Services Available in California
Debt Collection Agencies
Third-party agencies that collect unpaid debts on behalf of creditors. They typi...
20-40% of collected amount
Contingency Fee Lawyers
Attorneys who take cases on a contingency basis - they only get paid if you win....
33-40% of settlement/judgment
Bail Bond Recovery
Licensed bail enforcement agents (bounty hunters) who locate and return fugitive...
10-20% of the bail bond amount
Asset Recovery Services
Specialists in locating and recovering lost, stolen, or abandoned assets includi...
15-35% of recovered assets
Medical Billing Recovery
Specialists who audit medical bills for errors and recover overcharges from hosp...
25-35% of recovered overcharges
Judgment Enforcement
Specialists who collect on court judgments that debtors refuse to pay. They use ...
30-50% of collected judgment
Skip Tracing Services
Investigators who locate people who have 'skipped' - fled without paying debts, ...
Flat fee $50-500 per locate, or percentage if bundled with collectionYour Rights in California
California Civil Code Section 1788 - Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Rosenthal Act extends FDCPA protections to original creditors
- No contact before 8am or after 9pm; no Sunday contacts
- Written validation required within 5 days of first contact
- Collectors may not contact you at work if prohibited by employer
Statute of Limitations in California
After this period, collectors cannot sue you to collect the debt.
| Debt Type | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Credit Card | 4 years |
| Medical Bills | 4 years |
| Auto Loan | 4 years |
| Written Contract | 4 years |
| Oral Contract | 2 years |
Wage Garnishment Rules in California
Up to 25% of disposable income or excess above 40x state minimum wage
Featured Professionals in California
Midland Credit Management
✓ VerifiedOne of the largest debt purchasers and collectors in the United States, handling billions in consume...
View ProfileEncore Capital Group
✓ VerifiedLeading debt purchasing and collection company specializing in acquiring and managing charged-off co...
View ProfilePortfolio Recovery Associates
✓ VerifiedMajor debt purchaser and collector with operations across the US and internationally. Specializes in...
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