Do any of you use collection agencies in your line of work? I need to hire a collection agency to go after some customers that owe me money. I am looking for a hardcore aganecy, one that is aggressive, one that will put a dent in someone's credit score. Please let me know if you have any agencies you would recomend.

Just have your Italian friends drive out to their houses and express the importance of paying their bills!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I do face to face debt collection for several dozen clients in and around St. Louis...there's nothing like standing on someone's doorstep demanding money from a guy who has all his friends over for a Super Bowl party...I'm working all day tomorrow, it should be interesting!

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

It sure would be interesting, I know of a guy in your business that thought it would be fun to go to peoples homes on Christmas morning. One of the doors he knocked on was a lawyer.

He is not in business anymore.

I've have used them in the past, and never collected a penny. It is much easier to go to small claims, or higher if over the max. Collection agencies, IMHO, are worthless.

You need to get judgments and hire a process server. In Michigan an officer of the court can seize property and auction it.

MedMech, you're right, there are federal holidays that are a no-no, but other than that, people are fair game 8am-9pm 7 days a week, at home or work. For that matter, I was sent to a bowling alley to look for someone last evening...he no-showed. The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the main statutory guide, if anyone is interested in their rights. I've done this as a side jbo for almost 8 years, have only had one really scary episode. If people paid their bills and/or stayed in contact with creditors, I wouldn't have a job...

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

I have sent letters requesting payment. How do I report them to one of the credit agencies so that thier credit score will reflect thier lack of payments?

I truly don't know how to report them, but in my "day" job I've had great success with small claims actions. We have won judgments every time, although there have only been 3 cases so far. Then we get a judgment and start chasing their assets, seeing what we can put liens against, bank accounts, homes, etc. Just the threat of that has worked wonders. This will only work with local people, I'm not sure what to do with people who live a distance away. Keep in mind that the ways these things are done will vary locally. In St. Louis County if you call the courts building they'll mail a whole small claims packet that walks you through the whole process. The cutoff on small claims is $3000 as I recall, and again, will vary depending on your location.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Davestlouis,

You must be very tough or very stupid or Both.

Check the laws for comsumer rights in this country.
I only wish a debt collector or junk debt buyer would come knocking on my front door. Two things could happen depending how I'm feeling.

1- Law suit filed against collection agency.
2- Hello 911, I just shot a burgular.

By the way my credit score is 770
For some inteligent info on credit see. www.artofcredit.com.

__________________
joe moon/95Benzman

Well, it's perfectly legal for me to present myself at your front door, or your office, and demand funds on a delinquent debt. As long as I don't threaten you or verbally harass(spelling?) you I'm good-to-go. In Missouri you would be knee-deep in trouble if you shot me and I was not in your house...that's why I never step inside. It's not even trespassing until you ask me to leave. As for suing me or my client, have at it...we both have liability insurance and have studied the statutes at length before we started doing this.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

BTW... I've been chasing deadbeats since 1999, several dozen a week. I even have people I visit every month, they never get current. The real kicker is that, as this is considered a reasonable collection expense, some contracts have clauses written in that the creditor charges my fee to the debtor. So not only do you get to see my smiling face, you get to pay $50 for the honor, sort like a late fee.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Davidstlouis.

You are talking state law. I am talking federal Law.
You are doing illegal dirty work for some creditor that told you it is ok to knock on someones door.
A savvy consumer would of sent your employer, I am assuming your not the owner,since your stupid enough to be knocking on someone's door
Sent your employer a Validation letter. If your employer cannot product original validation of the debt, the debt is not collectable.federal statues 1692G.
Hence you are breaking the law. Also any savvy consumer would be clever enough to drag your sorry ass into the house after shoting you.

Good luck tomorrow trying to collect $14.00 from a little old lady for some unpaid Xrays she had done on her 5 years ago.
Collection agents, and I use the word agent loosly, and junk debt buyers are the scum of the earth

__________________
joe moon/95Benzman

Sounds like you've been on the receiving end of some collections activity...got your feelings hurt did ya? I'm content with the legality of what I do and seriously doubt Citicorp, Onyx Acceptance, Option One Mortgage, Ford Motor Credit and other large companies would contract with me and others nationally if this was illegal. Especially in the case of Ford, their attorneys set some differnet rules, as a courtesy to their debtors, as far as times of day to approach them, but otherwise, we have a green light to go.

The short version of this is, you signed on the dotted line. You have the use of the car/house/piano, whatever it is...now pay up.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

I am a contractor, so these clients of mine are not my employers. It's sad that the only response you have is that I must be "stupid" and doing something illegal. As for your credit score from an earlier post, my experience is that people who brag about things such as credit score or penis size are normally exaggerating and trying to hide their insecurities...I don't mean to be rude but I do this every day, and have done so for very reputable companies for years. It's perfectly legal and appropriate in the case of unresponsive debtors. My suspicion from your belligerent response to this sort of work is that you have never been a creditor, just a debtor, and must have had a problem of some sort.

As for shooting me...don't think for a minute that I can't defend myself if things turn sour. Remember, I'm the one surprising you by knocking on your door...who's more prepared?

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics