It seems as though the city council of Chattanooga, Tennessee, believes that desperate times call for desperate measures. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the city will soon turn debts over to the Alliance One, so that the debt collection agency can take citizens to court. Chattanooga offered those owing a total of $11.7 million in fines a 25% discount and an amnesty program through May 28, but those fined have ponied up less than $4,000. The city plans to revamp its ordinances to make it easier to boot the cars of those who owe fines. One way to look at it is that Chattanoogans will not only get sued, but they won’t be able to drive to court in order to defend themselves.

But it appears that Chattanooga isn’t the only city looking to put the squeeze on its citizens. According to the Aurora Sentinel, those who have received tickets in Aurora, Colorado, will also be at the mercy of Alliance One beginning June 1. Aurora officials say that Alliance One will report those with unpaid tickets to the National Credit Bureau, will access contact information and cell phone numbers, and will charge consumers a collection fee of 25 percent.

It appears that Alliance One, which has been repeatedly accused of violating the FDCPA, has a new sales channel, perhaps approaching cities that are strapped for cash and promising to use any means necessary to collect overdue fines.