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

CFPB complaint data Grade C 33 complaints

Esser, James & Associates - Debt Collector Complaint Profile

CFPB complaint profile across 17 states, reputation grade C.

Complaints by issue type

What consumers report about Esser, James & Associates

complaints
Source CFPB Consumer Complaint Database

Data updated July 2026

C

Grade C · 62.0/100 composite

This collector has an average complaint record with moderate complaint volumes and typical response rates.

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

The verdict

A reputation grade of C: Esser, James & Associates ranks ahead of 49% of the 5,283 collectors PlainCollector grades - 51% keep a cleaner CFPB record, on 33 all-time complaints and a 97% timely-response rate.

49th pct
reputation rank of 5,283 graded collectors
33
CFPB complaints, all-time
97%
answered inside the CFPB window
0
in the last 12 months (falling)

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 Esser, James & Associates?

Esser, James & Associates has accumulated 33 total CFPB complaints across 17 states, with 0 filed in the most recent 12 months against 33 historical complaints before that window. The trailing-12-month volume represents 0.0% of the full complaint history, a falling pattern that implies either tighter collection practices, portfolio sell-offs, or improved dispute handling.

The dominant consumer grievance logged with the CFPB is "Improper contact or sharing of info", narrowing to "Talked to a third party about my debt". The company posts a 97% timely-response rate against a 30% consumer-dispute-after-response rate.

Complaints have been recorded across 17 states, led by California with 5 and Florida with 4. Normalized against the full CFPB collector database, the reputation score of 62.0/100 places Esser, James & Associates in grade band C.

How to read a complaint count →

Complaint Summary

Total CFPB complaints

33

low-volume (CCDB)

Last 12 months

0

0.0% of all-time complaints

Falling ↓

States active

17

regional footprint

Timely response rate

97%

excellent band

Consumer disputes

30%

high (vertical avg ~19%)

Reputation grade

C

62.0/100 composite

How does Esser, James & Associates's reputation rank nationally?

Reputation score vs. every graded collector

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

62 49th percentile higher than 49% 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%). Below this entry. 60–70: 1,364 graded collectors (26%). This entry sits in this band. 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

Esser, James & Associates versus the debt-collection vertical average.

Timely response within SLA 97.0%
Vertical avg

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

Consumer dispute rate (post-response) 30.3%
Vertical avg

Lower is better. The percentage of consumers who flagged the company's response as unsatisfactory.

State coverage breadth 30.4%

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

How does Esser, James & Associates compare to its peers?

How does Esser, James & Associates compare? Versus a similar-volume peer and the national average, drawn from 10 collectors with a comparable complaint count
Esser, James & Associa… National average
Complaints (last 12 mo)lower is better
0
0
268
Timely-response ratehigher is better
97%
94%
91%
Consumer-dispute ratelower is better
30%
12%
19%

Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database.

Complaint Trend (24 months)

2020-06 2025-01

Issue Detail Breakdown

Issue Sub-Issue Complaints
Improper contact or sharing of info - 9
Communication tactics - 8
Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed - 8
Disclosure verification of debt - 3
Taking/threatening an illegal action - 3
False statements or representation - 2

Where do complaints against Esser, James & Associates come from?

Esser, James & Associates's own per-state count, not a national baseline.

Top states by complaints against Esser, James & Associates

Across 17 states with at least one filing

complaints
Source CFPB Consumer Complaint Database

What to do if Esser, James & Associates contacts you

A grade of C signals how Esser, James & Associates'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 Esser, James & Associates 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 Esser, James & Associates 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 Esser, James & Associates? ▼

The most common issue consumers report about Esser, James & Associates is "Improper contact or sharing of info", specifically "Talked to a third party about my debt". This is based on 33 complaints filed with the CFPB.

Are complaints against Esser, James & Associates increasing or decreasing? ▼

Complaints against Esser, James & Associates are falling. The company received 0 complaints in the last 12 months, showing improvement over prior periods.

What is Esser, James & Associates's reputation grade? ▼

Esser, James & Associates has a reputation grade of C (score: 62.0/100), PlainCollector's composite letter grade blending complaint volume, response timeliness, dispute rate, and complaint trend.

Does Esser, James & Associates respond to consumer complaints? ▼

Esser, James & Associates has a 97% timely response rate to CFPB complaints. Consumers disputed the company's response in 30% of cases.

In how many states does Esser, James & Associates operate? ▼

Esser, James & Associates has received CFPB complaints from consumers in 17 states, with the most complaints from California (5 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.