(a) A person other than a collection agency licensed and authorized under this chapter may not for compensation


(1) conduct a collection agency business in this state;


(2) collect claims for others in this state;


(3) solicit the right to collect or receive payment of a claim for another;


(4) advertise or solicit either in print, by letter, in person or otherwise, the right to collect or receive payment of a claim for another;


(5) seek to make collection or obtain payment of a claim on behalf of another.


(b) This chapter does not apply to the following when engaged in the regular course of their respective businesses:


(1) attorneys at law;


(2) persons regularly employed on a regular wage or salary in the capacity of credit men or a similar capacity, except as an independent contractor;


(3) banks, including trust departments of banks, fiduciaries and financing and lending institutions;


(4) common carriers;


(5) title insurers and abstract companies while doing an escrow business;


(6) licensed real estate brokers;


(7) employees of licensees under this chapter;


(8) substation payment offices employed by or serving as independent contractors for public utilities.


(c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a jail for not to exceed one year, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both.