American Medical Collection Agency or AMCA is a third-party collection agency based in New York state that specializes in delinquent healthcare accounts. AMCAs has received complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including attempting to collect debts not owed and using false or misleading language in an effort to collect a debt. If you have been contacted by AMCA, make sure you understand your rights before responding.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the BBB, American Medical Collection Agency, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency founded and incorporated in 1977. AMCA’s profile page was established in 1999 and is listed under the name, Retrieval-Masters Creditors Bureau (RMCB). AMCA is listed as a collection agency and as an alternate business name for RMCB.
According to its website, AMCA “is the leading recovery agency for patient collections…and one of the nation’s top high volume lower balance agencies, managing over $1 billion in annual receivables for a diverse client base.”
American Medical Collection Agency collects debts exclusively for medical service providers, including “laboratories, hospitals, physician groups, billing services, and medical providers all across the country.” Their collection staff “is highly trained to handle the needs of…patients in a friendly and supportive manner” using letters, phone calls, and analytics.” Their “customized letter-writing process… is unique… because…AMCA understands that a tailor-made letter series does have a significant impact on overall collection performance.” AMCA’s “state of the art call centers have all the necessary tools for success in recovery.” And AMCA “utilizes advanced and intelligent data analytics to optimize collection results.”
AMCA is “compliant with all federal and state laws and are members of ACA International.” AMCA “provides…services adhering to the ethical guidelines expected from a National Accounts Receivable Management firm.” American Medical Collection Agency’s FAQ page contains a statement that “collectors are not allowed to harass customers. They should not lie about their identity. They are also prohibited from making threats that they are not authorized to carry out.” However, their website does not include a consumer resources page with links and references to consumer protection laws and 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 March 2018, the BBB has given AMCA a rating of D-. The BBB has closed 51 complaints against AMCA in the preceding three years, with 25 complaints closed in the past 12 months. Most of those complaints allege problems with billing and collection services. As of March 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 35 complaints against AMCA. Justia lists at least 6 cases of civil litigation involving American Medical Collection Agency.
American Medical Collection Agency, Inc.
4 Westchester Plaza, Suite 110
Elmsford, NY 10523
Telephone: (800) 666-8097
Website: http://www.retrievalmasters.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely AMCA 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!
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Absolutely. Here are some Sample Cases filed in Federal Court
In August 2015, in United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, a judge issued a Memorandum Decision and Order in a case alleging American Medical Collection Agency had violated the FDCPA. In this case, the plaintiff had been contacted by AMCA regarding a delinquent healthcare bill. According to the complaint, an AMCA representative had reported the delinquency to the credit reporting agencies. The plaintiff then contacted AMCA and indicated his intent to dispute the debt. As part of the dispute, he requested that the American Medical Collection Agency representatives remove the delinquent item from his credit report. The American Medical Collection Agency representative refused, informing the plaintiff that he would have to contact the credit reporting agencies himself. The plaintiff disagreed, alleging that the credit reporting agencies would only change the status of the delinquent item to “disputed,” not remove it, and then investigate by contacting AMCA… and inquiring as to its validity.” As a result, he charged AMCA with a violation of FDCPA Section 1692e, which prohibits the “use of any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt.” The plaintiff served American Medical Collection Agency with his intent to sue on the basis of the violation, and AMCA “failed to answer despite facially valid service.” As a result, the court advised the plaintiff “to move for default judgment, ‘including detailed proof of actual damages, if plaintiff is claiming any, within 14 days, failing which this case will be dismissed.’” The plaintiff filed his first default judgment within 14 days; however, the “detailed proof of actual damages” in the initial filing “consisted of a 2 ½ page attorney’s affirmation that gave no proof of damages, let alone detailed proof of damages,” except to cite the FDCPA provision that violations may result in liability for damages as the court may allow, but not exceeding $1,000.” As a result, the plaintiff was directed to refile his motion for default judgement, with an appropriately detailed request for damages.
The August 2015 hearing was held to determine the damages to be awarded. Unfortunately, although the plaintiff’s amended motion contained more detail, the court had to modify the award requested. The plaintiff’s request for damages stated simply that, “this statutory violation provides for a fine of $1,000.00.” As for court costs and attorney fees, the plaintiff presented a letter requesting “$2,000.00…(5 hours at $400.00 per hour), for pre-litigation Counsel, …with fees… comprised of negotiations and telephone conversations held with AMCA… and meetings held with the plaintiff; $2,000.00 flat fee for services rendered by plaintiff’s attorney…(preparation and filing of summons and complaint, preparation and filing of motions for entry of default and default judgment, anticipated fees for enforcement of the judgment); $3,500.00 for emotional distress incurred by…statutory violations; … and costs…incurred in the amount of $500.00 (filing summons and complaint, and process server fees …for a total of $9,000.00.”
The court approved the plaintiff’s motion for default judgement but reduced the award. The court indicated the severity of the violation only deserved to be compensated by $400 in statutory damages. In addition, the accounting of court costs and attorney fees was considered too vague for the court to award $9,000, so the court chose to approve $400 for one hour of legal services, for a total award of $800.00
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.
Your debt harassment checklist:
“As we discussed on the phone earlier today, this settlement is perfectly okay to me. I need to thank you and all of your cohorts at Lemberg Law to get a project handled so professionally. Please allow Amy, the first person who contacted me from Lemberg, know how much I appreciate her efforts, kindness, and professionalism.”
“My mom and I want to say thanks to the team of Lemberg Law for all the hard work and effort that was taken to take care of the debt collector and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Because of this, the phones do not ring off the hook .”
“We realize that ours is only one little case among many — and a lot more serious — but are heartened by the fact that you accepted it represented us with a professionalism that belied the dollar amount.”
“I just wanted to let you know we received the check from your office on now and I wanted to take some time to inform you that we really appreciate all of your efforts in this matter.”
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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."
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I received a letter from AMCA dated June 6th, 2019 saying that “the company received notice of a possible security compromise of the web payments page on March 20th, 2019. After a forensic examination, the unauthorized user had access to the system between August 1, 2018 and March 30th, 2019.” I was getting calls from the collection saying I owe money I asked them to send me the bills and information to my current address I didn’t not receive anything from the mail at all so I called to tell them and they assure me the bill was sent I requested t be resent and I verified my address didn’t receive nothing at all not even a call from the collector month later I found out a summons and complaint was sent to my address but I did not sign it nor received it in person they left a note from ups saying I had a letter waiting to be picked up since I wasn’t home I can personally go pick it up well I didn’t even realize about the letter the ups left because my NEIGHBOR took the note from my door and went to pick up the letter with out my authorization or knowledge weeks later they told they had a letter for me how was it that someone who wasnt me (my name on the letter) was able to sign and giving MY letter that stated my name! And was from the court was given to?!? I called to try doing payments and I guess I have to see if I’m eligible to roll to do payment!? The person I spoke on the phone was so rude and pressuring me to pay upfront on the phone even after I told them I don’t have any money I need help ! How can I solve this!?!
As John D said above, I too received a letter from AMCA dated June 6th, 2019 saying that “the company received notice of a possible security compromise of the web payments page on March 20th, 2019. After a forensic examination, the unauthorized user had access to the system between August 1, 2018 and March 30th, 2019.”
This person had access to very sensitive financial information for a full 8 months! And it took them at least two and a half months to notify us. Seriously??? What kind of crap is that?
My problem stems with Quest Diagnostics. My doctor’s office had the wrong coding for two different visits and that’s why Medicare didn’t pay Quest. This has been going on for over a year and I’m STILL trying to get it all straightened out with my doctor’s office and with Medicare so everybody gets paid.
Needless to say, I’m not about to give AMCA any of my information, financial or otherwise. That was probably TMI, but at least it wasn’t PII LOL.
There computer systems were hacked into. I got a letter informing me today, THEY SUCK AT PROTECTING SENSITIVE INFORMATION OF PEOPLE THEY TRY TO COLLECT MONEY FROM.
i have been calling AMCA and been on hold for over 3 hours now the operator keeps increasing the hold time, it keeps going from 30 minutes to 50 minutes to 45 to 1 hour how do i get a hold of someone? i cannot wait forever.
Hi. They just reported an invoice that was included in my bankruptcy 5 years ago! And, I am just about to apply for a mortgage, within the week, and this is not good. Can you help quickly?
Caryn Kennedy