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• Suitability - All Debt Relief Options ->
  *Assessing and advising the client on the best debt relief option for them.
  
• Debt Consolidation Loans learned in detail
• Consumer Credit Counseling learned in detail
• Bankruptcy options learned in detail
• The Debt Settlement option learned in detail

 

Also...
• Introduction to Credit.
• What is the Credit Bureau ?
• Types of Credit Reports.
• Contents of Credit Reports.
• Where Credit Reports are used.
• The nine point credit rating scale.
• Credit Bureau policies regarding bankruptcy.
• The benefits of Credit Reports.
• Myths of Credit.
• Point Scoring system of Credit granting (FICO).
• Vantage Scoring system
• The Fair Credit Reporting Act (U.S.)
• A detailed description and explanation of all terms used on a Credit Report.
• Counseling the client on increasing their FICO Score*Debtor Client Counseling - Additional client education materials

• Understanding the Lending Process ->
• Credit underwriting guidelines.
• Income
• Debt
• Credit

 

Also...
• Savings
• Income to Debt Service Ratios
• The 4 C's of lending
• Establishing Credit History
• How to Build a Credit History and Establish Credit.
• Re-establishing Credit.
• A detailed education on FICO and Vantage credit scores
• Explanation of Credit Bureau Pay Habits Ratings
• A detailed education on other debt re-payment strategies - the alternatives to a Debt Settlement Program
• Counseling the client on making a Financial Plan*Debtor Client Counseling - Additional client education materials
• Client Budget & Review
• Client Saving and Investment counseling

• Debt Collection and Collectors ->
• Defining the Collection Process.
• Questions and Answers regarding Debt Collection
• What can a client do about Bill Collectors ?
• Fast Facts on Debt Collectors.

 

Also...
• Collection / Collector Training information.
• Priorities of the Collector
• Typical Initial Collector Telephone Call
• Collection tactics
• Debt Collection Practices Acts
• Counseling the client on dealing with Creditors and Collectors*Debtor Client Counseling - Additional client education materials

• Credit Reports and Credit Repair ->
• Credit Repair (Correction)
• What is Credit Repair
• Inaccurate Credit Reports
• Credit Reporting Acts

 

Also...
• Steps Required to Restore Good Credit
• Obtaining Credit Report
• Reviewing Credit Report
• Ranking Questionable Items on Report
• Requesting Corrections
• Sample Letters 1 - 5
• Counseling the client on Credit Reports*Debtor Client Counseling - Additional client education materials

• Negotiation Process & Techniques ->
• General understanding of negotiation process.
• Negotiation techniques.
• The 4 secrets of Debt Negotiation.
• Debt validation and procedures

 

Also...
• Statute of Limitations - State by State
• Creditor Lawsuits and the importance of filing an answer with the courts
• Settlement of judgments
• What to accomplish in each contact with the Creditor / Collector, building consensus and reaching the best possible settlement for the client.
• Treatment of Business Debt Settlement.

The IAPDA Certified Debt Specialist (CDS) Program Also Includes...

• Module 6- Ethical Conduct- A thorough discussion and education of Ethical Business Practices for Debt Settlement Professionals.
• 6 Steps for Ethical Leadership
• Ethical Best Practices
• Putting Ethics Before Business
• Complete review and study of the IAPDA Code of Ethics

• Module 7- Debtor Client Debt & Credit Counseling Module - Additional client education materials
• Financial Analysis of client's current financial situation - Suggested forms included
• Developing your client's monthly debt settlement plan.
• Debtor Client counseling and education on financial basics regarding debt and credit.

• Module 8- Debtor Client Debt & Credit Counseling Module - Additional client education materials
• U.S. Consumer Debt Laws
• Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• Fair Credit Billing Act
• Truth in Lending Act
• Service Members Civil Relief Act
• Credit Repair Organizations Act
• Telephone Consumer Protection Act

• Module 9- Member Resources Area - Industry & Legistlative information, News & Articles (updated regularly)
• American Fair Credit Council - (AFCC) - AFCC Uniform Program Disclosure Statement
• CFPB Final Rule governing persons providing consumer debt relief services - (effective August 2, 2013)
• CFPB Supervisory and Examinations manual - Unfair, Deceptive or Abusive Acts and Practices (effective October 1, 2012)
• FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule Amendment U.S. (effective October 27, 2010)

• Module 10- Condensed Summary
• Course Summary - A thorough review and summary of the course materials.

• Also Included - Marketing & Expanding your business
• Getting Started
• Source of Clients:
• Advertising, including sample ads.
• Automobile Dealers
• Public Court Records
• Credit Grantors
• Direct Mail campaigns
• Purchasing Pre-Qualified Leads
• Referrals
• Cases to take on
• Example Fee Structures
• Example Scripts for Client Calls - to enhance full understanding of the course materials.
• Suggested materials for communication with clients and creditors/collectors designed to launch you directly into negotiations with the creditors/collectors for the settlement of your actual client case accounts.
• Goal Setting - We provide a very detailed Goal Setting program for our members use, if they so desire. The program is designed to significantly increase individual business success.
• Commonly used contracts, forms and letters Provided in both printable and editable formats.

• Important Acts & Rules affecting Debt Settlement Service Providers
• Uniform Debt Management Services Act (UDMSA)
• The FTC Act (Section 5)
• FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule Amendment (effective October 27, 2010)
• FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule Amendment - Sales Compliance Overview
• Legal compliance and industry updates, articles & news

*New - Now also included - Consumer Credit Counseling & Debt Management Plans

Know all consumer debt relief options and thoroughly understand Credit Counseling & Debt Management programs.

Consumer Credit Counseling & Debt Management Plans training consists of two (2) comprehensive training modules.

• Module 11 - Educating Your Client in Personal Finance
• Understanding Personal Financial Knowledge
• Identifying Debt Warnings
• Budgeting, Money & Cash Flow Management
• Using Credit and Credit Cards
• Borrowing Money (loans)
• Risk Management and Insurance Issues
• Life Insurance Considerations
• Understanding Investing in Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds
• An Education in Retirement Planning
• An Education in Estate Planning

• Module 12 - Educating Your Client regarding Credit Counseling and Debt Management Plans
• The Communication Process and Counseling
• Understand and Using Listening Skills
• Understand and Using Counseling Skills
• Understanding Problem Solving
• Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information
• Understanding Credit Cards
• Credit Reports
• Consumer Rights - Guide to Consumer Laws
• Debt Recovery Steps
• Existing Strategies for Reducing Client Debt
• Bankruptcy (mortgages, student loans, alimony, child support & reposessions)
• Debt Management Plans