ACS Recovery

Our goal is to give you outstanding service on your outstanding accounts.

• In business since 1961.
• The percentage of dollars we recover is significantly over the national average for collection agencies.
• Contingency recovery - No upfront cost. Only a fee as a result of recovery.
• Letters, phone calls, and the legal system are all used as part of our recovery process.
• We advance court costs and retain counsel on your behalf if conventional recovery is not successful.
• Money recovered by us is paid to you monthly.

Check Alert

We do more than just recover "bounced" checks.

• Merchants receive 100% of the face value of recovered checks.
• We work to find the most cost effective way to accept checks.
• All checks listed are put on verification to stop check writers at other Merchants using Verification, Guarantee or Conversion.
• Phone, letters, skip tracing, internet and legal processing all part of recovery process.

In addition to check recovery, we offer services to help prevent check fraud. We can save your business the time and hassle with these Check Alert services, listed below.

Check Verification

• We have one of the largest National databases used for verification service.
• Verification can reduce the number of returned checks by over 50%.
• System tracks check writer for number of checks and dollars written at all similar types businesses on a daily and multiple daily basis and notifies Merchant when agreed to limits are exceeded.
• System identifies check writers new to the system including low check numbered accounts.

Check Guarantee

• Program is easily understood by Associates.
• Limited identification information required on regular customers.
• Checks verified as part of guarantee.
• Prompt Point of sale check out.
• Routine settlement of account.

Check Conversion

• Check is put through reader, voided and returned to check writer.
• Transaction has been changed into an electronic transaction eliminating the paper check.
• Customer signs a paper receipt.
• A Batch Report is run like Credit Cards at the end of the day.
• Checking account is drafted overnight.
• Daily deposit of checks at bank is eliminated and the associated bank fees.
• Compensating balance account at 'deposit banks' is no longer required for returned checks.

Check Representment

• Check returned dishonored as Not Sufficient Funds (NSF) are consolidated into a batch file.
• Batch file is transmitted to a processor to be represented against check writers account electronically overnight.
• Based on timely presentation, over 50% of screened checks will clear.
• Process is faster, provides better control and can be cost effective versus paper representation of check.

Lock Box

• Checks are processed similar to a paper lockbox program.
• Checks are converted to electronic transaction eliminating multiple handling of paper checks.
• Funds are available overnight.
• Dishonored checks are identified in hours not days.
• Lockbox service available to companies who might not otherwise qualify for lockbox or find it cost effective.

Consolidated Returns

• Beneficial to Merchants with multiple locations.
• Checks are deposited at bank as is currently done.
• Checks returned dishonored are sent to 'consolidated return' bank rather than to bank where they were deposited.
• Consolidated Return bank charges a lower fee for returned checks.
• Consolidated Return Bank forwards checks to us for recovery.

Considerations

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.