218.04(3)(b)(b) At the time of making application, every applicant for a collection agency license shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $1,000 to the division for investigating the application, unless the applicant is already licensed under this section, and the sum of $200 as an annual license fee for each place of business that is required to be separately licensed under sub. (4) (a). If the cost of investigation exceeds $1,000, the applicant shall, upon demand of the division, pay the excess cost. No investigation fee is required on the renewal of a license. Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (b) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(b) At the time of making application, every applicant for a collection agency license shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $1,000 to the division for investigating the application, unless the applicant is already licensed under this section, and the sum of $200 as an annual license fee. If the cost of investigation exceeds $1,000, the applicant shall, upon demand of the division, pay the excess cost. No investigation fee is required on the renewal of a license.
218.04(3)(c)(c) The license fee for a collector or solicitor shall be $15, except that no license fee is required for an individual who is eligible for the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44. This license shall be carried as a means of identification whenever the collector is engaged in business. The license shall state the name of the employer and shall be surrendered to the division upon termination of employment. A new license is required for a change of employment. 218.04(3)(d)(d) The division may require any licensee to file and maintain in force a bond, in a form to be prescribed by and acceptable to the division, and in such sum as the division may deem reasonably necessary to safeguard the interests of the public. 218.04(4)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (am), upon the filing of a license application and the payment of the applicable fees, the division shall make an investigation, and if the division finds that the character and general fitness and the financial responsibility of the applicant, and the members thereof if the applicant is a partnership, limited liability company or association, and the officers and directors thereof if the applicant is a corporation, warrant the belief that the business will be operated in compliance with this section the division shall thereupon issue a license to the applicant. A license is not assignable and, except as provided in par. (ap), shall permit operation under it only at or from the location specified in the license. Except as provided in par. (ap), a separate license is required for each place of business maintained by the licensee from which the licensee or its collectors or solicitors engage in the business of collecting or receiving payments for others of any account, bill, or other indebtedness of a person located in this state. Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (a) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(a) Except as provided in par. (am), upon the filing of such application and the payment of such fee, the division shall make an investigation, and if the division finds that the character and general fitness and the financial responsibility of the applicant, and the members thereof if the applicant is a partnership, limited liability company or association, and the officers and directors thereof if the applicant is a corporation, warrant the belief that the business will be operated in compliance with this section the division shall thereupon issue a license to said applicant. Such license is not assignable and shall permit operation under it only at or from the location specified in the license, except that an employee of a licensed collection agency may work from the employee’s home if the employee complies with all of the same requirements under this section and the division’s rules that would apply if the employee were working within the licensed office and except that a licensed collector or solicitor may work outside the licensed office of a collection agency. A nonresident of this state may, upon complying with all other provisions of this section, secure a collection agency license provided the nonresident maintains an active office in this state.
218.04(4)(am)(am) The division may not issue or renew a license under this section if any of the following applies: 218.04(4)(am)1.1. The applicant fails to provide any application information required by the division. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 1. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text1. The applicant fails to provide any information required under sub. (3) (a) 1.
218.04(4)(am)2.2. The department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant is liable for delinquent taxes. An applicant for whom a license is not issued or renewed under this subdivision for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section. 218.04(4)(am)2m.2m. The department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. An applicant for whom a license is not issued or renewed under this subdivision for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section. 218.04(4)(am)3.3. The applicant fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings or is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. An applicant whose application is denied under this subdivision for delinquent payments is entitled to a notice and hearing under s. 49.857 but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section. 218.04(4)(ap)(ap) An employee of a licensed collection agency may work from the employee’s residence. An employee’s resident address may not be presented to the public as a location or office of the collection agency, through advertising or other means of communication. No physical records of the collection agency may be maintained at an employee’s residence. A separate license under par. (a) is not required for a residence that meets the requirements of this paragraph. 218.04(4)(b)(b) No licensee shall conduct a collection agency business within any office, room or place of business in which any other business is solicited or engaged in, or in association or conjunction therewith, except as may be authorized in writing by the division upon finding that the character of such other business is such that the granting of such authority would not facilitate evasion of this section or the lawful orders issued thereunder. 218.04(4)(c)(c) If an applicant fails to complete the application for an initial license within 60 days after the division provides written notice of the incomplete application, the application is considered abandoned and the investigation fee shall not be refunded. An applicant whose application is abandoned under this paragraph may reapply to obtain a new license. 218.04(5)(5) Revocation; suspension; reinstatement of licenses. 218.04(5)(a)(a) The division may suspend or revoke any license issued under this section if the division finds that any of the following applies: Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (a) (intro.) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(a) The division may suspend or revoke any license issued under this section if the division finds that:
218.04(5)(a)1.1. The licensee has violated any of the provisions of this section, rules promulgated under this section, or any lawful order of the division made under this section. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 1. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text1. The licensee has violated any of the provisions of this section or any lawful order of the division made thereunder;
218.04(5)(a)2.2. Any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for the license, would have warranted the division in refusing to issue the license. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 2. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text2. Any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for such license, would have warranted the division in refusing to issue such license;
Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 3. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text3. The licensee has failed to pay the annual license fee or to maintain in effect the bond required under sub. (3) (d);
218.04(5)(a)4.4. The licensee has failed to remit money due to any and all claimants or forwarders on or before the last day of the month following the close of the month during which the collection was effected. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 4. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text4. The licensee has failed to remit money due to any and all claimants or forwarders within 30 days from the close of the month during which the collection was effected; or
218.04(5)(a)6.6. The licensee has made a material misstatement, or knowingly omitted a material fact, in an application for a license or in information furnished to the division or the nationwide multistate licensing system and registry. 218.04(5)(am)(am) The division shall restrict or suspend a license issued under this section if the division finds that the licensee is an individual who fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings or who is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. A licensee whose license is restricted or suspended under this paragraph is entitled to a notice and hearing only as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857 and is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section. 218.04(5)(ar)(ar) The division shall revoke a license issued under this section if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. A licensee whose license is revoked under this paragraph for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section. 218.04(5)(at)(at) The division shall revoke a license issued under this section if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the licensee is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. A licensee whose license is revoked under this paragraph for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section. 218.04(5)(b)(b) Except as provided in pars. (am) to (at), no license shall be revoked or suspended except after a hearing under this section. A complaint stating the grounds for suspension or revocation together with a notice of hearing shall be delivered to the licensee at least 5 days in advance of the hearing. In the event the licensee cannot be found, complaint and notice of hearing may be left at the place of business stated in the license and this shall be deemed the equivalent of delivering the notice of hearing and complaint to the licensee. 218.04(5)(c)(c) In the event of the death of a licensee who is a sole proprietor, the license shall terminate as of the date of death of the licensee, except the division may reinstate a license if the estate of the former licensee signifies to the division within 45 days its intention to continue the business of the agency. Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (c) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(c) In the event of the death of a licensee, if the licensee is an individual, or of the partners, if the licensee is a partnership, the license of the agency shall terminate as of the date of death of said licensee, except the division may reinstate a license if the estate of the former licensee signifies to the division within 45 days its intention to continue the business of the agency.
218.04(6)(6) Licenses; posting; renewal; discontinued operations. 218.04(6)(a)(a) If a licensee intends to change the address of its place of business to another location, the licensee shall give written notice of the change, in a form and manner prescribed by the division, at least 30 days prior to the relocation. Effective date noteNOTE: Sub. (6) (title) and (a) are shown as affected eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 they read: Effective date text(6) Licenses; posting; changes of location; renewal. (a) Whenever a collection agency shall contemplate a change of its place of business to another location within the same city or village, it shall give written notice thereof to the division, which shall attach to the license the division’s authorization of such removal, specifying the date thereof and the new location. Such authorization shall be authority for the operation of such business under the same license at the specified new location. All collection agency licenses shall be conspicuously posted in the office of the licensee.
218.04(6)(b)(b) Every licensee applying for a renewal of a license shall pay in advance to the division the annual license fee. A license may be renewed or reinstated as provided in s. 224.35 (7). A license that is not renewed or reinstated by the end of the reinstatement period provided in s. 224.35 (7) shall be deemed to have expired on December 31 of the year immediately preceding the reinstatement period, unless the initial license date is between November 1 and December 31, in which instance the initial license term shall run through December 31 of the following year. Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (b) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(b) Every licensee applying for a renewal of a license shall, on or before the first day of June, pay in advance to the division the annual license fee.
218.04(6)(c)(c) Before discontinuing operating as a collection agency under the provisions of this section, every licensee shall furnish the division with proof in a form to be determined by the division that all of the following are satisfied: Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (c) (intro.) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(c) Before discontinuing operating as a collection agency under the provisions of this section, every licensee shall furnish the division with proof in a form to be determined by the division and approved by the advisory committee that:
218.04(6)(c)1.1. Proper remittance has been made to all claimants or forwarders on money collected. 218.04(6)(c)2.2. All Wisconsin client accounts have been returned to the claimants or forwarders. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 2. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text2. All accounts have been returned to the claimants or forwarders.
218.04(6)(c)3.3. All valuable papers given to the licensee by the claimant or forwarder in connection with claims have been returned to the claimants or forwarders. 218.04(7)(7) Powers of division. It shall be the duty of the division and the division shall have power, jurisdiction and authority to investigate the conditions and ascertain the facts with reference to the collection of accounts and upon the basis thereof: Effective date noteNOTE: Sub. (7) (title) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(7) Powers of division; advisory committees.
218.04(7)(a)(a) To issue any general or special order in execution of or supplementary to this chapter, including such orders as may be necessary to protect the public from oppressive or deceptive practices of licensees and to prevent evasions of this chapter. Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (a) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(a) To issue any general or special order in execution of or supplementary to this chapter to protect the public from oppressive or deceptive practices of licensees and to prevent evasions of this chapter.
218.04(7)(b)(b) For the purpose of discovering violations of this section the division may cause an investigation to be made of the business of the licensee transacted under the provisions of this section, and shall cause an investigation to be made of convictions reported to the division by any district attorney for violation by a licensee of any of the provisions of this section. The place of business, books of accounts, papers, records, safes and vaults of said licensee shall be open to inspection and examination by the division for the purpose of such investigation and the division shall have authority to examine under oath all persons whose testimony is required relative to said investigation. The cost of the first investigation or examination during any licensing year shall be paid by the licensee, but the cost of additional investigation or examination during such year shall be paid by the licensee only if such examination discloses violation of sub. (5) (a) 4. The division shall determine the cost of an investigation or examination. The licensee shall pay the cost of any hearing including witness fees, unless it be found by the division, board of review or court that licensee has not violated any provision of this section. All said costs shall be paid by the licensee within 30 days after demand therefor by the division. The state may maintain an action for the recovery of such costs and expenses in any court of competent jurisdiction. 218.04(7)(d)(d) To make all necessary or proper orders, rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this section. 218.04(8)(8) Hearings and orders. The division shall have the same power to conduct hearings, take testimony and secure evidence as is provided in ss. 217.17, 217.18 and 217.19. 218.04(9)(9) Collectors and solicitors; aliases; unsigned notices. 218.04(9)(a)(a) A collection agency is responsible for, and shall supervise the acts of, its collectors and solicitors and any other person who otherwise acts on behalf of the collection agency. 218.04(9)(b)(b) In any oral or written communication with a debtor, any collector or solicitor may use a separate alias. This alias shall include a first and last name. No collector or solicitor may have more than one alias. A collector or solicitor may not change an alias unless for good cause and the division is first notified of the change. Collectors or solicitors employed by a licensee may not use the same alias. 218.04(9)(c)(c) A licensee may forward printed collection notices to a debtor that are unsigned. 218.04(9g)(b)(b) A licensee shall establish a trust account with a financial institution. The licensee shall notify the division of the name of the financial institution that maintains the trust account. The division may prohibit a licensee from establishing or maintaining a trust account in a financial institution if the division believes that the financial institution is operating in an unsafe or unsound manner. 218.04(9g)(c)(c) Within 48 hours after collection, a licensee shall deposit and maintain in the trust account sufficient funds to pay all money due any claimant or forwarder. A licensee may not use the trust account for any other purpose. Effective date noteNOTE: Par. (c) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(c) Promptly after collection, a licensee shall deposit in the trust account sufficient funds to pay all money due any claimant or forwarder. A licensee may not use the trust account for any other purpose.
218.04(9j)(a)(a) A licensee may, after receiving authorization from a creditor, consolidate the creditor’s account or accounts relating to a particular debtor with those of any other creditor or creditors relating to that debtor and may cause an action to be brought on behalf of the creditor or creditors. All of the following apply to any action caused to be brought by a licensee on behalf of a creditor or creditors under this subsection: 218.04(9j)(a)1.1. The summons and complaint shall be prepared by an attorney or at the direction of an attorney. 218.04(9j)(a)2.2. The name or names of the creditor or creditors shall appear in the pleadings and in the caption of the case as the real party or parties in interest and the licensee’s name shall not appear in the caption or pleadings. 218.04(9j)(a)3.3. The creditor or creditors in each instance shall be given the opportunity either to select an attorney to commence the action or to designate, as a part of the authorization process, the collection agency as the agent of the creditor or creditors to retain an attorney and forward the claim or claims to the attorney on behalf of the creditor or creditors.
