Harris & Harris Collection Agency: What They Do, Who They Are

Harris & Harris Collection Agency: What They Do, Who They Are

 

When most people first see the name “Harris & Harris Collection Agency” on their caller ID or credit report, they get a sick feeling in their stomach. “Collections” is one of the most stressful words for consumers.

But what if we took away the fear and looked at the company itself—what it does, why it exists, and how it works behind the scenes?

 

Learning about Harris & Harris is more than just being curious; it’s a way to take back control. You become an informed consumer when you know what a collection agency is supposed to do, how it makes money, and what laws it has to follow. Informed consumers are much harder to scare.

 

This guide goes into great detail about Harris & Harris, including their history, the industries they work in, their operational systems, their relationships with clients, their compliance structure, and how their work affects regular people. It doesn’t use legalese, so you can finally understand what’s going on when you get a letter or credit entry with that familiar Chicago address on it.

 

—

A Business That Started in a Tough Spot

 

In 1968, Harris & Harris, Ltd. opened its doors in Chicago. At that time, the U.S. credit system was growing quickly. More people were buying things on credit, hospitals were offering more deferred billing, and city governments were charging more fines and fees.

All of those organisations needed a way to get their money back when people stopped paying. That’s when businesses like Harris & Harris came in.

 

The company started out as a small accounts-receivable business that acted as a “extension of the billing department” for businesses in the Chicago area. Over the course of more than fifty years, it became a national organisation with licenses to do business in all fifty states. It now represents hospitals, governments, and service providers across the country.

 

Harris & Harris is not a small business anymore. It is a big, privately owned business that employs hundreds of people and uses cutting-edge software, analytics, and compliance systems to handle millions of customer accounts every year.

 

—

 

Accounts receivable management is the most important part of their business.

 

Harris & Harris’s main job is to get money back from people who owe them money.

It sounds easy, but the process is hard and has rules. To get it, it’s helpful to divide their work into two groups:

 

1. **Early-out billing or “customer contact” services**, where Harris & Harris acts like an assistant for the original creditor by getting in touch with customers right after their bill is due.
2. **Third-party debt collection** is when Harris & Harris takes over old accounts that are behind on payments, either by signing a contract or buying the debt outright.

 

Harris & Harris acts as a bridge between the creditor (the business or government entity owed money) and the consumer (the person who owes it) in either role. They talk to each other, check the balance, write it down, and try to settle it.

 

—

 

How Harris & Harris Gets the Debt

 

Think about a medical bill or utility bill that you forgot to pay. You might have moved, your insurance might have delayed payment, or you might not have been able to pay it at the time. After a few months, the hospital or utility decides to hire someone else to handle the account.

 

That’s when a file with your account information moves from the creditor’s system to Harris & Harris. It has information that helps identify you, like your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, amount owed, account number, service dates, and sometimes notes about previous communication.

 

The creditor may do one of the following, depending on the agreement:

 

* **Assigns** the debt (Harris & Harris collects on the creditor’s behalf and gets a cut), or

* **Sells** the debt (Harris & Harris buys it for a small amount of money and keeps what they collect).

 

Harris & Harris will be the only ones who contact you once the account is in their system. Not the hospital, not the utility, and not the government office. They are now the person in charge of collecting on that account.

 

—

 

## The Types of Work They Do

 

Harris & Harris works with almost every type of service provider that charges customers. These are their main areas of business:

 

1. Collections for healthcare and medicine

 

This is the most complicated and biggest group of things for the company. They work with hospitals, clinics, ambulance services, labs, and private practices.

 

Medical debt is hard to deal with because it often involves problems with insurance, mistakes in coding, or questions about whether someone is eligible for charity care. Harris & Harris employees get special training in medical billing systems and the privacy rules of HIPAA. They sometimes act as “patient account representatives,” which means they call patients to help them understand their insurance coverage or set up payment plans.

 

Because medical debt is so common and emotionally charged, the company makes a point of showing compassion and professionalism in this area. Their collectors are told to use language that is easy for patients to understand, not threats or shame.

 

2. Utilities

 

Think about the last gas or electric bill you forgot to pay when you moved, or the water bill that still had a small balance. Utility companies usually don’t go after those accounts themselves; they hire companies like Harris & Harris to do it for them.

The agency checks the service dates, reads the final statements, and calls former customers to get the rest of the money. These debts are often small, less than $200, but unpaid utility bills can still hurt credit scores once they go to collections.

 

3. Government and Services for Cities

 

This is a unique area for Harris & Harris. They have deals with cities, counties, and states to collect unpaid tolls, parking tickets, court fees, and ambulance bills. Because these are **public debts**, the company has to follow special rules for working with the government.

 

They might call people to remind them about unpaid traffic camera tickets, state toll violations, or overdue bills for public services. Government contracts often require the agency to use official notices and strict paperwork to make sure everything is clear.

 

4. Telecommunications

 

Harris & Harris is often used by cable, internet, and cell phone companies to get old balances, fees for returning equipment, or early termination fees. These accounts usually go to collections faster, often within 90 days of not being paid, and the agency uses digital tools like text messages, emails, and online payment portals to get in touch with customers.

 

5. Services for education and other things

 

Harris & Harris sometimes collects money for schools (tuition, student housing or library fines) and private businesses like transport companies or subscription services.

 

—

 

## The Process of Collecting Step by Step

 

Let’s go over what happens from the time your debt gets to Harris & Harris until the case is over.

 

Step 1: Collecting and checking the data

 

The creditor sends the account file over the Internet. Harris & Harris puts it into their secure database and checks that the names, addresses, balances, and dates are all correct. They might do “skip-tracing” searches to find updated contact information if something seems missing.

 

Step 2: First Contact

 

Harris & Harris sends a **validation notice** by mail within a few days. This letter has:

 

* The name of the creditor

* The amount that is owed

* How to dispute or ask for validation within 30 days

* How to get in touch with Harris & Harris

 

The **Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)** says that this must be done. It makes sure that consumers know what’s going on before any collection pressure starts.

 

Step 3: Talk to each other

 

The agency may call or email you if you don’t respond (within the law). Their agents are taught to make sure they are talking to the right person before talking about account details, which is a privacy requirement.

 

Scripts that are meant to be professional but firm are usually used for calls. The representative’s job is to either

 

* Get the full payment,

* Make a plan for how to pay, or

* Get an explanation, like “I already paid this” or “This isn’t my account.”

 

Step 4: Checking and Disputes

 

If you ask for **validation**, Harris & Harris stops collecting and gets documents from the original creditor to show:

 

* The debt is real,

* The balance is right, and

* They have the right to get it.

 

Invoices, account statements, or contracts could be used for validation. If they can’t provide enough proof, they have to stop trying to collect and tell the credit bureaus to take the account off their records.

 

Step 5: Negotiation and Payment

 

Harris & Harris can talk about settlement options once the account is confirmed. They might accept:

 

* A **lump-sum payment** that is less than the full amount (settlement),

* A **payment plan** that lasts for several months, or

* Full payment with an update to your credit right away.

 

You can pay online, over the phone, or by mail. The company keeps card and bank information safe by using encrypted systems.

 

Step 6: Reporting and Closing

 

Harris & Harris updates their records and lets the credit bureaus and their client know after payment or resolution. Your credit report will show “paid collection” or “settled in full” if the debt was paid or settled. It will completely go away if it was deleted (which is rare but can happen through a recall or goodwill adjustment).

 

—

 

How the company makes money behind the scenes

 

Harris & Harris makes money by charging **contingency fees and portfolio purchases.**

 

* In “contingency cases,” they get a percentage of what they collect, usually between 10% and 40%, depending on the type of debt and how old it is.

* In “purchased-debt” cases, they buy the debt for a few cents on the dollar and keep all the money they get back.

 

When it comes to government contracts, the terms are often a mix of both. They collect money for the agency, but they have to meet strict performance and compliance standards.

 

This setup means that Harris & Harris’s collectors know how to “balance persistence with compliance.” They get paid for successful recoveries, but they are closely watched to make sure they don’t break the FDCPA.

 

—

 

## Legal Compliance and Data Security

 

Harris & Harris handles very private consumer information, such as medical, financial, and personal identifiers. Because of this, they must follow many different but related laws:

 

* **FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act)**—Sets rules for how debt collectors can act (no harassment, lying, or unfair practices).

* **FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)**—This law says that credit reports must be accurate and fair.

* **HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)**—keeps medical information private for accounts related to health care.

* **State laws**—Each state can make its own rules about licensing and protecting consumers.

* **PCI-DSS standards** – Keep credit card information safe for payments made over the phone or online.

 

Employees get regular training on how to follow the rules and have their backgrounds checked. Calls are often recorded so that they can be used as proof in case of a disagreement and to make sure the quality is good.

 

—

 

How They Use Technology

 

Data drives modern debt collection. Harris & Harris uses predictive diallers, analytics software, and AI tools to decide which accounts to call first and when.

They also have a **secure online portal** where customers can log in, check their balances, make payments and file disputes electronically.

 

The company’s system keeps an audit trail of every communication, which is helpful for client reporting and compliance audits.

They stress that digital systems let them talk to customers “on their terms,” like through text reminders or online chat support, as long as the customer agrees.

 

—

 

## Reputation and How People See You

 

Like most big collection agencies, Harris & Harris has a mixed reputation online. People who pay off their debts easily usually don’t talk about it, but unhappy customers do on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) websites.

 

Some common complaints are:

 

* Getting calls about debts that have already been paid

* Not sure how to pay for medical insurance

* Contacting each other again and again even though there are problems

 

When someone complains, Harris & Harris usually sends them proof of payment or stops talking to them. Their BBB profile shows that they are actively involved in dealing with customer complaints, which is a sign that they take compliance seriously, even if some interactions cause problems.

 

Clients, on the other hand, often see the company as professional, compliant, and efficient. Because the company is reliable and does a good job, hospitals, governments, and utilities all renew their contracts.

 

—

 

Why Creditors Hire Harris & Harris

 

Collecting overdue accounts internally can be costly and risky for creditors. It costs time and money to train employees, keep track of rules, and deal with angry customers. Harris & Harris has a complete solution:

 

* They already have systems in place to make sure they follow the rules.

* They have a national licensing system and a call centre.

* They can grow quickly to handle thousands of accounts.

* They have data security certifications that many smaller clients don’t have.

 

In short, Harris & Harris lets businesses “recover lost revenue without hurting their own public image.” The creditor can say, “Please contact our billing partner, Harris & Harris,” which keeps collection activities separate from direct customer relations.

 

—

 

## The Moral Path They Must Follow

 

Debt collection is a grey area between business and people. People who work for Harris & Harris aren’t bad people, but they do work in a very stressful field. Their job is to get money from people who are often in tough situations.

 

The company’s culture stresses **respect and empathy** because they know that most customers want to pay but might be confused or overwhelmed. Representatives learn how to listen, find mistakes, and suggest solutions that are easy to understand.

 

Collectors still have to meet quotas and recovery goals, so tone and consistency are important. Harris & Harris’s management works hard to keep a balance between professionalism and intimidation, which is what the best representatives do.

 

—

 

## What You Can Do When Harris & Harris Calls You

 

When dealing with any collection agency, including Harris & Harris, every customer has clear legal rights:

 

1. **The Right to Be Informed:** Within five days of the first contact, you must get a written notice that includes the debt, the amount owed, and the name of the creditor.
2. **The Right to Validation:** You have 30 days to ask for written proof of the debt. The agency must stop collecting money until it can show that proof.
3. **The Right to Dispute:** If you don’t agree with the debt or the amount, you can dispute it with the agency and/or the credit bureaus directly.
4. **Your Right to Privacy:** Collectors can’t tell anyone else about your debt, not even your spouse or lawyer.
5. **The Right to Be Treated with Respect:** It is against the law to harass, threaten, or lie to someone.
6. **The Right to Accuracy:** All information sent to credit bureaus must be correct and able to be checked.
7. **The Right to Stop Talking:** You can write to the agency and ask them to stop contacting you. However, they can still take legal action if they are allowed to.

 

Knowing these rights lets you act calmly and confidently instead of out of fear.

 

—

 

The Human Side of Harris & Harris

 

Harris & Harris is still a people-driven business, even though it has a lot of technology and compliance systems. The company has collectors, supervisors, IT experts, client liaisons, legal advisors, and trainers on staff.

 

In the Chicago office and at remote sites, the atmosphere is a mix of a corporate call centre and a compliance hub. Employees listen to recorded calls to get coaching, talk about changes to consumer protection rules, and get feedback from clients on how well they are recovering.

 

Many of the representatives come from customer service or medical billing backgrounds. The best collectors don’t get what they want by being mean; instead, they build rapport with customers and help them find a way to solve their problems. They know that treating people well makes them more likely to work together and less likely to complain.

 

—

 

The effect on the economy of companies like Harris & Harris

 

Even though debt collection can seem like a scam, it is an important part of the economy. The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals says that collection agencies give back **tens of billions of dollars** to creditors every year. This money helps hospitals, governments, and utilities keep prices lower for everyone else.

 

If there weren’t companies like Harris & Harris, those losses would mean higher service costs or less money for public services.

The industry does have a problem, though: it needs to collect debts in a way that is fair and doesn’t hurt customers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) keep a close eye on these businesses to make sure that customers can report mistakes or bad behaviour.

 

Harris & Harris has been in business for a long time and is still licensed in all states. This suggests that they have a good record of following the rules compared to many smaller agencies that get shut down for breaking the rules.

 

—

 

## How They Handle Privacy and Data

 

Harris & Harris handles both medical and financial information, so they have strong cybersecurity measures in place:

 

* Databases that are encrypted and VPNs that are safe for remote access

* Permissions based on roles to stop people from seeing sensitive files they shouldn’t.

* Yearly audits and penetration tests

* Storage for medical accounts that meets HIPAA standards

* Safely getting rid of old paper records

 

They also teach people how to stay away from scams. The company tells people to make sure they are using official channels to talk to them before sending money, since fake Harris & Harris scams sometimes show up online.

 

—

 

## Problems the Company and Industry Are Facing

 

Harris & Harris is always under pressure, even after years of experience:

 

* **Changing rules:** Every few years, new federal or state rules change how collectors can get in touch with people (for example, by limiting how often they can call or text).

* **Data breaches and cybersecurity threats:** You have to be on the lookout all the time because you are handling millions of personal records.

* **Scepticism among consumers:** People don’t trust collectors by default, so it’s hard to build trust.

* **Economic cycles:** When the economy is bad, people are more likely to miss payments, but they also have less money to pay them back, which lowers recovery rates.

* **Medical debt reform:** More and more, new policies for credit reporting are getting rid of small or paid medical collections, which changes how healthcare collections work.

 

The company must always change by putting money into technology, training, and ways of communicating that meet both legal and human needs.

 

—

 

## Harris & Harris in the Future

 

Harris & Harris is likely to stay a major player in the national collection scene in the future. Their focus on digital engagement, government contracting, and managing healthcare revenue is in line with what is happening in the market.

 

You can expect to see more:

 

* **Self-service payment portals** and ways to talk to each other through text

* **AI-driven account analysis** that guesses which customers are most likely to respond well to payment plans

* **Working with hospital systems** to find ways to bill patients before their accounts go to collections

* **More focus on privacy, openness, and a good experience for customers**

 

The industry is slowly moving away from threats and towards working together, and Harris & Harris is a part of that change because it has a solid infrastructure.

 

—

 

## Last Thoughts: Looking at the Big Picture

 

Harris & Harris is basically a logistics and communication company, but the word “collection” makes people nervous. Their main job is to organise things—turning chaos (unpaid bills, misfiled accounts, unanswered statements) into order (resolved balances, updated records, and closed cases).

 

This information gives consumers power. You can use the machine strategically once you know how it works:

 

* Request paperwork.

* Make sure your credit report is correct.

* Write down what you want to say.

* Also, keep your records in order.

 

Most people who follow these steps say that the process becomes easier, not scarier.

 

At the same time, creditors and public institutions rely on companies like Harris & Harris to keep the money coming in and keep providing services. That interdependence—between consumers paying, creditors staying alive, and collectors acting as middlemen—keeps the financial system going.

 

Take a deep breath the next time you see the name “Harris & Harris Collection Agency.” You have power. They are doing their job, and you have every right and ability to handle it with confidence, on your own terms, with knowledge and professionalism as your guide.

 

—

 

*(About 6,000 words)