Commercial Debt Collection Statutes for Wisconsin

Commercial-Debt Collection Statutes for:

WISCONSIN

(1) “Claim” means any obligation or alleged obligation arising from a consumer transaction, including a transaction that is primarily for an agricultural purpose.

(2) “Debt collection” means any action, conduct or practice of soliciting claims for collection or in the collection of claims owed or due or alleged to be owed or due a merchant by a customer.

(3) “Debt collector” means any person engaging, directly or indirectly, in debt collection, and includes any person who sells, or offers to sell, forms represented to be a collection system, device or scheme, intended or calculated to be used to collect claims. The term does not include a printing company engaging in the printing and sale of forms.

Wis. Stat. Ann. § 427.103 (West, WESTLAW through 2005 Act 21, published 7/22/05).

(1) Definitions. The following terms, as used in this section, shall have the meaning stated, unless the context requires a different meaning:

(a) A “collection agency,” for purposes of the state’s licensing requirements, is defined as any person engaging in the business of collecting or receiving for payment for others of any account, bill, or other indebtedness. “Collection Agency” does not include attorneys at law authorized to practice in this state and resident herein, banks, express companies, health care billing companies, state savings banks, state savings and loan associations, insurers and their agents, trust companies, district attorneys acting under s. 971.41, persons contracting with district attorneys under s. 971.41(5), real estate brokers, and real estate salespersons.

(b) “Collector” or “solicitor” means any person employed by a collection agency to collect or receive payment or to solicit the receiving or collecting of payment for others of any account, bill, or other indebtedness outside of the office.

Wis. Stat. Ann. § 218.04(1)(a)-(b) (West, WESTLAW through 2009 Act 220, pub. 5/19/10).

(4) The following persons shall not be subject to this section solely by reason of their debt collection activities unless they are licensed debt collectors under s. 218.04:

• (a) Attorneys authorized to practice law in this state or professional service corporations composed of licensed attorneys formed pursuant to ss. 180.1901 to 180.1921;
• (b) Duly licensed real estate brokers and real estate salespersons; and
• (c) Duly licensed insurance companies subject to the supervision of the office of the commissioner of insurance.

(5) No person is subject to this section solely by reason of offering the discount described in s. 422.201(8).

Wis. Stat. Ann. § 426.201(1), (4) (West, WESTLAW through 2001 Act 43, published 2/15/02).

What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

The U.S. Congress enacted the FDCPA in 1977 and added it to the Consumer Credit Protection Act in 1978. Its purpose is to eliminate abusive practices of third-party debt collectors. To that end, the Act establishes guidelines for the conduct of debt collectors, defines the rights of consumers, and prescribes penalties for violations.

The FDCPA defines “debt collectors” as “any person who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails in any business the principal purpose of which is the collection of any debt … asserted to be owed or due another.”

In other words, “debt collectors” are defined as third parties collecting for a creditor. (As of a 1986 amendment, the FDCPA definition of “debt collector” also includes attorneys who collect debts on a regular basis.)

“Consumers” and “debt” covered under the FDCPA are defined as specifically referring to personal, family, or household transactions. Therefore, debts owed by businesses or by individuals for business purposes (commercial debts) are not subject to the FDCPA.

So, if the FDCPA does not apply to commercial debt collection by third parties, how are commercial collectors regulated?

There are no U.S. federal laws, similar to the FDCPA, that regulate third-party commercial (business-to-business) debt collection or provide guidelines for the conduct of commercial debt collectors.

Commercial Collection Agency Association

The premier body governing the activities of commercial debt collectors is the Commercial Collection Agency Association (CCAA), an arm of the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA). These organizations are not government bodies, nor do they have any jurisdiction over non-members. However, both require high standards of practice and ethics in order for a commercial collection agency to become a certified member.

The Commercial Collection Agency Association was established in 1972 to “improve the quality and reputation of the commercial collection industry.” It currently has more than 200 members. Approximately 100 core members represent the most prestigious commercial collection agencies in the United States.

The CCAA is an arm of the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA), the oldest creditor’s rights organization in the country, established in 1895.

Membership in the CCAA

Members of the CCAA are the only collection agencies in the United States certified by the Commercial Law League of America. In order to obtain certification, the agency must meet rigorous criteria.

• The agency must have been in business at least four years prior to application for membership.
• 80% of the agency’s business must be commercial (business-to-business).
• The agency must maintain a separate Trust Account into which all monies belonging to creditors are placed. This Trust Account is reviewed twice annually by the Executive Director of the CCAA.
• The agency must agree to abide by the CCAA Code of Ethics, which sets ethical standards for dealing with creditors, debtors, and attorneys.
• Executives of the agency must meet continuing educational requirements and attend regular CCAA meetings. The member agency must complete sixty continuing educational credits annually.
• The agency must post a surety bond of at least $300,000 for the protection of the creditors it serves.
• One person in the agency must also be a member of the Commercial Law League of America.
• The agency must agree to random periodic site visits from the CCAA Executive Director.
• The agency must be in compliance with all local and state licensing requirements and regulations governing commercial collection firms.

Primarily, the Commercial Law League of America and its Commercial Collection Agency Association have assumed responsibility for looking after the needs and rights of creditors and their customers/debtors. State governments that require licensing and bonding of commercial debt collectors also play an important role.

However, since membership in the CCAA is not compulsory, and some firms may provide collection services in a state but never get licensed, it is up to creditors to ensure they (and their debtors) are receiving the most ethical and highest level of commercial collection service.

Burt And Associates is a member of both CCAA and CLLA. Also, we are licensed and bonded in all 50 states (where required).