DBA International Supports Recent Government Enforcement Actions

DBA International supports the recent enforcement actions reported by the IRS and U.S. Secret Service charging the owner of Florida company United Credit Recovery (UCR) with alleged charges of wire fraud, bribery and money laundering and seeking a monetary judgment of at least $76 million, roughly the amount gained in the fraud.

The government charged the owner with seven counts of alleged wire fraud, 10 counts of bribery of a bank official, and 16 counts of money laundering. According to news reports, UCR and the owner were sued by the attorneys general in Minnesota and Colorado last year.

DBA supports any legal actions against companies that engage in fraudulent behavior and applauds the government for targeting companies like these that prey on consumers. In addition to consumer harm in the UCR action, many accounts receivable management companies were alleged to have been harmed as a result of these unlawful actions.

Demonstrating our commitment to both legal and ethical business practices, DBA’s Debt Buyer Certification Program adopts a national standard for the debt buying industry to help ensure that those who are certified are aware of and are complying with state and federal statutory requirements, responding to consumer complaints and inquiries, and are following debt buying industry best practices.

Responsible and ethical debt buyers act in accordance with laws, regulations and consumer rights. Portraying the action of a company such as UCR as reflective of an entire industry creates a woefully inaccurate picture of reality. The debt buying industry is a critically important segment of the nation’s credit-based economy. This is the reason why DBA thoroughly vets companies applying for DBA membership and requires all members to become certified and follow DBA’s Code of Ethics.

Certification is a priority for DBA as we strive toward improved educational and operational standards within the industry. Additionally, DBA will continue to support enforcement actions against companies that use illegal tactics to collect money they are not legally entitled to collect.

DBA’s Certification Program consists of a company-based designation, the Certified Professional Receivables Company (CPRC), and an individual-based designation, the Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP).

DBA International is the nonprofit trade association that represents the interests of public and private companies that purchase performing and nonperforming receivables on the secondary market. Founded in 1997 by a small group of companies to provide a forum to advance best practices within the industry, today DBA has grown to represent over 500 companies. DBA provides its members with networking, educational, and legislative advocacy opportunities through an annual conference, an executive summit, regional seminars, state and regional committees, newsletters, webinars, teleconferences, and other media. DBA maintains a code of ethics and a national certification program that promote uniform industry standards of best practice which member companies must comply with in order to maintain membership. DBA is headquartered in Sacramento, California.

More information on the DBA Certification Program is available here.