The 2020 action film Debt Collectors takes a hard-hitting look at the world of collections—though with a lot more punching than paperwork. In the movie, debt collectors French and Sue aren’t sending polite payment reminders or negotiating structured settlements. Instead, they’re breaking noses, dodging bullets, and generally making the collections industry look like a full-contact sport.

While it’s easy to dismiss Debt Collectors as an over-the-top action flick, the truth is that debt collection wasn’t always as regulated as it is today. Before laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) were passed, collectors had a reputation for using intimidation, public shaming, and even debtor’s prison to recover money. While no one in modern collections carries brass knuckles to a negotiation, history shows that aggressive tactics were once the norm.

How Collections Used to Work: A Harsh Reality

Before there were laws protecting consumers, debt collection was more of a free-for-all. In seventeenth- and eighteenth-century England, unpaid debt could land you in debtors’ prison, where you would remain until your debts were paid off—assuming you survived the awful conditions. This fear drove many to flee to the American colonies, where early bankruptcy laws were far more forgiving.

By the 1800s, the United States had its own share of aggressive collection tactics. As settlers moved west, laws varied from state to state, and many people escaped collection efforts simply by moving somewhere new. Texas, in particular, developed strong protections for debtors, some of which still exist today, such as restrictions on wage garnishment.

By the late 1800s, loan sharks became a major problem, especially in urban areas. These lenders charged outrageous interest rates, sometimes exceeding 1,000%, and relied on humiliation as a collection method. One of the most infamous techniques involved hiring a “bawler-out”—a loud and aggressive individual who would stand outside a debtor’s workplace, shouting about their unpaid debts for all to hear. These tactics were particularly cruel, as they often cost borrowers their jobs.

How Debt Collection Changed Over Time

Thankfully, debt collection laws evolved to protect consumers from the brutal practices of the past. Some of the most important milestones include:

• The Bankruptcy Act of 1898 – Made it easier for debtors to file for bankruptcy and protected them from involuntary bankruptcy actions.
• The Uniform Small Loan Law (1916) – Established the first real protections for borrowers, curbing predatory lending practices.
• The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (1977) – Set nationwide rules for how debt collectors can communicate with consumers, banning harassment, public shaming, and deceptive practices.
• The Dodd-Frank Act (2010) – Created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which enforces modern debt collection regulations.

These laws transformed debt collection from a Wild West-style industry into a regulated, professional practice. Today, collectors must follow strict legal guidelines, ensuring that consumers are treated fairly while still allowing businesses to recover unpaid debts.

Debt Collectors 2020 vs. Reality

Watching Debt Collectors is an entertaining ride, but it’s clear that French and Sue would be facing serious legal trouble if they tried their tactics in the real world. The FDCPA prohibits threats, harassment, and unauthorized visits, meaning their approach wouldn’t just be unethical—it would be illegal.

Modern debt collectors work within the law, using written notices, phone calls, and structured repayment plans to recover debts. No one is showing up unannounced, demanding cash, and certainly not engaging in fistfights with debtors. Agencies today rely on compliance, negotiation, and legal procedures, not intimidation.

The Right Way to Handle Debt Collection

While Debt Collectors makes for an exciting film, real debt collection is a much more structured process. Businesses needing to recover debts should work with professional agencies that follow the law and treat debtors with respect. Advanced Collection Bureau specializes in ethical and legal debt recovery solutions, helping businesses recover outstanding balances while staying fully compliant.

If you need professional, compliant debt recovery services (with no action-movie-style brawls), work with us today.

‍