Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery is a debt collection company that might be calling you right now. Understanding who they are and what they can legally do is your first step to taking control and making those stressful phone calls stop.
If you're reading this, chances are your phone has been ringing non-stop. The caller ID shows an unfamiliar number, or maybe it just says "Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery." Your heart might race every time it rings. You're probably asking yourself: "Who are these people? Why won't they stop calling me? What do they want?"
Take a deep breath. You're not alone, and you're not powerless. Thousands of people face this exact situation every day. This guide will give you everything you need to understand who's calling you and, more importantly, how to make them stop.
Who is Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery?
When you see "Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery" on your caller ID, you're looking at the name of a debt collection company. But what does that really mean for you?
Well they're in the business of buying old debts and trying to collect money from people. It's that simple. They've been doing this since 2004 from their office in Richardson, Texas.
They're not that huge of a company like SRS Collections, but they work all across the United States.
Here's how their business works, and why it matters to you:
When you don't pay a bill (maybe a credit card, medical bill, or loan), the original company might give up trying to collect from you. Instead of writing it off as a loss, they sell your debt to companies like Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery. These debt buyers pay very little - sometimes just 5 to 10 cents for every dollar you owe.
But, even though they only paid pennies for your debt, they want you to pay the full amount. That's how they make their profit.
So From Whom Does Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery Collect For?
They work with many types of businesses including:
- Credit card companies
- Hospitals and medical offices
- Banks and loan companies
- Utility companies
- Cell phone companies
Understanding this business model is crucial because it changes everything about how you should deal with them. They didn't lend you money. They didn't provide you services. They just bought the right to try to collect from you.
Is Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery Actually Legitimate?
This is probably one of your first questions, and it's a smart one to ask. With so many scam calls these days, you want to know if this is a real company or just someone trying to steal your money.
The short answer is yes, they are legitimate.
Here's what makes them a real business:
They've been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2012. They have proper business licenses. They make about $4.4 million per year, which shows they're an established operation. Most importantly, they must follow federal debt collection laws.
But - and this is a big but - being legitimate doesn't mean they're always right. It doesn't mean the debt they're calling about is yours. It doesn't mean the amount is correct. And it definitely doesn't mean they can harass you.
Think of it this way: a legitimate restaurant can still serve you bad food. A legitimate debt collector can still be wrong about your debt or break the law in how they treat you.
So yes, they're real. But that doesn't mean you should just trust everything they tell you or pay them without asking questions.
Common Problems People Have with Collection Accounts
If you're feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed about these calls, please know that you're far from alone. Debt collection is one of the most complained about issues in America.
Every year, over 100,000 people file complaints on the National Debt Line about debt collectors. The most common complaint? Trying to collect debts that people don't actually owe. More than half of all debt collection complaints fall into this category.
The #1 Problem: Wrong Debt
More than half of all complaints about debt collectors are about attempts to collect debts people don't actually owe. This happens when:
- The debt doesn't belong to you
- Someone else with your name owes the money
- The debt was already paid off
- The amount they claim is wrong
- The debt is too old to collect legally
Harassment and Abuse
Many people complain about debt collectors who:
- Call too many times per day
- Call at the wrong times (early morning or late at night)
- Use rude, threatening, or abusive language
- Call your workplace when they shouldn't
- Threaten things they can't actually do
- Share your personal debt information with others
Not Following the Rules
Debt collectors must follow specific laws, but many don't. Common violations include:
- Not sending written proof of the debt
- Not telling you they are debt collectors when they call
- Continuing to call after you asked them to stop in writing
- Not explaining your legal rights
- Trying to collect on debts that are too old
Identity Mix-ups
This happens more often than you might think:
- Collecting from the wrong person with a similar name
- Trying to collect debts that were discharged in bankruptcy
- Going after people for medical bills that insurance should have paid
- Mixing up family members with similar names
Communication Problems
Many debt collectors make it hard to resolve issues by:
- Not returning calls when you try to work things out
- Being unclear about payment options
- Not updating their records when you make payments
- Refusing to work out reasonable payment plans
If any of this sounds familiar, you're experiencing what hundreds of thousands of other people go through. The good news is that there are proven ways to handle it.
Why Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery is Calling You
If you're getting calls from Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery, they believe you owe money.
Here are the most likely reasons:
You might have an old unpaid debt from:
- Credit cards you didn't pay off
- Medical bills from hospitals or doctors
- Personal loans you didn't finish paying
- Utility bills (phone, electric, cable, internet)
- Bank overdraft fees
- Cell phone bills
- Store credit cards
- Student loans (though these are usually handled differently)
How they got your information:
- The original company sold your debt to them
- They bought it for pennies on the dollar
- Now they're trying to collect the full amount plus fees
- They may have bought a list of debts that includes yours
But the debt might not be legitimate:
- It might not be your debt at all
- Someone with a similar name might actually owe it
- You might have already paid it off
- The amount might be wrong or inflated with illegal fees
- The debt might be too old to collect under your state's laws
- It might have been discharged in bankruptcy
What you should do immediately:
- Don't panic or get scared
- Don't admit the debt is yours over the phone
- Don't give them any money or bank information
- Don't ignore them completely (this can make things worse)
- Ask them to send you written proof of the debt
Remember, just because they're calling doesn't mean you definitely owe the money. You have the right to verify any debt before you pay it.
Maybe you moved and never got the final bills. Maybe you paid it but the payment got lost in the system. Maybe the original company made an error. Maybe someone stole your identity. Maybe the debt collector bought bad information. All of these things are common and not are rare as you initially think.
Here's a real example of how this happens: Let's say you had a medical emergency three years ago. You thought your insurance covered everything. The hospital billed your insurance, but there was a small balance left over - maybe $200. The hospital tried to reach you, but you had moved. They sent the bill to your old address. After a few months, they gave up and sold the debt to Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery for $20.
Now Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery is calling you trying to collect the full $200 (plus fees they've added). They might even claim you owe $400 now. But you never knew about the original $200 bill.
This is why you should never just pay debt collectors without verifying the debt first.
How to Tell if They're Crossing the Line into Harassment
Not every debt collection call is harassment. They are allowed to contact you about legitimate debts. But there's a big difference between legal collection attempts and harassment.
You're being harassed if they:
- Call too much. If they're calling you multiple times every day, especially just to annoy you, that's harassment.
- Call at wrong times. They can only call between 8 AM and 9 PM in your time zone. Calls outside these hours are illegal.
- Get nasty with you. Yelling, swearing, threatening, or using abusive language is never allowed.
- Threaten things they can't do. They might say they'll have you arrested, garnish your wages without a court order, or seize your property. Most of these threats are illegal bluffs.
- Call your work. If you tell them not to call you at work (or if they should reasonably know your employer doesn't allow such calls), they must stop.
- Tell other people about your debt. They cannot discuss your debt with your family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers.
- Keep calling after you ask them to stop. If you send a written letter asking them to stop contacting you, they must honor that request.
Here's how to know if what you're experiencing crosses the line: Ask yourself, "Are they trying to collect a debt professionally, or are they trying to intimidate and upset me?"
If it feels like the latter, you're probably being harassed.
Your Step-by-Step Plan to Make Them Stop
Feeling ready to take action? Good. Here's exactly what you need to do, step by step:
Step 1: Stop Answering Their Calls (For Now)
I know this might seem like you're avoiding the problem, but hear me out. You need time to get organized and understand your rights. Let their calls go to voicemail while you prepare your strategy.
Step 2: Write Down Everything
Start a notebook or computer file. Every time they call, write down:
- Date and time
- Phone number they called from
- Name of the person (if they give one)
- What they said
- Any threats or rude behavior
- How the call made you feel
This documentation will be crucial later.
Step 3: Send a Cease and Desist Letter
A Cease and Desist Letter is your most powerful tool. Write a letter asking them to stop all contact with you.
Here's exactly what to write:
"To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing regarding phone calls I have received from your company about a debt you claim I owe.
This letter is my formal request that you cease all telephone communication with me immediately. This request is made under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
You may contact me only:
- To confirm you received this letter
- To notify me of specific legal action you plan to take
Do not call me at home, work, or on my cell phone. All future communication must be in writing only.
Sincerely, [Your signature and printed name]"
Mail this letter certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything.
Step 4: Demand Proof
Before you even consider paying anything, make them prove you owe the money. You can do this in the same letter or a separate one:
“I dispute this alleged debt. Please provide”:
- Proof that I owe this debt
- Proof that you have the right to collect it
- The original creditor's name and contact information
- A complete account history
- A copy of any judgment against me
- Proof of your license to collect debts in my state"
Step 5: Know What Happens Next
After they receive your cease and desist letter, they can only:
- Send you a letter confirming they got your request
- Stop all collection efforts
- Sue you (but this is expensive for them and rare for small debts)
They cannot keep calling you. If they do, they're breaking federal law.
What to Do When They Ignore Your Cease and Desist Letter
Sometimes debt collectors break the law and keep calling even after you've told them to stop. If this happens to you, don't panic. You now have the upperhand.
File Complaints Immediately
Report them to:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Go to consumerfinance.gov or call 1-855-411-2372. The CFPB takes debt collection complaints seriously and can force companies to respond.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC tracks patterns of abuse and takes action against repeat offenders.
- Your State Attorney General: Every state has consumer protection laws. Your AG's office can investigate and take action.
- Better Business Bureau: While not a government agency, BBB complaints become part of their public record and can pressure companies to behave.
Consider Legal Action
If they keep harassing you after your cease and desist letter, you can sue them. Under federal law, you can get:
- Up to $1,000 in damages
- Attorney fees paid
- Additional damages if you can prove actual harm
Many lawyers take these cases for free because they get paid by the debt collector if you win.
Document Every Violation
Keep detailed records of every call after your cease and desist letter. Each illegal call is a separate violation of federal law. Some people have won thousands of dollars because debt collectors wouldn't stop calling.
How to Handle Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery Collections
Instead of feeling like a victim, you can take control of this situation. Here's how to turn the tables:
Remember That They Need You More Than You Need Them
Think about it: they paid maybe $50 for a $500 debt. If they can get you to pay $200, they've made a 300% profit. But if you don't pay anything, they lose their investment. This means they're often willing to negotiate.
Verify Everything
Make them prove every detail:
- Is this really your debt?
- Is the amount correct?
- Do they have the legal right to collect it?
- Is it past your state's statute of limitations?
- Was it included in a bankruptcy?
Many debts have problems that make them uncollectable.
Negotiate from Strength
If you do owe the money and want to resolve it:
- Never accept their first offer
- Start by offering 20-30% of what they claim you owe
- Get everything in writing before paying
- Make sure they agree to remove it from your credit report
- Never give them electronic access to your bank account
Control the Communication
- Only communicate in writing
- Use certified mail for important letters
- Keep copies of everything
- Set up a Google Voice number just for debt matters
- Never discuss personal financial information over the phone
Taking Control From Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery and Other Debt Collectors
If you've read this far, you're already taking control of your situation. That's more than many people do. You're educating yourself, understanding your rights, and preparing to take action.
Here's what I want you to remember:
- This situation is temporary. Debt collectors can seem scary, but they're just businesses trying to make money. They're not all-powerful, and they can't ruin your life.
- You can do more than you realize. The law is on your side. Government agencies exist to help you. You can make them stop calling.
- Many are in the same boat. Millions of people deal with debt collectors every year. There are resources, support groups, and professionals who can help you.
- Taking action feels better than hiding. Once you send that cease and desist letter, you'll feel a weight lifted off your shoulders. You're no longer a passive victim - you're someone taking control.
Whether the debt is yours or not, whether you can pay it or not, you deserve to be treated with respect. You deserve to have peace in your own home. You deserve to answer your phone without fear.
Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery might have started this conversation, but you get to decide how it ends. Use the tools in this guide, know your rights, and don't let anyone push you around.
If you're still struggling, consider reaching out to trusted credit repair experts who specialize in debt collection issues. Many offer free consultations and can help you navigate complex debt collection laws. Remember that there's no shame in asking for professional help when dealing with persistent debt collectors. Sometimes having an expert in your corner is exactly what you need to resolve the situation quickly and protect your rights.
Your phone can ring in peace again. Your stress can decrease. You can take back control. It starts with your next action.
What will that action be?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every debt collection situation is unique, and laws vary by state. While we strive to provide accurate information, debt collection laws are complex and change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney who specializes in debt collection or consumer protection law. This article is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery or any other debt collection agency mentioned.
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