Harvest Associates inc or HAI is a debt collection agency, which receives a lot of consumer complaints to our law firm for debt harassment. Find out who they are, why they might be calling, and how you can stop them.
Harvest Associates, Inc. (HAI) is a third-party collection agency based in Texas that specializes in collecting past due medical bills. HAI has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including failure to verify debts and attempting to collect debts not owed. If HAI has contacted you about delinquent financial obligations, make sure you know your rights before you respond.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Harvest Associates, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency, founded and incorporated in 1993. The BBB established a profile page for HAI in 2008, and HAI has been accredited by the BBB since 2017. The BBB lists HAI as a collection agency that uses the alternate business name, Harvest and Associates. Buzzfile maintains a listing for HAI under S&S Physician Services (S&S), but that page is currently not in operation.
According to its website, HAI “is a specialist in the field of medical debt collection services.” HAI “was started because their affiliate company could not find a collection agency that was small enough to provide personalized service yet large enough to have the resources to get results.” HAI has “been able to give… clients the attention that they deserve and do not get from the larger agencies,” while maintaining the “flexibility to adapt to changes and the individual needs of… clients.”
HAI states that they consider themselves problem-solvers who “take the time to work with…patients to understand each debtor’s circumstances to provide solutions that will help clients reconcile…accounts receivable and increase your cash flow – all while maintaining the patients’ respect and confidence.”
HAI offers an experienced staff “trained to be courteous, tactful, and professional when communicating with debtors.” They also employ “well-trained collectors” with “intensive in-house training to ensure that they are performing in a professional and effective manner.” In addition, HAI utilizes “the latest technology resources to further increase… recovery”; competitive fees “based on the volume and individual value of the accounts”; credit reporting; and online account access for clients.
As for compliance, HAI states that “today’s legal environment makes it difficult, risky, and potentially costly for non-experienced businesses to manage their outstanding receivables,” but HAI has experience“navigating the complex laws and regulations in all 50 states.” HAI states that its collectors comply with the FDCPA and HIPAA, and they cite membership in professional associations such as the International Association of Credit and Collections Professionals(ACA International). However, their website does not include any links 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 February 2019, the BBB has closed 13 complaints against Harvest Associates in the preceding three years, with 6 complaints closed in the previous 12 months. All of those complaints cited problems with billing and collections. Since April 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)has closed 31 complaints involving either HAI or S&S. Justia lists at least 1 case of civil litigation involving HAI.
Harvest Associates, Inc.
821 Crossbridge Dr.
Spring, Texas 77373
Telephone:(832) 482-3079
Website: http://www.harvest-inc.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely HAI 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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Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. Here are some Sample Complaints
Complaints against Harvest Associates usually state that HAI does not respond to disputes about debts or requests for debt validation. The BBB reported two complaints that cited problems resulting from disputes about information reported to the credit reporting agencies. In October 2017, a complainant stated that she didn’t know why HAI wouldn’t validate the bill they were trying to collect from her. She stated that she had been notified that HAI had sold the debt to a company called “Central Financial Control CFC and” that now she was being asked to pay “both amounts to 2 different companies. She said she did not think this tactic was “fair and is actually wrong.” She wanted HAI “to remove… this delinquency from the credit agencies.” HAI stated they were not familiar with CFC and promised to “remove the account from their collection process and from the credit bureau.” A complainant in August 2016 stated that HAI had failed to update a delinquency they had reported after the complainant had paid her bill. The rest of the complaint information on the BBB site was unavailable for public viewing.
The CFPB also reported several alleged cases of unvalidated debts. In October 2018, a complainant stated that he had sent HAI a “letter asking for verification of debt.” He stated that he had “asked on three different occasions” for HAI to “send a contract with his signature and copy of his identification.” However, the “only reply he had received was a letter stating they had verified the debt with their client. The debt total was $540.00… and he needed to see a bill, the signature from him and a copy of his identification from the day of service.” Although he acknowledged receiving HAI’s letter, he said he was requesting validation that should be “a part of their file and proof of… debt validation…not just a letter stating it has been verified.” In September 2018, a complainant stated that he had “noticed several collections on his credit from” HAI. He alleged that HAI had “duplicated the debt,” and that he had “insurance and had paid his deductible.” He said that he had “sent a request to HAI to validate this debt,” but HAI had “never sent him anything.” Regardless, he complained that HAI continued “to report collections that he doesn’t owe on his credit file.” Also in September 2018, a complainant stated that HAI had reported a collection account on his credit report that he completely disagreed with.” He stated that he didn’t “acknowledge this account” and had “sent this agency 2 dispute letters by certified mail in an effort to resolve this matter.” The complainant stated that he “had demanded proof of the debt that they claimed was” his, but they “were unable to produce any documents that proved that he had agreed to any debt. These letters were sent…. by certified mail,” and the complainant stated that he had “all the receipts,” but HAI “failed to provide any actual proof that he had agreed to pay this alleged debt. They never responded back to his…2nd certified letter, and now 3 ½ months later, HAI had placed this unverified account on his credit report with no proof.” The complainant demanded that HAI “remove this credit account from his credit report immediately.” HAI’s responses to these complaints indicated that they believed they had“acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law.”
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 finally 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.”
“When I first emailed the office, I was not exactly sure what they could do for me. I had an idea, but they responded back with everything I could expect to take place. I never believed I would be receiving a check, it was definitely a silver lining. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking customer legal services.”
“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.”
We can absolutely help. Call us today.
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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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