DENVER -- State Attorney General John Suthers issued a consumer advisory Tuesday about First Pacific Corp., an Oregon company that he said mailed collection notices to Colorado consumers despite a cease and desist advisory.

"Our office has received 65 complaints just today from consumers regarding these letters," said Suthers. "We are investigating the legitimacy of these claims and urge consumers to keep records of any payments."

According to Suthers, the collection letter demands payment for a past-due dental bill and states that the debt has been assigned to First Pacific. The letter also states that failure to pay may impact the consumer’s credit report and may subsequently be turned over to a collection agency.

Suthers said that one dentist referenced in a letter claims he did not sign billing or collection contract with First Pacific, and another canceled his contract with First Pacific 3 years ago.

First Pacific does not have a Colorado collection agency license, according to Suthers.

The Attorney General’s Office sent a cease and desist advisory notice to First Pacific on April 19 advising it to stop activities until it responded to an inquiry about its practices and licensing status. First Pacific’s response is due by May 9.

Suthers said his office may investigate First Pacific for possible violations of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act and the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

"Until a determination is made of whether First Pacific has the legal authority to collect these accounts, consumers who owe money to their dentists may wish to pay the dentist directly," Suthers said.

Complaints about First Pacific can be sent to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section, 1525 Sherman St., 5th Floor, Denver, CO 80203 or call the Attorney General’s consumer protection line at (800) 222-4444. Complaint forms are available online through the Attorney General's Office.

More information on collection agencies is available online at the Attorney General's Web site: www.ago.state.co.us.