So you picked up your phone and saw a number you didn’t recognize. Maybe you let it go to voicemail, or maybe you answered and heard someone say they’re calling from Spire Recovery Solutions. Your heart probably sank a little. I get it – nobody likes getting calls from debt collectors.
But here’s the thing: ignoring them won’t make this go away. Trust me, I’ve seen people try that, and it usually makes things worse. The good news? Once you understand who Spire Recovery Solutions is and what your rights are, dealing with them becomes way less scary.
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about Spire Recovery Solutions – the stuff that actually matters, not the confusing legal jargon. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to protect yourself.
Who is Spire Recovery Solutions Anyway?
The Basics You Should Know
Spire Recovery Solutions is a debt collection company based in Lockport, New York. Two military veterans, Jacob and Joseph Torriere, started it back in 2014. Unlike some shady operations you might’ve heard about, these guys are actually legit – they have all the proper licenses and certifications.
Here’s how it works: when you owe money to a company (like a credit card company, hospital, or loan provider) and you haven’t paid for a while, that company might hire Spire Recovery Solutions to try and get the money back. They’re what we call a third-party debt collector – basically, they’re the middleman trying to collect on someone else’s behalf.
Are They Even Legal?
Yeah, they are. Spire Recovery Solutions has:
- Licenses to operate in all 50 states
- A seal of approval from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2020
- Membership in big industry groups like the ACA International and RMAI
- A Chief Compliance Officer whose whole job is making sure they follow the rules
Does that mean they’re perfect? No. But it does mean they’re a real company that has to follow federal laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (more on that later).
What Kind of Debts Do They Collect?
Spire Recovery Solutions goes after all sorts of consumer debt:
- Credit card bills you haven’t paid
- Medical bills from hospitals or doctors
- Personal loans (I’ve seen them collect on Personify Financial loans and others)
- Store credit accounts
- Utility bills
- Pretty much any money you owe for personal or household stuff
One thing to note: they can’t come after you for business debts. The laws protecting you only cover personal and household bills.
Why Are They Calling Me?
The Real Reasons Debt Collectors Reach Out
If Spire Recovery Solutions is contacting you, it usually means one of these things:
You actually owe money – The most common reason. A company you owed money to gave up trying to collect and handed your account over to Spire Recovery Solutions.
They need to verify it’s you – Sometimes they just need to make sure they have the right person before they start talking about the debt.
Someone stole your identity – This happens more than you’d think. Someone might’ve used your name to get credit, and now collectors are coming after you for debt that isn’t even yours.
They want to work something out – They might be calling to offer you a payment plan or settlement deal.
What Happens During That First Call?
By law, debt collection agencies have to tell you certain things within five days of first contacting you. They should send you a letter (or email, if that’s how they reached out) that includes:
- How much money they say you owe
- Who you originally owed the money to
- That you have 30 days to dispute the debt if you think it’s wrong
- How to ask them to prove you really owe this money
- Contact information for Spire Recovery Solutions
If you don’t get this information, that’s a red flag. You should ask for it right away.
Your Rights: What Debt Collectors Can and Can’t Do
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in Plain English
There’s this federal law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (let’s just call it the FDCPA because nobody wants to keep saying that mouthful). Congress passed it way back in 1977 because debt collectors were getting out of hand – harassing people, lying, threatening them, all kinds of nasty stuff.
The FDCPA basically says, “Hey, debt collectors, you need to treat people with respect and follow these rules, or you’re going to get sued.” And those rules actually give you some solid protection.
They Can’t Call You Whenever They Want
Here’s something that surprises people: debt collectors can’t just blow up your phone all day long. The rules say:
No calls before 8 AM or after 9 PM – They have to respect your time zone, too. So if you’re in California and they’re in New York, they still can’t call you at 6 AM Pacific time.
They can’t call you at work if your boss doesn’t allow it – If you tell them your employer prohibits personal calls, they have to stop calling you there.
There’s a limit on how many times they can call – The “7-in-7 rule” means they can’t call you more than seven times in one week about the same debt. That’s still a lot, honestly, but at least there’s a limit.
They can’t tell other people about your debt – Your mom, your neighbor, your coworker – none of them should be hearing about your debt from a debt collector. The only exception is if they’re trying to find your phone number or address, and even then, they can’t say why they’re looking for you.
Things They Absolutely Cannot Do
The FDCPA draws some hard lines. Debt collection companies can’t:
Threaten you – No threats of arrest, violence, or harm to your reputation. If someone from Spire Recovery Solutions says “we’re going to have you arrested” or “we’ll tell everyone you know about this debt,” that’s illegal.
Lie to you – They can’t make up fake debt amounts, pretend to be lawyers when they’re not, or say you’ll go to jail if you don’t pay (you won’t, by the way – we don’t have debtors’ prisons anymore).
Harass you – Repeated calls meant to annoy you, using profanity, or calling and hanging up – all off limits.
Add fake fees – They can’t just make up charges that weren’t in your original agreement.
Post about your debt on social media – Yeah, this is a thing that had to be specifically banned. They can’t call you out on Facebook or Instagram.
You Can Make Them Prove It
This is huge: you have the right to say, “Prove I owe this money.” It’s called debt validation, and it’s your secret weapon.
Here’s how it works: Within 30 days of their first contact, you can send them a letter saying, “I dispute this debt. Send me proof that I actually owe this.” Once you do that, they have to stop bugging you until they send you:
- Documents showing the debt is real
- The name and address of the original creditor
- Proof that they have the right to collect on this debt
A lot of times, debt collectors can’t actually produce all this paperwork, especially if the debt is old or has been sold multiple times. If they can’t prove it, they’re supposed to leave you alone.
Your Credit Report Rights
When Spire Recovery Solutions reports your debt to the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), you have rights there too:
- You can dispute anything that’s wrong on your credit report
- The credit bureau has to investigate your dispute
- If they can’t verify the debt, they have to remove it
- You can demand that Spire Recovery Solutions show proof before reporting anything
What Should You Actually Do?
Step 1: Don’t Panic (Seriously)
I know that’s easier said than done, but freaking out doesn’t help. Getting a call from a debt collector feels awful, but it’s not the end of the world. Millions of Americans deal with this every year. You’re not alone, and there are real solutions.
Step 2: Make Sure the Debt is Real
Before you pay a single penny, you need to verify this debt is legit. Here’s what to do:
Send a Debt Verification Letter
Within 30 days of hearing from Spire Recovery Solutions, write them a letter. You can keep it simple:
“I am disputing this debt. Please send me verification that I owe this money, including the original creditor’s name and address and proof that you have the right to collect on this debt.”
Send it certified mail so you have proof they got it. Once they receive your letter, they have to stop collection efforts until they verify the debt.
Check Your Own Records
Dig through your old bills and statements. Do you remember this debt? Does the amount sound right? Sometimes debt collectors have the wrong person, or the amount is inflated with bogus fees.
Pull Your Credit Report
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com (that’s the only truly free one, don’t fall for the scams) and check all three of your credit reports. See what’s on there about this debt. Does it match what Spire Recovery Solutions is saying?
Step 3: Figure Out Your Game Plan
Once you’ve confirmed the debt is real and yours, you’ve got options. Let me break them down:
Option 1: Pay It in Full
If you’ve got the money sitting around, this is the cleanest solution. Just pay it off and be done with it.
How to pay:
- Call them at 844-978-0072
- Use their website payment portal at spirerecoverysolutions.com
- Email them at support@spirerecoverysolutions.com
Important: Get written confirmation that paying this amount will settle the debt completely. Don’t just take their word for it on a phone call.
Option 2: Set Up a Payment Plan
Can’t afford to pay it all at once? That’s okay. Spire Recovery Solutions will usually work with you on a monthly payment plan.
Here’s the deal: be honest about what you can actually afford. Don’t promise to pay $200 a month if you know you can only swing $75. It’s better to set up a plan you can actually stick to than to agree to something you’ll default on.
What to ask for:
- “What’s the minimum monthly payment you’ll accept?”
- “Can you reduce the interest or fees?”
- “If I set up automatic payments, will you give me a better deal?”
Get whatever you agree to in writing before you make that first payment.
Option 3: Negotiate a Settlement
Here’s something most people don’t know: debt collection agencies will often accept less than the full amount if you can pay it all at once. They’d rather get some money now than chase you for years hoping to get it all.
This is called settling the debt, and it can save you a chunk of change. Here’s how to do it:
Figure out what you can actually pay – Be realistic. If the debt is $3,000 and you have $1,000, that’s your starting point.
Make a lowball offer – Start at 25-40% of what they say you owe. They’ll probably say no at first, but that’s okay. It opens the negotiation.
Get it in writing BEFORE you pay – This is critical. The agreement needs to say exactly how much you’re paying and that it settles the debt in full. If they won’t put it in writing, don’t pay.
Use a lump sum as leverage – “I can pay you $1,200 right now, today, if you’ll accept that as payment in full.”
Ask about your credit report – “If I pay this, will you remove it from my credit report?” This is called “pay for delete.” They might say no, but it’s worth asking.
Real talk: They might not go for a settlement, especially if the debt is fresh. But if your account has been sitting there for months or years, they’re often more willing to negotiate.
Option 4: Dispute It
If you genuinely don’t owe this money – maybe it’s not your debt, the amount is wrong, or you already paid it – you need to dispute it. I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating.
Send that dispute letter within 30 days. Be specific about why you’re disputing it:
- “This is not my debt”
- “I already paid this to [original creditor] on [date]”
- “The amount is incorrect – I only owed $X, not $Y”
Include any proof you have – receipts, canceled checks, whatever. They have to investigate and get back to you.
Step 4: Keep Records of Everything
I can’t stress this enough: write down EVERYTHING. When debt collectors call:
- Date and time of the call
- Name of the person you talked to
- What they said
- What you said
- Any threats or weird behavior
Save every letter, email, and text. Take screenshots of your payment confirmations. If this ever goes to court or you need to file a complaint, you’ll want this paper trail.
What If They’re Breaking the Rules?
How to Spot FDCPA Violations
Sometimes debt collection agencies break the law. Here are some red flags:
- Calling you at 6 AM or 11 PM
- Calling you eight times in one week
- Continuing to call your work after you told them not to
- Telling your family or friends about your debt
- Threatening to have you arrested
- Using curse words or calling you names
- Lying about how much you owe
- Adding fees that weren’t part of the original debt
- Refusing to send you verification when you ask for it
If any of this happens, Spire Recovery Solutions is violating federal law. And you can do something about it.
Where to Complain
You’ve got several options:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Go to consumerfinance.gov and file a complaint. The CFPB takes this stuff seriously and will investigate. I’ve seen them force debt collectors to change their practices and even fine them.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Visit consumer.ftc.gov to report violations. They track patterns of abuse and can take action against companies that repeatedly break the law.
Your State Attorney General Every state has a consumer protection office. Google “[your state] attorney general consumer complaint” and you’ll find it.
Better Business Bureau While the BBB isn’t a government agency, filing a complaint there can get a company’s attention since it affects their rating.
Can You Sue Them?
Yep. If Spire Recovery Solutions violates the FDCPA, you can actually take them to court. If you win, you can get:
- Money for any actual harm they caused (like if you lost your job because they kept calling you at work)
- Up to $1,000 in additional damages
- Your attorney’s fees paid
You’ve got one year from when the violation happened to file a lawsuit. If you’re thinking about this route, talk to a lawyer who specializes in consumer rights and debt collection cases. Many offer free consultations.
Let’s Talk About Your Credit Report
How Collections Mess Up Your Credit
When Spire Recovery Solutions reports your account to the credit bureaus, it hurts. A lot. Collection accounts can drop your credit score by 100 points or more. And here’s the kicker: that collection can stay on your credit report for seven years.
Even after you pay it off, it still shows up. It’ll say “paid collection” instead of “unpaid collection,” which is better, but it’s still there for seven years from when the original account first went delinquent.
The “Pay for Delete” Strategy
Some people have luck with what’s called “pay for delete.” Basically, you tell the debt collector: “I’ll pay this debt if you agree to remove it from my credit report completely.”
Spire Recovery Solutions might agree to this, might not. It’s not guaranteed, and they’re not required to do it. But it never hurts to ask, especially if you’re paying in full or settling for a good chunk of money.
Get it in writing if they agree. Don’t just take a verbal promise.
Disputing Credit Report Errors
If the information on your credit report about this debt is wrong, you can dispute it directly with the credit bureaus:
- Go to Experian.com, Equifax.com, and TransUnion.com
- Find the dispute section
- Select the item you’re disputing
- Explain why it’s wrong
- Upload any proof you have
The credit bureau has 30 days to investigate. They’ll contact Spire Recovery Solutions to verify the information. If Spire Recovery Solutions can’t verify it or doesn’t respond, the credit bureau has to remove it from your report.
Money Stuff: How to Avoid This Mess in the Future
Build an Emergency Fund (Even a Small One)
Look, I know not everyone can save thousands of dollars. But even having $500 set aside for emergencies can prevent accounts from going to collections. When you get hit with an unexpected bill, you’ve got something to fall back on.
Start small:
- Put away $20 a paycheck
- Save your change in a jar
- Cut one subscription you don’t really use
- Put birthday money or tax refunds straight into savings
It adds up faster than you think.
Talk to Your Creditors Early
This is huge: if you know you can’t pay a bill, call the company BEFORE it goes to collections. Most companies have hardship programs or can work out payment arrangements with you.
I’ve seen credit card companies temporarily lower minimum payments, hospitals set up interest-free payment plans, and utility companies pause shut-off notices. But you have to reach out to them. They won’t just magically know you’re struggling.
Actually Look at Your Credit Report
You can check your credit report from all three bureaus once a year for free at AnnualCreditReport.com (that’s the official site – ignore all the “.net” and “.org” imposters).
Why bother? Because you need to know what’s on there. Sometimes there are errors. Sometimes there’s evidence of identity theft. And sometimes you’ll see an account going south before it hits collections, giving you time to fix it.
Get Help If You Need It
If you’re drowning in debt, don’t try to figure it all out alone. There are people who can help:
Credit Counseling Agencies The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org) can connect you with certified credit counselors. Many offer free or cheap help with budgeting and debt management.
Legal Aid If you can’t afford a lawyer but you’re being harassed or sued, look into legal aid in your area. They provide free legal help to people who qualify based on income.
Financial Coaches These are different from financial advisors (who usually help with investments). Financial coaches help you with the basics – budgeting, paying off debt, building savings. You can find them through various nonprofits.
What Happens If You Just Ignore Them?
The Real Consequences
Okay, let’s be honest about what happens if you just ignore Spire Recovery Solutions and hope they go away.
Scenario 1: They keep trying They’ll keep calling, keep sending letters. It won’t stop just because you’re ignoring it.
Scenario 2: They report it to credit bureaus If they haven’t already, they’ll report your debt to the credit bureaus. There goes your credit score.
Scenario 3: They might sue you If the debt is big enough and recent enough, they might take you to court. If you ignore the lawsuit (which a lot of people do because they’re scared), you’ll automatically lose. Then they can garnish your wages or bank account to get their money.
Scenario 4: They sell the debt Sometimes debt collection agencies give up and sell your debt to another company for pennies on the dollar. Then that new company starts the whole process over. Your debt can get sold multiple times, and each time it’s a fresh hell of calls and letters.
Scenario 5: Nothing (eventually) Here’s the thing nobody likes to talk about: there’s a statute of limitations on debt. Depending on your state and the type of debt, they can only sue you for a certain number of years (usually 3-6 years). After that, they can still try to collect, but they can’t take you to court.
But even then, it stays on your credit report for seven years, and they can still call you (though they have to tell you it’s past the statute of limitations in some states).
Why Ignoring It Usually Makes Things Worse
I get why people ignore debt collectors. It’s stressful, it’s embarrassing, it feels overwhelming. But ignoring it:
- Doesn’t make the debt disappear
- Tanks your credit score
- Costs you more in the long run (interest and fees keep adding up)
- Gives you constant anxiety
- Limits your options later
It’s almost always better to deal with it head-on, even if that just means sending a verification letter or negotiating a tiny monthly payment you can actually afford.
The Truth About Time-Barred Debt
What Does “Time-Barred” Mean?
Every state has a statute of limitations on debt – a deadline for how long someone can sue you to collect. It varies by state and type of debt:
- Credit card debt: usually 3-6 years
- Medical debt: usually 3-6 years
- Personal loans: usually 3-6 years
After that time passes, the debt is called “time-barred.” Spire Recovery Solutions can still try to collect it, but they can’t sue you for it (and if they try, you have a legal defense).
Be Careful What You Say
Here’s something tricky: in many states, if you make a payment or even promise to make a payment on time-barred debt, you can restart the clock. Suddenly, they can sue you again.
So if Spire Recovery Solutions calls about a debt from 2018 and it’s now 2025, don’t just start making payments without thinking it through. That old debt might be past the statute of limitations in your state.
If they mention the debt is time-barred, they’re legally required to tell you that in some states. Pay attention to that.
It Still Affects Your Credit
Even if debt is time-barred, it can still show up on your credit report (for seven years from when it first went unpaid). So while they can’t sue you, it’s still dragging down your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions (The Stuff People Really Want to Know)
Is Spire Recovery Solutions a scam?
No. They’re a legitimate, licensed debt collection agency. That doesn’t mean you should just trust everything they say without verifying, but they’re not a scam operation. They have proper licenses, they’re accredited by the BBB, and they follow industry standards.
That said, scammers sometimes pretend to be from legitimate companies. If you’re not sure, hang up and call Spire Recovery Solutions directly at their official number: 844-978-0072.
How do I know if I really owe this money?
Don’t take their word for it. Send a debt validation letter within 30 days asking for proof. They need to show you documentation that:
- The debt is yours
- The amount is correct
- They have the right to collect it
Also check your credit report and your own records. If you paid this debt already, you should have proof.
Can they take money straight from my bank account?
Not unless they sue you and win. They can’t just reach into your bank account and take money. They need a court order called a garnishment to do that.
If they threaten to take money from your account without a court judgment, that’s illegal.
What if this debt isn’t even mine?
This happens a lot, actually. Maybe it’s identity theft, maybe they have the wrong person, maybe someone with a similar name. Here’s what to do:
- Send a dispute letter immediately
- Request full debt validation
- Check your credit report for other signs of identity theft
- File a police report if you think your identity was stolen
- Put a fraud alert on your credit files
Don’t pay a debt that isn’t yours just to make them go away. That’s basically admitting it’s your debt.
Can they call my family or my job?
They can call your workplace, but if you tell them your employer doesn’t allow personal calls, they have to stop. They can’t call your family to discuss your debt. The only time they can contact other people is to try to locate you, and even then, they can’t say it’s about a debt.
If they’re calling your mom to tell her you owe money, that’s a violation of the FDCPA.
What if I really can’t afford to pay anything?
Be honest with them. Spire Recovery Solutions would rather get something than nothing. Explain your situation:
- You’re unemployed
- You’re on disability
- You have overwhelming medical expenses
- Whatever your situation is
Ask about hardship programs or if they can reduce the amount. Some debt collectors will accept incredibly low monthly payments or settle for a fraction of the debt if they believe you genuinely can’t pay more.
And remember: some income is protected from garnishment even if they sue you and win. Social Security, disability benefits, and veterans’ benefits usually can’t be garnished for consumer debt.
Should I just let them sue me?
Never ignore a lawsuit. If they sue you and you don’t respond, you automatically lose (it’s called a default judgment). Then they can garnish your wages or bank account.
If you get served with a lawsuit:
- Read the papers carefully
- Note the deadline to respond (usually 20-30 days)
- Consider talking to a lawyer
- File a response even if you don’t have a lawyer
Many times, you can still settle the debt even after they sue you. But you have to engage with the process.
How long will this stay on my credit report?
Collection accounts stay on your credit report for seven years from the date the original account first went delinquent (not from when it went to collections). So if you stopped paying your credit card in January 2023, that collection falls off your report in January 2030, regardless of whether you pay it or not.
Paying it helps your credit score a bit (paid collections are better than unpaid ones), but it doesn’t reset the seven-year clock.
How to Contact Spire Recovery Solutions
Official Contact Information
If you need to reach Spire Recovery Solutions, here are the legitimate contact methods:
Phone: 844-978-0072 When they’re available: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time
Email: support@spirerecoverysolutions.com
Website: spirerecoverysolutions.com (You can log in to check your account and make payments)
Mail: Spire Recovery Solutions LLC 330 South Transit Road Lockport, NY 14094
Tips for Contacting Them
When you call or email:
- Have your account number ready (if you have it)
- Be prepared to verify your identity
- Take notes during the call
- Ask for the representative’s name and ID number
- Get confirmation numbers for any payments or agreements
If you’re sending a letter, always send it certified mail with return receipt. That way you have proof they received it.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This
Look, dealing with debt collectors sucks. There’s no sugarcoating it. But it’s not the end of the world, and you have more power in this situation than you probably think.
Spire Recovery Solutions is a legitimate company trying to collect money that’s owed. They have to follow the rules, and you have rights that protect you from abuse. Whether you decide to pay the debt, settle it for less, dispute it, or work out a payment plan, you have options.
The worst thing you can do is nothing. Ignoring the problem just makes it bigger and more expensive. Even if all you do is send a letter asking them to verify the debt, that’s better than sticking your head in the sand.
