The Law Office of Paul Mankin

Is Pinnacle Recovery, Inc. Harassing You?

Pinnacle Recovery, Inc.

Pinnacle Recovery, Inc. (Pinnacle) provides third-party debt collection services. Pinnacle was founded in 2000 and is located in Carlsbad, California.

Publicly on its website, Pinnacle claims to be in the business of providing professional, efficient and ethical resolution of delinquent and defaulted receivables, but the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received consumer complaints against Pinnacle that highlight unethical and unlawful debt collection practices. Pinnacle is most commonly reported for engaging in the following unlawful practices:

  • Attempting to collect a debt that is not owed by the consumer;
  • Making false statements;
  • Improperly discussing the consumer’s debt with a third party;
  • Harassing consumers by calling repeatedly;
  • Threatening to take legal action if payment is not made; and
  • Refusing to validate or provide proof of a debt.

For example, Pinnacle Recovery improperly contacted a consumer’s employer. In doing so, Pinnacle left a detailed voicemail on the employer’s answering machine that provided personal information about the consumer’s debt.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RDCPA) regulate debt collectors’ communications with third parties. A debt collector is only permitted to contact a third party when the debt collector reasonably believes that person would have information regarding the consumer’s location or telephone number. Additionally, the debt collector cannot inform any third party, other than a consumer’s spouse or attorney, that the consumer owes a debt.

The consumer reported this violation to the CFPB and the matter was resolved with monetary relief to the consumer.

Creditors and debt collectors should be held accountable for these unethical and unlawful practices. If you are being harassed or subjected to any of these, deceptive, or abusive debt collection practices, it is time to hold Pinnacle accountable. Please contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-219-3577.