Who Is Second Round LP, and Why Are They Calling You?
Second Round, LP is a third-party debt collection agency headquartered in Austin, Texas, though some records show Illinois addresses as well. Founded in 2008, they specialize in purchasing and collecting on delinquent accounts for credit card lenders, auto lenders, utility companies, and emerging “FinTech” companies.
With an estimated 25 employees and annual revenue around $2.3 million according to business databases, Second Round operates as what the industry calls a “receivables management firm.” That’s corporate speak for: they buy your debt for pennies on the dollar and then try to collect the full amount from you, pocketing the difference as profit.
The Better Business Bureau opened its file on Second Round in 2009, and consumer complaints have accumulated since then. More telling, Second Round has been named in federal lawsuits alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
One notable case from November 2013 in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, alleged that Second Round representatives engaged in a pattern of behavior that included failing to provide debt verification, refusing to investigate when debts were disputed, continuing collection attempts after disputes, placing excessive phone calls, and using automated dialers to call cell phones without permission.
If you’re harassed by Second Round LP debt collectors, understanding this history is important. You’re not the first person to experience these tactics, and the documented pattern of Second Round LP debt collector complaints suggests these aren’t isolated incidents or misunderstandings. They may represent systematic approaches that potentially violate your legal rights.
Your Legal Rights Against Second Round LP
Consumer rights against Second Round LP are protected under federal law, specifically the FDCPA and TCPA. These laws exist because Congress recognized that aggressive debt collection causes real harm to consumers, families, and communities.
They cannot call you excessively. While federal law doesn’t specify an exact number, calling multiple times daily or more than seven times per week may constitute harassment. Courts have found that the frequency and pattern of calls matter. If Second Round LP phone harassment involves constant calling that appears designed to annoy, harass, or intimidate you, this may violate the law.
They cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. These hours are based on your local time zone, not theirs. Early morning or late-night calls from Second Round LP may violate your rights, especially if they’re waking you up or disrupting your evening routines.
They cannot contact you at work after you’ve told them not to. If you inform them that your employer prohibits personal calls or that contact at work is inconvenient, they must stop calling your workplace. Continuing workplace calls after you’ve objected may constitute a violation. This protection matters because job security concerns are real, and no one should face employment consequences because of debt collection calls.
They cannot discuss your debt with third parties. Telling your family members, neighbors, friends, or coworkers about your debt may violate your privacy rights under the FDCPA. The law recognizes that having others know about your financial struggles causes real harm to your reputation and relationships. Very limited exceptions exist for locating you or verifying employment for garnishment, but they cannot disclose debt details.
They cannot use threatening, abusive, or profane language. This includes threats of arrest (you cannot be arrested simply for owing debt), threats of violence, claims they’ll destroy your credit, or any use of profanity or intimidation. The law specifically prohibits “the use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer.”
They cannot threaten legal action they don’t intend to take. If they threaten to sue you, garnish your wages, or take other legal action without actual authority or intent to do so, this may be engaging in deceptive practices prohibited by the FDCPA.
They cannot ignore your written cease request. If you send a letter demanding they stop calling, they must comply except to confirm receipt or notify you of specific legal action. Ignoring this request and continuing Second Round LP harassment calls may constitute a clear violation.
They cannot fail to provide debt validation when requested. You have 30 days from first contact to request written verification. They must prove you owe the debt, the amount is correct, and they have the authority to collect. Continuing collection efforts without providing validation may violate federal law.
They cannot use automated dialing systems without your consent. Under the TCPA, using autodialers or prerecorded messages to call your cell phone without prior express consent may result in penalties of $500 to $1,500 per call. The 2013 lawsuit specifically alleged this violation, suggesting it may be part of Second Round’s standard operating procedures.
If you believe Second Round LP has violated any of these protections, you may have grounds to sue Second Round LP for harassment and potentially recover damages.
How to Stop Second Round LP Debt Collection Calls Immediately
If you need to know how to stop Second Round LP debt collection calls right now, you have several powerful options:
Send a Cease and Desist Letter
This is your legal nuclear option. Write a letter stating clearly and unambiguously that you want all phone communication to cease. Keep it simple:
“I am writing to formally request that Second Round, LP, cease all telephone communication with me regarding the alleged debt referenced in your calls and letters. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692c, I am exercising my right to stop phone contact. You may only contact me in writing to confirm receipt of this letter or to notify me of specific legal action you intend to take. Do not call my cell phone, home phone, or workplace.”
Send this via certified mail with return receipt requested to create proof of delivery. Once they receive it, they can only contact you for the three specific reasons mentioned. Continued calling after receiving your cease and desist letter may give you strong grounds for legal action.
Request Debt Validation Within 30 Days
You have 30 days from first contact to demand written verification. This forces Second Round LP to prove:
- The debt is actually yours (not someone else’s or a case of identity theft)
- The amount they claim is accurate with an itemized breakdown
- They have legal authority to collect this specific debt
- The original creditor’s name and account information
- The debt is within your state’s statute of limitations
Send your validation request via certified mail. According to FTC studies, collectors cannot verify nearly 50% of disputed debts. While they’re gathering documentation, they must pause collection activities, giving you breathing room.
File Formal Complaints with Federal Agencies
When you experience Second Round LP collection agency abuse, creating an official record is crucial:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): When you report Second Round LP to CFPB, you’re not just complaining. You’re creating a permanent government record that can trigger investigations, especially when patterns emerge across multiple consumers. File online at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call (855) 411-2372.
Include everything: specific dates and times of calls, names of representatives who called, exactly what was said (especially threats or abusive language), calls to third parties, and how their behavior may have violated your rights.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report violations at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-382-4357. While the FTC doesn’t resolve individual complaints, it tracks patterns that can lead to enforcement actions against repeat violators.
Your State Attorney General: Many states have consumer protection laws that provide additional protections beyond federal law. Your AG’s office can investigate and potentially take action that directly benefits you.
Filing these complaints won’t immediately stop harassment or get you money, but it creates documentation that may support legal action and helps protect other consumers from similar treatment.
Document Everything Obsessively
If you’re serious about stopping Second Round LP debt collection harassment, documentation is your weapon. Keep detailed records of:
- Every phone call: date, time, number they called from, length of call, name of representative, and detailed notes about what was said
- All voicemails: save them, transcribe them, and note any threats or abusive language
- Every letter or email: keep originals and make copies
- Third-party contacts: if they called your workplace, family, or friends, document who was contacted, what was said, and when
- Your responses: copies of all letters you sent with proof of delivery
This evidence becomes crucial if you decide to take legal action. The documented case from 2013 specifically mentioned “placing an excessive number of phone calls” as a violation. Your call log proving multiple daily calls over weeks or months could be the smoking gun that wins your case.
Understanding Second Round LP FDCPA Violations
Second Round LP FDCPA violations have been alleged in federal court, giving us insight into patterns that may constitute illegal behavior. Understanding these potential violations helps you recognize when they’ve crossed legal lines.
Failing to provide debt verification was specifically alleged in the 2013 federal lawsuit. If you’ve requested validation and they’ve either ignored your request or provided inadequate documentation, this may violate Section 1692g of the FDCPA. The law requires debt collectors to provide specific information about the debt, including the amount and the name of the creditor. Vague or incomplete responses may not satisfy their legal obligations.
Continuing collection after disputed debt was another allegation in the federal case. Once you’ve disputed a debt in writing, collectors must cease collection activities until they verify. If Second Round LP continues calling, threatening, or attempting to collect while your dispute is pending, this may violate your rights.
Excessive calling to harass or annoy doesn’t require a magic number to be illegal. Courts look at the totality of circumstances: How many calls? Over what time period? After you’ve asked them to reduce contact? In one case? The pattern matters more than the count. Multiple calls daily, calls that seem designed to wear you down, or calls from different numbers after you’ve stopped answering all may demonstrate harassment.
Calling cell phones with autodialers without consent was specifically alleged in the lawsuit against Second Round LP. The TCPA prohibits using automatic telephone dialing systems or prerecorded messages to call cell phones without prior express consent. Each violation can result in $500 to $1,500 in penalties per call. If you’re receiving what seem like robocalls or automated messages, pay attention to signs like delays before someone speaks, sudden background noise appearing, or calls that disconnect if you don’t speak first.
Threatening legal action without authority or intent may violate the prohibition on false or misleading representations. If they’re threatening to sue, garnish wages, or take other legal action they don’t actually plan to take or lack authority for, this deceptive practice may entitle you to damages.
Disclosing debt to third parties remains one of the most harmful violations. The law recognizes that having others know about your financial struggles causes real damage to relationships and reputation. If Second Round has contacted your workplace, family, friends, or neighbors and discussed your debt, this may give you strong grounds for filing a complaint against Second Round LP and potentially pursuing legal action.
Each potential violation may entitle you to statutory damages up to $1,000, actual damages for any harm you’ve suffered (lost wages, emotional distress, medical bills from stress), and attorney fees. Multiple violations can add up quickly, making legal action financially worthwhile.
Second Round LP TCPA Violations: The Robocall Problem
Beyond FDCPA protections, Second Round LP TCPA violations provide another powerful avenue for fighting back. The 2013 federal lawsuit specifically alleged that Second Round was “calling the plaintiff’s cell phone using an automated dialer without the plaintiff’s permission.”
This matters because TCPA violations carry substantial penalties: $500 per illegal call, or up to $1,500 per call if the court finds the violations were willful or knowing. If you’ve received dozens of robocalls from Second Round LP without ever consenting to automated contact, the potential damages can be significant.
Signs that the Second Round might be using prohibited technology include:
- Slight delays or dead air before someone speaks after you answer
- A “click” sound, followed by background call center noise, suddenly appeared
- Prerecorded messages that play when you pick up
- Multiple calls from different numbers within short timeframes
- Calls that disconnect immediately if you don’t speak first within a few seconds
The TCPA protects consumers because automated calling technology allows collectors to bombard people with far more calls than human dialers could manage. Congress recognized that this technology, while efficient for collectors, causes disproportionate harm to consumers who can’t escape the constant intrusion.
If you believe you’re receiving automated calls from Second Round LP without having consented to such contact, document every suspected robocall carefully. Note the date, time, phone number, whether there were delays or odd sounds, and whether a message was prerecorded. This evidence becomes crucial if you decide to pursue legal action for potential TCPA violations.
Real Stories of Second Round LP Collection Agency Abuse
Understanding how Second Round LP collection agency abuse manifests in real situations helps you recognize violations in your own case.
Marcus’s workplace nightmare: Marcus received five calls at work in one week from Second Round LP. After the second call, he informed the collector that his employer prohibited personal calls and that workplace contact was not convenient. The calls continued anyway. By Friday, Marcus’s supervisor called him in to discuss the “personal issue” that was disrupting the office. Marcus felt humiliated and worried about his job security. Continuing workplace calls after being told to stop may violate the FDCPA and could have given Marcus grounds for legal action.
Lisa’s family disclosure horror: When Lisa didn’t respond to calls on her cell, Second Round LP called her elderly mother and told her that “Lisa needs to contact us immediately about a serious financial matter regarding a defaulted account.” Her mother, worried and confused, called Lisa in tears, thinking she was in legal trouble. Disclosing debt details to family members may violate Lisa’s privacy rights under the FDCPA.
James’s robocall barrage: James received prerecorded messages on his cell phone 3 to 4 times daily for three weeks. The automated message instructed him to call back about an “urgent financial matter.” James never gave consent for automated calls. Each potentially illegal robocall could be worth $500 to $1,500, meaning James’s total potential recovery might have exceeded $15,000 if he pursued legal action.
Sandra’s disputed debt disaster: Sandra sent a debt validation letter within the required 30-day window, disputing the debt and requesting proof. Second Round LP never provided adequate documentation but continued calling 2 to 3 times per week, leaving increasingly aggressive voicemails about payment arrangements. Continuing collection efforts without providing validation may violate federal law and could have entitled Sandra to damages.
David’s threat and intimidation: A Second Round representative told David that if he didn’t pay $3,500 immediately, they would “pursue every legal option, including wage garnishment and property liens, and your credit will be destroyed for the next decade.” The debt was actually beyond the statute of limitations in David’s state, making lawsuit threats potentially misleading. The dramatic language about credit destruction seemed designed to frighten rather than inform. These potentially false or exaggerated threats may have violated the FDCPA.
If you’re experiencing similar situations with Second Round LP harassment calls or potentially abusive tactics, you’re not overreacting. These practices may violate federal law, and legal help against Second Round LP harassment is available.
When to Sue Second Round LP for Harassment
While sending cease and desist letters and filing complaints can sometimes resolve problems, in many cases, you need to take stronger legal action. Consider whether you should sue Second Round LP for harassment if:
They continue calling after receiving your cease and desist letter. This is one of the clearest potential violations. If you have proof of delivery (certified mail receipt) and documented calls after they received it, you may have a strong case.
You’ve documented numerous potential FDCPA violations. Multiple instances of threatening language, excessive calling, third-party disclosures, or continuing collection after disputing the debt may strengthen your case and result in higher overall damages.
You’re receiving robocalls without consent. Given that the 2013 lawsuit specifically alleged this violation, it may be part of Second Round’s standard practices. TCPA violations provide substantial per-call penalties that can make lawsuits financially significant.
The harassment has caused you documented harm. Emotional distress, lost wages from workplace disruptions, medical bills from stress-related health problems, or damage to family relationships all count as actual damages you may be able to recover.
They’ve threatened legal action that they cannot or will not take. False threats about lawsuits, wage garnishment, or other legal action may demonstrate deceptive practices that courts take seriously.
You’ve filed complaints, but harassment continues. If you’ve reported Second Round LP to CFPB and other agencie,s but the abusive behavior continues, legal action may be your only effective recourse to end harassment from Second Round LP.
When you successfully sue Second Round LP for harassment, you may be able to recover:
- Actual damages for financial losses or emotional distress potentially caused by their violations
- Statutory damages up to $1,000 for FDCPA violations (no proof of specific harm required)
- Attorney fees and court costs potentially paid by Second Round LP
- TCPA penalties of $500 to $1,500 per potentially illegal robocall
Many consumer rights attorneys handle these cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. This makes legal help against Second Round LP harassment accessible even if you’re financially struggling.
How The Wood Law Firm Can Help You Fight Back
If you’re ready to stop debt harassment from Second Round LP and potentially hold them accountable for violations, The Wood Law Firm specializes in protecting consumers from abusive debt collection practices.
Their experienced team understands the specific tactics Second Round LP uses, has handled cases involving receivables management firms, and knows exactly what evidence may strengthen FDCPA and TCPA claims. They’ve successfully helped thousands of consumers end harassment and recover damages for potential violations.
When you contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122, you’ll receive:
Free, no-obligation case evaluation: They’ll thoroughly review your situation and determine whether Second Round LP may have violated your rights. There’s no cost for this initial consultation.
Clear explanation of your legal options: Whether you should file complaints, send cease and desist letters, request debt validation, or file a lawsuit for potential damages, they’ll explain each option and recommend the best strategy for your situation.
Contingency representation for valid cases: If they take your case, you pay nothing unless they recover damages for you. All attorney fees and costs come from the recovery, not your pocket. Second Round LP pays if they violated your rights.
Immediate action to stop harassment: They can send demand letters, file lawsuits, and communicate with Second Round LP on your behalf to potentially stop the abuse quickly while building your case.
Aggressive advocacy: With extensive experience in consumer protection law, they know how to build compelling cases, document violations thoroughly, negotiate favorable settlements, and take cases to trial when necessary.
Understanding of Second Round’s tactics: Given the documented history of lawsuits and complaints against this agency, they understand the patterns and can identify violations you might not even realize occurred.
Don’t let Second Round LP phone harassment control another day of your life. If you’re dealing with relentless calling, threats, robocalls, workplace contact, or third-party disclosures, reach out now.
What Not to Do When Dealing With Second Round LP
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what action to take:
Don’t ignore them completely if they sue you. While ignoring calls might be appropriate, if you’re served with a lawsuit, you must respond within the specified timeframe (typically 20 to 30 days). Ignoring a lawsuit results in a default judgment that gives them the right to garnish wages and levy bank accounts.
Don’t make payments without verification. Before paying anything, demand debt validation. Make sure you actually owe the debt, the amount is correct, and they have legal authority to collect. According to the FTC, collectors cannot verify nearly 50% of disputed debts. Paying without verification may validate debts you don’t owe or restart statute of limitations clocks.
Don’t admit the debt is yours until you’ve verified it. Saying “yes, I owe this” may have legal implications. According to consumer complaints, debt collection problems often involve attempts to collect debts people never owed, have already paid, or resulted from identity theft. Verify first, acknowledge later.
Don’t give them your bank account or payment information over the phone. If you decide to make a payment after verification, get everything in writing first and use a method that provides documentation. Never provide direct bank account access.
Don’t rely on verbal promises. Any agreement about payment plans, settlement amounts, or removing items from credit reports must be in writing before you pay. Verbal promises are unenforceable if they are later denied making them.
Don’t let them pressure you into immediate decisions. High-pressure tactics like “this settlement offer expires today” or “pay now or we sue tomorrow” are designed to prevent you from thinking clearly or seeking advice. Take time to understand your options.
Don’t communicate without keeping records. If you speak with them by phone, take detailed notes including date, time, name of representative, and what was discussed. Better yet, communicate primarily in writing.
Avoid inadvertently restarting the statute of limitations. Making even small payments or signing acknowledgments may restart the clock on time-barred debts, potentially giving them renewed ability to sue you successfully.
Moving Forward With Confidence and Power
Dealing with debt collection is stressful. Dealing with persistent, potentially harassing calls from Second Round LP can feel overwhelming. But now that you understand consumer rights against Second Round LP, you’re equipped to protect yourself and fight back if necessary.
Remember these crucial points:
Being in debt doesn’t mean you have to accept harassment or abuse. Federal law provides powerful protections regardless of whether you owe the money.
Second Round LP has a documented history of lawsuits alleging violations. You’re not alone in experiencing problems with their practices, and this history may support your case if you pursue legal action.
Documentation is your most powerful weapon. Detailed records of every interaction, saved voicemails, and copies of all written communication become crucial evidence.
You have multiple strategies available. From cease and desist letters to debt validation requests to filing complaints to potentially pursuing lawsuits, you have numerous ways to fight back and stop Second Round LP debt collection harassment.
Professional legal help is accessible. Consumer protection attorneys often work on contingency, meaning you don’t need money up front to enforce your rights.
Time limits matter. You have one year from when FDCPA violations occur to file a lawsuit. Statutes for TCPA violations vary but are typically longer. Don’t wait too long to take action.
If Second Round LP phone harassment has disrupted your life, work, or peace of mind, or if you believe you’re experiencing Second Round LP collection agency abuse that may violate federal law, contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 today.
Their experienced team will evaluate your situation, explain your options clearly, and help you take action to potentially stop the harassment while protecting your legal rights. You deserve to be treated fairly and lawfully, regardless of your debt situation.
Don’t spend another day living in fear of your phone ringing. Take control now. Your rights matter, federal laws exist specifically to protect you from potentially abusive debt collection practices, and there are attorneys ready to help you enforce those rights.
The calls don’t have to continue. The stress doesn’t have to control your life. And Second Round LP doesn’t get to violate federal law just because you owe money. Fight back. You have more power than they want you to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Second Round LP legally call me multiple times per day?
No absolute limit exists, but excessive calling may constitute harassment under the FDCPA. If you’re experiencing Second Round LP phone harassment with multiple calls daily, this may violate your rights. Courts look at frequency, pattern, and apparent intent. Document every call and consider sending a cease and desist letter to stop the calling entirely.
2. What should I do immediately if I’m harassed by Second Round LP debt collectors using threats?
Document the threat immediately with date, time, representative’s name, and exact words used. This may constitute Second Round LP collection agency abuse and potentially violate the FDCPA. File a complaint against Second Round LP with the CFPB at (855) 411-2372 and save any voicemails. Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 to discuss potentially suing for damages.
3. How can I stop Second Round LP debt collection calls without paying immediately?
Send a cease and desist letter via certified mail to stop all phone contact. Request debt validation within 30 days to pause collection efforts. Check if your debt is beyond your state’s statute of limitations. Negotiate a settlement for less than the full amount after validation. Or pursue legal action if they’re violating harassment laws.
4. What’s the difference between Second Round LP FDCPA violations and TCPA violations?
Second Round LP FDCPA violations involve harassment practices like excessive calling, threats, abusive language, improper timing, third-party contact, or ignoring cease requests. Second Round LP TCPA violations specifically involve using autodialers or prerecorded messages without consent. The 2013 federal lawsuit alleged both. TCPA violations carry higher penalties of $500 to $1,500 per call versus FDCPA’s $1,000 maximum statutory damages.
5. If I successfully sue Second Round LP, does that eliminate my debt?
No. Suing for harassment pursues damages for potential violations of consumer protection laws. You may recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, TCPA penalties per potentially illegal robocall, and attorney fees. However, this doesn’t erase your underlying debt. You’ll still need to address the debt through validation, negotiation, or settlement.
6. Can Second Round LP legally contact my family or employer about my debt?
Generally no. They cannot discuss your debt with third parties, including family, friends, or coworkers. Limited exceptions exist to locate you (without mentioning debt) or verify employment for garnishment (without discussing debt details). If they’re telling others about your debt, document these incidents as they may provide strong evidence for lawsuits.
7. How do I report Second Round LP to CFPB effectively?
Provide comprehensive details when you report Second Round LP to CFPB. Include their full contact information, specific dates and times of calls, representative names, detailed descriptions of what was said, copies of letters received, and a clear explanation of potential violations. Submit online at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call (855) 411-2372.
8. What evidence do I need to sue Second Round LP for harassment successfully?
Strong cases include detailed call logs with dates, times, and conversation content, saved voicemails with threats, copies of all letters received, documentation of your cease and desist letter with delivery proof, evidence of workplace or third-party calls, records of robocalls without consent, and ignored debt validation requests. Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 for evidence evaluation.
9. Can Second Round LP sue me if my debt is old?
It depends on your state’s statute of limitations (typically 3 to 6 years). If your debt is time-barred, they may not be able to successfully sue. They may still attempt collection through calls and letters, which could be legal as long as they don’t threaten to sue or actually file a lawsuit. Attempting to collect time-barred debt through litigation may violate the FDCPA.
10. How long do I have to take legal action for Second Round LP harassment?
For Second Round LP FDCPA violations, you must file within one year of when the violation occurred. For Second Round LP TCPA violations, statutes vary but typically range from one to four years. These deadlines are strict. Missing them means losing your right to sue. Contact The Wood Law Firm at +1 844-638-1122 immediately for a free case evaluation before time runs out.
