#1 Way to Remove 'Meade Recovery' (Hurting Your Score)

Most likely because a medical or dental bill was assigned to Meade Recovery for collection after your provider stopped internal billing efforts. Calls often follow forgotten patient statements, unpaid EOB balances, or transfers from a doctor/dentist's billing office, but they can also stem from clerical errors or identity theft that put the wrong name or balance in collections.

Before you respond, calmly pull recent insurance EOBs, patient statements, and any provider invoices and compare dates, providers, and amounts. If the balance looks unfamiliar, don't admit liability or give personal data; consider consulting a credit or consumer‑debt expert first so you don't accidentally hurt your score. If you do engage, insist on written debt validation and proof the account belongs to you.

They collect medical and dental patient balances - not credit cards or personal loans.

Meade Recovery's stated business focus since 2007 is on unpaid medical and dental bills: hospital charges, clinic visits, physician fees, emergency-room balances, imaging and lab bills, and patient portions for dental care (including orthodontics and oral surgery). These accounts often stem from insurance denials, coding disputes, surprise-billing gaps, or unpaid patient-responsibility balances.

If an account listed by them looks like a consumer loan, credit-card charge, utility bill, or other non-medical obligation, treat that as a potential error. Ask for debt validation, request itemized medical billing/EOBs, and confirm the original provider before paying or negotiating.

• Hospital inpatient/outpatient balances
• Clinic and physician service bills
• Emergency-room and urgent-care charges
• Imaging, lab, and ancillary medical services
• Dental practice balances (general dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery)
• Patient-responsibility amounts from insurance disputes or surprise billing
• Not handled: credit cards, personal/consumer loans, utilities, or non-medical accounts

Yes - Meade Recovery Services LLC is a legitimate Utah debt collection firm founded in 2007 that specializes in medical and dental accounts, but you should always verify any contact before paying.

Here's how to tell it's real and when to suspect a scam:

• Ask for written debt validation. Legit collectors must provide it on request.
• Check FDCPA behavior: no threats, no harassment, and they must identify the debt.
• Cross-check caller number, address and company details on the Meade Recovery Services official site.
• Verify business registration with Utah state records or search the CFPB and your state attorney general for complaints.
• Look up their BBB profile and complaint history before trusting a caller.
• Red flags: demands for wire transfers, gift cards, crypto, instant payment, refusal to send validation, pressure to pay by phone, or contradictory contact details.

If anything seems off, refuse to pay on the spot, demand written validation, document every contact, and report suspicious behavior to the CFPB and your state attorney general or file a BBB complaint.

Here are Meade Recovery's verified phone, mailing, and email contacts so you can reach them and document communications. Verify details on their Meade Recovery official contact page.

Contact details and practical tips:

• Meade Recovery Services LLC - PO Box 352, Logan, UT 84323‑0352.
• Phone: Toll‑free (888) 713‑0595; Local (435) 363‑3579 or (435) 713‑0595.
• Email: [email protected].
• Sources: company website and BBB listing.
• Use certified mail with return receipt for disputes or validation requests to create an irrefutable paper trail.
• Do not give SSN, bank, or card details to callers you cannot verify; hang up and call the official number above.

Federal law gives you clear protections that limit how Meade Recovery can contact you, what they must prove, and how you can push back.

They must send a written validation notice (usually within five days of first contact) and you have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing and demand verification. They may not harass you with repeated calls, obscene language, threats, or false statements (like pretending to be an attorney or government official). Calls are limited to reasonable hours - generally 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM local time - and collectors may not publicly disclose your debt or contact third parties about it except to locate you.

Be practical: document every call, date, time, and what was said; send a written validation request within 30 days of the first contact; and if you want them to stop, send a written 'cease communication' notice (use certified mail and keep the receipt). For a concise, official overview of these rights see the CFPB explanation of the FDCPA.

If Meade Recovery breaks the law you can sue for actual and statutory damages, plus attorney's fees, or file complaints with the CFPB and your state attorney general; the FDCPA gives you one year to bring a claim, so preserve evidence and act promptly.

Send a certified‑mail validation request to Meade Recovery within 30 days of their first contact, demanding written proof the account is yours and that they have the legal assignment to collect. Use a clear template and state the original creditor's name, the exact amount claimed, and ask for documentation of assignment; for a ready example see the FTC debt-dispute template. Send it certified with return‑receipt and keep copies of everything.

If Meade fails to provide adequate validation, federal law requires them to stop collection efforts until they verify the debt; their non‑response or weak documentation is strong evidence of error or an FDCPA violation. You can then dispute the tradeline with the credit bureaus and use their failure to validate when filing complaints with the CFPB, FTC, and your state attorney general.

Keep a paper trail: certified‑mail receipts, return receipt, dated copies of the letter, and any responses. That chain of proof makes disputes, complaints, and law‑yering far easier if you need to escalate or defend against suit.

Start by disputing the entry in writing, proving it's not yours, and forcing the collector and bureaus to verify or remove it.

Send a certified‑mail dispute to Meade Recovery. Say the account is not yours, include the account number, and demand debt validation. Attach proof: government ID, utility bills showing your address, a police report or FTC identity‑theft report if stolen, and a signed affidavit of non‑ownership. Keep copies and the return‑receipt.

• 1) File disputes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at order your free credit reports and upload your evidence.
• 2) Send your written dispute and validation request to Meade Recovery by certified mail.
• 3) Notify the original creditor in writing that the debt isn't yours and ask them to investigate.
• 4) If identity theft is involved, file an identity‑theft report and include it in all disputes.

Know your rights: under the FCRA the collector and credit bureaus must investigate within 30 days of a proper dispute. If Meade Recovery cannot substantiate the debt, the furnisher and bureaus must delete the item. Save all receipts, postage records, and correspondence for possible court or regulatory complaints.

If the debt is medical, check for HIPAA or billing‑error problems with the provider - privacy breaches or incorrect coding can nullify collections. For tangled cases, consider a consumer‑credit specialist or attorney to audit your files and draft demand letters. You'll want evidence, not guesswork - keep it tight and documented.

Yes - they can call your workplace unless you tell them it's inconvenient, but federal law sharply limits where, when, and whom a collector may contact.

• Work: collectors may call your job until you inform them it's inconvenient or your employer forbids it; once you say 'stop contacting me at work,' they must stop.
• Social media: public posts, DMs that reveal debt, or using social platforms to shame you are off-limits.
• After‑hours: calls before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM (local time) are prohibited.
• Friends/family: third‑party contacts are allowed only to locate you and must not disclose the debt or use harassment. If they cross the line, send a written cease‑and‑desist and keep proof, or submit a complaint to the CFPB.

Document everything. Save dates, times, numbers, call logs, voicemails, screenshots of social posts, and names of coworkers or relatives contacted. Mail cease‑and‑desist letters by certified mail and keep receipts.

• If contacts continue after your written request, escalate: demand debt validation in writing, file complaints with CFPB and your state attorney general, and consider an FDCPA attorney or small‑claims suit for damages.
• Keep your evidence ready; a tidy record is the fastest way to stop harassment and win any enforcement or legal claim.

Stop the harassment by sending a written cease‑communication invoking FDCPA §805(c) and start documenting every contact immediately.
Send a clear, dated letter by certified mail with return receipt stating you invoke FDCPA §805(c) and demand they cease all communications except court or attorney notices; include the account identifier, keep copies, and save the receipt.

Then log dates, times, phone numbers, caller IDs, voicemails, texts and emails and note repeated-call patterns - medical collectors sometimes blur HIPAA boundaries, and those patterns strengthen complaints. If Meade keeps contacting you after the cease request, that is a violation.
Next, report violations to the CFPB and FTC with your logs and file a state attorney‑general complaint if needed; preserve all evidence because you may have a private FDCPA claim or small‑claims remedy. If calls continue or the situation is complex, consult a consumer attorney and get free initial help via free consumer attorney referral at NACA.

Yes - they can only tack on interest or fees when the original agreement or state law lets them; otherwise those additions are contestable.

If the original contract with the creditor includes post-default interest or collection fees, a purchaser/collector like Meade may try to collect them. State law also controls what can be charged and how much. Collectors may add post‑judgment interest only when a court judgment exists and the state permits it.

The FDCPA doesn't give collectors a free pass - they must not misrepresent the amount owed and must honor your right to validation and dispute. If fees or interest appear that weren't in the contract or allowed by law, that can be a basis to dispute or to claim a violation.

Medical debts are a special case: check the original provider agreement and any insurer adjustments. Often the healthcare provider's contract (not the collector) dictates allowable fees. If Meade adds service charges not authorized by the provider agreement, demand proof.

Do this immediately: send a written validation request asking for (1) the original contract showing fee/interest terms, (2) a chain of assignment, and (3) a detailed, itemized ledger showing how they calculated the balance. Dispute any unauthorized charges in writing within the 30‑day window and keep copies.

Practical tip: in Utah - where Meade is based - interest is limited to the contract rate pre‑judgment and commonly capped at about 10% post‑judgment, so closely verify any interest math before paying to avoid overpaying.

If they persist with unauthorized charges after you dispute, file complaints with your state attorney general and the CFPB and consider brief attorney review for potential FDCPA/state law violations.

No - a collector like Meade Recovery generally can't legally garnish your wages, seize benefits, or freeze your bank account out of the blue; they must first file a lawsuit, serve you with notice, win a court judgment, and then get a garnishment or levy, and federally protected benefits such as Social Security are largely exempt. (consumerfinance.gov, faq.ssa.gov)

Pre-judgment seizures are possible in a few states via special attachment remedies, but they're uncommon for unsecured consumer debts and usually require extra court filings and proof; if you're served or see withdrawals, check the court docket immediately, assert exemptions, and if a collector takes protected funds or acts without a judgment seek immediate legal aid at find free legal help. (consumerfinance.gov, barclaydamon.com)

Meade Recovery Services is not accredited by the BBB, has no published BBB rating, and shows only a small number of BBB complaint entries while CFPB records reveal occasional issues (for example a 2019 medical-debt wrong‑amount complaint).

The BBB listing notes the company as operating since 2006 but without accreditation or a specified score. Complaints on the BBB are minimal in volume and mostly routine collection disputes. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau database, however, includes some consumer reports against Meade Recovery that show problems such as attempts to collect incorrect amounts (including the 2019 medical debt entry), so patterns are better seen by checking both sources; review their full profile at Meade Recovery BBB profile and cross-check the CFPB consumer complaint database for trends.

If you're dealing with a notice from them, save all documents, request debt validation in writing, compare amounts to your records, and use CFPB/BCCB entries as supporting evidence when disputing errors or reporting harassment.

• Not accredited by BBB; no BBB rating; operating since 2006.
• Only a few BBB complaint entries (low volume).
• CFPB records show occasional issues, e.g., a 2019 medical‑debt wrong‑amount complaint.
• Primary sources: BBB profile and CFPB consumer complaint database.

As of August 2025, public records show no major class-action suits or large nationwide settlements naming Meade Recovery Services - only isolated FDCPA claims and consumer complaints appear in the docket and complaint archives. (dockets.justia.com, fairshake.com)

The matters that do exist are individual actions and collection lawsuits rather than certified class cases; examples include a 2018 FDCPA suit docketed against Meade and recent collection litigation that reached the Utah Court of Appeals in 2025. (dockets.justia.com, law.justia.com)

That pattern makes sense: class suits against medical collectors typically arise when systemic billing errors, mass misreporting or identical contractual practices affect many consumers at once, and regulators or big plaintiffs' firms pursue large defendants. Meade operates as a smaller, specialized medical collector, which limits the scale and commonality that drive class certification. (beckershospitalreview.com, kffhealthnews.org, meaderecovery.com)

If you believe multiple consumers share the same illegal treatment, preserve all notices and communications, document dates and harms, and talk to a consumer‑rights attorney; meanwhile, periodically search PACER court filings for new group claims and class notices and consider contacting state AG or legal aid about pooling with others. (pcl.uscourts.gov)

Act fast: mark the date you received the notice, save the original (photo or paper), and treat that date as the start of your 30‑day validation clock.

Within that window, send a written debt‑validation request (certified mail, return receipt). Ask for the original creditor, the exact amount, chain of ownership/assignments, and proof you owe it; request no calls except to confirm receipt.

While waiting, pull your credit reports from all three bureaus and search for the entry. Note mismatched account numbers, dates, or balances and file bureau disputes if any detail is wrong; attach any proof from the validation process.

Prioritize identity verification first, then negotiate only after the collector validates the claim. Don't admit liability or make partial payments that could restart time‑bar limits; if you choose to settle, get a written 'paid in full' or 'settled for' agreement spelling out reporting to the bureaus before you pay.

If validation fails or the collector breaks the law, file complaints (CFPB and your state attorney general), consider a consumer‑credit counselor for budgeting, and consult a consumer attorney if you face a lawsuit - keep every dated record and correspondence for your defense and future credit repair.

Ignoring Meade Recovery or missing payments can lead to negative reporting, escalated collection actions, and even lawsuits - harms that can stay on your credit for up to seven years.

• Credit reporting: a paid or unpaid collection can appear on your report for up to 7 years from the original delinquency date.
• Escalation: more calls, letters, sale to other collectors, or referral to attorneys.
• Legal risk: collectors may sue; a judgment can allow garnishments or bank levies depending on state law.
• Cost creep: collection fees or interest may increase what you owe (subject to contract/state rules).
• Negotiate first: ask Meade or the original creditor for a hardship plan, reduced payoff, or payment schedule.
• Get help: seek nonprofit counseling through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
• Dispute/repair: request written debt validation and consider professional credit repair - they may uncover disputes that remove items without direct payment.

Do something fast: document every contact, send written requests (certified mail), prioritize essentials, and if you're served with papers, respond on time or consult an attorney.

Not necessarily - negotiating with Meade Recovery can be a smart move if you need a quicker, cheaper resolution, but it's a trade-off you should enter eyes‑wide‑open. Reduced payoff is the main upside: you can often settle for much less than the full balance and stop collection calls fast.

The downsides matter. Settling can produce a taxable cancellation (Form 1099‑C) for forgiven amounts and the account may be reported as 'settled' rather than paid‑in‑full, which can hurt your score more than a paid settlement or verified deletion. Always demand a written settlement letter that specifies reporting language before you pay.

Practical playbook: aim for 40–60% reductions on medical debts when bargaining, insist on a pay‑for‑delete clause (ask for deletion in writing but know it's not legally guaranteed), and get a clear payoff amount and deadline. Request debt validation first and keep copies of every agreement and payment.

If the entry is disputable, credit repair could achieve removal without negotiation, so weigh time versus certainty. Negotiate if you want immediate savings and can secure written terms; use disputes/credit repair if the entry is inaccurate or you can wait for removal attempts.

• They can sue you in civil court for a valid debt (plaintiff wins by judgment); they cannot arrest you or put you in jail simply for not paying.
• If served, respond quickly - respond to summons within 20–30 days depending on state to avoid default judgments.

Collectors like Meade Recovery routinely file lawsuits on owed balances (see Meade v. Davidson (2025) as an example of an attempted collection suit). Suits are civil; judges can enter money judgments, and after a judgment the collector may pursue garnishment, bank levies, or property liens under state law. Threats of arrest for ordinary consumer debt are false and may violate collection laws.

Ignoring a summons is the biggest practical risk: a missed deadline usually produces a default judgment that lets the collector enforce collection tools. You can demand debt validation, dispute identity/amount, negotiate a settlement, or defend the case in court - but timing matters: respond within the court's window or risk losing by default.

• Read the summons and calendar the deadline immediately.
• File a formal Answer or request extension; respond to summons within 20–30 days depending on state.
• Send a written debt validation request and gather proof.
• Consider settlement offers or bankruptcy only if appropriate.
• Use SoloSuit's Answer tools to draft and file an Answer if you lack a lawyer.
• Contact a consumer attorney or legal aid if garnishment, bank levy, or large sums are at stake.

Start by holding Meade Recovery accountable: file regulatory complaints, demand written validation, and sue under federal or state consumer‑protection laws if their collection conduct breaks the law.

• File complaints with the CFPB, the FTC, and your state attorney general.
• Send a written debt‑validation request and, if needed, a written cease‑and‑desist by certified mail; keep receipts.
• Collect proof: call logs with dates/times, recordings where lawful, voicemails, texts, emails, letters, and credit‑report screenshots.
• Bring an FDCPA claim (statute of limitations: one year from the violation); recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and costs.
• Add state law claims (UDAP or state collection statutes) or use small‑claims court for fast relief.
• For a lawyer consult and case evaluation use consumer attorney referrals and evaluations; private FDCPA suits win in roughly 90% of documented cases.

Yes - you can sometimes avoid paying a Meade Recovery demand, but only when a clear legal or factual reason exists (invalid account, reporting error, time‑barred debt, or statutory violations). Start by demanding written verification and disputing the claim in writing within 30 days - a proper validation notice must include specific itemized facts and pauses collection while they verify. CFPB debt validation notice. ([consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-information-does-a-debt-c…))

Time‑limits matter: in Utah most written medical or contract debts fall into a 4–6 year window for suing (open accounts often 4 years; written contracts commonly 6 years), and making a payment or acknowledging the debt can reset that clock - so don't voluntarily pay or admit liability before you're sure. Successful challenges also come from proving the debt isn't yours or that the collector misreported details; experienced credit‑repair or consumer‑rights pros often spot reporting errors you'd miss. ([utahjustice.com](https://utahjustice.com/debt-statute-of-limitations-in-utah?utm_source=…), [le.utah.gov](https://le.utah.gov/~2019/bills/hbillenr/HB0083.htm?utm_source=chatgpt…))

If the debt is real and not time‑barred, bankruptcy can discharge many medical collections but leaves a public record that hurts credit for years (Chapter 7: up to 10 years; Chapter 13: typically 7 years), so weigh tradeoffs before filing. If Meade Recovery violated validation or harassing rules you can force removal, sue under collection‑law protections, or file CFPB/bureau complaints - but each path has costs and timelines, so document everything and get tailored help. ([consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-filed-for-bankruptcy-how-lon…))

Yes - if the Meade Recovery entry looks wrong or unverifiable, start with credit repair; if it's clearly valid and you risk a lawsuit, prioritize paying or negotiating immediately.

Disputing under the FCRA often forces furnishers to verify or remove items, which preserves your score better than paying a blemish that stays on record. Legit repair firms use FCRA disputes to challenge inaccuracies and industry data shows high removal rates - about 79% of disputed negatives removed per industry reports - and the CFPB explains companies must delete unverified information. industry data on removal rates law requires deletion of unverified information

If Meade Recovery can prove the debt, paying or getting a written settlement is the safer route - payment can stop lawsuits, but get a written agreement (and a promise not to re-report). If you're unsure: request validation first, dispute what's inaccurate, and simultaneously negotiate; document every contact and never pay without a clear, signed deal. Choose a reputable repair firm, insist on transparent pricing, and monitor your reports while the dispute or negotiation runs.