Debt collection agencies are used by creditors that needs to collect money when the they don't have the time, resources or patience to effect collections on their own. Collection agencies are experts in getting people to resolve money issues, they have trained staff that specializes in debt negotiation and skip-tracing. This training covers a broad range of FDCPA, legal and debt collecting skills as well as a proven process for going after accounts.
As a creditor, when you hire a collection agency, they are assigned the job of collecting the debt. Normally, if the agency is successful in debt collection the collection agency will retain a percentage of the amount collected as payment for services.
Some agencies will buy the accounts but most will not. The debtor does not actually owe the collection agency any money but they still owe the debt to the original creditor. By law the collection agency must provide, if asked, proof of the debt (known as validation of debt) that they have been assigned the account for collections on behalf of the creditor.
Purchasing old debts is a big business. The collection agency is hoping that you would rather pay than get sued.
All collection companies are governed by federal laws (FDCPA) and collection agencies are not in the business of collecting fraudulent debts. However, when acting on behalf of a legitimate creditor they will take all necessary steps to enforce the collection of overdue accounts, including going to court on behalf of the creditor and reporting to the credit bureaus.
You need a debt collection company when -
the debtor has the ability to pay but ignores you the debt is past due there is not a valid dispute
A debt collection company will approach the situation through a multi-stage letter writing campaign which can be effective, if occasionally slow, but it may not lead to recovery when -
the debtor has or thinks he or she has a defense the amount owed is disputed there is an unrelated adverse claim the debtor's solvency is in doubt or there is the possibility of bankruptcy there is security to recover or a possible prejudgment remedy
If any of these issues occur, the creditor should for their own legal protection retain control of important decisions such as if and when to litigate, what attorney to use and any other decisions made prior to or during suit. This is very important where the creditor has a long term interest in keeping the customer as his client. Not retaining control of such decisions and proceeding without the advice of a qualified attorney could leave the creditor open to counter suit.
When the creditor does not wish to do additional business with the client and the creditor is not interested in the outcome of a debt collection, beyond getting his money back, they can sell the debt to a debt buyer. - 15246
As a creditor, when you hire a collection agency, they are assigned the job of collecting the debt. Normally, if the agency is successful in debt collection the collection agency will retain a percentage of the amount collected as payment for services.
Some agencies will buy the accounts but most will not. The debtor does not actually owe the collection agency any money but they still owe the debt to the original creditor. By law the collection agency must provide, if asked, proof of the debt (known as validation of debt) that they have been assigned the account for collections on behalf of the creditor.
Purchasing old debts is a big business. The collection agency is hoping that you would rather pay than get sued.
All collection companies are governed by federal laws (FDCPA) and collection agencies are not in the business of collecting fraudulent debts. However, when acting on behalf of a legitimate creditor they will take all necessary steps to enforce the collection of overdue accounts, including going to court on behalf of the creditor and reporting to the credit bureaus.
You need a debt collection company when -
the debtor has the ability to pay but ignores you the debt is past due there is not a valid dispute
A debt collection company will approach the situation through a multi-stage letter writing campaign which can be effective, if occasionally slow, but it may not lead to recovery when -
the debtor has or thinks he or she has a defense the amount owed is disputed there is an unrelated adverse claim the debtor's solvency is in doubt or there is the possibility of bankruptcy there is security to recover or a possible prejudgment remedy
If any of these issues occur, the creditor should for their own legal protection retain control of important decisions such as if and when to litigate, what attorney to use and any other decisions made prior to or during suit. This is very important where the creditor has a long term interest in keeping the customer as his client. Not retaining control of such decisions and proceeding without the advice of a qualified attorney could leave the creditor open to counter suit.
When the creditor does not wish to do additional business with the client and the creditor is not interested in the outcome of a debt collection, beyond getting his money back, they can sell the debt to a debt buyer. - 15246
