Martini, Hughes & Grossman on Your Credit Report: What to Know

Martini, Hughes & Grossman (MHG) describes its collection philosophy as a “soft audit” approach: professional, polite, and persistent, intended to maintain business relationships rather than pressure consumers into immediate payment. That positioning does not exempt them from the FDCPA. A 2020 federal lawsuit alleged violations despite their professional approach.

Consumer attorneys confirm MHG has not been known to file lawsuits against consumers, which limits but does not eliminate their legal options. This guide covers who MHG is, their documented record, and how to respond.

Who Is Martini, Hughes & Grossman?

Martini, Hughes & Grossman is a third-party debt collection agency based in Delray Beach, Florida. The BBB has recorded 12 complaints. They collect commercial debts, consumer debts, and government obligations including unpaid taxes and fines.

MHG collects on both a contingency basis and may purchase accounts. As a Florida-based collector, they must comply with both the federal FDCPA and the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA), which extends protections beyond the FDCPA by also applying to original creditors collecting their own accounts.

The “Soft Audit” Model and Its Legal Limits

MHG markets itself as a collector that uses professional persistence rather than aggressive tactics. Their approach is designed to recover debts without damaging the business relationship between the original creditor and the consumer. Multiple consumer attorney sources describe this as their defining characteristic.

However, polite language and a professional tone do not create FDCPA immunity. The Chapman v. Martini Hughes & Grossman federal lawsuit filed in 2020 specifically alleged FDCPA violations despite MHG’s soft-touch positioning. Continuing collection after a validation request, contacting third parties, or leaving voicemails without required disclosures are FDCPA violations regardless of how professionally they are delivered.

MHG Has Not Been Seen Filing Lawsuits Against Consumers

Consumer attorneys who track collection agency litigation confirm that MHG has not been documented filing lawsuits against consumers. Without a court judgment, they cannot garnish wages or levy bank accounts. If MHG has threatened wage garnishment, that threat is not consistent with their documented practice and may itself be a false threat under FDCPA Section 1692e(4).

That said, the absence of documented lawsuits does not guarantee they will never file one. If you receive a summons from MHG, respond before your state’s deadline.

Commercial Debt and FDCPA Coverage

MHG explicitly collects commercial (B2B) debts in addition to consumer accounts. The FDCPA applies only to debts incurred for personal, family, or household purposes. If MHG is collecting a business debt, the FDCPA may not apply to that specific account.

Confirm whether the debt on your credit report arose from a personal or business transaction before asserting FDCPA rights. For business debts, Florida state law and contract law still govern, but the federal FDCPA validation and dispute procedures may not apply.

What MHG Cannot Do Under Federal and Florida Law

Based on their documented case and applicable law:

• Continue collecting after a written validation request without providing verification: FDCPA Section 1692g applies to all MHG consumer accounts. The Chapman case shows this is a documented concern even for soft-touch collectors.
• Leave voicemails without disclosing the caller is a debt collector: A voicemail that asks the consumer to call back without identifying MHG as a debt collector violates FDCPA Section 1692e(11).
• Contact third parties about a consumer’s debt: FDCPA Section 1692c(b) limits third-party contact to location information gathering only, regardless of tone.
• Make false threats of wage garnishment: Consumer attorneys confirm MHG does not file lawsuits against consumers. A threat of garnishment without legal basis violates FDCPA Section 1692e(4).
• Violate Florida’s FCCPA: Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act applies to MHG and provides remedies for Florida consumers independently of the FDCPA.

Verify the Debt Before Paying Anything

Send a written validation request by certified mail within 30 days of first contact. Request the original creditor’s name, account number, balance at referral, and an itemized breakdown of any fees. For government debts, request the specific agency, obligation type, and statutory basis for the claimed amount.

Florida has a 5-year statute of limitations on written contracts. The relevant statute is typically the state where you currently reside. Confirm the age of the account before engaging.

How to Check Your Credit Report for MHG Entries

Search all three credit reports for “Martini Hughes Grossman” and “MHG.” Confirm the original creditor is identified and the balance matches what the original creditor recorded at referral. For government accounts, confirm the specific agency and fee type that generated the balance.

Your Options for Resolving an MHG Account

• Request written validation before engaging by phone: MHG’s soft-touch approach involves professional persistence, including phone contact. A written validation request creates a legal pause before you need to engage further.
• Confirm the debt is a consumer account before asserting FDCPA rights: MHG collects commercial debts. The FDCPA does not cover business obligations.
• Document any voicemails that fail to identify MHG as a debt collector: The FDCPA requires that identification in every communication. A voicemail asking only for a callback without that disclosure is a potential violation.
• Florida residents can file under both FDCPA and FCCPA: The Florida statute provides additional remedies and applies to a broader range of collection activity than the federal statute.

How to Contact Martini, Hughes & Grossman

• Address: Martini, Hughes & Grossman, 900 Linton Boulevard, Suite 201, Delray Beach, FL 33444
• Phone: (561) 266-9877

Bottom Line

Martini, Hughes & Grossman markets a professional, low-pressure collection style, but a 2020 federal lawsuit shows that approach does not insulate them from FDCPA liability. Consumer attorneys confirm they have not been documented filing lawsuits against consumers, which means wage garnishment threats are not consistent with their known practices.

Before paying anything MHG claims, request written validation and confirm the debt is a consumer account covered by the FDCPA. For Florida residents, both the FDCPA and the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act provide complaint avenues.