Frequently Asked Questions

Summit is here to help. Below, you can find answers to many of our most commonly asked questions. Have a question that isn’t covered here? Contact us today, and we’ll get back to you in no time with useful, personalized answers from a real, live person.

A professional answering questions during a consultation

For Clients or Future Clients

There are many advantages to using the services of a collection agency. More often than not, a consumer will cooperate with a collection agency, even if they have not been cooperative with the creditor. This is because most understand that collection agencies may affect their credit history, along with employing other methods, such as legal action, to secure payment. The bottom line is that you are busy enough trying to perform your other functions to have to waste time tracking down customers who haven’t paid their bills.

Various factors will determine our fee (i.e. age, type, balance size). However, our typical compensation involves contingency fees of between 7.5% and 50%. Contingency fees ensure that your company is not throwing good money after bad; we are only paid if we are successful. Compare this to other agencies that charge an upfront fee and require you to place a specified number of accounts on a monthly or annual basis. At Summit A•R, our contracts do not contain any quotas or minimums. Only you know what’s best for your business and when and if accounts should be placed for collections. Call or email us now to discuss how we can provide cost-effective solutions to some or all of your delinquent receivable needs.

We take pride in our proven system, and our results speak for themselves. We have consistently realized recovery rates that are, in many cases, double the industry average across a broad range of industries and debt types.

As soon as you believe repayment of debt is in doubt. The longer you wait, the less chance there is of the money reaching your hands. If they haven’t responded to your first or second late notice, the best way to ensure you will be paid in the future is to send the account to us. As more time elapses, studies show that it becomes less and less likely that the debt will ever be recovered. Other variables on collectability include, but are not limited to, the type of debt, documentation, balance, and industry. However, the biggest variable that you have control over is the amount of time that has passed since they became past due. Don’t delay any longer; start getting paid today.

Claims are entered into our collection system immediately, and the person responsible for the unpaid debt is notified shortly thereafter by phone, email, text and mail or in some cases, all forms of communication. If we are unable to reach the person, Summit Account Resolution (Summit A•R) has a staff that includes actual licensed private investigators who track down the persons responsible for paying this obligation. The person owing your debt will be found. Then, our proven system includes a phone call campaign along with a letter series. Some debts can be collected within the first few days, while others may take longer. Our goal is to get you paid within 90 days.

All payments are immediately deposited into a state-regulated client trust account. The net amount due to your company on payments made, in any single month, is sent to you on the 10th of the following month. However, if a consumer pays you directly in response to Summit A•R’s campaigns, you must notify us immediately so that proper credit can be given to your customer. We will bill you directly for these fees.

Summit Account Resolution (Summit A•R) prides itself on strong relationships with our clients. You will be assigned to an account manager who is always available for any questions or concerns that you may have. We will also update you on our progress with monthly collection reports, which give details on the collection process.

We will keep detailed and accurate reports regarding all your accounts. There are times when accounts will not be collectible via our normal collection process. At that time, Summit A•R will determine if legal action is appropriate. If we feel it is, we will notify you and discuss the next steps with you. Please note additional fees and/or costs may apply, but these will be discussed and approved by you in writing prior to being incurred. Much like our standard collection program, there’s no additional time or effort required on your end. We manage the entire litigation process.

Many people view collection agencies as one step away from a mafia hit man, but this is really not the case. Summit Account Resolution (Summit A•R) understands that your current past-due account may be your future best client. During our 30-year history, we have prided ourselves on the way we conduct business. Along with being members of the local Better Business Bureau, we also have an excellent reputation in dealing with people with a level of professionalism rare to our industry. You can count on us to handle your accounts with respect and integrity while also maximizing the returns your company deserves.

SUMMIT A•R exists for the sole purpose of reuniting our clients with their hard-earned revenue in the most efficient, ethical and cost-effective manner. We do this while adhering to strong core beliefs and values.

Client Online Access

CLIENT PORTAL: Clients log in here to check the status of already placed accounts and place new accounts for collection

For your convenience and peace of mind, our client portal site is fully secure and accessible only to clients with assigned user IDs and passwords. Once granted, you can access the portal 24/7.

Once you have received your login information, you will be able to:

  • PLACE new accounts for collection to Summit A•R
  • VIEW summaries of your placements, monthly reports and remittance reports (current and past)
  • REPORT direct payments received at your office, bankruptcies or other important information
  • UPDATE addresses or other pertinent information
  • CONTACT US for any other questions or requests

If you wish to utilize the Portal area of this website, please email us at help@summitcollects.com or call 888.212.2021, option 3, to obtain your User ID and Password.

Client Online Portal Questions

We’ve prepared a helpful series of videos demonstrating how to use our secure online portal, which can be found in our Client Resources section.

We make every effort to enter your accounts within 48 hours of receiving them. You will receive an email with an acknowledgement report detailing the accounts sent to us. Once you have received this report, be assured our collection process has already begun.

To keep you informed, we will send you an email monthly with an activity report. This report will give you a snapshot of all the accounts you have sent to us and their progress. We also provide our clients with real-time online access to all of their accounts. To check online status, click on this link and use your login credentials:

CLIENT PORTAL: Clients log in here to check the status of already placed accounts

Once you assign the account to us, it’s best if you refer this customer to us at 888-212-2021 to set up payment arrangements. However, if a customer insists on paying you directly, please accept their direct payment and notify us immediately.

It is important to let us know anytime you receive payment on an account that you’ve already sent to us for collections. When this happens, please notify us of the “direct payment” by using our Status Portal at

CLIENT PORTAL: Clients log in here to report a direct payment

Another option would be to email us directly at accounting@summitcollects.com. Please provide us with your customer’s full name, your account reference number, the amount of payment and the date that the payment was received. Of course, you are always free to call us at 888-212-2021, option 3.

We will update the balance due in our system and deduct any fees due from the proceeds you have at the end of the month. You will be invoiced the following month if there aren’t enough proceeds.

Checks are mailed out by the 15th of each month after the “remittance” process has been completed. Checks are issued on payments that were received during the previous month. An itemized statement is available in our Status Portal the day checks are mailed to ensure that your records can be accurately updated.

If you would like, you can receive a confirmation email when the statement is available by notifying our accounting department of the email address you would like the notification sent to. To request an email notification, please email our Accounting Department at accounting@summitcollects.com, or you can contact them directly at 763-712-3705.

NEW CLIENTS CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT HERE

For Consumers or Those With Debts to Resolve

Summit A•R, also referred to as Summit Collects, Summit A•R, and Summit Account Resolution, is a legitimate, national third-party collection agency that has been in business since 1996. We hold an A+ BBB rating and pride ourselves on treating people with the respect and dignity they deserve — free from unethical or demeaning collection tactics. Our goal is to make the collection process as stress-free as possible for all parties involved.

Contact us today via phone, e-mail, or access our fully secure 24/7 payment portal on our website.

If you have received a phone call, letter, or email from Summit A•R, have peace of mind knowing that we are not a scam — we are a legitimate and reputable debt collection agency.

We have over 28 years of experience in the industry, are accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and are members of both ACA International and the International Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (IACC). Our services comply with HIPAA and PCI DSS standards, and our debt collection professionals are licensed and highly trained.

We avoid robocalls, threats and other tactics and will handle collecting your debts with sensitivity and compassion. Our helpful staff can assist you with the appropriate next steps and will do so with integrity and professionalism. We’re available via phone or email to answer any questions you may have regarding our services and your debts.

Summit A•R is an authentic and legitimate company for collections. In addition to our many years in business and BBB accreditations, you can reference our reviews to verify our legitimacy.

Our extensive privacy policy ensures that all collected information is accurate and safeguarded through physical, electronic, and managerial procedures. Our data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures are designed to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information.

Summit A•R is proud to have earned over 100 4+ stars on Google, showcasing our commitment to professionalism, transparency, and respect. Additional reviews can also be found on:

Summit A•R has an impeccable compliance record with all regulating agencies nationwide. We follow industry rules and guidelines while still maintaining a respectful and dignified relationship with every individual.

Throughout our 28 years of operation, we have developed a pristine reputation and close affiliations with numerous reputable organizations, including the American Association of Health Administrative Management and the International Association of Commercial Collectors.

We approach our work with our unique and respected “P.H.D. Philosophy” (Preserve Human Dignity) to help our clients maintain positive working relationships while respecting those we contact on their behalf.

We approach every interaction with compassion and respect while adhering to our industry’s rules and regulations. We get our clients the results they deserve while preserving their reputations and ensuring the individuals we’re collecting from feel they’ve been treated fairly and with compassion.

At Summit A•R, resolving your debt is a straightforward process.

To get started, contact us by phone at 888-212-2021 or via email. You can also access the contact form on our website. Our team will guide you through the collection process.

If you’re ready to make a payment, use our secure online payment portal. This convenient option is available 24/7 and accepts all major credit cards.

If you’re looking to make a payment or are calling about any debt you owe, dial 888-212-2021 and press 1 to speak with a member of our staff. If you’re a current client, press 3. Other numbers that are associated with our company are 888-390-7771 and 888-724-3499. We may also text you from 888-516-3436. You are welcome to respond back to us via text as well.

Still have questions?

We’re happy to help! Contact us directly to get fast, personalized assistance from a real human being.

Ready to put Summit A•R to work for you?

Our suite of services provides comprehensive collection solutions across a wide range of industries and can be tailored to suit your business’ unique needs. See what Summit A•R brings to the table ›

Overall Rating

4.7

229 reviews