When most people think of a debt collection agency, they imagine someone contacting delinquent borrowers on behalf of a business or landlord. But in reality, the industry is much broader. One of the largest and most influential players in the debt recovery world is Encore Capital Group, a global specialty finance company based in San Diego, California.

Unlike traditional agencies that collect on behalf of others, Encore primarily buys debt. This blog explores who they are, what they do, and what business owners should consider when choosing a recovery partner. We’ll also compare their model to the personalized, contingency-based services offered by Advanced Collection Bureau.

Inside Encore Capital Group

Encore Capital Group is not your typical collection agency. They operate by purchasing portfolios of defaulted debt — often from banks, credit card issuers, or utility providers — at a reduced cost. Once purchased, Encore attempts to recover the balances owed.

Their services span multiple countries, and they support operations through global infrastructure in the U.S., India, Costa Rica, and Europe. This international model allows them to manage large volumes of consumer debt efficiently.

According to their official website, Encore’s mission is to “create pathways to economic freedom,” emphasizing ethical debt resolution and consumer support. However, their primary business model is focused on purchasing debt and seeking repayment directly from consumers, not on behalf of third-party clients like landlords or healthcare providers.

To learn more about their model, visit Encore’s business overview page.

How Encore Operates

Encore's primary function is portfolio purchasing. When lenders have delinquent accounts they no longer want to manage, they often sell those accounts to companies like Encore. Encore buys these accounts in bulk at a fraction of the original value and then works to collect the debt over time.

This approach is very different from a third-party contingency agency, which only charges clients a fee if and when they collect money on their behalf. Instead, Encore becomes the owner of the debt and is responsible for recovery.

Their operations include:

Debt acquisition
Receivables management
Global call centers and analytics teams
Regulatory compliance support
Consumer-facing financial literacy tools

Their size allows them to influence industry standards, but the experience for consumers and businesses may differ from more focused, partner-driven agencies like ACB.

If you're looking for a traditional collection service to recover unpaid rent or invoices, check out How Contingency Fee Debt Collection Works for a better understanding of our no-recovery, no-fee model.

Who Should Work With Encore?

Because Encore operates at such a large scale and deals primarily in consumer debt purchasing, their services may be best suited to financial institutions, utility companies, or telecommunications providers. If you’re a landlord, property manager, or small business owner, you may find their services less relevant — especially if you’re not looking to sell your debt.

Encore may be effective for companies with large volumes of defaulted accounts they want to offload entirely, but they are not structured to support clients who want ongoing updates, hands-on communication, or account-level strategy.

At ACB, we work closely with our clients, offering full transparency, real-time updates, and live phone support. Whether you’re trying to collect on tenant debt or recover past-due invoices from a customer, our approach is built for small-to-midsize business owners who want results without the complexity of selling off debt.

To see what a more tailored collection process looks like, read our article How Collection Agencies Improve Recovery for Hard-to-Collect Accounts.

Global Scale vs. Personal Service

Encore's strengths lie in automation, global resources, and deep analytics. For businesses with high-volume debt portfolios, those strengths can translate into cost savings and scale. But smaller businesses may find that what they gain in volume, they lose in personal service.

Many business owners need a responsive team that answers questions, keeps them updated, and follows local laws closely. ACB is 100 percent U.S.-based, never outsources, and specializes in working with landlords, medical offices, and service providers. Our clients benefit from twice-monthly credit reporting, advanced skip tracing, and the ability to talk to a real human whenever needed.

To compare your options, check out Top Collection Agencies for Businesses and Individuals, where we break down what makes an agency the right fit for different needs.

Encore Capital Group Links & Resources

If you'd like to learn more about Encore Capital Group, here are a few reliable resources:

Encore Capital Official Website: https://www.encorecapital.com
Business Services Overview: https://www.encorecapital.com/businesses-and-services
Contact Page: https://www.encorecapital.com/contact-us
Mission & Values: https://www.encorecapital.com/mvv
IBISWorld Industry Profile: Encore Capital Group Market Share

Conclusion

Encore Capital Group plays a major role in the debt purchasing and recovery industry, serving banks and other large institutions with global resources. But if you're a landlord, healthcare provider, or business owner looking for personalized, risk-free collections without selling off your debt, a smaller, more specialized agency like Advanced Collection Bureau may be a better fit.

We handle every case with care, work on contingency, and offer unmatched service backed by decades of experience.

Ready to recover what you’re owed? Work with ACB today and see the difference a dedicated partner can make.

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