Private collection agency

As an individual, getting money back from someone who doesn't pay is often more difficult than it should be. Perhaps you have loaned money, a down payment has been made for a product that was never delivered, or you have been waiting months for a deposit to be returned. You don't want conflict, but you do want clarity and your money back.

A debt collection agency for individuals can help in that case. Whereas many people think that collection agencies only work for companies, as an individual in 2026 you are just as entitled to professional collection assistance. Provided your claim is legally correct and well-founded.

At Credifin, you are not alone. Together with you, we look at your situation, assess whether your claim has a chance of success and then take over the collection process from you professionally. You stay in control, we do the work.

As a private individual, you can use a collection agency as soon as someone has a clear obligation to pay, but does not pay. This could be another private individual or a company.

The important thing is that you can prove that an agreement was made and that payment is due. This does not always have to be a formal contract. Emails, WhatsApp messages or bank statements can also be sufficient proof.

Common situations where private debt collection is used:

• You won't get your rental property deposit back
• You have lent money and the agreed repayment fails to materialize
• You paid a deposit for a product that was never delivered
• You accidentally transferred money and the recipient refuses to pay you back
• You suffered damage from a defective product and the seller does not respond

In all these cases, if you can prove that a payment obligation exists, we can get to work for you.

Debt collection is all about evidence. Legally, a simple principle applies: he who asserts, must prove. The stronger your case, the greater the chance that the other party will pay - and the faster that happens.

For a successful collection process, we basically need the following:

• An agreement or appointment
  This could be a signed contract, or it could be an offer, order confirmation or written agreement by e-mail.
• Written communication
  Messages in which the other party acknowledges the agreement, promises payment or confirms receipt of money or goods. This often weighs heavily.
• Invoices or payment agreements
  Clear specifications of the amount, the performance and the agreed payment period.
• Proof of delivery or payment
  Consider shipping receipts, bank statements or confirmations of receipt.

We do not accept the following cases

• Maintenance claims. For this, the LBIO is the appropriate agency.
• Private loans without a written and signed loan agreement.
• Verbal agreements without any written substantiation.

Do you doubt whether your evidence is legally sufficient? Then our specialists will look with you. We honestly assess in advance whether your case is strong enough to start. This way you avoid unnecessary costs and false expectations.

Are you a self-employed person or entrepreneur and have you delivered to a consumer who does not pay? Then different rules apply than in business debt collection. In the B2C market, consumers have additional legal protection.

This includes:

• stricter requirements for communication
• mandatory reminders
• clear payment terms
• correct application of collection costs

We ensure that your claim meets all legal requirements. This will prevent a judge from rejecting your claim because of a formal error, when in fact the content is correct.

In debt collection on an individual, the 14-day letter(WIK letter) is mandatory. This is the final cost-free reminder giving the debtor 14 more days to pay without additional charges.

Only after this deadline has passed may legal collection fees be charged.

We always check:

• Whether the letter is legally correct
• Whether the correct amount is listed
• Whether the deadline was calculated correctly

Have you not yet sent a 14-day letter yourself? Then we can prepare and send it for you. Only then will we start the collection process.

In 94% of cases, we collect your money without a judge. But what if a debtor stubbornly refuses or puts up an unjustified defense? Then, in consultation with you, we switch to legal proceedings. In 2026 this is a precision process in which our expertise makes the difference between winning or losing.

From subpoena to execution

We direct the entire court process:

• The Subpoena: Our lawyers draft a watertight subpoena that the bailiff officially serves. With this, we force the opposing party to appear in court.
• The Legal Case: We represent your interests. In 2026, judges are strictly reviewing Wki standards and the 14-day letter. Our thorough preparation puts us 1-0 ahead at the outset.
• The Judgment: Once the judge rules, we have an "enforcement order. This allows the bailiff to immediately proceed with coercive measures, such as seizing bank accounts, wages or property.

We advise you honestly in advance about the feasibility. We litigate only if the chances of success are high and the costs are proportional to your claim. That way you avoid throwing "good money after bad".

Cost and return

Legal proceedings require an investment of time and money (such as court fees). However, when a case is won, we always ask the judge to order the other party to pay the legal costs. This allows you to recover most of the costs incurred from the debtor.

Once you engage us, we take over the collection process completely from you. In doing so, we look not only at the legal side, but also at the reason for non-payment.

In practice, we see three situations:

• Temporary payment problems: We direct for prompt payment via iDEAL or a short payment break.
• Structural financial problems: We make realistic payment arrangements so that you still receive your money without unnecessary procedures.
• Unwillingness or evasive behavior: We step up the pressure and prepare the case for legal follow-up.

Because of this approach, we resolve the majority of cases without a judge. This is faster, cheaper and often more effective.

A frequently asked question is what private debt collection costs. At Credifin, we work on a No Cure No Pay basis during the amicable phase.

Meaning:

• you pay us only if we collect successfully
• no subscription fees
• no filing fees
• no fee for no result

In most cases, our costs are recovered from the debtor via the legal collection costs. For you, the collection is therefore often completely free of charge.

In court proceedings, court fees and bailiff fees may apply. If we win, we ask the court to order the other party to pay these costs.

Collecting a private debt can be emotionally taxing. Credifin Nederland B.V. takes the emotion out of the process and replaces it with legal pragmatism.

• Professional pressure: An official summons from a recognized collection agency often immediately enforces the payment you couldn't manage yourself.
• Wki-proof: We work in full compliance with the Quality Collection Services Act. You are assured of a fair and transparent process.
• Legal advice: Is payment still not forthcoming after the amicable process? Our lawyers analyze your file and advise you honestly about the chances of success of legal proceedings. We prevent you from throwing 'good money after bad'.