Total CFPB complaints
77
All-time across CCDB intake
This data comes from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database and reflects consumer complaints, not proven violations.
2026 CFPB data Public-data reference. FDCPA reference 77 complaints
Stern Recovery Services, Inc. — Debt Collector Complaint Profile
CFPB complaint profile across 10 states. Updated as new federal complaint data lands in the upstream Consumer Complaint Database.
Complaints by issue type
What consumers report about Stern Recovery Services, Inc.
- Written notification about debt
Written notification about debt
41 complaints
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
Attempts to collect debt not owed
26 complaints
- False statements or representation 5
False statements or representation
5 complaints
- Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly 2
Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly
2 complaints
- Communication tactics 2
Communication tactics
2 complaints
- Took or threatened to take negative or legal action 1
Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
1 complaints
F
Grade F · 50.2/100 composite
This collector has a failing complaint record with very high complaint volumes and poor response rates.
What do CFPB complaints reveal about Stern Recovery Services, Inc.?
Stern Recovery Services, Inc. has accumulated 77 total CFPB complaints across 10 states, with 0 filed in the most recent 12 months against 77 historical complaints before that window. The trailing-12-month volume represents 0.0% of the full complaint history, a stable pattern that indicates a mature dispute profile with predictable monthly volumes.
The dominant consumer grievance logged with the CFPB is "Written notification about debt", narrowing to "Didn't receive enough information to verify debt", which aligns with FDCPA-regulated conduct and signals the operational area most likely to trigger regulator scrutiny. The company posts a 88% timely-response rate, a pairing that calibrates how well its complaint-resolution workflow holds up once a consumer pushes back.
Complaints have been recorded across 10 states, led by North Carolina with 61 and South Carolina with 4, which matches a multi-state collection footprint rather than a regional operation. Normalized against the full CFPB collector database, the reputation score of 50.2/100 places Stern Recovery Services, Inc. in grade band F, a tier reached by blending complaint volume, response timeliness, dispute rates, and issue severity into a single comparable metric.
Complaint Summary
Last 12 months
0
0.0% of total history
Stable →
States active
10
Distinct state filings
Timely response rate
88%
Within CFPB SLA window
Reputation grade
F
50.2/100 composite
Response-quality profile
How Stern Recovery Services, Inc. performs on CFPB resolution-quality metrics versus a fleet average benchmark drawn from the full debt-collection vertical.
Timely response within SLA 88.3%
Vertical avg
CFPB requires companies to respond within 15 days for most complaints; 60 days for credit-reporting.
State coverage breadth 17.9%
Share of US states + territories with at least one filed complaint against this collector.
How does Stern Recovery Services, Inc. compare to its peers?
Stern Recovery Service… National average
Complaints (last 12 mo)lower is better
Timely-response ratehigher is better
Consumer-dispute ratelower is better
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Complaints reflect consumer reports, not proven violations.
Complaint Trend (24 months)
2021-03 2023-07
Top Consumer Issues
Written notification about debt41 (%)
Attempts to collect debt not owed26 (%)
False statements or representation5 (%)
Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly2 (%)
Communication tactics2 (%)
Took or threatened to take negative or legal action1 (%)
Most common issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Know Your Rights
If this company is contacting you, you have rights under the FDCPA. They must stop contacting you if you send a written cease-communication request. You can also request written validation of the debt within 30 days.
Issue Detail Breakdown
| Issue | Sub-Issue | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Written notification about debt | Didn't receive enough information to verify debt | 32 |
| Attempts to collect debt not owed | Debt is not yours | 14 |
| Attempts to collect debt not owed | Debt was result of identity theft | 10 |
| Written notification about debt | Didn't receive notice of right to dispute | 8 |
| False statements or representation | Attempted to collect wrong amount | 5 |
| Attempts to collect debt not owed | Debt was paid | 2 |
| Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly | Talked to a third-party about your debt | 2 |
| Communication tactics | You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying | 2 |
| Written notification about debt | Notification didn't disclose it was an attempt to collect a debt | 1 |
| Took or threatened to take negative or legal action | Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged | 1 |
Where do complaints against Stern Recovery Services, Inc. come from?
The states where consumers have filed the most CFPB complaints against Stern Recovery Services, Inc.. Every figure is the company's own complaint count in that state — not a national baseline.
Top states by complaints against Stern Recovery Services, Inc.
Across 10 states with at least one filing
- North Carolina
North Carolina
61 complaints
- South Carolina 4
South Carolina
4 complaints
- Ohio 2
Ohio
2 complaints
- Louisiana 2
Louisiana
2 complaints
- Virginia 2
Virginia
2 complaints
- Pennsylvania 1
Pennsylvania
1 complaints
- California 1
California
1 complaints
- Georgia 1
Georgia
1 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common complaint against Stern Recovery Services, Inc.? ▼
The most common issue consumers report about Stern Recovery Services, Inc. is "Written notification about debt", specifically "Didn't receive enough information to verify debt". This is based on 77 complaints filed with the CFPB.
Are complaints against Stern Recovery Services, Inc. increasing or decreasing? ▼
Complaints against Stern Recovery Services, Inc. have been stable. The company received 0 complaints in the last 12 months.
What is Stern Recovery Services, Inc.'s reputation grade? ▼
Stern Recovery Services, Inc. has a reputation grade of F (score: 50.2/100). This collector has a failing complaint record with very high complaint volumes and poor response rates.
Does Stern Recovery Services, Inc. respond to consumer complaints? ▼
Stern Recovery Services, Inc. has a 88% timely response rate to CFPB complaints.
In how many states does Stern Recovery Services, Inc. operate? ▼
Stern Recovery Services, Inc. has received CFPB complaints from consumers in 10 states, with the most complaints from North Carolina (61 complaints).
What can I do if Stern Recovery Services, Inc. is contacting me? ▼
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to request written debt validation within 30 days of first contact. You can also send a cease-communication letter to stop calls. If Stern Recovery Services, Inc. violates the FDCPA, you may be able to sue for damages up to $1,000 plus attorney fees.
Consumer Guides
Primary source data
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCollector Editorial
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database |