Legal Calls From Rausch Sturm? What It Means and How to Respond

Rausch Sturm LLP is a multi-state debt collection law firm headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, that files civil collection lawsuits on behalf of national banks, credit card issuers, and debt-buying companies. This page covers the firm’s FDCPA obligations, documented complaint patterns, and the legal options available to consumers who have received a letter, phone call, or court summons from Rausch Sturm.

Who Is Rausch Sturm LLP?

Rausch Sturm LLP is a debt collection law firm incorporated in Wisconsin in 1977, operating at an industrial scale with 12 branch locations across states including ,Michigan,Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. The firm previously operated under the name Rausch, Sturm, Israel, Enerson & Hornik, LLC (RSIEH) before rebranding to its current streamlined name. Its primary function is to file civil collection lawsuits on behalf of major creditors, convert unpaid balances into court judgments, and then enforce those judgments through wage garnishments and bank levies. Under Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995), attorneys who regularly engage in debt collection litigation are subject to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. sections 1692 et seq., in the same manner as non-attorney debt collectors.

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Before contacting Rausch Sturm directly, call Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC at 877-700-5790 to understand your rights and options first.

Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA

The FDCPA grants you four enforceable rights the moment Rausch Sturm contacts you, and a successful claim under 15 U.S.C. section 1692k entitles you to actual damages, up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus attorney’s fees and costs.

Right to Debt Verification (15 U.S.C. section 1692g)

Within five days of first contact, Rausch Sturm must send you a written notice stating the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor, and your right to dispute it. If you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days of receiving that notice, the firm must stop all collection activity until it mails you verification of the debt. In Putnam v. Rausch Sturm, a federal court addressed allegations that the firm ignored a written verification request entirely and continued collection activity without providing verification, in direct violation of 15 U.S.C. section 1692g(b).

Protection Against False or Misleading Representations (15 U.S.C. section 1692e)

Under 15 U.S.C. section 1692e, Rausch Sturm may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation in connection with collecting a debt. This includes misrepresenting the character or legal status of a debt, threatening legal action that the collector does not intend to take, and using attorney letterhead to imply imminent litigation when the referenced attorney is not licensed in your state. A California federal lawsuit against Rausch Sturm alleged exactly this conduct: a demand letter threatening an immediate lawsuit was signed by an attorney not licensed to practice law in that state, making the legal threat deceptive under section 1692e.

Protection Against Harassment (15 U.S.C. section 1692d)

Under 15 U.S.C. section 1692d, Rausch Sturm may not engage in conduct whose natural consequence is to harass, oppress, or abuse you. This includes repeated phone calls intended to annoy, obscene language, and threats of violence. If the firm’s collectors call multiple times per day, use intimidating language about lawsuits, or use localized phone numbers to disguise the source of the call, each instance may constitute a separate violation.

Your Right to Stop Contact (15 U.S.C. section 1692c)

Under 15 U.S.C. section 1692c(c), if you notify Rausch Sturm in writing that you refuse to pay the debt or that you want them to stop contacting you, the firm must cease all communication except to confirm it will stop, notify you of specific intended legal action, or invoke a remedy. Send this letter by certified mail with return receipt to create a documented record. Sending a cease-and-desist does not eliminate the underlying debt or a pending lawsuit.

Documented Consumer Complaints

Consumers have filed complaints against Rausch Sturm LLP with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the (CFPB), with the BBB recording hundreds of complaints in recent years. Three documented patterns appear across platforms:

Sewer Service and Default Judgment Without Notice: Consumers report discovering Rausch Sturm has already obtained a default judgment and issued a wage garnishment directive to their employer before they were ever aware a lawsuit had been filed, consistent with defective process service complaints documented across BBB filings.

Settlement Agreement Non-Delivery: Consumers describe verbally agreeing to a settlement amount with Rausch Sturm, then receiving no written settlement stipulation by mail, followed by complete loss of contact with the firm as a court date approaches, a pattern reported on consumer forums and in BBB complaint filings.

Automated Robo-Litigation Signatures: In Putnam v. Rausch Sturm, a federal complaint alleged that Rausch Sturm generated legal pleadings using cut-and-paste digitized attorney signatures without individual human case review, raising questions about whether any licensed attorney actually evaluated the merits of each case before filing.

To file a complaint against Rausch Sturm, you may contact the CFPB, the FTC, or your state attorney general’s consumer protection office. If you live in Wisconsin, file with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

If Rausch Sturm Has Filed a Lawsuit Against You

A default judgment against you is automatic if you do not file a written Answer with the court by the deadline stated in your Summons, and that judgment gives Rausch Sturm legal authority to garnish up to 25% of your disposable wages and freeze your bank accounts. Follow these four steps immediately:

Step 1. Confirm the service date. Your response deadline runs from the date you were officially served with the Summons and Complaint, not from the date you received a phone call or letter. Most states allow 20 to 30 days from the date of service. Check your Summons for the exact deadline in your state.

Step 2. File a written Answer before the deadline. An Answer filed with the court clerk before the deadline stops the default judgment clock entirely. The Answer must admit or deny each numbered allegation in the Complaint. Even a general denial preserves your right to contest the debt, challenge the chain of title, and assert statute of limitations defenses.

Step 3. Understand the consequences of a default judgment. If Rausch Sturm obtains a default judgment, the court grants them the authority to garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and attach property liens. Vacating a default judgment after the fact requires demonstrating excusable neglect and a meritorious defense, which is significantly harder than filing an Answer on time.

Step 4. Assert available defenses. Common defenses against Rausch Sturm lawsuits include an expired statute of limitations on the underlying debt, lack of standing to sue (particularly when the debt has been sold multiple times through a chain of debt buyers), improper service, and inaccurate debt amounts. In Autry v. Jefferson Capital & Rausch Sturm, a proposed class action alleged the firm sent misleading right-to-cure notices that confused consumers about applicable deadlines and their remaining rights.

If Rausch Sturm has served you with a lawsuit, call Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC at 877-700-5790 or submit a free case review request immediately.

Payments, Settlements, and Resolution Options

Collection law firms like Rausch Sturm regularly accept less than the full claimed balance on charged-off or older debt, and your leverage to negotiate increases substantially once you have filed a formal Answer requiring them to litigate the case individually.

Lump-sum settlement. A single lump-sum payment typically produces a larger percentage reduction than a payment plan. Rausch Sturm must provide a written settlement agreement before you transfer any funds. Do not pay based on a verbal promise from a phone representative.

Structured payment plan. Rausch Sturm may agree to a payment arrangement over time, particularly on larger balances. A signed written agreement must state the total balance, each installment amount, the due dates, and what happens upon default. Secure payment by traceable methods such as cashier’s check or money order. Do not provide checking account or debit card numbers over the phone.

Litigation settlement. If a lawsuit has been filed, any settlement must include a written stipulation that the payment satisfies the debt in full and that Rausch Sturm will dismiss the case with prejudice. “Dismissed with prejudice” means the same claim cannot be refiled. Insist on this language before paying.

Bankruptcy. If Rausch Sturm has already obtained a judgment or is pursuing multiple accounts, filing for bankruptcy protection triggers an automatic stay that immediately halts all collection activity, garnishments, and bank levies. Consult a bankruptcy attorney to determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits your financial situation.

Note on credit reporting: There is a material difference between “paid in full” and “settled for less than the full amount” on your credit report. A settlement for less than the full balance may remain on your credit report as a negative mark for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency, even after payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rausch Sturm a legitimate company?

Yes. Rausch Sturm LLP is a licensed law firm incorporated in Wisconsin and registered to practice in multiple states. The firm is BBB Accredited, with a B rating from the Wisconsin BBB. Legitimacy does not mean every claim they assert against you is valid, accurate, or legally enforceable. You retain the right under 15 U.S.C. section 1692g to demand written verification of any debt they claim you owe.

Why is Rausch Sturm contacting me?

Rausch Sturm is contacting you because a creditor, such as TD Bank, Capital One, Citibank, or a debt buyer like Jefferson Capital Systems or Midland Credit Management, has placed your account with them for litigation review. Their contact is a formal pre-lawsuit step and, in many cases, an immediate precursor to filing a civil collection lawsuit in your state court.

How do I request verification of the debt?

Send a written debt validation letter to Rausch Sturm by certified mail with return receipt within 30 days of their first written contact. Under 15 U.S.C. section 1692g(b), all collection activity must stop until they mail you verification of the debt. Keep a copy of your letter and the certified mail receipt as proof of the date sent.

How do I stop Rausch Sturm from calling me?

Send a written cease-and-desist letter to Rausch Sturm’s address by certified mail. Under 15 U.S.C. section 1692c(c), the firm must stop contacting you after receiving this notice, except to confirm they will stop, advise you of a specific legal action they intend to take, or invoke a specified remedy. Sending this letter does not eliminate the underlying debt and does not stop a pending or future lawsuit.

What is the statute of limitations on debt that Rausch Sturm is collecting?

The statute of limitations varies by state and by the type of debt. Written contracts typically carry longer limitation periods than oral agreements. If Rausch Sturm files a lawsuit after the limitation period has expired, you must raise the expired statute of limitations as an affirmative defense in your written Answer. Failing to raise it waives the defense. You can find your state’s deadline at consumerlawfirmcenter.com/statute-of-limitations-on-debt-by-state/.

What happens if I ignore a lawsuit from Rausch Sturm?

The court enters a default judgment against you automatically if you ignore the lawsuit and miss the Answer deadline. That judgment gives Rausch Sturm the legal authority to garnish up to 25% of your disposable wages, levy your bank accounts, and place liens on real property you own. Vacating a default judgment is difficult and requires demonstrating both excusable neglect and a meritorious defense. Call 877-700-5790 if you have received a Summons.

Can Rausch Sturm report the debt to the credit bureaus?

Yes. Rausch Sturm, or the original creditor or debt buyer they represent, may report the delinquent account to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A debt can remain on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. section 1681c. If the information they report is inaccurate, you have the right under the FCRA to dispute it directly with each credit bureau.

Can I settle with Rausch Sturm after they file a lawsuit?

Yes. Rausch Sturm regularly settles collection lawsuits before trial. Your negotiating position improves after you file a formal Answer because the firm must then assign an attorney to litigate your case individually rather than rely on an automated default. Any settlement must be memorialized in a written stipulation stating the payment amount satisfies the debt in full and that the case will be dismissed with prejudice before you transfer any funds.

Where do I file a complaint against Rausch Sturm?

You may file a complaint with the CFPB, the FTC, or your state attorney general’s office. If Rausch Sturm violated the FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. section 1692k allows you to sue the firm directly in federal court within one year of the violation for actual damages, up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus attorney’s fees and costs.

Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC maintains a comprehensive directory of collection attorneys and a full list of collection agencies in the United States to help consumers identify who is contacting them and understand their rights.