Associations

AFCC - About AFCC™

AFCC's, or the American Fair Credit Council, goals are to promote good practice in the debt settlement industry, protect the interests of consumer debtors, and lobby on behalf of debt settlement companies on the federal and state level. The AFCC was formerly known as TASC, or The Association of Settlement Companies.

Debt settlement companies act on behalf of consumer debtors to help them clear their debts. They do this by entering into direct negotiations with creditors in order to facilitate the repayment of debts. In return for their services, debt settlement companies are generally paid a fee by the consumer debtor. In order to avoid any hint of impropriety, AFCC™ members do not handle, manage, or otherwise control their client’s funds.

Membership of AFCC™ is reliant upon debt settlement companies being able to demonstrate that they comply with the standards set out in the AFCC™ Bylaws.

The Bylaws have been developed in consultation with a number of debt settlement companies, discussions with different states’ legislators, and major lenders. The aim of the Bylaws, and that of AFCC™, is to encourage debt settlement companies to provide services of the highest standards to ensure the public and the credit industry’s confidence.

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About USOBA: The United States Organization for Bankruptcy Alternatives (USOBA) was founded by leading members in the debt negotiation industry seeking representation outside of credit counseling and bankruptcy law. USOBA brings individual representation together as a united front to protect the debt negotiation industry and to secure its future. We are committed to working with and informing legislatures, regulators, consumers, creditors, and governmental bodies to better understand the industry.

In February 2006, USOBA launched its Accreditation Program, which was drafted and implemented with member approved standards. Offered through membership with the largest trade association in the industry, USOBA’s Accreditation Program was the first audit supported, free consumer referral system. The Program is administered by BSI management systems, acting as an impartial auditing agency. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USOBA is the most respected trade association for the debt negotiation industry and does not commingle its message with that of other financial services.

About the Industry: Record levels of American consumers file for bankruptcy each year. With the credit counseling industry under fire from the IRS, FTC, U.S. Senate and House, consumer advocates and state legislatures, USOBA members are consumers’ last hope before filing bankruptcy.

As with many industries, the newly regulated debt negotiation industry is facing rapid legal landscape changes across the country. Without representation and advocacy through an industry association, debt negotiators may not have their voices heard. It only takes one law to completely alter the dynamic of any particular industry.

Membership in the IAPDA provides training, certification, debt settlement industry knowledge, legistlative updates and important peer credibility to our members.

The International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators grew from the commitment of its members to the establishment and maintenance of the highest standards of ethics, professional conduct, and responsible trading, for members operating in the Debt Settlement industry. The evolution of the services provided, and the rapid deployment of Internet and related technology, has meant that this sector of the market has grown in size and range of services. This Professional Third Party Debt Arbitration/Settlement sector now handles a much greater depth of services than at any other time in history.

A commitment to our Code of Ethics has helped to build the IAPDA to be a primary, specialist voice for the Debt Arbitration/Settlement industry in North America. That voice is important to the Debt Arbitration profession. We provide a resource focused on ensuring fairness, equity and professionalism in the conduct of our members. The IAPDA provides a point of contact for legislators, community and consumer interest groups and industry.

The IAPDA seeks to differentiate our members and to provide some guarantees to users and all businesses that, as a group of professionals representing this sector in the North American market, we are committed to our Code of Ethics and to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.

IAPDA Certified Debt Specialists are respected professionals in the Debt Settlement industry. Clients, creditors/collectors and collection attorneys all recognize the commitment of our members to training, certification and membership in the IAPDA. Leading Debt Settlement professionals fully understand the value and the return received for their initial business investment in training, certification and membership.

IAPDA membership is comprised of individuals with firms of all sizes from small (1-4 members) to many of North America's leading and largest Debt Arbitration & Settlement firms. We are the only Certification program focused on Certifying individual Debt Professionals rather than the Debt Settlement company. See our Member Links page for firms with IAPDA Certified members.

We hope that users of the services our members provide, will support the individuals and organizations that meet the tests for membership of the IAPDA. These members share a commitment to professionalism, business ethics and community values.

* Disclaimer: ClearOne Advantage, LLC (“COA” ), is a debt settlement company; not a credit repair or consumer credit counseling company. COA doesn't provide investment, tax or legal advice. COA does not provide services or assistance repairing, modifying, improving, or correcting credit entries or credit reporting. COA does not assume or pay any debts, receive, hold or control funds belonging to consumers. COA’s debt settlement program is not available in all states. Individual results vary and are dependent on factors such as successful completion of program, creditor cooperation, and ability to save funds. Read and understand all contract terms and program disclosures before enrolling. Not all clients successfully complete the debt settlement program.

** Disclaimer - We do not charge upfront fees and you do NOT pay our fee until we arrange a settlement, you approve the settlement and at least one payment is made towards the settlement.