When you choose a third party to assist in your recovery consider the following:

• Are they licensed? Illinois, like most states, regulate collection agencies so that you have assurance that state and federal laws are being followed.
• Are they bonded? Bonding helps protect your assets if the third party has financial
  issues they are dealing with.
• Do they have error and omission coverage? In today's world, any company is vulnerable to
  suit. E&O helps protect you and the agency should legal action be taken. FDCPA
  violations are part of our industry, many times the Client is drawn in because of
  their 'deep pockets'.
• What is the FDCPA? The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides the rules that
  third parties must follow in collecting any type of debt from hospital bills to 'bad' checks.
• Do they have a Trust Account? Money collected on behalf of a Client are to be placed
  in a Trust Account on behalf of the Client. Commingled funds have resulted in companies going out of business without the Client getting money they were due.
• What recovery services do they provide? Letter only services, represent check
  specialist, legal specialist come and go daily in the collection industry.
• What happens to items they don't recover? Using a licensed and bonded collection
  agency means you won't have to find out the answer. All your recovery needs
  are met and you are protected.