Bill Collectors also interview people that may know the debtor in order to find them. If reminder and request letters fail, then the Bill Collector sends an attorney demand letter to the debtor. This letter is usually sent by certified mail so the Bill Collector will know the debtor received the final demand. If the letters and telephone calls do not obtain payment from the debtor, the account is turned over to a Bill Collector at a collection agency. A Bill Collector at a collection agency follows up on the overdue account by sending the debtor a letter and making a phone call urging payment.
Collection agencies recover most debts.
Some require legal action and the agency will try to reach the debtor's assets to recover from the loss if the debtor still refuses to pay. Most large companies such as hospitals, banks, and student loan lenders use collection agencies to collect overdue accounts. Offices are well lighted and provide a comfortable atmosphere. Bill Collectors use a computer database to track calls and to view customer accounts. Because most of a Bill Collector's time is spent on the telephone, they use a telephone headset.