incassokosten

Incassokosten are charges added to a debt by a creditor or a debt-collection agency for the process of collecting overdue payments outside of court. They cover the costs involved in reminders, communications, administrative handling, and, where applicable, external collection fees. Incassokosten are separate from the principal debt and from any court costs or interest arising from the debt.

Legal framework and variation: The allowability and size of incassokosten are governed by national law and can vary between jurisdictions. In many places these costs must be reasonable and reflect actual collection expenses. Often a creditor must provide clear notice of the charges, and in some jurisdictions a cap or a tiered scale applies based on the amount of the debt. The aim is to balance the creditor’s need to recover costs with consumer protection against excessive or abusive charges.

What can be charged and what cannot: Incassokosten typically accrue only after the debtor has been informed of the debt and the collection attempts have begun. They do not replace other remedies, such as court costs if the case proceeds to litigation. The exact composition of the charges, and whether they can be charged at all, depends on local rules and the details of the debt and contract.

Rights and disputes: Debtors can scrutinize incassokosten for correctness, request an itemized invoice, and dispute charges believed to be excessive or improperly imposed. If a debt is settled or determined invalid, related incassokosten may be reduced or canceled.

Overall, incassokosten function as a mechanism to recover the costs of pursuing overdue payments, with safeguards to prevent abuse.