Does your collection agency promote that they are certified by the Commercial Collection Agency Association (CCAA)? If not, it may be time for you to re-evaluate your relationship with them. That’s because agencies must meet a strict set of guidelines set forth by the CCAA to become certified. In addition, CCAA members are the only group of agencies certified by the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA), the nation’s oldest creditors’ rights organization. Using a CCAA certified agency ensures that you receive the following protections and advantages:
- Professional services to help attain maximum dollar recovery
- Prompt remittance of collected funds
- Ongoing oversight to ensure adherence to a rigorous Code of Ethics
- Minimum $300,000 surety bond for your protection
- Maintenance of separate Trust Accounts for collected funds
- Reputable collection procedures that maintain your customers’ good will
- An experienced agency that has been in business for a minimum of five years
- Agency executives who are required to attend yearly seminars and educational meetings
- Assistance choosing legal counsel when necessary
- Creditors may call on the Agency Association’s Executive Director should a complaint arise regarding an agency certified by the CLLA
How do you know if your agency is certified?
Many agencies will promote that they are certified by displaying the official CCAA seal, as shown above, on their website or marketing materials. If you want to take additional steps to confirm your agency is certified, you can also use the search function on the CCAA’s website or contact Executive Director, Annette M. Waggoner, at 847-907-4670.
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