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Debt collection · Germany

Inkassoschreiben — a collection agency's demand, still a private letter

An Inkassoschreiben is a demand from a debt-collection company that has taken over a creditor's claim against you. It adds fees — but it has no state powers and cannot seize anything itself.

How serious: routineAlso called: Inkassobrief, Forderungsschreiben, letters from firms like EOS, Creditreform, Riverty, PAIR Finance, coeo

An Inkassoschreiben comes from a collection agency (Inkassodienstleister) that has taken over — or bought — a creditor's claim against you. It adds collection fees and interest to the original amount.

For all its pressure, it is still a private letter. An Inkasso company has no state powers and cannot seize anything itself. For that, a court judgment or enforcement order obtained through formal proceedings is required first, executed by a Gerichtsvollzieher.

Collection agencies must be registered. Registration is mandatory and can be checked free of charge in the Rechtsdienstleistungsregister, run by the Bundesamt für Justiz. The first letter must also name the creditor, the basis of the claim, the interest calculation, the collection costs, and the supervisory authority (RDG §13a).

Who sends it

A private, registered debt-collection company (Inkassodienstleister) acting on behalf of a creditor — firms like EOS, Creditreform, Riverty, PAIR Finance, or coeo. Its registration can be checked free of charge in the Rechtsdienstleistungsregister run by the Bundesamt für Justiz.

Letterhead of a collection firm rather than the original shop, an 'Aktenzeichen' or 'Forderungsnummer', a breakdown showing Hauptforderung plus Inkassokosten plus Zinsen, the name of the original creditor, and short payment deadlines with escalation threats. RDG §13a requires the first letter to name the creditor, the basis of the claim, the interest calculation, the collection costs, and the supervisory authority.

The deadline

The payment date printed in the letter is chosen by the agency itself — it is not a statutory deadline.

If you do nothing

The letter itself has no direct legal enforcement effect: collection agencies cannot seize funds independently — a court judgment or enforcement order obtained through formal proceedings is required first, executed by a Gerichtsvollzieher. But silence usually means further letters, growing costs, and eventually a court Mahnbescheid.

How it escalates

  1. 01Further collection letters arrive, with additional fees and default interest (BGB §288).
  2. 02The agency or creditor applies for a court Mahnbescheid (ZPO §692) — from then on, court deadlines run.
  3. 03Without a Widerspruch: a Vollstreckungsbescheid (ZPO §699) and then enforcement — bailiff, account or wage garnishment.
  4. 04A negative credit-bureau (SCHUFA) entry may follow.

Your options, procedurally

  • The agency can be checked free of charge in the official Rechtsdienstleistungsregister (Bundesamt für Justiz) — unregistered collection is illegal.
  • If the first letter lacks the information RDG §13a requires — creditor, basis and date of the claim, interest and cost breakdown — that information can be demanded.
  • If the claim is unjustified, a written objection can be sent to the agency; Verbraucherzentrale provides a free template letter and an online Inkasso-Check. There is no obligation to pay an unjustified claim, in full or in part.
  • If the claim is justified, the principal can be paid or installments negotiated in writing. Inflated collection fees can be contested — they may not exceed what a lawyer could lawfully charge.

Common questions

Can an Inkasso company freeze my account or take my things?

No. An Inkasso company has no state powers and cannot seize anything itself. Seizure requires a court title first, executed by a Gerichtsvollzieher.

How do I know the agency is legitimate?

Registration is mandatory. Any agency can be checked free of charge in the Rechtsdienstleistungsregister run by the Bundesamt für Justiz. Unregistered collection is illegal.

What must the first Inkasso letter contain?

Under RDG §13a it must name the creditor, the basis of the claim, the interest calculation, the collection costs, and the supervisory authority.

Sources

Facts verified against the sources below on 28 August 2026.