Section 08.24.090. License required.

   (a) A person other than a collection agency licensed and authorized under this chapter may not for compensation
        (1) conduct a collection agency business in this state;
        (2) collect claims for others in this state;
        (3) solicit the right to collect or receive payment of a claim for another;
        (4) advertise or solicit either in print, by letter, in person or otherwise, the right to collect or receive payment of a claim for another;
        (5) seek to make collection or obtain payment of a claim on behalf of another.
   (b) This chapter does not apply to the following when engaged in the regular course of their respective businesses:
        (1) attorneys at law;
        (2) persons regularly employed on a regular wage or salary in the capacity of credit men or a similar capacity, except as an independent contractor;
        (3) banks, including trust departments of banks, fiduciaries and financing and lending institutions;
        (4) common carriers;
        (5) title insurers and abstract companies while doing an escrow business;
        (6) licensed real estate brokers;
        (7) employees of licensees under this chapter;
        (8) substation payment offices employed by or serving as independent contractors for public utilities.
   (c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a jail for not to exceed one year, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both.

Notes

History

(Sec. 1 ch 101 SLA 1968)