National Recovery Agency (NRA) on Your Credit Report? Fight Back and Win

There are few things worse than dealing with an endless cycle of calls from debt collectors. If you've been receiving a lot of calls from unknown numbers lately -- as well as voicemails from representatives saying they're trying to get in touch with you about an "urgent matter" -- chances are you have an account that's currently in collections.

While it can be easy to panic when you find out that your debt has been sold to a collector -- particularly if you weren't even aware that you owed money -- there are options to help the agency off your back. 

In this article, we'll outline some of the steps you can take to get the phone to stop ringing and get back to what you really love doing on your phone...scrolling through cat videos on social media.

What Does National Recovery Agency Do?

National Recovery Agency (NRA) is a debt collection agency that's been active since 1976. The Harrisburg, PA-based company started out as an independent organization, but it recently joined forces with Credit Plus Solutions Group Inc. to form the NRA Group LLC. 

Together, the group provides "services" like first and third collections, pre-collections, post charge off collections, credit reporting, debt collection consultation and litigation support to a range of different businesses including government agencies and healthcare providers. If you reside in Pennsylvania you may receive contact from NRA Group, or another common PA debt collection agency, Penn Credit Corporation.

Is National Recovery Agency a Legitimate Company?

Yes. Although it’s upsetting receiving a call from a debt collector, National Recovery Agency is legally allowed to collect unpaid debts. Rather than dismiss the calls, you can contact the company using the following information: 

• Phone Number: (717) 540-7636 
• Address: 2491 Paxton St, Harrisburg, PA 17111 
• Website: https://www.nationalrecovery.com/ 
• BBB Rating: 2/5

Why Am I Getting Phone Calls from National Recovery Agency?

If National Recovery Agency is contacting you, it’s likely – whether you’re aware of it or not – that you have an unpaid debt that’s gone into collections. If you’re certain that you don’t owe on the debt, there are a couple reasons why you could still be receiving a call from NRA. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Debts that have already been settled and/or fully paid off
• Accounts opened in someone else's name due to fraudulent activities or identity theft
• Debts reported as delinquent or unpaid on credit reports but were in fact current and up-to-date
• Debts that are not the responsibility of the person listed on the report 

If you believe one of these criteria applies to your situation, the best first step is to reach out to Fair Credit. Our firm will review your case for free, help to discover errors on your report, and dispute them for you. This will ensure that any mistakes in reporting are removed from your credit history.

What Can I Do If I’m Being Harassed by National Recovery Agency?

Over the years, NRA has garnered a lot of criticism due to their aggressive tactics when trying to collect on debts. 

It's not uncommon for people to be harassed over phone or by email by NRA representatives in effort to persuade them to make payments, and these tactics have even bordered on harassment at times - so it shouldn't come as any surprise that they've received plenty of complaints across a range of platforms, including a number of Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports and even a few counter-lawsuits.  

National Recovery Agency is allowed to collect on unpaid debts – what they’re not allowed to do is harass consumers. Some of the prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Refrain from using offensive or abusive language.
• Refrain from making threatening statements of violence or harm.
• Must not communicate at times or locations that are inconvenient to the recipient.
• Must not make repeated contact with the purpose of badgering consumers.
• Must not provide false or inaccurate data.
• Abstain from threatening imprisonment or arrest.
• Refrain from using legal action as a bargaining tactic.
• Refrain from using unfair methods that may mislead people.

If you believe NRA has violated any of these standards, you have the option of submitting a complaint against them to the BBB and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You can also take things a step further by reporting them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state's attorney general's office.

The problem is these submissions typically go unnoticed – the  best way to get NRA’s attention is by consulting with an attorney for help filing a lawsuit against the agency. 

Who Does National Recovery Agency Collect For?

National Recovery Agency is a pretty major operation, so they represent a broad spectrum of industries – these range from direct marketing to healthcare, finance, education, retail, utilities, telecommunications and more. The company collects for nearly 1,000 institutions, including debt buyers. If you’re being harassed by this company, working with an attorney can help you understand your rights, as these will vary depending on the type of debt. 

What to Do if National Recovery Agency is Suing Me?

If all other attempts to recoup a debt fail, NRA may choose to take legal action against you. While receiving a lawsuit letter can be upsetting, there are steps that you can take to ensure increase your likelihood of a successful outcome. 

First, you'll need to make sure that you respond promptly and clearly to each claim listed in the complaint document - this won't go away just because you ignore it, and ignoring it can result in a default judgment.

Although you have the option of admitting to the allegations, most lawyers recommend you deny at least part of the claims or say that you lack the knowledge necessary to form an opinion. It is also important to remember that taking proactive action - including researching your rights and considering any potential counterclaims - can help prepare for litigation.

If you choose to deny all or a portion of the claim, you'll need to assert an affirmative defense.

Examples of affirmative defenses include debt that's exceeded the statute of limitations, information that does not accurately reflect yours or the original creditor's records, that your rights have been violated by NRA over the course of trying to collect on the debt, that NRA has not adequately proven their legal standing in receiving the debt from its original source, or highlighting any unsatisfied payments or cancellations.  

Be sure to consider whether these defenses are actually applicable in your circumstance and develop an appropriate response with clear and precise language to guarantee a successful outcome.

Contact Us For Your Free Case Review

At Fair Credit, we understand that dealing with debt collection agencies can be stressful and intimidating, which is why we are committed to educating our clients about their rights when it comes to fighting back against these types of organizations. Our attorneys will assess each case individually, providing tailored advice that takes into account any unique circumstances surrounding the situation at hand. Contact us for a free case review.