Florida Collection Agencies

Florida collection agencies are a smart business solution when dealing with customers who owe you money won't pay.

Florida businesses face a number of collections problems. Unpaid bad debt creates negative cash flow for your business.

If your in house collections efforts are not consistent and effective, you lose not only money, but productivity as well, because you're having to dedicate labor time to "chasing after" these delinquent accounts.

To better recover on these past due accounts, many Florida businesses turn to Florida collection agencies.

How Can A Florida Collection Agency Help Me?

A Florida debt collection agency can help your business collect its bad debts by:

Mail
Typically, collection agencies make use of a number of letters sent to the debtor, called demand letters. These are often very effective in getting the debtor's attention, especially since they're coming from a neutral third party. They're written to remind them of their obligations, and get them to pay or make payment arrangements to satisfy the debt.

Phone
If, after a series of demand letters don't prove effective, a Florida collection agency will then make phone calls to the debtor.

Legal Options
Florida debt collection companies often can take legal action, up to and including filing suit, if both the demand letters or phone calls haven't been successful.

Areas Served in Florida

Florida collection agencies offer coverage statewide, including:

• Jacksonville
• Miami
• Tampa
• Saint Petersburg
• Hialeah
• Orlando
• Fort Lauderdale
• Tallahassee
• Hollywood
• Pembroke Pines

Choosing A Florida Commercial Collection Agency

When choosing a Florida collection agency, here are a few areas to pay attention to:

Debt Collection Techniques

• ask for sample demand letters that they will be sending to your clients. You want to make sure the language is both strong enough to get their attention, but doesn't alienate your customers. You also want to make sure they abide by the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and other state collections laws.

  The FDCPA forbids abusive, threatening and obscene language when dealing with debtors, and that they be treated with respect.

• Ask how is debtor information forwarded to the collection agency.
• When and how is collected monies sent to your business.
• How can your business monitor the collections activity.

Company History and Reputation
Ask for references of other similar businesses they've worked with; ask how long they've been in business. Many agencies come and go, so make sure you're dealing with a Florida collection agency that has stability.

When you're ready to hire a Florida collection agency, let DebtCollectionSteps.com help you. Fill out the quote form below, and we can refer you to an agency that serves your area.

Summary of Collection Laws in Florida

• Florida Collection Laws Interest Rate
  
  Legal: 10%
  Judgment: 10% or up to 18% if contractual



• Florida Collection Laws Statute Of Limitations (Years)
  
  Open account: 4
  Written Contract: 5
  Domestic Judgment: 7 Renewable
  

  Foreign Judgment: 5 if not recorded instate
  
  

• Florida Collection Laws Bad Check Laws (NSF) (Civil Penalty)
  
  After 30 day demand-treble amount in addition to amount owed, bank & court costs & reasonable attorney fees



• Florida Collection Laws General Garnishment Exemptions
  
  See federal law except: 100% head of household.
  

  Liberal Homestead Exemption - 1st $1,000 of automobile
  
  

• Florida Collection Laws Collection Agency Bond & Licensing Rules
  
  Bond: Yes - $50,000 (Commercial)
  License: Yes
  Fee: Yes
  $200 - Registration
  $50 - Investigation
  

  $200 - Renewal
  Exemption for out-of-state collectors: Registration is required for out-of-state collectors if [1] soliciting accounts; [2] if client (creditor, its affiliate or subsidiary) has an office in Florida.

Return to National Collection Agencies from Florida Collection Agencies.