Getting served with a lawsuit from Second Round, LP is jarring, especially over an old, unfamiliar balance. According to court filings, this Austin debt buyer has faced federal class actions alleging misleading collection letters. This guide covers what Second Round can and cannot do before you respond.
Key Takeaways
- Second Round, LP is an Austin, Texas debt buyer, active since 2008, that pursues accounts mainly through lawsuits rather than repeated calls.
- A federal class action, Scifo v. Second Round LP, alleged the company sent collection letters with confusing validation and settlement deadlines.
- The Second Circuit allowed FDCPA claims to proceed in Vangorden v. Second Round LP over allegedly false statements on a settled debt.
- Ignoring a Second Round lawsuit almost always ends in a default judgment, unlike ignoring a phone call.
- Damages can reach up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation and $500 to $1,500 per unlawful robocall under the TCPA.
- The Wood Firm PLLC reviews Second Round files on contingency, so there is no upfront cost to find out where you stand.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is Second Round LP
Second Round, LP is an Austin, Texas debt buyer. It purchases charged-off consumer accounts and pursues them mainly through lawsuits. The company began operating in 2008 under CEO Larry Vasbinder.
Vasbinder is also tied to Second Round Sub LLC and Third Round LP. Second Round buys credit card, auto deficiency, utility, telecom, and FinTech debt for a fraction of face value. It then seeks the full balance plus fees.
In our practice, we request the chain-of-title paperwork behind every Second Round file we open. A debt buyer must prove it owns the account, not just that the account exists. If that documentation is missing, Second Round may lack standing to collect.
- Also Known As: Second Round, LP, Second Round Sub LLC, Second Round Sub LP, Third Round LP
- Address: 1701 Directors Blvd., Suite 900, Austin, TX 78744 (also PO Box 41955, Austin, TX 78704)
- Phone: 866-950-6357 | (512) 448-2600 | +1 866-950-6357 | 8669506357
- Website: second-round.com
- BBB Profile: Second Round Limited Partnership BBB listing
What Phone Numbers Does Second Round LP Use
Second Round calls consumers from several numbers tied to its Austin office. Reported numbers include 866-950-6357, (512) 448-2600, and 5124482600. Consumer attorneys have also logged 512-392-6401 and 214-414-3695 as Second Round lines.
Save every number that calls you. A lawsuit or settlement letter often follows the calls. Document each call alongside any letters you receive.
Why Is Second Round LP Calling You
Second Round is calling you because it purchased your charged-off account. That account is often a credit card, auto deficiency, or utility balance bought for cents on the dollar. Unlike agencies built around repeated phone pressure, Second Round leans on litigation to collect.
A call today can be the lead-up to a lawsuit. If a suit names Second Round Sub LLC instead, you are still facing the same Austin operation. Companies often shift an account to an affiliate before filing suit.
Has Second Round LP Been Sued
Yes. Second Round, LP has been named as a defendant in federal lawsuits alleging FDCPA violations.
- Scifo v. Second Round, LP, No. 2:17-cv-00125 (E.D. Wis.): class action alleging a collection letter’s validation and settlement deadlines were confusingly presented.
- Vangorden v. Second Round, LP (2d Cir. 2018): appellate ruling allowing FDCPA claims to proceed over allegedly false statements on an already settled debt.
In our practice, we compare a client’s letter against the language at issue in Scifo. Confusing or overlapping deadlines remain a common drafting problem. A letter that blends validation with a settlement offer may itself support a claim.
Is Second Round LP a Scam
Second Round, LP is a real, licensed debt buyer, but licensed does not mean every tactic is legal. The BBB lists an A+ rating despite dozens of closed consumer complaints. Federal rulings in Scifo and Vangorden show the letters themselves have drawn legal challenges.
A BBB rating reflects complaint resolution, not legal compliance. Documented conduct in your own file determines whether a specific tactic broke the law.
Has the FTC Banned Second Round LP
No. Second Round, LP has not been banned by the FTC. Complaints and legal challenges have instead gone through the BBB and private FDCPA lawsuits.
In our practice, we treat an A+ BBB rating with caution when billing complaints sit underneath it. That gap between rating and complaint history is often worth documenting.
What Are Your Legal Defenses When Second Round LP Sues You
You have several defenses worth raising in your written answer. Lack of standing challenges whether Second Round can prove a complete chain of title from the original creditor. Improper service challenges whether the lawsuit papers were delivered according to your state’s rules.
A validation failure defense applies if you requested validation and Second Round sued without providing it. Wrong-debtor defenses cover identity theft or mistaken account matching. Raise every defense that applies in your answer, since an unraised defense can be treated as waived.
What Should You Not Do When Second Round LP Contacts You
Do not admit you owe the debt before validating it. An early admission can restart the statute of limitations.
Do not give bank account information over the phone. Use a traceable, controlled payment method if you decide to pay.
Do not trust verbal settlement promises. Get every term in writing before sending money. Do not ignore a lawsuit even without an attorney, since a basic written answer preserves your rights.
What Does It Mean When Second Round LP Buys Your Debt
It means your original creditor sold the account for a fraction of the balance. Second Round now claims the right to collect, but only if it can prove ownership. Missing paperwork can mean you owe less than claimed, or nothing at all.
Can Second Round LP Sue You for Debt Past the Statute of Limitations
Yes, they may try, but you can defend successfully if the debt is time-barred. Texas allows four years for most written contracts. You must raise this defense in your written answer, or a court can rule against you by default.
What Is the Difference Between Second Round LP and Second Round Sub LLC
They are related entities tied to the same Austin operation and CEO. Second Round often transfers an account to Second Round Sub before filing suit. Your defenses apply the same way to either name.
How Do You Know If Second Round LP Owns Your Debt
Demand proof in writing. Request the original signed agreement and a complete payment history. Ask for documentation showing the account was sold to Second Round.
In our practice, we treat a bare account statement from Second Round as insufficient proof on its own. Without the original agreement and a signed assignment, the claim of ownership is just an assertion.
Can Second Round LP Garnish Your Wages Without Suing You First
No, not in most cases. Second Round must sue you and win a judgment first. Only then can it seek a separate garnishment order.
Should You Ignore Second Round LP’s Calls or Their Lawsuit
Ignoring calls is reasonable once you send a written cease request. Ignoring a lawsuit is not. Missing your response deadline typically leads to a default judgment.
Will Settling With Second Round LP Remove the Debt From Your Credit Report
No, not automatically. Get any pay-for-delete agreement in writing before you send money. Without that written term, a settled account can still hurt your credit report.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps Stop Second Round LP Debt Harassment
The Wood Firm PLLC reviews Second Round’s ownership documentation, letters, and lawsuit filings for federal violations. Our team checks whether the debt is valid and whether Second Round can prove standing. We represent consumers exclusively, never creditors or debt buyers.
We handle these cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. After you call, we review your lawsuit papers and call log to outline your options. Reach The Wood Firm PLLC at +1-844-638-1122 to start that review.
Before you respond to Second Round on your own, get a second opinion. 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 they violated federal law, they pay our fees.
What to Do Before You Respond to Second Round LP
Before you pay or ignore anything, check your lawsuit deadline. Confirm your state’s statute of limitations too. Save every letter, call log, and court document tied to the account.
A missing chain of title or a confusing letter may be worth more than the balance itself. Call +1-844-638-1122 before your deadline passes.
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.
