CREDIT COLLECTION AGENCY IN LOS ANGELES – JMH COLLECTION AGENCY
What happens when your credit goes to collection agency?
When your credit account goes to a collection agency, it means that you’ve failed to make payments on your debts, and the creditor has enlisted the help of a third-party collection agency to recover the money owed. Here’s what typically happens:

- Notification: You’ll receive notification from either the original creditor or the collection agency informing you that your debt has been transferred to collections.
- Contact from Collection Agency: The collection agency will likely start contacting you via phone calls, letters, or emails to try to collect the debt. They may also report the debt to the credit bureaus, which can negatively impact your credit score.
- Negotiation: You have the option to negotiate with the collection agency to settle the debt for less than the full amount owed. They may be willing to accept a lower payment to close the account.
- Legal Action: If you ignore the attempts to collect the debt or refuse to pay, the collection agency may take legal action against you. This could result in a lawsuit and a judgment against you, which could lead to wage garnishment or liens on your property.
- Credit Score Impact: Having a debt sent to collections will have a significant negative impact on your credit score. It can stay on your credit report for up to seven years, making it harder to qualify for loans, credit cards, or favorable interest rates in the future.
- Debt Repayment: Ultimately, you’re still responsible for paying off the debt, even if it’s been sent to collections. It’s essential to work with the collection agency to resolve the debt and minimize the long-term effects on your credit.
Overall, having your credit account sent to a collection agency can have serious consequences, so it’s crucial to address the situation promptly and work towards resolving the debt.
What does a collections agency do?
A collections agency, also known as a debt collection agency or debt collector, specializes in recovering unpaid debts on behalf of creditors or lenders. Here’s what they typically do:
- Contact Debtors: The primary role of a collections agency is to contact individuals or businesses who owe money on overdue accounts. They use various methods such as phone calls, letters, emails, and sometimes even in-person visits to communicate with debtors.
- Negotiate Payment: Collections agencies work to negotiate payment arrangements with debtors. They may offer repayment plans or settlements that allow debtors to pay off their debts over time or for a reduced amount.
- Skip Tracing: If they can’t locate a debtor or if the debtor has moved without providing a forwarding address, collections agencies may use skip tracing techniques to find updated contact information.
- Compliance with Regulations: Collections agencies must comply with federal and state laws governing debt collection practices, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) in the United States. These regulations outline what collection agencies can and cannot do when attempting to collect debts, including restrictions on harassment, deception, and unfair practices.
Overall, collections agencies serve as intermediaries between creditors and debtors, working to recover outstanding debts while adhering to legal guidelines and ethical standards.
How do collection agencies collect money?
Collection agencies use various methods to collect money from debtors who owe overdue accounts. Some common techniques include:
- Phone Calls: Collection agents often start by contacting debtors via phone calls. They may call multiple times a day or week to remind debtors of their obligations and to negotiate payment arrangements.
- Letters and Emails: Collection agencies also send letters and emails to debtors, providing written documentation of the debt and requesting payment. These communications may include details about repayment options and consequences of non-payment.
- Payment Plans: Collection agencies may offer debtors the option to set up payment plans to repay their debts over time. These plans typically involve regular installment payments until the debt is fully paid off.
- Settlement Offers: In some cases, collection agencies may be willing to accept a lump sum payment that is less than the total amount owed as a settlement of the debt. Debtors can negotiate with the collection agency to reach a mutually acceptable settlement amount.
- Credit Reporting: Collection agencies often report delinquent accounts to credit bureaus, which can negatively impact the debtor’s credit score. This reporting serves as an incentive for debtors to repay their debts to avoid further damage to their credit.
- Legal Action: If debtors refuse to cooperate or make payments, collection agencies may recommend legal action to the creditor. This can include filing a lawsuit to obtain a judgment against the debtor, which may result in wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens on property.
Overall, collection agencies employ a combination of communication, negotiation, and, if necessary, legal action to collect money from debtors and recover overdue accounts on behalf of creditors or lenders.
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