RMC of America Collection? Here’s How to Respond

If RMC of America is on your credit report or calling you, the debt is almost certainly tied to an Arkansas-based creditor. RMC is one of the oldest debt collectors in the United States but operates almost exclusively within Arkansas. That local focus changes the dynamics of how you should respond.

The debt is likely a medical bill, veterinary charge, or utility account that was turned over to RMC by an Arkansas business. State-specific laws matter more here than in most collection situations.

This guide walks through who RMC is, why they’re contacting you, and how to respond.

Who Is RMC of America?

RMC of America, legally known as Receivables Management Corporation of America, is a family-owned debt collection agency based in White Hall, Arkansas. Founded in 1941, the company is one of the longest-operating collectors in the country. RMC is led by Bea R. Cheesman, who serves as president.

RMC is small by collection industry standards, with only 35 employees between its corporate office in White Hall and remote workers in Hot Springs, Wynne, and Stuttgart. The company is licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies and serves clients across the state. It is not BBB-accredited.

Why RMC Is Contacting You

RMC’s client base is almost entirely Arkansas-based businesses. The most common types of debts they pursue include:

• Medical debts: Unpaid hospital bills, physician group balances, and urgent care charges from Arkansas providers.
• Veterinary debts: Unpaid bills from Arkansas animal hospitals and veterinary clinics.
• Utility debts: Past-due electric, water, gas, and sanitation charges.
• Other consumer debts: Small balances from various Arkansas businesses.

If you’ve never lived in Arkansas or done business with an Arkansas provider, that’s a significant red flag worth investigating. A debt collection account for an Arkansas creditor on the credit report of someone with no Arkansas connection is often the result of identity theft or a reporting error.

Insurance-Related Medical Debt Disputes Are Common

Consumer complaints about RMC frequently involve medical bills that insurance should have covered. Common scenarios include:

• A bill submitted to insurance but denied due to processing errors.
• Charges from a provider the consumer never saw.
• Amounts that should have been written off under in-network agreements.
• Balances for services that hit before insurance coverage started or after it ended.

If you have health insurance, pull your explanation of benefits (EOB) for the relevant dates before assuming the debt is legitimate. Many RMC medical accounts involve billing errors that the provider never properly resolved before turning the account over to collections.

Why Arkansas-Specific Laws Matter

RMC’s Arkansas focus means Arkansas consumer protection laws matter alongside federal law. Key points:

• Statute of limitations: Arkansas has a 5-year statute of limitations on written contracts and 3 years on open accounts.
• State licensing: RMC is licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies. Complaints filed with the Board carry real weight.
• Medical debt protections: Arkansas follows federal medical debt reporting rules (under $500, paid debts, and the one-year waiting period).

If you’ve moved out of Arkansas since the debt was incurred, RMC’s ability to take legal action may be limited depending on where you now reside. An Arkansas-based collector pursuing you in a different state creates jurisdictional complications worth raising.

Federal Protections That Apply

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) applies to RMC. Under the FDCPA, RMC cannot:

• Threaten arrest or jail: Consumer debt is not a criminal matter.
• Call at odd hours: Contact is only allowed between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone.
• Contact you at work after you say stop: Written cease-contact requests must be honored.
• Use harassing language: Profanity and repeated calls meant to annoy violate the law.
• Discuss your debt with third parties: This includes voicemails others might hear.
• Lie about what you owe: Misrepresenting amounts is prohibited.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information. File complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov, and also consider filing with the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies given their licensing authority over RMC.

Demand Proof Before Sending Any Money

Don’t pay or admit the debt is yours until you’ve verified it. Send a written debt validation request by certified mail within 30 days of first contact. Ask for:

• The original Arkansas-based creditor.
• The date of service or transaction.
• An itemized list of charges.
• Documentation of insurance claim processing if the debt is medical.
• Any payment history on the account.

If you’ve never done business with an Arkansas provider and have no connection to the state, include that information and request documentation proving the debt is yours.

Checking for Credit Report Errors

Pull your credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look at how RMC is reporting the account. Is the balance correct? Is the account date accurate? Is it listed under the right original creditor? Is the amount consistent with what RMC is claiming you owe?

Consumer complaints include reports of balances increasing after consumers made payments. If your credit report shows a balance that differs from what you’ve been told, that’s a clear ground for dispute.

Ways to Resolve an RMC Account

Once you’ve verified the debt, consider these paths:

• Go directly to the original creditor: If the underlying bill is from a hospital or clinic you can still reach, resolving it at the source often works better than negotiating with RMC.
• Pay in full: Resolves the account, though the collection entry may remain on your credit report.
• Negotiate a settlement: Complaints indicate RMC often refuses to settle, but it’s worth asking, especially on older or disputed balances.
• Dispute with the credit bureaus: If the debt is inaccurate, was covered by insurance, or isn’t yours, formal disputes force investigation.

What If RMC Sues You?

RMC can sue on debts within Arkansas’s statute of limitations, though lawsuits from a small regional agency are less common than from national debt buyers. If RMC wins a judgment, they may be able to garnish wages (subject to Arkansas garnishment limits), levy bank accounts, or place liens.

If you’re sued, do not ignore the complaint. Consult an Arkansas-licensed consumer protection attorney who understands both the FDCPA and Arkansas collection law. Many offer free consultations.

Reaching RMC of America

Handle all communication in writing whenever possible. Here’s how to reach them:

• Address: RMC of America, 7401 Dollarway Rd, White Hall, AR 71602
• Toll-free: (877) 448-2302
• Direct: (870) 535-1220

For complaints specific to Arkansas licensing violations, contact the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies directly.

Bottom Line

RMC is a regional Arkansas collector with a long history and a narrow geographic focus. That’s actually useful information when you’re deciding how to respond. Arkansas-specific complaint channels exist, the statute of limitations is favorable for older debts, and insurance-related medical billing errors are a well-documented issue with their accounts.

Verify what’s on your report, check your insurance records if it’s medical debt, and file complaints with both federal and Arkansas state regulators if RMC violates your rights.