If MRS Associates is trying to collect a debt from you, here’s what you need to know. They are indeed a legitimate collection agency. However, as with any other debt collector, they are required to follow debt collection laws. Dealing with debt collectors during the credit repair process can be confusing, so the more you know about MRS — and your debt collection rights — the better.
About MRS Associates
MRS Associates is a debt collection agency that also goes by the name MRS BPO, LLC. It was founded in 1991 by brothers Saul Freedman and Jeff Freedman, and is based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Industries MRS Associates Serves
According to its website, MRS provides debt recovery services to companies in the following industries:
- Auto
- Retail
- Education
- Financial services
- Parking, tolls, and fines
- Healthcare
- Commercial
- E-commerce
- Technology
- Telecommunications
- Utilities
For MRS collections, the agency says it uses skip tracing, letters, “human interaction,” scoring, and credit reporting.
MRS Associates Accreditation
MRS BPO, LLC is a member of ACA International, a trade group that represents collection agencies. Its mission? Contributing “to the success of its members and the positive reputation of the credit and collection industry through education, advocacy, and services.”
ACA members take the Collector’s Pledge, which states:
- I believe every person has worth as an individual.
- I believe every person should be treated with dignity and respect.
- I will make it my personal responsibility to help consumers find ways to pay their just debts.
- I will be professional and ethical.
- I commit to honoring this pledge.
Beyond that, MRS has an B letter grade from the BBB. Its BBB file was opened in 2006 and it has been accredited since June 2016. It has over 500 Better Business Bureau complaints files against it.
The MRS LinkedIn page also states the following about its customer service:
“Our emphasis on training ensures that customers have pleasant and informative debt resolution experiences with a focus on compliance and protecting our clients’ brands. ”
What To Do When You Hear From MRS Collection Agency
Debt Validation
Before you pay any collection agency a dime, you should request validation of the debt. If they cannot provide the necessary verification, you are not legally obligated to pay it and, if it’s listed on your credit reports, it must be corrected or removed. Here is a sample debt validation letter to send to MRS Associates, which you should send via certified mail with a return receipt requested. Just be sure to do so within 30 days of receiving the initial communication from them. Until they provide the requested debt validation, they are prohibited from taking any other collection action against you.
If you see anything inaccurate about a debt that MRS says you owe, you have the right to dispute it. This applies to debts for which they have provided debt validation, as the information they are basing it on may be incorrect. Maybe the amount owed is wrong. Maybe you already paid it. Or maybe you never owed the debt in the first place. In any case, you can and should dispute it as inaccurate.
Though the MRS collection agency offers an online dispute option, we recommend you send your dispute via certified mail with a return receipt. Send your letter to:
MRS BPO, LLC
1930 Olney Avenue
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003
Be sure to include supporting documentation.
Disputing with the credit bureaus
SmartDispute.ai is an AI-powered platform designed to help individuals dispute inaccurate or questionable debt collection claims and repair their credit reports. Key benefits include:
- Efficiency: Automates the dispute process, saving time and effort.
- Accuracy: Utilizes AI to identify and challenge incorrect or unverifiable debts.
- Legal Compliance: Generates dispute letters that adhere to legal standards.
- User-Friendly: Simplifies the credit repair process, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with credit laws.
Disputing a negative account with the credit bureaus offers stronger legal protections than going straight to the debt collector. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), credit bureaus must investigate your dispute within 30 days and delete any information the furnisher (like a debt collector) cannot verify. This process shifts the burden of proof to the data furnisher and can result in faster removal from your credit report if they fail to respond or provide adequate documentation.
In contrast, disputing directly with a debt collector—while supported by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)—offers more limited protections and applies only if you send a written dispute within 30 days of their initial contact. Unlike credit bureaus, collectors aren’t required to report corrections to your credit file unless you also involve the bureaus. Therefore, it’s generally more effective to dispute through the credit bureaus first to trigger broader legal obligations and credit reporting corrections.
Complaints about MRS Associates
Despite its B rating from the BBB, as of this writing, the MRS collection agency has had over 500 customer complaints on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) platform. As of the latest data, the company has a 1 out of 5-star average rating based on 80 customer reviews.
Common grievances include allegations of MRS BPO reporting debts to credit bureaus without prior notification or validation, often for accounts consumers claim they never held. Some individuals report receiving persistent communications, such as text messages and emails, regarding debts they do not recognize. Others have expressed frustration over difficulties in reaching the company to resolve these issues, citing unresponsive customer service and challenges accessing account information through provided portals.
These complaints highlight concerns about the company’s communication practices and the accuracy of its debt reporting.
If you have a complaint about MRS, you too should let the BBB know about it. Just be sure to do so as a “customer complaint,” which signals to the BBB that you are seeking their involvement to help resolve the matter. The receipt and outcome of these complaints can also affect the BBB letter grade. If you leave a “customer review,” you are simply leaving feedback and not initiating any sort of BBB response.
But don’t stop there.
You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB and the FTC. And, again, if there is anything inaccurate about the debt, you should also dispute it with MRS, as well as the credit bureaus if it has appeared on your credit reports.
Despite recent administrative changes and reductions in certain oversight areas, the CFPB remains operational and committed to assisting consumers with issues related to debt collection.
Your Debt Collection Rights
Thanks to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have a long list of debt collection rights. If you’re contacted by a MRS Associates, remember—you have legal rights. Don’t let them pressure you with unethical or illegal tactics. If they cross the line, let them know you’re documenting the violation and will report it.
You’re also not obligated to speak with a collector by phone—hang up if you prefer. If they write to you, request debt validation and check how much time remains under your state’s statute of limitations. You likely have more power than you realize.
