Dealing with debt collection calls can feel overwhelming, especially when they are frequent or threatening. If United Recovery Systems is contacting you, you may be experiencing stress or confusion about what comes next. Understanding your rights can help reduce that anxiety.
United Recovery Systems (URS) has been operating since 1977. Multiple federal lawsuits reveal violations, including misleading limited-time offers, failure to disclose growing balances, and deceptive IRS reporting threats. If URS may have violated your rights, you may be entitled to compensation. The Wood Law Firm can help. Call +1-844-638-1122.
Who Is United Recovery Systems
United Recovery Systems (URS), also operating as Alltran, is a nationwide third-party debt collection agency based in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1977, URS operates as a family of companies, including J.C. Christensen and Associates (a law firm), CareCall, and Enterprise Recovery Systems.
URS specializes in high-volume debt collection across credit card, retail, healthcare, and commercial industries. They acquired Financial Health Strategies to expand into healthcare accounts receivable, making medical debt recovery a significant focus. They use telephone contact and written correspondence to pursue debts.
- Address: 5701 E. Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston, TX 77015
- Phone: Various numbers used for collection (see below)
- Known Aliases: URS, Alltran, United Recovery Solutions
Is United Recovery Systems a Scam
United Recovery Systems is not a scam. It is a legitimate debt collection agency operating since 1977. However, legitimacy does not guarantee legal collection practices.
Consumer advocacy groups note that URS can be more flexible with settlement negotiations than some agencies, depending on the original creditor they represent. Despite this reputation, multiple federal lawsuits reveal systematic compliance problems that may violate your rights.
Red flags that may indicate violations:
- Limited-time settlement offers that create false urgency
- Letters stating “current amount due” without disclosing if the balance is growing
- Threats about reporting forgiven debt to the IRS
- Consumer information visible through envelope windows
- 10-day deadlines are presented as final when they are not
Speaking with a lawyer about these practices does not restart your debt. You have rights under federal law regardless of whether the debt is valid.
Signs United Recovery Systems May Be Violating the FDCPA
If United Recovery Systems is contacting you, certain behaviors may cross the legal line. Recognizing these signs can help you understand when speaking with a consumer protection attorney might be appropriate.
You do not need to owe the debt to have rights. Common violations by URS proven in federal lawsuits include:
- Misleading settlement deadlines: Letters stating you have 10 days to accept offers when the deadline is not real (Kowalewski 2017)
- Hidden balance increases: Failing to disclose that your “current amount due” will grow through interest or fees (Bendez 2017)
- False IRS reporting threats: Claiming forgiven debt will be reported to the IRS when inaccurate (Saroza 2017)
- Privacy violations: Displaying consumer information through envelope windows (Ebner class action)
If you recognize these patterns, you may have grounds for legal action. Requesting debt validation does not admit liability.
Lawsuits Against United Recovery Systems
- Ebner v. United Recovery Systems, LP – Settled class action alleging URS disclosed consumer information through envelope glassine windows.
- Kowalewski v. United Recovery Systems, LP (2017) – Alleged 10-day settlement deadlines were false and deceptive.
- Saroza v. United Recovery Systems, LP (2017) – Claimed false notices regarding reporting forgiven debt to the IRS.
- Bendez v. United Recovery Systems, LP (2017) – Alleged failure to indicate if “current amount due” would increase.
- Gyokchyan v. United Recovery Systems, LP (2017) – Alleged failure to disclose balance calculation date.
These cases demonstrate systematic compliance failures in written communications.
How to Stop United Recovery Systems Harassment
- Document everything: Keep copies of all letters, especially those with settlement deadlines or IRS threats. Note call dates and content. The 2017 lawsuits prove their communications may be systematically misleading.
- Request debt validation: Send a written request within 30 days asking URS to validate the debt. Send via certified mail to 5701 E. Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston, TX 77015. Requesting validation does not admit that you owe the debt.
- Challenge misleading deadlines: If letters contain time-limited offers like “10 days only,” document this. The Kowalewski case proved these deadlines can be false.
- Question balance disclosures: If letters show amounts without stating whether interest or fees will increase this, this may violate FDCPA (Bendez case pattern).
- Verify IRS claims: If URS threatens to report forgiven debt to the IRS, consult a tax professional. The Saroza case showed these threats can be false.
- Send cease and desist: Request in writing that URS stop all contact.
- Contact The Wood Law Firm: Call +1-844-638-1122 for a free consultation. We work on contingency.
How to Remove United Recovery Systems from Your Credit Report
Request validation: Demand proof of the debt. If URS cannot validate it completely, dispute with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Challenge misleading information: If reported amounts differ from their letters, or letters failed to disclose growing balances (Bendez pattern), dispute accuracy with bureaus.
Use lawsuit evidence: Multiple 2017 federal cases prove URS has systematic compliance problems. Reference these when disputing their reporting.
Document privacy violations: If you received mail with information visible through windows (Ebner pattern), this suggests poor compliance practices.
Dispute outdated debts: Check your state’s statute of limitations. Debts beyond this period should not appear on your report.
How The Wood Law Firm Helps Fight United Recovery Systems Harassment
The Wood Law Firm understands the stress that debt collection causes. We help consumers fight back when agencies violate consumer rights. We:
- Challenge misleading communications: Multiple 2017 lawsuits prove URS systematically uses deceptive letters. We scrutinize every communication for false deadlines and IRS threats.
- Expose systematic failures: Patterns across Kowalewski, Saroza, Bendez, and Gyokchyan show widespread problems suggesting intentional disregard for consumer rights.
- Leverage settlement flexibility: URS’s reputation for flexible settlements means they want to avoid litigation over violations. We use this against them.
- File strategic complaints: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission investigate agencies with patterns of misleading communications.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you whether you owe the debt or not. You pay nothing out of pocket. Call +1-844-638-1122.
Meet Attorney Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood founded The Wood Law Firm to protect consumers from abusive debt collection practices. With years of experience in consumer protection law, he has helped thousands of people stop harassment and hold debt collectors accountable.
Attorney Wood focuses exclusively on FDCPA violations and consumer rights cases. He understands the stress debt collection creates and works to give clients clarity, relief, and justice.
The Wood Law Firm operates on contingency, so you never pay legal fees out of pocket.
Client Success Stories
A consumer received letters from a large debt collector with 10-day settlement deadlines. The letters created intense pressure and anxiety. After consultation, we documented the false urgency tactics. The collector ceased contact and the consumer received compensation for the deceptive practices.
A family member kept getting collection mail with personal information visible through the envelope window. Neighbors could see the debt-related details. Legal intervention stopped the privacy violations and secured damages for the family’s embarrassment and stress.
A debtor received threatening letters claiming forgiven debt would be reported to the IRS for tax liability. The threats caused fear and confusion about potential tax consequences. After legal review, we proved the threats were misleading. The harassment stopped and the client found relief from the anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if United Recovery Systems says I only have 10 days to settle?
Limited-time settlement offers may be false urgency tactics. The Kowalewski case proved URS used deceptive 10-day deadlines. You likely have more time than they claim. Consult an attorney before acting under pressure.
2. Does requesting debt validation admit I owe the money?
No, requesting validation does not admit liability. It is your legal right under the FDCPA to demand proof of any debt before paying. Validation protects you from paying debts you do not owe.
3. Can United Recovery Systems report forgiven debt to the IRS?
Not always. The Saroza lawsuit showed URS sent misleading notices about IRS reporting. Consult a tax professional or attorney before acting on any IRS-related threats from debt collectors.
4. What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
The Wood Law Firm works on contingency for FDCPA cases. You pay nothing out of pocket. If we win, URS pays our fees. Call +1-844-638-1122 for a free consultation.
5. Will talking to a lawyer restart my debt or statute of limitations?
No, speaking with a lawyer does not restart your debt, reset the statute of limitations, or affect your legal position. Seeking legal advice is your right and does not change the status of any debt.
6. How do I know if my balance is growing with fees?
If URS letters show a “current amount due” without stating whether interest or fees will increase this amount, this may violate FDCPA disclosure requirements (Bendez case). Request a full breakdown in writing.
7. Can I sue United Recovery Systems even if the debt is valid?
Yes, FDCPA protects you regardless of whether you owe the debt. If URS violated the law through misleading communications, false deadlines, or deceptive practices, you may have grounds to sue.
8. What should I do if my information was visible through their envelope window?
Document this immediately. The Ebner class action settlement involved this exact privacy violation. Take photos of the envelope showing visible information and contact an attorney.
Call +1-844-638-1122 now for a free consultation. You deserve clarity and protection from deceptive debt collection practices.
