This data comes from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database and reflects consumer complaints, not proven violations.

CFPB complaint data Grade D 124 complaints

Central Research Inc - Debt Collector Complaint Profile

CFPB complaint profile across 33 states, reputation grade D.

Complaints by issue type

What consumers report about Central Research Inc

complaints
Source CFPB Consumer Complaint Database

Data updated July 2026

D

Grade D · 54.8/100 composite

This collector has a poor complaint record with above-average complaints and below-average response rates.

Based on consumer-filed CFPB complaints, not proven violations or a court finding of wrongdoing.

The verdict

A reputation grade of D: Central Research Inc ranks ahead of 25% of the 5,283 collectors PlainCollector grades - 75% keep a cleaner CFPB record, on 124 all-time complaints and a 100% timely-response rate.

25th pct
reputation rank of 5,283 graded collectors
124
CFPB complaints, all-time
100%
answered inside the CFPB window
108
in the last 12 months (rising)

Grades are relative: every collector is ranked against the others, so an A reflects a cleaner record than peers, not a clean bill of conduct. A complaint is a consumer filing, not a proven violation.

What do CFPB complaints reveal about Central Research Inc?

Central Research Inc has accumulated 124 total CFPB complaints across 33 states, with 108 filed in the most recent 12 months against 16 historical complaints before that window. The trailing-12-month volume represents 87.1% of the full complaint history, a rising pattern that suggests escalating consumer friction rather than a legacy book of disputes.

The dominant consumer grievance logged with the CFPB is "Took or threatened to take negative or legal action", narrowing to "Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged". The company posts a 100% timely-response rate.

Complaints have been recorded across 33 states, led by Texas with 27 and California with 16. Normalized against the full CFPB collector database, the reputation score of 54.8/100 places Central Research Inc in grade band D.

How to read a complaint count →

Complaint Summary

Total CFPB complaints

124

mid-volume (CCDB)

Last 12 months

108

87.1% of all-time complaints

Rising ↑

States active

33

multi-region footprint

Timely response rate

100%

excellent band

Reputation grade

D

54.8/100 composite

How does Central Research Inc's reputation rank nationally?

Reputation score vs. every graded collector

PlainCollector composite reputation score (0–100, higher = cleaner CFPB record)

55 Bottom 25% higher than 25% of 5,283 graded collectors

0–10: 0 graded collectors (0%). Below this entry. 10–20: 3 graded collectors (0%). Below this entry. 20–30: 29 graded collectors (1%). Below this entry. 30–40: 160 graded collectors (3%). Below this entry. 40–50: 583 graded collectors (11%). Below this entry. 50–60: 1,469 graded collectors (28%). This entry sits in this band. 60–70: 1,364 graded collectors (26%). Above this entry. 70–80: 871 graded collectors (16%). Above this entry. 80–90: 660 graded collectors (12%). Above this entry. 90–100: 144 graded collectors (3%). Above this entry. This collector 0 100 every graded collector, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more graded collectors. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainCollector composite of CFPB Consumer Complaint Database · 2013–2026

Response-quality profile

Central Research Inc versus the debt-collection vertical average.

Timely response within SLA 100.0%
Vertical avg

CFPB requires companies to respond within 15 days for most complaints; 60 days for credit-reporting.

State coverage breadth 58.9%

Share of US states + territories with at least one filed complaint against this collector.

How does Central Research Inc compare to its peers?

How does Central Research Inc compare? Versus a similar-volume peer and the national average, drawn from 10 collectors with a comparable complaint count
Central Research Inc National average
Complaints (last 12 mo)lower is better
108
13
268
Timely-response ratehigher is better
100%
92%
91%
Consumer-dispute ratelower is better
0%
27%
19%

Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database.

Complaint Trend (24 months)

2024-03 2026-03

Issue Detail Breakdown

Issue Sub-Issue Complaints
Took or threatened to take negative or legal action - 49
Attempts to collect debt not owed - 40
Written notification about debt - 17
False statements or representation - 15
Electronic communications - 2
Communication tactics - 1

Where do complaints against Central Research Inc come from?

Central Research Inc's own per-state count, not a national baseline.

Top states by complaints against Central Research Inc

Across 33 states with at least one filing

complaints
Source CFPB Consumer Complaint Database

What to do if Central Research Inc contacts you

A grade of D signals how Central Research Inc's CFPB record compares to peers, here is how to act on it.

  • Demand written debt validation within 30 days of first contact, collectors must prove the debt is yours. Validation letter
  • Confirm the caller is really Central Research Inc and not an impostor before paying anything. Verify a collector
  • Know your FDCPA rights, you can stop calls and report harassment. Your rights
  • See how Central Research Inc ranks against every other collector by complaint record. Browse rankings

Complaint counts and grades reflect the public CFPB record, not a regulator's finding of wrongdoing or legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common complaint against Central Research Inc? ▼

The most common issue consumers report about Central Research Inc is "Took or threatened to take negative or legal action", specifically "Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged". This is based on 124 complaints filed with the CFPB.

Are complaints against Central Research Inc increasing or decreasing? ▼

Complaints against Central Research Inc are rising. The company received 108 complaints in the last 12 months, indicating an upward trend in consumer issues.

What is Central Research Inc's reputation grade? ▼

Central Research Inc has a reputation grade of D (score: 54.8/100), PlainCollector's composite letter grade blending complaint volume, response timeliness, dispute rate, and complaint trend.

Does Central Research Inc respond to consumer complaints? ▼

Central Research Inc has a 100% timely response rate to CFPB complaints.

In how many states does Central Research Inc operate? ▼

Central Research Inc has received CFPB complaints from consumers in 33 states, with the most complaints from Texas (27 complaints).

Data sourced from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCollector Editorial

Every figure on PlainCollector is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.