MYTH – A reputable agency should never charge you anything to cancel an account unless they can illustrate that their efforts have altered the debtor’s position where there is now a high probability that they will pay.  Clients should keep in mind that most agencies work on contingency which means the agency can’t earn their fee if they are not working the account so cancelling an account eliminates their opportunity to earn their fee.  That said you should NEVER pay a cancellation fee to a collection agency unless they can clearly illustrate that their efforts have resulted in a payment or will soon result in a payment. In these cases it is acceptable to work out some form of renumeration with your agency. See our section above on “contract” as some less reputable agencies will insert unfair language into their contract that legally binds you to a cancellation fee even if the agency has no prospect for payment.