Hi Everyone,
I always enjoy receiving your emails, especially when they involve the next generation finding creative ways to apply what we do in the credit and collection world.
A recent email came from a commercial collector here in the U.S. whose daughter is currently studying criminal justice at a state university. She eventually wants to become a private investigator but not in the traditional sense. Her dream is to specialize in high-end asset repossessions, particularly tracking down private planes and luxury yachts purchased by individuals who have stopped making payments.
This is what her father had to say:
Hector, I’ve been in the debt collection business for over 30 years and have helped recover a variety of commercial assets, but my daughter’s interest in high-end asset recovery is something I know little about. She says it’s very lucrative, but I worry about the potential risks. What kind of opportunities exist in this field and how dangerous is it?
Here’s how I responded:
Thanks so much for your message and let me say first that it’s wonderful your daughter wants to pursue the foundation of investigative work and aim toward a niche that blends finance, law, and adventure.
High-end asset recovery, especially repossessing private jets and multi-million-dollar yachts, isn’t your everyday kind of collections work. These assets are often hidden, sometimes internationally, and involve layers of research, legal groundwork, and coordination with authorities, harbor masters, or airport personnel. Think of it as skip tracing meets James Bond, but with the paperwork to match.
Your daughter is correct in thinking the work can be lucrative. Most high-end repossession professionals earn their income on commission. In some cases, they receive between 6–10% of the value of the recovered asset. For example, on a $3 million yacht, that could mean a payout of $180,000 to $300,000. But those kinds of opportunities don’t just show up at the door. They’re typically handled by experienced specialists with the right licenses and networks.
As for danger — yes, there are risks. Confronting a delinquent owner on a remote dock or private airstrip isn’t something to take lightly. But most repossession companies handling luxury assets have strict safety protocols, work closely with local authorities, and ensure all legal permissions are in place before anything happens. In fact, many recoveries take place quietly and without confrontation.
If your daughter is serious about pursuing this career path, she might consider the following steps:
- Gain real-world investigative experience through internships or entry-level work with a licensed private investigator or repossession agency.
- Work toward certifications in skip tracing and financial fraud detection.
- Eventually obtain licenses relevant to her niche such as a private pilot’s license, maritime credentials, or private investigator license depending on the state.
- Build relationships with legal professionals and asset recovery firms who specialize in high-end repossessions.
There’s also a learning curve. She’ll need to understand international law, asset registration, and debtor concealment strategies. But from what you’ve written, it sounds like she has both the curiosity and drive to explore all of that.
You should be proud. Your daughter is combining your lifetime experience in collections with her own unique interests to forge a path that could be exciting and financially rewarding. While it’s not without its challenges, it’s also a field that needs smart, focused, and ethical professionals.
So yes, she may be heading into unfamiliar territory, but with the right preparation and support, she could become a real asset (no pun intended) in this growing niche within the collections world.
Let her know I’m cheering her on.
Hector
Hector the Collector is a credit, collection, and human resources advice column by Nancy Seiverd, President, CMI Credit Mediators Inc. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome: nseiverd@cmiweb.com
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