(205 ILCS 740/3) (was 225 ILCS 425/3)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3. A person acts as a collection agency when he, she, or it:

(a) engages in the business of collection for others of any account, bill or other debt;

(b) receives, by assignment or otherwise, accounts, bills, or other debt from any person owning or controlling 20% or more of the business receiving the assignment, with the purpose of collecting monies due on such account, bill or other debt;

(c) sells or attempts to sell, or gives away or attempts to give away to any other person, other than one licensed under this Act, any system of collection, letters, demand forms, or other printed matter where the name of any person, other than that of the creditor, appears in such a manner as to indicate, directly or indirectly, that a request or demand is being made by any person other than the creditor for the payment of the sum or sums due or asserted to be due;

(d) buys accounts, bills or other debt;

(e) uses a fictitious name in collecting its own accounts, bills, or debts with the intention of conveying to the debtor that a third party has been employed to make such collection; or

(f) engages in the business of collection of a check or other payment that is returned unpaid by the financial institution upon which it is drawn.

(Source: P.A. 99-227, eff. 8-3-15.)