American Adjustment Bureau on Your Credit Report: What to Know

American Adjustment Bureau, Inc. (AAB) is a Waterbury, Connecticut medical debt collection agency founded in 1981 that specializes in first and third-party medical collections including second-placement accounts.

A 2017 federal case alleged AAB continued calling a consumer after requests to stop. Documented BBB complaints include collection letters listing two mismatched medical record numbers with no service dates, provider information, or itemized charges.

The agency also handles second-placement medical accounts, meaning balances that have already passed through at least one other collection agency before reaching AAB.

Who Is American Adjustment Bureau, Inc.?

American Adjustment Bureau, Inc. is a third-party medical debt collection agency founded in 1981 and headquartered at 73 Field St. in Waterbury, Connecticut. The agency is BBB-accredited since 2017 and employs approximately 32 people.

AAB specializes in first and third-party medical collections, self-pay and co-pay deductible collection, workers’ compensation recovery, and second-placement accounts. AAB markets its services to healthcare clients nationwide.

Who Does AAB Collect For?

AAB focuses exclusively on healthcare receivables. Confirmed client types from consumer complaint documentation and published service descriptions include:

• Healthcare providers broadly: Hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and private medical practices are AAB’s primary documented client category.
• Docs Urgent Care: A documented consumer review describes AAB collecting a $500 COVID test charge from Docs Urgent Care in Connecticut that the consumer states insurance should have covered.
• Second-placement healthcare clients: AAB’s own published service descriptions confirm it accepts second-placement medical accounts previously placed with another collection agency.

Documented Federal Case

Case 3:17-cv-01640-DJS (D. Connecticut, 2017) alleged that American Adjustment Bureau started calling a Connecticut consumer in late 2016 and ignored repeated requests to stop. FDCPA Section 1692c(c) requires all collection contact to stop after receipt of a written cease request.

Common AAB Complaint Patterns

• Collection letters with mismatched or incomplete account information: A documented BBB complaint describes an AAB letter listing two mismatched medical record numbers with no service dates, no provider name, and no itemized services. Neither the consumer’s insurance company nor the referenced hospital could verify the debt.
• Collecting on insurance-covered medical services: A documented consumer review describes AAB collecting a $500 urgent care charge for a COVID test that insurance should have covered, with AAB refusing to negotiate.
• Collecting after a 1099-C was issued: A documented BBB complaint describes a consumer who received a 1099-C from the hospital and believed collection action was terminated. AAB’s own BBB response confirmed it was still collecting for the same hospital. A 1099-C indicates debt cancellation — collecting on a cancelled debt raises questions about whether the underlying obligation remains valid.
• Re-aging debts beyond the seven-year window: A documented consumer review describes AAB renewing reporting dates on accounts past the seven-year credit reporting window.
• Second-placement accounts with degraded documentation: AAB accepts accounts already placed with another collector. These may carry incomplete documentation and unresolved prior disputes.

What AAB Cannot Do Under Federal Law

• Continue contact after a written cease request: Case 3:17-cv-01640-DJS documents AAB ignoring stop-contact requests. FDCPA Section 1692c(c) requires all contact to stop after receipt of a written cease request.
• Send collection letters without basic account information: FDCPA Section 1692g requires AAB to identify the original creditor and the amount of the debt. Two mismatched record numbers with no service dates or provider name does not satisfy this requirement.
• Collect on a debt after a 1099-C has been issued: A 1099-C indicates debt cancellation. Collecting on a cancelled debt may misrepresent the debt’s status under FDCPA Section 1692e.
• Re-age debts by reporting newer dates: The FCRA prohibits reporting a date of first delinquency newer than the actual original default date. Re-aging is a direct FCRA violation.
• Continue collection after a written validation request: All activity must pause until AAB produces documentation.

Connecticut Consumer Protections

Connecticut residents can file complaints with the Connecticut Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section under the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act alongside any CFPB complaint.

Medical Debt Reporting Protections

Credit bureau voluntary policy changes effective 2023 removed paid medical balances and balances under $500 from credit reports. If AAB is reporting a paid balance or a balance under $500, dispute those entries directly with all three bureaus.

Verify Before Paying AAB

Send a certified validation letter demanding the original provider’s name, the itemized bill with CPT codes and service dates, the insurance Explanation of Benefits, proof insurance was billed before the account was referred to AAB, and confirmation of whether a 1099-C was issued. If AAB’s letter contains mismatched record numbers or no service information, demand a complete corrected accounting before any payment.

How to Check Your Credit Report

Pull all three reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and look for American Adjustment Bureau or AAB as the furnisher. Confirm the original provider, service date, and date of first delinquency.

If the date of first delinquency is newer than your actual original default date with the provider, that is a re-aging violation. If the account is past seven years from the original date of first delinquency, it should not be on your report.

How Long Can AAB Legally Pursue the Debt?

Connecticut allows six years on most written contracts including medical service agreements. The state where you received treatment controls the statute.

Your Options for Resolving the Account

• Send a certified cease-and-desist if AAB continues calling: The 2017 federal case documents AAB ignoring stop-contact requests. Each call after confirmed delivery of a written cease request is a separate FDCPA violation.
• Verify any 1099-C issued for the account: If a provider issued a 1099-C for the balance AAB is collecting, contact the original provider in writing and confirm whether the debt was cancelled.
• Dispute any re-aged entry: If AAB is reporting a date of first delinquency newer than your actual original default, dispute with all three bureaus citing FCRA accuracy requirements and document the actual original delinquency date.
• Request complete documentation for second-placement accounts: Demand the full referral chain from the original provider through every prior collector, and documentation that prior disputes were resolved.
• File a Connecticut AG complaint: The Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act provides state enforcement authority alongside CFPB.

How to Contact American Adjustment Bureau

Handle all communication in writing. Send disputes by certified mail with return receipt requested:

• Address: American Adjustment Bureau, Inc., 73 Field St., Waterbury, CT 06702
• Mailing address: American Adjustment Bureau, Inc., PO Box 2758, Waterbury, CT 06723
• Phone: (866) 843-9729

Bottom Line

American Adjustment Bureau is a Waterbury, Connecticut medical debt collection agency with a 2017 federal case for ignoring stop-contact requests, documented collection letters with mismatched medical record numbers and no service information, and documented collection on accounts after 1099-C forms were issued.

If AAB has issued a collection letter with incomplete or mismatched account information, do not pay or acknowledge the balance until AAB produces a complete itemized accounting from the original provider. If a 1099-C was issued for the balance, verify the cancellation status with the original creditor before engaging AAB at all.

If an AAB account is on your credit file, the right move depends on whether the original provider confirms the balance, whether insurance was properly billed, whether a 1099-C was issued, and whether the date of first delinquency reflects the actual original default date.