Independent Recovery Resources, Inc or IRR is a third-party collection agency based in New York. IRR 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 you have been contacted by this debt collector, make sure you understand your rights before responding.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Independent Recovery Resources, Inc. was founded in 1996. The BBB established a profile page for IRR in 2001.IRR is listed as a collection agency. Buzzfile estimates IRR’s annual revenue at $1.5 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 20 employees.
According to its website, IRR is “is a full-service debt collection agency dedicated to the collection and credit industry.” IRR’s “objective is to maximize recovery in the shortest period of time with minimal consumer complaints…by remaining on the cutting edge of technology, continual training of…personnel, and constant communication with both… clients and… consumers.”
As a full-service agency IRR “provides first party, third party, debt-acquisitions, call blasting, and legal services.” IRR’s first-party services include early-out and pre-collection service “to help clients obtain recovery without the means of ‘traditional’ collection efforts.” Accounts can be assigned to IRR’s first-party services “as early as Day 1 and as late as Day 90, depending upon the terms of” the client’s billing cycle. First-party services are multi-tiered to include letters only at level 1; letters and outbound calls at level 2; and letters and outbound and inbound calls at level 3.
IRR’s third-party collections staff utilize several elements for collection efficiency, including training and education; technology; letter series “based on client objectives and processes”; customized dialing campaigns; communication effectiveness; client services; and credit scoring and asset location. IRR also “employs a certified credit and collections compliance officer.”
IRR cites memberships with the International Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA International); the New York State Collectors Association; and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. They have posted a link to ACA International’s Ask Dr. Debt website on their Consumer Services page.
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.
The BBB has closed 5 complaints against Independent Recovery Resources in the preceding 3 years, with 1 complaint closed in the past 12 months. Most of those complaints alleged problems with billing and collections, with 1 complaint also alleging problems with customer service. Since August 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 10 complaints. Justia lists at least 1 case of civil litigation involving IRR.
Independent Recovery Resources, Inc.
24 Railroad Avenue
Patchogue, NY 11772-3518
Telephone: (631) 758-0900
Website: http://www.irrcollect.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely IRR 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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Complaints against Independent Recovery Resources commonly cite problems resulting from the validity of debts and the accuracy of information reported to the credit reporting agencies. In February 2016, a complainant indicated that he had identified on his credit report “2 delinquent accounts with a local hospital” that were the result of IRR’s credit reporting division. The complainant was “in the process of shopping banks to do a refinance for…his mortgage…and was under… the impression that…his score was about 770 to 780.” The newly reported items “damaged …his credit score considerably.” The complainant contacted the local hospital “and they advised…him that they had no open accounts with… his name.” However, when he “contacted IRR, … they were less than helpful when …he explained the situation.” The complainant stated further that the “names associated with the delinquencies were not even close to…his name and” and also indicated a different address. IRR finally agreed that the accounts were not his and told him they would request that they be removed from his credit reports. But when he “asked for a letter… that…he could show the banks” indicating that the reports of delinquent credit items were inaccurate, IRR told him that “the credit reporting companies generate the delinquencies and it was not their responsibility.” The complainant insisted that their claim was untrue, and that the collection companies inform the credit reporting companies about delinquencies,” which the complainant “verified when …he contacted Experian and Trans Union.” The complainant concluded by stating that although IRR had made an error, they “refused to make a small accommodation in the form of a letter, …which caused damage to…his credit report and ultimately money due to a higher interest rate.” In addition, the representative the complainant spoke with was “rude and not willing to accept any responsibility.”
In response, IRR stated that they were “in the process of investigating this complaint further with…their client to get copies of what was signed at the time services were rendered. However, “in the interim, due to the… extenuating circumstances,” IRR agreed to submit “requests for both accounts to be removed from this consumer’s credit file” and to send the complainant “a letter for his records.” However, Independent Recovery Resources also stated that they have “no control nor knowledge as to the time frame and policy of the bureaus updating their data files.”
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.
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”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.”
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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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