Figliola & Romano LLC is a creditors’ rights and debt collection law firm headquartered in Barrington, Rhode Island. This page covers the firm’s FDCPA obligations, documented consumer complaints, and the options available to you, whether you have received a collection letter, a phone call, or a civil court summons.
Who Is Figliola & Romano LLC?
Figliola & Romano LLC is a regional debt collection law firm established in 1970, currently operating under partners Anthony Figliola and Mark Romano from its primary office at 282 County Road, Suite 3, Barrington, RI 02806. The firm represents national and regional banks, junk debt buyers such as Cavalry SPV I LLC, auto finance companies, insurance companies pursuing subrogation claims, medical facilities, and landlords.
Although the firm markets a general practice that includes personal injury and estate matters, its dominant operation is high-volume collection litigation across five New England states. Because the firm employs licensed attorneys who collect debts, it qualifies as a “debt collector” under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and is fully subject to its requirements. Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995).
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 282 County Road, Suite 3, Barrington, RI 02806 |
| Phone | 401-431-3900 |
| Established | 1970 |
| Primary Function | Creditors’ rights litigation and debt collection law |
| FDCPA Status | Debt collector — subject to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692–1692p |
| Licensed States | Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont |
| Official Website | frlawoffice.com |
| BBB Status | Not BBB-accredited — basic profile only |
Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA
The FDCPA grants you four immediately enforceable rights the moment Figliola & Romano contacts you, with statutory damages of up to $1,000 per violation available under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k if the firm violates any of them.
Right to Debt Verification — 15 U.S.C. § 1692g
Within five days of its first written communication, Figliola & Romano must send you a validation notice stating the amount of the debt, the name of the current creditor, and your right to dispute the debt within 30 days. If you dispute the debt in writing within that 30-day window, the firm must cease collection activity until it provides written verification. Send your dispute by certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep a copy.
Right to Be Free from Deceptive Representations — 15 U.S.C. § 1692e
Figliola & Romano may not make any false, deceptive, or misleading representation in connection with collecting a debt. This prohibition covers misrepresenting the character, amount, or legal status of the debt, falsely implying that an attorney has reviewed your file when no attorney has, and threatening legal action that the firm does not intend to take. Because the firm processes high volumes of files through automated templates, representation errors, including claiming amounts that include unwarranted fees, are a documented litigation risk.
Right to Be Free from Harassment — 15 U.S.C. § 1692d
Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692d, Figliola & Romano may not engage in conduct whose natural consequence is to harass, oppress, or abuse. These bars include repeated phone calls made to annoy, the use of obscene language, and threats of violence. Consumer reviews on public platforms describe the firm’s phone staff as cold and dismissive when consumers call to discuss hardship, which does not by itself constitute a legal violation, but abusive or threatening conduct does.
Right to Cease Communication — 15 U.S.C. § 1692c
You may send Figliola & Romano a written cease-communication request under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c). Once the firm receives it, the firm may contact you only to confirm it will stop, to notify you that a specific remedy will be invoked, or to state that no further action will be taken. A cease-communication letter does not eliminate the underlying debt and does not stop a lawsuit from proceeding, but it does legally terminate ongoing phone contact.
Documented Consumer Complaints
Consumer complaints about Figliola & Romano LLC appear on the Better Business Bureau profile and in federal court records available through CourtListener.
Judgment Enforcement Without Notice: Multiple accounts describe the firm obtaining a default judgment in state court and immediately applying a levy to a consumer’s bank account, effectively freezing funds overnight without advance warning. This tactic is lawful after a judgment is entered, which is why responding to a summons before the deadline is critical.
Phone Settlement Without Written Confirmation: Consumers on debt defense forums report that when calling the Barrington office to settle an account, representatives request electronic payment information before providing a formal written settlement agreement. Paying without a written confirmation of the settled amount creates disputes about whether the account was resolved and on what terms.
Defective Service Allegations: Consumer defense firms have filed actions to vacate default judgments based on allegations that Figliola & Romano’s process servers misrepresented delivery of court papers, resulting in consumers being sued and having accounts levied without receiving legal notice. See Labonte v. Figliola & Romano LLC, U.S. District Court of Massachusetts.
To file a complaint, submit it to the , the Federal Trade Commission, or the Rhode Island Attorney General (or the attorney general in your state). Federal complaints create a public record and can support an FDCPA enforcement action.
If Figliola & Romano LLC Has Filed a Lawsuit Against You
A civil summons from Figliola & Romano LLC requires a written response filed with the court clerk before the deadline stated on the papers — in Rhode Island, that deadline is generally 20 days; in Massachusetts, it is 20 days for most civil complaints. Missing that deadline results in the court entering a default judgment against you automatically.
Step 1 — Confirm the service date and deadline. The summons states the date you were served and the number of days you have to respond. Count calendar days, not business days, and note the exact filing deadline.
Step 2 — File a written Answer with the court. Your Answer does not need to win the case; it needs only to deny the claims and preserve your right to assert defenses. Filing a response immediately forces Figliola & Romano to produce the original signed contract, the full payment history, and a documented chain of assignment — records the firm frequently lacks because of its high-volume, template-based processing model.
Step 3 — Understand the consequences of a default judgment. If the court enters a default judgment, Figliola & Romano can apply for a bank levy, wage garnishment, or real property lien under the laws of the state in which the judgment is entered. Bank account freezes can occur without advance notice to the consumer.
Step 4 — Assert your affirmative defenses. Viable defenses include expiration of the statute of limitations on the underlying debt, lack of standing if a junk debt buyer cannot document the chain of assignment, violation of the FDCPA in the collection process, and payment or discharge in bankruptcy. An attorney can identify which defenses apply to your specific file.
Call 877-700-5790 or visit our free case review page before your answer deadline passes.
Payments, Settlements, and Resolution Options
Collection law firms, including Figliola & Romano LLC, regularly accept less than the full claimed balance on charged-off or aged debt because their clients acquired those accounts at a significant discount.
Lump-sum settlement. Offering a single payment below the claimed balance is the most common resolution. Firms representing original creditors typically settle between 40 and 70 percent of the claimed amount. Firms representing junk debt buyers may settle for less. Always obtain a written settlement agreement by mail or email before authorizing any payment. The agreement must state the settled amount, the account number, and that payment satisfies the account in full.
Structured payment plan. If a lump sum is not feasible, some creditors accept installment arrangements. Confirm the payment schedule, interest rate (if any), and the final payoff amount in a signed written agreement before the first payment is made.
Litigation settlement. After a lawsuit is filed, parties frequently reach a negotiated resolution before trial. An attorney can present defenses — including documentation gaps in the firm’s file — that give you leverage to reduce the settlement amount or obtain a dismissal.
Bankruptcy. If Figliola & Romano has obtained a judgment and is pursuing bank levies or wage garnishment, an automatic stay issued by the bankruptcy court halts all collection enforcement the moment the petition is filed. Whether bankruptcy is appropriate depends on the full scope of your debts and assets.
Important: Always require a written settlement agreement before paying. Credit bureaus report “paid in full” and “settled for less than the full amount” differently, and both designations affect your credit file for up to seven years under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Figliola & Romano LLC a legitimate law firm?
Yes. Figliola & Romano LLC is a licensed law firm established in 1970, operating from 282 County Road, Suite 3, Barrington, RI 02806. The firm is not BBB-accredited, but it is a lawfully operating creditors’ rights practice. Contact from the firm is real and should not be ignored.
Why is Figliola & Romano contacting me?
The firm contacts consumers on behalf of a creditor client — typically a national bank, junk debt buyer, auto finance company, insurance company, or medical facility — that is claiming you owe an unpaid balance. The firm does not purchase debts; it represents the entity claiming to own or be owed the debt.
How do I request verification of the debt?
Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692g, you have 30 days from the firm’s first written communication to dispute the debt in writing and demand verification. Send your written dispute by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Barrington address. Once the firm receives your dispute, it must stop collection activity until it provides written verification of the debt. Keep a copy of your letter and the certified mail receipt.
How do I stop calls from Figliola & Romano?
Send a written cease-communication request under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c) to the firm’s Barrington office by certified mail. Once received, the firm may contact you only for the limited purposes stated in that section. A cease letter does not stop a lawsuit or eliminate the debt, but it legally terminates ongoing phone contact.
What is the statute of limitations on a debt Figliola & Romano is collecting?
The statute of limitations varies by state and debt type. In Rhode Island, the limit for written contracts is generally 10 years; in Massachusetts, it is six years. If the firm files a lawsuit after the limitations period has expired, you may raise the expired statute as a complete defense. Review the date of your last payment on the account to determine whether the limitations period has run. You can review state-specific limits on our statute of limitations by state page.
What happens if I ignore a lawsuit from Figliola & Romano?
The court enters a default judgment against you automatically if you fail to file a written Answer before the deadline. Figliola & Romano then uses that judgment to apply a bank levy that freezes your account without advance notice, pursue wage garnishment, or place a lien on real property. Call 877-700-5790 before your answer deadline to understand your options.
How will this debt appear on my credit report?
A collection account from Figliola & Romano or its creditor client can remain on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Paying the account does not remove it, but it changes the status. “Paid in full” and “settled for less than the full amount” are distinct notations and carry different weight with lenders reviewing your credit file.
Where can I file a complaint against Figliola & Romano?
File complaints with the at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the Rhode Island Attorney General at attorney-general.ri.gov. If you believe the firm violated the FDCPA, you may also file a civil lawsuit in federal court within one year of the violation under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k.
Facing Figliola & Romano LLC?
Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC has defended consumers against debt collectors since 2010, holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and recovers attorney’s fees from violating collectors under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k — meaning representation is often available at no cost to you.
For more information on collection law firms operating in your area, visit our collection attorneys directory or browse our complete list of collection agencies in the United States.
