ACA International’s Self-Paced Courses for Collection Professionals

 

ACA International
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Launched in 2013, United Receivables Group helps clients collect on delinquent accounts as a third-party collection agency. Dedicated to adhering to industry best practices, United Receivables Group maintains membership in ACA International, a trade group that advances the work of individuals and organizations in the debt collection industry.

In addition to conducting in-person events throughout the year, ACA International maintains a variety of resources to augment the knowledge and skills of ACA members and other debt professionals. Among the organization’s offerings is a suite of self-paced training courses available in several formats.

ACA International currently offers four self-paced courses on topics related to industry regulations and collection techniques. The courses cover the essentials of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and provide collectors with guidance on how to effectively communicate with different types of consumers. ACA International also offers a DVD-based course titled The Bigger Picture, which focuses on the positive impacts of the collection industry.

ACA International’s self-paced courses are available alongside other resources through its website, www.acainternational.org.

Prohibited In-Person Debt Collection Practices

 

Debt Collection
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Based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United Receivables Group helps creditors recover accounts receivable. A member of collections industry trade group ACA International, United Receivables Group advocates for strict compliance with statutory regulations on debt collection.

In-person debt collection poses a number of regulatory risks, especially with regard to violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). For example, the FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from communicating with a consumer at an inconvenient place or time. Communication here means conveying information either directly or indirectly relating to the debt owed. The debt collector is also prohibited from approaching the consumer at his or her place of work.

The FDCPA goes on to prohibit debt collectors from communicating with parties other than the person in debt about the collection of the debt. Finally, the FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from harassing, oppressing, or abusing persons with unpaid debts and from using unconscionable means to collect debts. Debt collectors making in-person visits must be cautious in their approach, lest they reveal consumers’ debts to third parties or come across as abusive or harassing.

Debt collectors attempting to collect debts in person should be cautious not to breach any of the provisions of the FDCPA. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigates cases of FDCPA violations by debt collectors and is empowered to take appropriate measures including issuing civil money penalties and ordering remediation of harm.

ACA International Highlights Student Loan Study

 

Student Loan
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Founded in 2013, the United Receivables Group is led by executives with broad experience in sales, collections, and public policy making. To stay up to date with the latest developments in collections, the United Receivables Group belongs to ACA International, an advocacy group for the credit and collections industry.

With college costs on the rise, students are looking to loans more than ever to help finance their education. ACA International recently disseminated the results of a study by Experian that shows student loan debt in America now totals $1.4 trillion, which is the highest figure on record. Compared to ten years ago, it is an increase of nearly 150 percent.

The amount of debt hasn’t translated directly into more delinquent borrowers, though. In fact, that number has decreased since 2009, when delinquency reached 9.9 percent, to 8.9 percent this year. According to Experian, 13 percent of Americans have at least one school loan, and each borrower has an average of 3.7 loans, up from 2.4 loans a decade ago.

Developing Payment Plans with Debt Collectors

 

United Receivables Group
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United Receivables Group stands out as one of the largest managers of accounts receivable in the current collections market. Dedicated to recovering overdue accounts, United Receivables Group works to develop payment plans so that debtors can uphold their responsibilities to creditors.

When you have a bill in collections, both you and the debt collector want it to go away. The best way to achieve this may be to develop a payment plan, which allows you to repay the debt in affordable installments or a reduced lump sum.

A lump sum payment may be more attractive to the debt collector, who can then mark the debt as resolved more quickly. If this would put your finances at risk, however, experts suggest that you advocate for a monthly payment arrangement instead.

Collectors may be more agreeable to a payment plan if the debtor can pay the debt off over the course of six months. Relatedly, a debtor is likely to have more success if he or she suggests a payment plan in the first few months after contact with the collector begins, as there is less of a sense of urgency during this time.

Setting up a payment method can also extend the statute of limitations, which restricts the time in which a collector can file suit. It does not, however, lengthen the debt’s credit reporting limit, which remains seven years from the date of delinquency. The only way of evading this penalty is to pay off the debt.

Strategies for Repaying Your Debts

Repaying Your Debts
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The United Receivables Group works with creditors and consumers to facilitate the repayment of overdue debts. Committed to treating all debtors with respect and dignity, the United Receivables Group works with individuals to develop workable repayment plans.

Repaying debts can seem overwhelming, particularly if you have many or large overdue accounts. The key is to approach the debt methodically and combine maximum repayment with minimum spending.

One of the most effective ways to do this is to create a budget, in which you write out your monthly income and expenses. If your expenses are more than your income, you need to find a way to spend less. Ideally, you will be able to reduce your spending enough that you can allocate a sizable amount each month to debt repayment. Many people find that the best way to reduce spending is to stop or minimize their use of credit cards. The unspent money can then be put toward paying off debts.

The key is to make the process feel rewarding. If it feels punitive, you will be less likely to stick with it. Try giving yourself a small treat when you reach a particular goal, such as paying off a debt that is in collections. Once you feel like you are working with yourself rather than against yourself, debt reduction will seem more approachable.

Collection Agencies Advance the Interests of Creditors and Consumers

 

Debt Collections
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Based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United Receivables Group has been helping creditors settle debt since 2013. A member of ACA International, United Receivables Group maintains ethical standards while handling a variety of account types as a third-party collection agency.

In a country with trillions of dollars in outstanding consumer debt, third-party collection agencies play an important role in helping creditors recovery outstanding balances. Although some people may assume that debt recovery only benefits the party that is owed the money, it is actually beneficial to both lenders and consumers.

When a creditor is unable to recover outstanding debt, the excess costs are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices for goods and services. Delinquent debt also leads to an increase in interest rates and a decrease in the amount of credit available to all consumers, regardless of whether or not they are among those with an outstanding debt balance.

Through their work helping banks and other organizations recover debt in compliance with federal regulations, third-party collection agencies help the average consumer save money. In fact, by returning tens of billions of dollars back to creditors each year, it’s estimated that third-party collection companies can save each American household hundreds of dollars annually.

ACA International Seminar – Writing Effective Policies and Procedures

 

ACA International
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Founded in 2013, United Receivables Group has an executive background that incorporates extensive experience in sales, collections, government, and education. United Receivables Group belongs to ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collections Professionals, which offers core curriculum educational seminars in a variety of critical subjects. Upcoming core curriculum programs include “Writing Effective Policies and Procedures.”

Designed to increase competencies regarding policies and procedures in compliance management systems, the seminar explores the essential elements of writing policies and procedures. It outlines the necessary framework for understanding policy management, including policy identification, definition, and writing. Participants will receive guidance on how to apply and adapt policies and principles through specific examples, while learning to develop their own plans for policies and work instructions.

A team of ACA-certified instructors will lead the course, and attendance awards 0.75 professional development unit (PDU) credits. Attendees may apply PDU credits toward certification as a Credit and Collection Compliance Professional or a Credit and Collection Compliance Officer, as well as certain scholar and fellow designations. Full payment of seminar fees is required to receive PDU credit.

The “Writing Effective Policies and Procedures” seminar will take place April 4, 2017.

The Benefits of Using Third-Party Collection Agencies

Debt Collections
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A third-party collection agency based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United Receivables Group features a senior management team with more than two decades of accounts receivable management experience. Broadly defined, third-party collection organizations, such as United Receivables Group, assist creditors with customers who haven’t paid their bills or debts. These organizations return approximately $50 billion to the American economy on an annual basis.

Studies have shown that businesses that wait more than 120 days to collect on past-due debts are far less likely to actually recover those debts. For this reason, businesses often contract with a third-party collection agency shortly before this critical time. Although it cuts into revenue to hire a third-party collector, businesses typically feel it is worth the cost to recover at least a portion of their lost funds.

Third-party collection agencies have proven effective in recovering funds from debtors who do not respond to initial independent debt-collection efforts. These agencies also excel at collecting debts from debtors who deny responsibility, reveal a history of financially irresponsibility, and fail to follow through on established payment plans.

ACA International’s Collectors Insurance Agency

Association of Credit and Collection Professionals
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United Receivables Group is a third-party accounts receivables collection agency with headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina. In an effort to promote industry professionalism and advance ethical standards, United Receivables Group holds active membership in ACA International.

The authoritative source of industry information and support for credit and collection professionals, ACA International serves its membership base with a broad spectrum of products and publications. A subsidiary of ACA International, the Collectors Insurance Agency is comprised of qualified insurance and licensing professionals with concentrated expertise in the collection industry.

The Collectors Insurance Agency supports an insurance program that is designed to meet the unique needs of each ACA International member and act as an extension of their businesses. Through the Collectors Insurance Agency, members can receive certificates of insurance within 24 hours, assistance with individual industry applications, proactive and corrective reviews of company losses, comprehensive exposure analysis, and full coverage audits.

Education and Training Events at ACA International

Association of Credit and Collection Professionals
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Founded in 2013, United Receivables Group is a third party collections firm that helps businesses and creditors to collect financial receivables. United Receivables Group prides itself on conducting its business professionally and treating others well, and is a member of the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals International (ACA International).

ACA International, founded in 1939, is a professional membership association dedicated to advancing professionalism and ethical standards in the credit and collections industry. Currently, the association represents over 230,000 industry employees and provides benefits ranging from advocacy to training and educational events.

The major educational event for ACA International is an annual convention and expo that takes place each July. In addition to this large conference, the association hosts several smaller educational events throughout the year. These include Washington Insights, which exposes members to congressional members and regulatory agencies, and a Leadership Symposium conference that provides a networking forum for future industry leaders. ACA International also operates spring and fall expos that feature expert speakers and training sessions.