TLRA Debt Recovery has collected medical debts for hospitals, clinics, and physician practices from Houston, Texas since at least the early 2000s, also operating as Texas Legal Recovery Agents. They are a member of the National Healthcare Collectors Association and run a legal program in addition to standard collection services.
A December 2018 Texas case documents TLRA making harassing calls about a debt the plaintiff did not owe, continuing calls after she asked them to stop, and failing to identify as a debt collector in their communications. This guide covers who they are and how to respond.
Who Is TLRA Debt Recovery?
TLRA Debt Recovery is a healthcare-only medical debt collection agency that collects for hospitals, clinics, and physician practices and operates a legal program for accounts that proceed to litigation.
Texas collectors are subject to both the federal FDCPA and the Texas Debt Collection Act (Finance Code Chapter 392). Texas has a 4-year statute of limitations on written contracts, and medical debt CFPB rules apply to every healthcare account they report.
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The 2018 Case: Collecting a Debt Not Owed
In December 2018, a Smith County, Texas consumer named Stephanie filed FDCPA and Texas Debt Collection Act claims against TLRA Debt Recovery. The complaint alleged TLRA made harassing phone calls about a debt the plaintiff stated she did not owe, continued calling after she specifically requested they stop, and failed to properly identify as a debt collector during communications.
Under FDCPA Section 1692d(5), repeated calls intended to annoy or harass are prohibited. Under FDCPA Section 1692d(6), collectors must identify themselves when contacting consumers. The Texas Debt Collection Act mirrors these prohibitions and applies to both third-party collectors and original creditors.
If TLRA is calling about a medical debt you do not recognize, document every call with date, time, and phone number used before engaging.
TLRA Has a Legal Program
TLRA’s own website confirms they operate a legal program as part of their collection services. This means accounts that remain unresolved after initial collection efforts may be referred for litigation. If you receive a summons from TLRA or a law firm acting on their behalf, respond before the court deadline in Texas, which is typically 14 to 20 days for justice court cases.
A default judgment gives TLRA authority to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, and place liens on property without further court action.
Failing to Identify as a Debt Collector
The 2018 Stephanie A. case specifically alleged TLRA failed to properly identify as a debt collector in their communications. FDCPA Section 1692d(6) requires collectors to state they are a debt collector when contacting consumers. FDCPA Section 1692e(11) requires collection communications to include a disclosure that the communication is from a debt collector attempting to collect a debt.
If TLRA has called or sent letters that do not include these disclosures, that is an independently actionable FDCPA violation.
Texas Debt Collection Act Protections
Texas provides stronger debt collection protections than the federal FDCPA in some areas. The Texas Debt Collection Act applies to original creditors as well as third-party collectors, provides remedies of $100 per violation plus attorney fees, and violations can also be pursued under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which allows treble damages when violations are committed knowingly or intentionally.
Texas consumers can file complaints with the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (800) 621-0508 in addition to the CFPB.
Medical Debt Reporting Rules Apply
TLRA collects exclusively for healthcare providers. Medical debts under $500 cannot appear on any consumer credit report. Any medical debt must wait one full year past the date of first delinquency before being reported.
If TLRA has reported a medical balance under $500 or less than one year past due, dispute it immediately.
What to Do Before Paying or Responding
Send a written validation request by certified mail within 30 days of first contact. Request the original provider’s name, the date of service, an itemized bill, and your insurer’s explanation of benefits. For any account you do not recognize, include a clear statement that you dispute the debt in the same letter.
Log every call with date, time, and phone number. If TLRA has called more than seven times in a seven-day period or continued calling after a verbal stop request, document that pattern before filing a CFPB complaint.
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How to Contact TLRA Debt Recovery
- Address: TLRA Debt Recovery, 2707 North Loop West, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77008
- Phone: (281) 936-6000
Bottom Line
TLRA Debt Recovery collects medical debt for Texas healthcare providers and runs a legal program for accounts that escalate to litigation. A 2018 Texas case documented TLRA making harassing calls about a debt the consumer did not owe, continuing after she asked them to stop, and failing to identify as a debt collector.
Verify the debt with an itemized bill and your insurer’s records before paying anything. If TLRA has filed a lawsuit, respond before the Texas court deadline.
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.