[robseattle]

Section 392.101 of the Texas Finance Code prohibits a third-party debt collector or credit bureau from engaging in debt collection in Texas unless the third-party debt collector or credit bureau has obtained a surety bond and filed a copy of the bond with the Office of the Secretary of State.

On this site, you can search for individuals and entities that have filed debt collector bonds with the Office of the Secretary of State. The search results will indicate, based on the information filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, whether the bond is active, pending cancellation, or has been cancelled. All fields displayed are searchable.


"Does this mean that if CA's haven't obtained a surety bond and filed a copy of the bond with the Office of the Secretary of State, does this mean they cannot collect in Texas?"

[Pale Rider]

Originally Posted by robseattle

"Does this mean that if CA's haven't obtained a surety bond and filed a copy of the bond with the Office of the Secretary of State, does this mean they cannot collect in Texas?"

Yes.

[jlynn]

If you are relying on the website though to frame your letters, you need to search several different ways. Their search feature is not user friendly. Coupled with the fact that alot of CA's have multiple addresses, and multiple names to conform to the FDCPA requirement that any indication of a debt collector not be visible on an envelope.

I prefer to start with a simple zip code search.

If that doesn't locate anything, then I move to city and state or state only.

Still nothing - enter the first few letters of their name with the wildcard key.

Then, if still nothing shows up, I contact the SOS.