559.541 – Short title.

559.541 Short title.—Sections 559.541-559.548 may be cited as the “Florida Commercial Collection Practices Act.” History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 93-275.

559.542 – Legislative intent.

559.542 Legislative intent.—The Legislature finds that commercial collection practices in this state are not governed by the federal and state laws relating to the collection of consumer claims and that current criminal laws are inadequate to deal with certain unlawful and fraudulent activities specifically involving the collection of commercial claims in this state. Under such circumstances, […]

559.543 – Definitions.

559.543 Definitions.—As used in this part: (1) “Claim” or “commercial claim” means any obligation for the payment of money or its equivalent arising out of a transaction wherein credit has been offered or extended to any person, and the money, property, or service which was the subject of the transaction was primarily for commercial purposes and not […]

559.544 – Registration required; exemptions.

559.544 Registration required; exemptions.— (1) No person shall engage in business in this state as a commercial collection agency, as defined in this part, or continue to do business in this state as a commercial collection agency, without first registering in accordance with this part and thereafter maintaining such registration. (2) Each commercial collection agency doing business in […]

559.545 – Registration of commercial collection agencies; procedure.

559.545 Registration of commercial collection agencies; procedure.—Any person who wishes to register as a commercial collection agency in compliance with this part shall do so on forms adopted by the commission and furnished by the office. Any renewal of registration shall be made between October 1 and December 31 of each year. In registering or renewing […]

559.546 – Bond; evidence of current and valid bond.

559.546 Bond; evidence of current and valid bond.—Pursuant to s. 559.545, the registrant shall provide to the office evidence that the registrant has been issued a current and valid surety bond as required by this part. (1) In addition to each registration filed pursuant to s. 559.545 and any renewal of such registration, each registrant shall furnish […]

559.547 – Void registration.

559.547 Void registration.— (1) Any registration made under this part by any person or commercial collection agency based upon the presentation by such person or collection agency of false identification or information, or identification not current with respect to name, address, and business location, or any other fact material to such registration shall be void. (2) Any registration […]

559.548 – Penalties.

559.548 Penalties.— (1) Each of the following acts constitutes a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084: (a) Operating or soliciting business as a commercial collection agency in this state without first registering with the office, unless specifically exempted by this part. (b) Registering or attempting to register by means […]