Debt buyer profile

Asset Acceptance LLC

Also known as: Asset Acceptance Capital Corp

Warren, MIFounded 1996Debt buyer and collectorMajor national buyerCFPB enforcement history

Asset Acceptance LLC is a Michigan-based debt buyer and collector that is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECPG). Encore acquired Asset Acceptance in 2013. The company purchases charged-off consumer debts, primarily credit-card and installment-loan accounts, and collects through in-house staff and attorneys. Asset Acceptance was one of the earlier large-scale debt buyers in the United States and has faced significant regulatory scrutiny for its collection practices.

Corporate structure

Who owns Asset Acceptance LLC?

Asset Acceptance LLC is owned by or affiliated with Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECPG).

Common original creditors whose accounts Asset Acceptance LLC has purchased include: Citibank, HSBC, Household Finance, GE Capital, Chase, Bank of America, Capital One.

Regulatory history

CFPB and regulatory enforcement

Enforcement record

In 2012, the FTC (before the CFPB took over primary jurisdiction) obtained a consent order against Asset Acceptance LLC for making false statements to consumers, collecting on time-barred debts without proper disclosure, and furnishing inaccurate information to credit bureaus. Asset Acceptance paid a $2.5 million civil penalty.

Your next steps

What to do if Asset Acceptance LLC is suing you

  1. 1
    Find your deadline immediatelyYou have a limited number of days to file your Answer after being served — typically 20 to 35 days depending on your state. Missing this deadline results in a default judgment. Check your state’s guide for the exact deadline.
  2. 2
    Demand proof of ownershipAsset Acceptance LLC must prove a valid, unbroken chain of assignment from your original creditor. In your Answer, raise lack of standing and require the plaintiff to produce the bill of sale and account-level documentation.
  3. 3
    Check the statute of limitationsDebt buyers sometimes sue on old accounts. If the limitations period in your state has run since your last payment or the charge-off date, you may have a complete defense. Look up the state guide for your jurisdiction.
  4. 4
    File your Answer — even if you plan to settleFiling a timely Answer preserves all your defenses and gives you leverage to negotiate a better settlement. Do not ignore the lawsuit expecting it to go away. See your state’s defense guide.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Asset Acceptance LLC

State defense guides

Sued by Asset Acceptance LLC? Find your state

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