Quick Answer: Convergent Outsourcing is a third-party debt collector headquartered in Renton, Washington. They collect primarily for AT&T and other telecom and utility companies. Their most commonly reported phone number is 800-444-9988. Convergent has 1,574 complaints in the CFPB database; the leading category is attempting to collect debt not owed, and a federal MDL class action was filed alleging systemic FDCPA violations.
If Convergent Outsourcing is in your call log: Telecom and utility billing errors are among the most common triggers for incorrect collection attempts — paid accounts, duplicate charges, and disputed early termination fees regularly end up in collections before the original creditor resolves the underlying billing issue. This page gives you the information to respond from a position of knowledge, not pressure.
| Company Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. |
| Type | Third-party debt collector |
| Headquartered | Renton, Washington |
| Primary Creditors | AT&T, telecom providers, utility companies |
| Primary Phone | 800-444-9988 |
| CFPB Complaints | 1,574 filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau |
| Federal Court Cases | 89 FDCPA cases on record, including MDL class action |
| Governed By | Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) |
Convergent Outsourcing is a debt collection agency — if they are calling you, a telecom or utility provider has hired them to collect a bill they believe you owe.
Convergent is part of the Resurgent Capital Services and Sherman Financial Group ecosystem — the same corporate family as LVNV Funding. They have been named in 89 federal FDCPA lawsuits, including a consolidated MDL class action alleging systemic collection practices violations.
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Who Is Convergent Outsourcing?
Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. is a third-party debt collector based in Renton, Washington. They are a subsidiary of Resurgent Capital Services, which is part of the Sherman Financial Group — the same corporate family that owns LVNV Funding, one of the largest debt buyers in the country. Convergent primarily collects on behalf of AT&T and other telecom and utility providers. Unlike a debt buyer, Convergent does not necessarily own the debt — they may be hired by the original creditor to collect on their behalf, or they may collect on accounts within the Resurgent/LVNV portfolio. Understanding which applies to your account matters: if Convergent is collecting for the original provider, you are still dealing with that provider’s account; if they are collecting for LVNV, you are dealing with a purchased debt portfolio.
Convergent Outsourcing Phone Numbers
Convergent Outsourcing uses multiple phone numbers when contacting consumers. If you received a call from any of the numbers below, it was Convergent — and the same legal rights apply regardless of which number appeared on your caller ID.
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| Phone Number | Reported Use | Consumer Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 800-444-9988 | Primary collections line (Renton, WA) | HIGH — CFPB complaints, 800notes.com, multiple consumer reports |
| 866-317-5834 | Collections outbound, payment department | MEDIUM — consumer complaint sites, industry databases |
| 888-517-3117 | Accounts management line | MEDIUM — consumer complaint sites, industry databases |
Why Is Convergent Outsourcing Calling You?
- AT&T or a utility provider referred your account to collections. Convergent’s primary clients are telecom and utility companies. If you have a disputed or unpaid balance with AT&T, a wireless provider, or a utility, Convergent may have been assigned the account.
- You may have already paid — but the account wasn’t closed correctly. CFPB complaints against Convergent include multiple cases where consumers paid the original creditor directly but Convergent continued collection. Get your payment receipt before responding.
- The bill itself may have been incorrect. Telecom billing errors — early termination fees, equipment charges, duplicate bills — frequently reach collections before the original provider resolves the dispute. The leading CFPB complaint category is attempting to collect debt not owed.
- An identity thief opened the account in your name. Convergent has CFPB complaints documenting identity theft claims against telecom accounts they were attempting to collect.
A call from a debt collector is not proof you owe anything. It’s an opening position. Treat it like one.
What CFPB Complaints Reveal About Convergent Outsourcing
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s complaint database contains 1,574 consumer complaints referencing Convergent Outsourcing. The most common categories:
Read Consumer Complaint Narratives (6 published accounts)
“I refer to the CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE package dated on XX/XX/2019, Certified Mail XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX requesting original WET INK contract from Convergent Outsourcing. Please be advised that Convergent Outsourcing did not answer my requests point by point as required by law. Convergent Outsourcing did not provide any proof to sufficiently satisfying there claim under U.C.C. — ARTICLE 3 — 3-302 that you are a note holder in due course.”
“I sent the first debt validation letter to Convergent Outsourcing Inc. The next debt validation letter was sent [weeks later]. I sent a debt validation letter to Convergent Outsourcing requesting a full accounting of the alleged debt including the original signed credit agreement and a complete payment history. To this day, Convergent Outsourcing has failed to provide sufficient documentation to verify this alleged debt.”
“On XX/XX/XXXX Convergent Outsourcing flagged my credit files with inaccurate/unverified collection information. Their account was recently updated reporting XXXX different open dates and demanding unverified amounts of $640.00, $980.00, and $980.00. Please be advised that Convergent Outsourcing are not Holders in Due Course; no services or goods were received from Convergent Outsourcing and I have not agreed to pay/tender anything to Convergent Outsourcing.”
“There was a delinquent XXXX debt purchased by Convergent Outsourcing. I reached out to Convergent Outsourcing via email to pay the debt, but there was no response. I subsequently reached out to XXXX to pay the debt. Prior to payment, I asked if XXXX would terminate their assignment of collection authority to the reporting debt collector (Convergent Outsourcing). They said they would, as soon as I paid in full. I paid the full amount. XXXX week later, my credit report stated that Convergent Outsourcing was still reporting the collection.”
“I sent a letter to Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. requesting debt validation. Instead of sending proper debt validation, I received a letter indicating: ‘This debt is valid, attached is verification of the debt.’ Attached to the letter were XXXX statements. Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. did not properly validate the alleged debt according to applicable debt collection laws. Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. failed to provide a signed credit agreement or other documentation establishing my obligation to pay.”
“I am a victim of identity theft and want to remove the following charges from my credit report. Convergent Outsourcing account numbers [redacted] do not belong to me. I have submitted identity theft documentation to the credit bureaus. Convergent Outsourcing has continued to report these accounts despite being provided proof of identity theft.”
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Narratives published only when the consumer provides consent. Personal information redacted by the CFPB.
Convergent Outsourcing in Federal Court
Convergent Outsourcing has been named in 89 federal lawsuits alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including a consolidated MDL class action indicating systemic collection practices issues.
In Re Convergent Outsourcing Inc. (MDL consolidation): The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated multiple FDCPA class actions against Convergent Outsourcing, signaling a pattern of systemic collection practices violations. MDL consolidation is reserved for cases where multiple plaintiffs across multiple jurisdictions allege the same underlying conduct — indicating the violations described in individual complaints were not isolated incidents.
- Douglass v. Convergent Outsourcing — Individual FDCPA suit documenting harassment and debt validation failures in federal district court.
- In Re LVNV Funding LLC — Related FDCPA litigation against parent company Resurgent/LVNV, the corporate family that owns Convergent Outsourcing.
Court records are sourced from CourtListener, maintained by the Free Law Project.
What this means for you: The MDL consolidation means federal courts found the same collection conduct alleged across dozens of individual cases. If Convergent is calling about a telecom or utility account you don’t recognize, or one you already paid, the pattern documented in court supports your right to demand validation and dispute aggressively.
What To Do If Convergent Outsourcing Is Calling You
- First, verify the specific account and check if you already paid the original creditor. Convergent’s #1 CFPB complaint category is attempting to collect debt not owed (~42% of sampled complaints). A documented CFPB pattern involves consumers who paid AT&T or another utility directly, but Convergent continued collecting because the assignment of authority was never formally terminated. Pull your payment records and contact the original provider before paying Convergent a dollar.
- Get the account details in writing — telecom debt often has billing disputes baked in. Convergent collects for AT&T and utility companies, and these accounts frequently enter collections because of disputed early termination fees, equipment return charges, or billing code errors that the original provider never resolved. An itemized statement of what you allegedly owe and when it was incurred will tell you whether the underlying charge is legitimate. Don’t assume the dollar amount Convergent claims matches what the original creditor actually billed.
- Request a debt validation notice in writing. Convergent is legally required to send you a written notice within 5 days of first contact. If they haven’t, demand one. You then have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing.
- Check your state’s statute of limitations. Telecom debt has the same statute of limitations as other consumer debt — they cannot sue you after the window closes. Check your state here.
- Send a cease-and-desist if you want calls to stop. A written request by certified mail legally requires them to stop contacting you (except to confirm receipt or advise of legal action).
- Document everything. Date, time, what they said, which number called. If they violate the FDCPA, each violation can be worth up to $1,000 plus attorney fees in federal court.
For the complete guide: Your Rights When a Debt Collector Calls.
Your FDCPA rights in brief: Convergent Outsourcing must stop collection if you send a written cease request by certified mail. You can demand written debt verification within 30 days of first contact. FDCPA violations can be sued in federal court for up to $1,000 plus attorney fees. Full rights breakdown here.
Key Takeaways
- Convergent Outsourcing is a third-party debt collector based in Renton, Washington, connected to the Resurgent Capital/LVNV Funding corporate family
- Their primary known phone number is 800-444-9988; also use 866-317-5834 and 888-517-3117
- They collect primarily for AT&T and telecom/utility providers
- 1,574 CFPB complaints — the #1 issue is attempting to collect debt not owed (~42% of sampled complaints)
- 89 federal FDCPA lawsuits on record, including an MDL class action for systemic violations
- A documented CFPB pattern: consumers who paid the original creditor but Convergent continued collecting
- Verify you haven’t already paid and get the account in writing before responding
Free Tool — Statute of Limitations Checker: Dealing with old debt? The free Statute of Limitations Checker tells you if the collection clock has expired in your state — including the zombie debt and clock-restarting traps collectors use. Check My Status →
Free Tool — Debt Collector Rights Lookup: Being contacted by a debt collector? The free Debt Collector Rights Lookup shows your state-specific protections — statute of limitations, garnishment limits, and what collectors are legally prohibited from doing. Look Up Your Rights →
Frequently Asked Questions About Convergent Outsourcing
Who is Convergent Outsourcing?
Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. is a third-party debt collector headquartered in Renton, Washington. They are a subsidiary of Resurgent Capital Services and part of the Sherman Financial Group — the same corporate family that owns LVNV Funding. Convergent primarily collects for AT&T and other telecom and utility companies. They have 1,574 consumer complaints in the CFPB database, and have been named in 89 federal FDCPA lawsuits, including an MDL class action for systemic violations.
Is Convergent Outsourcing a scam?
Convergent Outsourcing is a legitimate, licensed debt collection agency — not a fraud operation. However, their 1,574 CFPB complaints include significant numbers involving debt not actually owed. The most documented pattern is collecting on accounts the consumer already paid — particularly with AT&T and utility accounts where the original creditor failed to properly terminate Convergent’s collection authority after payment. If you don’t recognize the debt or believe you’ve already paid, do not assume the claim is correct.
Why is Convergent Outsourcing calling me if I don’t recognize the debt?
Convergent collects primarily for AT&T and telecom/utility companies. These accounts frequently reach collections because of billing disputes — early termination fees, equipment charges, and billing code errors that were never resolved before the account was referred. Approximately 42% of sampled CFPB complaints against Convergent involve collecting debt not owed. The account may also belong to someone with a similar name, or may reflect an identity theft claim. Always request an itemized validation notice in writing before paying anything.
Is Convergent Outsourcing connected to LVNV Funding or Resurgent Capital?
Yes. Convergent Outsourcing is a subsidiary of Resurgent Capital Services, which is part of Sherman Financial Group — the same corporate family that owns LVNV Funding, one of the largest debt buyers in the country. This matters because Convergent may be collecting either on behalf of an original creditor (like AT&T) or on an account within the LVNV purchased portfolio. If you ask Convergent who the original creditor is and they say LVNV or Resurgent, the debt has been purchased and resold — which affects your negotiation position. Always ask directly: who is the original creditor, and who currently owns this account?
How do I stop Convergent Outsourcing from calling?
Send a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail to Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. at their Renton, Washington office. Under the FDCPA, once they receive your written request they must stop contacting you, except to confirm receipt or inform you of specific legal action. Keep your certified mail receipt as proof of delivery. This does not resolve the underlying bill — but it stops the calls while you investigate. Given the MDL class action history, a cease-and-desist combined with a debt validation demand is a reasonable first response.
Can Convergent Outsourcing sue me?
Yes, Convergent can file a lawsuit to collect within your state’s statute of limitations. With 89 federal FDCPA cases on record — many of them against Convergent, not by Convergent — the litigation history suggests they do face legal challenges over their collection methods. Telecom and utility debt statutes of limitations vary by state, typically 3 to 6 years. If the debt is time-barred, they cannot win a judgment in court. Check your state’s limit before deciding how to respond.
Should I pay Convergent Outsourcing or negotiate?
Only pay after you have confirmed the amount is accurate and the debt is legally yours. First, verify you haven’t already paid the original creditor — a documented CFPB pattern involves Convergent collecting on accounts after payment was made to AT&T or the utility provider directly. Second, get the full account details in writing. If the debt is legitimate and within the statute of limitations, you may be able to negotiate a reduced settlement, especially if Convergent is collecting on a purchased LVNV portfolio — debt buyers typically pay pennies on the dollar and have room to negotiate. If the debt is not yours or has errors, dispute it in writing and file a CFPB complaint.
Know Your Rights: If a debt collector is contacting you, you have legal protections. See the complete list of FDCPA violations collectors commit most often. Use the free Debt Validation Letter Generator to demand proof of the debt, or check this collector’s complaint history with the Scam-O-Meter.
Dealing With Debt? Before you pay a collector, understand all your debt relief options — including ones the collector won’t tell you about. If the debt feels unmanageable, take the 2-minute bankruptcy quiz to see if the math favors a fresh start. Federal Reserve research shows filers recover faster than those who don’t file.
