• A repossession agent, or "repo man," retakes ownership of property from those who do not make their payments. Repossession agents can work for specific companies or independently, on a contract basis. Many repossession or recovery agents work as tow truck drivers and can quickly take vehicles from owners who haven't paid their debt. Being a repo man (or woman) can be dangerous work; most people are not happy to see you coming and many will protest the taking of their property. Given the nature of the work, repossession agents often have plenty of jobs during a time of economic crisis: the number of vehicle repossessions rose 12% in 2008 and was expected to jump another 5% in 2009.The Detroit News: Dangerous car repossessions rise in the United States (February 27, 2009)

While no formal education is required, the person hoping to become a repossession or recovery agent should have a certain level of detective skill—debtors who are losing their property don't always make the repossession job easy.eHow: How to Become a Repo Man

• Being a repo man isn't for everyone; repossession agents often work odd hours and in potentially dangerous situations. The nature of the work requires that you take possessions that people may hold quite dear, including their cars, their boats or even their homes. When a debt collector cannot get someone to pay what they owe by any other means, they often call on a repo man to take ownership of the property.

1. Talk to those who have worked or who are working as repossession agents. Find out how brisk business is in your area; if the economy is faltering, chances are fairly good that there is plenty of work available.
2. If possible, take a job with a repossession agency, even as a clerk. The job will give you a chance to interact with seasoned repo agents and get tips about the tools you'll need to get started.
3. Find out if you can ride along with an area repo man to get a feel for the job. While many repossessions are done quietly and peacefully, some are not—getting that first-hand experience could help you decide if the job will be a good fit for you.
4. Can you make a living as a repossession agent? The pay varies greatly, often depending on the nature of the repossession. For a car repossession, the agent can be paid from $150-$300 per job.CNN: How a car repossession goes down (November 19, 2008) Many repossession agents have regular full-time jobs as tow truck drivers and moonlight as recovery agents.
5. Repossession and recovery agents tend to work odd hours and many work weekends as well. If you work well independently and can handle the hours, repo work could be for you!

• No specific educational requirements are needed to become a repossession agent, although online courses with specific instructions on how to do the job are available.eHow: How to Become a Repo Man Several states do require a repo man to be licensed. Requirements vary from state to state.

1. If you plan to work as a repossession agent, you will likely be taking possession of vehicles on a fairly regular basis. You will need to own, lease or have access to a tow truck.
2. You will need to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) if you do not have one already. Information on obtaining a CDL can be found on the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
   1. Be sure that your driving record is clean: no suspended licenses and no major traffic violation convictions during the two-year period leading up to application for a CDL.Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Commercial Driver's License Program (CDL/CDLIS)
   2. You will need to take an exam to obtain a CDL. States are required to administer tests before issuing a CDL license.
3. Find out specific procedure for repossessions in the state where you'll be working. The requirements can be vastly different between states. The American Recovery Association maintains a list of requirements for each state.
4. As of February 2009, Florida, Louisiana and California are the only three U.S. states that license and monitor repossession agents.The Detroit News: Dangerous car repossessions rise in the United States (February 27, 2009)
   1. In California, repossession agents must register with the Department of Consumer Affairs. To do this, an agent must:
      1. Be at least 18 years old
      2. Have no record of any felony convictions
      3. Submit valid photo identification, registration fees and proper documentation.Bureau of Security and Investigative Services: Repossession Agency Fact Sheet
5. You will want to become bonded and insured. Contact local insurance companies in your area for more information on what coverage you will need.

• Repossession agents have to be stealth and savvy, considering that they are going onto someone's property to take back items the owner might otherwise object to them taking. Sometimes the owner will refuse to let the agent take the property, and in other cases the owner may not even be present to hand over the keys. As an agent, it is essential to get the property you are there to repossess, and sometimes that requires the use of special tools. The following is a list of tools used by professional repossession agents and their applications:

1. Slim Jim: a Slim Jim is often used to open locked doors and get inside the car.
2. Auto jiggler keys: a set of keys designed to open locked doors on popular foreign or domestic car models.
3. Go jack: A go jack will allow you to quietly move a car, getting under the tires and lifting them off the ground.
4. Towing hitch: The towing hitch will allow you to tow a vehicle or boat off of the property safely.

• Have you secured a CDL? Completed any other licensing requirements in your state? Then you are ready to start the job hunt. Since many repossession or recovery agents work as independent contractors, you must get your name out there through self-promotion. Visit area debt collection agencies; let them know you are available for hire at any time. List your services on the Internet and in the Yellow Pages. Make flyers advertising your services. If you are seeking employment with a specific collection agency, you will want to have a resume with any applicable skills you can bring to the job.

1. Create business cards to promote your services as a repossession agent; include all relevant contact information.
2. Consider creating a resume showcasing your skills, training and any special licensing you possess. For information on how to create a first-rate resume, visit Mahalo's guide on How to Write a Resume.
3. Approach area collection agencies with your business card and resume in hand; let them know you are available for work.
4. If you lack experience with repossession and are just starting out in the business, consider offering your first job for free. Once a company actually sees what you can do, they may be more likely to hire you for future jobs.

• Most states require that you contact the local police department before you repossess a vehicle. Common sense dictates that you may be accused of robbery, so if the police know about your job ahead of time, a misunderstanding can be avoided. You may even be expected to come into the local station with your paperwork so they can make sure the details of the operation are legitimate. Here is a list of items you may be required to present:

1. Date of the repossesion
2. Estimated time frame of the operation

• Make note of the following details for follow-up:

1. Police department phone number
2. Name and badge number of the officer you originally spoke to
3. License plate number of the repossessed vehicle

• While the vast majority of repossessions are done quietly and without problems, confrontations do happen. In most states, people are required to sign a legally binding document allowing the repossession of their property. Regardless, when the repo man knocks on the door, emotions can run high and violence can be the result.

1. Experts say proper licensing and training on how to handle repossessions can help prevent violence from occurring.The Detroit News: Dangerous car repossessions rise in the United States (February 27, 2009)
2. When repo agents repossess property at odd hours, property owners may think they are criminals attempting to steal cars or boats. Some property owners will take action and recovery agents have been injured—or even killed—while on the job.Myeyewitnessnews.com: Dangers of Being A Repo Man (November 20, 2008) Many repossession agents carry firearms for their protection, and some have been forced to use them while attempting to take property.MSNBC: Violence between repo men, car owners on the rise (February 27, 2009)
3. Aside from the obvious threat of physical harm involved in repossessions, the agent may also be faced with psychological stress from dealing with the hardships of others. A certain amount of professional detachment may be necessary to do the job. Remember that you are there to recover property that has not been paid for.