By Amy Ginsburg, Consumer Rights Attorney & Woman Business Owner

If a restoration company cleaned up after a fire, flood, or storm at your home, and an email from Richard Stone & Associates showed up demanding payment, read this before you pay a dime.

Richard Stone & Associates is a Houston-based company that collects unpaid bills for restoration contractors, including well-known franchise brands. Homeowners often hear from them months after the work was done, usually while they are still sorting things out with their insurance company. The emails can look official and urgent. They may refer to a “case number,” talk about litigation, and demand fees on top of the original bill.

Here is the part most homeowners don’t know: when a collector goes after a bill for work on the home you live in, the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) applies. The FDCPA sets strict rules for what a collector can say, who it can contact, and what it can charge. Since 2023, Richard Stone & Associates has been named as a defendant in at least three federal lawsuits brought by homeowners under the FDCPA.

Red flags to look for in a Richard Stone & Associates email

Every situation is different, and only a careful review of your actual email can tell you whether your rights were violated. But these are the problems we look for, and each one can break the law.

1. Your insurance company or someone else was copied. Look at the “To” and “CC” lines. If your homeowner’s insurer, an adjuster, or anyone else was copied on a demand for your debt, that may be an illegal third-party disclosure. With very narrow exceptions, a collector can only discuss your debt with you, your attorney, the creditor, and credit reporting agencies. (15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b))

2. It reads like it came from a lawyer, but it didn’t. Phrases like “Letter of Representation,” “our firm,” “Attorney in Fact,” or “Legal Representative” can make a homeowner believe an attorney is involved. Richard Stone & Associates’ own website says it is not a law firm. A collector cannot falsely suggest that a communication comes from an attorney. (15 U.S.C. § 1692e(3))

3. It looks like you’ve already been sued. A “Case #” and a heading like “Contractor -VS- Homeowner” look like a court caption. If no lawsuit exists, that can misrepresent the legal status of the debt. Threats of litigation that no one actually intends to file are also illegal. (15 U.S.C. § 1692e(2), (5), (10))

4. It hints at a government investigation. A reference to an “investigator” or a county office in a private billing dispute can make it seem like the government is involved. Collectors cannot imply that. (15 U.S.C. § 1692e(1), (9))

5. Extra “default” or “interest” fees. Check whether the fees are a neat percentage of the bill, like 25% or 30%. A collector can only add interest or fees that your contract expressly allows or the law permits. A flat add-on often looks more like the collector’s commission than real interest. (15 U.S.C. § 1692f(1))

6. A wrong or missing dispute deadline. You have 30 days from when you receive the required validation notice to dispute the debt, and the notice must state the exact end date. Emails that count from “our letter” or skip the date can cut your time short. (15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a); 12 C.F.R. § 1006.34)

7. Missing information about your rights. The required notice must tell you that a written dispute forces the collector to verify the debt and stop collecting until it does. It must also explain how to request the original creditor’s name and break down interest, fees, payments, and credits. An offer to send “supporting documents on request” is not the same thing. (15 U.S.C. § 1692g; 12 C.F.R. § 1006.34)

8. Pressure to pay now. Lines like “extremely time sensitive” or “thank you for your timely payment,” packed in next to your dispute rights, can drown those rights out. The law forbids that. (15 U.S.C. § 1692g(b))

9. No way to opt out of emails. Every collection email must clearly tell you how to stop further emails. A phone number or a confidentiality disclaimer at the bottom doesn’t count. (12 C.F.R. § 1006.6(e))

What you may be entitled to, and what to do right now

If a collector breaks the FDCPA, you may be able to recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages, any actual damages (including stress and embarrassment), and your court costs. The collector also pays your attorney’s fees if you win. That’s why consumer attorneys can often take these cases at no upfront cost to you. Pennsylvania homeowners may have additional claims under the state’s Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act. You have one year from the date of the violation to file.

If you’ve received one of these emails:

• Don’t pay yet, and don’t ignore it either. Paying doesn’t erase a violation, but get advice first.
• Save everything. Keep the original email, including the To/CC lines, plus any texts, voicemails, and letters.
• Dispute in writing if you believe the amount is wrong, and ask for the contract and an itemized bill.
• Don’t give the collector permission to talk to your insurer or anyone else.
• Talk to a consumer protection attorney before you respond.

Get a free case evaluation

You had a disaster at your home. You shouldn’t have to deal with a collector breaking the rules on top of it. Ginsburg Law Group stands up for homeowners and consumers, and we would be glad to look at your email.

Send us a copy of what you received, or call to talk it through. There is no cost to have your situation reviewed.

Attorney Advertising. This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. References to lawsuits filed against Richard Stone & Associates describe allegations in public court filings, not findings of liability. Responsible attorney: Amy Ginsburg, Ginsburg Law Group, P.C., Blue Bell, PA.