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Alliance Collection Agencies: Who Are They and Why Are They Calling You?

Quick Answer: Alliance Collection Agencies, Inc. is a debt collector based in Marshfield, Wisconsin, specializing in healthcare debt. Founded in 1957, they are BBB accredited with an A+ rating but have accumulated 20+ BBB complaints. Their main phone number is (800) 215-1547. Multiple federal FDCPA lawsuits have challenged their collection letter language, including allegations of misleading dispute instructions and confusing balance statements.

If Alliance Collection Agencies is in your call log: A call from a debt collector is a business communication, not a crisis. Alliance Collection Agencies collects debts on behalf of healthcare providers and other creditors. You have specific federal rights under the FDCPA. This page gives you the information to respond from a position of knowledge, not panic.

Company Detail Information
Company Name Alliance Collection Agencies, Inc.
Type Third-party debt collector
Headquartered Marshfield, Wisconsin (3916 S. Business Park Ave)
Founded 1957
Primary Creditors Healthcare providers, hospitals, medical facilities
Primary Phone (800) 215-1547
Local Phone (715) 384-2717
BBB Rating A+ (BBB accredited since 2013); 20+ complaints
Federal Court Cases Multiple FDCPA lawsuits in E.D. Wisconsin including Niland v. Alliance (2017) and Slomanski v. Alliance (2020)
Governed By Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

Alliance Collection Agencies is a Wisconsin healthcare debt collector that has been in operation since 1957 — one of the longest-running collection agencies in the Midwest.

Alliance Collection Agencies specializes in healthcare debt recovery, working with hospitals, physicians, and medical facilities. Despite their A+ BBB rating, they have faced multiple federal lawsuits alleging misleading collection letter language, and consumer complaints cite aggressive tactics and disputed fees.

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Who Is Alliance Collection Agencies?

Alliance Collection Agencies, Inc. is a third-party debt collector headquartered in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Founded in 1957, they have been collecting debts for nearly 70 years. Their primary focus is healthcare debt collection, working with hospitals, physicians, and medical facilities across Wisconsin and beyond. Alliance Collection Agencies doesn’t buy your debt — they’re hired by the original creditor to collect the unpaid balance.

Alliance Collection Agencies Phone Numbers

Phone Number Reported Use Consumer Reports
(800) 215-1547 Toll-free collections line Source: BBB profile
(715) 384-2717 Marshfield office Source: company website
(715) 486-2100 Additional office line Source: consumer reports

Why Is Alliance Collection Agencies Calling You?

  • A medical bill went to collections — Alliance Collection Agencies specializes in healthcare debt. Your hospital, doctor, or medical facility placed your unpaid balance with them.
  • An insurance claim wasn’t fully paid — the remaining balance after insurance may have been sent to Alliance if you didn’t pay the patient responsibility portion.
  • A debt you don’t recognize — ask Alliance for the original creditor’s name and the date of service. Medical debts sometimes show up months after treatment under names you don’t expect.

A call from a debt collector is not proof you owe anything. It’s an opening position. Treat it like one.

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What Consumer Complaints Reveal About Alliance Collection Agencies

The BBB has received 20+ complaints about Alliance Collection Agencies. While lower volume than many collectors, the complaint themes are notable:

#1Unexplained Fees Added to Debt
#2Aggressive / Rude Communication
#3Failure to Provide Documentation

Search Alliance Collection Agencies complaints in the CFPB database →

Read Consumer Complaint Themes (from BBB filings)
Debt collection
Billing problems
Unexplained fees

“A supervisor at Alliance told me they don’t charge extra fees on what they receive from creditors. When I verified with the clerk of court, Alliance had charged a 25% fee. When I called back to question this, the supervisor called me a liar and hung up.”

Debt collection
Written notification about debt
Failure to provide documentation

“Alliance Collection Agencies has not provided proper documentation including the creditor identity, amounts owed, or dates. When I contacted them to request this information, staff were very rude.”

Sources: Better Business Bureau. Complaint themes are representative of filed reports. Personal information redacted.

Alliance Collection Agencies in Federal Court

Alliance Collection Agencies has been named in multiple federal FDCPA lawsuits, primarily in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

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Niland v. Alliance Collection Agencies (E.D. Wis. 2017, Case 2:17-cv-722): A class action lawsuit alleged that Alliance’s collection letters violated the FDCPA. The case challenged the language used in collection notices sent to consumers regarding their rights to dispute debts.

  • Slomanski v. Alliance Collection Agencies (E.D. Wis. 2020) — a class action alleged that collection letters listing multiple accounts with some at $0 balances were misleading under the FDCPA. The court dismissed the case, finding an unsophisticated consumer would understand that a $0 balance means nothing is owed on that account.
  • Earlier case (E.D. Wis. 2014, Case 2:14-cv-01259) — a consumer challenged Alliance’s collection letter language suggesting debt disputes must be in writing, while the FDCPA does not require written disputes.

Court records are sourced from CourtListener and public federal court records.

What this means for you: Alliance’s collection letters have been repeatedly challenged in federal court. Pay close attention to the language in any letter you receive from Alliance. Under the FDCPA, you can dispute a debt verbally — you are not required to put your dispute in writing, even if Alliance’s letters suggest otherwise.

What To Do If Alliance Collection Agencies Is Calling You

  1. If it’s a medical debt, verify your insurance was billed. Contact your insurance company to confirm the claim was properly submitted and paid. The balance Alliance is collecting may not account for insurance payments.
  2. Check for added fees. Alliance’s top BBB complaint involves fees added to the original debt amount. Compare what Alliance claims you owe with what the original creditor’s records show.
  3. Request debt validation in writing within 30 days. Alliance must provide the original creditor’s name, account details, and amount owed. You can dispute the debt verbally — despite what their letters may suggest.
  4. Check your state’s statute of limitations. Check your state here.
  5. Send a cease-and-desist by certified mail to Alliance Collection Agencies, Inc., P.O. Box 1267, Marshfield, WI 54449.
  6. Document everything. 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.

Key Takeaways

  • Alliance Collection Agencies is a Wisconsin debt collector founded in 1957, based in Marshfield
  • Specializes in healthcare debt collection
  • Phone: (800) 215-1547 (toll-free), (715) 384-2717 (local)
  • A+ BBB rating (accredited since 2013); 20+ complaints
  • Multiple FDCPA lawsuits challenged misleading collection letter language
  • BBB complaints cite unexplained fees added to debts
  • If it’s a medical debt, verify insurance was properly billed before paying

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions About Alliance Collection Agencies

Who is Alliance Collection Agencies?

Alliance Collection Agencies, Inc. is a third-party debt collector headquartered in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Founded in 1957, they specialize in healthcare debt collection and work with hospitals and medical facilities. They have a BBB A+ rating with 20+ complaints.

Is Alliance Collection Agencies a scam?

Alliance Collection Agencies is a legitimate, BBB-accredited debt collection agency, not a scam. However, they have faced multiple federal FDCPA lawsuits and BBB complaints about unexplained fees. Verify any debt in writing before paying.

Can Alliance Collection Agencies add fees to my debt?

Whether a collector can add fees depends on the original contract with the creditor and state law. BBB complaints allege Alliance added a 25% fee that wasn’t disclosed. Compare Alliance’s claimed amount with the original creditor’s records.

How do I stop Alliance Collection Agencies from calling?

Send a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail to Alliance Collection Agencies, Inc., P.O. Box 1267, Marshfield, WI 54449. Under the FDCPA, they must stop calling after receiving your request.

Should I pay Alliance Collection Agencies?

Do not pay anything until you have verified the debt in writing and confirmed your insurance was properly billed. Compare the amount Alliance claims with the original creditor’s records to check for added fees. Get any agreement in writing before paying.

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Steve Rhode The Get Out of Debt Guy | Consumer Debt Expert
Consumer debt expert & investigative writer. Personal bankruptcy survivor (1990). Washington Post award-winning author. Exposing debt scams since 1994.