Re: State Resources
[ Edited ]11-07-2008 10:58 AM - edited 11-13-2008 05:12 PM
The above link will allow you to search for complaints on problem businesses, including collection agencies.
Title 13, Chapter 1319 governs collection agencies. Title 23 deals with SOL and judgments, Title 27 has information regarding judgments as well.
Licensing Information - Ohio does not require licensing for collection agencies.
Oklahoma -
Title 12 for SOL and judgment information. Title 14 is the Consumer Credit Code.
Licensing Information -
Oklahoma does not require licensing for collection agencies. However all domestic businesses must file with the Secretary of State. To search for domestic businesses, look here.
Oregon -
Click on "Oregon Rules of Civil Procedures" for helpful information regarding judgments and various items. Also on Volume 1, Chapter 12 for information on SOL and judgments. Volume 15, Chapter 697 for information regarding collection agencies.
Click here for info on collection agencies towards the bottom in relation to the FDCPA and collection activities.
Licensing is required for all collection agencies, foreign and domestic.
Pennsylvania -
Pennsylvania Department of State
Look under the section title "Law Information"
Title 42 deals with SOL and judgments. Title 73, Chapter 42 for the "Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act. It protects any Pennsylvania resident and covers both collection agencies and original creditors.
Here is the PA's Attorney General's take on the act.
Licensing Information -
Collection agencies have no licensing requirements. However, you can search for Pennsylvania businesses to see if they are allowed to do business.
Rhode Island -
Department of Business Regulation
Title 9 for SOL and judgment information.
The Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act covers collection agencies and can be founds in Title 19, Chapter 19-14.9 along with registration requirements.
Licensing Information -
All collection agencies that are domestic and are collecting for in-state debtors are required to register. For more information, click the Department of Business Registration link above and scroll down to "Debt Collector Registration". If you click on the "DCU1" application link, you'll find info that pertains to registration.
To check up on domestic collection agencies, use this service, it is contracted by the Department of Business Regulation. This company also provides licensing information for DC, DE, FL, IA, NC, NH, and NJ.
South Carolina -
Department of Consumer Affairs
Title 15 for SOL and judgments. Title 37 is the consumer protection code.
Licensing Information -
Licensing is currently not required for collection agencies in South Carolina. However there is a bill stuck in the state legislature that would require licensing for collection agencies. This bill is called the Debt Collection Licensing Act. At the time of posting this, H 4612 is stuck in committee.
South Dakota -
Office of the Attorney General
Title 15 for SOL and judgment information.
Licensing Information -
There are no licensing requirements in South Dakota for collection agencies.
Although this doesn't deal with licensing, you can search via the Secretary of State to see business registrations for both foreign and domestic companies. Many companies will set up a satellite office and South Dakota requires registration if they do, so as to track revenue and taxes. Remember, if you don't see your collection agency in the above database, that doesn't mean they cannot collect in South Dakota.
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