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ABC-Amega does not collect consumer accounts. We are strictly a B2B commercial debt collection service, handling only business-to-business commercial bad debt collection accounts.
As a general rule, ABC-Amega accepts accounts against U.S. and Canadian debtors that are $35.00 or more, and accounts against debtors in other countries that are $100.00 or more.
ABC-Amega is a national commercial collection agency and has the resources, expertise and local contacts to collect in all U.S. states, and more than 200 countries worldwide. The only countries in which we do not provide debt collection services are: Angola, Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), North Korea, Rwanda, Sudan and Syria.
ABC-Amega provides a full line of U.S. bankruptcy services including: filing reclamation claims, overseeing processing and handling, filing proofs of claim, and reviewing and responding to correspondence from the court or debtor. In addition, we can assist in preferential transfer situations.
ABC-Amega's standard bad debt collection fees are based on: (1) the amount of the claim; (2) the age of the claim; and (3) the location of the debtor. We can quote special reduced rates for volume placements or very large single accounts. ABC-Amega's fees are contingent upon collection, no collection-no fee. Attorney fees may be fully or partially contingent. For a fee quotation contact info@abc-amega.com or call 1-800-732-0206 (inside the US), 1-716-885-4444 (outside the US).
ABC-Amega's standard fee policies are below. These policies are typical of most U.S. commercial debt collection agencies.
Interest: When successful in collecting interest, ABC-Amega will charge a rate of two times the usual fee pertaining to the principal amount of the claim for the interest collected. [Read article on collecting interest.]
Escheatable and Abandoned Property: In the unusual event that ABC-Amega is unable to locate a client for the purpose of remitting funds collected on a claim, a custodial fee will be deducted from the collected funds while ABC-Amega attempts to locate the rightful party to whom the proceeds are due.
Merchandise Recovery: When merchandise is recovered in lieu of cash payment, ABC-Amega's commercial debt collection fees are charged based on one-half of the value of the recovered merchandise.
Previously Paid Accounts: Should ABC-Amega discover that an account was paid by the debtor prior to ABC-Amega receiving the claim, one-half of the normal fee will be charged on the amount paid.
Withdrawn Accounts: Any amounts collected on accounts that are withdrawn after placement with ABC-Amega will be subject to our regular commercial debt collection fees.
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ABC-Amega's collection strategy is built on three components: (1) In-house collections; (2) Attorney-amicable collections, and (3) Attorney litigation collections. Our primary objective is to collect your claim as quickly as possible, with the least cost to you. Thus, wherever your debtor is located, we will generally attempt to collect through our own in-house efforts. If in-house collections are unsuccessful, the account will be sent to legal counsel in the debtor's local jurisdiction. The attorney will first attempt to collect amicably (without law suit). If legal action is warranted, you will be advised of the costs required to file a suit. No suit will be filed without your express prior approval. [View a Flash presentation of ABC-Amega's debt collection process]
Accounts can be placed for collection in several ways: by mail, fax, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), FTP, e-mail or a web site claim submission form. Contact Sales and Marketing before placing your first claim to review our services and rates. Once you've become an ABC-Amega client, you'll be able to place your claims through a secure, password protected web site.
ABC-Amega's membership in the Commercial Collection Agency Association (CCAA) and annual certification by the Commercial Law League of America guarantees that we meet a strict code of ethics and comply with a rigid set of standards. In addition, ABC-Amega is a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau serving Western New York.
Additionally, all ABC-Amega collectors are certified to the CCAA Certified Senior Collection Professional standard. To achieve this certification, collectors are required to complete a comprehensive course of study and to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise of the commercial collection industry by passing a rigorous examination.
Yes, ABC-Amega is licensed to collect commercial bad debt in all U.S. states that require licensing. We are in good standing with all 50 states and the countries in which we operate.
No reputable national or international bad debt collection agency can guarantee they will be able to collect on a delinquent account. Many variables affect the likelihood of collection, with one of the most important being the age of the account when placed with the collection agency. Basically, the older the account is, the less collectible it is. However, ABC-Amega's overall recovery rate of 53.5% exceeds the benchmark recovery rate of 45.5% established by the Commercial Law League of America.
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Through a fully secure, Internet web site, ABC-Amega clients can view the actual collector handling on each file from our first contact with your debtor to current status. On the same web site, you will be able to access comprehensive reports on all your commercial debt collection accounts. Each of these statistical reports can be downloaded to your local PC. Many can be exported in a delimited format for analysis in Excel® and other spreadsheet programs. In addition, you will have the ability to create customized reports and generate summary graphs by setting parameters, defining filters and selecting the fields you wish to include in your reports.
You will not need special software, just a version 4.0 or higher of Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, or an equivalent browser. To view some reports, you will also need the Crystal Smart Viewer for ActiveX plugin, which can be downloaded the first time you enter the web site.
ABC-Amega's Internet collection reporting system provides all the flexibility most clients require. One of ABC-Amega's strengths, however, is our ability to adapt to the needs of our clients, including providing individualized reports. We maintain a fully staffed IT department, allowing for complete report customization when required.
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ABC-Amega expanded its services into foreign markets in 1960, and continues to be one of the few US-based national commercial collection agencies specializing in international debt collections services.
ABC-Amega currently does not collect in the following countries: Balkans, Belarus, Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Zimbabwe. We do provide debt collection services in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Yes. ABC-Amega maintains a staff of multilingual collectors. These collectors are fluent in such languages as Mandarin, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Each of these experts has knowledge in international law and procedure as well as sensitivity to local culture and practice.
Yes. ABC-Amega has offices in Shanghai, China; and Geneva, Switzerland.
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ABC-Amega has a worldwide network of more than 400 affiliate attorneys specializing in commercial law and collection-related services. In every U.S. state, as well as most countries abroad, our affiliates are able to take prompt legal action on your behalf. Through ABC-Amega, your claims are handled by attorneys with expertise in the laws where your debtor is located.
All of ABC-Amega's American affiliate attorneys are members of the Commercial Law League of America and bonded for your protection. All foreign correspondents are carefully screened based on referrals received from U.S. Embassies and other reputable sources in the legal community.
ABC-Amega continually monitors and appraises the performance of our correspondent attorneys to ensure that you receive the best representation possible. They are required to conform to strict standards of reporting, which are continuously quantified and evaluated.
Attorney-Amicable Fees. In all U.S. jurisdictions and the vast majority of international locations, attorney-amicable fees are contingent upon collection. In some countries, however, attorneys, by law, cannot accept contingent fees (examples include France, Norway, South Korea, South Africa). In these cases, we will inform you the costs of assigning your claim to a lawyer in the debtor's area and obtain your prior approval before doing so.
Attorney Suit Fees. ABC-Amega charges a suit fee over and above our regular fees for filing legal action. This fee covers the work of the attorney in preparing and filing the necessary papers and in making appearances in court. In the United States, the suit fee is usually contingent upon collection and is a percentage of the amount collected. Our attorneys outside the U.S. may sometimes require a non-contingent retainer and/or an increased contingent fee. ABC-Amega always gets your prior approval before filing legal action on your behalf.
Court Costs. Court costs, which cover filing fees, service of process, etc., are also required to institute an action. These costs vary from court to court, state to state, and country to country. When recommending legal action, our affiliate attorney will provide an estimate of the court costs required.
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More questions? Complete our Request Further Information form, email info@abc-amega.com, or call 1-800-732-0206 (in the US), or 1-716-885-4444 from other countries.
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