Cobrador

Cobrador is a noun in Spanish and Portuguese that means "collector," derived from the verb cobrar, to collect or charge. In everyday usage, a cobrador is a person who collects money owed, whether on behalf of a private business or a public authority.

In Spanish-speaking countries, cobradores can be private debt collectors hired by banks, lenders, utilities, or service providers to recover overdue payments. They may also be staff within a company’s collections department. In many contexts, the term covers both the act of collection (la cobranza) and the person who enforces it. Government revenue agencies may employ cobradores who collect taxes, duties, or fines, though the exact title varies by country.

In transportation and some public services, cobradores are fare collectors who collect tickets or fares from customers, especially in older or regional systems; in modern settings they may be replaced by automated systems, but the term persists in some regions.

In Portuguese-speaking countries, including Brazil, cobrador has similar meanings: a collector of payments, as well as a fare collector in transit. The usage can extend to rural delivery or other contexts where payments are collected.

Legal and ethical notes: the collection of debts is typically regulated. Debtors have certain rights, and collectors must follow laws that restrict harassment, misrepresentation, or illegal threats. The term is generally neutral but can carry negative connotations depending on context and behavior.