The language of debt collection can sometimes be complex. To help you better understand the information in our communications and industry-specific terms, we have created this glossary. In it, you will find clear and simple definitions to provide clarity on each step and offer the necessary transparency.
Debt collection terms explained simply.
An official notification informing you that your debt has been transferred from one company to another.
The original amount owed, not including any interest, penalties, or other charges.
A public official responsible for serving legal documents, enforcing certain court decisions, and carrying out seizures as provided by law. In France, this role was formerly known as huissier de justice.
An organization that reviews the financial situation of a person in difficulty and can propose solutions to handle their over-indebtedness.
An amicable agreement where each party agrees to make an effort to find a solution to a disagreement.
The action of saying you disagree with the existence, amount, or terms of a debt.
An agreement that sets the rights and obligations of the parties, such as payment or repayment terms.
An amount of money that a person or company has the right to demand from another.
A claim whose existence can be proven and is not based on a mere assumption.
A debt that must be paid now because the deadline has passed.
A debt whose exact amount is known and calculated.
A person or company to whom you owe money.
The company or person to whom you originally owed money.
A person who owes money (in this case, you).
Loss of the right to pay bit by bit; you must then pay everything at once.
Extra time granted by a judge to help you pay your debt.
The time after which the creditor can no longer ask for the money in court.
Total sum of money that you must repay.
Any information that can be used to identify you, such as your name or address.
Your legal rights regarding how your personal information is used, including the right to see it, correct it, or ask for it to be deleted.
The deadline by which you must have paid your debt or a part of it.
A schedule outlining the dates and amounts for repaying your debt over several months.
A written promise from you to pay your debt according to a specific plan.
The action of using the law and force (seizures) to make you pay.
A document detailing what you bought and what you must pay.
A file that records your payment incidents for banks.
In civil claims, forclusion (often translated as time-barring or statutory limitation) is the definitive loss of the right to bring a legal action because the time limit set by law or a contract to exercise that right has expired.
Additional costs that may be added to your main debt.
Money spent by the creditor to try to recover their debt (letters, calls).
The company responsible for managing and collecting the debt on behalf of the new owner of the debt.
A quick order from a judge to pay a debt that you do not dispute.
The state of a person who truly no longer has enough money or assets to pay their debts.
Additional sums of money that you must pay because you are paying after the deadline.
A specialized judge who handles problems related to seizures.
The sale of all your assets to pay your debts when you are a company.
A disagreement or conflict between you and the creditor that often ends in court.
A document that officially stops a seizure once the debt is paid.
Power given by the creditor to a collection agency to act on its behalf.
Help from a neutral person to find an agreement without going to trial.
An official letter asking you to pay very quickly under threat of trial.
Additional time granted by law to suspend the payment of debts.
The action of officially sending you an important document by mail or through a public officer.
The action of telling the court that you disagree with a judgment rendered against you.
A decision made by a single judge, often very quickly.
Additional fees specified in the contract if you do not pay on time.
An organized plan to help you repay your debts bit by bit over a set period of time.
A written receipt that proves you have indeed paid your debt.
The part of your salary that the law allows to be taken to pay your debts.
A paper written by you where you officially admit to owing money.
The process of collecting overdue payments on debts.
An attempt to recover money through discussion, without force and without a judge.
The entity that decides why and how your personal data is collected and used.
A last-resort solution that erases all your debts if you have nothing to pay with.
The action of the judicial officer taking your money or assets to pay the debt.
Seizure of part of your salary directly from your employer.
Direct seizure of the money in your bank account.
Seizure of your furniture and objects to sell them and pay the creditor.
Official delivery of a legal act to your home by a judicial officer.
A person's ability to be able to pay all their debts with their money and assets.
An order from a judicial officer to pay your debt immediately.
A situation where you have so many debts that you can no longer pay them.
An official document (like a judgment) that allows seizures to be made against you.
A written agreement between you and the creditor to end the dispute through mutual concessions.
The court that handles debt cases between individuals.