Collection Agency

Metro 2 Integration for Collect!

Collect! by Comtech Systems is one of the most established collection management platforms in the industry (25+ years). It includes a native Credit Bureau Reporting (CBR) module that generates Metro 2 format files (426-character unpacked format) and supports SFTP automation for uploading to bureaus. BureauRelay integrates with Collect! via its REST API (token-based authentication with CRUD endpoints for records, file upload/download, and reports) to provide an enhanced CDIA validation layer, error detection before bureau submission, and managed delivery to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. For agencies already using Collect!'s native CBR module, BureauRelay catches formatting errors and edge cases that slip through — for agencies not yet reporting, BureauRelay provides the complete pipeline.

How It Works

BureauRelay connects to Collect!'s REST API using token-based authentication to pull debtor records, account data, and payment history. For agencies using Collect!'s native CBR module, BureauRelay validates the generated Metro 2 files against CDIA rules before bureau submission. For agencies not yet using CBR, BureauRelay generates Metro 2 files from raw account data and submits to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion via SFTP.

Collect!

BureauRelay

Credit Bureaus

API Integration Details

Technical details about connecting to the Collect! API.

Authentication

Bearer token (operator login at POST /api/v1/auth/login returns access_token + refresh_token)

Base URL

https://www.collect.org/api/v1

Documentation

View Docs

Sandbox

Not available

Pricing

Contact Comtech Systems for Collect! licensing. BureauRelay subscription is separate.

Key API Endpoints

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/records	Create a new debtor or account record in Collect!.
GET	/api/records/{id}	Retrieve debtor demographics, account details, and status.
PUT	/api/records/{id}	Update account status, balance, payment information, or demographics.
DELETE	/api/records/{id}	Remove a record from Collect! (use with caution).
POST	/api/files/upload	Upload files (payment imports, data files) to Collect!.
GET	/api/files/download/{id}	Download Metro 2 files, reports, or exported data from Collect!.
GET	/api/reports/{type}	Generate and retrieve built-in reports from Collect!'s reporting engine.

Benefits

Native Metro 2 CBR Module

Collect! has built-in Credit Bureau Reporting that generates Metro 2 format files (426-character unpacked format) with 25+ years of compliance expertise. BureauRelay adds an enhanced validation layer on top.

REST API with CRUD Endpoints

Collect!'s REST API supports Create, Read, Update, Delete operations on records, file upload/download, reports, and UI form data — with token-based authentication.

Enhanced Validation Layer

While Collect! generates Metro 2 files natively, BureauRelay adds secondary CDIA validation to catch formatting errors, missing fields, and edge cases before files reach the bureaus.

SFTP Automation

Collect! includes built-in SFTP automation for uploading Metro 2 files to credit bureaus. BureauRelay can manage this delivery or layer on top of existing SFTP workflows.

Batch Processing

Process thousands of collection accounts efficiently with Collect!'s high-volume architecture and BureauRelay's validation engine.

eOscar Integration (Planned)

Collect!'s next major version will include Services by eOscar integration for credit dispute management — BureauRelay is ready to support this workflow.

Data Fields That Sync

BureauRelay maps these fields from Collect! to Metro 2 format automatically.

Debtor demographics via REST API GET /records or database export
Account details including original creditor, placement date, and balance
Payment records and transaction history
Dispute history and resolution status
Metro 2 status codes from Collect!'s CBR module configuration
K1/K2 segment data for original creditor and debt chain tracking
Report output from Collect!'s built-in reporting engine

Get Set Up in 5 Steps

Generate Collect! API Token

Create an API token in Collect!'s administration settings. The REST API uses token-based authentication for all CRUD operations.

Connect to BureauRelay

Enter your Collect! API base URL and token in BureauRelay. We'll verify the connection and pull sample records.

Choose Integration Mode

Option A: Use Collect!'s native CBR module for Metro 2 generation and add BureauRelay as a validation layer. Option B: Let BureauRelay handle all Metro 2 generation from raw data.

Map Collection Statuses

Review how Collect!'s account statuses map to Metro 2 status codes. If using the CBR module, verify existing mappings.

Test and Launch

Generate a test Metro 2 file, validate against CDIA rules, and enable production reporting to credit bureaus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Collect! already have Metro 2 reporting?

Yes. Collect! has a built-in Credit Bureau Reporting (CBR) module that generates Metro 2 format files in the 426-character unpacked format. It includes SFTP automation for uploading to bureaus and has 25+ years of Metro 2 expertise. BureauRelay adds an enhanced CDIA validation layer and managed bureau delivery on top of Collect!'s native capabilities.

Why use BureauRelay if Collect! already generates Metro 2 files?

BureauRelay provides a secondary validation layer that catches formatting errors, missing required fields, and CDIA rule violations before files reach the bureaus. This reduces rejection rates and compliance risk. BureauRelay also provides managed SFTP delivery and a dashboard for tracking submission status.

Which version of Collect! is supported?

We support all current versions of Collect! software via the REST API. The next major version of Collect! will be fully browser-based with enhanced API capabilities.

What about eOscar dispute management?

Collect!'s next major version will include Services by eOscar integration for credit dispute investigation. BureauRelay is designed to support this dispute workflow when it becomes available.

Can I use both Collect!'s CBR and BureauRelay?

Yes. You can continue using Collect!'s native CBR module for Metro 2 generation and add BureauRelay as a validation and delivery layer. BureauRelay reviews the files before submission, catches errors, and provides a dashboard for tracking.

Related Integrations

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DebtMaster

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Enhance DebtMaster360's built-in Metro 2 reporting with BureauRelay's CDIA validation engine for error detection before bureau submission via direct FTPS.

Simplicity Collection

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Connect Simplicity Collection's cloud-based platform to BureauRelay via REST API (API key auth) for automated Metro 2 credit bureau reporting.

Ready to Connect Collect!?

Start reporting to credit bureaus from Collect! today. Our team will help you get set up quickly.