Who is protected by the Illinois Collection Agency Bond?
The bond protects creditors who are clients of the collection agency. If a collection agency collects money on behalf of a creditor but fails to remit those funds to the creditor, the creditor can obtain a court judgment and file a claim against the bond to recover up to $25,000. The surety company backing the bond will compensate valid claimants, and the agency must then reimburse the surety.
What is the Illinois Collection Agency Bond amount?
The Illinois Collection Agency Bond amount is $25,000. This bond is required under Chapter 225, Section 8 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) and must be submitted with your Collection Agency License Application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The bond must remain active for the entire term of your license.
Are debt buyers required to have an Illinois Collection Agency Bond?
No, debt buyers are exempt from the Illinois Collection Agency Bond requirement. If your company qualifies as a debt buyer under Section 8.6 of the Illinois Collection Agency Act, you do not need to post this bond. However, traditional collection agencies that collect debts on behalf of creditors must maintain the $25,000 bond as part of their licensing requirements.