2026 data Public-data reference. official source

Southern Management Systems Inc.

Open-data reference.

Debt Collector — CFPB Complaint Profile Specializes in: Other debt

621
Debt Collection Complaints
79.4%
of All Complaints
100%
Timely Response
0%
Closed with Relief

Debt Collection Complaint Breakdown

I do not know 200
Other debt 174
Rental debt 133
Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.) 95
Mortgage debt 10
Credit card debt 5
Federal student loan 2
Mortgage 1
Medical debt 1

Top Complaint Issues

1.Attempts to collect debt not owed 218
2.Written notification about debt 126
3.Incorrect information on your report 87
4.False statements or representation 81
5.Took or threatened to take negative or legal action 56
6.Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed 54
7.Communication tactics 43
8.Improper use of your report 30
9.Disclosure verification of debt 27
10.Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem 23

Company Responses

Closed with explanation 782
Consumers who disputed the response 44.2%
Credit utilization context for debt-collection consumers

Most consumers facing collection complaints carry utilization in the Fair-Poor band. FICO bands per myFICO + Experian guidance.

Ideal (+0 to +10)0-10Healthy (~0 to -10)10-30Moderate (-10 to -30)30-50High (-30 to -50)50-75Very high (-45 to -70)75-100Maxed (-60 to -100+)100-12030%

FICO impact ranges synthesize myFICO + Experian + Equifax consumer-education materials. Individual results vary.

Complaints by Year

Year Complaints
2013 6
2014 31
2015 44
2016 26
2017 38
2018 39
2019 44
2020 52
2021 54
2022 69
2023 61
2024 98
2025 177
2026 43

Complaints by State (Top 15)

Florida 311
Texas 168
Georgia 60
North Carolina 23
California 23
Alabama 19
Illinois 16
New York 13
Tennessee 12
Pennsylvania 12
Louisiana 10
Arkansas 10
Maryland 9
New Jersey 9
South Carolina 8

Other Complaint Types

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting 75
Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting 72
Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Other personal consumer report 6
Debt or credit management — Debt settlement 2
Student loan — Non-federal student loan 1
Mortgage — FHA mortgage 1

Your Rights with Debt Collectors

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from abusive, unfair, and deceptive collection practices.

  • Request written verification of any debt within 30 days of first contact
  • Dispute a debt if you believe it is incorrect or does not belong to you
  • Demand the collector stop contacting you (in writing)
  • File a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint

What the CFPB Record Shows for Southern Management Systems Inc.

Southern Management Systems Inc. has 621 debt-collection complaints on file with the CFPB, which represents 79.4% of the 782 total complaints the Bureau has received about this entity. Reports have originated from consumers in 35 states and territories, making this a multi-state collection operation as measured by complaint volume. The most common debt type behind these complaints is "Other debt," which is the category consumers most often describe when they file a CFPB report about this collector. The single most-cited specific issue is "Attempts to collect debt not owed" — a useful starting point for understanding where the friction between this collector and consumers most frequently occurs.

The company's timely response rate is 100%, meaning that share of CFPB-forwarded complaints received a reply within the 15-day window the Bureau expects. That figure meets the industry benchmark and indicates an intake process that is functioning on schedule. Of resolved cases, 0% closed with monetary or non-monetary relief to the consumer, which is a notably low relief ratio and worth weighing against the disputed-response percentage. Consumers formally disputed the company's response in 44.2% of resolved cases, signalling how often the initial resolution failed to satisfy the complainant.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), consumers have the right to request written verification of a debt within 30 days of first contact, to dispute debts they believe are incorrect or not theirs, and to demand in writing that a collector cease contact. Complaint volume alone does not prove wrongdoing — larger collection portfolios naturally produce more complaints — but the combination of timely-response rate, relief ratio, and dispute rate above gives a reasonable empirical picture of how this collector handles consumer interactions. Anyone in active dispute with this company should keep written records, use certified mail for verification requests, and consider filing a CFPB complaint if standard resolution channels stall.

Educational data summary, not financial or legal advice. Individual complaint outcomes vary. Consumers with an active dispute should consult a qualified consumer-protection attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many debt collection complaints does Southern Management Systems Inc. have?

Southern Management Systems Inc. has 621 debt collection complaints filed with the CFPB, representing 79.4% of all complaints against this company.

Does Southern Management Systems Inc. respond to complaints on time?

Southern Management Systems Inc. has a 100% timely response rate. This is considered excellent.

Does Southern Management Systems Inc. provide relief to consumers?

0% of resolved complaints against Southern Management Systems Inc. were closed with some form of consumer relief (monetary or non-monetary).

What type of debt does Southern Management Systems Inc. primarily collect?

Southern Management Systems Inc. primarily collects "Other debt" based on CFPB complaint data. The full breakdown of debt types is shown above.

What rights do I have against Southern Management Systems Inc.?

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you can request written debt verification within 30 days, dispute debts you believe are incorrect, demand the collector stop contacting you in writing, and file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

In how many states is Southern Management Systems Inc. active?

Southern Management Systems Inc. has received consumer complaints from 35 states and territories, based on CFPB data.

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Complaint Database · Q1 2026 Complaints filed against firms, not individuals. Data through March 2026.

Related

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.