business services

May 17, 2009

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Things Your Business Needs To Know

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act has proven to be very useful to people in need of reducing problems associated with harassing debt collectors. And, yes, it also has many benefits for the collection agencies as well. Through the enactment of sensible laws, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act compels collection representatives to act in a professional manner that will ultimately benefit them as well.

Those that are in the business of extending credit have a reasonable expectation of being paid back. Whether a product is delivered with the agreement to pay upon receipt or an individual is issued tens of thousands of dollars in unsecured credit card cash advances, the lender is entitled to being paid back.

Clearly, there are instances when the lender is not receiving the payments they are due. There can be several reasons for this. Sometimes, the borrower may be experiencing financial difficulties and needs more time to pay their debt. However, at other times, they may simply be irresponsible about paying their debt and they default. Whatever the reason, the lender is fully within their rights to seek and expect payment.

This is where collections agencies come into play. Their goal is to acquire the payment due their clients. However, they may not take a Wild West style approach and do anything they wish to do in order to recoup a debt. This is where the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act comes into play.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was first enacted in 1978. Since then there have been amendments added and modifications to the Act that have altered the law in some ways. For instance, an added clause to The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act states that a borrower in collections can request that the collection agency cease contact with him/her, and the collections rep must cease further contact.

However, it should be noted that this does not prevent the collection agency from continuing to pursue a valid debt. Collection agencies are still within their rights to let the debtor know of their intention to pursue the debt by other legal means, through an attorney.

This can only happen if the debtor makes this request in writing. If communication has stopped due to the collection agency’s inability to reach the debtor, then it is legal to contact third parties in a non-threatening, nor harassing manner. Also, the collections rep cannot disclose the nature of the call, so that it doesn’t violate the debtor’s privacy rights. The rep can only ascertain the whereabouts of the debtor from the third party. While these rules can appear skewed in favor of the debtor, they’re also designed to steer the collection agency clear of potential trouble and from engaging in unprofessional conduct.

As these laws and regulations clearly demonstrate, the aim of The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is to curtail the abusive and unprofessional behavior on the part of some collection agencies. This behavior undermines the credibility and reputation of the business. It also makes it difficult to collect revenues. After all, no one wants to deal with rude, abusive collection agencies.

Those collection agencies that violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act can be penalized in a variety of ways, including legal actions, and up to license revocation. The most common would be a fine levied against the offending agency. Of course, it would also be possible for the collection agencies to appeal such fines since they are entitled to equal protection under the law.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a complex and lengthy law. Thankfully, it is posted complete and in its entirety online through the Federal Trade Commission website. Those wishing to read the entire treatise are recommended to do.

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December 23, 2008

Looking to get the marketing edge then try Whoopydoo.

Whoopydoo is the premier holiday promotions specialist in the UK, operating a wide range of travel based incentives from short breaks, cruises, foreign holidays and city breaks. Whoopydoo provide holiday offers at a fraction of their normal high street cost by working closely with a dedicated travel agency to locate the best deals, often through a wide range of the leading tour operators.

Whoopydoo holiday incentives hold very high perceived value and are ideal for use in customer acquisition activity, data gathering and as rewards for competitions. This is because just about everyone will take at least one holiday in a twelve month period and so the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary or very low cost holiday will always appeal. Whoopydoo supply either a high quality paper booklet or an on-line, downloadable incentive voucher. Paper vouchers are excellent for face to face direct selling and on-line vouchers come into their own for e-business applications with high volumes or where the cost of fulfilment via post is not financially viable. It is also possible to use the medium of the mobile phone with Whoopydoo’s incentives. A web site address and unique 12 digit code can be sent via SMS to a mobile phone. The customer then visits the Whoopydoo site when next on-line to download and print out the voucher.

All of the Whoopydoo incentives are totally timeshare free and offer a number of different options for the recipient so that they can always find a holiday that suits their needs. For instance a voucher providing a theme of a complimentary Cruise for 2 people will also have options to take a 7 day self catering holiday for up to 6 people or a city break for 2 to 4 people.

These other choices require a processing fee to be paid of 39 per person. The customer is then sent a holiday offer including return flights and a minimum of 3 star accommodation. When the customer accepts their holiday offer they then pay their APD tax, any fees or surcharges from the airline and provide evidence of travel insurance.

Whoopydoo’s web site, whoopydoo.net displays a large number of customer testimonials and many people travel regularly using their promotional vouchers. The testimonials are updated on a monthly basis.

The incentives can be purchased through Whoopydoo’s sister division, AIM Solutions. They also run and operate a wide range of lifestyle incentives and promotions for hotel breaks, fun days out, activity days, spa breaks and various dining offers. These incentives are frequently employed by financial institutions, consumer survey companies, fast moving consumer goods and transport organisations to increase acquisitions and promote loyalty.

Minimum order quantities do apply and all promotions are scrutinised by AIM to ensure that the Whoopydoo incentive is the best one for the target audience and can deliver substantial increases in business and return on investment. Many of Whoopydoo’s clients have been using holiday incentives for over 5 years! Please note that as Whoopydoo incentives DO NOT have any timeshare connections or requirements, they do not supply vouchers to companies involved in this market sector.

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December 21, 2008

Whoopydoo for great marketing incentives

Whoopydoo is the premier holiday promotions specialist in the UK, operating a wide range of travel based incentives from short breaks, cruises, foreign holidays and city breaks. Whoopydoo provide holiday offers at a fraction of their normal high street cost by working closely with a dedicated travel agency to locate the best deals, often through a wide range of the leading tour operators.

Whoopydoo holiday incentives hold very high perceived value and are ideal for use in customer acquisition activity, data gathering and as rewards for competitions. This is because just about everyone will take at least one holiday in a twelve month period and so the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary or very low cost holiday will always appeal. Whoopydoo supply either a high quality paper booklet or an on-line, downloadable incentive voucher. Paper vouchers are excellent for face to face direct selling and on-line vouchers come into their own for e-business applications with high volumes or where the cost of fulfilment via post is not financially viable. It is also possible to use the medium of the mobile phone with Whoopydoo’s incentives. A web site address and unique 12 digit code can be sent via SMS to a mobile phone. The customer then visits the Whoopydoo site when next on-line to download and print out the voucher.

All of the Whoopydoo incentives are totally timeshare free and offer a number of different options for the recipient so that they can always find a holiday that suits their needs. For instance a voucher providing a theme of a complimentary Cruise for 2 people will also have options to take a 7 day self catering holiday for up to 6 people or a city break for 2 to 4 people.

These other choices require a processing fee to be paid of 39 per person. The customer is then sent a holiday offer including return flights and a minimum of 3 star accommodation. When the customer accepts their holiday offer they then pay their APD tax, any fees or surcharges from the airline and provide evidence of travel insurance.

Whoopydoo receive a constant steam of testimonials from happy travellers and many people are regular customers, enjoying incredible value holidays that simply can’t be bettered. Details of which can be found on the web site whoopydoo.net

The incentives are marketed through Whoopydoo’s sister division, AIM Solutions. They produce and operate many lifestyle incentives and promotions that include discounted hotel breaks, fun days out at attractions, discounted activity days, spa breaks and a range of dining offers. These themes are frequently employed by banks and building societies, data survey companies, FMCG and travel & transport businesses to improve customer acquisition and drive loyalty.

There is a requirement to purchase a minimum quantity of vouchers and promotions are analysed by AIM to make sure that the Whoopydoo incentive is best suited to the target audience and can deliver the necessary uplift in business and return on investment. Many of Whoopydoo’s clients have been using holiday based promotions for several years. It is worth mentioning that as Whoopydoo holiday promotions DO NOT have any timeshare or shared ownership elements or requirements. Whoopydoo don’t supply vouchers to companies involved in the timeshare market sector.

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