Niagara Restitution Services (NRS) is a third-party collection agency based in New York state. NRS has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including threatening to take actions that cannot legally be taken and using false or misleading information in an effort to collect a debt. If NRS has contacted you about past due financial obligations, make sure you understand your rights before you take action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Niagara Restitution Service is a legitimate collection agency, founded and incorporated in 2010. The BBB established a profile page for NRS in 2011.
According to its website, NRS “makes it easy to resolve…account[s] by accepting payments over the phone or by mail.” NRS employs a “team of professionals [who] ensure…speedy recovery of delinquent accounts for…clients.”
The NRS website does not provide any information about the types of businesses or industries for whom they collect delinquent debts. The website also provides very little detailed information about NRS’s business practices; appears to have been very hastily written and assembled; and is somewhat disorganized and incomplete. The home page includes a web-based contact form and two links to additional pages on the NRS site. One link leads to the Recovery Services page; the other leads to the online payment portal.
The Recovery Services page contains a web-based contact form and the single statement, “Our team of professionals ensures speedy recovery of delinquent accounts for our clients.” The online payment portal includes a web-based contact form, a phone number, and a mailing address. The web-based contact from is not enabled for secure online payment submissions.
NRS provides some standard legal disclaimers about its information privacy practices and terms of use, but there is no information about regulatory compliance policies. The website does not include a mini-Miranda identifying them as a bill collector, and there are no links or references to consumer protection resources, laws, or enforcement agencies.
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of collection harassment and abuse. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. We’ve helped more than 15,000 consumers stop harassment and recover money from debt collectors. Harassed? Abused? Misled by a collector? Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
As of April 2019, the BBB has closed 30 complaints against Niagara Restitution Servicesin the preceding 3 years, with 13 complaints closed in the previous 12 months. Most of those complaints cited problems with billing and collections. Since November 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 13 complaints involving NRS. Justia lists at least 3 cases of civil litigation involving NRS.
Niagara Restitution Service
550 Fillmore Ave., Ste. 2
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Telephone: (844) 232-1318
Website: http://www.niagararestitutionservice.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely NRS would sue you for a debt you may not owe or they cannot validate. However, debt collection agencies are known to have summoned debtors to court and garnish wages after a default judgement. Contacting an attorney BEFORE this could possibly happen would be a smart move. We’ve helped thousands of consumers fight back against unscrupulous debt collection harassers. Find out if we can help you too today!
Get Free BBB A+ Attorney. Call 475-277-1600 NOW
Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. Here are some Sample Complaints
Complaints against Niagara Restitution Services cite problems resulting from allegations of harassment and prohibited collection tactics. In March 2019, a complainant said she had “been contacted by NRS several times,” both on her mobile phone and “other numbers on file.” Allegedly, the NRS representative “left extremely rude messages…and threatened the complainant with being arrested.” The complainant stated that the voicemails she had received included accusations that the complainant was deliberately ignoring the NRS representative and that she knew why NRS was calling. The complainant said she could “handle the phone calls and voicemails, but the threats and scare tactics are not professional or appropriate.” The complainant “asked the company for an itemized statement,” but the representative “stated in her voicemail that they will not provide her with one until she agrees to pay them.” The complainant stated that she “believes it is her right to request proof that she owes the debt before committing to a payment,” and that NRS “is horrible and the people that represent them do an even worse job.” In response, NRS stated they had “been in business for 10 years going on 11, and the only complaint that you will see on the BBB are people who do not want to pay their loan back.” NRS also stated that “at this time they have closed the account,” and that “no more calls will be made.”
In December 2018, a complainant stated that Niagara Restitution Services representatives “called and threatened her husband with legal action and showed up to her house to have him served over a debt.” The complainant alleged further that when she tried to speak to an NRS representative “the lady tried to talk over” her when she was trying to explain that her husband had been a victim of identity theft. She stated that she was extremely upset and shocked that a business was allowed to conduct itself in a way that was clearly illegal. She said she had had previous experience dealing with unethical debt collectors but could “only imagine how NRS treats elderly people and very young adults who don’t have any experience in dealing with a debt.” In response, NRS said the consumer had taken out a “loan with one of their creditors.” They also said they “will go ahead and close out the account, and that no more calls will be made.”
Also in December 2018, a complainant stated that she had “received a call from Niagara Restitution Services stating that she had a payment that was supposed to be taken out.” The complainant “explained…that she had spoken to someone, and that this payment… had been rescheduled,” but the NRS representative allegedly said “that was not the case and… threatened the complainant with a court order, …saying that ‘it was still up in the air for the court summons.’” The complainant also alleged that the NRS representative “began to start getting nasty and…told her that there were fees for not making a full payment, which the other representative had failed to mention.” The complainant asked for a “copy of a payment schedule,” but the NRS representative said that no such statements were available, and that the complainant would have to keep track of balance information herself. In response, NRS agreed to work with the complainant to set up a payment schedule.
Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. The FCRA regulates how collection agencies and creditors report delinquent debts to credit reporting agencies. Additional consumer protection laws include the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
But here’s the rub: If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. These laws provide individuals like you with a means to seek monetary damages in court. For example, the FDCPA allows consumers who have been violated to recover damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
You may have a case, if…
“Every e-mail sent or phone call made to your firm was answered not only promptly, but virtually immediately. Mr. Hirnyk patiently explained every legal concept – including what was possible and what was not – under existing state and federal consumer law.”
“Lemberg Law has saved me from the endless calls, and harassing voicemails. They really do go to bat for you. I didn’t know that debt collection agencies can end up paying your legal bill. What a surprise, to receive free legal help. I’m very grateful for all the hard work they did to finally give me my life back.”
“Know that Sergei, and your firm did a good thing. You took on a big company for little people and righted a wrong. For this we are grateful.”
“I would recommend your company to anyone. You have the debt collectors off my back, and I will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout the entire procedure your employees were courteous and professional. I was blown away by their efficacy also.
We can absolutely help. Call us today.
Share your story
Have you had a bad experience with this agency’s debt collectors? Sound off and share your experience with other visitors in the comment box below.
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
See more posts from Sergei Lemberg
I’ve have these people call my sister in law numerous times in a week, I have asked for proof from simple fast loans, and have not gotten anything. They said they would appraise my car and than try to sue me if I do not make payments. I have no problems making payments, but not until I have proof. They have also called me from a few phone numbers. I have told them to email me so I can have the conversation “typed”. I have emailed my states attorneys office.
I received a threatening call on my company work phone. This gentleman said his name was James Rutledge and begin telling me that I would get court document or something similar delivered to my job or home for returned checks from another 3rd party collector. I stated that “no Simplefast loans turned the ACH off on my account until I was able to start back payments. I called my state attorney general’s office to verify whether this a scam or not. I then called him back and told him who I had spoken to them. He did after I request proof sent email. I then further verified if this was legit are not by calling the original debt company Simplefast loans ant was confirmed. I did try to resolve this debt with someone that seemed nice and explained to her the ordeal that I went through. I also told him earlier that I would not have a job if court papers were brought to my job. The lady that I spoke with said that she would take care of. I don’t appreciate being harassed and intimidated at my job
They’ve been harassing me for months and I’ve tried repeatedly to try and work with them but the two women who always talk to me are always so rude to me.