Nice Guys Don’t Always Finish Last – The Americollect Story

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

CEO of Americollect in Wisconsin wins award

I was very pleased to learn that this past week a debt collector, Americollect of Manitowic, Wisc., won the Chamber of Commerce award for Large Business of the Year award.

Rarely do debt collectors get praised for anything, so this is notable right out of the gate. Upon closer examination, Americollect should not only be praised for running a successful business, but for running it in the right, “nice,” way.

Here’s what jumped out to me when I learned of Americollect and their CEO, Kenlyn Gretz:

  • They call the people they are collecting from “customers.”
  • They preach a win-win collection model.
  • The company and employees donated to 52 non-profits last year.
  • They have a A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
  • They CEO attributes their growth the their quality personnel and corporate culture.

Americollect has been in business since 1964. This is obviously no accident. When you run a debt collection operation ethically, it can be both a profitable and honorable profession. Honorable because one of the “Wins” in Win-Win means that the customer gets a helping hand out of debt. This is a great thing for all concerned…including society at large.

Well done Kenlyn & Americollect!

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

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Filed Under: Debt, Debt Collection

What If…

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

What if…. the neediest among us were treated with dignity and respect. What if debt collectors got better results from treating people with dignity and respect, than harassing, intimidating and insulting. What if debt collectors had to be licensed, like other professionals. What if there were financial penalties when debt collectors behaved improperly?

What if… consumers were allowed to record debt collector calls? What if those recordings were able to be used as evidence in a court of law? What if banks were financially liable for the misdeeds of the collectors they selected to work with?

What if… having complete and accurate records increased the amount a bank could sell a delinquent loan for? What if Congress passed a law making it illegal for debt collectors to call a consumer more than once in a 24 hour period? What if misdeeds are more financially rewording to debt collectors than behaving legally and humanely?

What if we do nothing?

what if debt collectors

What if...

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

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Filed Under: Debt, Debt Collection

Attorneys General Should Do Their Jobs AGGRESSIVELY

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Pam Bondi Florida Attorney General

Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi

An Attorney General’s job is to protect citizens by enforcing the laws of the land. This SHOULD mean not just being passive and dealing with cases that arise in the normal course of business, but to PROACTIVELY investigate conduct that may not be visible to the naked eye.

The poster child for AG pro-activity should be Florida’s State Attorney General Pam Bondi. (@myfloridalegal)

After learning of a $2.5M settlement between Michigan and debt purchaser & collection firm, Asset Acceptance Capital Corporation, AG Bondi has begun investigating whether they violated Florida’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. Leopards don’t change their spots and I wouldn’t be surprised that Ms. Bondi finds the same illegal practices in Florida that Asset Acceptance used in Michigan.

Cleaning up the mess that is today’s debt collection industry can only occur when the financial cost of unethical and illegal collection activities is greater than the cost of proper conduct. Making this happen requires our nations Attorney General’s to not just be vigilant, but to be aggressive. They don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just follow Ms. Bondi’s lead….

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

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Filed Under: Debt, Debt Collection, Government

Public Hearing on Illinois “Debtor” Prisons

January 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Before the holidays I shared this disturbing story of Illinois citizens being jailed for unpaid debts.

In most states the wheels of justice move at “government speed,” taking far too long to get wrongs, like this one, righted. This is not the case in Illinois.

In fact, tomorrow, I have accepted an invitation from The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to testify at a public hearing on “debtors’ prisons.”  They are holding this hearing to work towards finding a solution to the practice of incarcerating debtors who fail to appear in court or who have violated a court order.

It’s encouraging to see public officials like Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, (@LisaMadigan2010) who are willing to bring unfortunate and embarrassing situations like this to the public’s attention. It would be much easier to ignore and sweep under the rug. It’s obvious  that her reputation as one of the most pro-consumer Attorney Generals in the U.S. is well earned.

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

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Filed Under: Debt, Debt Collection, Government

The Holiday Season & Credit Cards

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Tis the season for credit card scams and overuse.

 

Some good advice to follow here from my interview with Young Money and here with the Denver Post.

 

This year, with so many people hurting, let’s encourage restraint and REAL connection. Restraint in spending, meaning don’t stretch and spend beyond your current means. Those January bills can be quite sobering. And in place of materialism this year, let’s instead really attempt to CONNECT with our loved ones.

 

The best gifts I’ve ever been given literally cost nothing. The power of giving of ones time and expression of our sincerest thoughts and gratitude will always be much more poignant to others than material “things.”

 

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

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Filed Under: Bartmann, Debt, Family

Dealing With Debt Collectors: FTC Video

December 7, 2011 By 1 Comment

 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is trying to make it easier for consumers to understand their rights when it comes to dealing with debt collectors who keep calling in regards to a debt the consumer owes. This can get to be a confusing and sticky situation if you’re not sure what you can and cannot do or say when dealing with debt collectors. Here is a great video they put together to help you navigate through your rights and help you find resources when you don’t know what to do. Take a look!

 
   
                                             
        
 

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

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Filed Under: Debt, Debt Collection

Straight Talk: Protecting Consumers Who Need Debt Settlement

December 2, 2011 By 3 Comments

This infographic (found at visual.ly) explains the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) policy on the debt relief industry. It explains the regulations the debt relief industry must follow, and how they help you as the consumer and borrower. This infographic also provides a guide for consumers on their rights and the protection they have by the government. As you can see, it also gives information of the Top 5 key areas of protection every consumer must know.

 

via

 

Need more information on debt collection practices and procedures? Make sure to read over your rights and sign our petition to help protect you and others from debt collection harassment.

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

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Filed Under: Bartmann, Debt, Debt Collection

Contact Your Government Representatives: It’s Your Duty

November 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

We’re going to spend the next couple of blogs talking about the importance of contacting your representatives. We all know that these people are supposed to be working on our behalf, but do we make sure to let them know what that behalf is? The people we elect to go to Washington D.C. or your state capitals were elected to go there and speak on your behalf. Let them know what you feel is important.

If you, like me, have experienced harassing phone calls, voice messages, and other illegal debt collection practices by debt collectors, you need to let your government representatives know about this and that they move to stop it.

How can they stop it?

First of all, your state justice department can investigate some of these agencies (as has been done recently in California and Georgia) engaging in illegal debt collection activities and stop them. They need to know what is going on.

Second of all, you can join with me to get Congress to close the loopholes in the debt collection process. Too many holes in the laws make it easier for agencies to get away with harassing acts that only hurt American families who have fallen on hard times. By spreading the word and signing my petition, we can go to Washington and tell them that the American people have spoken and want changes. I am prepared and eager to do that. I just need your help. What changes, exactly? Here is what I want to change with this debt collection reform petition:

We hereby petition Congress to amend the current debt-collection rules by adding the following provisions:

  1. Increase the penalty for violations of debt-collection rules from the current $1,000 to $10,000 for each violation.
  2. Ban all collection activities on debt that is older than the relevant statute of limitations.
  3. Raise the requirements necessary to file a lawsuit on credit-card debt.
  4. Require collection agencies to provide clear and understandable history of debt.
  5. Require all collection agencies to be licensed.
  6. Require all collectors to be licensed.
  7. Require an annual compliance audit for all collection agencies.
  8. Allow consumers to record telephone calls from collection agencies.

 

In our next blog, we will give you even more information to make it easier to contact your Senators, Congress-person, and other state officials about debt collection and other pressing issues they need to be talking about on your behalf.

Remember, don’t be intimidated. These people work for YOU!

 

Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Bartmann and I am on a mission to reform the debt collection industry in America. Please join with me as we bring a petition to Washington D.C., and make Congress close all the legal loopholes in debt collection practices. It's time to stop these debt collection abuses and stop these criminals. Join with me! Sign the petition today! http://stopthesecriminals.com/petition

Website - More Posts

Filed Under: Bartmann, Debt, Debt Collection