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ARCO Collection Services is a full-service debt collection agency based in Memphis, TN that works with creditors to recover delinquent accounts through persistent contact and legal processes.
Data compiled from public sources
ARCO Collection Services LLC is a Tennessee-licensed and bonded debt collection agency headquartered at 5050 Poplar Ave Suite 508 in Memphis, Tennessee. The company was established to serve creditors in the Mid-South region, specializing in recovering lost funds from delinquent accounts. Their client base includes major hospitals, clinics, finance companies, and credit unions across Memphis and the surrounding area. ARCO is a member of the Tennessee Collectors Association and American Collectors Association, indicating compliance with industry standards and professional oversight.
The company offers a comprehensive suite of collection services including telephone contacts, collection letters, skip tracing, credit reporting, employment locators, and legal processes. They operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only receive payment when they successfully collect on an account. ARCO provides account holders with online payment options including ACH transfers and credit card payments (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). Consumers can also submit payment proposals for collection staff to review. Their services span multiple sectors: retail, commercial, medical, legal, bankruptcy, and pre-collection accounts.
What distinguishes ARCO is their stated use of "the very latest technology" to locate and collect accounts previously deemed uncollectible, combined with in-house attorneys and experienced collection staff. They emphasize a strategy of persistent contacts and follow-ups to maximize recovery for clients. A testimonial from the Regional Medical Center at Memphis's Executive Director of Revenue Cycle highlights their efforts to resolve account disputes and handle collections in a manner consistent with industry standards.
Important caveat: ARCO is a debt collector, not a credit repair or debt relief service for consumers. While they offer payment options and proposal submission for account holders, their primary business is collecting debts on behalf of creditors. Consumers dealing with ARCO should understand they are interacting with a collection agency, and any information provided may be used to collect the debt. This company is best suited for businesses seeking to recover delinquent accounts, not for consumers seeking credit repair or debt settlement assistance.
While repairing your credit, a secured card can add payment-history context when it reports to the bureaus. Compare deposits, fees, bureau reporting, and any no-credit-check claims directly.
Arco Collection Co received 4 consumer complaints in the past 12 months. 0.0% received a timely response.
4
Complaints (12 months)
0.0%
Resolved with relief
Increasing
Complaint trend
Most Common Complaint Categories
This is state-level context for Debt Relief consumers in Memphis, TN. It does not confirm that Arco Collection Co or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions
Consumer protection
Relevant law: Tennessee Credit Services Businesses Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-1001 to 47-18-1012)
Registration: Required with Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Regulatory Boards
Upfront fees: Listed as prohibited in the current CreditDoc state summary
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Arco Collection Co offers 12 services including Telephone debt collection contacts, Collection letter campaigns, Online payment processing (ACH and credit cards), Skip tracing to locate debtors, Credit reporting and credit bureau notification, and 7 more.
Arco Collection Co has profile signals associated with Healthcare providers and hospitals seeking to recover unpaid patient balances, Finance companies and credit unions managing delinquent loan portfolios, Retail and commercial businesses with significant accounts receivable losses, Creditors seeking contingency-based collection services with no upfront fees.
Key strengths: Licensed and bonded by the State of Tennessee with verified regulatory compliance; Operates on contingency fee basis—creditors only pay upon successful collection; Offers convenient online payment options (ACH, Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover) for account holders. Areas to consider: This is a debt collector, not a consumer-focused credit repair or debt relief service; Minimal transparency on collection practices, dispute resolution procedures, or consumer-protection context beyond FDCPA.
In the Debt Relief category, comparable providers include Accredited Debt Relief, American Profit Recovery, Consumer Help ACSI. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
ARCO Collection Services is designed for creditors and businesses seeking to recover delinquent accounts, not for consumers seeking credit repair or debt relief. Consumers encountering ARCO should understand they are interacting with a debt collection agency, and any communication should be handled carefully in accordance with Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protections. Those seeking actual credit repair or debt negotiation should consult credit repair or debt relief companies instead.
Accredited Debt Relief helps consumers consolidate debt and reduce monthly payments through personalized financial relief options, claiming to have assisted over 1 million clients.
Google rating from 13,568 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers with multiple high-interest debts seeking to consolidate into single monthly payments, Individuals overwhelmed by debt collection calls who want professional negotiation assistance
American Profit Recovery (APR) is a Farmington Hills, MI-based third-party debt collection agency. BBB A+ rated (not accredited). Specializes in medical, dental, and professional service debt collection. 3,400+ Google reviews.
Google rating from 3,405 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers who have received collection notices from APR and want to negotiate a settlement or payment plan, Individuals whose medical, dental, or professional service debts have been placed with APR for collection
Automated Collection Services, Inc. (ACSI) is a debt collection agency that helps consumers resolve delinquent debts across multiple categories including student loans, healthcare, government, financial services, and retail accounts.
Profile signals: Consumers with delinquent debt already placed with ACSI who need to arrange payment or verify account details, Borrowers with specific debt types (student loans, medical bills, government debt) who want a dedicated staff context department
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A step-by-step guide to consolidating your debt on your own, without paying a debt consolidation company. Covers balance transfers, personal loans, the snowball method, and negotiating directly with creditors.
Read guide →A step-by-step 90-day plan to assess your finances, attack debt, dispute errors, and rebuild credit. Real timelines, specific actions, and legal protections you can use immediately.
Read guide →Learn how debt management plans reduce interest rates, negotiate with creditors, and help rebuild credit in 3–5 years. Real timelines and eligibility rules.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example
You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against high-cost lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and are required to stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you may have a right to sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and has obtained a judgment.
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.
Example
You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.
A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.
Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.
Example
You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.
A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.
Chapter 13 may be more relevant than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.
Example
You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.
A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income is generally required to be below your state's median to qualify.
Example
You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Consolidation is generally most useful when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.
Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.
Example
You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.
Example
A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and has obtained a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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