Debt Collector

Overview

Collects consumer, commercial, insurance and other forms of debt for clients, makes arrangements to settle overdue accounts, formalises payment arrangements and follows up until accounts are fully paid. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skills

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. AQF Certificate II or III (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

Tasks

• liaising with clients, credit staff, accounts receivable departments, process servers, Private Investigators, Barristers and Solicitors to find solutions to payment problems
• identifying, locating and notifying debtors of overdue accounts in writing, by telephoning and in person, and arranging for payments to be made
• tracing addresses of debtors who have moved
• arranging new repayment plans for debtors having difficulties making existing repayments
• referring debtors' disputes to creditors
• issuing instructions for the commencement of legal action and enforcement to recover money
• arranging for money and goods collected to be transferred to creditors' possession, and preparing statements of account for creditors
• recording amounts collected and noting any further action required
• complying with debt collection guidelines and relevant legislation

Alternative Titles

• Debt Recovery Officer
• Mercantile Agent (Aus)

Specialisations

• Collection Agent
• Collection Officer
• Repossession Agent