Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a collection agency?
Many debtors will pay a collection agency even though they never cooperated with the original creditor. The debtors sometimes do not believe a creditor is serious about collecting the debt. Getting a third party involved will many times motivate the debtor to pay. Debtors also do not want to have their credit rating damaged or go to court.
How long will it take for you to collect my money?
Not all claims are collectible as some debtors may skip, file bankruptcy, become deceased or just refuse to pay. The age of the debt also plays a part in how long it may take to collect anything, if the debt is old and/or the debtor requires backup paperwork, that can prolong collections.
What if the debtor disputes the debt or just refuses to pay?
If the debtor disputes the debt, we will provide them with documentation you provide us to prove the validity of the debt. If the debtor refuses to pay, we may suggest legal action.
What debts can be placed for collection?
We do not have a minimum dollar amount on claims placed with us. We do ask that you only place debts that have occurred within the past two years. On small claims (under $100) we will not spend a lot of time on phone calls and letters if we do not receive payment quickly.
How actively do you pursue bad addresses?
We continue to try to locate debtors for at least 6 months to a year, then we usually keep checking back on the account monthly to see if any files have been updated, such as credit bureau files, new address, employment, so we can locate them. The account is looked at weekly to make sure every effort has been made to locate the debtor so that we can then try to collect.
Does the age of the debt make it more difficult to collect?
Yes, the older a debt is, the harder it is to collect.
How long have you been in business?
DFS was started in November 2001 by Mark Stanley, President. Mr. Stanley has been in the credit and collections industry for over 30 years.
Are there guarantees of payment?
No, we cannot guarantee payment, but will try our best to get your money for you. DFS works on contingency. We don’t get paid unless we collect the bill.
If I decide to use your services, how do we get started?
Contact our sales department at [email protected] or call 877.348.1146 ext. 210 and ask for a Sales Representative. We will forward you a collection agreement that can be signed and faxed to us. Accounts can be accepted via our website or in almost any format, Excel, .CSV, ASCII, Word or just by fax or mail.
What is your fee?
Fees vary depending upon the age of the accounts, volume and amount. Typical rates for accounts under one year old and over $100 are 25% contingency fee. Second placement accounts are typically 50% contingency fee. DFS only charges a fee if we collect. We don’t get paid unless you do.