Rhodes, Kelly & Associates, Inc. (RKA) is a third-party collection agency based in North Carolina that specializes in collecting delinquent medical bills. RKA has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as failing to provide written verification of debts and attempting to collect debts not owed. If RKA has contacted you about past due collection items,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), Rhodes, Kelly & Associates, Inc.“is a licensed third-party collection agency that offers a variety of services to assist …with …revenue management needs.” RKA’s “mission is to ensure…not only …exceptional client service, but also the highest returns possible.” RKA is “committed to building relationships and customizing solutions that will provide …clients with long-term value.”
Rhodes, Kelly & Associates collects delinquent debts for “a diverse range of clients,” including “local small businesses [and] large national organizations.” RKA specializes in collecting delinquent debts for medical and healthcare service providers.” RKA is “HIPPA compliant, ensuring medical records are treated with discretion.”
Rhodes, Kelly & Associates is a full-service agency with services that “include, but are not limited to, self-pay collections, bad debt collection, on-site training, seminars, and guest speaking.” RKA’s self-pay collections division “serve[s] as an extension of [the]… billing office, helping manage …accounts before they fall into the bad debt category.” RKA’s bad debt collections division “work[s] with …customers to negotiate payments with diligence and timeliness; … report[s] accounts[;] and perform[s] skip-tracing when necessary.”
RKA cites membership in the International Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA International). Their Frequently Asked Questions page provides very general guidance for site visitors. However, their website does not provide detailed information about their regulatory compliance policies, 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 August 2019, the BBB has closed 3 complaints against Rhodes, Kelly & Associates in the preceding three years, all of them closed in the previous 12 months. Two of those complaints alleged problems with billing and collections; the other cited problems with customer service.As of November 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 5 complaints against RKA. Justia does not list any cases of civil litigation involving RKA.
Rhodes, Kelly & Associates, Inc.
1036 Branchview Dr., NE, Suite 202
PO Box 146
Concord, NC 28026-0146
Telephone:(704) 788-1051
Website: http://www.rhodeskellyassoc.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely RKA 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. You can sue a debt collector. Here is a Sample Case Complaint:
Complaints against Rhodes, Kelly & Associates cite problems resulting from disputes about the validity of debts and the accuracy of information reported to the credit reporting agencies. In December 2018, a complainant stated that she had submitted multiple complaints against RKA for alleged violations. According to the complainant, RKA had repeatedly “failed to provide…adequate validation of the medical debt that was placed with” them for collection. In addition, RKA allegedly “violated HIPPA by sending [the complainant] a copy of medical correspondence displaying personal information.” The complainant stated that despite RKA’s “claim that there is an agreement in place that allows the obtaining of this information,” she “was not made aware of this agreement prior to this information being sent to them.” She insisted that the “information should have been sent to [her] directly from the original creditor.” She also said that she had mailed a dispute letter to RKA two months prior to the complaint. Although RKA is “aware that they have 30 days to respond,” the complainant stated that they had neither responded nor “marked her credit file as disputed.” Her credit file had been updated just prior to the complaint, but no change had been made. The complainant stated that she had retained documentation, including “a time-stamped copy of [her] credit reports,” supporting her claim that RKA had “violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act…and/or the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act… by not placing the disclosure within the required 30-day period.” She requested that the collection items be removed, or she would consider legal action.
In August 2018, a complainant stated that Rhodes, Kelly & Associates had attempted to collect a debt using inaccurate billing amounts.According to the complainant, she had received a call from an RKA representative who failed to advise her“that she was calling from a collection agency.” Allegedly, the RKA representative “informed [her] about the bill and asked if she wanted to set up a payment arrangement.” The complainant“set up payments of $28.12, [and] the first payment was taken out of her checking account in July.” However, “prior to the second payment being taken, she received a notification… that the account had been added to [her] credit report.” When she called RKA the following Monday, the representative she spoke with was allegedly “rude…[and] indicated that there was nothing she could do to help.” The complainant stated that not only did RKA fail to identify themselves a collection agency, but also had sent statements with outstanding balances that differed by as much as $300.00.
In its responses to these complaints, Rhodes, Kelly & Associates insisted that they had complied with all applicable laws and company policies.
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…
“With your help the nagging collection calls have ceased! I was thrilled I was also able to get damages from the collection agency. I am unable to adequately express my joy. I am so thankful I made the call.”
“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.
“After speaking to one of the partners, and going over the plan of action, I felt I’d chose the perfect company to go to work for me. He was very accommodating in describing what was going to happen. I would strongly recommend Lemberg Law to anybody being hassled by debt collectors”
“Prior to contacting you, we had tried repeatedly to handle this matter without threatening litigation. In the end, not only were they unapologetic, but they were dismissive – even of an attorney friend who called on our behalf. Sincerest thanks for resolving this matter for us!”
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
