Central Research Inc. Phone Harassment Explained
Is Central Research Inc. (CRI) calling you repeatedly with threats or at all hours? Their calls, particularly regarding federal student loans or other debts, can quickly cross from communication into illegal harassment. You have the legal right to stop this abuse. Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC helps consumers stop illegal debt collection calls and hold abusive collectors like Central Research Inc. accountable under federal law.
Central Research Inc. phone harassment involves persistent, often threatening calls about debts that violate consumer protection laws.
What Central Research Inc. Is and How Their Calls Work
According to Better Business Bureau, Central Research Inc. is a third-party debt collector and federal student loan servicer based in Lowell, Arkansas. They act as an intermediary, contracted by the government and private creditors to collect overdue payments. Their calling operation is systematic, often involving automated dialers and standardized scripts to contact consumers about delinquent accounts.
Central Research Inc. Details:
Full Name: Central Research, Inc.
Address: 122 N Bloomington St STE I, Lowell, AR 72745
Primary Business: Debt collection and federal student loan servicing
Years in Business: 12+ years (BBB accredited)
Central Research Inc. operates as a hybrid collector and loan servicer, using organized systems to contact debtors which can escalate to harassment.
How Debt Collection Harassment Is Defined by Law
Debt collection harassment is legally defined by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), not by a consumer’s personal annoyance threshold. The law specifies prohibited conduct that constitutes harassment, oppression, or abuse.
Under the FDCPA, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), harassment includes:
Threats of violence or harm
Use of obscene or profane language
Repeated phone calls intended to annoy, abuse, or harass
Publication of “shame lists” of consumers who refuse to pay debts
FTC: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The FDCPA provides a concrete legal definition of harassment that protects you from abusive tactics, regardless of whether you owe the debt.
Why Central Research Inc. Calls You?
Central Research Inc. contacts consumers for both legitimate collection purposes and, at times, for misleading or illegal reasons. Understanding the difference is crucial.
Legitimate Reasons for Contact:
You have a delinquent federal student loan they service
A creditor has assigned them a legitimate debt for collection
They are providing legally required notices about account status
Misleading or Illegal Reasons:
Pursuing a debt that is past the statute of limitations
Attempting to collect a debt they cannot properly validate
Using contact as a fishing expedition for information
Continuing to call after you’ve requested validation or cease of communication
While Central Research Inc. may have legitimate reasons to call, their persistence often crosses into illegal territory when they ignore your rights.
Recognizing Central Research Inc. Harassment Tactics
Central Research Inc. harassment occurs when their systematic calling violates specific FDCPA provisions. These are clear signs of illegal behavior.
Central Research Inc. Harassment Tactics Include:
Calls at Prohibited Times: Contact before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
Excessive Frequency: Multiple calls daily, especially after you’ve asked them to stop
Threats of Illegal Actions: Claims of immediate arrest, wage garnishment without a judgment, or property seizure
Abusive Language: Use of insults, profanity, or demeaning comments
Third-Party Disclosure: Discussing your debt with family, neighbors, or employers
False Representations: Pretending to be government agents, attorneys, or law enforcement
Specific, documentable behaviors—not just frequent calls—define illegal Central Research Inc. harassment.
Your Rights When Central Research Inc. Calls
The FDCPA grants you specific, powerful rights that Central Research Inc. must respect during all collection attempts. These rights exist regardless of the debt’s validity.
Your Key Rights Include:
Right to Verification: Demand written proof of the debt within 30 days of first contact
Right to Cease Communication: Order them to stop all phone calls via written request
Right to Dispute: Challenge the debt’s validity and halt collection during investigation
Right to Privacy: Prevent them from discussing your debt with unauthorized third parties
If Central Research Inc. violates these rights, you may sue for up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages, and they must pay your attorney’s fees. The U.S. Department of Justice provides oversight on fair debt collection practices.
Federal law provides multiple mechanisms to control and stop Central Research Inc.’s collection attempts.
Knowing your rights is the first step; enforcing them effectively is the next. If Central Research Inc. ignores your rights, firms like Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC can ensure proper legal enforcement.
What to Do If Central Research Inc. Won’t Stop Calling
When Central Research Inc. persists despite your requests, follow this structured action plan. Systematic, documented responses are most effective.
Immediate Action Steps:
Document Every Call: Record date, time, phone number, and representative name
Send a Validation Demand: Request written proof of the debt via certified mail
Issue a Cease Communication Letter: Demand an end to all phone contact
File Formal Complaints: Report violations to state and federal regulators
Shift from verbal frustration to documented, written demands that create a legal record of Central Research Inc.’s violations.
Executing these steps correctly requires understanding FDCPA procedures. Legal professionals like those at Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC can manage this process to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Evidence You Must Collect for Complaints & Lawsuits
Strong evidence transforms your complaint into a compelling legal case against Central Research Inc. Organize documentation systematically.
Critical Evidence Checklist:
Call logs showing frequency, dates, and times
Voicemail recordings with threats or abusive language
Copies of all correspondence (your letters and their responses)
Certified mail receipts proving they received your demands
Detailed notes from conversations including agent names and quotes
Comprehensive, organized documentation is your most powerful tool against Central Research Inc.’s systematic harassment.
New Data, Rules, and Harassment Trends
The regulatory landscape for debt collection continues evolving. These 2026 developments specifically impact agencies like Central Research Inc.
Key 2026 Trends:
Enhanced Scrutiny of Student Loan Servicers: Increased CFPB oversight of companies servicing federal loans, focusing on communication practices
Stricter Call Frequency Guidelines: New regulatory interpretations of what constitutes “harassment by frequency”
Digital Communication Rules: Updated regulations covering text messages and emails from collectors
Increased Penalties for Repeat Violators: Heavier fines for agencies with multiple FDCPA violations
Lawsuit Data Analysis: Cases like Medrano v. Central Research, Inc. (2018) highlight ongoing legal challenges to their tactics
Recent regulatory changes provide stronger consumer protections and enforcement mechanisms against agencies like Central Research Inc.
Central Research Inc. Phone Number Directory
Central Research Inc. uses multiple contact numbers. This table helps identify their calls.
Reported Central Research Inc. Contact Numbers
| Phone Number | Format | Reported Use | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| (479) 419-5456 | Primary | General collections & customer service | Active |
| (479) 419-4356 | Alternate | Collections & account inquiries | Active |
| Various | Spoofed/Blocked | Unknown/Private callers | Use with caution |
Note: They may use additional numbers or caller ID spoofing. The calling entity’s behavior matters more than the specific number.
Violation Type vs. Legality Table
This reference clearly distinguishes between Central Research Inc.’s legal and illegal tactics.
Central Research Inc. Tactics Legality Reference
| Collection Tactic | Is It Legal? | FDCPA Law Reference | Brief Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calling 5+ times daily | Potentially Illegal | §1692d(5) | Harassment if intended to annoy |
| Threatening immediate arrest | Illegal | §1692e(4), (5) | False representation of legal status |
| Calling before 8am or after 9pm | Illegal | §1692c(a)(1) | Contact at inconvenient times |
| Telling your employer about the debt | Illegal | §1692c(b) | Improper third-party disclosure |
| Sending a validation notice | Legal & Required | §1692g(a) | Mandatory consumer right |
| Using profane language | Illegal | §1692d(2) | Abusive conduct |
How to Report Central Research Inc. to Authorities
Where to File Central Research Inc. Complaints:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Primary enforcer of the FDCPA
(CFPB): Accepts complaints about student loan servicers and debt collectors
Arkansas Attorney General: Their home state regulator with consumer protection authority
U.S. Department of Education: Oversees federal student loan servicers
Government agencies can investigate and impose penalties on Central Research Inc. for illegal collection practices.
You can also get help from Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC. We assists consumers in preparing and filing complaints with the FTC, CFPB, state Attorneys General, and other regulators, and helps ensure harassment evidence is documented properly if legal action becomes necessary.
Complaints Against Central Research Inc
The following is a sample list of complaints filed against Central Research Inc in the past year and can be found on Pacer.gov.
| Case Name | Case Number | Filing Year | Defendant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medrano v. Central Research, Inc. | 1:18-cv-01308 | 2018 | Central Research, Inc. |
| Brown v. Central Research, Inc. | 3:17-cv-00741-MAS-TJB | 2017 | Central Research, Inc. |
| McGee v. Central Research, Inc. | 3:17-cv-01281-FLW-TJB | 2017 | Central Research, Inc. |
| Farash v. Central Research, Inc. | 6:19-cv-06359-DGL | 2019 | Central Research, Inc. |
How Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC Can Help
If Central Research Inc.’s calls are overwhelming, threatening, or continuing despite your efforts, professional legal assistance can provide relief. When systematic harassment persists, specialized intervention becomes necessary.
You can contact Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC at 877-700-5790 for assistance. We handle debt collection harassment cases involving federal loan servicers and third-party collectors. We help consumers stop intrusive calls, enforce FDCPA rights, and pursue appropriate legal remedies when violations occur. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Success Stories
I ran into several financial hardships over the last few years. Constantly harassed by a company to pay up on fees owed that I wasn’t entirely sure were owed… because I was so overwhelmed. Scott and his crew came to my rescue. I was a bit unsure first wondering if it was a scam.:. But it was not! Scott got my close to $1,000 debt dropped and had the company pay the lawyer fees. I also haven’t received anymore harassing phone calls from the company that was trying to collect the debt. Thank you so much Scott!
from the beginning to end, this company went above and beyond for me and I NEVER paid a thing and those annoying collecting calls indeed stopped a week after the team said it would and we all WON! so very satisfied with Consumer Rights Law Firm!
FAQs About Central Research Inc. Phone Harassment
Is Central Research Inc. a legitimate company or a scam?
Central Research Inc. is a legitimate, registered debt collector and federal student loan servicer, but they may use illegal harassment tactics that violate the FDCPA.
Can Central Research Inc. garnish my wages without a lawsuit?
No, they must first obtain a court judgment. For federal student loans, they must follow specific administrative procedures through the Department of Education, not direct garnishment threats.
What should I do if Central Research Inc. calls about a debt I don’t recognize?
Immediately send a written debt validation request via certified mail. They must cease collection until they provide proof you owe the debt.
How many calls from Central Research Inc. constitute harassment?
There’s no specific number, but patterns showing intent to annoy—like multiple daily calls or calls after you’ve asked them to stop—are illegal under the FDCPA.
Can Central Research Inc. sue me?
Yes, but only if the debt is within the statute of limitations and they have proper documentation. Much of their “legal action” talk is often pressure tactics.
What is the statute of limitations for Central Research Inc. debt?
It varies by debt type and state: typically 3-6 years for credit cards, longer for written contracts, and essentially unlimited for federal student loans.
How do I get Central Research Inc. to stop calling my workplace?
Inform them verbally and in writing that your employer prohibits such calls. If they continue, each call is a separate FDCPA violation.
Can Central Research Inc. access my tax refund?
For federal student loans only, after specific default procedures, but not for other types of debt without a court order.
What if Central Research Inc. is calling about someone else’s debt?
Send a written dispute stating you are not the responsible party. They must investigate and stop contacting you if the debt isn’t yours.
How long do I have to sue Central Research Inc. for harassment?
The FDCPA statute of limitations is one year from the date of the violation. State law claims may have different deadlines.
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