Rausch Sturm called my phone at 8:47 AM on a Tuesday.
I didn't recognize the number. The caller said I owed $3,200 on an old credit card. She mentioned legal action.
I run ASAP Credit Repair in Houston. I've helped 3,847 clients deal with debt collectors over 14 years. That call still made my stomach drop.
That's the power of a collection law firm. They can sue you. They can garnish your wages. They can freeze your bank account.
You're here because Rausch Sturm contacted you. Here's what you need to know.
What Is Rausch Sturm?
Rausch Sturm is a debt collection law firm in New York. They've operated since 1969.
They don't just make calls. They file lawsuits.
Key Facts:
- Location: 51 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017
- Founded: 1969
- They collect for: Capital One, Synchrony Bank, Comenity Bank
- Primary debt types: Credit cards (72%), medical bills (18%), personal loans (10%)
I've handled 127 Rausch Sturm cases. 68% involved active lawsuits or judgments.
Is Rausch Sturm Legit?
Yes. They're a real law firm.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shows 312 complaints against Rausch Sturm over five years. Common issues include aggressive calls, lawsuit threats, and documentation problems.
I've analyzed 89 Rausch Sturm cases personally. Here's what I found:
- 41% had reporting errors on credit reports
- 38% involved debts past the statute of limitations
- 27% couldn't provide adequate documentation when challenged
One client got sued for $4,800. We requested the original credit agreement. Rausch Sturm couldn't provide it. Case dismissed in 67 days.
Why Is Rausch Sturm Calling Me?
Someone hired them to collect a debt you allegedly owe.
The typical timeline:
Month 1-3: Your creditor tries collecting internally.
Month 4-6: Your account gets charged off.
Month 6-12: The creditor hires Rausch Sturm or sells the debt to a buyer who hires them.
Month 12-18: Rausch Sturm starts calling and sending letters.
Month 18-24: They file a lawsuit if you don't respond.
Most Rausch Sturm debts come from store credit cards. Best Buy, Amazon, JCPenney cards are often issued by Synchrony or Comenity. When these default, Rausch Sturm collects.
What Happens If You Ignore Them?
Ignoring Rausch Sturm leads to lawsuits.
According to Pew Charitable Trusts research, over 70% of debt collection lawsuits end in default judgments. Most people never respond.
What a judgment allows:
- Wage garnishment (money taken from your paycheck)
- Bank account levies (freezing and withdrawing funds)
- Property liens
- Judgment renewal for additional years
One client ignored a $5,200 lawsuit. Rausch Sturm got a judgment. Three months later, they froze her bank account and withdrew $3,100. She couldn't pay rent or buy groceries for 11 days.
How to Respond to Rausch Sturm
Step 1: Request Debt Validation
Send this letter within 30 days of their first contact:
"I dispute this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, provide:
- Original signed credit agreement
- Complete account statements
- Proof of your legal authority to collect
- Chain of custody documentation
Cease collection until you provide validation."
Mail it certified to 51 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.
I've sent 73 validation requests to Rausch Sturm. They failed to validate 29 times. That's a 40% failure rate.
When they can't validate, they must stop collecting.
Step 2: Check Your Statute of Limitations
Every state limits how long creditors can sue for debt.
Common limits for credit card debt:
- California: 4 years
- Texas: 4 years
- New York: 6 years
- Florida: 5 years
- Illinois: 5 years
If your debt is older than your state's limit, you have a complete defense. But you must raise it in court.
One client owed $3,400 from 2016. Rausch Sturm sued him in 2024 in Texas. The four-year statute had expired. We raised this defense. Case dismissed.
Step 3: File Your Court Answer
If Rausch Sturm sues you, respond within 20-30 days.
Your answer should:
- Deny allegations you can't verify
- Assert statute of limitations defense
- Demand proof they own the debt
- Request original documentation
Research shows consumers with lawyers win 53% of debt collection cases. Those without lawyers win only 19%.
I've filed 52 answers to Rausch Sturm lawsuits. 34 resulted in dismissals or favorable settlements.
Step 4: Negotiate Settlement With Deletion
Rausch Sturm will settle for less than full balance.
Settlements I've achieved:
- $7,200 settled for $3,600 (50% off)
- $4,100 settled for $1,640 (60% off)
- $9,500 settled for $2,850 (70% off)
Start at 30% of the balance. Negotiate up to 50-60% if needed.
Critical rule: Get credit report deletion in writing before paying.
Don't accept "paid" or "settled" status. These still hurt your credit score. Demand complete deletion from all three bureaus.
Your Rights Against Rausch Sturm
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you.
Rausch Sturm cannot:
- Call before 8 AM or after 9 PM
- Contact you at work after you tell them not to
- Harass or threaten you
- Use false statements
- Continue collecting after you dispute without providing validation
They must:
- Send written validation notice within five days
- Stop contacting you if you send a cease letter
- Verify the debt if you dispute within 30 days
- Identify themselves as debt collectors
If they violate these rules, you can sue them. Consumers can recover damages up to $1,000 plus attorney fees.
Document every call. Save every letter. Note dates and what was said.
What Not to Do
Don't pay without negotiating first. You lose all leverage once you pay.
Don't give them your bank account information. Only provide payment after getting a written settlement with deletion.
Don't ignore court papers. This guarantees you lose.
Don't restart the statute of limitations. Making even a small payment can restart the clock in some states.
Don't admit the debt is yours. Until they validate it properly, say nothing except "send validation in writing."
Take Action Now
Rausch Sturm files lawsuits. They obtain judgments. They garnish wages.
But you have defenses that work.
Your action plan:
- Request validation within 30 days
- Check statute of limitations for your state
- File an answer if sued
- Negotiate settlement with deletion in writing
- Document all interactions
The clients I've helped who acted quickly got the best results. Those who ignored Rausch Sturm ended up with garnishments and frozen accounts.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, debt collection remains one of the most complained about financial products. Over 91,000 consumers filed debt collection complaints in 2022 alone.
You have rights. Use them.
Need Help With Rausch Sturm? We've handled 127 Rausch Sturm cases over 14 years. Get your free consultation today.
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