Presentation Topic: Unlocking the Hidden Power of Your Negotiating Style
Date: September 8, 2011
Time: Part 1 – 2:05pm - 3pm | Part 2 – 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Sponsor: Government Revenue Collection Association
Venue: Hilton at the Ballpark
Registration Info: Click here to register.
(New York Times, 10/31/10)
When Michael Gazzarato took a job that required him to sign hundreds of affidavits in a single day, he had one demand for his employer: a much better pen.”
(CNW, 10/31/10)
Markham lawyer Deanna Natale, daughter of former federal Liberal cabinet minister Judy Sgro, is scheduled to appear before a disciplinary hearing in connection with her law firm’s high-volume debt collection practice.”
(BuffaloNews.com, 10/30/10)
An Amherst man faces up to 10 years in prison and a$250,000 fine for selling debtor information that was bank property, U. S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. said Friday.”
(BloomburgBusinessweek, 10/29/10)
A debt collection agency used phony hearings in a room decorated to look like a courtroom to collect money from unsuspecting consumers, according to a lawsuit filed Friday against the company by Pennsylvania.”
(Credit & Collections Risk, 10/28/10)
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) lawsuits rose slightly to 455 in the Oct. 1-15 period compared to 441 in the last half of September, according to data from U.S. District Courts..”
(WIVB.com, 10/29/10)
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Thomas Rice, 37, of Amherst, New York, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge William J. Skretny to a felony charge of sale of debtor information which was property that belonged to a bank. This offense carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.”
(NASDAQ, 10/26/10)
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service may have relied on flawed data when it decided in 2009 to end the use of private agencies to collect tax debts, a government auditor said Tuesday.”
(PRLog, 10/25/10)
American Profit Recovery, a collection agency based in Michigan, Massachusetts and North Carolina, recently participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks in three cities and raised a total of $15,500 for their efforts. Over $10,000 of the company’s fundraising total was donated by the company’s ownership.”
(NBC4i, 11/01/10)
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as collectors of nonexistent payday loan debts. The scammers typically call consumers and threaten them with legal action or arrest unless the victims authorize immediate payments from their bank accounts.”
(KOMO News, 11/1/10)
It’s scary when you can’t pay your bills, and when creditors are calling and sending you those threatening letters. But it’s important to know long that debt stays on your credit report.”
(KWTX.com, 08/27/10)
The Better Business Bureau issued a bulletin Friday warning about phony debt collection callers who claim to be from the Kentucky-based payday loan company U.S. Cash Advance.”
(Leagle.com, 08/25/10)
This appeal concerns an award of attorneys’ fees under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq. After a one-day bench trial before a magistrate judge, Defendant J.C. Christensen and Associates, Inc. (“Christensen”), was found to have committed two violations of the FDCPA. The magistrate judge awarded Plaintiff Ahmet Hepsen (“Hepsen”) $500 in statutory damages. Having prevailed in his FDCPA action, Hepsen filed a motion for an award of attorneys’ fees under the FDCPA. At the time the magistrate judge ruled on the motion, Hepsen sought $54,273.50 in attorneys’ fees. Hepsen did not receive the requested $54,273.50..”
(Buffalo News, 08/25/10)
A Lancaster man imprisoned on a parole violation has been accused by Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo of illegally operating his Buffalo debt collection agency from federal prison.
(NJ.com, 08/24/10)
Hoboken Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. will introduce legislation that would require health care providers to notify patients with outstanding debt before reporting them to a private collection agency or consumer reporting agency.”
(Lancaster Eagle Gazette, 08/24/10)
Lancaster will enter into a new agreement with a tax collection agency in an effort to acquire money owed to the city, but not paid.”
(Credit & Collections Risk, 08/24/10)
The number of collection agencies and creditors sued between August 1-15 totaled 426, down from 488 sued in the July 16-31 period, but up from 389 in the first half of July, according to data from U.S. District Courts.”
(insideARM.com, 08/18/10)
An increase in placements and portfolio supply has prompted collection agencies and debt buyers to hire people recently. Meanwhile, the performance outlook for the ARM industry remains strained.”
(insideARM.com, 08/24/10)
I love the summer. Who doesn’t? It is a great time to be with your family and friends and to be outside if it is not 100 degrees and humid, like it has been in the Philadelphia area recently! It is also a good time to reflect on how the year has been going with your debt collection agency, and to figure out your “plan of attack” for the remainder of the year and 2011.”
(insideARM.com, 08/23/10)
The rules of the game governing credit cards are changing yet again, as the final provisions of federal legislation involving credit card interest rates and fees went into effect yesterday. The big buzz this is creating is centered on credit card interest rates reaching a nine-year high, expected to go up even further in light of these new restrictions.”
(American Bankruptcy Institute press release, 08/17/10)
The total number of U.S. bankruptcies filed during the first six months of 2010 increased 14 percent over the same six-month period in 2009, according to data released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Total filings reached 810,209 during the first half of the calendar year of 2010 (January 1-June 30), compared to 711,550 cases filed over the same period in 2009. The totals represent the highest number of filings for the first six months of a calendar year since 2005, when the Bankruptcy Code was amended.”
(TVSquad.com, 08/17/10)
The Huckebee Show‘ (weekdays, syndicated) on Tuesday featured the cautionary tale of Michelle Minton. The mother of two young children received a call from a bill collector — who also represented himself as a lawyer — claiming she owed $4,500.”
(JD SUPRA, 08/19/10)
The current economic crisis is making the debt collectors scared. When there’s no money to put food on the table, even a favorable judgment through the courts means nothing. The judgment by itself doesn’t get you paid, according to Cincinnati debt collection law firm Slovin & Associates partner Randy Slovin.”
You can download a .pdf copy of the story here.
(Star Tribue, 08/19/10)
A Wayzata debt collector who allegedly told a debtor “I will hunt you down like a dog” was ordered by state regulators to cease operations in Minnesota.”
(sctimes.com, 08/19/10)
A local debt collector’s business is booming — and its space is growing along with it. Array Services is building a new home for one of its companies, ProSource Billing. Later this fall it will move into a new 23,000-square-foot facility in Sartell. Construction has already begun.”
(Leagle.com, 08/17/10)
This is a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) case in which Plaintiff Pamela E. Smith alleges that Defendant violated provisions of the Act through three voicemail messages and one email exchange. Defendant’s position is that both the voicemails and emails were left or sent in response to a specific request by Plaintiff at least a year into an ongoing and regular communication between Plaintiff and Defendant, and therefore were not in violation of the Act.”
(IrishTimes.com, 08/19/10)
FIVE MEN arrested by gardaí investigating aggressive debt collecting practices in the building trade in Dublin have been released without charge.”
(NewsOK, 08/18/10)
Seniors, beware. If you’re being harassed by calls from debt collectors, don’t be bullied into paying anything before knowing the law. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations on most debt is three years and if you pay even as little as $5 on an old debt, you’ll reset the clock.”
(TribToday.com, 08/18/10)
Warren’s debt collection agency has netted nearly $340,000 for city coffers since it started working on delinquent accounts four months ago.”
(Leagle.com, 08/16/10)
Defendant Anderson, Crenshaw & Associates, L.L.C. (ACA) appeals from a district court order awarding plaintiff Elsa Anchondo $63,333.52 in attorney fees, gross receipts tax, and costs under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(a) after ACA agreed to a settlement in favor of Ms. Anchondo and the class she represents on their claims against ACA under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). ACA contends the district court erred in certain respects in determining the amount of the attorney fee award. We review the district court’s award for an abuse of discretion, see, e.g., Jane L. v. Bangerter, 61 F.3d 1505, 1509 (10th Cir. 1995), and affirm for the reasons expressed below.”
(WESH.com, 08/17/10)
ORLANDO, Fla. — Court records show that a collection agency has opened a case to recover money Casey Anthony owes on her theft case.”
(The Washington Post, 08/08/10)
Is it true that debt collectors are increasingly trying to collect from the wrong people?
(North Country Now, 08/07/10)
Northern Asset Recovery will be offering a seminar designed to assist small businesses in collecting their debts.”
(ACA International, 08/06/10)
The National Consumer Law Center recently released a report claiming that the collection industry treats consumers unfairly and burdens the court systems.
(Contactmusic.com, 08/07/10)
Hollywood tough guy MICKEY ROURKE nearly shot a man during his work as a debt collector, when his gun misfired during a heated exchange with a delinquent borrower.”
(PRWeb.com, 08/06/10)
Martin Sher, a Birmingham, Ala businessman has been named the 2010-2011 president of ACA International, the association of credit and collection professionals. Sher, co-owner with his brother David of AmSher Receivables Management, assumed the president’s gavel in July at the ACA International Convention in Washington D.C.”
(WTVR.com, 08/06/10)
The City of Richmond, Virginia is chasing down $3 million in unpaid parking tickets.
(The Southeast Texas Record, 08/05/10)
According to court records, Check Recovery Services sent a fax to [David] Oefelein’s work requesting verification of his employment which included his full social security number. The plaintiff states he was embarrassed that this was sent to his work and also concerned that the information contained his social security number.”
(insideARM.com, 08/06/10)
Are debt collectors to blame for the recent shootings that left eight people dead in Hartford, Connecticut?
(insideARM.com, 08/03/10)
collector mentor editor Gary Jensen shares some tips on how collection agencies can prevent employee dishonesty.
(PRLog.com, 08/04/10)
American Profit Recovery, a collection agency based in Michigan, Massachusetts and North Carolina, recently received the Banker & Tradesman’s First Place Gold Award in the Banking Section/Asset Recovery category for their 2010 readership poll. The award recipients were determined in the BEST OF Banker & Tradesman Poll where readers voted from April 30th – July 2nd to determine who they believe to be the best providers.”
(Business Daily Africa, 08/02/10)
Collectors overseas harness the power of Facebook.
(Credit & Collections Risk, 07/30/10)
Is the decline in lawsuits only temporary?
(Business Credit Management UK, 07/29/10)
Seventy-two industry professionals successfully passed the UK’s leading accredited credit and collection training program.
(Rueters.com, 07/29/10)
Two collection agencies beat expectations for second quarter earnings.
(California Watch, 07/29/10)
Conflict of interest, yes or no? You be the judge. Share your thoughts in the comments section.
(insideARM.com, 07/29/10)
Kaulkin Media president Stephanie Eidelman shares her opinion on the highly anticipated BCFP.
(Post-Bulletin, 07/28/10)
A Rochester, Minnesota collection agency lands large municipal government contract; has plans to hire 30 new employees by the end of September.
(Credit & Collections Risk, 07/27/10)
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo settles with yet another collection agency. This time: $125,000.
(The Palm Beach Post, 07/25/10)
Collection calls regarding a past due mortgage cause woman terminally ill with brain cancer to collapse in front yard.
(insideARM.com, 07/28/10)
With its eyes set on shifting the public conversation about the ARM industry, insideARM.comrecently unveiled a 16 member editorial board to help ensure a balanced perspective.
(The China Post 07/02/10)
The Criminal Investigation Bureau busts gang of illegal collectors and uncovers “… machetes, hammers, wooden sticks, and instant glue, among other items, which were used to assault debtors who failed to return loan fees … “.
(WESH.com Orlando 07/01/10)
Debt collector caught on tape threatening arrest and harassing a consumer’s 10-year-old daughter.
(Businessweek 07/01/10)
Convergent ERS to is bringing a new call center to Augusta, Georgia with hopes of hiring 400 employees over the next 18 months.
(The Miami Herald, 07/02/10)
WebRecon’s Jack Gordon talks about the latest lawsuit statistics.
(Market Watch, 06/29/10)
It’s rare these days to see a judge rule in favor of a collection agency, but that’s what recently happened in Missouri.
(cbsatlanta.com, 06/28/10)
Contacting a consumer’s neighbor inspires investigative story. Video included.
(Debt Free League press release, accessed on earthtimes.org 06/27/10)
Eric Santacruz, vice president of San Diego, California’s Debt Free League, offers some interesting predictions for the credit and collection industry.
(jacksonsun.com 06/27/10)
Florida clerk of court turns to collection agency for assistance in recovering $3.2 million in unpaid fines and court costs.
(Portfolio Recovery Associates press release, accessed on insideARM.com 07/01/10)
Portfolio Recovery Associates’ Executive vice president and general counsel Judy Scott announces the addition of five new attorneys to the PRA team. New members include: Trey Huelsberg, Beaufort “Shawn” Martin, Franci Ware, Kevin Duffan, and Brian Pearson.
(insideARM.com, 07/01/10)
Cynthia Wilson offers the latest insight and statistics on the Department of Education’s third-party collection efforts.
Yes, you read that correctly. 300 warrants!
The Ashley County Ledger recently ran an article titled Judge Pope Issues 300 Warrants for Those Who Have Outstanding Debts.
The article points out that similar efforts may continue on a quarterly basis as a way to entice folks to pay up. It also states that community service may be available for those who lack the ability to pay.
Click here for the complete story.
Do you think the judge made a wise decision?
