Performant Recovery, Inc. is the debt collection subsidiary of Performant Financial Corporation, the same parent company that operates Performant Healthcare, a government-focused audit business. The CFPB took enforcement action against Performant Recovery for an illegal fee scheme that delayed borrowers’ loan rehabilitation rights. If you searched “Performant Healthcare,” “Performant Financial Corporation,” or “performantcorp.com” and landed here, this is the right page.
Key Takeaways
- Performant Recovery, Inc. is the debt collection arm of Performant Financial Corporation, which also operates Performant Healthcare, all part of one Livermore, CA corporate family.
- Performant specializes in defaulted federal student loans and Medicare/Medicaid overpayment recovery, not standard credit card debt.
- The CFPB took enforcement action against Performant for an illegal fee scheme that delayed student loan borrowers’ rehabilitation rights and added thousands of dollars in costs.
- A TCPA class action alleged automated calls without consent, and a 2018 FDCPA class action alleged letters failed to clearly state debt amounts and accruing interest.
- 91 BBB complaints in three years and 360+ federal court cases are on record against Performant.
- The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is Performant Recovery, and How Does It Relate to Performant Healthcare?
Performant Financial Corporation is the publicly traded parent company headquartered at 333 N Canyons Pkwy, Suite 100, Livermore, CA 94551. It operates two business lines: Performant Recovery, Inc. for debt collection, primarily government contracts, and Performant Healthcare for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payer audits.
Searches for “Performant Financial Corporation,” “Performant Healthcare company,” or “Performant Collections” all point to arms of the same parent entity. Performant Recovery is specifically the entity contacting consumers about debt, and it sometimes operates under the name “Performant Collections.”
In our practice, we start by confirming which Performant entity actually sent the letter or made the call, since the shared branding across student loan collection and healthcare auditing causes real confusion for many clients.
Their portfolio differs from most collection agencies. Performant holds Department of Education contracts to collect defaulted federal student loans and Medicare/Medicaid contracts to recover improper payments from providers. If Performant is calling you, the debt is most likely a defaulted student loan or a government program overpayment, not a credit card balance.
- Address: 333 N Canyons Pkwy, Suite 100, Livermore, CA 94551
- Website: performantcorp.com
- Also Operates As: Performant Collections
Performant Recovery Phone Numbers
Performant Recovery contacts consumers from several numbers.
- Phone: (888) 335-6267 | 888-335-6267 | 8883356267
- Also reported: (866) 256-0057 | 866-256-0057 | 8662560057
- Also reported: (866) 201-0580 | 866-201-0580 | 8662010580
If any of these numbers called you, document the date, time, and content of the call.
Why Is Performant Recovery Calling You?
Performant Recovery contacts consumers primarily in two situations: defaulted federal student loans and government program overpayments. Its status as a government contractor means it pursues these accounts aggressively.
If Performant is calling about a student loan, it is operating under a Department of Education contract. Federal student loan borrowers in default have legal rights to rehabilitation programs designed to restore loans to good standing and remove the default from credit records.
The CFPB enforcement action found that Performant’s fee practices delayed borrowers’ access to exactly these rehabilitation rights, trapping them in default longer and at greater cost.
If Performant is calling about a healthcare overpayment, it is acting on behalf of Medicare, Medicaid, or a commercial insurer. These disputes may be worth challenging with documentation from the original provider.
Is Performant Recovery a Scam?
Performant Recovery is a real, licensed government contractor and debt collection agency, but licensed does not mean every fee practice is legal. The CFPB’s enforcement action documents exactly that gap.
A government contractor is supposed to follow stricter guidelines than a standard collection agency. The CFPB found Performant’s fee scheme made loan rehabilitation longer and more expensive for borrowers who had a legal right to restore their credit.
Is Performant Recovery Banned by the FTC?
No. Performant Recovery has not been banned by the FTC.
The CFPB, not the FTC, has already taken direct enforcement action against the company, and 91 BBB complaints and 360-plus federal court cases sit on record alongside it.
In our practice, we treat the CFPB action as the strongest documented evidence of harm, since it reflects a federal regulator’s own findings rather than an unproven allegation.
Lawsuits and Enforcement Against Performant Recovery
Performant Recovery’s legal record spans a federal enforcement action, class actions under both the FDCPA and TCPA, and individual federal suits across multiple districts.
- CFPB v. Performant Recovery, Inc. (2024): the CFPB took enforcement action against Performant for an illegal fee-generating scheme that delayed student loan borrowers’ rehabilitation rights, adding thousands of dollars in costs.
- Cahill v. Performant Recovery, Inc. (TCPA class action): alleged Performant used automatic dialing systems to call cell phones without prior consent.
- 2018 FDCPA class action: alleged Performant’s collection letters failed to clearly state the debt amount owed and failed to disclose accruing interest and charges.
- Lorenzo v. Performant Recovery, Inc. (2014): alleged unfair debt collection practices.
- Price-Pauline v. Performant Recovery, Inc. (2016, N.D. Cal.), Walters v. Performant Recovery, Inc. (2015, D. Conn.), and Weaver v. Performant Recovery, Inc. (2014, D. Kan.): additional federal cases against the company.
In our practice, we match every Performant letter against the disclosure failures alleged in the 2018 FDCPA class action, since that pattern of unclear balances and undisclosed interest is exactly what a validation request can expose.
How to Stop Calls from Performant Recovery
1. Know Your Rehabilitation Rights for Student Loan Debt
Federal student loan borrowers in default have the legal right to rehabilitation programs that restore loans to good standing and remove the default from credit reports. Before paying anything, confirm your options directly with the Department of Education at studentaid.gov, independent of what Performant tells you.
2. Request Written Debt Validation
Within 30 days of first contact, send a written validation request by certified mail to the Livermore address. For student loans, request the original loan servicer information, the current balance breakdown, and documentation of all fees added since default. Performant must pause collection until it responds adequately.
3. Document Every Automated Call and Text
The Cahill TCPA class action alleged Performant used automated dialing systems without consent. Log the date, time, and number for every call, especially any that sound automated or use pre-recorded messages.
4. Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter
If calls continue, send a written cease-and-desist by certified mail. All contact must stop except to confirm cessation or notify you of legal action. Note that federal student loan servicing rules may apply alongside the FDCPA.
5. Hire an Attorney
Once Performant knows you have legal representation, all contact routes through your attorney instead of you.
How to Remove Performant Recovery From Your Credit Report
The student loan context creates specific grounds for removal. A defaulted federal loan that enters rehabilitation removes the default notation from your credit history, independent of any dispute.
- Student loan entry: contact the Department of Education about rehabilitation options. Successful rehabilitation removes the default regardless of collection activity.
- Unauthorized fees: the CFPB action documents this as a known Performant pattern. Dispute the specific fee amounts in writing with all three bureaus.
- No validation provided: reference the missing response in your bureau dispute.
- Pay-for-delete: negotiate written deletion from all three bureaus before any payment and get it confirmed in writing.
- Inaccurate reporting: this may support a separate FCRA claim alongside any FDCPA violation.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps With Performant Recovery
A government contractor is supposed to follow stricter guidelines than a standard collection agency. The CFPB enforcement action shows what happens when it does not: a fee scheme that made loan rehabilitation longer and more expensive for borrowers who had a legal right to restore their credit. That documented pattern is exactly what we work from.
The Wood Firm PLLC has handled FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA cases exclusively since 2010 and has never represented a creditor. Contact typically stops within 48 hours of legal notice, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review.
Has Performant Recovery crossed the line with you? Visit our contact page or call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency. If Performant Recovery violated federal law, the company pays our fees.
Common Questions About Performant Recovery
Is Performant Recovery the same as Performant Healthcare or Performant Financial?
Yes, all are part of the same corporate family. Performant Financial Corporation is the publicly traded parent, Performant Recovery is the debt collection subsidiary, and Performant Healthcare handles Medicare and Medicaid payment auditing separately.
Why is Performant Recovery calling me about a student loan?
Performant holds government contracts to collect defaulted federal student loans for the Department of Education. Before paying anything, contact studentaid.gov to understand your rehabilitation options independent of what Performant offers.
What was the CFPB action against Performant Recovery?
The CFPB took enforcement action against Performant for an illegal fee-generating scheme that delayed student loan borrowers’ rehabilitation rights. The scheme added thousands of dollars in costs to borrowers who had a legal right to restore their loans to good standing.
Performant’s letter doesn’t clearly show how much I owe. Is that normal?
No. A 2018 FDCPA class action alleged Performant’s letters failed to clearly state the debt amount and disclose accruing interest. If your letter is unclear, document it and request written validation.
Should I pay Performant Recovery before speaking to an attorney?
No. For student loan debt especially, the CFPB found Performant’s fee practices delayed borrowers’ rehabilitation rights, meaning its terms may not favor you. A free consultation costs nothing before you pay anything.
What to Do If Performant Recovery Contacts You Next
A federal enforcement action, 91 BBB complaints, and over 360 federal court cases describe a pattern this company has not fixed on its own. Document every call, request written validation, and check your rehabilitation options directly with the Department of Education.
The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency and reviews these cases free of charge. Call +1-844-638-1122 to find out where your case stands.
Jeff Wood founded The Wood Firm PLLC exclusively for consumer protection in FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA cases. He has over 15 years of experience and Of Counsel relationships across 14 states, and has never represented a creditor or collection agency.
