How to Beat Paramount Recovery Systems in Court
Paramount Recovery Systems is a legitimate medical debt collector, but you have legal rights protecting you from harassment. You can send a debt validation letter to verify the debt, respond to a lawsuit with a proper Answer, or negotiate a settlement for less than you owe.
Answer Your LawsuitDebt collectors can track you down relentlessly. Their repeated phone calls leave you feeling trapped and desperate.
You don’t need to panic. Collectors like Paramount Recovery Systems are manageable once you understand your options.
Respond to Paramount Recovery Before the Deadline
You have only 14 to 30 days to file your Answer or face automatic judgment. Our partner Solo walks you through every step to respond properly and protect your rights in court.
Start Your AnswerYou can deal with debt collection calls from Paramount Recovery effectively. You can clear your name with the credit bureaus.
Is Paramount Recovery Systems Legitimate?
Paramount Recovery Systems is a legitimate third-party collections agency based in Texas. They specialize in medical debt collection.
They may contact you about debts owed to:
- Private medical practices
- Hospitals
- Dental offices
- Emergency service providers
Court records show several civil litigation cases listing Paramount as the defendant. The company has a reputation for aggressive tactics.
Your Rights Under Federal Law
Federal regulations protect you from abusive collection practices. The FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) prevent debt collectors from certain actions.
Paramount cannot legally do the following:
- Call before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Refuse requests for debt validation
- Contact your family members, friends, or coworkers about your debt
- Pretend to be a lawyer
- Threaten you with arrest
- Contact you about a debt you’ve already paid
You can report violations to the FTC at 877-382-4357. You can also report them to the CFPB at 855-411-2372.
What to Do When Paramount Recovery Contacts You
You have several options when Paramount reaches out. Follow these steps to protect yourself.
Never Admit the Debt
Don’t panic during the initial phone call. Debt collectors use urgency to pressure you into admitting fault.
Admitting you owe the debt eliminates your chance to negotiate. You could end up responsible for the full amount.
Send a Debt Validation Letter
Request proof of the debt in writing. Send Paramount a debt validation letter immediately.
They must send you a document outlining the debt details. The document should include the amount owed and original creditor information.
You have 30 days to dispute the debt or request additional information. If Paramount can’t produce this document, they must stop contacting you.
Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter
A cease-and-desist letter stops the company from contacting you further. They may contact you one final time to explain their next steps.
Use this break from phone calls to formulate your response. You can decide whether to pay the debt or prepare for legal action.
What Happens If Paramount Sues You
Collection agencies sometimes escalate debts to lawsuits. You can represent yourself and handle the case with minimal stress.
Our partner Solo can help you draft an Answer to the lawsuit. Here are six tips to include:
1. Keep Your Response Brief
Don’t offer excessive detail about how you ended up in collections. The more you say, the more Paramount can challenge your account.
Save the full story for later if needed.
2. Deny the Allegations
Paramount must prove their case against you. Don’t make their job easier by admitting fault.
Do not agree with any accusations against you. Remember: deny, deny, deny.
3. Include Affirmative Defenses
Your Answer should include any affirmative defenses that support your case. Several categories of defenses could apply to your situation.
You may have already arranged payment on the debt. Paramount may have assigned you debt you didn’t actually incur.
The statute of limitations might make the suit invalid. There may be other technical reasons to dismiss the lawsuit.
4. Use Standard Formatting
Courts prefer generally-accepted formatting for legal documents. Make sure your document looks professional.
Use business-appropriate fonts. Keep the layout plain and easy to read.
5. Include a Certificate of Service
A certificate of service certifies you sent the document to the other party. You must include Paramount’s address and delivery method.
Specify whether you sent it via email, certified mail, or another method.
6. Sign the Document
Sign your Answer at the bottom of the document. Most courts reject unsigned Answer documents.
Your signature is crucial for acceptance.
Respond to the Lawsuit Quickly
You typically have 14 to 30 days to file an Answer to a lawsuit. The deadline depends on your state.
Missing this deadline could result in a default judgment against you. Paramount could win automatically.
Our partner Solo provides step-by-step guidance to help you respond. You can prepare a proper Answer and emerge with a clear path forward.
Negotiate a Settlement With Paramount
You may be able to settle the debt for less than you owe. Paramount often accepts reduced payments to close accounts.
Document everything in writing before making any payment. Get confirmation of the settlement terms before you pay.
Request a letter stating the debt will be marked as paid in full. Never send money without written proof of the agreement.
Protect Your Credit Report
Paramount Recovery’s collection attempts can damage your credit score. The account may appear on your credit report for up to seven years.
You can dispute inaccurate information with the credit bureaus. Request validation of the debt directly from the bureaus.
If Paramount can’t verify the debt, the bureaus must remove it. Check your credit report regularly for errors.