Getting a letter or a call from "Rash Curtis & Associates" can be unsettling, especially if you don't recognize the account. Here's the calm version: Rash Curtis is a real, licensed California collection agency -- not a scam -- and much of what it collects is medical or utility debt. That's actually good news, because those bills give you the most room to check, correct, and lower the balance before you pay.
Short answer
Yes, Rash Curtis is legit -- an active, state-licensed third-party collection agency in Vacaville, California. It collects on contingency for the original creditor, so it does not own your debt -- it's an agent. Because it focuses on medical and utility accounts, your best first step is to verify and, if it's a medical bill, check for insurance errors and charity care before paying anything.
Who Rash Curtis is
Rash Curtis & Associates is a third-party debt-collection agency based in Vacaville, California, and it holds a current state collection-agency license. It works on a contingency basis -- it is paid a percentage only if it collects -- which means it does not buy or own the debt. Instead, it collects on behalf of the original creditor. Its emphasis is medical and healthcare accounts and utility bills, along with some retail, banking, and check collection. That focus shapes everything about how you should respond.
If it's a medical bill: check it before you pay
Because a large share of what Rash Curtis collects is medical, treat a medical balance as something to verify first -- not something to pay on reflex. Medical bills are often wrong, and there is frequently help available that can shrink or erase them:
- Itemize the bill. Ask for a line-by-line itemized statement so you can see exactly what you're being charged for and catch duplicate or incorrect charges.
- Request your EOB. Get the Explanation of Benefits from your insurer and compare it to the bill -- a claim that was mishandled or not billed to insurance can change the amount you actually owe.
- Check charity care / 501(r) assistance. Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial-assistance programs, and eligibility can apply retroactively -- so a bill already in collections may still qualify.
- Look for No Surprises Act protections. If this was a surprise or out-of-network bill, federal rules may limit what you can be charged.
Do this before paying. For more, see how to negotiate medical bills.
It's an agent, not the owner -- so validate
Because Rash Curtis collects on contingency for someone else, it does not own your account. That makes a written validation letter especially useful: it forces the agency to document the debt and, importantly, name who actually owns it -- usually the hospital, provider, or utility. Any genuine settlement authority ultimately runs through that original creditor, so knowing who owns the account tells you who really has to agree to any deal. Send your request in writing, use the validation process, and confirm the original creditor before you negotiate. If you've dealt with other agencies, note that a similar setup applies to other third-party collectors that collect rather than own.
Insist on written contact
Like some high-volume phone collectors, an agency may call frequently. You can insist on written contact so you have a clear paper trail, and you can flag any calls that appear autodialed or that reach a wrong number. Getting communication in writing protects you and makes it easier to verify, dispute, or negotiate accurately.
Is it a scam?
No -- Rash Curtis & Associates is a real, licensed collection agency, not a fake front. But scammers do impersonate legitimate collectors to pressure quick payment, so verify before you pay: a real agency will validate the debt in writing on request and name the current owner. If a caller refuses to put anything in writing, demands unusual payment methods, or won't identify the original creditor, treat that as a warning sign. Like many high-volume collectors, a real agency can draw consumer complaints or regulatory scrutiny -- that alone doesn't make it illegitimate.
If it's a genuinely-owed debt
If the balance is genuinely yours, validated, and within the statute of limitations, an unsecured medical or utility balance can be negotiated in writing. Be careful: a payment or a written promise can restart the statute-of-limitations clock, so confirm timing first. Get any agreement in writing before you pay, and keep proof. A forgiven balance over $600 can trigger a 1099-C, so consider asking a tax professional. And for a medical bill, run through the itemize / EOB / charity-care steps above before agreeing to anything -- you may owe far less than the letter says.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Your rights and timelines vary by state, and medical-billing protections and financial-assistance rules vary by provider; consider consulting a qualified attorney, a nonprofit credit counselor, or legal aid.