How to Settle Debt With National Recovery Agency (NRA)
National Recovery Agency is a legitimate debt collector that you can negotiate with to settle your debt for less than you owe. If NRA files a lawsuit, you must respond before the deadline by denying claims and asserting affirmative defenses. Getting a written settlement agreement before paying protects you from future disputes.
Answer Your LawsuitNational Recovery Agency (NRA) contacted you about an unpaid debt. You might be worried, but you have options.
Ignoring NRA won’t make the problem disappear. You need to take action to protect yourself and resolve the debt.
Respond to National Recovery Agency's Lawsuit Today
Don't let NRA win by default. Our partner Solo helps you file a strong Answer before your court deadline, with proper denials and affirmative defenses that protect your rights.
Draft Your Answer NowYou can negotiate with NRA to settle for less than you owe. You can also fight back if they violate your rights.
What Is National Recovery Agency?
National Recovery Agency is a legitimate debt collection company based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The company started in 1976 and expanded in 2005.
NRA collects debts for businesses, government agencies, and healthcare providers. The company operates nationwide and offers multiple collection services.
Here’s what NRA does:
- First-party and third-party collections
- Pre-collection services
- Post charge-off collections
- Credit reporting
- Debt collection consultation
- Litigation support
Know Your Rights When NRA Contacts You
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive collection tactics. NRA must follow strict rules when contacting you.
NRA cannot legally do the following:
- Call you repeatedly throughout the day
- Contact your family, friends, or coworkers about your debt
- Lie about the debt amount or your obligations
- Threaten to take your driver’s license or other documents
- Threaten to have you arrested
- Ignore your debt validation request
If NRA violates these rules, you can file a complaint. Document every interaction with the company.
You have the right to request debt validation. Our partner Solo can help you respond to NRA’s claims effectively.
How to Negotiate a Settlement With National Recovery Agency
You can settle your debt with NRA for less than the full amount. Many debt collectors accept partial payment to close accounts quickly.
Follow these steps to negotiate effectively:
Step 1: Calculate What You Can Afford to Pay
Review your budget and determine your maximum payment amount. Be realistic about what you can actually afford.
If you owe $8,000, you might be able to pay $3,000 or $4,000. Your financial situation determines your offer amount.
Step 2: Make Your Initial Offer Lower
Start with an offer below your maximum payment. You want room to negotiate if NRA counters your offer.
For an $8,000 debt, you might start at 25-30% of the balance. NRA will likely counter with a higher amount.
Step 3: Send a Written Settlement Offer
Put your settlement offer in writing. A formal letter creates a paper trail and shows you’re serious.
Your letter should include the debt amount, your offer, and payment terms. Keep a copy for your records.
Step 4: Negotiate Until You Reach Agreement
NRA will probably reject your first offer. Don’t give up after the initial response.
Continue negotiating until you reach an amount that works for both parties. Be patient throughout the process.
Step 5: Get the Agreement in Writing
Never pay without a written settlement agreement. You need proof of the terms you agreed to.
The agreement should state the settlement amount and confirm the debt will be marked as settled. Review every detail before signing.
Step 6: Make Your Payment on Time
Pay exactly what you agreed to by the deadline. Late payment could void your settlement agreement.
Keep proof of payment for at least seven years. You may need it if disputes arise later.
What to Do If NRA Files a Lawsuit Against You
National Recovery Agency sometimes sues consumers who don’t respond to collection attempts. A lawsuit is serious, but you can fight back.
You typically have 14-30 days to respond to a lawsuit. The deadline appears on your Summons document.
Step 1: Answer Every Claim in the Complaint
The Complaint lists specific allegations against you. You must respond to each one.
You have three response options for each claim:
- Admit: You agree the claim is true
- Deny: You challenge NRA to prove the claim
- Deny due to lack of knowledge: You need more information to determine if the claim is accurate
Most attorneys recommend denying claims that you can’t verify. NRA must prove their case with evidence.
Example: Monica receives a lawsuit from NRA for a credit card debt she doesn’t recognize. She denies all claims in her Answer. NRA realizes their information is wrong and drops the case.
Step 2: Assert Your Affirmative Defenses
Affirmative defenses explain why you shouldn’t be held responsible for the debt. These defenses can win your case.
Common defenses against NRA include:
- The statute of limitations has expired on the debt
- The account information or debtor name is incorrect
- NRA violated your consumer protection rights
- NRA hasn’t proven they own the debt
- You already paid or settled the debt
- The debt was discharged in bankruptcy
Example: Joey faces a lawsuit from NRA in Wisconsin for a seven-year-old debt. Wisconsin’s statute of limitations for debt is six years. Joey includes this expired statute as an affirmative defense, and NRA drops the case.
Our partner Solo helps you draft a strong Answer with appropriate affirmative defenses.
Step 3: File Your Answer With the Court
You must file your Answer with the court before your deadline. Missing the deadline could result in a default judgment.
Send your Answer to the courthouse where NRA filed the lawsuit. Also send a copy to NRA’s attorney.
Use certified mail to prove you sent the documents. Keep copies of everything for your records.
What Do National Recovery Agency Reviews Say?
Consumer reviews of NRA are mixed. Some people report positive experiences, while others complain about aggressive tactics.
You can find NRA reviews on these platforms:
Some consumers successfully negotiated settlements with NRA. One reviewer named Nat shared a positive experience:
“I was really stressed by finding out I had a debt, but I had an amazing chat with Madeleine who gave me all the information I needed. She was kind, respectful, and very helpful! I can’t thank her enough for her patience, thoughtful explanation of the process and how I could resolve my situation.”
Reviews like this show that NRA collectors may work with you. You need to be proactive and communicate clearly.
Settling With NRA After Filing Your Answer
You can negotiate a settlement even after filing a lawsuit Answer. Many debt collection cases settle before reaching trial.
Reach out to NRA or their attorney to discuss settlement options. Make a realistic offer based on your financial situation.
Start with a lower offer and negotiate upward if needed. Get any settlement agreement in writing before making payment.
Settlement saves both parties time and money. NRA avoids trial costs, and you resolve the debt for less.