States Recovery Systems has been calling consumers about parking tickets, utility bills, and ambulance fees. According to BBB records, consumers have allegedly described calls before written validation notice arrived, collectors refusing to identify the debt without demanding personal information upfront, and credit entries appearing for addresses consumers never lived at.
Key Takeaways
- States Recovery Systems, Inc. (SRS) is a real, licensed debt collection agency based in Rancho Cordova, CA. This is not a scam
- SRS specializes in government and municipal debt: parking tickets, utility bills, ambulance fees, and permit fees
- Over 50 federal lawsuits allege FDCPA violations, including misleading payment options, calls to wrong parties, and third-party debt disclosure
- BBB records show 7+ complaints, with consumers alleging credit entries for debts tied to addresses they never occupied
- No FTC ban, but documented private litigation creates a clear pattern of alleged misconduct worth examining
- FDCPA violations can result in up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees paid by SRS
- The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency: you pay nothing unless we recover for you
Who Is States Recovery Systems
States Recovery Systems, Inc. (SRS) is a third-party debt collection agency headquartered at 2491 Sunrise Blvd, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.
The company has operated since 1988 and holds licenses across all 50 states. SRS describes itself as a women-owned, small business certified agency. SRS differs from most debt collectors in one important way: it primarily collects for government and municipal clients rather than banks or credit card companies.
Their client list includes California cities, special districts, water utilities, public hospitals, and ambulance services. That municipal focus means SRS contacts consumers about government-issued debts that many consumers do not recognize or expect to go to collections.
- Also Known As: State Recovery Systems; State Recovery Services; SRS
- Address: 2491 Sunrise Blvd, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-4344
- Phone: 916-631-7085 | (916) 631-7085 | +1-916-631-7085 | 9166317085
- Phone: 800-211-1435 | (800) 211-1435 | +1-800-211-1435 | 8002111435
- Website: statesrecovery.com
- BBB Profile: States Recovery Systems BBB listing
SRS is not BBB accredited. The BBB has logged complaints against them, primarily for billing issues, unreturned calls, and failure to provide paid-in-full documentation. In our practice, we request the original municipal assignment agreement on every SRS file.
Government debt collectors often receive account information through bulk data transfers from city or utility billing systems, and errors in those transfers. Wrong address, wrong name, or wrong amount can generate collection activity against the wrong consumer entirely.
Phone Numbers States Recovery Systems Uses
States Recovery Systems calls from multiple numbers. If any of these appear on your caller ID, SRS is likely the caller:
- 916-631-7085 | (916) 631-7085 | +1-916-631-7085 | 9166317085, primary office line
- 800-211-1435 | (800) 211-1435 | +1-800-211-1435 | 8002111435, toll-free line
- 888-984-3115 | (888) 984-3115 | +1-888-984-3115 | 8889843115, reported by consumers
- 916-638-5100 | (916) 638-5100 | +1-916-638-5100 | 9166385100, reported by consumers
- 916-920-2650 | (916) 920-2650 | +1-916-920-2650 | 9169202650
BBB complaints and consumer reviews document SRS callers refusing to identify who they are or who they are trying to reach without first demanding personal information. A caller who will not confirm the agency name or the purpose of the call before asking for your date of birth, address, or Social Security number may be violating the FDCPA. Document every call with the number, date, time, and what was said.
Why Is SRS Calling You
SRS is calling you because a government agency or public entity assigned your account to them for collection. Unlike bank or credit card collectors, SRS most commonly pursues government-issued obligations that consumers may not have received prior notice about. Common debt types SRS pursues include:
- Parking tickets and traffic violations
- Municipal utility bills (water, sewer, trash)
- Ambulance and emergency medical services fees
- Government permit and license fees
- Public hospital bills
- Special district assessments
Municipal debts present a specific risk: SRS receives bulk account assignments from city systems, and those systems sometimes tie debts to addresses rather than verified individuals. BBB complaints document multiple instances of SRS pursuing consumers for debts tied to addresses they never occupied.
If you do not recognize the debt or the original creditor, contact the government agency directly to verify before engaging with SRS.
What Is SRS, and Why Are They Calling You
SRS stands for States Recovery Systems, a California-based municipal debt collector. Many consumers receive calls from SRS without any prior written notice, which is how consumers end up searching for “what is SRS” or “why is SRS calling me” before they understand who the agency is. SRS often identifies itself as “The Office of SRS” in voicemails and calls.
That framing makes municipal debt calls sound more official than they are. SRS is a private collection agency, not a government office. Their callers carry the same FDCPA obligations as any other collector, including the duty to identify themselves as debt collectors and to send written validation within five days of first contact.
If SRS called a family member or coworker looking for you, that contact may violate the FDCPA. The law limits third-party contact to location information only.
Is States Recovery Systems a Scam
States Recovery Systems is a real, licensed debt collection agency. Licensed does not mean every tactic is legal. SRS has operated since 1988, holds licenses in all 50 states, and collects on behalf of real government clients.
That distinguishes SRS from impersonators who fabricate government debts as a pressure tactic. That said, SRS’s own litigation record documents alleged conduct that goes beyond aggressive but legal collection.
Lawsuit allegations include misleading payment options, calling parties who had no connection to the debt, disclosing debt details to third parties, and making calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Those are not categories of legitimate collection.
They are the specific prohibitions codified in the FDCPA. The “Office of SRS” call framing also raises documented concerns. Representing a private collection agency as something resembling a government office may mislead consumers, a concern documented in cases involving collectors like Professional Accounts Services, into believing they face official legal consequences from the call itself.
That framing is exactly what FDCPA Section 1692e targets: false, deceptive, or misleading representations in collection communications.
Is States Recovery Systems Banned by the FTC
No. States Recovery Systems has not been the subject of a direct FTC enforcement action. However, the absence of FTC action does not mean a clean enforcement record. SRS has faced over 50 private federal lawsuits alleging FDCPA violations.
Private litigation has produced a more detailed public record of SRS’s alleged practices than any regulatory filing. The CFPB complaint database also documents consumer allegations against SRS, and the California Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints about collectors operating in California.
We examine SRS files for compliance with California’s Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which applies additional protections to California consumers beyond federal law and which SRS, as a California-based collector, must follow on every in-state account it works.
Federal Lawsuits Filed Against States Recovery Systems
Yes. States Recovery Systems has faced over 50 federal lawsuits alleging FDCPA violations. Documented cases include:
- Kenneth B. v. States Recovery Systems, Inc. (2018, W.D. Wis.): alleged that SRS provided misleading settlement and payment options resulting in a consumer overpaying the total balance owed
- Hogan v. States Recovery Systems, Inc., No. 1:2016cv01332 (W.D. Tex. 2016): alleged FDCPA violations in connection with collection practices
- Cousino v. States Recovery Systems, Inc. (N.D. Cal. 2014): class action alleging consumer rights violations under the FDCPA
- Allen v. States Recovery Systems: alleged FDCPA violations in collection conduct
- Howard, Palmer, Frierson, Holmes v. States Recovery Systems: multiple plaintiffs alleged consumer rights violations
When we open a States Recovery Systems file, we request every communication SRS sent and the original municipal data transfer that assigned the account. Government bulk transfers frequently contain address or name errors that result in collection against the wrong person. That documentation gap is where SRS cases most commonly produce FDCPA and FCRA claims.
Can States Recovery Systems Report to Your Credit
Yes, States Recovery Systems can report unpaid accounts to Experian and Equifax, but that reporting must comply with the FCRA. SRS uses both bureaus and updates inventory monthly.
BBB complaints document consumers discovering SRS entries for debts tied to addresses they never occupied, which may constitute inaccurate reporting under the FCRA, independent of any FDCPA violation.
If an SRS entry appears on your credit report, verify the original debt with the government agency before paying anything.
If inaccurate, dispute it in writing with both bureaus. Bureaus must investigate within 30 days and remove unverified information. A surviving inaccurate entry may support a direct FCRA claim against SRS.
Can States Recovery Systems Garnish Your Wages
Only after filing a lawsuit and obtaining a court judgment. Wage garnishment threats before SRS has sued and won are not legally enforceable. Municipal debts follow the same legal path as any other consumer debt: lawsuit, judgment, and then a separate court order authorizing garnishment.
BBB complaints and lawsuit allegations document SRS threatening garnishment without court authority. Any garnishment threat before a judgment exists may itself be an FDCPA violation under Section 1692e, which prohibits false representations about legal action a collector cannot or does not intend to take.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps Stop States Recovery Systems Harassment
SRS’s municipal focus creates specific angles we examine from the start of every file. We request the original government data transfer that assigned the account, because bulk municipal data errors generate a disproportionate share of wrong-party and wrong-amount claims.
We also examine every SRS communication for the misleading payment option pattern documented in Kenneth B. v. States Recovery Systems, and we check whether SRS identified itself as a private debt collector or used language suggesting government authority. The Wood Firm PLLC represents consumers exclusively and has never represented a creditor or collection agency. That consumer-first approach used to stop collectors like FBCS.
When you call, the firm sends legal notice to SRS immediately, which typically stops contact within 48 hours. The firm pursues statutory damages of up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation, actual damages for credit harm or emotional distress, and TCPA damages of $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall if SRS used an auto-dialer without consent.
The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency. If SRS violated federal law, they pay the fees, not you. To start a free case review, call +1-844-638-1122.
If SRS has contacted you about an unrecognized debt, visit our contact page. The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency.
Your Next Step If States Recovery Systems Has Contacted You
States Recovery Systems collects for government clients, but that relationship does not exempt them from the FDCPA. If SRS has contacted you, verify the debt with the originating agency before engaging. Do not pay any SRS-quoted amount without confirming it with the city, utility, or hospital that issued the obligation.
If SRS reported a credit entry before sending written notice, called a third party about your debt, or made a garnishment threat without a court judgment, those facts may already support a federal claim. Call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. If SRS violated federal law, they pay the fees. The firm has used this same approach for clients dealing with Comenity Bank and Alliant Capital Management.
Jeff Wood represents consumers exclusively. He never represents 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About States Recovery Systems
Why is SRS calling you
SRS is calling you because a government agency assigned a municipal debt to them for collection. Common debts include parking tickets, utility bills, ambulance fees, and permit fees. Contact the original government agency directly to verify the debt before engaging with SRS.
Who does SRS collect for
States Recovery Systems collects for California cities, special districts, water and utility agencies, public hospitals, and ambulance services. They also collect for commercial clients in some markets. Their government focus means consumers often receive calls without prior written notice about the debt.
Is SRS a legitimate company
Yes. States Recovery Systems is a real, licensed debt collection agency. It has operated since 1988 and holds licenses in all 50 states. Being legitimate does not mean compliant. Their record includes over 50 federal lawsuits alleging FDCPA violations across multiple documented categories.
What is the SRS collections phone number
SRS’s primary lines are (916) 631-7085 and (800) 211-1435. Consumer-reported numbers include (888) 984-3115, (916) 638-5100, and (916) 920-2650. Document any unlisted SRS number and add it to your call log.
Is SRS a scam
No. SRS is a real agency collecting real government debts. Their litigation record includes allegations of misleading payment options, calls to wrong parties, and third-party debt disclosure. None of that is legally permissible regardless of whether the underlying debt is valid.
Can SRS garnish my wages for a parking ticket
Only after filing a lawsuit and obtaining a court judgment. A garnishment threat before SRS has a judgment is not legally enforceable. That threat may itself be an FDCPA violation under the prohibition on false representations about legal action.
SRS called a family member about my debt. Is that legal
The FDCPA limits third-party contact to acquiring location information. SRS may not disclose that you owe a debt to a family member, neighbor, or coworker. If SRS disclosed debt details to a third party, that contact may be a standalone FDCPA violation.
What should I do if SRS is calling about a debt I already paid
Contact the original government agency with your payment documentation and request written confirmation of the zero balance. Send that confirmation to SRS via certified mail requesting account closure and deletion of any credit reporting. If SRS continues collection after receiving payment proof, that conduct may violate both the FDCPA and FCRA.
