Pinnacle Recovery , Inc. is a third-party collection agency based in Southern California. This debt collection agency has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) such as using illegal communication tactics and attempting to collect debts not owed. If you have been contacted by Pinnacle, understand your rights before responding.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Pinnacle Recovery, Inc. was founded in February 2000, and the BBB established Pinnacle’s profile page about 7 months later. They are listed as a collection agency with a staff of 70 people. Buzzfile estimates Pinnacle’s annual revenue at $2.9 million.
According to its website, PRI is “a nationwide full‐service debt recovery company that specializes in the professional, efficient[,] and ethical resolution of its clients’ delinquent and defaulted receivables.” Pinnacle’s mission is to serve its clients’ best interests “by ensuring their consumers’ obligations are met in a timely and transparent process… [through a] continued investment in its people, staff development, operational technology, data[,] and systems in order to perform at an exceptional and secure level.”
Pinnacle Recovery serves clients from two industries—real estate and education. Pinnacle’s real estate division focuses on “timeshare/vacation ownership delinquent mortgage loan and maintenance fee receivable collections…with a large number of participants within the industry ranging from sold out homeowners associations and single site developers to some of the largest developers and lenders.” Its education division has secured a subcontract with a private collection agency holding a contract with the U.S. Department of Education [and has] continued to expand within this market by focusing on positive borrower relationships, borrower education and enhanced compliance efforts.”
Pinnacle’s “robust collection system…allows flexibility in both standard and ad hoc reporting.” Their “skilled team of highly seasoned professionals” understands “the crucial role customer service plays in establishing and maintaining successful partnering relationships with its clients” and is dedicated to “direct communication on an on-going basis.”
Pinnacle’s employee compliance training “encompasses important legislation including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Privacy Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and other important state laws,” as well as a “multitude of corporate policies and the specifics of proper collection behavior.” However, they do not provide any links or references to consumer protection laws, resources, or 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.
The BBB has closed 21 complaints against Pinnacle Recovery in the past three years, with 5 closed in the past twelve months. The majority of complaints allege problems with billing and collections. In addition, since March 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received 21 complaints about Pinnacle, and Justia lists at least 7 cases of civil litigation naming PRI as a defendant.
Pinnacle Recovery, Inc.
P.O. Box 130848
Carlsbad, CA 92013-0848
Telephone: (760) 929-6685
Website: http://www.pinnaclerecovery.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely PRI 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. You can sue a debt collector. Here is a Sample Case Complaint:
In June 2016, a complainant indicated he had been having difficulty with the billing for a timeshare formerly owned by his wife, who had passed away about eight months earlier. The complainant indicated he had nothing to do with managing the property and knew nothing about their billing practices since she had purchased it prior to their marriage. Regardless, he informed them from the time of her death and for the next five months that she had passed away, but his registered letters and phone calls went unanswered. Subsequently, the account was turned over to PRI. Pinnacle representatives began phoning the complainant “constantly,” asking for the complainant’s wife. The complainant allegedly informed them on several occasions that she was deceased and that requesting payment for a bill he had never received was absurd. Nonetheless, the following day, he received another phone call from the same individual he had previously informed of his wife’s death, who again asked to speak to the complainant’s wife. When the complainant called PRI, he asked the representative about his conduct and why he had still not received a bill. The Pinnacle representative responded only that he would put a bill in the mail. After a week, the complainant still had not received a bill, so he called PRI again, and they said they would send another one. The complainant finally received two bills, each for a different amount. The complainant paid the lower of the two bills, which matched the amount owed as indicated on Pinnacle’s website, and printed a payment confirmation and receipt. A week later, the complainant received a letter from PRI indicating they were going to report his late wife’s delinquency to the credit reporting agencies.
In response, Pinnacle indicated that they had sent a letter to the complainant indicating the account had been paid in full; that they did not report the account to the credit reporting agencies; and apologizing for their conduct.
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).
Yes. If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. Federal 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…
”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.”
“The group at Lemberg Law was professional, courteous, and effective. Their grasp of consumer protection laws and guidelines are second to none, and they work extremely difficult to ensure this procedure is client-friendly.”
“After a few months of frustration with a debt collector, I eventually called Lemberg Law. It was among the best financial decisions I have ever made. Jody and her staff were comprehensive, useful, and above all else powerful. I highly recommend their services and thank them for their continual efforts.”
“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.”
Chances are good that we can help. Call us today and we’ll explain.
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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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These third party agencies claim they can get you released from your financial obligation without problems. Hmm!
Pinnacle has called me 3 times since Tuesdy,7,6,21 and also called my son and Daughter n law, they threatened to notify my employer that a sheriff’s department will be going to my place of employment to serve me lawsuit papers. What can I do?
I am curious about Pinnacle ability to recover debt. I too am Blue Green and the fees are too high, and ability to book impossible at times. From Canada, and I don’t care to keep ignoring email and phone calls. Do they have any ability to go further? They can have my deed if they want it. Blue Green is a scam in itself. They tell us property value will increase, but my 8000 is for sale at $1.00 all over and still no one buys. I don’t owe anything on the property, just the fees. I am waiting for them to re-possess, then I may clear the dept.
The amount due to the Resort is not the same as what Pennacle is giving me as the balance. Do we have to pay the resort And the fee to Pennacle. They tack on about 3-400 dollars.
My husband and I have been trying to find someone to talk to about the Club Dues, penalties, maintenance fees, etc. plus the large balance we owe.
We have a timeshare with Bluegreen Corporation and were not aware of the large fees. We’ ve not used the timeshare and have not been able to talk to a lawyer without them requesting a $20,000 retainer fee.
This has greatly impacted our ability to get our house worked on.
Pinnacle Recovery Inc, and Time share with Club Wyndham