FMA Alliance Called You? Here's What to Do Right Now

You checked your mail and found a letter from FMA Alliance. Maybe they're calling your phone twice a day. You're probably wondering: Who are these people, and what do they want from me?

FMA Alliance is a Houston-based debt collector that's been around since 1983. They mostly chase government-related debts—things like unpaid tolls, court fines, city fees, or past-due taxes. Sometimes they handle student loans or medical bills, but government debt is their bread and butter.

If they're contacting you, it means someone you owed money to has either sold your debt to them or hired them to collect. That kicks off a timeline where you have real choices to make. This guide walks you through what to do next, step by step.

Why FMA Alliance Is Contacting You

FMA Alliance doesn't originate loans or issue fines. They buy old debts or get paid by agencies to collect them. If you're hearing from them, it's likely one of these scenarios:

• Unpaid tolls: EZ-Pass, toll roads, parking violations
• Court-ordered debts: Traffic tickets, criminal justice fees, restitution
• City or county fees: Water bills, permit fines, library fees
• Tax debts: Local property taxes, sometimes state taxes
• Student loans: Federal or private loans in default
• Medical bills: Hospital or clinic accounts sent to collections

Government debts are tricky. They don't disappear the way credit card debt sometimes does. Courts can suspend your driver's license, garnish your wages, or put liens on your property if you ignore them. That's why you can't just toss the letter.

What You Should Do First: Verify the Debt

Before you send FMA Alliance a dime, confirm they have the right person and the right amount. Debt collectors make mistakes. According to a 2021 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report, roughly 1 in 5 people who dispute a debt get part or all of it corrected or removed.

You have 30 days from when you receive their first written notice to request debt validation. Send them a letter asking for:

• Proof you owe this debt
• The original creditor's name
• The amount owed, broken down
• Documentation showing they own the debt or are authorized to collect it

Send this via certified mail with return receipt. Once FMA Alliance receives your validation request, they must stop collection efforts until they provide proof. If they can't prove it, they're legally required to drop the matter.

Sample language: "I dispute this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I request validation of this debt, including the original creditor's name, the amount owed, and proof that you are authorized to collect it."

If You Do Owe the Debt: Your Options

Let's say FMA Alliance sends proof and you recognize the debt. You still have leverage. Debt collectors typically buy debts for pennies on the dollar. FMA Alliance paid maybe 10 to 15 cents for every dollar they're trying to collect from you. That means they'll often settle for 30 to 50% of the balance if you can pay a lump sum.

Option 1: Negotiate a Settlement

Call FMA Alliance and make an offer. If you owe $1,500, offer $500 to $750. They might counter, but they'd rather get something than nothing. Get any agreement in writing before you pay. The letter should say:

• The settlement amount
• That this payment resolves the debt in full
• That they'll report the account as "paid in full" or "settled" to credit bureaus

If you can't get "paid in full," push for "settled for less than the full balance." Both are better than leaving the debt open. Once you have the written agreement, pay via check or money order so you have a paper trail. Never give debt collectors access to your bank account.

Option 2: Set Up a Payment Plan

If you can't afford a lump sum, ask for monthly payments. FMA Alliance works with government agencies that sometimes prefer steady payments over settlements. Just know that until the debt is paid off, it stays on your credit report as unpaid or in collections.

Option 3: Pay in Full

If the amount is small and you want it gone, pay it. Request a pay-for-delete agreement where they remove the collection account from your credit report entirely. Not all collectors will do this, but it's worth asking.

What Happens If You Ignore FMA Alliance

Ignoring a debt collector rarely makes the problem go away. Government debts are especially stubborn. If FMA Alliance is collecting for a city, county, or state agency, they have tools that private creditors don't:

• License suspension: Many states can suspend your driver's license for unpaid court fees or tolls.
• Wage garnishment: Government creditors can garnish your paycheck without suing you first.
• Tax refund intercept: Federal and state tax refunds can be seized to pay certain debts.
• Property liens: Unpaid property taxes or municipal fees can result in a lien on your home.

Even if FMA Alliance is collecting a private debt like a medical bill, they can still sue you. If they win, they get a judgment. That judgment lets them garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or put a lien on your property. In Texas, where FMA Alliance is based, judgment creditors can garnish up to 25% of your disposable income.

Bottom line: Ignoring this doesn't make it disappear.

How to Respond If FMA Alliance Sues You

If you get served with a lawsuit, you typically have 20 to 30 days to file an Answer with the court. This is a legal document where you respond to the claims in the complaint. If you don't file an Answer, the court will likely grant a default judgment against you. That means FMA Alliance wins by default.

Your Answer should address each allegation in the lawsuit. If they claim you owe $2,000, you can admit, deny, or say you lack enough information to respond. You can also raise affirmative defenses, like:

• The statute of limitations has expired
• The debt was already paid
• FMA Alliance doesn't have standing to sue

Filing an Answer stops the automatic win. It forces FMA Alliance to prove their case. Many debt collectors drop lawsuits once you show up and fight back. If you're facing a lawsuit and feel overwhelmed, our free bankruptcy screener can help you understand whether bankruptcy might stop the lawsuit and wipe out the debt.

Know Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Debt collectors can't do whatever they want. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets rules. FMA Alliance can't:

• Call you before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m.
• Call you at work if you tell them not to
• Use threats, profanity, or harassment
• Contact your family, friends, or employer about the debt
• Falsely claim they're lawyers or government officials
• Threaten to arrest you (debt is not a crime)

If FMA Alliance violates the FDCPA, you can sue them for up to $1,000 in damages plus attorney fees. Keep a log of every call: date, time, who called, what they said. Save voicemails and letters.

Will This Hurt Your Credit Score?

Probably, if it hasn't already. Once a debt goes to collections, the original creditor likely reported it as delinquent. FMA Alliance may report it as a collection account. That can drop your credit score by 50 to 100 points, depending on your starting score.

The good news: Collection accounts hurt less as they age. After a few months, the damage plateaus. And under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, most negative items fall off your credit report after seven years from the date of first delinquency.

If you settle or pay the debt, FMA Alliance should update the account status to "paid" or "settled." That looks better to future lenders, but it doesn't erase the fact that the account went to collections. The account stays on your report, just with an updated status.

When Bankruptcy Might Be Your Best Move

If FMA Alliance is one of many creditors calling you, and your total debt is more than you can handle, bankruptcy might be the right tool. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out most unsecured debts, including many government debts, medical bills, and credit card balances. It stops lawsuits, wage garnishments, and collection calls immediately through an automatic stay.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you keep your property and repay debts over three to five years. It's useful if you're behind on a car loan or mortgage and need time to catch up.

Not all government debts are dischargeable. Court-ordered restitution, certain tax debts, and child support survive bankruptcy. But if your government debt is an old parking ticket or city fine, bankruptcy might clear it. Learn more about how bankruptcy works and whether it's right for you.

How to Contact FMA Alliance

If you want to reach FMA Alliance directly to negotiate or ask questions, here's how:

• Phone: 713-682-6300
• Address: 10497 Town & Country Way, Suite 850, Houston, TX 77024
• Website: fmaalliance.com

Call during business hours and ask to speak with someone who can settle your account. Be polite but firm. Don't give them more information than necessary. Don't admit the debt is yours unless you're certain it is.

Final Thoughts: Take Action, Don't Hide

FMA Alliance isn't going away on its own. If you owe the debt and can afford to settle, do it. If you're not sure the debt is valid, dispute it. If you're buried under multiple debts and can't see a way out, bankruptcy might give you the fresh start you need.

The worst thing you can do is nothing. Government debts have teeth. They can suspend your license, garnish your paycheck, and seize your tax refund. Private debts can turn into lawsuits and judgments. But you have rights, and you have options. Use them.