Provided by Mint.com

Grand Rapids, MI (August 15, 2011) – The following statistics are provided to the ARM industry courtesy of WebRecon LLC.  

FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics, July 16-31, 2011
 
There were about 539 lawsuits filed under consumer statutes in the second half of July 2011. Here is an approximate breakdown:

• 464 FDCPA
• 71 FCRA
• 34 TILA
• 12 TCPA

Summary:
 

• Of those cases, there were about 564 unique plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
• Of those plaintiffs, about 186 had sued under consumer statutes before.
• Combined, those plaintiffs have filed about 1042 lawsuits since 2001
• Actions were filed in 115 different US District Court branches.
• About 563 different collection firms and creditors were sued.

The top courts where lawsuits were filed:
 

• 36 Lawsuits: California Central District Court – Western Division – Los Angeles
• 34 Lawsuits: New Jersey District Court – Newark
• 31 Lawsuits: Illinois Northern District Court – Chicago
• 27 Lawsuits: Minnesota District Court – Dmn
• 24 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court – Denver
• 22 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court – Philadelphia
• 15 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Brooklyn
• 14 Lawsuits: Georgia Northern District Court – Atlanta
• 11 Lawsuits: Michigan Western District Court – Southern Division
• 10 Lawsuits: Connecticut District Court – New Haven

The most active consumer attorneys were:
 

• Representing 20 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 16 Consumers: Darin Shaw
• Representing 15 Consumers: Yaakov Saks
• Representing 14 Consumers: Earl Price Underwood, Jr.
• Representing 13 Consumers: Michael S. Agruss
• Representing 13 Consumers: David Michael Larson
• Representing 12 Consumers: Mark L Vavreck
• Representing 11 Consumers: Shireen Hormozdi
• Representing 11 Consumers: Adam Jon Fishbein
• Representing 11 Consumers: Amy Lynn Bennecoff

Statistics Year to Date: 7431 total lawsuits for 2011, including:
 

• 6809 FDCPA
• 764 FCRA
• 679 TILA
• 240 TCPA

Number of Unique Plaintiffs: 7456 (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit)
 
The most active consumer attorneys of the year:
 

• Representing 211 Consumers: David Michael Larson
• Representing 192 Consumers: Craig Thor Kimmel
• Representing 164 Consumers: Jack Dennis Card, Jr.
• Representing 131 Consumers: Darin Shaw
• Representing 126 Consumers: Andrew I Glenn

About WebRecon LLC: Creditors and collection firms use WebRecon’s services to easily segregate predictably litigious consumers from their databases. A significant percentage of consumer litigation is initiated by the same consumers over and over again, and screening them out of the general population can reduce lawsuits by as much as a third.

For more information, please contact:
Jack Gordon, CEO
WebRecon LLC, The FDCPA Litigant Alert
Web: www.WebRecon.com
Email: admin@webrecon.net
Phone: (616) 682-5327

Like many kids growing up, I took a special liking to superheroes. And if I had to pick just one as my all-time favorite, Batman would definitely get my vote. I mean c’mon, can any other superhero really compete with the Batmobile and the Batcave? Doubt it.

But that isn’t why he’d get my vote.

He would get my vote because he was one of the only superheroes who didn’t have a superpower.  No x-ray vision. No super-sonic speed. No teleportation capabilities. He had to rely on his own unique skills and abilities (and some cool gadgets) to get the job done.

I know many leaders who wish they had superpowers to get their job done. For instance, wouldn’t the ability to predict the future be a helpful interviewing tool? Your company would have the best retention ratio in the industry and you would be the envy of every hiring manager. Thousands of dollars would be saved every year becuase you would hire only the best collectors. Clients would love you. Life would be sweet.

But as fun as it is to daydream, let’s get back to reality.

Your latest class of new hires has shrunk from its initial nine employees down to four employees. A top-performer just submitted her two-week notice, and you have disciplinary warnings to deliver to three collectors who just cannot seem to make it to work on time. Employee-related expenses are through the roof and the pizza parties and Red Bulls are no longer motivating the team.

Sound familiar? If so, don’t worry. Help is on the way.

This summer, I invite you and your leadership team to join collector mentor and insideARM for ARM Summer School 2011. This year’s theme “Creating Superstar Supervisors”is designed to help frontline supervisors and managers identify strategies for achieving high levels of employee engagement.

ARM Summer School isn’t just another series of webinars.

The ARM Summer School program is a thorough four-course learning experience for supervisors and managers that includes web-based self assessments, online Virtual Learning Labs, testing to make sure students have gotten the lesson, and even follow- up to help supervisors to implement what they’ve learned. There is no travel and there are no full days off the collection floor. The program takes place over four weeks, requiring just a few hours per week.

The facilitators for this year’s program include:

• Harry Strausser III, president of Remit Corp and past-president of ACA International
• David Glezerman, vice president/bursar for Temple University
• Cheryl Pignotti, vice president of employee services for General Service Bureau
• Jaci Minges, business analyst for Security National Automotive
• Gary Jensen, editor for collector mentor

This year’s sessions:

• The SuperPower of Trust: Building Authentic Relationships that Accelerate Performance and Boost Loyalty
• Unmask Your Super Power: How to Use Your Personal Leadership Style to Help Every Employee Achieve Peak Performance
• What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You: 5 Skills Every Superstar Supervisor Must Have
• A Superior Tomorrow: Increasing Employee Performance Through 5 Critical Coaching Skills

You can save 20% with early bird pricing if you register before the end of the day on Friday, June 17, 2011.

Let’s face it. You and Batman have one thing in common: Neither of you have superpowers. To compensate, you will need to increase your knowledge of what it takes to get the job done. You will need to work on improving your skills and abilities. Thankfully, Summer School can help. See you in class.

Help your leaders become Superstars – & save 75%!

If you want engaged, energized, loyal employees, you must have the best supervisors leading the way. Period. Year after year the world’s leaders in employee research find that engaged employees produce better results, remain loyal, are better teammates, and ultimately, create higher earnings for the company. This summer, help your leaders become superstars and get them signed up for Creating Superstar Supervisors.

The ARM Summer School program is a thorough four-course learning experience for supervisors and managers that includes web-based self assessments, online Virtual Learning Labs, testing to make sure students have gotten the lesson, and even follow- up to help supervisors to implement what they’ve learned. There is no travel and there are no full days off the collection floor. The program takes place over four weeks, requiring just a few hours per week.

First registrant saves with early-bird pricing!

Regular Price – $899*
Early bird (by June 17) – $719*

Additional registrants save up to 75%!

Regular Price – $225*
Early bird (by June 17) – $180*

The first participant can save big with early bird pricing – just sign up before June 17. Additional participants from the same company receive an incredible 75% discount. Sign up as many students as you’d like for only $225 (regular price), $180 (early bird).

Press Release | June 5, 2011

If you haven’t heard about the above article in the July 2011 issue (page 16), you will very shortly.  Pick up a copy!  It names the best and worst companies in 21 different business categories (hotel chains, on-line retailers, phone companies, tech support, etc.) from three years of subscriber surveys.  If you work at one of the companies under the “worst” column, this is a wake-up call that presents an opportunity to make the changes that you’ve wanted.  Even if your company isn’t listed, please continue reading to be sure that you are not on the list next year.

In my opinion, here are actions that should be taken immediately:

Abide by the “GetHuman standard” if you haven’t already done so.  This is a specification for how customer service phone systems and support should work.

Review and update your agent incentive program.  Focus on a few, high level metrics: reducing early-stage turnover, improving attendance (tardiness/absenteeism/adherence), improving sales (conversions, win-backs, etc.) and use call quality as a condition of participation in the incentive program.  Over the long run, only one third of incentive programs produce positive results.  The other two thirds are evenly divided between those producing negative results and those that aren’t monitored.  When did you last review your program and in which third does it stand?

Your incentive program should be continuous and follow four tenets: reward the daily homework, make work fun, pay immediately, and provide choice of rewards.  A well designed and managed Incentive program should improve KPI’s by 20% to 40% almost immediately.  You should spend about two hours worth of labor cost per FTE per month on your incentive program (that will provide an ROI that will make even the most tight-fisted CFO smile).

Attend a one hour webinar by Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.  “Using Positive Reinforcement to bring out the Best in People” on Thursday, June 9^th at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time).  There is no cost to attend but space is limited.  More information and to register: http://www.snowfly.com/Blog/post/2011/05/10/Upcoming-Webinar-Using-Positive-Reinforcement-to-bring-out-the-Best-in-People.aspx

Want to learn more?
Snowfly is the leading provider of Internet based employee incentive and loyalty programs.  Snowfly’s incentive system allows clients to harness the enormous motivational power of immediate positive reinforcement to focus employee behavior on company objectives.  Compared with home-grown programs, Snowfly significantly improves KPI’s almost immediately, reduces a huge administrative burden and reduces costs.  The results are easily seen within weeks and there is no long term contractual obligation.  Customers include multiple Blue Cross/Blue Shield providers, Hyatt Hotels, Time Warner Cable, financial institutions, utility companies, cable/satellite providers, various BPO companies (business process outsourcers), and collection departments/agencies.   Snowfly’s web site: www.Snowfly.com.  For more information, contact Snowfly at 1-877-SNOWFLY (766-9359) Robert Cowen at extension 709 or email rcowen@snowfly.com, Ryan Fabian at extension 710 rfabian@snowfly.com or Tyler Mitchell at extension 707 or email tmitchell@snowfly.com.

Press Release | June 2, 2011

KALISPELL, MT – June 2, 2011 – Merlin Information Services recently announced the release of its new Verified Place of Employment (VPOE) solution.  The solution, designed specifically for debt collectors, offers a reliable, cost-effective alternative to the processes collectors use to verify employment today. 

Todd Twete, Merlin’s VP of Sales and Marketing said, “Today’s economy is forcing a change in collection practices… more and more debt collectors are relying on place of employment information to contact the debtor, serve legal process, collect on a judgment, or garnish wages.”

Despite the need for places of employment, many debt collectors have been reluctant to partner with an outsourced vendor to obtain high quality, verified results.  There are several factors affecting this decision including a lack of analytics to truly quantify and track internal costs, plus a belief that debt collectors can do the work more effectively and less expensively than an outsourced partner.  

Debt collectors routinely push low-cost, unverified place of employment data to the floor, asking collectors to research phone numbers and make dozens of calls.   Typically, only 5-10% of the results associated with this approach find a debtor’s actual employer.  The success rates are low because sources of unverified place of employment data typically provide a high percentage of incorrect or outdated information, collectors struggle to ask the right questions, and the associated labor and data costs are high.  “Merlin was eager to embrace the challenge to offer an effective improvement to this methodology,” said Twete.

Thirty years of investigative experience and a proprietary process are leveraged to deliver Merlin’s guaranteed, Verified Place of Employment results.  The VPOE process uses numerous data sources, custom systems and automation, plus high volume phone techniques.  Verified results include employer name, address, and phone number.  Results are guaranteed for 30 days.

Each VPOE engagement begins with a “pilot” to benefit both the debt collector and Merlin.  The pilot runs a statistically significant sample of a debt collector’s portfolio through Merlin’s VPOE process.  The Merlin team analyzes the characteristics of the file, calculates a price for each verified result, and identifies any special resource or scheduling requirements.  In addition, the debt collector has an opportunity to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of the pilot’s results and calculate a return on investment. 

“Based on customer feedback, statistics are showing that Merlin’s VPOE solution is improving debt collectors’ ROI,” said Twete.

### 

To learn more about Merlin’s new Verified Place of Employment (VPOE) or to inquire about running a pilot, please contact Merlin Information Services at 800- 367-6646 or visit www.merlindata.com.

Due to the popularity of the May 20th webinar, we’ve added two additional dates in June. The dates are June 3rd and June 17th. Each webinar will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. to noon ET.

This is a 90-minute assessment-based webinar event aimed at helping collectors improve their results by gaining a deeper understanding of how five styles of negotiating behavior influence the collection process.

Each collector in a negotiation has two important concerns during the negotiating process. The first concern is with the outcome or substance of the agreement. The second concern is with the relationship with the other party. Collectors have varying degrees of interest in these two behavioral dimensions. 

The two universal concerns for outcome and relationship are shared by all collectors, but these concerns are not expressed independently. Each concern interacts with the other to produce a pattern or style of negotiating behavior. 

A collector’s negotiating style depends on the degree of emphasis he or she chooses to place on the concern for outcome and relationship. The Model of Negotiating Styles shows how the two concerns interact to produce the five characteristic negotiating styles. 

Unlocking the Hidden Power of Your Negotiation Style offers a simple framework for determining one’s negotiating style and the likely effect of that style when negotiating for payment. 

Through a 30-question pre-webinar assessment, individuals will identify their preference for one of five negotiating styles. Each participant will then receive a 14-page interpretive report with supporting charts, additional details, and reflection questions. If desired, the participant’s manager may also receive a copy of the results.

REGISTRATION DETAILS 

Cost for the 90-minute class is $127 per site and includes an assessment for one participant. Additional participant assessments are available for $15 each. 

Registration for each class closes 24 hours prior to the event. Space in each class is limited, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you there! 

You may register your team by downloading and returning a completed registration form.  

 .

Press Release | May 31, 2011

Grand Rapids, MI – The following statistics are provided to the ARM industry courtesy of WebRecon LLC.  

FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics, May 1-15, 2011

There were about 568 lawsuits filed under consumer statutes in the first half of May 2011. Here is an approximate breakdown:

• 550 FDCPA
• 86 TILA
• 44 FCRA
• 5 TCPA

Summary:

• Of those cases, there were about 651 unique plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
• Of those plaintiffs, about 189 had sued under consumer statutes before.
• Combined, those plaintiffs have filed about 1154 lawsuits since 2001
• Actions were filed in 127 different US District Court branches.
• About 567 different collection firms and creditors were sued.

The top courts where lawsuits were filed:

• 34 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court – Denver
• 30 Lawsuits: Illinois Northern District Court – Chicago
• 27 Lawsuits: California Central District Court – Western Division – Los Angeles
• 25 Lawsuits: Minnesota District Court – DMN
• 20 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court – Philadelphia
• 15 Lawsuits: Connecticut District Court – New Haven
• 15 Lawsuits: Florida Southern District Court – Miami
• 14 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Brooklyn
• 13 Lawsuits: California Southern District Court – San Diego
• 13 Lawsuits: New York Western District Court – Buffalo

The most active consumer attorneys were:

• Representing 46 Consumers: Jack Dennis Card, Jr.
• Representing 42 Consumers: Glenn Walters
• Representing 21 Consumers: David Michael Larson
• Representing 20 Consumers: Allison Marie Wolfe
• Representing 15 Consumers: Mark L Vavreck
• Representing 14 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 14 Consumers: David E Wandling
• Representing 11 Consumers: Darin Shaw
• Representing 10 Consumers: Daniel S. Blinn
• Representing 9 Consumers: Gary D. Nitzkin

Statistics Year to Date:

5302 total lawsuits for 2011, including:

• 4310 FDCPA
• 510 FCRA
• 468 TILA
• 117 TCPA

Number of Unique Plaintiffs: 5399 (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit)

The most active consumer attorneys of the year:

• Representing 135 Consumers: David Michael Larson
• Representing 123 Consumers: Craig Thor Kimmel
• Representing 86 Consumers: Jack Dennis Card, Jr.
• Representing 81 Consumers: Michael S Agruss
• Representing 74 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg

 ###

 About WebRecon LLC: Creditors and collection firms use WebRecon’s services to easily segregate predictably litigious consumers from their databases. A significant percentage of consumer litigation is initiated by the same consumers over and over again, and screening them out of the general population can reduce lawsuits by as much as a third.

For more information, please contact:

Jack Gordon, CEO
WebRecon LLC, The FDCPA Litigant Alert
Web: www.WebRecon.com
Email: admin@webrecon.net
Phone: (616) 682-5327

We invite you and your collectors to join us next Friday, May 20, 2011 for a 90-minute assessment-based webinar event aimed at helping collectors improve their results by gaining a deeper understanding of how five styles of negotiating behavior influence the collection process.

Each collector in a negotiation has two important concerns during the negotiating process. The first concern is with the outcome or substance of the agreement. The second concern is with the relationship with the other party. Collectors have varying degrees of interest in these two behavioral dimensions. 

The two universal concerns for outcome and relationship are shared by all collectors, but these concerns are not expressed independently. Each concern interacts with the other to produce a pattern or style of negotiating behavior. 

A collector’s negotiating style depends on the degree of emphasis he or she chooses to place on the concern for outcome and relationship. The Model of Negotiating Styles shows how the two concerns interact to produce the five characteristic negotiating styles. 

Unlocking the Hidden Power of Your Negotiation Style offers a simple framework for determining one’s negotiating style and the likely effect of that style when negotiating for payment. 

Through a 30-question pre-webinar assessment, individuals will identify their preference for one of five negotiating styles. Each participant will then receive a 14-page interpretive report with supporting charts, additional details, and reflection questions. If desired, the participant’s manager may also receive a copy of the results.  

REGISTRATION DETAILS 

Cost for the 90-minute class is $127 per site and includes an assessment for one participant. Additional participant assessments are available for $15 each. 

Registration for the event closes at 1:00 p.m. on May 18, 2011. Space in this class is limited to 25 sites, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you there! 

You may register your team by downloading and returning a completed registration form.  

 .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Grand Rapids, MI (March 11, 2011) – The following statistics are provided to the ARM industry courtesy of WebRecon LLC.  

FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics, February 16-28, 2011

There were about 394 lawsuits filed under consumer statutes in the second half of February 2011. Here is an approximate breakdown:

• 378 FDCPA
• 21 FCRA
• 17 TCPA
• 12 TILA

Summary:

• Of those cases, there were about 410 unique plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
• Of those plaintiffs, about 125 had sued under consumer statutes before.
• Combined, those plaintiffs have filed about 754 lawsuits since 2001
• Actions were filed in 107 different US District Court branches.
• About 386 different collection firms and creditors were sued.

The top courts where lawsuits were filed:

• 26 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court – Denver
• 21 Lawsuits: Illinois Northern District Court – Chicago
• 16 Lawsuits: California Central District Court – Western Division – Los Angeles
• 14 Lawsuits: Michigan Eastern District Court – Detroit
• 13 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Brooklyn
• 11 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court – Philadelphia
• 11 Lawsuits: Missouri Eastern District Court – St. Louis – Eastern Division
• 10 Lawsuits: Florida Southern District Court – Fort Lauderdale
• 9 Lawsuits: Connecticut District Court – New Haven
• 9 Lawsuits: Georgia Northern District Court – Atlanta

The most active consumer attorneys were:

• Representing 15 Consumers: David Michael Larson
• Representing 12 Consumers: Jack Dennis Card, Jr.
• Representing 8 Consumers: Craig J. Ehrlich
• Representing 7 Consumers: Daniel S. Blinn
• Representing 7 Consumers: Darin Shaw
• Representing 7 Consumers: David J. Philipps
• Representing 6 Consumers: Novlette Rosemarie Kidd
• Representing 6 Consumers: Steven R. White
• Representing 6 Consumers: Robert T. Healey, Jr.
• Representing 6 Consumers: Allison Marie Wolfe

Statistics Year to Date:

1750 total lawsuits for 2011, including:

• 1676 FDCPA
• 181 FCRA
• 88 TILA
• 97 TCPA

Number of Unique Plaintiffs: 1797 (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit)

The most active consumer attorneys of the year:

• Representing 47 Consumers: David Michael Larson
• Representing 47 Consumers: Craig Thor Kimmel
• Representing 32 Consumers: Jack Dennis Card, Jr.
• Representing 29 Consumers: Lara Ruth Shapiro
• Representing 28 Consumers: John Thomas Steinkam

About WebRecon LLC: Creditors and collection firms use WebRecon’s services to easily segregate predictably litigious consumers from their databases. A significant percentage of consumer litigation is initiated by the same consumers over and over again, and screening them out of the general population can reduce lawsuits by as much as a third.

For more information, please contact:
Jack Gordon, CEO
WebRecon LLC, The FDCPA Litigant Alert
Web: www.WebRecon.com
Email: admin@webrecon.net
Phone: (616) 682-5327