Directory >> USA >> California >> San Bernardino
List of collection agencies in San Bernardino, CA
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- Jackson Collections
- TSI
- San Bernardino Superior Courts
- Executive Recovery
Why San Bernardino AR Is Tougher Than It Looks
San Bernardino’s mix creates very specific AR headaches:
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Healthcare & social assistance is one of the largest employers in the county, so medical AR (deductibles, co-pays, out-of-network balances) is everywhere.
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Retail and transportation/warehousing mean lots of hourly and shift workers with fluctuating income and overtime.
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Median household income is lower than many coastal markets, so families are more sensitive to rent, utilities, auto, and medical shocks.
If your agency uses the same scripts and timelines it uses in high-income suburbs, you’ll see more broken promises, more complaints, and lower recovery.
California Legal Framework – What Your Agency Must Get Right
Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
California’s Rosenthal Act extends and strengthens federal FDCPA protections. It:
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Bans unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices in collecting consumer debts
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Applies to many original creditors as well as third-party agencies
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Has recently been expanded so that certain commercial debts up to $500,000, and some guaranteed business debts, get Rosenthal-style protections too
A San Bernardino-ready partner should have California-specific policies, training, and audits, not just a generic “we follow FDCPA” line.
Statute of Limitations – 4 Years for Most Debts
For most written-contract debts in California—credit cards, many loans, and most medical and consumer accounts—the statute of limitations is about four years from the date of last payment or default.
That means:
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After four years, collectors cannot sue or threaten lawsuits on that debt.
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Agencies must track dates carefully and handle time-barred accounts with different language.
If your reports don’t clearly flag which San Bernardino accounts are approaching or past that four-year window, you’re wasting money and inviting legal risk.
Medical Debt & Credit Reporting – California Has Drawn a Line
Starting in 2025, California law makes it illegal for most medical debt to appear on consumer credit reports, and the Attorney General has repeatedly reminded providers, agencies, and bureaus that this ban remains in force despite federal back-and-forth.
Practical takeaways for San Bernardino hospitals, clinics, and dentists:
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“We’ll ruin their credit” is no longer a compliant strategy for medical accounts in California.
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Effective agencies must lean on:
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Clear statements and itemized balances
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Early, respectful outreach
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Flexible payment plans and settlements, financial-assistance screening, and insurance clean-up
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If your current vendor still centers its pitch on credit-report pressure for medical debt, they are behind the law—and putting you at risk.
Federal Laws Still Set the Floor
Any agency working your San Bernardino accounts must also be solid on:
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FDCPA – No harassment, misrepresentation, or unfair practices on consumer debts.
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FCRA – Accurate reporting, prompt updates when accounts are paid/settled, and proper dispute handling for any tradelines still allowed.
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HIPAA – For medical and dental, strict PHI protection, Business Associate Agreements, and “minimum necessary” data sharing.
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TCPA – Rules for auto-dialers, SMS, and prerecorded messages to mobile phones.
In a region where households often rely heavily on cell phones and Spanish-speaking channels, sloppy TCPA or language handling can trigger quick complaints and lawsuits.
San Bernardino Local Realities – Who Owes You Money?
San Bernardino city and county show a consistent pattern:
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Health care & social assistance, retail, and transportation/warehousing are the three largest county industries; government and education are also major employers in the city.
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The metro area ranks among the top performers nationally for growth, driven by warehousing, distribution, and logistics.
That means your typical delinquent accounts in and around San Bernardino may include:
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Medical and dental balances from working-class families juggling high deductibles and inconsistent hours
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Small-ticket retail and service debt, sometimes with outdated contact information as people move or change jobs
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B2B invoices from vendors serving warehouses, trucking companies, and small manufacturers
A smart agency will:
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Offer bilingual (English/Spanish) outreach, where appropriate
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Time contact attempts around shift work and pay cycles
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Separate consumer vs. small-business vs. larger commercial files and apply the right legal and strategic approach to each
What a Good San Bernardino-Focused Agency Looks Like
For San Bernardino, your ideal partner should be able to:
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Show California-specific scripts and letter templates reflecting Rosenthal, SB 1061 medical-debt rules, and the four-year limitations period.
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Demonstrate how they segment accounts by age, type, balance, and legal status (collectible vs. time-barred).
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Explain how they will:
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Keep your legal risk low while recovering more
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Extend the reach of your AR team without adding headcount
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Protect your reputation in a region where online reviews and word of mouth travel quickly
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If a vendor can’t speak clearly about California medical-debt reporting bans, Rosenthal protections (including for some small-business debts), or the four-year SOL, they’re not really built for this market.
When It’s Time to Rethink Your San Bernardino Strategy
It may be time to review or switch agencies if:
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Recovery has flattened, but placements from San Bernardino keep growing
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You’re hearing more about collector tone than about resolved balances
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Reports don’t clearly separate collectible vs. time-barred accounts
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Your partner never mentions California-specific issues like:
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The Rosenthal Act and its recent expansions
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The ban on medical debt appearing on credit reports
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The four-year statute of limitations for most written debts
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In a heavily regulated state and a fast-growing, working-class city like San Bernardino, the right partner isn’t just “good at calling people.” They understand California law, Inland Empire economics, and your industry, so more of those stubborn receivables turn into predictable cash—without putting your brand or compliance at risk.
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