#1 Way to Remove 'Retrieval Masters Creditors Bureau' (Hurting Your Score)

They're probably calling because RMCB believes you owe a small consumer debt they bought or were assigned to collect – most often medical bills or toll violations. Confirm the call's legitimacy by requesting written debt validation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) before you say anything that could be treated as admission; if the account is unfamiliar, cross-check your records because persistent calls can also come from past data exposures, including their widely reported 2019 incident that affected millions, so watch for unauthorized entries and monitor your reports at get free credit reports.

Ask RMCB to mail validation with account details and the original creditor's name, keep all records, and never give payment info over the phone until you've verified the debt. If they can't validate it, dispute in writing and demand they stop collection until they do; if calls harm your credit or feel abusive, a professional review or consumer attorney can explain options and negotiate or stop contact without you engaging directly.

Mostly medical bills - but also smaller consumer accounts like unpaid tolls, utilities and low‑balance receivables from big companies.

They collect hospital, physician and lab bills primarily via their AMCA arm, plus charged‑off consumer accounts sold or placed for collection (tolls, utilities, some retail or service balances and small corporate portfolios). Their public figures show over $1 billion in annual receivables concentrated in healthcare and consumer sectors.

After RMCB's 2019 bankruptcy their work narrowed to existing portfolios, so older accounts may have been reassigned; always pull your credit report and validate ownership before paying - and if something's wrong, follow FTC dispute guidance.

• Primary focus: medical debts (hospitals, labs, physician bills via AMCA).
• Other accounts: unpaid tolls, utilities, small retail/service balances, charged‑off portfolios.
• Scale: >$1 billion in receivables (healthcare + consumer mix).
• Post‑2019 note: older debts may be reassigned; verify on your credit report.
• Actionable next steps: request debt validation, dispute mismatches, check statute of limitations.

Yes - Retrieval‑Masters Creditors Bureau (RMCB, d/b/a AMCA) is a real, licensed New York debt‑collection firm, but it has a documented history of FDCPA litigation and a major 2019 data breach, so treat any contact cautiously.

• Founded/incorporated in 1977 and listed as a collections agency in New York; verify business details and phone numbers before acting. (bbb.org)
• Subject of multiple FDCPA cases and consumer suits (plaintiffs have won and courts have litigated collection‑practice claims). (casetext.com)
• Operator of American Medical Collection Agency (AMCA) that suffered a massive 2019 data breach and entered a multistate settlement and bankruptcy proceedings. (texasattorneygeneral.gov, ag.ny.gov)
• Check its record and complaints on the Better Business Bureau; it is not BBB‑accredited and shows mixed ratings/complaints - review the profile carefully: BBB profile for Retrieval‑Masters. (bbb.org)
• Red flags for scams: pressure for instant payment by wire, prepaid/gift cards, or caller claims you'll be arrested - legitimate collectors must mail a written validation notice and cannot lawfully demand illegal payment methods. (If you declared bankruptcy, collectors' rights are especially limited.)

If you get a call or letter, do this: ask for a written validation notice immediately; do not pay or give bank/card info over the phone; confirm the number 800‑666‑8097 and the company name before sharing anything; refuse requests for wire or gift‑card payments; file complaints at consumerfinance.gov if behavior looks abusive or fraudulent; and consider disputing the entry with the credit bureaus or consulting an FDCPA attorney if the collector violated your rights.

Official contact details you can use right now: phones 800‑666‑8097 or 914‑592‑0055, fax 914‑345‑5023, street address 4 Westchester Plaza, Suite 110, Elmsford, NY 10523 - verify before you act and ask that all communications be sent in writing. (bbb.org, newyork-company.com)

Key practical notes to make any call or letter fast and safe:

• Official phones: 800‑666‑8097; 914‑592‑0055. Fax: 914‑345‑5023. (bbb.org)
• Office: 4 Westchester Plaza, Suite 110, Elmsford, NY 10523. Use certified mail if you send documents. (newyork-company.com)
• Confirm any government contract listing via GSA Advantage contract search before relying on a claim of federal work. (gsaadvantage.gov)
• Never give personal data by phone; request debt validation in writing and keep copies - federal guidance requires collectors to provide validation and pauses collection when you dispute in writing. (consumerfinance.gov)
• Beware unofficial notices and scam tactics; if something feels off, stop, verify the account with the original creditor, and document everything. (complaintsboard.com)

You're protected by the FDCPA: you can demand written proof, stop abusive or deceptive tactics, limit when collectors call, and take legal action if Retrieval Masters crosses the line.

By law a collector must send a written notice after they first contact you and you then have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing to force verification. Verbal complaints rarely stop collection activity, so don't rely on phone calls - send a written dispute (certified mail or other provable delivery) and keep copies. If you properly dispute, the collector must pause collection until they provide validation.

Collectors may not harass, threaten, misrepresent the debt, or use obscene language, and they may only contact you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time unless you agree otherwise. Retrieval Masters has been named in FDCPA suits before, so log every call, save texts and emails, note caller ID, dates, times, and record conversations only where lawful.

If your rights are violated you can sue in state or federal court for statutory damages (up to $1,000), actual damages, and attorney's fees, and file complaints with regulators; see FTC Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. FDCPA claims generally must be filed within one year, so send a written validation or cease letter now and consult a consumer attorney if the collector ignores it.

Within 30 days of RMCB's first contact, send a certified‑mail debt‑validation demand to their Elmsford address demanding written proof (original creditor name, exact balance, account number, chain of assignment and a signed contract) and keep the certified‑mail receipt and a copy for your file. Use the CFPB debt validation letter template to ensure your request is clear and legally framed.

If Retrieval Masters fails to provide adequate validation, federal law requires them to stop collection efforts until they do; log the non‑response and submit a complaint to CFPB right away. RMCB's prior breach and accuracy issues mean you should assume the entry may be wrong; preserve all records because their silence is strong grounds to dispute the entry with the credit bureaus.

When validation isn't provided and the account remains on your reports, file disputes with each bureau and attach your certified‑mail proof - dispute with Equifax online, dispute with Experian online, and dispute with TransUnion online - and consider contacting your state attorney general or a consumer‑law attorney if they keep collecting or re‑reporting without validation.

Dispute it in writing right away to Retrieval Masters and to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, with proof the account isn't yours.

Start by demanding debt validation from RMCB in writing and simultaneously file formal disputes with each credit bureau; under the FCRA they must investigate and reply within 30 days. Send all letters by certified mail with return receipt and attach copies of any supporting documents (government ID, billing statements showing no account, police or identity-theft reports). Keep every page, date-stamp, and delivery receipt.

• Send a written validation/dispute letter to RMCB: state the account is not yours, demand they stop reporting it and provide original creditor docs.
• File disputes with Equifax, Experian, TransUnion and include copies (not originals) of your proof.
• If you suspect identity theft, file an identity-theft report and get an FTC recovery plan.
• Mail everything certified with return receipt and keep digital copies and timestamps.
• If no deletion or proper validation within 30 days, prepare to escalate to CFPB, your state attorney general, or an FCRA lawsuit.

If the entry ties to Retrieval Masters' known data exposure, use that in your dispute and report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov for an official fraud report and recovery steps. Consider a short audit by a consumer-credit expert or attorney to find linked errors; when proven and removed, scores often rise 30–100 points.

If RMCB validates an account that's not yours, demand the validating documents in writing; if they can't produce originals, insist on deletion and notify the bureaus again. If they still refuse, file complaints and consult a consumer-rights attorney - statutory damages under the FCRA are real. Act fast and document everything.

They may contact you in some of those ways, but federal law and agency rules strictly limit when, where, and what they can say. (law.cornell.edu, consumerfinance.gov)

• Calls or texts before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. (local time) are presumptively improper unless you gave written consent.
• Calling you at work is banned if the collector knows your employer won't allow personal calls or you've told them not to.
• Social media contact isn't absolutely forbidden, but public posts or friend-requests that reveal a debt or use deception violate the law; private direct messages may be used only if disclosures and privacy rules are followed.
• Contacting friends or family is limited to getting 'location information' (address, phone, place of employment); collectors may not say you owe money, discuss the debt, or repeatedly contact the same third party. (law.cornell.edu, ftc.gov)

If a collector crosses those lines, tell them to stop in writing, demand debt validation if you haven't received it, and preserve proof (dates, screenshots, voicemails). Report illegal or harassing contacts to the FTC via the FTC complaint portal and file a complaint with the CFPB or your state attorney general. (reportfraud-ftc.com, consumerfinance.gov)

• Send a short written notice: 'Do not contact me again. Send validation of the debt to my address.' Mail certified and keep receipts.
• Save timestamps, call logs, screenshots, and any public posts. That evidence supports FTC/CFPB complaints or an FDCPA claim.
• If harassment continues, consider a demand letter from an attorney or small‑claims/FDCPA suit; blocking numbers or accounts helps but doesn't remove the debt or stop lawful court notices. (law.cornell.edu, consumerfinance.gov)

Stop the calls now: send a short, firm cease-and-desist letter by certified mail to Retrieval Masters' address, explicitly invoking your FDCPA rights and demanding they stop contacting you and provide debt validation; keep the certified-mail receipt as proof. If they continue, file a complaint with the CFPB. ([consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/the-cfpb-puts-compani…))

Document everything. Log every call with date, time, caller ID, and script. Save voicemails, texts and letters. Use call‑recording apps if legal in your state and note when you recorded. These records are the evidence you'll use if you escalate. Debt collectors (including Retrieval‑Masters) have been sued under the FDCPA for abusive letters and false threats. ([casetext.com](https://casetext.com/case/cooper-v-retrieval-masters-creditors-bureau-i…), [case-law.vlex.com](https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/beider-v-retrieval-masters-887012118?utm_…))

Escalate if needed. If harassment continues, send a second certified letter noting violations and sue for FDCPA violations (many collectors settle or face judgments). Also report the conduct to your state attorney general and the CFPB, and consult a consumer‑rights attorney - Retrieval‑Masters (doing business as AMCA) has faced multistate enforcement and settlements in the past. read the AMCA settlement. ([texasattorneygeneral.gov](https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-announces-…))

Usually only when the original agreement or state law lets them – a collector can't just invent new charges out of thin air. (americanbar.org, library.nclc.org)

Only authorized interest or fees may be added; the FDCPA bars debt collectors from seeking charges not authorized by the contract or by law. A notable suit against Retrieval‑Masters alleged an unlawful 'convenience fee,' so contest any unexpected extras. Healy v. Retrieval‑Masters complaint. (classaction.org, americanbar.org)

Practical reality: if the original creditor's contract permits ongoing interest or specified fees, a collector or buyer can generally try to collect them (state usury limits or court judgments can change that). Post‑judgment interest follows state law.

But collectors must accurately disclose balances and can't misrepresent the total or imply new unauthorized fees. (americanbar.org, rmaintl.org)

What to do now: demand written validation and an itemized accounting showing where any interest/fee comes from; dispute any extras in writing and ask the collector to remove them if they're not authorized.

If they keep improper charges, you may have FDCPA claims and can report them to regulators. (library.nclc.org, rmaintl.org)

Quick tip about medical bills: they often stop accruing interest once assigned to a collector, so verify the original billing and any assignment documents before paying extra. (americanbar.org)

No - a collection agency cannot take your pay, tap benefits, or freeze accounts without first getting a court judgment and the proper post‑judgment orders.

• They must sue and win (or obtain a default judgment), then get a writ/garnishment or levy and serve your employer or bank; unilateral freezes or wage seizures are not lawful. (consumerfinance.gov, cbsnews.com)
• Most federal benefit deposits are protected and banks must identify and shield exempt payments (Treasury rules require banks to protect certain benefit amounts, often two months' worth). (fiscal.treasury.gov, consumerfinance.gov)

If you've been contacted but never served with a lawsuit, the legal collection tools (garnishment, bank levy) are not yet available to them - so don't ignore any summons. The normal sequence is: lawsuit → service → judgment → garnishment/levy; responding or disputing the suit can stop a default judgment. For plain guidance see the CFPB explanation on garnishment. (consumerfinance.gov)

There are exceptions (child support, some federal debts like taxes or certain federal student loan collections) and state exemption rules vary. If funds are wrongly frozen, you can file an exemption claim or quick court motion, ask the bank to identify exempt deposits, and file complaints or a motion to vacate an improper levy or judgment. Seek legal help quickly. (consumerfinance.gov, fiscal.treasury.gov, cbsnews.com)

• Do this now: confirm any court papers; keep federal benefits in a separate account; claim exemptions at court; consult a consumer attorney; file a CFPB/FTC/state AG complaint if collectors act outside the law. (consumerfinance.gov, fiscal.treasury.gov)

Retrieval Masters has a poor public record: it's not BBB‑accredited, shows mixed local ratings but an overall troubled rating with 58+ BBB complaints (many alleging harassment and inaccurate debt reporting), and complaint volume jumped after the 2019 AMCA data breach - check both the BBB file and CFPB complaint data for specifics. (bbb.org, ag.ny.gov, consumerfinance.gov)

• Accreditation & rating: Not BBB accredited. A+ shows in some local listings while the broader public record is poor (D‑ style reporting) and 58+ complaints are logged. BBB profile for Retrieval Masters. (bbb.org)
• Complaint themes: Repeated consumer reports of harassment, threats, billing errors, and inaccurate account reporting. (bbb.org)
• Breach effect: Complaints spiked after the 2019 AMCA/Retrieval‑Masters data breach and subsequent multistate enforcement actions. (ag.ny.gov, mass.gov)
• Cross‑reference: Search the CFPB consumer-complaints database to see company responses and additional narratives. (consumerfinance.gov)

Yes - Retrieval Masters has faced multiple FDCPA class suits and a notable multistate data‑breach settlement, so you may have a legal remedy if you were harmed.

Several putative FDCPA class actions alleged abusive or misleading collection practices; an example is Cooper v. RMCB case details. These suits typically claim illegal calls, false representations, improper fees, or failure to validate debts - outcomes vary by court and case stage, so check case dockets before assuming relief.

In 2021 state attorneys general and plaintiffs pursued a roughly $21M multistate settlement over an alleged data breach (later reported as suspended); reporting said the breach potentially affected about 21 million people. See coverage of the settlement at 2021 $21M data-breach settlement and monitor developments via classaction.org tracking page. If you think you were impacted, search your state attorney general's consumer notices, preserve collection letters/screenshots, file a claim (or an FDCPA/consumer complaint), and consider speaking with class counsel or a consumer-rights attorney.

• Check named‑plaintiff lists and settlement notices to see if your information is covered.
• Preserve all communications, account numbers, and screenshots as evidence.
• File a debt‑validation request immediately and document responses.
• Search your state AG consumer pages for claim instructions and deadlines.
• Consider filing an FDCPA complaint and consult class counsel before opting out.
• If identity/data exposure occurred, monitor credit and freeze or dispute suspicious items.

Don't panic – first verify the notice is real, then immediately demand written validation within 30 days.

Call the phone number on the letter and compare it to the bureau's official contact before saying anything substantive. Ask for a written debt-validation packet: original creditor name, account number, balance, and proof you owe it. Send a short, firm validation request by certified mail and keep the receipt and copies of everything you send and receive.

If the documents don't prove the debt or aren't provided, dispute the entry with the three credit bureaus and flag the account as unverifiable; include dates and copies of your validation request. Also check your free credit reports to see whether Retrieval Masters has already reported the item and to gather exact reporting details you'll need for disputes.

If the collector ignores validation rules or harasses you, exercise your FDCPA rights: tell them to stop communications in writing, document violations, and consider filing a complaint with regulators or your state attorney general. When validation isn't provided or reporting is incorrect, you can file a CFPB complaint and use that record in disputes or litigation. If this feels overwhelming, get quick help: a consumer‑protection attorney or a reputable credit specialist can draft airtight validation/dispute letters, check statutes of limitations, and negotiate or litigate if needed – acting fast protects your score and options.

Ignore RMCB or miss payments and you risk a lawsuit, long‑term credit damage (items can stay on your report for 7 years), and possible wage garnishment or bank levies.

Respond quickly and in writing. Ask for debt validation and never admit liability without proof. Try to negotiate a payment plan, a hardship arrangement, or a lump‑sum settlement - get every promise in writing. Remember that debts are often sold to other collectors; ignoring only raises the chance of a judgment if they sue.

If you truly can't pay, explore hardship programs, credit counseling, or bankruptcy advice and monitor your credit reports for new actions. For practical alternatives and programs see debt.org payment options.

Not inherently - taking a reduced payoff can be smart, but only if you secure clear, written terms that protect your statute-of-limitations exposure, credit reporting, and tax fallout.

Do this before you pay:

• Get a signed settlement that states the exact amount, date, and that the balance will be reported as 'paid in full' or deleted (insist on deletion).
• Aim for roughly 50–70% of the balance when reasonable, but press for a written deletion or 'pay-for-delete.'
• Remember RMCB often negotiates because of volume, so they may accept less.
• Don't admit liability or make partial payments on time‑barred debts - that can restart the statute; document everything to avoid resets.
• Ask if a forgiven amount will generate a Form 1099‑C (debts > $600 can trigger tax forms) and consult a tax pro if needed.
• Use official templates when you write them; for example, see CFPB debt collection letters.

If you can get a written deletion and confirm no tax surprise, negotiating is often worth it; refuse or push back if RMCB won't commit in writing, won't delete, or the debt is time‑barred - then consider dispute, validation requests, or legal help instead.

Yes - if the alleged debt is valid and still within your state's statute of limitations, a collection company can sue; they cannot have you arrested for civil debt or for not answering their calls.

Statutes of limitations vary by state but commonly run about three to six years for consumer accounts; if a claim is time‑barred you can raise that as a defense, though collectors sometimes file anyway. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act forbids threats of arrest or other criminal penalties for private debts, so don't be bullied by scare tactics.

Retrieval Masters has pursued lawsuits in federal and state courts (see St. Pierre v. Retrieval Masters Creditors Bureau for an example). Most small‑debt lawsuits are settled or dismissed before trial, but ignoring a suit greatly increases the chance of a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishment or bank levies.

Do not ignore a summons - file an answer or a motion by the deadline and request debt validation, or seek legal aid. If you need help drafting and filing an Answer, services that show how to respond to a summons can simplify the process and prevent a default judgment.

You can sue Retrieval Masters in federal court under the FDCPA, file regulator complaints, or join class actions to recover money and stop illegal collection behavior.

First, document everything - dates, call logs, recordings, texts, letters, and credit-report entries - and send a written debt‑validation request and (if needed) a written cease‑and‑desist. File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau first by using file a complaint at CFPB, and also alert your state attorney general or local consumer protection office. If you sue, the FDCPA's statute of limitations is one year from the violation; statutory damages can reach $1,000 plus actual damages, attorneys' fees, and costs, so consider small claims for small losses or a consumer‑lawyer for federal court.

Remember Retrieval Masters has faced settlements in the past, which can strengthen your leverage; consider joining coordinated actions to amplify results by visiting join class actions at ClassAction.org. Preserve proof, act quickly (one‑year FDCPA window), and consult an experienced consumer‑rights attorney to calculate damages and file the proper claims.

Yes - in narrow, legal ways you can stop a Retrieval Masters collection or have it removed without paying, but it depends on the situation and proof. If the account isn't yours, is misreported, or is outside your state's statute of limitations (time‑barred), you can dispute, refuse to pay, and often force the collector to prove the debt or back off; bankruptcy can discharge qualifying debts too, but it's a major remedy and doesn't wipe out every kind of obligation. (incharge.org, uscourts.gov)

Your strongest immediate move is a written validation dispute: demand proof within the validation period and require the collector to stop collection until they verify the debt - federal rules spell out those rights and what collectors must include. If the debt is time‑barred a collector generally may not sue or threaten suit to collect it; likewise, inaccurate or unverifiable collection listings can be disputed with the credit bureaus and removed, and collection items typically fall off credit reports seven years from the original delinquency. Be careful: acknowledging or making a partial payment can restart legal clocks. (consumerfinance.gov, experian.com)

So don't panic: gather paperwork, send a written validation request, dispute any errors with the bureaus, and confirm the statute of limitations for your state before responding; if the collector violates the law, report them and talk to a consumer‑debt attorney or nonprofit counselor about suing, negotiating a pay‑for‑delete, or whether bankruptcy makes sense. credit experts can and do use validation and careful disputes to remove wrongful entries without payment - but only when the facts and laws support it. (consumerfinance.gov, incharge.org)

Start by disputing - challenge the RMCB entry first if anything looks wrong, because correcting errors often removes the hit without you paying anything.

Credit repair targets mistakes and can stop a dubious record from ever becoming your problem.

• Pros of dispute-focused credit repair: can delete inaccuracies, is strongest for medical collections, and may avoid payment entirely.
• Cons of paid credit-repair services: typically costs $50–150/month and takes 6–12 months; DIY disputes are free.
• Pros of paying Retrieval Masters directly: stops collection pressure quickly and lets you negotiate a settlement or payment plan.
• Cons of paying: payment usually posts as 'paid/settled,' not deleted, so your score may still suffer and a payment can sometimes revive legal exposure; check the FTC credit repair guidance before hiring help.

If the debt is demonstrably wrong, dispute and demand validation first; that's where repair shines.

If validation proves the debt and you can get a written settlement that removes the tradeline or marks it 'paid as agreed,' paying may be the pragmatic move.

• Immediate steps: request debt validation in writing, file disputes with the bureaus and the furnisher, keep copies and dates.
• Negotiation tips: get any settlement or 'pay-for-delete' promise in writing before paying.
• When to hire pros: you lack time, documentation, or confidence; otherwise DIY dispute work saves money.
• Keep expectations realistic: repair takes months, services cost money, and no one can legally guarantee removal unless the item is inaccurate.