Common Complaints About Professional Debt Mediation
| Alleged Conduct | What It Means | Potential Legal Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated phone calls multiple times per week | Excessive or frequent calls intended to pressure payment | May constitute harassment under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act |
| Calls before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. | Contacting you outside legally permitted hours | Violates time restrictions under the FDCPA |
| Contacting family members or employers | Discussing your debt with third parties | Unauthorized third-party disclosure may violate federal law |
| Failure to properly validate debts | Refusing to provide proof of the debt upon request | Violates debt validation requirements |
| Threats of lawsuits or wage garnishment | Threatening legal action without authority or intent | False or misleading representation under the FDCPA |
| Attempting to collect settled debts | Trying to collect money already resolved | May constitute deceptive collection practices |
| Refusal to mark accounts as disputed | Failing to report the debt as disputed to credit bureaus | May violate FDCPA and credit reporting obligations |
| Continuing calls after a cease request | Ignoring a written demand to stop contact | Violates cease communication provisions |
Each of these actions may violate federal consumer protection laws.
Can Professional Debt Mediation Sue Me?
Yes, a debt collector may file a civil lawsuit to collect an alleged unpaid debt. However, they must have proper documentation and legal authority to do so, and they cannot use the threat of a lawsuit simply to intimidate you. If you are formally served with court papers, you typically have a limited time to respond. Failing to respond can result in a default judgment. False or misleading threats of legal action may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Can Professional Debt Mediation Garnish My Wages?
In most cases, wage garnishment cannot occur unless the debt collector first files a lawsuit and obtains a court judgment against you. Garnishment is not automatic, and both federal and state laws limit how much can be taken from your paycheck. Certain types of income may also be protected. Threatening wage garnishment without a valid court judgment may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
How to Stop Professional Debt Mediation Harassment
If you believe Professional Debt Mediation is crossing legal boundaries, taking organized and timely action can help protect your rights.
1. Document Everything
Begin by keeping detailed records of all communications. Note the dates and times of calls, the names of callers, what was said, and save any voicemails or written correspondence. Thorough documentation can serve as critical evidence if you later need to dispute the debt or pursue a legal claim.
2. Request Debt Validation
Within 30 days of the first contact, you have the right to send a written request for debt validation. This request should ask for the original creditorâs name, the total amount allegedly owed, and proof that the company has authority to collect the debt. Once your request is received, collection activity must pause until proper verification is provided under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
3. Send a Cease Communication Letter
You may send a written cease communication letter, preferably by certified mail, instructing the company to stop contacting you. After receiving it, the collector may only contact you to confirm that communications will stop or to notify you of specific legal action being taken.
4. Check the Statute of Limitations
Each state limits how long a debt can be legally enforced through the courts. If a debt is time-barred, a lawsuit may not be legally viable. Be cautious, as making a payment or acknowledging the debt in some states could restart the limitations period.
5. Review Your Credit Report
Obtain your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and carefully review the entry. If you find inaccurate or incomplete information, dispute it in writing with the credit bureaus. Incorrect reporting may violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
6. Speak With a Consumer Protection Attorney
If your rights have been violated, consult a consumer protection attorney promptly. Many federal laws include fee-shifting provisions, meaning the debt collector may be required to pay your attorneyâs fees if you prevail, reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket legal costs.
Removing Professional Debt Mediation from Your Credit Report
If Professional Debt Mediation (PDM) appears on your credit report, it is important to act promptly to protect your financial standing. Start by carefully reviewing the entry for accuracy, including the balance, dates, and account status. If you identify any errors or incomplete information, you have the right to dispute the account with the major credit bureaus and request formal validation from the collector.
You should consider taking the following steps:
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Dispute inaccuracies with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
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Demand written debt validation from the collector
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Ensure the account is marked as âdisputedâ during investigation
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Follow up within 30 days if no response is provided
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Consider legal action if inaccurate reporting continues
Incorrect credit reporting can negatively affect loan approvals, rental applications, insurance rates, and even employment opportunities. If inaccurate information remains after a proper dispute, you may have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Professional Debt Mediation Settlement and Negotiation
Before agreeing to settle any alleged debt, it is essential to evaluate your legal and financial position carefully. Not all debts are legally collectible, and settling without understanding your rights could reset certain legal deadlines or impact your credit reporting.
Before making any payment, consider:
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Whether you truly owe the debt
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Whether the debt is within the statute of limitations
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Whether it is being reported to credit bureaus
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Whether the collector will agree in writing to update or delete the account
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Whether you will receive written confirmation of the settlement terms
You should never rely on verbal promises from a debt collector. Always obtain the full settlement agreement in writing before making any payment to ensure your rights are protected.
Professional Debt Mediation Complaints
Consumers often review prior lawsuits to understand whether others have raised similar concerns about a debt collectorâs practices. Federal court records can show allegations involving collection conduct and potential violations of consumer protection laws.
The following is a sample list of complaints filed against Professional Debt Mediation in the past year and can be found on Pacer.gov.
3:11-cv-05670-CRB Foshee v.
4:12-cv-00074-BAE-GRS Stephens et al v.
et al 1:11-cv-12237-JLT Camacho et al v.
5:15-cv-00199-BKS-ATB Stevens v.
et al 1:14-cv-00036-CAB Sloan v.
Get Legal Help Against PDM Debt Collectors
Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC is a law firm that specializes in helping clients who are facing Professional Debt Mediation Phone harassment from debt collectors in any form, including telephone communication. Rather than suffer alone, contact our office to begin the process to stop the Professional Debt Mediation harassment. Our office has been assisting consumers since 2010. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
If you are interested in learning more about how to safeguard yourself and prevent Professional Debt Mediation Phone harassment, call us at (877)700-5790 for immediate assistance or visit our website.
Success Stories
- I ran into several financial hardships over the last few years. Constantly harassed by a company to pay up on fees owed that I wasnât entirely sure were owed⊠because I was so overwhelmed. Scott and his crew came to my rescue. I was a bit unsure first wondering if it was a scam.:. But it was not! Scott got my close to $1,000 debt dropped and had the company pay the lawyer fees. I also havenât received anymore harassing phone calls from the company that was trying to collect the debt. Thank you so much Scott!
- I am incredibly grateful to Consumer Rights Law Firm, especially Scott. Initially, I was skeptical because I’m always cautious, but they never asked for any money and were upfront with all the details. I didn’t pay a dime, and the matter was quickly resolved. When Scott called to tell me it was resolved, my response was, “Wow! That was fast!”. I felt relieved. Scott is extremely professional and knowledgeable, making this process so easy.
- Amazing! My experience was very quick and easy and I got a nice settlement in no time. Also, their word was kept as far as not paying any fees. Zero out of pocket, and great settlement in return. 5 stars!
FAQs
Who is Professional Debt Mediation?
Professional Debt Mediation (PDM) is a licensed debt collection agency that collects past-due accounts for creditors.
Is Professional Debt Mediation a scam or legit?
PDM is a legitimate company, but many consumers report complaints about their collection practices.
Why is Professional Debt Mediation calling me?
They are likely calling because they believe you owe a debt to one of their creditor clients.
Can Professional Debt Mediation sue me?
Yes. PDM can sue over valid debts and may garnish wages if they win a court judgment.
Can Professional Debt Mediation call me at work?
No. They cannot legally call your workplace if you tell them not to.
How do I stop calls from Professional Debt Mediation?
You can request debt validation in writing, send a cease-and-desist letter, or negotiate a payment plan.
How do I negotiate with Professional Debt Mediation?
You can offer a lump-sum settlement, usually 30â60% of the balance, and always get the agreement in writing.
Can Professional Debt Mediation garnish my wages?
Only if they sue you in court and obtain a legal judgment.
How do I remove Professional Debt Mediation from my credit report?
Dispute errors with credit bureaus, negotiate a pay-for-delete, or seek professional credit repair.
Should I get an attorney for Professional Debt Mediation?
Yes, an attorney can protect your rights, negotiate better terms, and handle legal threats from PDM.




