Debt collection refers to the work done to recover balances from credit accounts that are past due. Most commonly, debt collection specifically references third party debt collectors whose clients include banks, credit card issuers and other credit grantors, debt buyers, governments, and any organization that extends credit or owns an account where a balance is due. Collection methods traditionally include phone calls from call center agents, e-mails, and letters, and increasingly, SMS text. If an account remains in arrears after these efforts, the collection agency may contract with a collection attorney to file suit to recover the debt, if the collection agency is not positioned to do so.

See all Topics
A person holding a mobile phone that appears to have illustrated white charts, graphs, and dollar signs popping out of it [Image by creator ra2 studio from AdobeStock]

7th Circuit's Lavallee Decision: What Does it Mean for Text Messaging and the NPRM?

12 August 2019

Man in a suit holding a large cardboard box that says "Dismissed" [Image by creator nito from AdobeStock]

Disclosure About Less Favorable Future Terms in Collection Letter Does Not Violate FDCPA, Says Missouri Court

5 August 2019

Photo of hourglass with sand all in the bottom [Image by creator Zerophoto from AdobeStock]

CFPB Extends Comment Period for Debt Collection NPRM to Sept. 18, iA Provides Perspective on What Could Happen

1 August 2019

Referee indicating timeout [Image by creator sixdays from AdobeStock]

CFPB Fines Buffalo-Based Debt Collection Group $60M, Bans Them From Industry

29 July 2019

 [Image by creator Leigh Prather from AdobeStock]

9th Cir. Asks Nevada: Is an FDCPA Claim a Compulsory Counterclaim in a Collection Suit?

25 July 2019

 [Image by creator enterlinedesign from AdobeStock]

E.D. Wis. Dismisses Case Against Collection Firm Regarding Attorney Involvement Letter Disclaimer

16 July 2019

Illustration of a business man with a magnifying glass following $ signs [Image by creator spectrumblue from AdobeStock]

E.D.N.Y. Judge States FDCPA Cases Based on Technicalities are “Lawyer’s Case[s]” and Harm Consumers

15 July 2019

 [Image by creator blackzheep from AdobeStock]

Common Sense Prevails! Seventh Circuit Affirms Consumer was not Harmed by Letter and Dismisses FDCPA Case [Podcast]

11 July 2019

 [Image by creator enterlinedesign from AdobeStock]

Jury Finds in Favor of The CBE Group, Inc. and RGS Financial, Inc. in Their Fraud Suit Against Lexington Law

8 July 2019

 [Image by creator dizain from AdobeStock]

Arbitration Clauses: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How Creditors Can Help

27 June 2019

Coin jar with sticker that says "medical" [Image by creator vinnstock from AdobeStock]

New Washington Debt Collection Law Requires Itemization Notice for Medical Debt

26 June 2019

Business man pretending to push back against a mural depicting gears [Image by creator olly from AdobeStock]

CFPB’s Semiannual Regulatory Agenda Discusses Debt Collection NPRM

24 June 2019

A young girl with hands thrown up, acting frustrated, in front of a desk with 1970's style phone and typewriter, with hands thrown up [Image by creator djoronimo from AdobeStock]

Avila and the Intricacies of Civil Litigation Procedure Illustrated in Recent E.D.N.Y. Decision

20 June 2019

 [Image by creator freshidea from AdobeStock]

7th Cir. Creates Split on Spokeo Standing, Rules in Favor of Defendant in FDCPA Disclosure Case

19 June 2019

 [Image by creator Frank Fennema from AdobeStock]

Data Breach Saga Continues: AMCA Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

18 June 2019

 [Image by creator enterlinedesign from AdobeStock]

Texas Court Finds No Issue With Mailing Second Validation Letter After 30-Day Validation Window

17 June 2019

A person holding a mobile phone that appears to have illustrated white charts, graphs, and dollar signs popping out of it [Image by creator ra2 studio from AdobeStock]

LiveVox Hosts Panel on Digital Adoption with Alorica Financial, Frost-Arnett at insideARM’s 2019 First Party Summit

13 June 2019

 [Image by creator congratulations from AdobeStock]

insideARM Announces the 2019 Best Places to Work in Collections

11 June 2019

Side of a modern high rise office building that says BANK on the side [Image by creator styleuneed from AdobeStock]

7th Cir. Affirms Decision on Creditor ID Claim, Says Commonly Known Name is Fine and Specific Terminology is Not Required

10 June 2019

 [Image by creator Chris Titze Imaging from AdobeStock]

Third SEC Filing on AMCA Data Breach, Bringing Total to Over 20M Accounts Stored on Breached System

10 June 2019