• What type of accounts do you collect?
  • ARS accepts judgments, commercial accounts, consumer accounts, unpaid child support, spousal maintenance, landlord/tenant matters, auto loans, personal loans, and student loans.
  • Do you have a minimum debt you will collect on?
  • The minimum amount for Claims we accept is $1,500.00.
  • Do you collect international accounts?
  • Yes. ARS is your global resource for all international collections.
  • Are there any upfront charges to pay?
  • No. Our fees are contingent upon successful collection of your accounts.
  • What is your fee structure?
  • All fees are contingent, which means we only get paid if you do. There is no minimum or maximum placement volume required.
    Click here to see our Fee Structure
  • Do you require a contract?
  • No.
  • How do I place my accounts for collection?
  • Whether it is one account or a large volume, placing with ARS is very simple. You can place through our website, e-mail, or by fax. The placement process is completely customizable – whatever is easiest for you. For those clients that may require assistance in establishing an automated process, we can provide the technical expertise to help extract and transmit your data securely.
  • How should I determine when an account should be sent for collection?
  • There are no set parameters, but a good guideline would be 90 to 150 days from date of invoice or last payment. Circumstances such as loss of contact, broken promises, mail returns or lack of response would be signs that the account should be forwarded sooner. The sooner the open items are sent to collection, the better chance for recovery. This chart shows that the longer you wait to collect your receivables, the less likely it will be that you collect those receivables.
  • What information do you need to collect my account?
  • To start the collection process we need the name, address, contact name, telephone number, fax number, and a statement showing the outstanding balance and the invoice(s) information. For Judgment Collections, a copy of the Judgment or Transcript is required. Additional backup documentation (invoice copies, contracts, etc.) can be provided at time of placement or at a later date.
  • Do you have a minimum number of months the account is worked by your attorneys before you close it?
  • No. Generally we will work a file for at least 90 days, at which time we should have a determination as to its collectability. Should circumstances dictate, we could close the file earlier (bankrupt, out of business, skip, paid, or settled) or hold them (solid contact, negotiating payment, payment plans, litigation, Judgment execution, etc.) longer.
  • How quickly do you begin to collect?
  • Most debtors will be contacted within 48 hours of our attorney receiving the claim.
  • Do you skip trace?
  • Yes. We have a department dedicated to skip tracing.
    How often will you update me on my accounts?
    We will forward a performance report to you during the first week of each month. The report includes a line item detail showing the current status of each account.
  • What is your success rate?
  • That depends largely on the age of the debt at the time of placement and will vary depending on the industry. We cannot guarantee that we will always collect on your placements; we do guarantee that each and every placement is worked thoroughly. There are many other variables that are found in every claim, such as time past due, backup documents, signed credit applications, personal guarantees, and previous collection efforts. While we have clients for whom we collect 70% of the accounts placed, we also represent industries, and even companies within the same industry, where the recovery rate is far less. The longer a customer delays in paying the vendor, the lower the chances of recovery.
  • Who do I contact for information about my claim?
  • To Fill Out Form and Contact Us Click Here
  • Can we establish a standard settlement percentage of the debt or will we be required to sign off on each settlement offer that is presented?
  • Yes, we can set a blanket settlement amount and only contact you on any settlement offer that falls under the threshold.
  • Will you litigate on my behalf?
  • Yes. ARS has a national network of over 420 collection attorneys. If our efforts have not brought about a resolution, but there is sufficient reason to believe that litigation could be successful, we will recommend that you litigate the claim. There is no up-front cost to forward any account to an attorney for the review, demand and collection process.
  • What is the statute of limitations of an outstanding debt?
  • The statutes vary from state to state, but typically it is anywhere from three (3) to seven (7) years. Judgments are good for from 5 to 20 years, and in some states there may even be an option to renew for five or ten more years.
  • Will I have to appear in court if suit is filed on my behalf?
  • Maybe, but only in the event that your claim goes to trial. The vast majority of cases never reach the trial phase.
  • How often do you remit collected funds?
  • We remit on a weekly basis.
  • How will ARS remit funds?
  • Depending on your preference, we will provide batch payments or separate payments for each account. Each remittance includes a full accounting of all collections and related costs.
  • Will you deduct your fees from the funds forwarded to me?
  • Yes, we deduct our fees from debtor payments, and remit a net remittance to you. For payments you receive directly, we invoice you directly or we can deduct it from future remittances.
  • If your agency doesn’t collect anything am I still charged a fee?
  • No collection, No Fee!
  • Are you bonded?
  • Yes, we hold a Surety Bond.
  • Do you report to the credit report agencies like Experian and Trans Union, and if yes, is there a fee?
  • Yes, we do report to credit bureaus for our large volume clients, and it is a free service.
  • What do I do if the debtor calls our office?
  • The debtor must be directed back to our office to resolve this matter. In many cases, the debtor has made a promise to pay an amount either in full or by means of a “part payment.” The call to you amounts to a plea for “leniency.” The debtor may also tell you a different story than he told our attorney because the attorney has, in all likelihood, obtained information beyond what the debtor claims as the reason for nonpayment. We always strive for the fastest possible recovery of your money and the fastest recovery will always be a result of a unified stance between our company and you.
  • What do I do if I receive a payment from the debtor?
  • Contact our office immediately and make us aware of the payment and if possible fax a copy of the check to us.
  • What happens if my product is returned to me due to your collection efforts?
  • Your collection expense will only be 50% of the preferred rate against the present value of the returned product.
    We have some delinquent accounts that promise to pay us soon, but never follow through. When should I send these accounts to collection ?
    Ideally, any accounts that reach and surpass the 90 day point of delinquency, are good candidates for placement with our office. Customers at this point have had ample time to pay their account, address any dispute, and contact you with any questions.
  • What type of documentation do I need to forward to you to start the collection process?
  • Send us our completed placement form along with a comprehensive statement of account, and if available; invoice copies, are usually sufficient to start the process. If you have the customer’s credit application handy, this is very helpful as well. Of course, any “bad“ checks that are part of the debt are required as well.
  • I have had some of these customers for years. Won’t they be insulted if I place them for collection?
  • No. Every company knows that their vendors have terms. Some firms are more lenient than others when it comes to past due accounts. However, at 90 days plus, your customer is taking advantage of your good nature. You should not be surprised when payment dates continue to get “stretched out.” You should also note that many of your customers talk to one another and your liberal terms will become industry-known…and that’s not the message you want “on the street.”
  • Why should my Company use a legal network for my collections?
  • Using the services of a local law firm will often get the attention of the debtor because that attorney is located in the local jurisdiction of the debtor.
  • How do you make someone pay a Judgment?
  • The remedies our attorneys have available are Wage Garnishments and Property Executions. Our attorneys can even freeze accounts in banks, credit unions, and brokerage accounts, as they utilize the services of the Sheriff and Marshal.
  • What happens if the debtor denies knowledge of the debt?
  • The debtor has the right to dispute the account and request documentation supporting the debt in question.
    All consumer accounts are sent a Validation of Debt Notice as required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
  • Aren’t all collection agencies the same?
  • NO! Most agencies utilize the same letter writing or telephone techniques with the same strategies. All of our collection efforts are made by local attorneys and their staff, and they are all located in the jurisdiction of the debtor to provide maximum impact for you.
  • Can I easily place large numbers of accounts for collection?
  • Yes. You can upload your accounts and associated backup documentation or you may securely forward to us via email a spreadsheet for import.
  • Can I include the fee paid to ARS in my collection assignment?
  • In most cases, no, the costs of collection may not be included in the actual debt.
  • Why do I need to send supporting documents?
  • Our attorney needs to be armed with basic information in order to communicate and demand money from your debtor. Proper documentation, forwarded right at the beginning of the collection process, allows the attorney to effectively handle the claim on your behalf.
  • How do I place an account for collection?
  • Click Here to “Submit a Claim” to complete our quick and easy online form, send us a fax, (516-783-5389), or email the information to us at Inquiry@AccountsRetrievable.com
  • What should I look for when I choose a collection agency for my small companyY?
  • The collection agency you choose should have a proven track record of success and integrity, they should be accountable and affiliated and they should have a well-placed position within the collection industry. ARS has a 24-year record of superior recovery results and excellent client relations. We are bonded and we remit via a trust account to insure that your funds are secure until they are in your hands. ARS is a member of several regulatory organizations in the collection industry.
  • Can I place a debt that is owed to me personally?
  • Yes.
  • What is the difference between a consumer debt and a commercial debt?
  • A consumer debt is money owed by an individual person for personal or household goods. A commercial debt is money owed by one business to another business.
  • Does ARS provide collection services to the healthcare field?
  • Yes.
  • Is there any additional cost to me if an account has to go to litigation?
  • Yes. Our attorney will never litigate an account without your consent. Once you authorize us to begin litigation, our attorney will commence the action against the delinquent debtor. Court disbursements are the fees charged by the process-server to serve the summons and complaint. A fee is also charged by the court to purchase a Court index number. Currently, the disbursement fees generally run between $250.00 and $600.00.
  • Is there any additional cost to me for you to collect on a Judgment?
  • No.
  • Do you sue on every account you can’t collect through simple collection means?
  • No, our attorney will review an account prior to asking you for your authorization to sue. Dollar balance and location of assets play a role in the decision. For example, if a person already had many judgments against him/her, we would probably not recommend this person be sued. If a person has assets, such as a home or auto, and is gainfully employed, we would probably request your authorization to sue.
  • At what point does a Judgment become “uncollectable”?
  • Rarely. Most Judgments are valid from 5 to 20 years. Even if we cannot collect on the Judgment after we have exhausted our current collection efforts, we may review the file a year or two later, to see if the debtor’s financial position has improved.
  • I have a Judgment that is three years old. Can I send it to your office to collect or is it too old?
  • Send it immediately. We are very successful with Judgments that are 2, 4, or 7 years old or longer.
  • Is my Judgment uncollectable if the debtor filed Bankruptcy?
  • In many cases, the answer is yes. But send us your Judgment and paperwork to us so we can check it out. We are online in real time with the US Bankruptcy Courts and can easily obtain the status of any bankruptcy filing.
  • My separation Agreement called for spousal support payments, and my spouse stopped paying me.
    Can you collect the arrears that are due to me.
  • Yes.
  • What do I do if I have a Judgment in New York and the debtor moves to another state?
  • Send the Judgment to us so we can assess whether the Judgment should be brought (transcribed) to the new state of the debtor. In many cases it does pay to follow the debtor to the new state.

Do you have any questions that have not been answered? Contact us at Inquiry@AccountsRetrievable.com