Hillcrest Credit Agency on Your Credit Report: What to Know

Hillcrest Credit Agency is one of the largest collection agencies in Kentucky and has operated from Bowling Green for over 40 years. The company also operates as Hillcrest, Davidson & Associates, LLC from a second office in Richardson, Texas. Either name may appear on your credit report or collection letters.

A 2014 federal case ended with an arrest order for the company’s president for contempt of court. Documented complaints also show Hillcrest reporting a fraudulent home security account after an identity theft affidavit was filed and continuing to demand fees after a settlement was accepted and paid. This guide covers who they are, their documented record, and how to respond.

Who Is Hillcrest Credit Agency?

Hillcrest Credit Agency is a third-party debt collection agency founded over 40 years ago and headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They also operate as Hillcrest, Davidson & Associates, LLC from a Richardson, Texas location.

The company describes their own philosophy as believing there is “no debt that’s not collectable” and uses a multi-tiered letter system, skip tracing, credit reporting, and litigation to pursue accounts.

Hillcrest collects for hospitals, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, veterinarians, utility companies, waste disposal companies, financial institutions, home security companies, and multi-family residential clients. The BBB has recorded 148 complaints in a three-year period and the CFPB closed 52 complaints in a single year. Eight or more federal FDCPA lawsuits appear in court records.

Kentucky has a 5-year statute of limitations on written contracts. Texas has a 4-year limit.

Two Names, One Company

Hillcrest Credit Agency and Hillcrest, Davidson & Associates, LLC refer to the same operation. The Bowling Green, Kentucky location and the Richardson, Texas location are both active. Search all three credit bureau reports for both names before filing any dispute to confirm you are addressing every instance of the same account.

The 2014 Federal Case: Arrest Order for Contempt

The most significant documented case against Hillcrest is Thomas v. Hillcrest, Davidson & Associates, LLC (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, Case No. 3-13-cv-01069, March 17, 2014). The consumer won a default judgment after Hillcrest failed to respond to the lawsuit. Following that judgment, a federal judge issued an arrest order for the company’s president for contempt after Hillcrest ignored post-judgment discovery requests.

A sitting federal judge ordering the arrest of a collection agency president for contempt is an extraordinary outcome and reflects a pattern of non-compliance beyond the original FDCPA violation. If Hillcrest is collecting a debt you believe is invalid, document everything from the first contact forward.

Home Security Accounts and Identity Theft

A documented BBB complaint involves Hillcrest reporting an Alder home security account to credit bureaus for $3,375. The consumer stated the account was fraudulent, filed a police report, and submitted an FTC identity theft affidavit. Hillcrest continued reporting the account.

Home security contracts are a confirmed Hillcrest client category. If an Alder or similar home security account appears under Hillcrest’s name and you have no record of signing a contract, file an FTC identity theft report and dispute the entry with all three bureaus simultaneously. An identity theft affidavit triggers an FCRA obligation to investigate before continuing to report.

Adding Fees After Settlement

A documented consumer complaint describes Hillcrest accepting a settlement payment and then continuing to call demanding additional fees. When the consumer asked for documentation of the additional fees, the call ended without explanation.

Once a debt is settled and payment is confirmed, collecting additional amounts requires a new contractual basis. Get every Hillcrest settlement in writing before sending payment, including the exact amount, the account it covers, and written confirmation that payment closes the account.

Medical Debt Reporting Rules

Because Hillcrest collects for hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers, current CFPB medical debt reporting rules apply to those accounts. Medical debts under $500 cannot appear on any consumer credit report. Any medical debt must also wait one full year past the date of first delinquency before being reported.

If Hillcrest has reported a medical balance under $500 or less than one year past due, dispute it with all three bureaus immediately.

What Hillcrest Cannot Do Under Federal Law

Based on their documented case and complaint record:

• Ignore federal court obligations after a judgment: The Thomas case resulted in a contempt arrest order. Hillcrest has defaulted on federal court discovery obligations in at least one documented case.
• Continue reporting accounts flagged for identity theft without investigation: The Alder BBB complaint shows Hillcrest reporting a disputed fraudulent account after an FTC affidavit was filed. FCRA requires investigation before continued reporting.
• Add fees after a confirmed settlement: Documented complaint. Any amount beyond a documented settlement agreement requires a new contractual basis under FDCPA Section 1692f.
• Continue calling after a written cease request: Multiple documented consumer complaints describe continued calls after certified cease letters were sent.
• Report medical debts under $500 or less than one year past due: Current CFPB rules prohibit both.

Verify the Debt Before Paying Anything

Send a written validation request by certified mail within 30 days of first contact. For home security accounts, request the original signed contract and installation confirmation. For medical accounts, request the itemized bill and your insurer’s explanation of benefits. Compare every figure against your own records before paying anything.

How to Check Your Credit Report for Hillcrest Entries

Search all three credit reports for “Hillcrest Credit Agency” and “Hillcrest Davidson.” Confirm the original creditor is identified and the account open date matches your history. If a home security contract appears that you do not recognize, file an FTC identity theft report and dispute with all three bureaus at the same time.

Your Options Before Paying or Responding

• Get every settlement in writing before paying: The documented post-settlement fee complaint makes verbal agreements with Hillcrest insufficient. Written confirmation of what the payment covers is required.
• File an FTC identity theft affidavit if the account is not yours: Particularly for home security accounts. An FTC affidavit and simultaneous bureau dispute creates a legal obligation to investigate before continued reporting.
• Document every call after a written cease request: Each call after confirmed receipt is a potential FDCPA violation worth up to $1,000 in statutory damages.
• Respond to any lawsuit immediately: Hillcrest explicitly uses litigation as a collection tool. Default judgments allow wage garnishment without further notice.

How to Contact Hillcrest Credit Agency

• Kentucky address: Hillcrest Credit Agency, 1953 Scottsville Road, Suite 100, Bowling Green, KY 42104
• Texas address: Hillcrest, Davidson & Associates, LLC, 715 N Glenville Drive, Suite 450, Richardson, TX 75081
• Kentucky phone: (800) 240-3181 or (270) 745-1470
• Texas phone: (866) 524-9866

Bottom Line

Hillcrest Credit Agency and Hillcrest, Davidson & Associates are the same company operating from Kentucky and Texas. A 2014 federal judge issued an arrest order for the company’s president for contempt. Documented complaints also show Hillcrest reporting fraudulent home security accounts after identity theft affidavits were filed and adding fees after settlements were paid and confirmed.

Get written validation before engaging and written confirmation of any settlement before paying. If the account is not yours, file an FTC identity theft report and dispute with all three bureaus at the same time.