You can reach us Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm CST—but we’re flexible to meet your needs. Whether you're in a different time zone or need support outside standard hours, we're often available earlier and later. Plus, web payments and wire transfers are accessible 24/7, so you’re never limited by the clock.
Call us at 847-259-7000 x115 or email us at clientservices@afmcollects.com. If a direct payment is sent to your office, just notify us in writing—we’ll update your account promptly and accurately.
Placing an account with AFM is easy and flexible—built around how you work. You can submit individual claims through our website or by email. For batch placements, just send a Microsoft Excel file via email, or we can connect directly to your SFTP site or internal system to securely extract the data.
You only pay when we recover what’s owed—AFM operates on a contingency fee basis. For details specific to your business, your AFM Sales Liaison can walk you through everything.
AFM uses Columbia Ultimate Business Systems (CUBS), a leading collection platform certified under SSAE 16 Type II and SAS 70 standards. Your data is protected through rigorous testing and encrypted transfers.
Yes—AFM is licensed in all 50 states and is a founding member of the Commercial Collection Agencies of America (CCAofA). Your accounts are protected by a $300,000 surety bond through the CCAofA.
AFM provides commercial collection services nationwide across all 50 U.S. states and offers international recovery solutions to support your global operations.
From day one, your accounts receive direct contact from AFM’s in-house attorneys—using attorney letterhead from an on-site law office. This creates urgency and drives faster, voluntary payments. Our attorneys don’t litigate; they focus solely on resolution through persistent, respectful outreach. This early intervention leads to 50% higher response rates and stronger recoveries, especially in the first 30–60 days.
With your authorization, AFM can report unpaid account balances to the credit bureaus after 30 days. The debt appears under AFM and is updated monthly for up to seven years. This added visibility helps increase pressure on debtors and strengthens your collection efforts—often preventing them from securing new credit until the balance is paid.
Just complete AFM’s Credit Bureau Authorization form and send it back. You only need to submit it once—it covers all future accounts placed with us. Reach out to your AFM Sales Liaison to get the form.
Yes. Once you submit your first account, you’ll get 24/7 access to AFM’s secure client portal. You can track account status, payment history, review notes, and generate custom reports in formats like Excel, PDF, or CSV—whenever you need them.
While AFM doesn’t file lawsuits directly, we can forward your account to a trusted local attorney—licensed, bonded, and insured—once you authorize legal action. These attorneys are part of the Commercial Law League of America and can assist with litigation if needed.
Yes. Through our partnership with Experian, you get access to tools that help evaluate new customers, monitor financial health, and receive alerts on deteriorating credit conditions—so you can make smarter, lower-risk decisions.
Yes. AFM can operate as an extension of your team—contacting customers as your company to ensure timely payments and educate them on terms. We also assist with first-party collections, custom letter campaigns, and credit evaluation through Experian.
To maintain leverage, simply refer the debtor to AFM’s collection group at 312-312-5200. Our Attorney Intervention Collection Program ensures they’re contacted promptly and professionally.
Check, credit card, or wire transfer. Credit card or digital check payments are processed securely through a PCI-compliant portal, and physical checks are deposited directly into our Chase Bank account via lockbox.
You receive payment on a monthly net basis, via ACH or wire—our preferred method. By the 15th of each month, you'll get a statement showing the prior month’s payment activity, along with either a remittance or an invoice for any remaining AFM fees.
You’ll have full transparency into your accounts through AFM’s secure online portal, where you can view real-time updates, collector notes, payment activity, and customizable reports. Each month, you’ll receive a detailed performance report by the 10th, including recovery metrics, active inventory, new placements, and closures. You can also opt for individual account updates—either regularly scheduled or triggered by key events like settlement offers or bankruptcy notices. Monthly performance calls and tailored reporting ensure you stay informed and in control.
You’ll receive monthly reports by email and have real-time access to the same data through AFM’s online portal. Standard reports include:
Placement Acknowledgment Report – Confirms new account placements with reference numbers and assigned amounts.
Recovery Report – Shows payments received, dates, and remittance amounts.
Closure Report – Details accounts removed from active collections and the reason for closure (e.g., paid in full, settled, exhausted).
Inventory Report – Details active or total accounts, including status, amounts placed and collected.
History Report – Tracks monthly and annual placement, collection, and cancellation trends.
Credit Reporting Notification – Identifies accounts reported to credit bureaus.
AFM reports to Experian, TransUnion, Dun & Bradstreet, and Cortera.
AFM may recommend litigation if your claim meets several criteria: the debtor is actively operating, has limited existing legal exposure, your claim is not disputed or the dispute lacks merit, and the principal amount exceeds $7,500. You’ll also want to consider potential legal costs, including defense fees if a countersuit arises. AFM will guide you through the decision based on the specifics of each case.
If an account remains unresolved after 60–90 days, AFM will review the situation and present you with options for next steps. In some cases, pursuing legal action may be the most effective path forward.
Unless your contract specifies a venue, AFM typically recommends filing suit in the debtor’s jurisdiction. This approach streamlines litigation and post-judgment enforcement, allowing local counsel to immediately pursue asset recovery. Filing outside the debtor’s domicile may require additional steps—like registering a foreign judgment—which can add time and cost.
Once you authorize legal action, local counsel sends a demand letter and begins their review. A lawsuit is typically recommended within 45 days, along with any required affidavits and court costs. AFM’s paralegals manage the process through judgment and execution, working with a vetted network of over 100 bonded attorneys.
Timelines vary, but if no settlement is reached, expect at least 6–12 months to obtain a judgment. Execution may take longer depending on the case.
If a debtor files for bankruptcy, you’ll be notified with case details and AFM will typically close the file. For Chapter 11 cases over $10,000, AFM can file a proof of claim and monitor proceedings on your behalf.
