Collection Agency FAQ

There are two possibilities.

Some creditors will actually use a separate company name, address, and phone number for their internal collection departments, in order to give the impression of an "outside" agency, on the theory that debtors will take it more seriously. This strategy is generally only used when the debt is recent (under six months delinquent.)

However, most collections activity is performed by third-party collection agencies, which are separate from the original creditors, and "work" debts on behalf of various lenders. They may also buy bad debts which have been designated as charge-offs by the original creditor.

This FAQ focuses on third-party agencies.

Third-party collection agencies often work on commission, where they receive a percentage of the amount that they collect. Individual collectors are often paid a low base wage plus commissions based on their personal performance.

Some agencies also purchase large groups of charged-off bad debts for a small percentage of the "face value" (amount owed.) After a debt is sold, the debtor now owes the full amount to the purchaser. Since the chances of recovery decrease substantially with time, an agency might only pay 1% - 5% of face value. The agencies' profits come from the difference between the purchase price and the amounts that are eventually collected.

The primary tools of a collection agency are letters and telephone calls.

The letters are computer-generated, and are often in a standardized series which starts with a friendly, "reminder" tone, and may progress to ultimatums. The letters are pre-written and sent to many debtors; they are not personal.

The first letter must state that the recipient has the right to dispute the validity of the debt (in writing), and the agency must send some confirmation after verifying it with the original creditor. Collection letters must also contain the statement that they come from a debt collector, and that any information gathered will be used for the purpose of collecting the debt. Collectors are legally prohibited from printing anything on the outside of the envelope which indicates or suggests the nature of the communication. Even the return address must be discreet, so many agencies will just use their company's initials, or some other nondescript name.

The debtor's reaction to the letters will affect which letters the agency will select from its repertoire. Cooperation (e.g. making payment arrangements and/or partial payments) may result in letters with a gentler tone. Evasive or hostile reactions from the debtor may result in a more threatening tone.

Collectors try to create a sense of urgency, in order the collect within the shortest amount of time, and to encourage the debtor to prioritize that particular obligation. Deadlines may be set, such as, "Pay this amount within ten days." There may also be threats, such as, "...Or we will proceed to further collection action." But most of the time, if a debtor fails to meet the deadline, all that will happen is that yet another form letter will arrive, making the same basic demand. The "further collection action" usually just means more form letters.

Collection letters will always encourage the debtor to call the collection agency on the phone. If the debtor doesn't call, then a collector will often call the debtor.

Individual telephone collectors may be assigned a group of accounts, and spend their entire workday, every day, calling them. Their enthusiasm is fueled by frequent performance evaluations and personal commission payments. The size of a collector's own paycheck is dependent upon how much money s/he extracts from debtors. Between that factor, and the relentless confrontations, this is a very high-stress job, with high employee turnover.

If a collector calls and reaches someone other than the debtor (e.g. a roommate), s/he is legally prohibited from disclosing the reason for the call. Depending on the state, this may or may not include the debtor's spouse. If the collector reaches an answering machine or voice mail, s/he will often leave a message, but is prohibited from explaining the reason for the call, since someone besides the debtor might hear it. The standard message goes something like, "I am calling for John Smith. It is very important that you call me back. My name is Joe Schmo, and my number is 1 (800) 234-5678." S/he will typically sound rather bored and stilted, with other voices chattering in the background. Collection agencies are required to provide a phone number which is free for the debtor to call. They also may attach their (800) numbers to equipment which instantly identifies and logs the phone number which a debtor is calling from, in order to call the debtor at that number later.

When speaking with a debtor, many collectors (especially those without much experience) will use a script, which contains a pre-written introduction, request for payment, and has various branches to follow, depending on how the debtor responds. If a particular debtor is taking up too much time, without making arrangements to pay, the collector will be inclined to move on to other accounts.

Any information that the debtor gives about his/her financial situation (e.g. income or job status, etc.) will be noted on the account record and used to estimate the chances of a recovery, the appropriateness of legal action, and so forth.

If they are working the debt on commission, they can send some more form letters and make some more scripted phone calls.

They can also report the item to the credit bureaus. And if they are working on commission, they can recommend a lawsuit, or if they own the debt, they can sue. However, the actual chances or intentions of this are often significantly less than they try to suggest to the debtor.

Collection agencies can not legally seize a debtor's assets, bank accounts, or paycheck unless there has already been a successful lawsuit with a judgement awarded to them.

Collection agencies can not legally make any kind of public announcements or disclosures concerning the debt, except to the credit bureaus.

Collection agencies can not legally get a debtor fired from his/her job.

Collection agencies can not legally engage in any type of physical violence or threats thereof.

Often, the reasons include fear, guilt, intimidation, and a lack of understanding of the legal situation.

The debtor may feel guilty and ashamed of being a "deadbeat," and may perceive a judgement of his/her value as a person.

The debtor may have greatly exaggerated ideas about what collectors are (legally) capable of doing, and may have outdated stereotypes in mind.

The debtor may be intimidated by the relentless, confidant demands, from companies that may seem so powerful. S/he may take it personally, and assume that great individual attention is being given to this particular debt.

Consumers being contacted by collection agencies are typically in serious financial difficulty, and under emotional stress about the general situation, so they may be confused and vulnerable.

Many debtors aren't aware of their legal rights, and feel powerless.

There are two main things that a collection agency can actually do that a debtor should be concerned about. These involve damage to credit reports, and the smaller possibility of a lawsuit.

Third-party collection agencies may report a debt to one or more of the credit bureaus, as a "Collection Account," including the amount, and whether it was paid or not. Paying off a collection account will not result in the item being removed from the consumer's credit reports - it will simply be marked "Paid." Agencies can report both debts that they have bought, and also debts that they are working on behalf of the actual creditor.

Also, a collection agency may request a debtor's credit report, in order to get an idea of his/her general financial situation, and to get an updated address and phone number.

Collection accounts are subject to the normal seven-year time limit for appearing on credit reports. As specified in Section 605 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, this time limit is based on the date of the original delinquency.

If the debt still belongs to the original creditor, a third-party collection agency cannot file a lawsuit. But if the balance is large, the debtor is being resistant, and if there are indications that the debtor has vulnerable assets, the agency may send the account back to the creditor with a recommendation to sue. Each creditor has its own criteria for the decision; for example, the amount must be substantial (often $1500 or more, at the very least.)

Collection agencies tend to avoid sending too many accounts back, since it suggests that they aren't very good at collecting. Also, letters and phone calls are much less expensive than going to court.

If an agency has bought a debt, then they have the ability to sue, but by that time, the debt is likely to be rather old, and the agency doesn't have much invested in it.

Collectors tend to focus on fear and intimidation, since those things can work much more quickly, cheaply, and efficiently than legal action.

Lawsuits certainly are brought against plenty of debtors, but not nearly as often as debtors fear. There is a big difference between, "Pay up or we will continue with collection action," compared to an actual Summons And Complaint.

If the debt is substantial and recent, and the debtor appears to be a good target (e.g. reasonable assets or income), a lawsuit is a real possibility. If you are served with legal documents specifying a particular court, hearing date, etc., you should see a qualified attorney immediately. That area is beyond the scope of this FAQ.

The most important law is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which places many restrictions on collection activities. The FDCPA only covers third-party collection agencies, not original creditors.

Each state may also have applicable laws regarding such things as telephone harassment.

The Federal Trade Commission oversees the collections industry, and has the authority to impose fines or other penalties for violations. However, the FTC does not get involved with individual consumers' cases. They accept a large number of complaints, and look for patterns of violations which could then lead to action against a particular collection agency.

The agency then becomes the creditor for most purposes. The debtor will not be able to make any negotiations with the original creditor. The agency might be technically able to file a lawsuit against the debtor, (although this is not likely.)

However, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a Staff Opinion Letter which indicates that, even if a collection agency has purchased a debt, it is still covered under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act as a "third-party debt collector."

The debt does not become some kind of "new" debt just because of being sold. For example, the seven-year credit reporting time limit is still based on the original delinquency date with the original creditor. The statute of limitations for filing lawsuits is also based on that same date. These limits can not be legitimately "reset" by a collection agency that has bought the debt.

However, the statute of limitations may possibly be reset if the debtor makes a specific promise to pay, or a partial payment.

Yes. The statute of limitations only covers the filing of lawsuits, and the credit reporting time limit only covers bureau listings. There is no time limit on letters and phone calls.

A collection agency that has purchased a bundle of "out-of-statute" debts (where the SOL has already expired, or "run") is hoping that, either the debtors will feel guilty, or that they won't be aware of that "out-of-statute" status. But if a particular debtor makes it clear that s/he understands the legal situation, then the collectors are likely to give up and move on to easier targets.

Yes, but there are limitations. For example, they can not legally tell your employer about the debt, or try to have you fired.

Yes. According to section 805 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

"(c) CEASING COMMUNICATION.  If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector shall not communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt, except --

(1) to advise the consumer that the debt collector's further efforts are being terminated;

(2) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or

(3) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy.

If such notice from the consumer is made by mail, notification shall be complete upon receipt."

So the consumer can just send a third-party collection agency a written notice (preferably citing the FDCPA), ordering them to stop the collection letters and calls, and the agency is legally obligated to comply. The only permissible contact thereafter is to notify the debtor of specific "remedies," like legal action, but usually the collectors won't even bother.

If the creditor hasn't yet made a decision on whether or not to file a lawsuit, then that decision may be made at this point, rather than being delayed.

After a "cease and desist" notice from the consumer, the debt may then be returned to the original creditor, passed on to another third-party agency, or simply filed away, depending on the circumstances. The agency may still report the account to the credit bureaus.

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