Stop Lamont Hanley Associates Debt Collection Harassment

Lamont Hanley Associates Calling You? Stop the Harassment Now

Your phone rings. Again. (800) 639-2204. You already told them your employer prohibits personal calls, but they keep calling your workplace anyway. Your boss pulled you aside this morning, asking about “urgent personal matters.” You’re embarrassed. Anxious. The stress is affecting your sleep.

Then last week, a letter arrived: “Data Breach Notification.” Your Social Security number, date of birth, and account information may have been exposed. Now you’re worried about identity theft on top of the relentless phone calls.

You’re not alone, and you’re not helpless. Lamont Hanley Associates has a documented pattern of aggressive collection tactics that may violate federal law. The 2024 data breach affecting thousands of consumers adds another layer of concern. Understanding your rights is the first step to stopping the harassment and protecting yourself.

Lamont Hanley Associates Quick Facts:

• Location: 1138 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101
• Founded: 1993
• Phone Numbers: (800) 639-2204 | (603) 625-5547
• Website: www.lhainc.com
• What They Collect: Medical debt, insurance accounts, financial obligations
• 2024 Data Breach: Exposed SSNs, DOBs, account info (notifications sent May 2, 2024)
• Class Action Lawsuit: Filed August 2024 by Federman & Sherwood
• Professional Memberships: ACA International, International Association of Commercial Collectors
• Common Complaints: Excessive calling, workplace harassment, threats about time-barred debts, calling outside legal hours

Who Is Lamont Hanley Associates?

Lamont Hanley Associates (LHA, Inc.) is a debt collection agency based in Manchester, New Hampshire, that has operated since 1993. The company collects overdue accounts for medical offices, insurance companies, financial institutions, and other businesses throughout the United States.

While Lamont Hanley maintains professional memberships with ACA International and the International Association of Commercial Collectors, these affiliations have not prevented numerous consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The company’s aggressive collection tactics and recent data breach exposing sensitive consumer information have raised serious concerns about their practices.

You can reach Lamont Hanley at:

• Main office: (800) 639-2204
• Local number: (603) 625-5547
• Address: 1138 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101
• Website: www.lhainc.com

If they’re calling you about medical debt specifically, know that medical debt collectors often cross legal lines because billing complexities create confusion that collectors exploit.

What Happened in the 2024 Lamont Hanley Data Breach?

The 2024 Lamont Hanley data breach potentially exposed Social Security numbers, dates of birth, full names, account information, and email addresses of consumers. The company completed its breach investigation on February 28, 2024, but waited until May 2, 2024, to notify affected individuals.

This two-month delay between discovering the breach and notifying victims raises concerns about the company’s data security practices. In August 2024, law firm Federman & Sherwood filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Lamont Hanley may have failed to implement adequate security measures to protect personally identifiable information.

• What this breach means for you: The combination of Social Security number, date of birth, and personal details gives identity thieves everything needed to open fraudulent credit accounts, file false tax returns, apply for loans in your name, and commit extensive financial fraud.
• If you received a breach notification letter, you may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit and could potentially recover compensation for credit monitoring costs, time spent addressing identity theft, and actual damages from fraudulent accounts opened in your name.
• Protect yourself immediately: Activate any free credit monitoring offered, check all three credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, place fraud alerts with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, consider credit freezes, monitor your bank and credit card statements closely, and file tax returns early to prevent fraudulent filings. The Federal Trade Commission provides comprehensive identity theft resources to help victims protect themselves and recover from fraud.

Is Lamont Hanley Associates a Scam or Legitimate?

Lamont Hanley Associates is a legitimate debt collection agency, not a scam. The company has operated since 1993 and maintains professional industry memberships. However, being legitimate does not mean their collection tactics are legal or that every debt they attempt to collect is valid.

You should verify any debt Lamont Hanley claims you owe by requesting written validation before making any payments. Legitimate collectors must provide proof that you owe the debt, but many collection attempts involve incorrect amounts, debts you already paid, time-barred debts beyond the statute of limitations, or debts that don’t belong to you due to identity theft or mistaken identity.

If Lamont Hanley is calling you, don’t assume the debt is valid just because they’re a legitimate company. Exercise your legal right to demand written verification before paying anything.

Can Lamont Hanley Garnish Your Wages?

Lamont Hanley cannot garnish your wages unless they first file a lawsuit against you, serve you proper legal notice, win a court judgment, and obtain a separate wage garnishment order. If they’re threatening immediate wage garnishment without mentioning a lawsuit, this threat may be false and could violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

• One important exception exists: Federal student loans and tax debts can be garnished administratively without court judgments. However, Lamont Hanley typically does not collect these types of debts. For most debts they collect (medical, credit card, personal loans), they cannot garnish your wages without going through the full legal process.
• Federal law limits garnishment amounts to the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings OR the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. The U.S. Department of Labor explains these garnishment protections in detail. Some states provide even stronger protections that further limit garnishment amounts.
• If Lamont Hanley is threatening wage garnishment, ask them directly: “Have you filed a lawsuit against me? What court? What case number?” If they cannot provide this information, their garnishment threats may violate federal law.

Can Lamont Hanley Associates Sue You?

Lamont Hanley can sue you if the debt is within your state’s statute of limitations, they have proper documentation proving you owe it, and they own the debt or have legal authorization to collect it.

However, threatening to sue when the debt is time-barred or when they lack proper documentation may constitute deceptive practices that violate the FDCPA.

Most states set a statute of limitations between 3 and 6 years from your last payment or last acknowledgment of the debt. Once this period expires, the debt becomes “time-barred,” and Lamont Hanley cannot legally sue you to collect it, though they may still attempt collection through phone calls and letters. When collectors chase time-barred debts with lawsuit threats, they may be violating federal law.

• Critical mistake to avoid: Making even a small payment on a very old debt can restart the statute of limitations in many states, giving Lamont Hanley renewed legal grounds to sue you. Never make payments on debts you believe may be time-barred without first consulting a consumer protection attorney.
• If Lamont Hanley does file a lawsuit against you, never ignore it. You typically have 20 to 30 days to file a written response with the court. Missing this deadline results in a default judgment that grants them wage garnishment and bank account levy powers. Even if you believe you owe the debt, filing an answer preserves your rights and opens settlement negotiations from a stronger position.

What Debt Collection Tactics Are Illegal?

Lamont Hanley violates federal law if they call you before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM in your time zone, call your workplace after you’ve told them it’s inconvenient, use profane or abusive language, threaten actions they cannot legally take, or discuss your debt with unauthorized third parties.

Courts have also found that excessive calling (7 to 10 or more calls daily) may constitute harassment even if individual calls don’t violate other rules.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits specific behaviors that Lamont Hanley must follow:

• Calling outside legal hours violates federal law. They cannot call before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM based on your local time zone. If they’re calling you at 7:30 AM or 9:30 PM, these calls may violate the FDCPA regardless of how polite they are during the calls.
• Workplace contact after notification violates your rights. Once you inform them that your employer prohibits personal calls or that workplace contact is inconvenient, continuing to call your job may violate federal law. You should clearly state during the call: “My employer prohibits personal calls, and workplace contact is inconvenient.” Document the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with.
• Third-party disclosures violate your privacy. If Lamont Hanley discusses your debt with family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers without your permission, this may violate FDCPA privacy protections. They can contact others only to obtain your phone number or address, and they cannot identify themselves as debt collectors or mention any debt.
• False threats violate deception rules. Threatening to sue when they have no intention of filing a lawsuit, threatening wage garnishment without a court judgment, threatening arrest for unpaid debt, or claiming they’re law enforcement or government officials are all potentially illegal practices.
• Time-barred debt threats may violate federal law. If your debt exceeds your state’s statute of limitations and they’re threatening to sue you, these threats may constitute deceptive practices prohibited under the FDCPA.

What Are Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA?

You have the right to demand written debt validation within 30 days, stop all communication by sending a cease-and-desist letter, dispute debts you believe are incorrect, sue for FDCPA violations and recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees, and file complaints with federal and state agencies. These rights apply regardless of whether you actually owe the debt.

• Debt validation right: Within five days of their first contact, Lamont Hanley must send you a written notice containing the debt amount, the original creditor’s name, and your right to dispute. If you send a written dispute within 30 days, they must cease all collection activities until providing verification proving you owe the debt and they’re authorized to collect it.
• Cease communication right: You can send a written cease-and-desist letter demanding that Lamont Hanley stop all contact with you. After receiving your letter, they can only contact you to confirm they’ll stop communication or to notify you of specific lawsuits they’re actually filing. Continued contact after receiving your cease-and-desist may violate federal law.
• Privacy protection right: They cannot discuss your debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney. Sharing debt information with family, friends, neighbors, or employers without your permission may violate your privacy rights under the FDCPA.
• Right to sue for violations: If Lamont Hanley violates the FDCPA, you may recover statutory damages up to $1,000 even without proving actual harm, plus any actual damages for emotional distress or lost wages, and the debt collector must pay your attorney fees and court costs if you win.

How Should You Respond When Lamont Hanley First Contacts You?

You should request written debt validation, document every detail of the contact, avoid acknowledging the debt until verifying it’s yours, and never make payments before receiving proper verification. Your initial response can significantly impact how the situation develops.

• Request written validation immediately. Within 30 days of their first contact, send a certified mail letter requesting complete documentation proving the debt’s validity, the original creditor’s name and contact information, proof that Lamont Hanley owns the debt or is authorized to collect it, complete payment history if available, and documentation showing the debt is within your state’s statute of limitations.
• Document everything properly from the first contact. Keep detailed records, including the date and time of each call, phone numbers they called from, names of collectors who contacted you, exact statements made during calls, any threats or statements you believe may be false, voicemail messages (save the recordings), and all written correspondence. This documentation becomes critical evidence if you need to file complaints or pursue legal action.
• Don’t acknowledge the debt before verification. Acknowledging old debts can restart statute of limitations clocks and create legal obligations you may not actually have. Simply inform them you’re aware of your rights under the FDCPA and will respond in writing after reviewing their validation documentation.
• Never make payments before receiving and verifying complete validation. Paying unverified debts can result in paying debts you don’t owe, restarting the statute of limitations on old debts, or acknowledging debts that may not be legally collectible.
• Notify them immediately about workplace restrictions. If they call your workplace, clearly state: “My employer prohibits personal calls, and workplace contact is inconvenient.” Document this notification carefully with the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with. Any calls to your workplace after this notification may violate federal law. Call us at +1 844-638-1122 if workplace calls continue after notification.

How Do You Verify the Debt Is Actually Yours?

You verify debt by carefully reviewing the validation notice Lamont Hanley sends, comparing their information against your financial records, checking all three credit reports for consistency, verifying the statute of limitations hasn’t expired, and watching for warning signs of incorrect debts. Never assume debt collectors have accurate information.

• Review the validation notice carefully when it arrives. Does the debt amount match your records? Do you recognize the original creditor’s name? Are the dates accurate? Do you have documentation showing you already paid this debt? Compare their information against your old statements, bank records, and any correspondence from the original creditor.
• Check all three credit reports by obtaining free reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for whether this debt appears on your reports, if the amounts match what Lamont Hanley claims, whether the dates are consistent, and if other collection agencies are also reporting this same debt. Discrepancies between credit reports and Lamont Hanley’s claims may indicate errors or fraudulent collection attempts.
• Verify the statute of limitations for your state and debt type. Most states set limitations between 3 and 6 years. If the debt exceeds this period, Lamont Hanley cannot legally sue you for it, though they may still attempt collection through calls and letters. Making payments on very old debts can restart this clock in many states.
• Watch for red flags indicating incorrect debts: Lamont Hanley cannot provide original creditor documentation, the debt amount differs significantly from what you remember owing, you’ve never heard of the original creditor they claim assigned the debt, the debt dates back many years and may be time-barred, they refuse to send written validation despite your written request, or you have records showing you already paid this debt.

How Can You Stop Lamont Hanley From Calling?

You can stop Lamont Hanley from calling by sending a written cease-and-desist letter via certified mail demanding that they cease all contact. After receiving your letter, they can only contact you to confirm they’ll stop communication or to notify you of specific lawsuits they’re actually filing.

Send a cease-and-desist letter using this format:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

Lamont Hanley Associates
1138 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Re: Account Number [insert number if known]

I am exercising my right under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c to demand Lamont Hanley Associates cease all communication with me regarding the alleged debt referenced as account number [insert number].

[Your Signature]

Send via certified mail with return receipt requested and keep copies of everything. After they receive this letter, any contact beyond confirming they’ll stop or notifying you of actual lawsuits may violate federal law.

To stop only workplace calls while allowing other contacts, send a separate notification stating: “My employer prohibits personal calls, and workplace contact is inconvenient. Do not call me at work.” Keep a copy of this notification and your certified mail receipt.

Document their use of multiple phone numbers. Lamont Hanley may use (800) 639-2204, (603) 625-5547, and various other numbers for outbound calls. If they’re using multiple numbers to bypass your call blocking or to increase contact frequency, document each number they use. This pattern may strengthen harassment claims if you pursue legal action.

Get legal help if calls continue. Contact us at +1 844-638-1122 for immediate intervention. We can stop harassment while evaluating whether you have grounds to pursue compensation for FDCPA violations.

What If They’re Calling About Medical Debt?

Medical debt collection follows the same FDCPA rules as other debts, but recent federal protections provide additional safeguards. Medical debts under $500 cannot appear on credit reports, medical debts must remain unpaid for one year before credit reporting (increased from six months in 2023), and paid medical collection accounts should be removed from credit reports entirely.

Lamont Hanley frequently collects medical debt for healthcare providers and insurance companies. Medical debt collectors often cross legal lines because healthcare billing complexities create confusion that collectors exploit.

Verify medical debt accuracy before paying anything. Confirm your health insurance company processed all claims correctly, verify the healthcare provider billed the correct amounts, ensure you received all available discounts or financial assistance programs, check that the amount matches your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurer, and verify this isn’t the result of insurance processing errors or incorrect billing codes.

Many medical debt disputes arise from billing errors, incorrect coding, insurance companies failing to pay claims they should have covered, or providers billing patients for amounts insurance already paid. Paying before verification could mean paying debts you don’t actually owe.

What If They Contact You About a Debt You Already Paid?

If Lamont Hanley is calling about a debt you already paid, immediately request written debt validation, gather all payment proof, send copies of your payment documentation via certified mail with a clear statement that you satisfied this debt, file disputes with all three credit bureaus if they’ve reported it, and consult an attorney if harassment continues.

When collectors contact you about paid debts, swift action protects your rights.

Gather payment proof, including receipts, cancelled checks, bank statements showing payment cleared, settlement letters from the original creditor, or any written confirmation that you satisfied the debt.

Send copies (never originals) to Lamont Hanley via certified mail, along with a letter clearly stating: “I satisfied this debt in full on [date]. Enclosed are copies of proof of payment. Cease all collection activities immediately.”

If they’ve reported this paid debt to credit bureaus, file disputes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, providing your payment proof. The bureaus must investigate within 30 days and remove information that they cannot verify is accurate.

Never make additional payments on debts you have already satisfied without consulting a consumer protection attorney first.

Additional payments could complicate your legal position if you need to pursue action against Lamont Hanley for attempting to collect paid debts.

How Does Collection Activity Affect Your Credit Score?

Collection accounts can damage your credit score by 50 to 100+ points or more, but strict rules govern how collectors report debts to credit bureaus. Debt collectors can damage your credit score by reporting collection accounts, but Lamont Hanley must verify accuracy before reporting, investigate disputes within 30 days, report investigation results to you and the bureaus, and correct or delete inaccurate information promptly.

You have the right to dispute collection accounts directly with all three credit bureaus. The bureaus must investigate within 30 days and remove information that they cannot verify is accurate. If Lamont Hanley reported inaccurate information, you may have claims under both the FDCPA and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Collection accounts can remain on credit reports for seven years from the original delinquency date, not from when Lamont Hanley acquired the debt or when they first reported it. This seven-year clock cannot be restarted by collection agency activity, though making payments on very old debts can restart the statute of limitations for lawsuits in many states.

Recent improvements in credit scoring mean newer credit scoring models may ignore paid collection accounts entirely, medical collection accounts under $500 cannot be reported at all, and removing inaccurate collections can quickly improve your credit score.

Where Should You File Complaints Against Lamont Hanley?

You should file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov, the Federal Trade Commission, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau, and the Better Business Bureau.

Filing complaints creates official records that may support legal action and helps protect other consumers from similar treatment.

The CFPB investigates patterns of potentially illegal behavior and maintains a public complaint database that helps identify collectors with systemic compliance issues. While the CFPB may not intervene in individual cases, patterns of complaints can trigger investigations and enforcement actions.

The FTC enforces the FDCPA and accepts consumer complaints through its website. Multiple complaints about the same collection agency can lead to federal investigations and enforcement actions that benefit all affected consumers.

Since Lamont Hanley operates from New Hampshire, complaints to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau may trigger state-level investigations. State attorneys general can investigate and take action against companies violating state consumer protection laws in addition to federal FDCPA requirements.

BBB complaints create public records that warn other consumers and allow you to review patterns of complaints from other consumers who may have had similar experiences with Lamont Hanley.

For potential legal action beyond filing complaints, contact us for a free case evaluation.

How We’ve Helped Others Fight Lamont Hanley

Case 1: Client received 12 workplace calls after clearly notifying Lamont Hanley during the first call that her employer prohibited personal calls. We documented the violations and negotiated a $3,400 settlement for FDCPA violations. Case resolved within six weeks on contingency.

Case 2: Client received aggressive calls and lawsuit threats about a debt more than six years old. Despite explaining the statute of limitations had expired, calls and threats continued. We verified the debt was time-barred, sent a cease-and-desist letter, and pursued legal action for continued collection attempts. Settlement: $2,800.

Case 3: After receiving the May 2024 data breach notification, our client discovered three fraudulent credit card accounts opened using her Social Security number and date of birth that were exposed in the breach. She spent dozens of hours closing fraudulent accounts, filing police reports, and disputing credit report entries. We documented all time and expenses and obtained $4,500 compensation for her time, expenses, and emotional distress.

If you’re experiencing similar issues, document all violations. We handle FDCPA and data breach cases on contingency.

About The Wood Law Firm

We’ve defended consumers against abusive debt collection and data breaches for over 15 years. Lead Attorney Jeff Wood represents clients in federal courts across multiple states. A+ Better Business Bureau rating, hundreds of successful FDCPA and FCRA cases, and millions recovered in consumer damages. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Lamont Hanley Associates legitimate or a scam?

Lamont Hanley is legitimate, but being legitimate doesn’t mean every debt they claim is valid or that their tactics are legal. Always verify debts before paying.

2. Can they call my workplace?

No, they cannot call your workplace after you inform them your employer prohibits personal calls or workplace contact is inconvenient. Continued calls may violate federal law.

3. Can they garnish wages without suing?

No, they cannot garnish wages without first filing a lawsuit, winning a judgment, and obtaining a garnishment order (except for federal student loans and taxes, which Lamont Hanley typically doesn’t collect).

4. How do I stop all calls?

Send a written cease-and-desist letter via certified mail, clearly demanding no further contact. After receiving it, they can only contact to confirm or notify of actual lawsuits.

5. What if the debt is from years ago?

Check your state’s statute of limitations. If expired, they cannot sue you legally. Threatening to sue on time-barred debts may violate FDCPA.

6. Can they discuss my debt with family or friends?

No, they cannot discuss your debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney. Third-party disclosures may violate your privacy rights.

7. What should I do about the 2024 data breach?

Activate free credit monitoring, check all three credit reports, place fraud alerts, consider credit freezes, monitor financial accounts, and consult attorneys about the class action lawsuit.

8. How do I verify if this debt is mine?

Request written validation proving the debt amount, the original creditor name, and their authorization to collect. Check credit reports and contact the original creditor directly.

9. What if I already paid this debt?

Gather payment proof and send copies via certified mail with a statement that you have satisfied the debt. File credit bureau disputes if they’ve reported it.

10. Can I sue them for harassment?

Yes, if they violated FDCPA, you may recover up to $1,000 statutory damages, actual damages, and attorney fees. Call 844-638-1122 for a free consultation.

Call +1 844-638-1122 for a free consultation. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.

FDCPA claims must be filed within one year of violation. Data breach claims have specific statutes. Don’t delay.