Collection Agency Paying Dividends for County

by Mike Bevel, CollectionIndustry.com

Illinois?s Stephenson County is pleased with the more than $34,000 collected by SC Services and Associates, a Florida-based collection agency.

SC Services was hired back in 2004 on a trial basis. In March of this year, the county entered into a one-year contract with SC Services for the company to continue its collection efforts on the county’s behalf. The firm receives its revenue from the offenders who owe fees, so the contract does not demand any new funding from the county, officials say. The contract allows SC Services to charge offenders an amount not to exceed 40 percent of the delinquent fees.

So far, the county has turned over $755,423.66 in delinquent fees and fines to SC Services, and the firm has collected more than $34,000. In June, the total amount collected was only about $18,000, leading State’s Attorney John Vogt to believe that the collection effort has ?picked up steam? in recent months.

County officials have estimated that about $2 million in fines and fees is owed to the county and related entities. Included are traffic fines and court fees from felony or misdemeanor charges.