Lockhart Morris & Montgomery on Your Credit Report: Who They Are and What to Do
by Joe Mahlow • Updated on Mar. 14, 2026
Debt Collections · Credit Report · Consumer Rights
Seeing an unfamiliar collection agency on your credit report is stressful. Here’s everything you need to know about Lockhart Morris & Montgomery — and the exact steps to protect your credit.
Updated March 2026 · 8 min read · Sources: FDCPA, FCRA, CFPB, BBB
Lockhart Morris & Montgomery May Not Have the Right to Collect
Before you call them back or send a single payment, know this: collection agencies are required by law to prove the debt is valid, accurate, and legally yours. Thousands of collection accounts are removed every year — not because the consumer paid, but because the agency couldn’t prove its case.
One morning you check your credit score and it’s dropped 80 points. You scan your report and spot a name you don’t recognize: Lockhart Morris & Montgomery. No letter, no phone call — just a derogatory mark dragging down your score.
This is one of the most common credit report surprises in the country. And the worst thing you can do is ignore it.
This guide explains exactly who Lockhart Morris & Montgomery is, why they’re on your report, what your rights are, and — most importantly — how to dispute or remove them.
Who is Lockhart Morris & Montgomery?
Lockhart Morris & Montgomery (LMM) is a third-party debt collection agency headquartered in Richardson, Texas. Founded in 2004, they purchase overdue accounts from original creditors and attempt to collect those balances from consumers. They are BBB-accredited since 2012.
They primarily collect debt in the healthcare, residential and commercial security, commercial freight and logistics, and vocational student loan industries. They also offer bankruptcy management, skip tracing, and credit reporting services.
Their mailing address is: 1401 N. Central Expressway, Suite 225, Richardson, TX 75080. Their main website is lmminc.com.
Why is Lockhart Morris & Montgomery on my credit report?
Lockhart Morris & Montgomery appears on your credit report because they have purchased a debt you owed to an original creditor, or they have been hired to collect it. When a creditor gives up on collecting a balance, they often sell it to a collection agency — sometimes for pennies on the dollar. That agency then reports the collection account to the credit bureaus.
This can happen even if:
- You were unaware the original account went to collections
- You believe the debt was already paid
- The debt doesn’t belong to you at all (identity errors are more common than you’d think)
- The debt is past the statute of limitations
A collections account can lower your credit score significantly — sometimes by 50–100 points — and it can remain on your report for up to 7 years from the date of the original delinquency, even if you pay it.
Is Lockhart Morris & Montgomery a legitimate company or a scam?
Yes, Lockhart Morris & Montgomery is a legitimate, licensed debt collection agency — not a scam. They are BBB-accredited and operate under federal debt collection laws. However, like many collection agencies, they have received consumer complaints and have faced federal lawsuits related to debt collection practices.
As of 2026, a search of the PACER federal docket shows multiple lawsuits filed against the agency, typically involving alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). A high complaint volume does not mean they are fraudulent, but it does mean you should verify any debt they claim you owe before making a payment.
What are my rights when dealing with Lockhart Morris & Montgomery?
Federal law gives you significant power over debt collectors. Two laws in particular protect you:
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
The FDCPA is a federal law that applies to every consumer in the United States. Under the FDCPA, Lockhart Morris & Montgomery:
- Cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time
- Cannot use threatening, abusive, or deceptive language
- Cannot threaten arrest for an unpaid private debt
- Must stop contacting you if you send a written cease-and-desist request
- Cannot contact you at work if you inform them your employer prohibits it
- Must send you a written validation notice within 5 days of first contact
- Must prove they have the right to collect the debt if you dispute it in writing within 30 days
If they violate the FDCPA, you may be entitled to up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages — and the debt collector pays your attorney’s fees.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The FCRA gives you the right to dispute any inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information on your credit report. If Lockhart Morris & Montgomery cannot verify the accuracy of a reported account, the credit bureau is required to remove it.
How do I remove Lockhart Morris & Montgomery from my credit report?
To remove Lockhart Morris & Montgomery from your credit report, first verify the debt is accurate. If it contains errors or cannot be verified, dispute it directly with the credit bureaus or send the agency a debt validation letter. If the debt is valid, you may negotiate a “pay for delete” agreement before making any payment.
Here are your options in order of priority:
Request debt validation. Send a written debt validation letter via certified mail within 30 days of their first contact. LMM must prove the debt is yours, the amount is correct, and they have the legal right to collect it. If they fail to validate, they cannot continue collection activity.
Check for errors on your credit report. Pull your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for wrong dates, incorrect balances, duplicate entries, or accounts that aren’t yours. Any error gives you grounds to dispute.
Dispute directly with the credit bureaus. File a dispute with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion online or by certified mail. Bureaus have 30 days to investigate — if LMM cannot verify the account, it must be removed.
Negotiate a “pay for delete” agreement. If the debt is valid and you want to pay it, ask LMM in writing to delete the tradeline from your report in exchange for payment. Get any agreement in writing before paying. Never give a collection agency direct access to your bank account.
Consult an FDCPA attorney if your rights were violated. Many handle FDCPA cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless you win, and the agency covers your legal fees.
Should I pay Lockhart Morris & Montgomery?
Do not pay Lockhart Morris & Montgomery until you have verified the debt is yours, the amount is accurate, and the debt is within the statute of limitations. Paying a collection without confirming these details — or without a written pay-for-delete agreement — may not improve your credit score and could restart the statute of limitations on old debt.
- Paying does not automatically remove the account — it will stay on your report for up to 7 years, just marked as “paid.”
- Partial payments on old debt can sometimes reset the statute of limitations in certain states.
- A pay-for-delete agreement — in writing — is your best option if the debt is valid.
- If the debt is past the statute of limitations, you may not legally owe it, though it may still appear on your report.
How do I stop Lockhart Morris & Montgomery from calling me?
To stop calls from Lockhart Morris & Montgomery, send a written cease-and-desist letter via certified mail. Under the FDCPA, they must stop contacting you after receiving this letter — except to notify you of a specific action they intend to take, such as a lawsuit.
1401 N. Central Expressway, Suite 225
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 877-214-3355
Send all correspondence via USPS certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery. Keep copies of everything.
Quick-reference checklist
Pull your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (free weekly reports available)
Confirm the account details: original creditor, date of delinquency, balance reported
Send a debt validation letter within 30 days of first contact (certified mail)
If errors exist, file a dispute with all three credit bureaus
If valid, negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement in writing before paying
If your rights were violated, contact a consumer rights attorney — no upfront cost required
Helpful resources
- AnnualCreditReport.com — Free official credit reports from all three bureaus
- CFPB: What is a debt collector?
- FTC: Full text of the FDCPA
- BBB profile: Lockhart Morris & Montgomery
- CFPB Complaint Portal — Submit a complaint against a debt collector
Your Credit Score Doesn’t Have to Suffer for 7 Years
A collection from Lockhart Morris & Montgomery can legally stay on your report until 2031 or beyond — but that doesn’t mean it will. Here’s exactly how professional credit repair works:
Pull your full 3-bureau report and identify all negative items
Send formal debt validation letters to Lockhart Morris & Montgomery
File disputes with Equifax, Experian & TransUnion for any errors found
Negotiate pay-for-delete or goodwill deletions where applicable
ASAP Credit Repair USA has helped thousands of consumers remove collection accounts, late payments, and charge-offs — legally and permanently.
Start My Free Credit Review → No obligation · Secure · Results within 30–45 days in most casesFrequently Asked Questions
Who is Lockhart Morris & Montgomery?
Lockhart Morris & Montgomery (LMM) is a third-party debt collection agency founded in 2004 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas. They buy overdue debts from original creditors — including hospitals, security companies, and student loan servicers — and attempt to collect the balance from consumers.
Why is Lockhart Morris & Montgomery on my credit report?
They appear on your credit report because they purchased or were assigned a debt originally owed to another company. When you fall behind on a bill, the original creditor may sell that account to a collection agency. LMM then reports the collection to all three credit bureaus.
Is Lockhart Morris & Montgomery a scam?
No. LMM is a legitimate, BBB-accredited company. However, they have received consumer complaints and have been named in FDCPA-related lawsuits. Always verify any debt they claim you owe before making a payment.
Can Lockhart Morris & Montgomery be removed from my credit report?
Yes — especially if the account contains errors, cannot be verified, or was reported inaccurately. Under the FCRA, you can dispute any unverifiable information and the bureau is required to remove it. Even valid debts can sometimes be removed through a negotiated pay-for-delete agreement.
Should I pay Lockhart Morris & Montgomery?
Not until you’ve verified the debt is yours and accurate. Paying a collection without a written pay-for-delete agreement will not remove it from your report — it will simply be marked “paid collection,” which still damages your score for up to 7 years.
How do I stop Lockhart Morris & Montgomery from calling me?
Send a written cease-and-desist letter via certified mail. Under the FDCPA, they are legally required to stop all contact after receiving your letter — except to inform you of a specific action they plan to take.
What are my rights under the FDCPA?
LMM cannot call outside 8 a.m.–9 p.m., use abusive language, or threaten arrest. They must send a validation notice within 5 days and must prove the debt is valid within 30 days if you dispute it. Violations may entitle you to up to $1,000 in statutory damages.
How long will Lockhart Morris & Montgomery stay on my credit report?
A collection account can remain on your credit report for up to 7 years from the date of the original delinquency — regardless of whether you pay it. The only way to get it removed sooner is through a successful dispute or a negotiated deletion agreement.