Hearing from Central Research Inc about an old collection account or a newly transferred student loan is confusing. Central Research Inc began as an Arkansas debt collector before becoming a federal student loan servicer, records show. That shift changes what rights and options apply to your account today.
Key Takeaways
- Central Research Inc (CRI) is based in Lowell, Arkansas, founded in 2002, and now also operates as a federal student loan servicer under Federal Student Aid branding.
- A 2019 federal class action, Hall v. Central Research, Inc., alleged willful FDCPA violations.
- The Better Business Bureau has logged consumer complaints about billing and collections tied to the company’s earlier debt-collection period.
- The FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA apply to Central Research Inc’s collection calls and credit reporting.
- Potential damages: up to $1,000 in FDCPA statutory damages, $100 to $1,000 in FCRA statutory damages, and $500 to $1,500 per illegal TCPA robocall.
- The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is Central Research Inc
Central Research Inc is a real Arkansas company with two roles: debt collector and federal loan servicer. According to public filings, Scott and Johnny Dillard founded the company in Lowell, Arkansas, in 2002. The company later grew through federal contracts set aside for veteran-owned small businesses.
Central Research Inc first contracted with the Department of Education in 2015 to collect defaulted federal loans. In April 2023, the department named Central Research Inc one of five long-term NextGen loan servicers.
Millions of borrower accounts have transferred to Central Research Inc from Nelnet and MOHELA, advocacy groups report.
In our practice, we review the account transfer history on every Central Research Inc file. Balance and payment errors often appear when accounts move between servicers. If your balance looks wrong after a transfer, request a written account history immediately.
How Do I Contact Central Research Inc
Central Research Inc can be reached through several verified phone numbers and its official servicing portal.
- Also Known As: Central Research, Inc. (CRI); operates federal loan servicing under Federal Student Aid branding.
- Address: 122 N. Bloomington, Suite I, Lowell, AR 72745
- Collection Phone: (479) 419-5456 | 479-419-5456 | +1 479-419-5456 | 4794195456
- Student Loan Borrower Support: 833-355-4311
- Military Solutions Line: 833-355-4306
- Website: central-research.com | Student loan portal: cri.studentaid.gov
To confirm Central Research Inc is your officially assigned servicer, log into your federal dashboard directly at StudentAid.gov.
Why Is Central Research Inc Contacting You
Central Research Inc contacts you when a creditor assigns your debt or your student loan transfers to them. If you defaulted before 2023, Central Research Inc may still hold your account from its collection era. If your loan moved from Nelnet or MOHELA after 2024, Central Research Inc is likely your new servicer. Either way, verify the account details before assuming the debt or balance is accurate.
Common reasons Central Research Inc may contact you:
- A creditor sold or assigned your defaulted account for collection
- The Department of Education transferred your active loan for servicing
- Your account shows a payment due, delinquency, or a repayment plan decision
- The company is confirming auto-debit enrollment or a SAVE Plan alternative
In our experience, servicing transfers are where account histories most often break. We request the full transfer file from both the old and new servicer on every case. If numbers do not match after your transfer, ask Central Research Inc for the transfer reconciliation record.
Has Central Research Inc Been Sued Over Debt Collection Practices
Yes. Central Research Inc has been named as a defendant in federal consumer protection lawsuits.
- Hall v. Central Research, Inc. (filed 2019, federal court): a class action alleging Central Research Inc willfully violated the FDCPA in its collection communications. A specific docket number was not published in the source materials reviewed.
- Mason v. Central Research Inc. et al., Case No. 8:19-cv-01847 (M.D. Fla., Tampa Division): alleged Central Research Inc mishandled a dispute over old student loan account data under the FCRA. Court records indicate the case concluded with summary judgment granted in favor of Central Research Inc.
In our practice, we pull the underlying dispute correspondence in every Central Research Inc file. That paperwork shows whether the company actually investigated a credit dispute or simply verified it. If you disputed an account and it was not corrected, save every letter you sent.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act governs how Central Research Inc may contact you, while the Fair Credit Reporting Act governs the accuracy of what it reports. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act separately applies if the company uses autodialers to call your cell phone.
The U.S. Department of Labor found Central Research Inc violated nondiscrimination law in 2022, advocates report. That finding involved workplace discrimination claims, not consumer account handling directly. Still, it may signal broader compliance issues worth documenting if you experience mistreatment.
Is Central Research Inc a Scam
Central Research Inc is a real, licensed company, but licensed does not mean every tactic is legal. The company operates official federal contracts, including a Department of Education servicing role. That legitimacy does not excuse violations of the FDCPA, FCRA, or TCPA.
In our practice, we verify every Central Research Inc contact against its official channels. Scammers impersonate real loan servicers using nearly identical phone numbers and portal names. Confirm your servicer directly at StudentAid.gov before sharing any personal or payment information.
Is Central Research Inc Banned by the FTC
No. Central Research Inc has not been banned by the FTC. No public FTC enforcement action against the company was found in the sources reviewed. The Department of Labor and federal courts have addressed separate complaints, described above.
A private FDCPA, FCRA, or TCPA lawsuit remains available even without FTC action.
Which Other Collectors Does This Firm Handle
This firm also represents consumers against numerous other collection agencies, including:
- Aidvantage
- Xact Receivables Management
- Concentrix
- Allied International Credit
- Collection Company of America
- BCA Financial Services
View the comprehensive list of collection agencies or explore the full practice areas this firm covers.
Can Central Research Inc Sue Me for an Old Debt
Yes, Central Research Inc can sue, but only within your state’s statute of limitations. Most states set that limit between three and six years for consumer debt.
Does Central Research Inc Report to Credit Bureaus
Yes, Central Research Inc reports account information to Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Innovis monthly. Delinquency is generally logged once an account reaches 90 days past due.
Will Central Research Inc Remove Negative Marks After I Pay
No, Central Research Inc does not grant goodwill removal requests. The company states it will not alter accurate negative marks even after an account is settled.
Can I Still Get Public Service Loan Forgiveness Under Central Research Inc
Yes, but your Public Service Loan Forgiveness tracking eventually transfers directly to the Department of Education. Central Research Inc continues standard servicing in the meantime.
What Happened to My SAVE Plan Under Central Research Inc
The SAVE Plan ended after a March 2026 court order, and Central Research Inc no longer offers it. The company now directs borrowers toward alternatives such as the Tiered Standard Plan.
Can Central Research Inc Garnish My Wages Without Suing Me First
No, wage garnishment generally requires a lawsuit, judgment, and court order first. A threat of immediate garnishment without that process may violate federal debt collection law.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps Stop Central Research Inc Debt Harassment
The Wood Firm PLLC reviews validation letters, transfer records, and credit-reporting history for every Central Research Inc case. We identify whether a collection, servicing, or credit-reporting error created an FDCPA, FCRA, or TCPA claim. The firm handles these cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
After you call, an attorney reviews your account documents and outlines your options directly. The Wood Firm PLLC represents consumers exclusively and never represents creditors or debt collectors. Learn about how the firm works and what sets it apart. Call The Wood Firm PLLC at +1-844-638-1122.
Concerned about a Central Research Inc collection account or loan transfer? 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 Central Research Inc violated federal law, it pays the firm’s fees.
What to Do Next If Central Research Inc Contacts You
Request written validation before making any payment to Central Research Inc, whether the contact involves an old collection account or a new servicing transfer. Save every letter, voicemail, and portal message you receive. A free case review costs nothing, because The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency. Call +1-844-638-1122 to have an attorney check your account for federal violations before you pay another dollar.
Jeff Wood represents consumers exclusively, never creditors or collectors. He holds federal court admissions across 9 districts, including all courts of AR, CO, NM, and TX. He practices from Little Rock, AR.
