Choose an agency that is advocate-led, acts within days, charges only on recovery, discloses court fees upfront, behaves lawfully, works in your buyer's state, can show a specific track record, and gives you a written engagement. Ask each candidate the same eight questions in one call and compare the written answers.
Before you call anyone: know your file
The best agency in the world cannot fix a file you do not understand. Before you compare providers, gather the invoices, purchase order or written order, delivery proof (challan, e-way bill, lorry receipt or GRN), the ledger, and every message where the buyer acknowledged or disputed the dues. Note the oldest due date: under the Limitation Act you generally have three years from the due date, or from the buyer's last written acknowledgement or part payment.
Check whether you hold Udyam registration as a micro or small enterprise. It opens the MSME Samadhaan route and statutory interest, and a good agency will ask about it in the first call.
The eight questions to ask every agency
| Question | A good answer | FundRaksha |
|---|---|---|
| Who signs the notice and can they go to court? | A named, enrolled advocate | Dedicated advocate on every case |
| How fast is the first legal step? | Days, not weeks | Within 24 hours |
| What do I pay if nothing is recovered? | Nothing | Nothing; 30% on recovery |
| Who pays court fees, and when am I told? | Client, quoted before filing | Quoted and approved before filing |
| How do you contact the buyer? | Notice, calls, letters; no visits or threats | Advocate-led, lawful only |
| Can you act in my buyer's state? | Yes, with filing experience there | All states |
| What is your track record? | Specific numbers, not adjectives | 1,000+ businesses, ₹50 Cr+ handled, 700+ paid |
| Will I get written terms? | Yes, before you start | Yes |
How to read the answers
Vague answers are answers. "We have a legal team" without a name, "very fast" without a number, "minimal charges" without a figure: each tells you the agency would rather not commit. Ask for the answer in writing; an agency confident in its terms will send them the same day.
Watch for promises made before anyone has seen your documents. Nobody can tell you the chance of recovery, or a timeline, without reading the order, delivery proof and the buyer's messages. A provider who promises first and reads later is selling, not assessing.
Finally, check fit. An agency built for consumer EMIs is not built for a buyer company that has chosen to delay a supplier. For that distinction, see best B2B debt collection agency.
Matching the agency to your situation
- Buyer silent but solvent: an advocate-led agency with a fast notice and strong negotiation. Most such cases settle pre-court.
- Bounced cheque: the notice must go within 30 days of the return memo under NI Act Section 138. Speed is the first test. See cheque bounce recovery.
- Registered micro or small supplier: the agency should file on MSME Samadhaan and compute interest at three times the RBI bank rate. See MSME Samadhaan filing.
- Many small invoices across many buyers: reminders and mandates first, legal recovery for the stubborn few. That is the Collect plus Legal combination.
Put FundRaksha through the checklist
The fastest way to choose is to test. Book a free consultation, bring one real file and ask the eight questions. If you proceed, the notice is out within 24 hours and you pay 30% only on what is recovered. If you are still comparing models, read debt collection agency vs law firm.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-08. Information for Indian businesses; not legal advice.