If Bay Area Credit Service is showing up on your credit report, you might be wondering why—and how to get rid of it. Here’s what you need to know.
Who Is Bay Area Credit Service?
Bay Area Credit Service, LLC—also known as HOVG, LLC—is a third-party debt collection agency based in Norcross, Georgia. If you’re seeing them on your credit report, it means they’ve been assigned or sold a debt that originally came from another company.
Debt collectors like BACS are hired to collect unpaid bills that are past due. Once your account is in their hands, they may contact you by phone, mail, or even report the account to the credit bureaus.
Who Do They Collect For?
Bay Area Credit Service works with clients across many industries, including:
- Financial services: Banks, lenders, and credit card companies
- Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, and medical providers
- Utilities: Gas, water, and electric companies
- Telecommunications: Internet, phone, and cable providers
- Retail and manufacturing: Commercial accounts and product-related debts
- Government and legal: Public sector agencies and legal services
- Publishing and insurance: Magazine subscriptions, insurance companies, and more
Is Bay Area Credit Service Legit?
Yes, they’re a real company—not a scam. Bay Area Credit Service is legally authorized to collect debts on behalf of their clients. That said, you should always verify that the debt is accurate before making a payment. Even legitimate collection agencies can report incorrect or outdated information.
How to Remove Bay Area Credit Service From Your Credit Report
A collection account can damage your credit score for up to seven years—even after you pay it. Here are a few ways to potentially remove it:
- Dispute errors: If anything about the account is inaccurate, file a dispute with the credit bureaus.
- Request debt validation: Ask Bay Area Credit Service to prove the debt is yours. If they can’t, they must remove it.
- Try a pay-for-delete: Offer to settle the debt in exchange for having the account removed from your credit report. Get it in writing.
- Work with a credit repair company: Professionals can challenge inaccurate or unverifiable negative items on your behalf.
Ready to Clean Up Your Credit Report?
Learn how credit repair professionals can assist you in disputing inaccuracies on your credit report.
Should You Pay Bay Area Credit Service?
Think carefully before paying a debt collector directly. If the debt isn’t yours, is too old to be collected, or is inaccurately reported, paying could actually hurt you by resetting the statute of limitations.
Always validate the debt first. If it checks out, you may still want to negotiate a lower settlement or explore credit repair help to make sure you’re resolving it in the most strategic way possible.
Will Bay Area Credit Service Sue or Garnish Your Wages?
Debt collectors can sue you in civil court if you don’t pay, and if they win a judgment, they may be able to garnish your wages or freeze your bank account—depending on your state laws.
But lawsuits are usually a last resort. Collectors generally try multiple phone calls, letters, and settlement offers before taking legal action. Still, if you get a summons, don’t ignore it. Not responding could lead to a default judgment in their favor.
Bay Area Credit Service Complaints
Like many collection agencies, Bay Area Credit Service has complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The most common issues include:
- Attempts to collect debts that were already paid
- Harassing phone calls
- Failure to validate debts when asked
- Reporting inaccurate information to credit bureaus
If you’ve experienced any of these, you can file a complaint with the CFPB and explore your legal rights.
Your Rights When Dealing With Bay Area Credit Service
Under federal law, you’re protected from abusive or deceptive behavior from debt collectors. Here are some key rights under the FDCPA:
- You can request debt validation: They must prove the debt is yours and accurate if you ask.
- They must treat you respectfully: No threats, swearing, repeated calls, or public shaming.
- They must be honest: They can’t lie about who they are or what they can legally do.
- They can’t threaten arrest: Debt is not a criminal matter.
- They can’t report false information: If they do, you have the right to dispute it.
Bay Area Credit Service Contact Information
Headquarters:
Bay Area Credit Service
4145 Shackleford Rd, Suite 330
Norcross, GA 30093
Mailing Address:
Bay Area Credit Service
PO Box 28130
San Jose, CA 95159
Phone Numbers:
(678) 229-5010
(800) 697-1234
Get Bay Area Credit Service Off Your Credit Report
If you’re dealing with a collection from Bay Area Credit Service, you don’t have to go it alone. Credit Saint has helped thousands of people remove inaccurate or unfair items from their credit reports—including collections from agencies like BACS.
Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you’re not happy with the results, they offer a 90-day money-back guarantee—no questions asked.
Ready to take back control of your credit? Call (855) 281-1510 or visit their website to schedule your free consultation today.
Brooke Banks is a personal finance writer specializing in credit, debt, and smart money management. She helps readers understand their rights, build better credit, and make confident financial decisions with clear, practical advice.
