Harris & Harris, Ltd. is a legitimate debt collection agency, not a scam. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company primarily collects healthcare, government, and utility debts. However, "legitimate" does not mean "trustworthy" when it comes to consumer treatment. Harris & Harris has one of the worst complaint records among major U.S. debt collectors, with over 1,800 complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and a 1.1-star consumer review average on the BBB.
What Is Harris and Harris?
Harris & Harris, Ltd. is a third-party debt collection agency that collects debts on behalf of hospitals, medical providers, utility companies, and government agencies. When you owe money to one of their clients and the original creditor cannot collect, the debt is assigned to or purchased by Harris & Harris, who then contacts you to collect payment.
The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating. However, this rating reflects the company's responsiveness to BBB complaints, not consumer satisfaction. Their customer review average is 1.1 out of 5 stars.
They are regulated under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and are subject to oversight by the CFPB and the Federal Trade Commission.
Red Flags We Found
⚠Aggressive Tactics and FDCPA Complaints
Harris & Harris has been the subject of over 1,800 CFPB complaints and has faced numerous lawsuits alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Consumers report harassing calls, threats, and attempts to collect debts they do not owe.
Massive complaint volume. The CFPB has received over 1,800 complaints about Harris & Harris. The BBB records over 900 complaints in the past three years alone. This is exceptionally high for a single collection agency.
Collecting debts from wrong individuals. One of the most common complaints is that Harris & Harris contacts people who do not owe the debt in question, sometimes pursuing accounts that have already been paid or discharged.
Alleged FDCPA violations. Consumer law firms have documented complaints including vulgar or abusive language, failure to validate debts when requested, calls to workplaces, excessive robocalling, and reporting inaccurate information to credit bureaus.
Over 260 federal cases. Harris & Harris has been a party to more than 260 federal lawsuits related to debt collection practices, indicating a pattern of legal challenges.
Poor complaint resolution. According to the BBB, Harris & Harris does not have a strong record of responding to or resolving customer complaints in a satisfactory manner.
User Reports and Complaints
Consumer complaints about Harris & Harris follow consistent patterns:
- Phantom debts. Users report being contacted about debts they have never incurred or that were paid years ago. Some report Harris & Harris attempting to collect on debts beyond the statute of limitations.
- Relentless calling. Multiple reports describe excessive phone calls at all hours, including to family members and employers, which may violate FDCPA restrictions.
- Credit reporting threats. Users report being told the debt will be reported to credit bureaus immediately unless payment is made on the spot, a high-pressure tactic designed to bypass your right to validation.
- Refusal to provide validation. Under the FDCPA, you have the right to request written validation of any debt within 30 days of first contact. Users report that Harris & Harris sometimes fails to provide adequate validation or continues collection efforts during the validation period.
How Debt Collection Works
Understanding the debt collection process helps you protect your rights:
- Original creditor (hospital, utility, etc.) attempts to collect the debt directly.
- Debt is assigned or sold to a third-party collector like Harris & Harris.
- Collector contacts you by phone, mail, or text to demand payment.
- You have rights. Within 30 days, you can request written debt validation. The collector must cease collection until they provide it.
- If validated, you can negotiate a payment plan, settle for less, or dispute the amount.
- If unvalidated, the collector cannot legally continue pursuing you for that debt.
Harris & Harris is legally required to follow this process. If they deviate from it, they may be violating federal law, and you may be entitled to damages.
How to Protect Yourself
If Harris & Harris contacts you, follow these steps:
- Do not confirm or deny the debt on the first call. Simply ask for their mailing address and tell them you will respond in writing.
- Send a debt validation letter within 30 days. Request the name of the original creditor, the amount owed, and proof that you are the correct debtor. Send it via certified mail with return receipt.
- Document everything. Keep records of every call (date, time, what was said), every letter, and every communication.
- Check your credit report. If Harris & Harris has reported the debt, verify it is accurate. Dispute any errors with the credit bureaus directly.
- Know your state's statute of limitations. If the debt is time-barred, Harris & Harris cannot sue you to collect it, though they may still attempt to contact you.
- Consult a consumer rights attorney. If Harris & Harris is violating the FDCPA, you may be entitled to statutory damages up to $1,000 per violation, plus attorney fees. Many consumer law firms offer free consultations.
ℹYour Rights Under the FDCPA
Debt collectors cannot call before 8 AM or after 9 PM, use abusive or threatening language, contact you at work if you tell them not to, discuss your debt with third parties, or continue collection during a validation dispute. If any of these occur, document the violation and consult an attorney.
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