ADJUSTMENT SERVICE COMPANIES
218.02
218.02
Adjustment service companies. 218.02(1)
(1)
Definitions. As used in this section:
218.02(1)(a)
(a) "Adjustment service company," hereinafter called company, shall mean a corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership or individual engaged as principal in the business of prorating the income of a debtor to the debtor's creditor or creditors, or of assuming the obligations of any debtor by purchasing the accounts the debtor may have with the debtor's several creditors, in return for which the principal receives a service charge or other consideration.
218.02(2)
(2) Licenses; applications; fees; bond. 218.02(2)(a)(a) Each adjustment service company shall apply to the division for a license to engage in such business. Application for a separate license for each office of a company to be operated under this section shall be made to the division in writing, under oath, in a form to be prescribed by the division. The division may issue more than one license to the same licensee.
218.02(2)(b)
(b) At the time of making application and before engaging in business, every applicant for an adjustment service company license shall pay a nonrefundable $200 fee to the division for investigating the application and a $200 annual license fee. If the cost of an investigation exceeds $200, the applicant shall, upon demand of the division, pay the excess cost. No investigation fee shall be required on the renewal of a license.
218.02(2)(c)
(c) The division may require any licensee either before or after the issuance of the license to file and maintain in force a bond in a form to be prescribed by and acceptable to the division, in such sum as the division may deem necessary to safeguard the interest of the borrowers and the public, not exceeding, however, the sum of $5,000.
218.02(3)
(3) Conditions of the issuance of licenses. The division shall issue a license to the applicant to conduct such business at the office specified in the application in accordance with the provisions of this section, if the division shall find:
218.02(3)(a)
(a) That the applicant has filed the required application and paid the required fees.
218.02(3)(b)
(b) That the financial responsibility, experience, character and general fitness of the applicant, and of the members thereof if the applicant be a partnership, limited liability company or association, and of the officers and directors thereof if the applicant be a corporation, are such as to command the confidence of the community and to warrant belief that the business will be operated honestly, fairly and efficiently within the purposes of this section.
218.02(3)(c)
(c) That allowing such applicant to engage in business will promote the convenience and advantage of the community in which the business of the applicant is to be conducted.
218.02(4)
(4) Order denying application. If the division is not satisfied as to all of the matters specified in
sub. (3) the division shall enter a special order denying the application for a license and shall return the applicant's license fee. The division shall make findings of fact as part of and in support of the division's order denying any application for a license.
218.02(5)
(5) Licenses; posting; changes of location; renewal. 218.02(5)(a)(a) Every license issued shall state the address of the office at which the business is to be conducted, the name of the licensee, and if the licensee is a partnership, limited liability company or association, the names of the members thereof, and if a corporation the date and place of its incorporation. Such license shall be kept conspicuously posted in the office of the licensee and shall not be transferable or assignable.
218.02(5)(b)
(b) Whenever a licensee shall contemplate a change of the licensee's place of business to another location within the same city, village or town, the licensee shall give written notice thereof to the division, which shall attach to the license the division's authorization of such removal, specifying the date thereof and the new location. Such authorization shall be authority for the operation of such business under the same license at the specified new location. No change in the place of business of a licensee to a location outside of the original city, village or town shall be permitted under the same license.
218.02(5)(c)
(c) Every licensee shall, on or before the tenth day of each December, pay to the division the annual license fee for the next succeeding calendar year.
218.02(6)
(6) Revocation; suspension; reinstatement and term of licenses. The division, after complaint, notice and hearings as provided in
s. 217.19, shall revoke any license in the following cases:
218.02(6)(a)
(a) If the licensee has failed to pay the annual license fee or to maintain in effect the bond required under the provisions of this section;
218.02(6)(b)
(b) If the licensee has violated any provisions of this section or of any lawful order issued hereunder;
218.02(6)(c)
(c) If any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for such license, clearly would have warranted the division in refusing to issue such license;
218.02(6)(d)
(d) If the licensee has demonstrated untrustworthiness or incompetency to act in such business in a manner to safeguard the interests of the public.
218.02(7)
(7) Powers of division. It shall be the duty of the division and the division shall have power, jurisdiction and authority to investigate the conditions and ascertain the facts with reference to such companies and upon the basis thereof:
218.02(7)(a)
(a) To issue general or special orders in execution of or supplementary to this section, but not in conflict therewith, to protect debtors from oppressive or deceptive practices of licensees;
218.02(7)(b)
(b) To regulate advertising and solicitation of business by licensees, and to prevent evasions of this section;
218.02(7)(c)
(c) At any time and so often as the division may determine to investigate the business and examine the books, accounts, records and files used therein of every licensee. The cost of an examination shall be determined by the division and shall be paid to the division by every licensee so examined within 30 days after demand therefor by the division, and the state may maintain an action for the recovery of such costs in any court of competent jurisdiction;
218.02(7)(d)
(d) To determine and fix by general order the maximum fees or charges that such companies may make.
218.02(8)
(8) Statement to debtor. When any settlement or reduction of accounts has been made by such company, it shall furnish the debtor on demand a verified statement showing the amount due creditors by the terms of such settlement or reduction.
218.02(9)
(9) Rules and reports; fees; enforcement. 218.02(9)(a)(a) The division may make such rules and require such reports as the division deems necessary for the enforcement of this section.
Sections 217.17,
217.18 and
217.21 (1) and
(2) apply to and are available for the purposes of this section. Orders of the division under this section are subject to review by the consumer credit review board under
s. 220.037.
218.02(9)(b)
(b) All fees and moneys received by the division under authority of this chapter shall be paid by the division into the state treasury within one week after the receipt thereof.
218.02(9)(c)
(c) The division shall investigate, ascertain and determine whether this chapter or the lawful orders issued hereunder are being violated and for such purposes the division shall have all of the powers conferred by
ss. 217.17 and
217.18. The division shall report all violations to the district attorney of the proper county for prosecution.
218.02(10)
(10) Penalties. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
COLLECTION AGENCIES
218.04
218.04
Collection agencies. 218.04(1)(1)
Definitions. The following terms, as used in this section, shall have the meaning stated, unless the context requires a different meaning:
218.04(1)(a)
(a) "Collection agency" means any person engaging in the business of collecting or receiving for payment for others of any account, bill or other indebtedness. It shall not include attorneys at law authorized to practice in this state and resident herein, banks, express companies, state savings banks, state savings and loan associations, insurers and their agents, trust companies, or professional men's associations collecting accounts for its members on a nonprofit basis, where such members are required by law to have a license, diploma or permit to practice or follow their profession, real estate brokers and real estate salespersons.
218.04(1)(b)
(b) "Collector" or "solicitor" means any person employed by a collection agency to collect or receive payment or to solicit the receiving or collecting of payment for others of any account, bill or other indebtedness outside of the office.
218.04(1)(d)
(d) "General order" means an order which is not a special order.
218.04(1)(e)
(e) "Licensee" means a person licensed under this section.
218.04(1)(f)
(f) "Person" includes individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations and limited liability companies.
218.04(1)(g)
(g) "Special order" means an order against a person.
218.04(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), a person may not operate as a collection agency or as a collector or solicitor in this state without first having obtained a license as required by this section.
218.04(2)(b)
(b) A nonresident of this state is not required to obtain a collection agency license if that person conducts collection business with state residents solely by means of interstate telecommunications or interstate mail.
218.04(3)
(3) Licenses; applications; fees; bond. 218.04(3)(a)(a) Application for licenses under the provisions of this section shall be made to the division in writing, under oath, on a form to be prescribed by the division. All licenses shall expire on June thirtieth next following their date of issue.
218.04(3)(b)
(b) At the time of making application, every applicant for a collection agency license shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $1,000 to the division for investigating the application, unless the applicant is already licensed under this section, and the sum of $200 as an annual license fee. If the cost of investigation exceeds $1,000, the applicant shall, upon demand of the division, pay the excess cost. No investigation fee is required on the renewal of a license.
218.04(3)(c)
(c) The license fee for a collector or solicitor shall be $15. This license shall be carried as a means of identification whenever the collector is engaged in business. The license shall state the name of the employer and shall be surrendered to the division upon termination of employment. A new license is required for a change of employment.
218.04(3)(d)
(d) The division may require any licensee to file and maintain in force a bond, in a form to be prescribed by and acceptable to the division, and in such sum as the division may deem reasonably necessary to safeguard the interests of the public.
218.04(4)
(4) Issuance or denial of licenses. 218.04(4)(a)(a) Upon the filing of such application and the payment of such fee, the division shall make an investigation, and if the division finds that the character and general fitness and the financial responsibility of the applicant, and the members thereof if the applicant is a partnership, limited liability company or association, and the officers and directors thereof if the applicant is a corporation, warrant the belief that the business will be operated in compliance with this section the division shall thereupon issue a license to said applicant. Such license is not assignable and shall permit operation under it only at or from the location specified in the license. A nonresident of this state may, upon complying with all other provisions of this section, secure a collection agency license provided the nonresident maintains an active office in this state.
218.04(4)(b)
(b) No licensee shall conduct a collection agency business within any office, room or place of business in which any other business is solicited or engaged in, or in association or conjunction therewith, except as may be authorized in writing by the division upon finding that the character of such other business is such that the granting of such authority would not facilitate evasion of this section or the lawful orders issued thereunder.
218.04(5)
(5) Revocation; suspension; reinstatement of licenses. 218.04(5)(a)(a) The division may suspend or revoke any license issued under this section if the division finds that:
218.04(5)(a)1.
1. The licensee has violated any of the provisions of this section or any lawful order of the division made thereunder;
218.04(5)(a)2.
2. Any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for such license, would have warranted the division in refusing to issue such license;
218.04(5)(a)3.
3. The licensee has failed to pay the annual license fee or to maintain in effect the bond required under
sub. (3) (d);
218.04(5)(a)4.
4. The licensee has failed to remit money due to any and all claimants or forwarders within 30 days from the close of the month during which the collection was effected; or
218.04(5)(b)
(b) No license shall be revoked or suspended except after a hearing. A complaint stating the grounds for suspension or revocation together with a notice of hearing shall be delivered to the licensee at least 5 days in advance of the hearing. In the event the licensee cannot be found, complaint and notice of hearing may be left at the place of business stated in the license and this shall be deemed the equivalent of delivering the notice of hearing and complaint to the licensee.
218.04(5)(c)
(c) In the event of the death of a licensee, if the licensee is an individual, or of the partners, if the licensee is a partnership, the license of the agency shall terminate as of the date of death of said licensee, except the division may reinstate a license if the estate of the former licensee signifies to the division within 45 days its intention to continue the business of the agency.
218.04(6)
(6) Licenses; posting; changes of location; renewal. 218.04(6)(a)(a) Whenever a collection agency shall contemplate a change of its place of business to another location within the same city or village, it shall give written notice thereof to the division, which shall attach to the license the division's authorization of such removal, specifying the date thereof and the new location. Such authorization shall be authority for the operation of such business under the same license at the specified new location. All collection agency licenses shall be conspicuously posted in the office of the licensee.
218.04(6)(b)
(b) Every licensee applying for a renewal of a license shall, on or before the first day of June, pay in advance to the division the annual license fee.
218.04(6)(c)
(c) Before discontinuing operating as a collection agency under the provisions of this section, every licensee shall furnish the division with proof in a form to be determined by the division and approved by the advisory committee that:
218.04(6)(c)1.
1. Proper remittance has been made to all claimants or forwarders on money collected.
218.04(6)(c)2.
2. All accounts have been returned to the claimants or forwarders.
218.04(6)(c)3.
3. All valuable papers given to the licensee by the claimant or forwarder in connection with claims have been returned to the claimants or forwarders.
218.04(7)
(7) Powers of division; advisory committees. It shall be the duty of the division and the division shall have power, jurisdiction and authority to investigate the conditions and ascertain the facts with reference to the collection of accounts and upon the basis thereof:
218.04(7)(a)
(a) To issue any general or special order in execution of or supplementary to this chapter to protect the public from oppressive or deceptive practices of licensees and to prevent evasions of this chapter.
218.04(7)(b)
(b) For the purpose of discovering violations of this section the division may cause an investigation to be made of the business of the licensee transacted under the provisions of this section, and shall cause an investigation to be made of convictions reported to the division by any district attorney for violation by a licensee of any of the provisions of this section. The place of business, books of accounts, papers, records, safes and vaults of said licensee shall be open to inspection and examination by the division for the purpose of such investigation and the division shall have authority to examine under oath all persons whose testimony is required relative to said investigation. The cost of the first investigation or examination during any licensing year shall be paid by the licensee, but the cost of additional investigation or examination during such year shall be paid by the licensee only if such examination discloses violation of
sub. (5) (a) 4. The division shall determine the cost of an investigation or examination. The licensee shall pay the cost of any hearing including witness fees, unless it be found by the division, board of review or court that licensee has not violated any provision of this section. All said costs shall be paid by the licensee within 30 days after demand therefor by the division. The state may maintain an action for the recovery of such costs and expenses in any court of competent jurisdiction.
218.04(7)(c)
(c) To appoint advisers from the individuals engaged in the collection business in the state and in any locality, which advisers shall be consulted by and shall assist the division in the execution of the division's duties under the provisions of this section. Such persons shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary traveling expenses. Such expenses shall be audited and paid and charged to the division for the administration of this chapter.
218.04(7)(d)
(d) To make all necessary or proper orders, rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this section.
218.04(8)
(8) Hearings and orders. The division shall have the same power to conduct hearings, take testimony and secure evidence as is provided in
ss. 217.17,
217.18 and
217.19.
218.04(9)
(9) Administrative review. Any licensee or other person in interest being dissatisfied with any order of the division made under this section may have a review thereof as provided in
s. 220.037.
218.04(9g)(b)
(b) A licensee shall establish a trust account with a financial institution. The licensee shall notify the division of the name of the financial institution that maintains the trust account. The division may prohibit a licensee from establishing or maintaining a trust account in a financial institution if the division believes that the financial institution is operating in an unsafe or unsound manner.
218.04(9g)(c)
(c) Promptly after collection, a licensee shall deposit in the trust account sufficient funds to pay all money due any claimant or forwarder. A licensee may not use the trust account for any other purpose.
218.04(9m)
(9m) Delinquent collection agencies; division may take possession. 218.04(9m)(a)(a) If the division finds that a licensee is insolvent or that the licensee has collected accounts but has failed to remit money due to any claimant or forwarder within 30 days from the end of the month in which collection was made, and it is necessary to protect the interest of the public or when the license of a collection agency has expired or has terminated for any reason whatsoever, the division may take possession of the assets and the books and records of the licensee for the purpose of liquidating its business, and for such other relief as the nature of the case and the interest of the claimants or forwarders may require. The liquidation of business shall be made by and under the supervision of the division either in the name of the division or in the name of the licensee and the division shall be vested with title to all of the assets including the proceeds of the bond or bonds which have been filed with the division as provided for under
sub. (3) (d), and the proceeds of any and all money paid direct to the claimant or forwarder by the debtor prior to the date said license has terminated. Money paid to the licensee or to the division after the termination of the license shall be disposed of by the division with the approval of the circuit court.
218.04(9m)(b)
(b) In taking possession of the property and business of any such collection agency, the division shall forthwith give notice to any and all banks or other financial institutions holding or in possession of any bank balances or assets of such agency and thereafter such assets shall be held subject to the order of the division.
218.04(9m)(c)
(c) In addition to the authority conferred by
par. (b), the division may, with the approval of the circuit court for the county wherein the main office is located, for the purposes of collection or liquidation, sell, assign, convey and transfer or approve the sale, assignment, conveyance and transfer of the assets of such collection agency under such terms and conditions as the division may deem for the best interests of the claimants of such collection agency.
