The Stark Collection Agency, Inc. has collected debts in Wisconsin since 1948, making it one of the oldest active collection agencies in the country. That longevity comes with a relatively low complaint volume compared to newer agencies, but a documented federal FDCPA case and active pursuit of auto loan and check recovery accounts make verification just as important here as with any collector.
The agency also operates under the names Check Recovery Solutions and H.E. Stark Agency, which may appear differently on your credit file.
This guide covers who Stark collects for, the documented court case, specific complaint patterns, your federal rights, and how to handle the account.
Who Is The Stark Collection Agency, Inc.?
The Stark Collection Agency, Inc. is a full-service accounts receivable firm founded in 1948 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The company employs approximately 18 people with estimated annual revenue around $2.5 million.
Stark holds a B+ BBB rating with 14 complaints in the current three-year window. The CFPB has logged only 6 complaints against Stark since 2015. The agency is a member of the American Collectors Association International and may appear on credit reports under The Stark Collection Agency, Check Recovery Solutions, or H.E. Stark Agency.
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Who Does Stark Collect For?
Confirmed clients from BBB responses and court records include:
- IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union: A 2025 BBB complaint documents Stark collecting a $26,025.85 defaulted auto loan for a credit union member on a used 2014 Chevrolet Silverado.
- Healthcare providers: Stark’s published service areas include healthcare receivables alongside check recovery and retail accounts.
- Government agencies: Stark collects for government clients including municipal receivables and court-ordered payments.
- Property management companies: Unpaid rent, damage charges, and lease-break balances from rental properties.
- Telecommunications companies and subrogation services: Past-due telecom balances and insurance subrogation accounts make up additional caseload categories.
Ryan v. The Stark Collection Agency
Ryan v. The Stark Collection Agency, Inc. (W.D. Wisconsin, Case No. 16-cv-29) is the primary documented federal FDCPA case against Stark. The plaintiff alleged Stark violated the FDCPA through collection letters sent to him at the Dane County Jail in December 2015 and January 2016.
The case centered on whether Stark’s letters adequately identified the specific debt being collected. The court converted a motion to dismiss to a motion for summary judgment, narrowing the issue to identifying exactly which debt Stark’s letters addressed.
The case is notable because it involved collection contact with an incarcerated individual, raising specific questions about timing, notice, and the consumer’s ability to respond within the 30-day validation window.
Common Stark Complaint Patterns
- Wrong-person collection: A 2025 BBB complaint describes a consumer receiving an IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union collection notice for an account they have no knowledge of and never authorized.
- Refusing supervisor access and speaking over consumers: A documented BBB complaint describes a consumer calling about a Wisconsin court judgment satisfaction and, after requesting a fee waiver, receiving a return call from the owner after hours. The owner repeatedly spoke over the consumer and refused to allow them to respond.
- Collecting on debts consumers cannot identify: Multiple complaints describe consumers disputing debts with no supporting records, with Stark unable to produce the original signed agreement when challenged.
What Stark Cannot Do Under Federal Law
- Send letters that obscure which debt is being collected: The Ryan case centered specifically on whether Stark’s letters identified the subject debt. Ambiguous collection letters may violate Section 1692g.
- Restrict your ability to dispute based on circumstances: If collection contact reached you while incarcerated or otherwise unable to respond within 30 days, that limitation may create an FDCPA claim.
- Threaten legal action it cannot or will not take: Empty threats of imminent lawsuit or wage garnishment violate Section 1692e.
- Continue collection after a written validation request: All collection activity must pause until Stark produces documentation.
- Contact outside legal hours: Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time are prohibited.
Verify Before Paying Stark
Auto loan deficiency and check recovery accounts each require different documentation. For auto loans, demand the original signed loan agreement, the complete payment history, the vehicle auction or sale proceeds, how the deficiency was calculated, and the chain of assignment from the original creditor to Stark.
For check recovery accounts, demand the original check instrument, the date and location of presentment, and proof you were the account holder. Send all requests by certified mail with return receipt requested.
How to Check Your Credit Report
Pull all three reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and search for The Stark Collection Agency, Check Recovery Solutions, and H.E. Stark Agency. Confirm the original creditor, balance, and date of first delinquency against your own records.
If Stark has reported an account you cannot identify, contact the original creditor directly before engaging with Stark. The wrong-person complaint pattern makes direct creditor verification the fastest path to resolution.
How Long Can Stark Legally Pursue the Debt?
Wisconsin allows six years on most written contracts including auto loan agreements and check recovery debts. The clock runs from the date of first default, not from when Stark received the account.
The credit reporting window is a separate seven-year clock from the original date of first delinquency. Any payment can restart the civil statute in Wisconsin and many other states.
Your Options for Resolving the Account
- Contact the original creditor directly first: For wrong-person accounts, going to the credit union, healthcare provider, or telecom company is faster than disputing through Stark.
- Demand complete deficiency documentation on auto loans: Vehicle sale price, auction fees, and remaining balance calculation must all be documented. Missing any element gives grounds to dispute the claimed amount.
- Cite Ryan v. Stark if your letter was ambiguous: If Stark’s collection letter did not clearly identify the specific debt, demand clarification in writing before any payment.
- Negotiate deletion in writing: Require written deletion terms from all three bureaus before sending any payment.
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How to Contact The Stark Collection Agency
Handle all communication in writing. Send disputes by certified mail with return receipt requested:
- Address: The Stark Collection Agency, Inc., 6425 Odana Rd, Suite 22, Madison, WI 53719
- Phone: (608) 274-7764 or (877) 274-7764
Bottom Line
Stark is one of the oldest collection agencies in the country with a relatively clean complaint record, but the Ryan FDCPA case and documented wrong-person complaints show the agency is not immune from the problems that affect larger collectors.
Auto loan deficiency balances and check recovery accounts both require precise documentation before any payment is appropriate. Never pay a deficiency balance without seeing the vehicle sale proceeds and the full balance calculation.
If a Stark account is on your credit file, the right move depends on the type of debt, the original creditor, and whether the collection letters you received clearly identified what was being collected.
Brooke Banks is a personal finance writer specializing in credit, debt, and smart money management. She helps readers understand their rights, build better credit, and make confident financial decisions with clear, practical advice.