My 3/10 call with Sam Phillips was definitely not approached in the way i expected it to be, I was taken back by his outright lack of professionalism in the duration of our encounter. He was very selective/unclear in his communication (forcing me to pull teeth) and had a general bothered, rude, and almost condescending attitude in how he spoke to me-- as if I were dumb, should know how Columbia LLC operates, and was a nuisance for calling. I started our call (post 20second ID verif.) by asking him for an update regarding my recent collection-amount dispute, to which he shortly responded that I had a zero balance on my collection account. For my own security with this collection agency on a recorded line, I asked if that meant I could assume the dispute filed had officially settled in my favor and he shortly/snappily said he didn't have that info. When i asked to speak with someone who would know about my official dispute results on record he almost-laughingly told me that he's the person i would talk to, and grudgingly followed up with the claim that i had been "talking to [him] for a while" at that. Our call at this point lasting 2-2.5min. Afterward, he finally began to give me barely decent info and explanation regarding what my assumptions should be, while maintaining his negative attitude. Overall, Sam spent our interaction conducting himself (by word and tone) in a noticeably vague, annoyed, impolite, and insulting manner. I dont understand how a short and simple call instantly took these wrong turns, it seems Sam may need retraining or relocation.  Reaching out to the company about my customer service experience, they have been entirely unaccountable. They have only addressed minor technical issues about my experience, and have dismissed the major customer service issues brought to them. Columbia's poor professionalism overall has led me to understand their controversiality and the class action suits against the company. read more

if I could give them NO STAR I would. I called to make a payment arrangemlent and was discriminated against and told I could not make a payment arrangement because I owe their client and then proceeded to yell and become abrupt. I asked were they trying to keep my account in collections and the manager Jermey hung up the phone. If you get in collections I suggest you get a lawyer with them as I have to because they are NO GOOD read more

I realize that being in the collections business is probably pretty difficult. People aren't exactly thrilled to hear from collections agencies. But, like many folks who have dealt with this company, I have had a horrible experience. I initially spoke to Stephanie, who was cordial, about a balance that my old apartment building tried to stick me with. After discussing the situation, I sent her photos of the apartment from my vacating after my lease was up. I never heard back because apparently they "can't" contact me, even though they had my contact information (clearly) and my permission. So I have no idea where my information about the apartment went but nothing was done with it. I ended up calling today and spoke to a woman named Missy or Misty who was downright rude. She kept interrupting me when I was trying to ask questions to figure out what my next move should be...and had to ask for her supervisor several times to even hold a conversation with someone about my options. For all I know she didn't even send me to a supervisor but some other person sitting near her. Completely unprofessional interaction I had with these folks. Needless to say I'm going to end up in small claims court over this, and hopefully will NEVER have to interact with this company again. Your job might suck, but try not to take it out on people only looking to you for information. read more

This group has called my relatives, snooped my LinkedIn page, sent me fake court documents. Send a cease and desist letter if this is happening to you. I do not owe them money and disputed on credit report. They will not stop, FRAUD. http://www.ehow.com/how_5490801_write-cease-desist-letter-creditor.html If you have any dignity as a company, you will not work with this group. read more

These guys helped me out. Greystar Properties had sent my account to them for collection but, in fact, I didn't owe Greystar ... THEY owed ME! Columbia took charge. They explained they cannot collect money that is not due. They questioned the Greystar statement, sent it back to them, and it was cancelled. I'm just ... gobsmacked. When has a collection agency ever been known to be helpful? But they were! Thank you Victor and the professionals at Columbia. read more

So it's a year later. Their lawyer has proof they were included in the bankruptcy. Columbia Debt is still refusing to consider the debt closed. My husband got a letter from them this past week saying he owes the debt plus 1500 in interest. We are now getting the Attorney General of WA involved and filing a complaint. read more

The manager of this collection agency is a lying devil. D-E-V-I-L. NEVER EVER EVER AGREE TO ANYTHING WITHOUT IT BEING IN WRITING FIRST. I agreed over the phone to paying off my very small debt in exchange for the account to be completely removed off my credit report. The customer service rep agreed and so I paid. Did they fully remove it? NOPE. Then the manager said that the agreement between me and that representative never happened and that they will not remove it off my report. She is a lying evil monster. BEWARE. The manager is the most unprofessional and rude person I have EVER had to encounter. I suggest you record every conversation you have with these people. Write down every time you speak with them. Basically, document everything. Watch what you say. If/when you choose to pay them off, make sure that they ACCURATELY report it to your credit reports. Get the names of the people you speak with. Get everything in writing. Do not trust a single thing that these people say if they try to sound nice, it's fake. Beware. read more

Rudest group of professionals i have ever dealt with. I have an account that was turned over to them for collection, which i know these people thrive on being inhumane. But from the first conversation, the owner was rude, who I didnt know at the time was the owner. The account in question I never received anything from the company before it was turned over to them and I attempted to explain this to her and that while i was sure i was probably responsible for the bill, the amount sounded very high and wanted to call them for more details on what was owed. She told me they would just refer me back to her and I should just quit making excuses and make a payment. I explained to her that I wasnt making excuse and thought I had the right to know more details, again she told me to quit making excuses and just pay the bill which was close to $500. I again pleaded with her to hear my side, in which she acknowledged that the originaly bill was returned them by postal service, but i still needed to pay. then accused me of yelling at her and then hung up on me. After talking to the original biller and they explaining to me the charges, they gave me a name of someone else at the company to deal with and said it should be no problem to make payments. I left messages for this person for 3 days and she never returned any of my calls. Finally I called and was transferred to a gentleman and found out the lady I had been leaving messages for was the daughter of the woman I originally spoke with. He also informed me that I needed to pay up front, that no payment arrangement would be made. I told him I was told that it is common for them to do this and was told that its not their policy for bills under 1000 dollars and even if the original biller told me that, its up to their discretion once they receive the account. He said "Dont you have an income tax refund or something coming?" I said no, I have no dependents so i dont get mone y back. He then said "i dont have dependents either and i'm getting back 1500, but I guess it depends how you manage things during the year".......He was ver short and rude the whole conversation and when i asked if they were refusing to allow me payment plan because of my first conversation with the owner, he instantly said absolutely not, though I'm sure he was aware of the conversation cause he never even asked what I was talking about.... read more

I received a phone call from Alicia today asking for a person I have no relation to. She initially said it was in regards to a job interview this person had applied for. I later googled the number and came across their name. I phoned back, asked to speak to Alicia. She was misleading and fraudulently asked for information about the person they are looking for. I asked her to please remove my contact information from whatever documents, especially this situation clearly being debt related. She was rude and snooty. I did not do any business with them or have any debt, and don't want my name and contact information tied to anyone else's debt status. read more

Same issue as the previous comments. I apparently owe one month rent from my previous apartment Highlander apartment in Renton, Wa. This is the first time I'm hearing this debt...I was never contacted by Highlander before it was turned over to Columbia on 4/1/15. I called them to ask why I'm being charged interest and the rep said they charge daily as of 7/31/14 which was my move out date!!!!! Pls do not ever deal with Highlander apartments & CRG!!!! read more

I signed up for Yelp just to post this review. This company is far from professional. They called my place of employment, called several times and sent a fake summons to my house, to collect on a debt that had ALREADY BEEN PAID - IN FULL! The check cleared my bank and a full week later I had the false summons "served" to me! These people are the scum of the earth. read more

I have debt due to medical reasons with CRG for about four years. They worked with another agency that was working with them on my behalf and made a fair deal. There was a 3rd-party who was to pay the remainder of the negotiated deal and they dropped the ball, leaving me with more-than the original debt. However; I did call to explain the medical circumstances and that I will have to file a chapter 7, and I found Julie to be warm, kind, compassionate and understanding. My advice to anyone who has trouble, whether it is your doing or not, just remember that the person on the other end of the phone is a human-being just like yourself and just as you would, they respond in kind. read more

Its hard to write a review about a collections agency but i had a efficient and follow thru with all of them . Called a week prior to get a balance on my account , came to the business a week later was greeted with a smile from erica who knew who i was from the week prior. I wish i would of gotten the name of the second lady who helped as well . She was nice also, .. they helped me out and i was on my way in 20mins . read more

This company has changed their principle employees and had a computer downgrade where they lost 3 out of the 5 cases they had filed on my behalf. Instead of helping, they take the offensive and make it all sound like it is the clients fault for not having the files close at hand. During the time they handled cases for me, I moved twice due to a death in the family and when I checked in with them because I'd heard nothing in months, they told me all my files, photos and correspondence was lost and it was up to me to replace their files otherwise, they would close my cases, which they did. My phone numbers never changed during my moves so there would have been no excuse except horrible business practices. I'm out the money and their company has lost all my files and they have a 5 star rating? Shows how much crap these companies get away with. Do anything but business with this group. read more

I spoke with a supervisor named Alex regarding a question I had. I was blown away how rude he was and the fact that he felt it was ok to be-little me and make comments for having a prevous account with the collection agency. Little did he know there was an initial error on the original creditors behalf I was trying to explain but got hung up on before I could finish. You call yourself "customer service" Alex but lack those skills completely!!! read more

I spoke with Julie Newton who claims she is the owner of this company. And if this is true I feel so unbelievably bad for her staff she seem like a straight up you know what. Any who they made a huge mistake on there end. I was on a lease and was removed from the lease and contract properly and some how they were trying to charge me. Any way my old apartments sorted it out and sent them the form and so did I just to be on the safe side. So I called them to verify it had been removed from my account, and this chick was so rude to me for no reason at all. Repeatedly kept saying what can I help you with over and over while I was asking questions, talking over me, and just being snappy and snooty. The worst thing this girl could have done is start a business. seriously I'd rather be a bum than to ever have to work for some one like that. I asked her who her supervisor was and she was like I'm the owner sorry to disappoint in such a rude tone, somebody shut this place down or get rid of this chick. Not only did I leave this review, I even went to Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint. read more

These folks are horrible! I left Watercrest Apartments in Lake Forest Park in seemingly good terms. 5 1/2 years later, I was served a summons for an alleged debt for a supposedly unpaid break lease fee (which I had paid!). I requested validation of the debt, but they didn't provide any validation. This is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act. These guys are slimy predators. They wait until the Statute of Limitations nears and then they file lawsuits, thinking you won't have proof of payment. In my case they filed a case without filing for a court date. I had to respond to their summons in order to have the case heard in court. I'm sure they file cases knowing that a lot of people will fail to respond and they'll get default judgements. read more

I think it is absolutely unbelievable what the Tiffin is saying about this fine collection agency. I unfortunately fell on hard times when my two room mates on a joint account bailed and I had an eviction and the fine people at PRG helped me resolve the account for not only a settlement but also an affordable monthly payment structure. Tiffin, based on what you are saying it sounds like you don't understand THEIR rights which means they are still allowed to collect on an account even if YOU consider the account settled. read more

they were great to work with me and not against me. I would love to owe more money to them. If in fact i was in debt

If I could give no stars I would....negative stars even. Julie who.claims she owns the company is theeeee most unprofessional, disrespectful woman I have ever had to.deal with. She is absurdly rude and childish for no apparent reason. Non the less I have been contacting her to try and settle my situation and she simply states she will not "help" me in any way. All I was trying to do is get information on my case so the situation could be resolved.....she ended up hanging up on me. So I called back left a message for her to contact me and.she never did. So my lawyer called and she ended up hanging up on him. Beware they will lose your case if you hire them for help and if you get filled with debt through them they will not notify you. read more