Are You Being Called By Central Research, Inc.?*

When you sweat every time the phone rings, it’s a sign that the debt collector assigned to your account has gone too far. Swearing, threatening, and acts of humiliation are common tactics used by collection agencies, but they’re illegal, and there are steps you can take to make it stop.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) requires third-party collection agencies to treat you with dignity, respect, and fairness. If they use these methods to collect a debt, the regulatory consequences can be substantial.

• Disclosing the existence of your debt to third parties
• Collecting a debt discharged in bankruptcy
• Threatening to press criminal charges against you
• Calling you at inconvenient times, such as before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.
• Making abusive accusations
• Trying to collect a debt you do not owe

Company Profile: Central Research, Inc.

If you are being called by Central Research, Inc., here are some additional details about the agency.

Central Research, Inc. is a debt collection agency located in Lowell, Arizona, with a branch office in Alexandria, Virginia. It was established in 1973 by a military veteran, has 150 employees, and is managed by President & CEO Scott Dillard.

Litigation records maintained at the PACER website confirm that people who thought they were being harassed by Central Research, Inc. sought legal advice.

Alleged Violations against Central Research, Inc.

According to PACER, on or about June 9, 2016, Central Research, Inc. sent a collection letter to a New Jersey consumer requesting payment for a student loan debt.

The ‘fees and costs’ of $579.51 equated to 24.34% of principal balance and interest, but the letter noted, “ In addition to principal, interest and administrative fees, you are now responsible for the collection fees incurred by (creditor) referring your account to Central Research, Inc.

Collection fees equal to 24.34% will be applied to any payment you make toward the debt.”

The consumer read this statement to mean that he would be charged an additional 24.34% on top of any payment that he made toward the balance, although Central Research, Inc. had no legal or contractual right to assess an additional charge of 24.34% on top of the interest and fees and costs already added into the balance.

Feeling harassed by Central Research, Inc., the consumer obtained legal counsel and sued the agency for allegedly violating his rights by:

• Using false, deceptive, and misleading means to collect a debt
• Misrepresenting the amount of the debt

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire a Consumer Lawyer

The phone numbers for Central Research, Inc. are:

• 1-479-419-5456
• 1-844-804-8467
• 1-703-382-1970

Seeing any of these numbers on your caller ID is an indicator that Central Research, Inc. is on the line. If they send collection letters that fail to clarify your payment obligations, hire a consumer lawyer and file a claim against Central Research, Inc.

When a collection agency violates your rights under the FDCPA, compensation may include $1,000 per incident and coverage of your attorney fees and legal costs. You have legal protection that a debt collector might prefer to not recognize until it’s too late.

Additional Resources

• Have Your FDCPA Rights Been Violated?
• What Are Damages in an FDCPA Claim?

Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 3:17-cv-01281-FLW-TJB from the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Central Research, Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.