New York City, NY
Commercial Collection Agency & Collection Attorney in New York City
For creditors, not debtors: if a New York City business or customer is behind on your invoices, we match you with vetted commercial collection agencies and creditor-side New York collection attorneys that handle New York City-area accounts. Free for creditors, no obligation.
Who's owed money in New York City
New York City's creditors range from Midtown professional-services firms and financial companies to garment, wholesale and import businesses, construction trades, restaurants, landlords and a dense healthcare sector. Many claims involve debtors in other boroughs, New Jersey or Long Island, so venue and licensing questions come up often.
Which rules apply to New York City accounts
New York State law applies, along with New York City rules for consumer collection. The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection licenses collection agencies collecting from NYC consumers, and New York's Consumer Credit Fairness Act shortened the limitations period for many consumer credit claims. Commercial (B2B) claims generally follow different rules.
| New York general rule | Summary |
|---|---|
| Statute of limitations — written contracts | about 6 years |
| Statute of limitations — open accounts | about 6 years |
| State collection-agency license | Generally required (at least for consumer debt) |
Details and caveats are on our New York collections page. Rules usually depend on where the debtor is located, so a New York City creditor collecting from someone in another state may face that state's rules instead.
Where New York City collection cases are filed
Smaller money claims are generally heard in the Civil Court of the City of New York (including its small claims and commercial claims parts, which have dollar limits), and larger claims in New York State Supreme Court in the relevant county (each borough is its own county). Agencies don't file suits themselves. If litigation is needed, the account goes to a collection attorney admitted in New York.
How placement works for New York City accounts
- Tell us about the accounts: whether the debtors are businesses or consumers, the balances, how old they are and where the debtors are located.
- We match you: with agencies that collect in New York and, if needed, New York collection attorneys. B2B balances go to commercial specialists, and consumer or medical balances only to partners that represent they comply with the FDCPA, Regulation F and New York law.
- You compare terms and decide: contingency rates, reporting and legal-forwarding terms, directly with the partner.
Before placing, try a final notice letter or a demand letter, and gather your documentation (see what to prepare).
Agency or attorney?
Most New York City past-due accounts start with an agency: letters, calls, skip tracing and negotiated payment plans, usually on contingency. Larger, disputed or time-sensitive claims, and judgments that need enforcing, go to a collection attorney. See judgment collection if you've already won in court.
Not legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws, court rules and dollar limits change. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency, and we don't list or endorse specific local agencies here. Confirm details with a licensed attorney in the relevant state.
Frequently asked questions
Does a collection agency need a New York City license?
Agencies collecting consumer debts from people in New York City generally need a license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Purely commercial collection may be treated differently. Confirm with your partner and the agency.
How do I find a commercial collection agency for a New York City debtor?
Tell us about the unpaid invoices: debtor type, balance, age and documentation. We introduce you to commercial (B2B) collection agencies that collect from New York City-area businesses and, if litigation is needed, to creditor-side collection attorneys admitted in New York.
How much does a collection agency charge in New York City?
Most agencies work on contingency, keeping a percentage of what they recover. The rate depends on the age, size and type of the debt and on volume, not on the city. Get the rate schedule in writing.
Do I need a New York City agency, or can a national agency collect there?
Either can work. What matters is that the agency is licensed or registered where New York requires it, handles your debt type and can forward the account to a New York attorney if needed.
Can CollectionPlacement help if I'm the one being collected from in New York City?
No. We only work with creditors. Consumers should look at CFPB debt-collection resources or a local bar referral service.
Free, no obligation
Get matched with a collection partner
Tell us about your receivables. We'll review and introduce you to vetted agencies or collection attorneys suited to your debt type, size and state.