Question:
I just want to point out that there are many good agencys which are not
CLLA members and membership in the CLLA doesn't guarantee that you will
get a good agency.
Case in point: I used to work for a commercial collection agency years ago
which was (and still is) a CLLA member. The owner of this agency stole
client monies (the reason I left) by not remitting on collections made a
direct violation of CLLA ethics code. These facts were brought to the
attention of the CLLA yet nothing was or has been done.
Bottom line: When choosing an agency to handle your collection work do not
limit yourself to CLLA members since by doing so you can screen out some
good agencys and more importantly lull yourself into a false sense of
security.
Answer:
You are correct that there are good agencies that don't belong to the
CLLA. However, at least if the agency belongs to the CLLA and holds a
Certificate of Compliance you know that they at least have been in
business for a minimum of three years, have a trust account, have enough
financial strength to qualify for a bond and their trust account and
operations have undergone the scrutiny of an independant 3rd party. All
of this of course is in addition to any requirements their state may
impose and you'd be surprised at how many states have no requirements at
all.
In addition, there is a mechanism for resolving disputes and a code of
conduct with which the CLLA member agencies must comply.
It is unfortunate that the agency for whom you previously worked was
dishonest.
I presume you are correct when you state that they were members of the
CLLA, but since I don't have their name, I can't verify either that they
were members or that the CLLA did nothing.
In any event, while being a member of the CLLA and in fact being licenced
and bonded by the state aren't guarantees that those granted membership or
licenced will always be totally honest, at least it is better than nothing
and in most cases better than merely accepting at face value the statement
of someone who is trying to sell you their services and to whom you are
entrusting your money.
