If Genesis Credit Management suddenly showed up on your credit report, it can be alarming.
Especially if you don’t recognize the debt. Are they legit? Is it a scam? And what can you do about it?
As a credit repair specialist, I’ve helped many clients deal with confusing and sometimes inaccurate entries like this. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Who Genesis Credit Management is
- Whether you should trust the debt they claim you owe
- How to protect yourself from scams and credit damage
- What legal rights you have under the FDCPA
Let’s break it down so you can take back control of your credit.
What Is Genesis Credit Management?
Genesis Credit Management is a legitimate third-party debt collection agency that operates under the business name Columbia Debt Recovery LLC.
Based in Everett, Washington, their address is 906 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208, with a main telephone number of 866-863-9194.
The company claims over 50 years of combined experience in collections, sales, and customer service.
However, being "legitimate" doesn't mean they always operate fairly. The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and multiple consumer law firms have documented complaints against them.
Is Genesis Credit Management Legit?
Genesis Credit Management itself is a real debt collection agency. However, you must know that not every contact claiming to be from them is legitimate. The company has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Such as failing to provide written verification of debts and attempting to collect debts not owed.
Red flags that suggest you're dealing with a scammer using their name:
- Demanding immediate payment over the phone
- Refusing to provide written verification of the debt
- Threatening arrest or legal action they can't actually take
- Asking for personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details
- Calling outside allowed hours (before 8 AM or after 9 PM in your time zone)
Your Rights Under Federal Law
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from unfair treatment by debt collectors. This includes agencies like Genesis Credit Management, Helvey and Associates, or any debt collecting firms.
Your Key Rights Include:
Debt Validation: Under the FDCPA, you have the right to ask for details, which should include the amount owed, the name of the creditor, and how you can dispute the debt if necessary. You have 30 days from their first contact to request this validation in writing.
Communication Limits: They cannot call before 8 AM or after 9 PM in your time zone. They also cannot contact you at work if you tell them your employer prohibits such calls.
Harassment Protection: The FDCPA prohibits abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices and ensures your rights are protected. This includes repeated calling, using profane language, or making threats they cannot legally carry out.
Dispute Rights: If you don't believe you owe the debt, you can dispute it. The collector must stop collection efforts until they provide verification.
How to Safely Talk to Genesis Credit Management (Without Hurting Your Score)
Credit Expert Advice for Protecting Your Rights and Score
When dealing with any debt collection agency, like Genesis Credit Management (also known as Columbia Debt Recovery LLC) you must be strategic, firm, and fully informed.
Here’s how to protect yourself, your credit score, and your legal rights.
Always Use Written Communication Only
Never handle debt collection issues over the phone. Here’s why experienced credit professionals always insist on everything being in writing:
Creates a Paper Trail – You’ll have clear, dated documentation of everything said and requested. This is critical if you need to dispute the debt later or escalate to regulators.
No Risk of Verbal Missteps – Collectors are trained to manipulate conversations. You might say something that could be misinterpreted as admitting to a debt you don’t legally owe.
No Proper Identity Verification – Legitimate debt collectors should already have identifying details. Giving them more over the phone increases your risk of identity theft or fraudulent collection attempts.
What Information You Should Never Share
Even if they pressure you, do not provide the following:
Social Security Number – If the debt is real, they already have this. Repeating it puts you at risk.
Bank Account or Debit Card Info – This can open the door to unauthorized or hard-to-reverse withdrawals.
Employment or Income Details – Collectors can use this to justify wage garnishment or intimidate you into payment plans you can't afford.
Phone Payments – Always avoid verbal commitments. If you must pay, use traceable, secure written agreements with confirmation.
Genesis Credit Management Sample Debt Validation Letter
If Genesis Credit Management contacts you, you have 30 days from their first written notice to dispute the debt and demand validation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Here’s a credit-repair-verified version of the letter that does more than just ask for proof.
It sets legal boundaries and builds a record for future disputes:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]
Genesis Credit Management / Columbia Debt Recovery LLC
906 SE Everett Mall Way
Everett, WA 98208
RE: Request for Debt Validation
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing in response to your recent communication regarding an alleged debt. As a consumer fully aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), I am formally requesting a complete validation of the debt in question. Until such time as this request is fulfilled, you are to cease all collection activities, including phone calls and credit reporting.
Specifically, please provide:
- The exact amount of the alleged debt, including itemized interest, fees, and charges.
- The full name and contact information of the original creditor.
- A copy of the original signed agreement or contract linking me to the debt.
- Proof that your agency is licensed to collect debts in my state.
- Verification that the debt is within the statute of limitations for collection.
- Documentation proving you have the legal right to collect this debt and that I am the responsible party.
Please note that reporting unverifiable debts to the credit bureaus may be a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and I am prepared to file formal complaints with the CFPB, FTC, and my State Attorney General if this matter is not handled properly.
I expect your written response within the legally required timeframe. Until then, all further contact should be made in writing only.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Genesis Credit Management: Negotiating Payment Plans and Settlements
Disputing or challenging the debt should always be your first step, mainly if there's any chance of an error, outdated account, or identity theft. But based on our experience, about half the cases we handle turn out to be valid and legally collectible.
If the debt is legitimate and you’ve verified all details, the next move is resolving it strategically, not emotionally, not reactively.
What to Do If You Decide to Pay:
If you're ready to resolve the debt, consider the following expert strategies:
Negotiate a Settlement, Not the Full Balance
Collectors often purchase debts for pennies on the dollar. That means:
- You might settle for 30–60% of the original balance
- Always negotiate in writing
- Never give them electronic access to your bank account
- Pay with a cashier's check or money order, keeping copies
- Get a signed agreement stating the debt will be considered “paid in full” or “settled in full” once payment is made
What Happens to Your Credit Score During Debt Settlement?
Here’s what you need to know about how settlements affect your credit:
- A settled debt is still better than an unpaid collection, but it won’t boost your score the way full payment might.
- Most credit scoring models (like FICO 9 and VantageScore 4.0) ignore paid collections, which means:
- Once it’s marked paid or settled, it stops affecting your score over time.
- However, older scoring models (still used by some lenders) may still factor in settled accounts as negative.
- The account will remain on your credit report for 7 years from the date of first delinquency, even after it's settled.
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Ask for a Payment Plan From Genesis Credit Management You Can Afford
If you can’t afford to settle in one lump sum, you’re not out of options. Many collection agencies will work with you to create a monthly payment plan, but it’s critical to protect yourself and your credit while doing it.
Here’s how:
- Propose a plan that fits your budget, don’t overpromise
- Never agree verbally, get every detail in writing
- The written agreement should include:
- Total balance owed
- Interest or fees (if any)
- Monthly payment amount
- Number of payments
- Final due date
- Confirmation of how the account will be reported
How a Payment Plan Affects Your Credit Score
This part is where most people get surprised. Here’s what happens:
If the account is already in collections:
- Entering a payment plan doesn’t immediately remove it from your credit report.
- The account may still be marked as a collection account, which is a negative item.
- Some agencies may update the status as “paying as agreed” or “in repayment”, which looks better than “unpaid,” but the damage is already done.
If you miss a payment on the plan:
- The collector can mark the account as “delinquent” again, and it may restart collection activity.
- This could reset the “last activity” date, which might restart the 7-year reporting clock in some cases.
- They could cancel the plan, demand full payment, or even escalate to legal action.
Expert Tip:
Before agreeing to any plan, ask the agency:
- “Will you stop reporting the debt while I’m paying?”
- “Can you report it as paid in full once completed?”
- “Will this reset the date of last activity on my credit report?”
Get their answers in writing before making any payments.
Just like settlement, a payment plan won’t erase the collection account immediately, but it can stop further damage if you follow through without missing a single payment. For long-term credit improvement, consider combining repayment with credit-building strategies (like secured cards or rent reporting).
Request a “Pay-for-Delete” (When Possible)
Although not always accepted, some agencies will agree to remove the account from your credit report after payment.
- Always get this in writing before you pay
- Be cautious, some collectors say yes verbally, then don’t follow through
Pro Tip: If you negotiate a “pay-for-delete”, where the collector removes the account from your credit report after payment, that’s the best outcome for your score. Not all collectors agree, but it’s always worth asking.
Understanding Statute of Limitations
Each state has different time limits for collecting debts. If the statute of limitations has expired, you still owe the debt, but the collector cannot sue you for it. However, making a payment or acknowledging the debt can restart this clock.
What to Do:
- Research your state's statute of limitations for your type of debt
- Calculate when your last payment was made to the original creditor
- If the time limit has passed, include this in your dispute letter
Red Flags and Illegal Tactics
Watch for these violations that you can report:
Illegal Behaviors:
- Calling repeatedly to harass you
- Using profane or threatening language
- Claiming they'll have you arrested (debt collectors cannot do this)
- Threatening to garnish wages without a court order
- Discussing your debt with family members, neighbors, or coworkers
- Adding unauthorized fees to your debt
What Genesis Credit Management User Reviews Say: Some consumers report completely fraudulent debts, with one reviewer stating: "This is a complete lie, and Genesis Credit knows it. They agreed it was bogus and then tried to sell me their services to straighten up my credit report."
How to Report Violations
If Genesis Credit Management violates your rights:
File Complaints With:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): File online or call 1-855-411-2372
- Your State's Attorney General's Office
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Legal Remedies: If a collection agency violates any section of the FDCPA, you are entitled to damages up to $1,000. You may also be entitled to actual damages if the violation caused you out-of-pocket expenses.
Disputing Genesis Credit Management on Your Credit Report
If you see them on your credit report and believe it's inaccurate:
Steps to Take:
- File the dispute with each credit agency that has listed an entry from Genesis Credit Management. Disputes are normally sent in written form either online or by mail.
- Contact Genesis Credit Management directly to dispute the debt
- Keep detailed records of all communications
- Follow up if you don't receive responses within 30 days
Need Help? Work With a Trusted Credit Repair Expert
If you’re overwhelmed or unsure how to handle the dispute process, don’t go it alone. A legitimate, proven credit repair expert like ASAP Credit Repair can:
- Handle disputes on your behalf
- Spot legal violations in how the debt is reported
- Improve your credit score while protecting your rights
Can You Remove Genesis Credit Management from Your Credit Report
Yes, you can remove Genesis Credit Management from your credit report in certain situations. If the debt is inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable, you have the right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to dispute the account and have it removed. Even if the debt is valid, you may still be able to negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement, though not all collectors will agree. Either way, you are not without an option.
Key Takeaways:
- Always request debt validation in writing within 30 days of contact
- Never discuss debts over the phone, insist on written communication
- Know your state’s statute of limitations before acknowledging or paying anything
- Report any violations of your rights to the CFPB, FTC, or your Attorney General
- If you're being harassed or threatened, consider working with a consumer law attorney
Genesis Credit Management may be a legitimate debt collector, but legitimacy doesn't guarantee fairness. Don’t let fear or pressure push you into decisions that damage your credit or finances. Know your rights, stay in control, and protect your credit the smart way, one step at a time.