So, you’ve just spotted a strange name on your caller ID or a letter in the mail from someone called Carson Smithfield. It’s a bit jarring. You’ve probably never heard of them, and naturally, you’re wondering if this is some kind of elaborate scam or a legitimate business that somehow has your personal info.
Honestly, getting hit with a collection notice is stressful enough without having to play detective. But knowing exactly what Carson Smithfield is—and how they operate—is the first step toward getting them off your back.
What is Carson Smithfield and Why Are They Contacting You?
Basically, Carson Smithfield, LLC is a third-party debt collection agency. They aren’t a bank. They don’t issue credit cards. Instead, they are the "recovery" arm for other financial institutions. If you have an unpaid credit card bill or an installment loan that has gone into "charge-off" status, the original lender often hands the account over to a firm like this to try and get the money back.
They are part of a larger corporate family under CardWorks, Inc., which also owns Merrick Bank and CardWorks Servicing. Because of this connection, you’ll most often see Carson Smithfield pop up if you have—or had—a credit card through Merrick Bank.
It’s important to understand that they are a legitimate, licensed company based in Old Bethpage, New York. They aren't "fake," but that doesn't mean you should just blindly pay whatever amount they claim you owe without checking the facts first.
The Merrick Bank Connection
If you’re scratching your head trying to remember if you ever did business with Carson Smithfield, the answer is almost certainly no. You didn't. You likely did business with Merrick Bank.
When a Merrick Bank account falls behind for several months, the bank eventually writes it off as a loss (a charge-off). At that point, the account is moved to Carson Smithfield for intensive collection efforts. Because they are technically separate legal entities but owned by the same parent company, the transition can feel seamless—or incredibly confusing—depending on how they've communicated it to you.
Your Rights Under the FDCPA
Because Carson Smithfield is a debt collector, they have to follow a very specific set of rules called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). They can’t just do whatever they want to get you to pay.
For instance, they aren't allowed to call you at 11:00 PM. They can't call you twenty times a day until your phone melts. They definitely can't lie about who they are or threaten to have you arrested. If they do any of these things, they are breaking federal law.
I've seen plenty of court cases—like Vega v. Carson Smithfield, LLC—where consumers sued because the collection letters were allegedly confusing or misleading. Some lawsuits have focused on how they present "limited time" settlement offers. If a collector tells you an offer expires today, but in reality, that same 40% discount is available every day of the year, that can be seen as a deceptive tactic.
How to Handle a Call or Letter
First off, don't panic. And don't immediately give them your bank account information over the phone.
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- Demand Validation. This is your best weapon. Within 30 days of them first contacting you, send a written Debt Validation Letter. You’re basically saying, "Prove I owe this, prove you have the right to collect it, and show me the math." Legally, they have to stop collection efforts until they provide this proof.
- Check Your Credit Report. Look for Merrick Bank or Carson Smithfield on your reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Sometimes the debt is reported twice or with the wrong balance.
- Keep Records. If they call you, write down the time, the date, and what the agent said. If they’re rude or aggressive, those notes become very important if you ever need to talk to a lawyer.
- Negotiate. Since they are a "post-charge-off" agency, they are often willing to settle for significantly less than the original balance. It isn't uncommon to see settlements for 40% to 60% of the original debt. Just make sure any agreement is in writing before you send a dime.
Is It a Scam?
While Carson Smithfield itself is a real company, scammers sometimes "spoof" the names of real debt collectors to trick people. If someone calling from "Carson Smithfield" demands payment via gift cards or wire transfers, hang up. That’s a scam. A real agency will accept standard payment methods and will always be able to provide a mailing address and a formal validation notice.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
If you’ve realized that the debt they are chasing is actually yours, you have a few ways to move forward:
- Send a "Cease and Desist" for Phone Calls: You can tell them in writing to only contact you via mail. This stops the annoying phone pings and gives you a paper trail for everything they say.
- Audit the Balance: Compare their "amount due" with your last statement from the original creditor. Debt collectors often add fees or interest that might not be legally allowed depending on your state.
- Consult a Consumer Rights Attorney: If you feel harassed or if they refuse to validate the debt, many FDCPA attorneys offer free consultations because their fees are often paid by the collection agency if they win the case.
Dealing with collectors is never fun, but you have more leverage than you think. You just have to be willing to use it.