In Honor of Halloween, we are publishing this post.

El Cobrador del Frac — “The Debt Collector in Top Hat and Tails” — has had to hire 150 new collectors in the past 6 months just to keep up with demand. The company’s secret: Use costumes and attention to embarrass companies and individuals into paying their bills. El Frac, as it’s known, owns a fleet of vehicles emblazoned with the company’s logo on the side. Once arriving at their destination, employees dressed to the nines catch the attention of neighbors and surrounding businesses before doing their work.

Humiliation is a powerful motivator in a country where people’s honor and public image are paramount concerns. El Cobrador del Frac claims a success rate of more than 60%. Not everyone is convinced. One group of former El Frac employees has set up a firm, The Debtor’s Defender, in opposition to the collectors. The collectors are bullies, says Pablo Camacho, its manager. “They overstep the line, and that’s where we come in.”

Two other sources of main competition in Spain:

1. The Scottish Collector, which sends a bagpipe player in full highland dress to debtors’ businesses or homes, and
2. The Monastery of Collection, whose workers arrive dressed as Franciscan friars and chant until the owed amounts are paid.

In the U.S., the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act would forbid this type of collecting, as it could be considered harassment. In addition, the law forbids collectors from advertising a debt or informing friends, family members or co-workers about a debt.

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