Harris Loftus PLLC is a creditors’ rights law firm that files debt collection lawsuits on behalf of banks, credit unions, debt buyers, and property management companies. This page covers the firm’s FDCPA obligations, documented complaint patterns, how to respond to a lawsuit or summons, and your options if you received a letter, a phone call, or court papers.
Who Is Harris Loftus PLLC?
Harris Loftus PLLC is a litigation-focused debt collection law firm headquartered at 7900 Sudley Road, Suite 608, Manassas, Virginia 20109, established around 2016 when it opened its BBB file. The firm is managed by Robert A. Harris II and Connell Andrew Loftus; Loftus previously served as managing partner of Mann Bracken LLP, one of the largest debt collection litigation operations in the United States, before its dissolution.
Harris Loftus is a member of the National Creditors Bar Association and handles auto loan deficiencies, credit card debt, credit union collections, medical bills, student loans, landlord-tenant eviction debt, and judgment enforcement. The firm does not purchase debts; creditors hire Harris Loftus to use state courts to recover on charged-off or delinquent accounts.
Under Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995), attorneys who regularly collect consumer debts through litigation qualify as “debt collectors” under the FDCPA and are bound by its full requirements.
| Headquarters | 7900 Sudley Road, Suite 608, Manassas, VA 20109 |
| Phone | 703-361-5131 |
| Primary Function | Creditor-side debt collection litigation and judgment enforcement |
| States Active | Virginia, Washington D.C., Georgia |
| Practice Areas | Auto loans, credit cards, credit unions, medical bills, student loans, landlord/tenant, judgment enforcement |
| FDCPA Status | Debt collector under 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6); Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995) |
| BBB Profile | BBB profile (not accredited) |
| Official Website | harrisloftus.net |
Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA
The FDCPA grants you four immediately enforceable rights against Harris Loftus PLLC, and authorizes up to $1,000 in statutory damages per violation plus attorney fees under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k.
Right to Debt Validation — 15 U.S.C. § 1692g
Within 30 days of the first written notice from Harris Loftus, you may send a written validation request demanding verification of the debt and the name and address of the original creditor. Harris Loftus must cease collection activity until it provides that verification. Send the request by certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep your copy. Missing the 30-day window forfeits the automatic cessation right, though you retain the right to dispute at any time.
Right Against False or Misleading Statements — 15 U.S.C. § 1692e
Harris Loftus may not misrepresent the character, amount, or legal status of any debt. The firm may not imply a lawsuit has been filed before one actually has, threaten consequences it does not intend to pursue, or represent that an attorney has reviewed the file when none has. Any such statement is a per-se violation of § 1692e(5) or § 1692e(10).
Right Against Harassment — 15 U.S.C. § 1692d
Harris Loftus may not engage in conduct whose natural consequence is to harass, oppress, or abuse. Repeated calls with the intent to annoy, use of obscene language, and publication of debt information to third parties all violate this section. Document every call: date, time, duration, and the name of the representative.
Right to Stop Contact — 15 U.S.C. § 1692c
A written cease-communication request requires Harris Loftus to stop contacting you, except to notify you of a specific action it intends to take. Send the request by certified mail. Ceasing contact does not eliminate the underlying debt and does not stop the firm from filing a lawsuit, but it does end informal collection pressure.
Documented Consumer Complaints
Consumer complaints against Harris Loftus PLLC appear on the BBB complaint page and in public court filings.
Filing lawsuits against misidentified consumers: Consumer accounts documented in public forums describe Harris Loftus filing collection lawsuits against individuals who shared a surname with the actual debtor but had different first names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Because the firm operates at high volume, due-diligence failures of this type can force an innocent consumer to incur costs defending a case that was never theirs, or face a default judgment if they ignore the summons.
Unresponsiveness during active court deadlines: Multiple consumer accounts on public review platforms describe Harris Loftus failing to respond to calls, voicemails, and emails while a court response deadline was running. Consumers who identified an error in the debt were unable to reach the firm to correct it and had to file a formal Answer at their own expense to avoid a default judgment.
Garnishment after disputed settlement: BBB complaints reflect consumer reports of wages continuing to be withheld after a payment was made, due to the garnishment order having been filed before settlement funds were processed and the court paperwork updated. Tracking court filings and requesting written confirmation of dismissal after payment is critical.
To file your own complaint: CFPB online complaint form | FTC Report Fraud | Virginia Attorney General: oag.state.va.us.
If Harris Loftus PLLC Has Filed a Lawsuit Against You
A summons from Harris Loftus means a state court complaint has been filed against you, and your response deadline started the moment you were served.
Step 1: Confirm the service date immediately. The date a process server or sheriff handed you the documents is day one. Virginia General District Court gives you 21 days to file your response. Do not rely on any date printed on an accompanying letter.
Step 2: Verify the case in the public court system. Check the Virginia Courts Case Information portal (courts.state.va.us) or the relevant D.C. or Georgia court database using your name. Confirm the case number, plaintiff, and hearing date before taking any other action.
Step 3: File an Answer before the deadline. Virginia General District Court: 21 days. Filing an Answer, even a general denial, stops an automatic default judgment and requires Harris Loftus to produce evidence at a hearing. Do not call the firm to dispute the debt verbally; that preserves no legal rights.
Step 4: Understand the consequences of a default judgment. If you do not respond, the court enters a default judgment automatically. Harris Loftus then uses that judgment to garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and attach liens to real property under Virginia or applicable state law. Virginia allows wage garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings under state exemption statutes.
Step 5: Assert your defenses in writing. Viable defenses include expired statute of limitations, mistaken identity (especially given documented complaint patterns), lack of standing due to incomplete debt assignment records, incorrect balance, and prior payments not credited. Raise these in your Answer, not over the phone.
Call 877-700-5790 or request a free case review to evaluate your response deadline and defenses before the clock runs out.
Payments, Settlements, and Resolution Options
Harris Loftus PLLC resolves cases through negotiated settlement in many instances, and the firm’s willingness to discount depends heavily on the strength of your defenses and how far the case has progressed.
- Lump-sum settlement. When the underlying creditor is a debt buyer that acquired the account at a discount, settlement below the stated balance is often possible. Your leverage increases when you have raised a valid defense or when the firm’s documentation of the chain of title is incomplete. Obtain the agreed amount in writing before sending any payment.
- Structured payment plan. Harris Loftus may offer a payment plan in some cases, but plans frequently require a significant initial payment and monthly terms approved by the client. Post-judgment, Virginia applies a statutory interest rate to unpaid judgment balances; confirm whether interest accrues during a payment arrangement before agreeing to terms.
- Landlord-tenant debt. If Harris Loftus is pursuing you for a broken lease or post-tenancy damages, demand an itemized statement of the deductions from any security deposit. Virginia law (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Va. Code § 55.1-1226) requires landlords to provide that itemization within 45 days of termination of the tenancy. Failure to comply may invalidate the claim.
- Bankruptcy. Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy imposes an automatic stay that halts all collection activity immediately and may discharge the underlying debt. Consult a bankruptcy attorney to evaluate whether this fits your overall financial situation.
- Critical note on written agreements: Never send payment without a signed written settlement agreement specifying the exact amount, the payment schedule if applicable, the deadline for the court dismissal, and how the account will be reported to credit bureaus. “Paid in full” and “settled for less than the full amount” carry materially different weights on your credit report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harris Loftus PLLC a legitimate law firm?
Yes. Harris Loftus PLLC is a licensed law firm based in Manassas, Virginia, and a member of the National Creditors Bar Association. The firm is not a scam. Legitimacy does not mean the debt amount is correct, the account is still legally collectible, or the firm has adequate documentation to prevail at trial.
Why is Harris Loftus PLLC contacting me?
A creditor or debt buyer has retained Harris Loftus to collect on an account it claims you owe. The firm handles auto loan deficiencies, credit card and credit union debt, medical bills, student loans, and landlord-tenant judgments. You may not recognize the firm’s name because the original debt was charged off and transferred before Harris Loftus became involved.
How do I request debt validation from Harris Loftus PLLC?
Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692g, send a written validation request by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 30 days of the first written notice. Harris Loftus must stop collection activity until it provides written verification of the debt and the name and address of the original creditor. Keep your certified mail receipt and a copy of the letter.
How do I stop contact from Harris Loftus PLLC?
Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c), a written cease-communication request sent by certified mail requires Harris Loftus to stop contacting you. The firm may still file or continue a lawsuit after receiving the letter. Stopping contact does not resolve the underlying debt.
What is the statute of limitations for a Harris Loftus lawsuit?
Virginia imposes a five-year statute of limitations on written contracts (including credit card agreements) and three years on oral contracts under Va. Code § 8.01-246. Georgia applies a six-year limit on written contracts. If the original account default predates the applicable window, you can raise a time-barred defense in your Answer. Making a payment or a written acknowledgment of the debt can restart that clock in some jurisdictions; consult an attorney before paying on an old account.
What happens if I ignore a lawsuit from Harris Loftus PLLC?
The court enters a default judgment against you automatically, giving Harris Loftus the legal authority to garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and place liens on real property. In Virginia, garnishment can reach up to 25% of disposable earnings. Call 877-700-5790 before your 21-day response window closes.
Can Harris Loftus sue me if the debt is not mine?
Yes, and documented complaint patterns show the firm has filed suits against misidentified consumers. Even if the debt is not yours, you must file an Answer or appear in court by the deadline. Ignoring a summons because the debt does not belong to you results in a default judgment entered against you anyway. Assert the mistaken-identity defense in writing in your Answer.
Will the debt appear on my credit report?
The original creditor’s charged-off account and any collection tradeline remain on your Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion reports for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c. A judgment appears in the public records section separately. Paying or settling the account does not automatically remove either entry, but it changes the status reported.
Where do I file a complaint against Harris Loftus PLLC?
File with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the Virginia Attorney General at oag.state.va.us. A violation of the FDCPA also gives you a private right of action to sue for actual damages plus up to $1,000 in statutory damages and attorney fees under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k.
Sued or Served by Harris Loftus PLLC?
Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC has represented consumers against debt collectors since 2010, holds an A+ BBB rating, and recovers attorney fees under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k when FDCPA violations are established.
For a broader overview of debt collection law firms and your federal rights, visit our collection attorneys resource page. You can also search our complete list of collection agencies in the United States to identify other firms that may be contacting you.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Federal law citations reflect the FDCPA as reviewed in May 2026. State statutes of limitations and post-judgment remedies vary