Quick Answer: DCM Services, LLC is a debt collector based in Bloomington, Minnesota that specializes exclusively in collecting debts from the estates of deceased individuals. They use proprietary technology to identify probated estates, then contact personal representatives and family members to collect outstanding medical bills, retail accounts, telecom balances, and auto loans. Their main phone number is (612) 243-8620 and their consumer ombudsman line is 844-891-9246. A class action lawsuit (Machnik v. DCM Services, 2017) alleged they unlawfully demanded payment from a widow for her late husband’s medical debts.
If DCM Services contacted you after a loved one’s death: Receiving a collection call while grieving is one of the most difficult situations in debt collection. DCM Services specifically targets estates of deceased individuals. You have rights — and in many cases, you are NOT personally liable for the debt. This page explains who DCM Services is, what they can and cannot do, and how to protect yourself.
| Company Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | DCM Services, LLC |
| Also Known As | Deceased Case Management Services / Balogh Becker Ltd |
| Type | Third-party debt collector (estate debt specialist) |
| Headquartered | Bloomington, Minnesota |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Primary Creditors | Healthcare providers, retailers, telecoms, auto lenders |
| Primary Phone | (612) 243-8620 |
| Consumer Ombudsman | 844-891-9246 |
| BBB Rating | A+ (BBB accredited); 29 complaints in 3 years |
| Federal Court Cases | Machnik v. DCM Services (E.D. Wis. 2017) — class action alleging unlawful collection from spouse |
| Governed By | Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) |
DCM Services is a debt collection agency that exclusively collects debts owed by people who have died — if they’ve contacted you, it’s because a deceased family member had an outstanding balance.
What makes DCM Services unique among debt collectors is their sole focus on estate debt. They use proprietary technology called “Probate Finder OnDemand” to identify probated estates and dates of death, then pursue collection from personal representatives, executors, and family members. This narrow specialty raises important questions about who is actually liable for a deceased person’s debts — and in many cases, surviving family members are not.
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Who Is DCM Services?
DCM Services, LLC is a third-party debt collector headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, founded in 2006. They specialize exclusively in collecting delinquent accounts from the estates of deceased debtors. Their clients include healthcare providers, retailers, telecommunications companies, and auto loan lenders. DCM Services doesn’t buy your loved one’s debt — they’re hired by the original creditor to collect from the estate. Whether you personally owe anything depends on your state’s laws, whether there’s a probated estate, and whether you co-signed or are a surviving spouse in a community property state.
DCM Services Phone Numbers
DCM Services primarily contacts consumers by mail, but they do use phone numbers for follow-up. If you received a call from either number below, it was DCM Services.
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| Phone Number | Reported Use | Consumer Reports |
|---|---|---|
| (612) 243-8620 | Main business / collections line | Source: BBB, multiple business directories |
| 844-891-9246 | Consumer ombudsman (complaints/concerns) | Source: dcmservices.com official site |
Why Is DCM Services Contacting You?
- A family member passed away with outstanding debts — DCM Services uses technology to monitor probate filings and death records. When they identify a deceased person with an unpaid account, they contact the estate’s personal representative or next of kin.
- A medical bill from the deceased’s healthcare provider — medical debt is DCM Services’ primary collection focus. Hospital bills, physician charges, and ambulance fees are commonly placed with them after a patient’s death.
- A retail, telecom, or auto loan balance — any consumer debt the deceased owed at the time of death may be placed with DCM Services for estate collection.
- They believe you are the personal representative or executor — DCM Services specifically targets people named in probate filings. If you’re the executor, you have a legal obligation to address estate debts from estate assets — but not from your own money.
A call from a debt collector about a deceased loved one’s debt does not mean you personally owe anything. In most states, debts die with the debtor unless the estate has assets or you co-signed.
What Consumer Complaints Reveal About DCM Services
The BBB has received 29 complaints about DCM Services in three years. The CFPB has also received complaints, though the volume is lower than many collectors due to their specialized niche. Despite their A+ BBB rating, Google reviews average just 1.6 out of 5 stars. The most common issues:
Search DCM Services complaints in the CFPB database →
Read Consumer Complaint Themes (from CFPB and BBB filings)
“My husband passed away and DCM Services started sending me letters demanding I pay his medical bills. I was never on the account and we lived in a separate property state. They continued contacting me after I told them I was not responsible for this debt.”
“DCM Services contacted me about a debt from my mother’s estate. When I asked for detailed documentation showing the original charges and what insurance paid, they could not provide it. They just kept sending the same form letter with a balance.”
“I received a letter from DCM Services about my father’s debt. There is no estate — he had no assets when he died. I informed them of this, but they continued sending collection notices suggesting I should pay from my own funds.”
“DCM Services called me less than two weeks after my spouse’s death, asking about outstanding medical bills. I was still making funeral arrangements. The timing was incredibly insensitive and the representative was pushy about payment options.”
Sources: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database and Better Business Bureau. Complaint themes are representative of filed reports. Personal information redacted.
DCM Services in Court
DCM Services has been named in federal lawsuits alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, particularly around their practice of pursuing surviving family members for estate debts.
Machnik v. DCM Services, LLC (E.D. Wisconsin, 2017): Audrey Machnik’s husband Michael passed away in August 2017. DCM Services sent collection letters to Audrey attempting to collect medical debts allegedly owed to Aurora Medical Group. The proposed class action alleged that DCM unlawfully sought to collect from the surviving spouse for debts she did not personally owe, violating the FDCPA.
Court records are sourced from CourtListener and ClassAction.org.
What this means for you: The Machnik case highlights a critical question: are you personally liable for a deceased family member’s debt? In most states, you are NOT — unless you co-signed, are a surviving spouse in a community property state, or are the personal representative paying from estate assets. DCM Services’ business model depends on contacting survivors, but contacting you is not the same as you owing the debt.
What To Do If DCM Services Contacts You About a Deceased Loved One’s Debt
- Determine whether you are personally liable before responding. In most states, a deceased person’s debts can only be paid from estate assets — not from surviving family members’ personal funds. Exceptions: you co-signed the debt, you’re a surviving spouse in a community property state (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI), or you are the personal representative using estate assets. DCM Services’ top complaint is collecting from people who don’t personally owe the debt.
- If there is no estate, say so in writing. If your loved one had no assets, no property, and no probatable estate, send DCM Services a letter stating there are no estate assets to satisfy the debt. You are not obligated to pay from your own funds.
- Request a debt validation notice in writing. DCM Services 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. Ask for the original creditor, account number, and itemized charges.
- Check your state’s statute of limitations. If the debt is old enough, the statute of limitations may have expired — meaning they cannot sue the estate to collect. Check your state here.
- Send a cease-and-desist if you want contact to stop. A written request by certified mail legally requires them to stop contacting you. Their consumer ombudsman can be reached at 844-891-9246 or consumerombudsman@dcmservices.com.
- Document everything. Date, time, what they said, which number called. If they pressure you to pay a debt you don’t personally owe, that may be an FDCPA violation worth up to $1,000 plus attorney fees in federal court.
For more on this topic: Debt After Death: The Complete Family Guide.
Your FDCPA rights in brief: DCM Services must stop all contact if you send a written cease request by certified mail. You can demand written debt verification within 30 days of first contact. A surviving family member is NOT automatically liable for a deceased person’s debts. FDCPA violations can be sued in federal court for up to $1,000 plus attorney fees. Full rights breakdown here.
Key Takeaways
- DCM Services specializes exclusively in collecting debts from estates of deceased individuals
- Based in Bloomington, Minnesota; founded 2006; uses “Probate Finder” technology to identify estates
- Phone: (612) 243-8620 (main) and 844-891-9246 (consumer ombudsman)
- Collects for healthcare providers, retailers, telecoms, and auto lenders
- 29 BBB complaints; 1.6/5 Google rating despite A+ BBB rating
- Class action (Machnik, 2017) alleged unlawful collection from surviving spouse
- In most states, surviving family members are NOT personally liable for a deceased person’s debts
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 DCM Services
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 →
Who is DCM Services?
DCM Services, LLC is a debt collection agency based in Bloomington, Minnesota, founded in 2006. They specialize exclusively in collecting debts from the estates of people who have died. Their clients include healthcare providers, retailers, telecoms, and auto lenders. They use proprietary technology called Probate Finder to identify probated estates and then contact personal representatives and family members about outstanding debts.
Is DCM Services a scam?
DCM Services is a licensed, BBB-accredited debt collection agency with an A+ rating, not a scam. However, their business model of contacting grieving family members generates significant consumer frustration, reflected in their 1.6 out of 5 Google rating. If DCM Services contacts you after a loved one’s death, verify the debt in writing before paying anything, and determine whether you are personally liable before responding.
Am I responsible for my deceased family member’s debt?
In most states, no. A deceased person’s debts are generally the responsibility of their estate, not their surviving family members. Exceptions include debts you co-signed, surviving spouses in community property states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin), and personal representatives who must pay from estate assets. DCM Services’ top complaint category involves collecting from survivors who do not personally owe the debt.
Why did DCM Services contact me so soon after the death?
DCM Services monitors probate filings and death records using proprietary technology to identify estates with outstanding debts as quickly as possible. Many consumers report being contacted within days or weeks of a loved one’s passing. While the timing can feel insensitive, it is not illegal. However, you have no obligation to respond immediately, and the FDCPA still protects you from harassment, false statements, and unfair practices regardless of the circumstances.
How do I stop DCM Services from contacting me?
Send a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail to DCM Services, LLC, 1550 American Blvd E, Suite 200, Bloomington, MN 55425. Under the FDCPA, they must stop contacting you after receiving your request. You can also contact their consumer ombudsman at 844-891-9246 or consumerombudsman@dcmservices.com. Keep a copy of your letter and certified mail receipt as proof.
Can DCM Services sue me for my deceased relative’s debt?
DCM Services is a third-party collector, not a debt buyer. They could potentially file a claim against the estate in probate court, but they cannot sue you personally for debts you did not incur or co-sign. If there are no estate assets, there is nothing for them to collect. The Machnik class action specifically challenged DCM Services’ practice of pursuing surviving spouses for debts they did not personally owe.
Should I pay DCM Services?
Do not pay anything until you have determined whether you are personally liable and verified the debt in writing. If your loved one had no estate assets, you likely owe nothing. If you are the personal representative, debts are paid from estate assets in a priority order set by state law, not from your personal funds. Never pay a deceased person’s debt from your own money without consulting an estate attorney or reviewing your state’s rules on survivor liability.
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.
