Sat.Mar 13, 2021 - Fri.Mar 19, 2021

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Small Businesses in ‘distress’ number triples

UK debt collections

New data released by Accountancy firm Mazars has shown a worrying rise in the amount of UK Small Businesses in financial distress. Over 135,000 Companies were shown to be suffering from financial strain this month, treble the pre pandemic average. Retail and service Businesses are the hardest hit. Almost 60% of Businesses in these sectors are the hardest hit.

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Soon, Debt Collectors Can Contact You on Social Media

Sawin & Shea

A new rule will soon allow debt collection messages through social media. It’s expected to impact 1 in 4 adult Americans, or 70 million people , who have at least one bill in collections. On top of phone calls, emails, and text messages, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will allow debt collectors to message you through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and almost any other social media channel.

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Employee Retention Credit: The Impact on Small Businesses

Credit Corp

The following is a guest post by Jacob Dayan, of Community Tax. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only and are not endorsed by Credit.com. It’s no big secret that small businesses have been hit hard by the economic effects of the coronavirus. In a recent industry study, over 100,000 restaurants closed , either temporarily or permanently, six months into the pandemic, The losses that have accumulated over this past year have created uncertainty over when and

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Oklahoma Senate Passes Medical Collection Bill

Account Recovery

The Oklahoma Senate has passed a bill that would prohibit healthcare providers from reporting unpaid debts to a credit reporting agency or placing them with a collection agency unless the patient was provided with a “good faith estimate” of the cost of the services prior to them being rendered. The bill, SB548, was approved in … The post Oklahoma Senate Passes Medical Collection Bill appeared first on AccountsRecovery.net.

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Solve Your Firms Automation Complexities Once and For All

Speaker: Mark Stovel

When it comes to automating, many firms focus on finding the latest tech, believing that efficiency is something achieved through new tools. Yet true efficiency is achieved by delivering real value to clients, not merely by upgraded systems. Without a clear approach, no level of automation can overcome the complexities of serving every client’s needs.

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How Effective is Your Business' Accounts Receivable Department?

Enterprise Recovery

Whether you're managing a growing accounts receivable department or you're an A/R department of one, it's important to measure the effectiveness of your efforts. Is your A/R team doing all of the right things to get paid consistently and on time? Read further to evaluate your department's effectiveness and considerations to get even better. How effective is your business' accounts receivable department?

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CFPB Takes Action Against Operators of An Unlawful Student Loan Debt-Relief Scheme

Consumer Finance

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today sued a student loan debt relief company, its owner, and manager for allegedly charging thousands of consumers more than $3.5 million in illegal upfront fees.

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Getting to Know Casey Simmons of Clontz & Clontz

Account Recovery

The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Applied Innovation. Applied Innovation is helping to shape the future of accounts receivable management. Product development is driven by customer feedback, agency profitability and compliance and includes platforms addressing client portal access, document management, payment negotiation, Regulation E focused electronic payment authorizations and TCPA communication authorization platforms. … The post Getting to Know Casey Simmons of

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Real Estate Stocks: What They Are and How To Invest In Them

Credit Corp

This post originally appeared on Your Money Geek. It’s funny how sometimes life can give small clues as to how you should be handling your finances. For example, a few years ago, a minor snow skiing accident revealed my lack of diversity regarding investing. You’re probably scratching your head, wondering what I’m talking about. Let me set the scene for you.

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Start Early to Get Your House Retirement-Ready

Nerd Wallet

Many people want to remain in their homes after they retire rather than move to a senior living facility or community. Unfortunately, most homes aren’t set up to help us age safely and affordably. If your goal is to “age in place,” some early preparation could help make that possible — or point to better. Liz Weston writes for NerdWallet. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com.

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Top 3 Banking Secrets to Stay Relevant with Gen Z Consumers

Speaker: Brian Muse-McKenney, Chief Revenue Officer & Matt Simester, Cards and Payments Expert

In today’s world of social media, dating apps, and remote work, businesses risk becoming irrelevant (or getting "ghosted") if they fail to meet the evolving needs of Gen Z consumers. Credit cards with flexible payment options, especially for young adults with little-to-no credit history, are a particularly important and valuable solution for this generation.

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Defaulted Loans: Florida State Laws, Federal Laws and Federal Regulations

Jimerson Firm

When a lender holds a defaulted loan there are several issues that need to be considered before initiating a foreclosure. Lenders must ensure compliance with all relevant State and Federal laws and regulations to preserve their remedies for recovery. Additionally, specific Federal regulations may also apply and provide additional requirements for lenders holding VA loans or FHA loans, or provide protections for service members.

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Bill Introduced in Nevada to Restrict Collection of Medical Debts

Account Recovery

A bill has been introduced in the Nevada Senate that would require collection agencies to notify consumers at least two months before attempting to collect on a debt, while also prohibiting filing a collection lawsuit to recover unpaid medical debts if the balance is less than $10,000. The bill, SB248, was introduced this week by … The post Bill Introduced in Nevada to Restrict Collection of Medical Debts appeared first on AccountsRecovery.net.

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Debit Cards for Kids: 6 Tips for Using These Financial Education Tools

Credit Corp

According to a 2018 survey, almost 30% of children have used their parent’s credit or debit cards without permission. And around 50% of people responding to the same survey said they gave children permission to use their credit cards—with most of those individuals coming to regret the decision. One reason handing your child your credit or debit card can be an issue is that they most likely do not fully understand the money management that goes into using the card.

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Better Savers Spend Less Money on These 3 Things

Nerd Wallet

Reducing spending in three common budget categories may significantly boost your ability to save money. And a small mental trick could help you stick to an ongoing savings plan. Those are the findings of two studies investigating the spending habits of better savers and the psychology of saving. Here’s how to apply these habits to. Hal M. Bundrick, CFP writes for NerdWallet.

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How Collection Agencies Minimize Effort and Maximize Results with the Right Software

Navigating collections in the dynamic financial landscape presents multifaceted challenges. Organizations face pressures to maintain standards alongside software challenges like regulatory adaptations, data integration, security, workflow optimization, and automation. Finding the right software can save time and money. BEAM offers a comprehensive solution with specialized modules to streamline debt collection effortlessly.

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How to Prevent Public Access to Confidential Business Information Through Motions to Seal Records

Jimerson Firm

In Florida, the public and press have a fundamental right of access to judicial proceedings, which includes access to documents submitted to the court. This may be troublesome for businesses seeking to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information, such as trade secrets or other proprietary information. However, under certain circumstances, a court can place limitations on this right of access and shield court records from public scrutiny.

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Keynote Address at RMAI 2021 Annual Conference Looks Ahead

Account Recovery

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was authored by RMA International and is re-published here with its permission. RMAI brings the next best thing to a crystal ball to its 2021 Annual Conference. The keynote address, “Looking Ahead – The Future of the Collection Industry,” features former Deputy Director of the Consumer Financial Protections Bureau (CFPB), … The post Keynote Address at RMAI 2021 Annual Conference Looks Ahead appeared first on AccountsRecovery.net.

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TBML: What Is Trade-Based Money Laundering?

Fico Collections

Trade-based money laundering (TBML) is a growing risk, as seemingly legitimate transactions are exploited by criminal groups to launder funds and finance terrorist activity. In this two-part series, I will explore some recent studies on TBML, the challenges faced in countering the problem and some industry trends. However to set a context, we must first answer the question – what is trade-based money laundering?

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Does Medicare Cover COVID Testing and Vaccines?

Nerd Wallet

As the U.S. enters its second year of the coronavirus pandemic, the country has conducted more than 360 million tests for COVID-19 and continues to roll out millions of vaccines. It hasn’t been seamless — about 1 in 6 people who are 65 and older tried and failed to sign up for a vaccine, according. Kate Ashford writes for NerdWallet. Email: kashford@nerdwallet.com.

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From Complexity to Clarity: Strategies for Effective Compliance and Security Measures

Speaker: Erika R. Bales, Esq.

When we talk about “compliance and security," most companies want to ensure that steps are being taken to protect what they value most – people, data, real or personal property, intellectual property, digital assets, or any other number of other things - and it’s more important than ever that safeguards are in place. Let’s step back and focus on the idea that no matter how complicated the compliance and security regime, it should be able to be distilled down to a checklist.

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How to Get out of a Debt Spiral–11 Easy Things to Do [TODAY]

Credit Corp

This post originally appeared on The Financially Independent Millennial. . Is your credit card debt behaving like an unruly boy and has gone completely out of your control? Are you spending sleepless nights wondering how to get yourself out of a debt spiral? Or perhaps it’s a burgeoning credit card debt? Worrying about your credit card debt without taking any concrete action won’t help to tame your spiraling, out-of-control debt.

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Bill Introduced to Amend FDCPA to Protect Consumers From ‘Predatory’ Collectors

Account Recovery

A bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives that seeks to amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to change the information included in the written notice that follows an initial communication and provide written notice at least 30 days before commencing a legal action against a consumer. The bill, H.R. 1671 — … The post Bill Introduced to Amend FDCPA to Protect Consumers From ‘Predatory’ Collectors appeared first on AccountsRecovery.net.

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Basic Fiduciary Duties Owed in Florida Professional Service Provider Companies

Jimerson Firm

Professional service providers in the state of Florida find themselves in precarious legal situations often given the nature of their work. Because these companies are providing advice, consulting, or other services based an employee’s individual qualifications or relationships, there is always an opportunity for the individual to act in his or her own best interest rather than in the interests of the professional service provider company or the client.

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How Many Funds Should I Own to Save for Retirement?

Nerd Wallet

This article provides information and education for investors. NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. The decision to invest to build long-term wealth is complicated by the plethora of choices. With thousands of funds available to U.S. investors, how.

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How To Optimize Cash Flow: Your Roadmap To Resilience!

Speaker: Genevieve Hancock, CPA

Cash flow isn’t just about balancing numbers - it's about ensuring your organization is positioned for both immediate stability and long-term success. Understanding that cash flow management fuels every decision, every opportunity, and every growth phase is critical. But how can you shift from simply managing cash to strategically optimizing it for resilience?

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FICO's National "Score A Better Future" Credit Education Program Reaches Milestone

Fico Collections

When we launched FICO’s “Score A Better Future” program in October 2018, our main goal was to continue to expand consumer credit access through financial education. Our mantra, “Your FICO® Score today doesn’t have to be your FICO Score in the future” still holds true today. These free events are designed to demystify credit and give consumers the tools – including non-profit credit counseling – to take control of their financial health.

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Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of FDCPA Case After Hospital Sought to Collect From Wife of Deceased Husband

Account Recovery

In a case that was defended by Lawrence Bartel and Andrew Schwartz from Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the dismissal of a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act case in which the wife of a deceased individual sued after she was sent collection letters by a law firm seeking … The post Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of FDCPA Case After Hospital Sought to Collect From Wife of Deceased Husband appeared first on AccountsRecovery.net.

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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Encourages Financial Institutions and Debt Collectors to Allow Stimulus Payments to Reach Consumers

Consumer Finance

On March 17, 2021, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Acting Director Dave Uejio issued a statement regarding consumers’ access to Economic Impact Payment funds distributed through the American Rescue Plan.

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Deep Breath and Dial: How Phone Calls Can Save You Money

Nerd Wallet

Sean McAuliffe’s business, International Key Supply, suffered financially when the pandemic began. So he set out to cut operating costs for the New York-based distribution company. He canceled a few services, and for more important ones, he contacted the providers to request deferred or lowered bills. First, he emailed, only to receive unhelpful replies.

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When It Comes to Collections Software, “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough

Are you finding some snags in your collections process? With delinquencies, and the number of consumers looking for payment assistance on the rise, it may be time to consider an efficient cloud-based software to support your team. Learn how MeridianLink® Collect has helped financial institutions like yours streamline collections processes.