Answer:

No, you are not required to give postdated checks or pre-authorized payments to a collection agency. However, it may be a required condition of your repayment agreement with the collector. These methods have proven to be an efficient way of structuring a repayment plan because they require nominal maintenance from either party. Writing or accepting postdated checks or pre-authorizing payments are legal, so long as the consumer plans to cover the checks/payments when the collector cashes the payment. The collector is required to send you a "notice of intent to deposit" letter before the agency deposits any check.