If you received a call, letter, or voicemail from The Affiliated Group, the safest first move is usually to slow the process down, demand written details, and compare them to your own records before you discuss payment.
This page focuses on proof-first steps you can take to reduce contact, protect your credit, and respond appropriately if a collector mentions legal action. For readability, this article refers to the agency as “TAG” after the first reference.
Table of Contents for this guide
- Who is the company
- Why this debt collection may be contacting you
- What to do if they are calling you
- What they say they do
- Contact information
- What harassment can look like
- When contact could potentially cross the line
- What to do if they mention legal action
- What to do if the account is legitimate
- Your rights under federal law
- How to reduce calls, messages, and confusion
- Reviews and where complaints show up
- Get help
- Success stories
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Who is The Affiliated Group?
The Affiliated Group is a collection agency that, according to its Better Business Bureau profile, handles first-party and third-party debt accounts.
The BBB profile lists alternate names that may appear on letters, caller ID, or credit documentation, including “CMI” and “Affiliated Credit Services,” which is one reason written verification matters before you assume the caller has the right person or the right balance.
What this means for consumers
Debt collection activity can be legitimate, mistaken, outdated, or tied to a billing or identity mix-up. Your goal is to confirm the creditor, amount, and dates in writing before you make decisions that are hard to undo.
Why The Affiliated Group debt collection may be contacting you
The Affiliated Group contact may happen for several common reasons, and the right response depends on which one applies.
A creditor may claim you owe a balance
A hospital, utility, telecom provider, lender, or other service provider may have placed an account with a collector after nonpayment. Placement does not automatically prove the balance is correct.
You could be dealing with a wrong-person or wrong-number issue
If you do not recognize the creditor name or the amount, that could indicate an identity confusion problem, a recycled phone number, or a record-matching error.
The account may be old or repeatedly transferred
Some accounts are sold, assigned, or re-placed over time. That can lead to missing documentation, unclear fees, or incorrect “last payment” dates.
You may be contacted as a relative or reference
The Affiliated Group Collectors sometimes reach out to locate a consumer. If you believe you are being contacted about someone else, keep the conversation short and request written documentation.
What to do if The Affiliated Group are calling you
If TAG is calling you, a proof-first workflow reduces risk and builds a clean paper trail.
Step 1: Let unknown numbers go to voicemail
Save the voicemail audio and take a screenshot of the call log. Voicemails and call logs are often the clearest evidence of frequency and tone.
Step 2: Use one sentence on the phone
Say: “Please send me the details in writing.”
Then stop talking. A short script reduces the chance you accidentally confirm the wrong details.
Step 3: Do not share sensitive information until you have written proof
Avoid giving your full Social Security number, bank account information, debit card details, employer information, or copies of IDs until you have documentation that matches your records.
Step 4: Start an evidence log immediately
Track:
- Date and time
- Number used
- Caller name and department
- Any file or reference number
- A one-line summary of what was said
Step 5: Request validation and key account details in writing
Ask for:
- Current creditor name and original creditor (if different)
- Amount claimed and an itemized breakdown of interest/fees
- Key dates (service date, placement date, last payment date if available)
- Dispute instructions and mailing address for disputes
Debt validation is the process where collectors must provide required debt information and dispute instructions.
FDCPA validation information requirements are commonly associated with 15 U.S.C. § 1692g.
Step 6: If you think the contact is wrong-person, dispute early
If you believe TAG has the wrong person, say that clearly in writing and request mail-only communication while you dispute. Your written record is what matters if contact continues.
What they say they do
TAG generally presents itself as a collections agency that works accounts placed by other businesses. The BBB profile describes the business as handling first-party and third-party debt accounts.
Even when a collector is pursuing a legitimate debt, it still must follow federal and state rules about disclosures, call conduct, and unfair or misleading statements. If you believe the approach is designed to pressure you without clarity, the safest move is to shift everything into writing.
The Affiliated Group Contact information
Use the phone number and mailing address printed on your notice first. If you need to cross-check, these details appear on the BBB business profile for the company.
The Affiliated Group Phone Number
The Affiliated Group Phone Number may appear differently depending on the department or campaign, and more than one number is listed on the BBB profile.
Numbers listed on BBB (cross-check reference)
- (800) 223-0290
- (507) 280-7000
- (507) 280-7046
- Fax: (507) 280-7100
Important: scammers can spoof real numbers. Written verification remains the safest identity check.
The Affiliated Group address
The Affiliated Group address on BBB includes a physical Rochester, Minnesota location and mailing addresses (including PO Box entries).
Addresses listed on BBB (cross-check reference)
- 7381 Airport Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902-1822
- PO Box 7739, Rochester, MN 55903-7739
What The Affiliated Group harassment can look like
The Affiliated Group Harassment is usually about patterns, not a single call. If you believe contact feels excessive, misleading, or designed to rush you into payment without proof, your documentation is the key.
Examples that could indicate a problem, depending on the facts:
- Repeated calls about the same alleged debt in a short period
- Calls that continue after you request mail-only communication
- Statements implying immediate consequences without providing paperwork
- Wrong-person contact that continues after you dispute the account
- Pressure to pay by phone before sending written details
Regulation F call-frequency presumptions
Federal rules under Regulation F include presumptions related to repeated telephone calls about a particular debt. For example, a collector is presumed to violate the rule if it calls a person more than seven times within seven consecutive days about a particular debt, or calls again within seven days after a telephone conversation about that debt.
If your call log shows that kind of pattern, save it. Frequency and timing are measurable evidence.
When The Affiliated Group contact could potentially cross the line
Only a court or regulator can decide whether conduct is unlawful. Still, if you believe the behavior involves intimidation, deception, or repeated contact designed to annoy, it could potentially raise issues under federal law.
Here are practical red flags to document:
Threat language without case details
If you think the caller says “lawsuit” but cannot provide the court, the plaintiff name, and a case number, that might indicate a pressure tactic rather than a real filing.
Requests for sensitive data before sending paperwork
If you believe you are being asked for banking details or full SSN before the collector provides written information, it may be safer to pause and request mail-only communication.
Continued calls after a clear written request
If you send a written “stop contacting me” notice and calls continue, that could potentially be meaningful, depending on what was sent and what was received.
Call patterns that match the 7-in-7 presumption
If your records show repeated calls beyond the presumptions described above, keep screenshots and voicemail files in one folder.
What to do if The Affiliated Group mention legal action
If someone mentions lawsuit, judgment, garnishment, or “being served,” treat that as a reason to slow down and demand specifics.
What to do right away
- Ask for the court name, case number, and the plaintiff (who is suing)
- Request that they send the information in writing
- Check your mail for actual court papers
A voicemail is not proof of a lawsuit. Court documents are. If you are unsure whether documents are real, you can check the court docket or ask a consumer attorney to review what you received.
Do not ignore real court papers
If you receive a summons or complaint, deadlines can be short. If you miss the response date, a default judgment could be entered in some cases.
What to do if the account is legitimate
If the notice matches your records and you decide the account is legitimate, treat payment as a controlled process.
Payment safety checklist
- Get settlement or payoff terms in writing first (amount, due date, and how the account will be reported)
- Use official payment instructions from your written notice
- Keep receipts, confirmation numbers, and any settlement letter together
- Avoid paying through links sent by text if you did not request them
If the account appears on your credit report
Treat it as a documentation problem first, not an emergency:
- Pull the full account details (name, balance, dates).
- Compare it to your own statements and letters.
- If you believe reporting is inaccurate, dispute through the bureaus and keep copies of everything you submit.
Your rights under federal law
If you believe collection contact is excessive, misleading, or unfair, these federal tools often matter.
FDCPA: written cease communication requests
If you notify a debt collector in writing that you refuse to pay or want them to stop contacting you, communications generally must stop except for limited permitted notices. FDCPA cease communication rules are commonly associated with 15 U.S.C. § 1692c:.
Regulation F: call-frequency presumptions
Regulation F provides measurable call-frequency presumptions (including the seven calls in seven days framework discussed above).
State licensing and compliance can matter
State rules vary. As one example of a documented regulatory action involving a related “d/b/a,” Idaho’s Department of Finance issued a consent order involving The Affiliated Group, Inc., d/b/a Affiliated Credit Services. The order references unlicensed collection activity, a cease-and-desist requirement including telephone and automated calls in Idaho until licensed, and an $11,000 payment described as penalties and expenses.
This does not prove your situation is unlawful. It does show why it can be important to document and verify, especially if you believe state licensing issues could be involved.
How to reduce The Affiliated Group calls, messages, and confusion
To reduce contact quickly, create a paper trail and keep your decisions evidence-based.
1) Move the matter into writing
Use one sentence on the phone: “Please send me the details in writing.”
2) Send a validation or dispute request
Ask for creditor name, amount itemization, key dates, and dispute instructions. Keep a copy of what you send.
3) If calls are overwhelming, send a written cease communication request
A written request to stop contacting you can be a strong boundary tool. Keep copies and delivery proof.
4) Build an evidence file
Save:
- Call log screenshots and voicemails
- Letters and envelopes (envelopes can show mailing dates)
- Your dispute/validation request and any responses
- Certified mail receipts if used
- Payment receipts and settlement letters if you pay
Good records make it easier to evaluate whether conduct might violate federal law.
The Affiliated Group Reviews and where complaints show up
If you are researching The Affiliated Group complaints, check multiple sources and focus on patterns, not single anecdotes.
Places consumers commonly look
- Better Business Bureau profiles and complaint tabs
- State licensing and enforcement databases
- Public court filings (when applicable)
- Consumer review sites
On BBB, the complaint page for the company’s profile currently shows “0 complaints.”
Complaint counts can change over time, and complaint content may matter more than totals. Treat public reviews as allegations, then compare them to your own documentation.
Get help The Affiliated Group Harassment
If you believe The Affiliated Group Harassment is happening in a way that might violate your rights, a consumer-focused law firm can help you respond with a proof-first plan.
Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC
At Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC, our mission is simple: to protect consumers from unfair and abusive practices and help them enforce their rights under federal law. We focus on matters involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Our work is centered on holding companies accountable when consumers face harassment, inaccurate reporting, or unlawful communications.
Choosing Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC means working with a team that understands how stressful it can be to deal with aggressive calls, misleading claims, or repeated contact. We take a supportive, clear, and evidence based approach so you understand your options and can take the right next step without pressure.
Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC
133 Main Street, Second Floor, North Andover, MA 01845
Phone +1 877-700-5790
Email help@consumerlawfirmcenter.com
Success stories
Conclusion
The Affiliated Group contact can feel urgent, especially when calls repeat or messages mention legal action. The safest strategy is usually not a phone debate. Move the matter into writing, verify the creditor and amount, document call patterns, and respond to real court paperwork on time.
If you believe The Affiliated Group Harassment may involve excessive calling patterns, misleading claims, or refusal to provide written details, Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC can help you evaluate next steps based on evidence.
FAQs
Why is The Affiliated Group calling me?
A creditor may claim you owe a balance, or it could be wrong-person contact. Ask for written validation, then compare the creditor, amount, and dates to your records before you discuss payment.
What should I say on the phone to stop pressure?
Use one sentence: “Please send the details in writing.” Then end the call. Avoid confirming personal data until you have paperwork that matches your records.
How do I request debt validation correctly?
Send a dated letter asking for the creditor name, amount itemization, and dispute instructions. Keep a copy and delivery proof. Validation rules are commonly tied to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Can The Affiliated Group sue me?
A collector may sue if the debt is valid and within the statute of limitations, but threats are not proof. Ask for the court, case number, and plaintiff, and watch for real court papers.
Is The Affiliated Group a scam?
Some scammers impersonate real collectors. If you suspect spoofing, do not pay by phone. Request written proof and verify details against your own records before taking any step.
What if the debt is not mine?
Dispute it in writing and state you believe it is a wrong-person issue. Request verification and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What if calls keep coming after I ask for mail only?
Save call logs and voicemails. If you sent a written request, keep delivery proof. Continued contact after clear written limits could potentially matter under federal law.
Should I pay to make the calls stop?
Paying without proof can create bigger problems. Validate first, then decide. If you pay, get terms in writing and keep receipts and confirmation numbers.
Where can I check public business information?
BBB business profiles and state regulator databases can provide basic identifiers like addresses, alternate names, and contact channels. Use them as cross-checks, not as proof of your specific debt.
When should I talk to Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC?
If you believe the contact may violate FDCPA, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), or TCPA rules, or if you are facing confusing threats or repeated calls, a consumer rights attorney can review your records and explain options.
