Stuart-Lippman and Associates, Inc. (SLA) operates primarily as a commercial collection agency focused on insurance, surety, leasing, and structured finance accounts. However, they also collect consumer debts, including auto loan deficiency balances and healthcare accounts, which can appear on personal credit reports.
A 2025 federal lawsuit alleges SLA sent a collection notice that implied false legal authority, referenced unauthorized asset investigations, and used American Bar Association branding without authorization. The complaint also states that SLA ceased these practices after intervention by the State Bar of Arizona. This guide covers who SLA is, their documented record, and how to respond.
Who Is Stuart-Lippman and Associates?
Stuart-Lippman and Associates, Inc. is a debt collection agency founded in 1982 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. The company was formerly known as Bonded Collections of Tucson, Inc. They have approximately 101 employees and an estimated $12.6 million in annual revenue.
SLA is a founding member of the Commercial Collection Agencies of America and describes their primary focus as insurance, surety, premium finance, leasing, structured finance, and commercial debt.
They also collect consumer accounts including auto loan deficiency balances, healthcare debts, and telecom obligations. The company is not BBB accredited but is licensed by the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions.
FDCPA complaint categories against SLA include attempting to collect debts not owed and misrepresentation.
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The 2025 Federal Lawsuit: False Legal Authority and ABA Branding
The most recent documented case against SLA is Hubbuch v. Stuart-Lippman & Associates, Inc., Regions Bank, Ascentium Capital LLC, and Regions Financial Corporation (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, Case No. 25-cv-02724-PKC-TAM). The plaintiff alleges that on April 14, SLA sent him a collection notice that falsely implied the company had legal authority over his financial assets.
The notice allegedly referenced asset investigations and contact with bank officers without legal authorization to take those actions. The complaint further alleges the notice used unauthorized American Bar Association branding to give the impression of serious legal consequences for non-payment.
The complaint states that SLA ceased these practices after regulatory intervention by Senior Bar Counsel Hunter Perlmutter of the State Bar of Arizona, suggesting the specific practices were escalated to state bar oversight before the lawsuit was filed. Co-defendants Regions Bank and Ascentium Capital are alleged to have directed and benefited from SLA’s conduct.
If you received an SLA collection notice referencing asset investigations, bank officer contact, or ABA affiliation, document the letter and its specific language before responding.
Auto Loan Deficiency and Insurance Accounts
A documented BBB complaint involves SLA collecting a CUMIS insurance collateral claim on a 2016 Kia Optima. CUMIS insures credit unions, which means SLA collects auto loan deficiency balances on behalf of credit union lenders through their insurance affiliate.
If SLA is contacting you about an auto loan or vehicle-related balance, confirm the original lender, the date of repossession or charge-off, and the vehicle’s sale price and credited proceeds before accepting their claimed deficiency balance. Deficiency calculations are frequently disputed because the sale price credited against the loan affects what is actually owed.
Reported Balance Discrepancy
A CFPB complaint documents SLA reporting a $170 balance that differed from what the underlying account showed. The complaint was filed in 2017. Even small balance discrepancies are disputable under the FCRA if the amount reported does not match the original creditor’s records.
What SLA Cannot Do Under Federal Law
Based on their documented case and complaint record:
- Falsely imply legal authority over a consumer’s assets: The Hubbuch lawsuit alleges SLA’s notice implied unauthorized authority to investigate assets and contact bank officers. A collection notice can describe the consequences of nonpayment but cannot misrepresent what legal authority SLA actually has.
- Use unauthorized professional organization branding: The Hubbuch complaint alleges SLA used ABA branding without authorization to suggest legal consequences. Using trade organization logos or names to imply legal standing the collector does not have violates FDCPA Section 1692e.
- Attempt to collect debts not owed: A documented FDCPA complaint category against SLA.
- Report inaccurate balances to credit bureaus: The 2017 CFPB complaint documents a balance discrepancy between SLA’s reported amount and the underlying account records.
- Make misrepresentations to collect: A confirmed FDCPA complaint pattern against SLA.
Verify the Debt Before Paying Anything
Send a written validation request by certified mail within 30 days of first contact. For auto loan deficiency accounts, request the original lender’s name, the repossession date, the vehicle auction or sale date, the sale price, the amount credited against the loan principal, and the contractual basis for the remaining deficiency.
For insurance-related accounts, request the specific policy number, the claim number, and documentation of what the insurer paid and why the remaining balance is your obligation.
Review any SLA collection letter carefully for references to asset investigations, attorney involvement, or professional organization affiliation. The Hubbuch lawsuit was filed specifically because those references implied authority SLA did not have.
How to Check Your Credit Report for SLA Entries
Search all three credit reports for “Stuart-Lippman” and “Stuart Lippman.” Confirm the original creditor is identified, the balance matches what the original creditor recorded at charge-off, and no unauthorized fees have been added to the principal.
For auto deficiency accounts, confirm the vehicle sale proceeds were properly credited before accepting the claimed balance.
Arizona has a 6-year statute of limitations on written contracts. The relevant statute is the state where you currently reside.
Your Options for Resolving an SLA Account
- Examine every SLA collection letter for implied legal authority or professional organization references: The Hubbuch lawsuit was filed specifically because of these representations. Document any such language before responding.
- Request a full deficiency calculation for any auto loan account: Deficiency balances depend on the vehicle sale price and credited proceeds. Request the full accounting before accepting the claimed amount.
- Dispute any balance that differs from the original creditor’s records: The CFPB complaint documents SLA reporting amounts that did not match underlying account records.
- File with the Arizona State Bar if SLA uses unauthorized legal organization branding: The Hubbuch complaint states SLA stopped these practices after state bar intervention, suggesting that avenue has been effective.
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How to Contact Stuart-Lippman and Associates
- Address: Stuart-Lippman and Associates, Inc., 5447 E 5th Street, Suite 110, Tucson, AZ 85711
- Phone: (800) 880-5400
Bottom Line
Stuart-Lippman and Associates primarily collects commercial and insurance-related debt but also pursues consumer auto loan deficiencies and healthcare balances. A 2025 federal lawsuit alleges their collection notices implied false legal authority and used unauthorized ABA branding, practices the complaint states ended after Arizona State Bar intervention.
Before paying anything SLA claims, examine the collection letter carefully for implied legal authority, asset investigation references, or professional organization affiliation. For auto deficiency accounts, request the full deficiency calculation showing vehicle sale proceeds before accepting their claimed balance.
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.