The Kaplan Group has operated as a commercial debt collection agency since 1991, based in San Jose and serving California and all 50 states. The company was founded by Jerry Kaplan, who previously co-founded a bank and a bankruptcy preference defense company, and co-founded Kaplan & Kaplan, which became one of the largest commercial collection agencies in the country before his 1989 sale. The current leadership includes Dean Kaplan (former KPMG management consultant and CFO for tech companies) and Anne Kaplan (former Associate General Counsel for Turner Broadcasting and West Coast Counsel for the MPAA).
The Kaplan Group specializes in collecting outstanding business invoices and accounts receivable for commercial clients. They operate on a no-upfront-fee contingency model with rates ranging from 10% to 25% of collected amounts. Their approach includes initial collection efforts under The Kaplan Group name, followed by a second collection effort under their in-house law firm if needed, at no additional cost. They maintain a nationwide network of attorneys for litigation on a contingency basis when necessary.
The company distinguishes itself through the professional background of its collectors—many hold MBAs or JDs and previously served as senior executives, international negotiators, and technology company leaders. Leadership collectively claims over $500 million in completed mergers, acquisitions, and licensing deals. They explicitly avoid predictive dialers, letter series, and script-reading collectors, instead employing custom approaches tailored to individual claims. The company reports a 97% success rate on collection efforts achieved without litigation and an 85% success rate on large viable claims.
The Kaplan Group positions itself as a listed B2B collections firm for the technology and Silicon Valley business community, not a consumer debt collection agency. Potential clients should verify that this service applies to their specific receivables situation and understand that the contingency model means fees are only paid upon successful collection. The company's focus on large commercial claims suggests it may not be appropriate for small or consumer debts.
When evaluating debt relief companies, consumers should compare settlement programs against alternatives like debt consolidation loans, which combine multiple debts into a single fixed-rate payment. Credit counseling through nonprofit agencies offers free budgeting help without impacting credit scores. For those whose credit has already been damaged, credit repair services can address inaccurate negative items on reports. Personal loans for bad credit may provide funds for debt payoff at lower rates than credit cards, and credit monitoring services help track progress throughout the recovery process. Consolidating high-interest balances into a single installment loan with a fixed rate can reduce total interest paid and simplify monthly budgeting.
