Commercial Acceptance Company describes itself on its own website as “Pennsylvania’s premier consumer credit and collection agency.” That self-description is worth contrasting with a documented BBB review: a CAC representative called a consumer while she was sitting at the bedside of her 82-year-old husband in his final weeks in the hospital and demanded she put him on the phone, threatening “dire consequences” if she did not.
CAC collects for over 600 clients across medical and retail industries, does file lawsuits, and has nearly 200 CFPB complaints. This guide covers who CAC is, their documented patterns, and how to respond.
Who Is Commercial Acceptance Company?
Commercial Acceptance Company, Inc. (CAC) was incorporated in 1988 and began local operations in Pennsylvania in 1993. The company is headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, is not BBB-accredited, and holds a B BBB rating.
CAC operates two divisions. Their medical division collects for hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare providers. Their retail division handles bad check recovery, credit card balances, and retail account collections. They serve over 600 clients nationwide and offer litigation services alongside standard collection activity.
CAC has accumulated nearly 200 CFPB complaints and has been named in 10+ federal civil cases.
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Calling a Hospital Bedside
A documented BBB review describes a CAC representative calling a consumer while she was sitting at the bedside of her 82-year-old husband in the hospital during his final weeks. The representative demanded she put her husband on the phone. When she could not, he stated there would be “dire consequences.”
The FDCPA prohibits collectors from calling at times or places known to be inconvenient to the consumer and from using conduct that is harassing, oppressive, or abusive. Calling a family member’s hospital room during an end-of-life situation and threatening consequences meets both standards.
If a CAC representative uses threatening or abusive language in a call, note the exact words, the date, the time, and the representative’s name. File a CFPB complaint immediately.
Calling Wrong Numbers With Abusive Conduct
A documented BBB review describes a consumer who received a CAC call asking for someone who did not live at that address. When the consumer asked for a letter to verify the debt so they could contact the right person, the representative was “very nasty” in response.
Calling wrong numbers and refusing to provide verification information while being abusive is a documented CAC pattern. If CAC is calling you about a debt that does not belong to you, send a written notice by certified mail stating you are not the person they are seeking and that the number is incorrect. File a CFPB complaint if calls continue after that notice.
The Maryland Harassment and False Threat Federal Case
A federal case filed in the District of Maryland charged CAC with multiple FDCPA violations simultaneously: engaging in harassing behavior, using false and deceptive representations in connection with debt collection, threatening to take legal action without actually intending to do so, employing false and deceptive means to collect a debt, and using unfair and unconscionable means to collect.
The pattern of charging both harassment and false legal threats in the same case reflects a documented CAC conduct type. Any same-day ultimatum or threat of immediate legal action from CAC should be documented and reported to the CFPB.
CAC Does File Lawsuits
CAC’s own website lists litigation as a service offering. SoloSuit confirms CAC does pursue legal action on valid in-statute debts. If you receive a summons from CAC, respond before Pennsylvania’s deadline. Pennsylvania allows 20 days to respond to a civil complaint. A default judgment gives CAC the ability to garnish wages and levy bank accounts.
Insurance Follow-Up and Medical Billing
CAC’s medical division includes insurance follow-up services, meaning they may contact patients about balances where insurance has not yet fully adjudicated. If CAC contacts you about a medical balance and you believe insurance should cover it, pull your explanation of benefits before engaging. CAC’s own FAQ acknowledges that some balances trace to deductibles or copays under your insurance contract. Confirm the insurance outcome before paying any medical balance CAC claims.
What CAC Cannot Do Under Federal Law
The FDCPA applies to Commercial Acceptance Company. Under federal law, they cannot:
- Call consumers at known inconvenient times or places including hospital rooms: A documented BBB review.
- Threaten dire consequences to pressure payment: A documented BBB review.
- Use harassing, false, or deceptive means to collect: Subject of the Maryland federal case.
- Threaten legal action they do not intend to take: Subject of the Maryland federal case.
- Call wrong-number consumers with abusive conduct: A documented BBB review.
- Call outside permitted hours: Contact is only allowed between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone.
File complaints at consumerfinance.gov. Pennsylvania residents can also file with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Medical Debt Reporting Rules Apply
Because CAC collects heavily for healthcare providers, specific credit reporting protections apply. Medical debts under $500 are not reported, paid medical collections are removed, and unpaid medical debt has a one-year waiting period before reporting. If your account falls under any of these categories, dispute it immediately.
Verify Before Paying Anything
Send a written debt validation request by certified mail within 30 days of first contact. Ask for the original creditor, the account number, the balance at referral, and for medical accounts, confirmation that all applicable insurance was billed and adjudicated.
Pull your explanation of benefits for any medical balance before engaging. CAC’s own FAQ confirms some balances trace to deductibles or copays that insurance has already processed.
How to Check Your Credit Report for CAC Errors
Pull your credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Is the original creditor identified? Is the balance accurate? For medical accounts, does it match your insurance explanation of benefits? Any inaccuracy is grounds for a dispute.
How Long Can CAC Legally Pursue the Debt?
Pennsylvania has a 4-year statute of limitations on most consumer debts. The relevant state is typically where you currently reside.
Your Options for Resolving a CAC Account
Once you have verified the debt:
- Verify insurance for medical accounts: CAC’s insurance follow-up service means some balances may still be in adjudication.
- Document all abusive or threatening calls immediately: The Maryland federal case shows multiple FDCPA violations can be alleged simultaneously from a single CAC contact.
- Respond to any lawsuit before Pennsylvania’s 20-day deadline.
- Negotiate a settlement: CAC does settle. Get any agreement in writing before paying.
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How to Contact Commercial Acceptance Company
Handle all communication in writing:
- Address: Commercial Acceptance Company, 2300 Gettysburg Road, Suite 102, Camp Hill, PA 17011
- Phone: (800) 690-3857
Bottom Line
Commercial Acceptance Company called a consumer’s hospital room and demanded a dying man be put on the phone in a documented BBB review. A Maryland federal case charged them simultaneously with harassment, false representations, and threatening unauthorized legal action.
Document every abusive call. Verify insurance before paying any medical balance. Respond to any CAC lawsuit before Pennsylvania’s 20-day deadline.
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.