Collections Law

In this comprehensive one-day seminar, you'll discover information, strategies and techniques to help you collect debts more swiftly, protect your assets more effectively and minimize the risk of costly lawsuits, fines and judgments being levied against you.

Whether you collect primarily from consumers, businesses, or large corporations, what you learn in this seminar will make your job that much easier!

Don't Just Assume You're In Compliance...Be Absolutely Positive!

Did you know that even one harmless mistake can put you in violation of the FDCPA and set you up for a costly, time-consuming legal battle? What you learn here will enable you to take a careful look at your organization's collection policies and procedures, adjust them if necessary, and ensure that your collection practices are within the law at all times.

Here is just some of what you will learn:

• The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
• Collection practices that put you in violation of the FDCPA
• Strategies and techniques to gain faster results
• Legal action — know when to consider it, and understand your limitations
• Requirements to remain compliant with all government laws and regulations
• Collections agencies — how they work, when an agency fits your needs, and how to protect your interests
• How and when to document your actions

Most importantly, you'll gain a clearer understanding of the legal machinations involved in the collection process...and never again make uninformed decisions that could place your organization under legal duress.

AGENDA

Strategies For Collecting Debts Owed - Quickly And Legally

• Discover how to best use credit applications to ensure prompt payment
• Implement skip tracing: using today's technology to your advantage
• Understand and comply with federal laws that regulate skip-tracing activity
• Be aware of how to handle out-of-state judgments
• Discover important information about collecting from commercial firms, including corporations, partnerships and sole proprietorships
• Learn ways to adjust your policies to ensure faster collection and better cash flow
• Improve your telephone persona — how to master telephone collection techniques that get results fast
• Avoid common mistakes A/R professionals make in letters, e-mails and phone calls that can land their organizations in legal trouble
• Uncover records and information concerning hidden assets that can be used to collect debts owed to you
• Identify bad checks, and know the legal procedures to follow as soon as you've received one
• Discover the truth about post-dated checks — is there ever a "right time" to accept one?

When a bankruptcy is involved ¡­ can you still collect?

• Learn the recent changes to bankruptcy law that can affect your collection procedures
• Collect on past-due accounts when your debtor has filed for bankruptcy
• Know your rights as a debt collector during a debtor's bankruptcy
• Understand creditor options under Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, and learn how debt collectors are affected
• Protect your interests before a bankruptcy becomes imminent

Complying with FDCPA rules, regulations and statutes

• Familiarize yourself with recent decisions concerning the FDCPA that can affect your compliance
• Know the most common violations of the FDCPA (are you guilty of any of these?)
• Participate in everyday scenarios to test your knowledge of FDCPA compliance
• Learning Objectives set up compliance procedures that are consistent throughout your organization
• Monitor letters and phone calls: how to make sure every word and phrase are within legal guidelines
• Discover the real consequences you'll face if charged with FDCPA violations
• Understand the differences between consumer debt and commercial debt according to the FDCPA
• Recognize your rights as a debt collector vs. your debtor's rights — what you need to know about FDCPA updates, changes, and guidelines
• Address recent cases involving FDCPA procedures — how and why the courts ruled as they did
• Understand the Federal Truth in Lending Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: compliance issues that could affect your collection procedures

When your collection procedures aren't getting the results you want

• Bring tougher collection tactics into play, while still remaining in legal compliance with FDCPA guidelines
• Choose the right options for legally locating debtors and applying greater pressure on them
• Familiarize yourself with collection agencies: how they work, why their tactics succeed, and what they can offer you
• Determine if an outside collection agency is right for your needs ¡­ or if it's best to continue on your own
• Choose a reputable collections agency: what to look for, what to avoid and how to protect your own interests
• Prepare for legal team involvement — when to take this step, how to go about it, and concerns to bear in mind

Protecting your company's assets in court

• Determine when it is time to consider legal action for past-due amounts
• Take your debtors to court: what you need to know about this "last chance" option
• Learn documentation procedures that will stand up in court
• Discover how to handle post-judgment legal concerns
• Find out the best way to collect judgments: wage garnishments, installment and lump sum payments, foreclosures, and more
• Know what to do when you are sued: top legal defenses for protecting your company's assets and interests

CPE CREDIT

Fred Pryor Seminars and CareerTrack are registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.

CPE certificates will be available 10 days after your event has ended.