2010 Newsletters

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1
The Official Newsletter of National Recovery Agency January - 2010

NRA Today
“A Responsible Revenue Recovery Company™”

2007 ~ 2008 ~ 2009

Debt Collection Service - Top Techniques to Reduce and Contain Delinquencies
Collections Recon
December 1, 2009

Many businesses extend credit
to customers to drive sales and
• collecting a deposit from the
customer before delivering goods or
Inside this issue:
improve customer relationships. services
Though this strategy is successful in
getting more business and retaining • collecting portions of the Featured Article P.1
existing customers, it also creates the payment as a project progresses
problem of bad debts. Bad debts
are the receivables that have not • reminding customers of payments Industry News P.2
been collected. Bad debts show through phone, letters or visits
unfavourably on a business account Urgent Alert P.3
and severely affect the valuable cash In spite of having an efficient credit
flows. management strategy, it is still possible Agency News P.5
to incur bad debts. All businesses will
Recovering bad debts is not an easy have some percentage of customers Events Page P.7
or pleasant task, and it is advisable for who delay payments or even avoid
businesses to take measures to avoid or them. Businesses have many options to
Compliance Corner P.8
at least minimize bad debt. This can be deal with delinquent customers. Some
done by having a credit management of these are discussed below.
system in place. Credit management Client Information P.9
strategies may include: Consultation: Businesses can try
to recover bad debt from customers
• clearly stating terms and through consultation. The consultation
conditions in the credit contract can bring about an agreement
between the creditor and debtor Statutory letter: The credit company
• ensuring all credit transactions are regarding the payment. In case of any may choose to send a statutory
documented and signed disputes over the debt, the Community letter instead of a demand letter. A
Justice Center can be called upon to statutory letter will also give details of
• maintaining records accurately intervene and resolve the issue. the debt, total amount of debt and
expected date of debt settlement.
• keeping track of due and overdue Demand letter: A demand letter Statutory letters are sent out like court
payments can be sent to the company or documents and hold greater clout
individual in debt, if the consultation than demand letters. The statutory
• checking the credit rating of does not give satisfactory results. A letter warns the debtors of legal action,
debtors before extending credit demand letter must clearly state the within 21 days of the specified date, if
details of the debt, along with the total they fail to make the payment.
• checking the credit rating of the amount of debt involved and the date
debtor on a regular basis after giving by which the debt must be settled.
credit The demand letter can also include Please turn to page
a warning of legal action in case the
debt is not paid by the specified date.

© 2010 National Recovery Agency. All Rights Reserved.®

INDUSTRY NEWS
January 2010 Volume 5 Issue 1

FDCPA 2009 STATISTICS
Summary:
January 7, 2010 • Of those cases, there were about 459 unique
Oakley Duff Group Inc. / CEO plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
• Of those plaintiffs, about 141 had sued under
2009 has ended, and it shattered the previous year’s consumer statutes before.
record number of FDCPA cases filed in (or removed • Combined, those 141 plaintiffs have filed about
to) US District Courts. Expectations that FDCPA cases 805 lawsuits since 2001
would break the 8000 barrier were easily met, though • Actions were filed in 101 different US District
FCRA cases actually fell just short of 2008 numbers and Court branches.
TCPA cases remained statistically (though not legally) • About 268 different collection firms and
insignificant. creditors were sued.

Annual Comparisons: The top courts where lawsuits were filed:
• 36 Lawsuits: Illinois Northern District Court -
2009: 8287 FDCPA, 1174 FCRA, 28 TCPA Cases Chicago
2008: 5188 FDCPA, 1164 FCRA, 16 TCPA Cases • 24 Lawsuits: New York Western District Court -
2007: 3813 FDCPA, 1347 FCRA, 22 TCPA Cases Buffalo
2006: 3220 FDCPA, 955 FCRA, 14 TCPA Cases • 23 Lawsuits: California Central District Court -
Western Division - Los Angeles
• 20 Lawsuits: Minnesota District Court - DMN
Monthly Recap: There were about 907 consumer • 18 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court
rights lawsuits in the month of December, including 774 - Philadelphia
FDCPA and 79 FCRA suits filed against creditors and • 11 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court - Denver
collection agencies. • 11 Lawsuits: Georgia Northern District Court -
Atlanta
FDCPA and Other Consumer Rights Lawsuit Statistics, • 10 Lawsuits: Arizona District Court - Phoenix
December 16-31, 2009 • 10 Lawsuits: California Southern District Court
- San Diego
There were about 427 lawsuits filed under consumer • 8 Lawsuits: California Eastern District Court -
statutes in the second half of December. Here is an Sacramento
approximate breakdown:
The most active consumer attorneys were:
• 358 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act • Representing 21 Consumers: Matthew William
• 41 Fair Credit Reporting Act Kiverts
• 21 Truth In Lending Act • Representing 16 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• 2 Credit Repair Organizations Act • Representing 15 Consumers: Adam Theodore
• 1 Equal Credit Opportunity Act Hill
• 1 Electronic Fund Transfers Act • Representing 14 Consumers: Nicholas J.
• 1 Federal Communications Act Bontrager
• 1 Graham-Leach-Bliley Act • Representing 11 Consumers: Todd Michael
• 1 Home Ownership And Equity Protection Act Friedman
• 6 State of California Consumer Statutes • Representing 10 Consumers: Ryan Scott Lee
• 2 State of Florida Consumer Statutes • Representing 10 Consumers: Joseph A Mullaney
• 1 State of Kentucky Consumer Statutes III
• 1 State of Michigan Consumer Statutes • Representing 9 Consumers: David Michael
• 1 State of Rhode Island Consumer Statutes Larson
• 1 State of Texas Consumer Statutes • Representing 9 Consumers: James Marvin
• 1 State of West Virginia Consumer Statutes Feagle
• 2 Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act • Representing 8 Consumers: Brian P. Parker
• 1 Right to Financial Privacy Act
• 1 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Please turn to page
Organizations Act


URGENT ALERT

Continued from page

U.S. Postal Service Announces
Most Rates Will Not
Statistics Year to Date:
Increase in 2010
10128 total lawsuits for 2009, including:
November 2, 2009
• 8287 FDCPA
• 1174 FCRA Concern over pricing by businesses leads USPS
• 28 TCPA to freeze pricing for many common services.

Number of unique Plaintiffs: 9697 (including In light of the current economic climate, the
multiple plaintiffs in one suit) postmaster general for the U.S. Postal Service
The most active consumer attorneys of the year: has announced plans to freeze prices for most
mailing services in 2010. These include first-class
• Representing 441 Consumers: Ryan Scott Lee
mail, standard mail, periodicals and single-piece
• Representing 329 Consumers: Nicholas J.
Bontrager
parcel post.
• Representing 239 Consumers: Todd Michael In a letter to customers, Postmaster General
Friedman John E. Potter said, “While increasing prices
• Representing 227 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg might have generated revenue for the Postal
• Representing 220 Consumers: Brent F. Vullings Service in the short term, the long-term effect
could drive additional mail out of the system.
We want mailers to continue to invest in mail to
grow their business, communicate with valued
customers and maintain a strong presence in the
marketplace.”
Pricing changes for priority mail, express mail,
parcel select and international products remain
under consideration.

FASTFAX: ACA International
• HIPAA Compliance Issues for the
Collections Industry (#6251); revised and updated
per the requirements of the HITECH Act.

• Caller ID and the FDCPA (#1168); added
section on displaying local area codes.

• GLBA Notices and the FDCPA: Possible
FDCPA Violations (#3027): new document.

• North Carolina Collection Law Changes
(#3030): new document.

• Leaving Voice Mail Messages for
Consumers (#1146); added new case law.


URGENT ALERT

Class Claims DAs Let Collectors Use Official Letterhead to Threaten Debtors

By ERIN MCAULEY

SCRANTON, Pa. (CN) - A federal reports of debts owed to them due to “Pursuant to the contract with
class action claims a collection dishonored checks,” according to the NCG, Defendant Jarbola receives
agency uses district attorneys’ complaint. 100% of the administrative fees
letterheads to threaten debtors After receiving a complaint generated by NCG. NCG receives
with jail time in a “bad check from a merchant or other creditor, 100% of the class fees and incidental
restitution program” - and that “NCG sends the individual accused of fees.”
the district attorneys allow it. The writing the dishonored check a notice, The two named plaintiffs say
class says”approximately twenty” ostensibly from the district attorney, they each had to pay more than
Pennsylvania counties have contracts on official district attorney letterhead, three times the amount of their
with the National Corrective Group, with a reproduction of the district alleged debts in fees. They say
allowing the collectors to use the attorney’s signature,” threatening they were never informed that the
“district attorney brand.” The class says the debtor with criminal prosecution, “restitution program” was voluntary
such contracts are unconstitutional, as the complaint states. It adds that the and never were told that they
they violate due process. complaints “are never reviewed by were being contacted by a debt
The class sued Lackawanna any employee of the district attorney. collection agency.
County District Attorney Andrew J. NCG alone evaluates the complaints In the past two years,
Jarbola III and the National Corrective and initiates participation in the bad approximately 12,000 people have
Group (NCG). It claims that on March check restitution program. It has a been harassed into participating in
31, 2009, NCG assumed the “duties purely financial incentive in doing so.” the “program,” according to the
and responsibilities under its contracts In threatening criminal complaint.
with Pennsylvania district attorneys” prosecution, NCG’s demand letter “Neither defendant Jarbola
from its predecessor, American states that if the recipient “may nor other Pennsylvania district
Corrective Counseling Services. contact ‘the District Attorney’s Bad attorneys have the authority under
“NCG has continued to operate the Check Restitution Office’ at a toll Pennsylvania law to operate
bad check restitution program in free number or fax or mail a written a pre-charge, extra judicial
Lackawanna and other counties in dispute within 30 days to a fax number diversion, restitution or debt
the same, or substantially the same or post office box. The phone and collection program, nor are the
manner as ACCS. fax numbers provided, as well as the fees charged pursuant to such
“Pursuant to this contract, P.O. box, connect the individual with programs authorized by law. Most
Defendant Jarbola permits NCG to use representatives of NCG in California, Pennsylvania district attorneys have
his office, his official letterhead and not with defendant Jarbola’s or declined to participate in NCG’s
his signature in communicating with any other district attorney’s office,” scheme,” the complaint states.
individuals who have issued checks according to the complaint. “Pennsylvania has authorized,
which have been dishonored. NCG In violation of Pennsylvania through state rule, diversion
thereupon uses the district attorney’s law, NCG’s demand letters say the programs which require that criminal
identity in threatening prosecution debtor may not pay the merchant charges first be actually filed and
and imprisonment, stating or implying directly. The complaint adds: “These which require judicial oversight and
that criminal charges have been notices are sent for the purpose of approval.”
filed and that court appearances collecting private debt as well as The class seeks an injunction
will be required, and stating that fees to the Defendants. NCG has the and damages for violations of the
payments are due that far exceed same arrangement with certain other state and federal constitutions,
the amount of the dishonored check. Pennsylvania district attorneys.” violations of the Fair Debt Collection
These notices are sent for the purpose The class claims that Jarbola Practices Act, misrepresentation,
of collecting private debt as well as and other district attorneys “have also unfair trade, and other charges.
fees to the Defendants. NCG has the authorized NCG to use their name, Their lead attorneys are Donald
same arrangement with certain other signature and letterhead to charge Driscoll and Margaret Schuetz with
Pennsylvania district attorneys. individuals numerous incidental fees the Community Justice Project of
“Through its ability to use the over and above an administrative Pittsburgh.
“district attorney brand” and its and accountability class fee. These
superior performance relative to incidental fees include late payment
other debt collectors, NCG solicits fees, rescheduling fees, Payment/
and then receives from merchants Convenience fees and Overpayment/
Handling fees.


AGENCY NEWS

Collectors receive professional
Continued from page training during two-day seminar
January 12, 2010
Litigation: A business may have to file a lawsuit
against the debtor to recover the debt. All other Last month, eight (8) of NRA’s Collectors
debt recovery strategies, within legal boundaries, attended the FDCPA Compliance Training and
must be tried before reaching this stage. Litigation Professional Telephone Techniques Seminar held
is always the last option. Taking legal action is on December 16 17 at the Harrisburg Hilton, in
a time-consuming and costly business. It is Harrisburg, PA.
advisable to get some idea of the potential cost
involved before proceeding with the litigation. “This is an interesting time for us,” states Steven
Bad debts are an unavoidable side effect of C. Kusic. With the rise in consumer debt, it’s more
extending credit. Though there are many avenues important now than ever to comply with the
to collect debts, they are by no means easy and FDCPA and employ professionals trained to do so.
can cost the business a good amount of time Consumers are facing some tough times ahead
and money. Therefore, it is better to develop an of them. We are here to help them meet their
effective credit management strategy to minimize obligations, in a professional and legal manner.
bad debts.
Also, consider a partnership with a good NRA is committed to providing the very best
collection agency that can take over the task of services available. We strive to train our staff
collection if your in-house resources and expertise in providing excellent customer service which
is inadequate to resolve the situation. ultimately results in 100% Client Satisfaction.

GREAT TIME TO PERFORM YOUR
ON-SITE AUDITS!!
DID YOU KNOW ?
REMINDER: Call us at 1-800-360-9953 to
schedule a time to visit with us on February 26th.
National Recovery Agency
is PPMS, PCI-DSS and
SAS-70 Type II Certified?

NRA IS LOOKING FOR GOOD
EMPLOYEES!!


AGENCY NEWS

Upcoming Events NRA Book Club
JANUARY 2010 NRA is offering its staff reading material that is meant
to educate, train, and motivate. NRA’s staff is excited
January 26, 2010 about being given the opportunity to enhance their
Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank knowledge in various areas of business.
NRA Group, LLC
Harrisburg, PA 17111 January’s FEATURED
FEBRUARY 2010 Book
February 9-11, 2010
I can’t say enough about the
Debt Buyer Association Convention books we are being provided.
Las Vegas, NV They have helped me a lot in
the different tasks as a manager
MARCH 2010 and they have also helped me
personally with interacting the
March 17 - 19, 2010 collectors.
Spring Forum Expo Kim Gould
Scottsdale, AZ Training Manager
http://www.acainternational.org/events
Visit us today at
www.nationalrecovery.com
WE’RE OPEN!
To maximize recovery on your portfolio ~ we operate seven days a week.


EVENT PAGE

CENTRAL PA BLOOD BANK
On January 26, 2010, National Recovery Agency community. There is no substitute for human blood;
hosted a blood drive for the Central PA Blood Bank. 52 donors are the only source. Every two seconds, someone
NRA employees attempted to donate blood and 40 were needs blood, and an adequate blood supply is crucial to
successful donors. 40 pints of blood can save as many their survival.
as 160 lives. Over 30% of NRA employees attempted to
donate; however only 5% of the population donates! In 2010, NRA is committed to dedicating its time
in supporting the following organizations lead by its
National Recovery Agency’s next blood drive at Community Caring Committees: CENTRAL PA FOOD
the Paxton Street location is on March 29th and at the BANK, CENTRAL PA BLOOD BANK, ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY,
Crossgate Drive location on April 8th. Please consider VOLUNTEER OF AMERICA, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF
donating at one of our locations next time. Remember CENTRAL PA
that the most important reason for becoming a
regular blood donor is to meet the blood needs of our

COMING IN MARCH...
SEE A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO GET YOUR PLEDGE FORMS NOW!!!

Big Brothers Big Sisters would not be able to operate without funding and volunteers for our
services. If you are not able to volunteer as a Big, please consider one of the many other ways in
which you could help our organization. You too can be part of the magic!

With the death toll from the Haiti earthquake climbing, many people are wondering how they can help with the
disaster relief efforts. Numerous organizations and aid agencies are accepting donations to assist those affected
by the catastrophe. ACA International has teamed up with American Red Cross to develop a Web page where
association members can donate to help relief efforts.

Please Donate today!

The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an
endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. For more
information about the Red Cross, please visit http://www.redcross.org


COMPLIANCE CORNER

2010 Census to Begin WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the
Better Business Bureau
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Security number, credit card or banking information
Susan Johnson to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. .
Census.
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better
Business Bureau REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY
(BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT
so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The YOUR ADDRESS..
first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial
have begun verifying the addresses of households across information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE
the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL
workers will count every person in the United States and SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social
will gather information about every person living at each Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will
address including name, age, gender, race, and other employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that
relevant data. information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED
between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS
the following advice: INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you
** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they saying he/she is with the Census Bureau. Eventually,
will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail,
canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will
identification and their badge before answering their not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email
questions. However, you should never invite anyone you scams impersonating the Census.
don’t know into your home. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
to verify address information. Do not give your Social

Why offer payment arrangements
in this economy?

The most important reason you want to offer payment payment plans, they accept whatever their customer
arrangements is to get paid. In this troubled economy it is offers without any negotiation, this is a huge mistake
unrealistic to think your customers can all pay you in full. that can cost you the customer, money or your
If a customer is avoiding you or becoming more and business. Business owners need to maximize their in-
more delinquent, it is likely they just cannot pay the entire house receivables, they cannot get a handle on
bill and don’t realize they have the opportunity to set up a their receivables without assessing the situation and
payment plan. negotiating a payment plan that works for them, the
In my years of doing collection work, many of the customer and that is beneficial to all involved.
debtors I would call did not pay because they thought they You have to make payment arrangements that are
had to pay the whole amount, Once they realized they worth your while, while making the arrangement do-
could set up a payment plan, they were relieved and open able for the customer. If you set up a blanket payment
to setting something up to get their bill paid. arrangement, for example, everyone pays $100 a month,
The key in offering payment arrangements, especially if a debtor cannot pay that, you will not get paid. If you
now, is to BE REALISTIC. work with the debtor and assess their specific situation
If you treat your customers well, they will continue to and agree on $25 every other week, and the customer
be your customer when this economic crisis is over, they can do that, you will get paid. This article is an excerpt
will appreciate that you worked with them and hopefully from my e-book Establishing Payment Arrangements:
continue to be loyal and tell others about your business. Beyond Net 30
Many business owners don’t set precedence on


CLIENT INFORMATION

Effective immediately, the following process applies
to any and all clients who are referring accounts
VIEW YOUR ACCOUNTS ON LINE
electronically to NRA. When referring an account file
electronically, please use the format below to ensure WITH “NAVIGATE”.
timely download/upload of your data. It is suggested that THIS IS A USER-FRIENDLY AND SECURE
you save this page and submit with each electronic file. SITE THAT YOU CAN USE TO CHECK THE
STATUS OF YOUR ACCOUNTS, UPLOAD
FILES AND MORE. NAVIGATE IS A
CONVENIENT SITE FOR
NRA FILE TRANSFER
OUR CLIENTS.
VERIFICATION FORM
FOR LOGIN INFORMATION
PLEASE CONTACT
FILE NAME TMORITZ@NATIONALRECOVERY.COM

DATE OF TRANSFER

CLIENT NUMBER

CLIENT NAME

CONTACT NAME
LET US “HOOK” YOU UP BY
TURNING YOUR DISTRESSED
CONTACT PHONE DEBT INTO
PLACEMENT TOTALS LIQUID
CAPITAL.
TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCOUNTS PLACED

DOLLAR VALUE OF ACCOUNTS PLACED

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION
TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PLACES YOUR
ACCOUNTS WITH OUR AGENCY. call us today!!
If ou have any questions, please feel free to call IT Support
at 1-800-360-9953 x 6736 1/800-360-9953 OR VISIT US ONLINE AT
WWW.NATIONALRECOVERY.COM


PASS IT ON:
Do you know someone who would like to National Recovery places great emphasis
receive Our Newsletter? Call us at 717-540- on the importance of recovering our
7636 with the individual’s name, company client’s portfolio. In addition to
and email address. We will be happy to traditional methods of payment such
include them on our mailing list or go as cash, money orders, personal, bank,
on-line at www.nationalrecovery.com and certified checks, we accept the
and request a copy of our newsletter. following methods of debtor payment
over the phone; as well as the ability to
Questions or comments about pay online at www.nationalrecovery.com.
the newsletter?
• Western Union/Quick Collect
Email us at: sales@nationalrecovery.com
• Credit AND DEBIT Cards
• MoneyGram
• Bank Wire
OFFICE LOCATIONS: • Check By Phone

2491 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17106

3 Crossgates Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Phone: 800-360-9953
Fax: 800-360-9954

SUDOKU
Ask Dr. Debt
Ask Dr. Debt
Consumers seeking solutions to debt problems
have a new online
resource through Ask
Dr. Debt, a financial
education Web site
that ACA International
-- a nonprofit credit
association unveiled
April 15. “It’s essentially
an online version
of ‘Dear Abby’ for consumers with credit and debt
questions,” John Nemo, public relations director for ACA
International, said in an e-mail. Nemo said visitors to
the site will be able to search a database of frequently
asked questions and submit their own. Ask Doctor Debt
also contains interactive tools to educate consumers,
such as budget calculators and a free personal financial
management Web course.
HERE’S THE PUZZLE. GOOD LUCK!

10


VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2
The Official Newsletter of National Recovery Agency February - 2010

NRA Today

2007 ~ 2008 ~ 2009

Better Risk Models Boost Health Care Collections
PaymentsSource |
Friday, January 29, 2010

Editor’s Note: The following exclusive scrubbed to pinpoint bankruptcies and
report is part of our ongoing coverage deceased individuals.
of niche markets. To contribute to our “The depth of data used to build Inside this issue:
health care stories, or to comment, write scoring models is helping to create
to: darren.waggoner@sourcemedia. more accurate risk scores,” says Shell
com Sharma, chief operating officer at
Health care debt is on the rise as collection agency NRA Group LLC Featured Article P.1
more companies raise deductibles in Harrisburg, Pa. “Since we have
for employee insurance plans. For been scoring health care debt pre- Industry News P.2
collection agencies, counting on better collections, recoveries on that debt
scoring models – and sometimes a mix have increased 15%.” Agency News P.4
of models - is critical. Relying on a single model to score
In the recession, salaries are stagnant health care debt can pose problems.
Urgent Alert P.6
and dual income families often are now NRA scores health care debt using an
one-income households, or worse. Co- in-house model and then sends the
payments are soaring and deductibles accounts out to be scored again by Events Page P.7
in some cases are reaching five third parties. NRA began the practice
figures, says Chad Mulvaney, technical to verify the results of its scoring model Client Information P.8
manager at the Healthcare Financial and has continued it because they like
Management Association, Westchester, having a broader perspective when
Ill. evaluating the risk characteristics of the
A reasonable goal for collection portfolios they work.
agencies is to collect approximately Collection managers and health Connance Inc., a Waltham, Mass.
5% of health care receivables from care providers also use scoring models provider of analytics and self-pay
consumers who fully self-pay, industry pre-collections to identify patient software to the health care industry.
insiders say. By comparison, the receivables as charity care that might “Scoring models and gathering better
recovery rate for the self-pay portion otherwise be classified as bad debt patient data upfront can help identify
of health care bills for consumers with downstream. charity care cases.”
insurance, i.e. deductibles and co-pay, Non-profit hospitals and health care One reason why a third of patient
averages 60%, providers provide charity care as part receivables that wind up in collections
For agencies and health care of requirements to keep a tax-exempt are not classified as charity care
providers, the good news is that better status. Charity care patients are those is that providers neglect to gather
information – such as unemployment who lack the financial means to cover patient information to qualify them for
rates by Zip code and average income all or a portion of treatment. charity care because of the cost of
levels for a geographic area – is “About 30% of health care debt processing a charity care application.
available and has led to better scoring can be qualified for charity care but is It can cost as much as $200 to do so.
models. not, and that figure has not changed As a result, many health care providers
Collectors need to identify charity much in the past year,” says David only pursue the most obvious cases.
care cases early; accounts must be Franklin, chief development officer at “We end up with a lot of paper on

Please turn to page

© 2009-2010 National Recovery Agency. All Rights Reserved.®

INDUSTRY NEWS
February 2010 Volume 5 Issue 2

Hard Times Lead To Dramatic Rise In Bankruptcies
for households located in the
county) were concentrated in
This high default risk combined in two clusters: the Southwest and
Georgia. Seven of the ten counties
with increasing unemployment and the Southeast. Interestingly, as
with the highest filing rates were
bankruptcy filings continues to have a Map 2 shows, the concentration
in Georgia, with the highest rate
serious impact on the economy. of foreclosure proceedings is
in the county occurring in Shelby
much different, with the highest
County, Tennessee (Memphis),
concentrations clustered in the
Bankruptcy filings in December with a filing rate almost three times
northern Midwest.
2009 topped 110,000 for the tenth the national average. The second
The states with the highest
straight month, for a 32% increase and third highest filing rates were
household-adjusted bankruptcy filing
over last December’s total. The in two counties east of Atlanta
rates are Nevada (two-and-half times
high number of December filings (Newton and Barrow), both with
the national average), followed by
suggests an unusual seasonal pattern. filing rates more than two and a
Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and
December filings typically are much half-times the national average.
Indiana (with household-adjusted
lower than November filings, but this On a national basis, 28% of all
filing rates more than one and a half
year they were almost identical (even filings to date were under Chapter
times the national average). More
considering the relative number of 13, the procedure most directly
than one out of every six bankruptcy
days). Still, the trend in bankruptcy related to home-mortgage distress.
filings this year has occurred in one
filings in recent months suggests that Again, there was a substantial
of those States, even though those
we have passed the peak of filings variation among the States on the
States include only one in twelve
related to the economic crisis, and prevalence of bankrupts seeking
American households. The lowest
thus that 2010 filings will be lower than Chapter 13 relief. The States with
filing rates were in Alaska (less than
2009 filings. Rolling three-month data the highest share of Chapter
a third of the national average),
(Figure 1) account for the seasonality 13 filings (50% or more in each
followed by the District of Columbia,
in filing trends, but illustrate the case) were concentrated in the
North Dakota, South Carolina, and
comparatively higher filing patterns South: Louisiana, Alabama, South
South Dakota (all far less than half the
for 2009. For comparison, foreclosure Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
national average).
data over the last three years reveal At the other end of the spectrum
The States with the biggest
no comparable peak (Figure 2, based were States with relatively low
increase in filings over the previous
on data from the Mortgage Bankers Chapter 13 shares. (The three
year were Arizona (an 80% jump)
Association). lowest were New Mexico, Iowa,
followed by Nevada, California,
With the December filings, the and West Virginia, all with less than
Wyoming, and Utah (all with increases
total for 2009 is above 1.4 million, a 10% of their filings under Chapter
of 55-60%). Although 2009 filings were
32% increase over filings for 2008. 13.
higher than 2008 filings in all States,
Indeed, 2009 filings were the highest This analysis was performed on
several States have experienced
in any year since the 2005 bankruptcy data collected by the National
comparatively modest increases. The
reform bill. Bankruptcy Research Center
lowest increases (all about 12-14%)
The increase includes a marked (NBKRC) by NBKRC contributor
are in Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Alaska,
upturn in the last year in Chapter Professor Ronald Mann of the
and Tennessee.
7 (liquidation) filings, which have Columbia Law School.
At the county level, the counties
increased by more than 42% as
with the highest filing rates (adjusting
compared to this time last year,
where Chapter 13 (rehabilitation) Filings per Million Households (2009)
filings have increased by only 12%.
The steadily declining share of
Chapter 13 filings (less than 30% of
2009 filings to date) contrasts with the
strong push by Congress in its 2005
bankruptcy legislation to encourage
bankrupts to choose Chapter 13
rather than Chapter 7.
Nationwide, 2009 filings amounted
to more than 12,000 filings per million
households – about 1 in every 80
households. As Map 1 shows, the
high filing rates are concentrated


INDUSTRY NEWS

SUDOKU
METHODS OF ACCEPTABLE PAYMENT:
National Recovery places great emphasis on the importance
of recovering our client’s portfolio. In addition to traditional
methods of payment such as cash, money orders, personal,
Here is the puzzle. Good luck!
bank, and certified checks, we accept the following
methods of debtor payment over the phone; as well as
the ability to pay online at www.nationalrecovery.com.

• Western Union/Quick Collect
• Credit AND DEBIT Cards
• MoneyGram
• Bank Wire
• Check By Phone

Continued from Page
potential charity care prospects,” says “These are healthy people who
Rod Goodall, president at Creditors “Boosting recoveries are rolling the dice, because if they
Collections Bureau Inc., Kankakee, Ill. of health care debt is contract a major illness or are in a
Although collection agencies can serious accident, the cost of the
a challenge and it is treatment quite possibly will be
qualify charity care cases on the back-
end, the health care provider still has likely to get tougher,” beyond their financial means to pay
to gather the necessary data from off,” says Goodall. In these cases,
the consumer, which can be tough the best option may be to reach a
if the patient is reluctant to fill out the settlement to recover a portion of
employed consumers without
forms. Reasons consumers who may the debt, he adds.
health care insurance. More often,
qualify for charity care, but do not, are While scoring models are not a
this demographic consists of single
privacy related and simple pride. panacea for improving recovery
consumers in their 20s and early 30s
“Once a potential charity case rates of health care debt, they do
who are self-employed, but have
is identified, getting a completed prois expected to continue rising.
foregone health care insurance
application is tough because some With health care reform still an
because of the cost.
people just don’t want to share that unknown, health care providers
The trend slowed the growth of
information or accept charity care,” and collection agencies that want
health care spending in 2008 to
says Thomas Gavinsky, vice president to keep recovery rates up will have
4.4% in 2008, down from 6% in 2007
at collection agency IC System, St. to adopt more aggressive use of
because uninsured consumers
Paul, Minn. “Unless the debtor provides scoring models.
are reluctant to seek treatment,
the necessary personal information “Boosting recoveries of health
according to the Centers for
to verify they are a charity care case, care debt is a challenge and it
Medicare and Medicaid Services.
they can’t qualify.” is likely to get tougher,” predicts
Health care collection experts
Despite the improvement in Sharma. “Broader use of scoring
are concerned that this pool of
scoring models, health care providers models can help meet that
consumers represents a potential
and collection agencies doubt the challenge.”
ticking bomb when it comes to
technology can have much of an delinquent medical debt.
impact on boosting recoveries from


AGENCY NEWS

NRA “BEST PRACTICES”
February 4, 2010

Collector Effectiveness
Collector effectiveness measures what the collector
accomplishes during a customer contact and
generally, reflects the quality of the collections staff,
associated training; and tenure. Effective collectors
focus customer calls on the following critical actions:

• Define the reason for delinquency
• Reach a mutually agreeable solution to the
delinquency
• Update customer information
• Discuss future payments.
PAXTON STREET OFFICE - MARCH 29TH, 2010
Successful collection requires balancing collector
effectiveness with call intensity and contact rates.
CROSSGATE DRIVE OFFICE - APRIL 8, 2010
A well-designed collections process and prioritized
collections goals are the key drivers that technology
enables and supports. Visit us today at
www.nationalrecovery.com
NRA’S RECYCLING PROGRAM SAVES
DID YOU KNOW ? 148 TREES FROM DESTRUCTION IN 2009!
February 4, 2010

National Recovery Agency NRA feels that every individual and business entity has a
duty to protect our environment. There are many ways all

is PPMS, PCI-DSS and of us can participate. Take part in a recycling program, at
work or at home. Some of the ways NRA contributes to this
cause includes using recycled paper, recycling empty ink
SAS-70 Type II Certified? cartridges, and we have recycling bins for all of the paper
we generate.

You too can help. Take some of these small steps in
making a big difference.

• Recycle at work - ensure that there
are paper recycling bins close to desks or printers.
• Encourage your boss to purchase office paper with
high recycled content.
• Reduce the size of documents and print double sided
to save paper.
• Add the slogan “Think before you print” to the
bottom of emails.
NRA IS LOOKING FOR GOOD
Employee participation is key! There are several web-
EMPLOYEES!! sites that offer plans and tips to make a recycling plan at
work a success.


AGENCY NEWS

Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY 2010

February 9-11, 2010
Debt Buyer Association Convention
Las Vegas, NV

February 23-25
Platts Credit Collections Utility Conference
Orlando, FL

February 23-24
Western Chapter HFMA Three Rivers AAHAM
Seven Springs Resort
Moon, PA
MARCH 2010
March 17 - 19, 2010
Spring Forum Expo
Scottsdale, AZ
http://www.acainternational.org/events

NRA Book Club
NRA is offering its staff reading material that is meant
to educate, train, and motivate. NRA’s staff is excited
about being given the opportunity to enhance their
knowledge in various areas of business.

REREAD:

Source: Central Penn Business Journal
February 2010


URGENT ALERT

Don’t fall for credit-repair schemes

InsideARM
Published: 3/4/2009 2:22 AM The companies also
advise you to dispute all
Only time and effort will fix your credit score the information in your
credit report, regardless of
We’ve all seen those little stake-signs along rights its accuracy or timeliness.
of way advertising “credit repair.” But unless you can When you follow illegal
prove your credit reports contain errors, nobody can advice and commit fraud,
change them legally — it’s a scam. you are legally liable and
The Federal Trade Commission warns the public may face prosecution — it’s
not to believe such claims, saying: “They’re very likely a federal crime to lie on a
signs of a scam.” FTC attorneys say they have never loan or credit application,
seen a legitimate credit repair operation making to misrepresent your Social
those claims. Security number, and
Fact is, there’s no quick fix for bad credit. You can to obtain an Employer
improve your credit report legitimately, but this takes Identification Number from the IRS under false pretenses.
time and effort — you must adhere to a personal debt You can be charged and prosecuted for mail or wire
repayment plan until your debts are paid, and that fraud when using the mail, telephone or Internet to apply
alone repairs your bad credit. for credit and provide false information.
Whenever people lose their jobs due to a weak
economy, credit reports begin to affect them more.
Bad information on the reports lowers credit scores,
and this prevents job searchers from getting good
jobs. Maryland Collection Agency Licensing
That’s when scam perpetrators emerge from Board Issues Advisory Notice
hibernation, lean and hungry for those last dimes.
They target consumers with poor credit histories,
promising to clean up their credit reports so they can January 28, 2010
get a car loan, a home mortgage, insurance, maybe
a job. Board notifies collection agencies and consumers of a
“Truth is, these companies can’t deliver improved debt collection law firm’s closure.
credit reports for you with the tactics they promote,”
the FTC Web site says. “It is illegal. No one can remove On Jan. 19, 2010, the Maryland Collection Agency
accurate negative information from your credit Licensing Board issued an advisory notice to all Maryland
report. So after you pay them hundreds or thousands licensed debt collection agencies. The notice informed
of dollars in fees, you’re left with the same credit consumers and creditors about the recent closure of
report and someone else has your money.” Mann Bracken LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership.
Credit repair companies want you to pay for Additionally, the notice stated that Axiant, LLC, the support
their services before they provide any. Under the service company of Mann Bracken, had filed for Chapter 7
federal Credit Repair Organizations Act, credit repair bankruptcy.
companies cannot require you to pay until they have
completed the services they have promised. As a result of Mann Bracken’s closure, the Maryland Office
These companies usually don’t tell you your rights of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation has received
under the act, or what you can do on your own for numerous complaints from consumers voicing concerns
free. They tell you not to contact the three major regarding remitted checks not being cashed and who to
national credit reporting companies. They tell you contact about their specific accounts.
they can rid your reports of their negative credit
information — even if the information is accurate The advisory notice is intended to clarify collection
and current. They suggest you “invent a new credit agencies that have used the services of Mann Bracken or
identity” and a new credit report by applying Axiant are expected to contact consumers and inform them
to the Internal Revenue Service for an Employer of what to do regarding their specific accounts. Additionally,
Identification Number to use instead of your Social the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Board has made
Security number. it clear simply responding to inbound inquiries is not sufficient
given the scope of Mann Bracken’s activities.


EVENT PAGE

COMING IN MARCH...
SEE A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO GET YOUR PLEDGE FORMS NOW!!!

Please consider one of the many other ways in which you could help our organization. You too
can be part of the magic!

NRA teams Participating: * Denotes Captain of the Team

NRA Pin Collectors - *Kim Summerlot, Lori Gutshall, Brad Huffman, Anita Schaar, Carin Schrum
NRA Bowling Stones – *Emma Yingling, Tasey Leitzell, Liz Krom, Penni Lee, Julie Conti
NRA Money Makers - *Ashton Novinger, Cherie Wiley, Valerie Ginger, Melinda Laureano, Billy Albright
NRA Bowl Dogs - *Craig Andrus, Winnie Smith, David Kell, Yvonne Cooper, Chris Bowen
NRA Golden Boys - *Derek Bowman, Orlando Laureano, Ronnel Sanford, Joshua Love Sr., Andre Young

Consider sponsoring an NRA employee or start your own team. Donate at www.capbigs.kintera.org

With the death toll from the Haiti earthquake climbing, many people are wondering how they can help with the
disaster relief efforts. Numerous organizations and aid agencies are accepting donations to assist those affected
by the catastrophe. ACA International has teamed up with American Red Cross to develop a Web page where
association members can donate to help relief efforts.

Please Donate today!

The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an
endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. For more
information about the Red Cross, please visit http://www.redcross.org.


CLIENT INFORMATION

LET US “HOOK”
YOU UP BY
TURNING YOUR
OUTSTANDING
DEBT INTO LIQUID
CAPITAL.

call us today!!
1/800-360-9953 OR VISIT US ONLINE AT
WWW.NATIONALRECOVERY.COM

Ask Dr. Debt
Consumers seeking solutions to debt problems have a
new online resource through Ask Dr. Debt, a financial
education Web site
FINAL NOTICE: GREAT TIME TO that ACA International
PERFORM YOUR ON-SITE AUDITS!! -- a nonprofit credit
association unveiled
Call us at 1-800-360-9953 to schedule a time to April 15. “It’s essentially
visit with us on February 26th. an online version
of ‘Dear Abby’ for
consumers with credit
and debt questions,”
John Nemo, public relations director for ACA
International, said in an e-mail. Nemo said visitors to
the site will be able to search a database of frequently
asked questions and submit their own. Ask Doctor Debt
also contains interactive tools to educate consumers,
such as budget calculators and a free personal financial
management Web course.


CLIENT INFORMATION

Effective immediately, the following process applies
to any and all clients who are referring accounts VIEW YOUR ACCOUNTS ON LINE
electronically to NRA. When referring an account file WITH “NAVIGATE”.
electronically, please use the format below to ensure THIS IS A USER-FRIENDLY AND SECURE SITE THAT
YOU CAN USE TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR
timely download/upload of your data. It is suggested that ACCOUNTS, UPLOAD FILES AND MORE. NAVIGATE IS
you save this page and submit it with each electronic file. A CONVENIENT SITE FOR
OUR CLIENTS.
FOR LOGIN INFORMATION
PLEASE CONTACT
NRA FILE TRANSFER TMORITZ@NATIONALRECOVERY.COM
VERIFICATION FORM

FILE NAME PASS IT ON:
Do you know someone who would like
to receive Our Newsletter? Call us at
717-540-7636 with the individual’s name,
DATE OF TRANSFER company and email address. We will be
happy to include them on our mailing list
or go on-line at www.nationalrecovery.
com and request a copy of our newsletter.
CLIENT NUMBER
Questions or comments about
the newsletter?
Email us at: sales@nationalrecovery.com
CLIENT NAME

CONTACT NAME OFFICE LOCATIONS:
2491 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17106
CONTACT PHONE
3 Crossgates Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
PLACEMENT TOTALS
Phone: 800-360-9953
Fax: 800-360-9954
TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCOUNTS PLACED

DOLLAR VALUE OF ACCOUNTS PLACED

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION
TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PLACES YOUR
ACCOUNTS WITH OUR AGENCY.
If ou have any questions, please feel free to call IT Support
at 1-800-360-9953 x 6736


VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
The Official Newsletter of National Recovery Agency
March/April - 2010

NRA Today

2007 ~ 2008 ~ 2009

FTC Amends Free Credit Reports Rule
Eric J. Ellman
Vice President, Public Policy and Legal Affairs
Consumer Data Industry Association
For Release: 2/23/2010
Inside this issue:
On Feb. 23, the FTC issued a final reports, which states:
amended rule which amends THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
the Free Annual File Disclosures Read more at FTC.GOV. Featured Article P.1
Rule, 16 CFR Part 610. The final You have the right to
amended rule is attached here a free credit report from Industry News P.2
and the media release related to AnnualCreditReport.com or 877-
this rule is pasted in below. 322-8228, the ONLY authorized Events Page P.4
source under federal law.
FTC Amends Free Credit The Web site disclosure must Urgent Alert P.6
Reports Rule To Help Consumers include a clickable button to
Steer Clear of ‘Free’ Offers that “Take me to the authorized Agency News P.7
Cost Money source” and clickable links to
Starting April 1, advertising AnnualCreditReport.com and FTC. Client Information P.8
for “free credit reports” will GOV.
require new disclosures to help The Credit CARD Act of 2009
consumers avoid confusing requires the Commission to issue
“free” offers – which often require a rule by February 22, 2010, to April 1: “Free credits reports are
consumers to spend money prevent deceptive marketing of available under Federal law at:
on credit monitoring or other “free credit reports.” Specifically, AnnualCreditReport.com.”
products or services – with the the Act requires that certain The FTC proposed amending
no-strings-attached credit reports advertisements for “free credit the Rule in October 2009
available at AnnualCreditReport. reports” include prominent and received more than one
com, or 877-322-8228. disclosures designed to prevent thousand comments from
The Federal Trade consumers from confusing these consumers, consumer reporting
Commission’s Free Credit Reports “free” offers with the federally agencies, consumer report
Rule will require new prominent mandated free annual credit resellers, business and trade
disclosures in advertisements reports available through the organizations, state attorneys
for “free credit reports.” For “centralized source,” which is general, consumer advocates,
example, any Web site offering AnnualCreditReport.com, or 877- law firms, members of Congress,
free credit reports must include a 322-8228. The Credit CARD Act of and academics.
disclosure, across the top of each 2009 requires a slightly different The amended Rule also
page that mentions free credit disclosure between now until restricts practices that might
Please turn to page


INDUSTRY NEWS
March/April 2010 Volume 5 Issue 4

Continued from Page VALIDATION NOTICE ALERT

confuse or mislead consumers Source: ACA International
as they try to get their federally
mandated free annual credit A consumer attorney in
reports. For example, the amended Florida is pursuing claims against
Rule requires nationwide consumer collection agencies, claiming
reporting agencies – Equifax, that use of the phrase “30 days
Experian, and TransUnion – to delay from receiving this notice” in
any advertising for products or the validation notice violates
services on AnnualCreditReport. the FDCPA. The attorney claims
com until after consumers get their that using the word “from” as
free credit reports. NEW YORK CITY CERTIFICATES
opposed to “after” is confusing the
The amended Rule is effective consumers. This is a new theory OF CONFORMITY TO
April 1, 2010, except for the that has not, to my knowledge, AFFIDAVITS
wording of the disclosures been tested in any Court.
for television and radio However, to avoid litigation on Source: ACA International
advertisements, which takes this issue, I recommend that all
effect on September 1, 2010. The validation notices be immediately On January 1, 2010, the Civil
FTC will monitor and evaluate the reviewed to ensure that they Court of New York City amended
effectiveness of the amended Rule contain exactly the following DRP-189 relating to Certificates of
and the required disclosures, and validation language: Conformity on Affidavits notarized
will consider additional changes as Unless you notify this office within outside the State of New York. The
necessary. 30 days after receiving this notice directive states that:
The amended Rule can be that you dispute the validity of this “An affidavit submitted to the
found on the Commission’s Web debt or any portion thereof, this court which has been notarized
site as a link to this press release office will assume this debt is valid. outside of New York State must
and will soon be published in the If you notify this office in writing have a certificate of conformity
Federal Register. The Commission within 30 days after receiving this attached… The Certificate must
vote authorizing the publication of notice that you dispute the validity state that the acknowledgement
the Federal Register notice was 4-0. of this debt or any portion of it, was taken following the laws of
Information in credit reports this office will obtain verification New York State…and that the
may affect whether consumers of the debt or obtain a copy of a person notarizing the affidavit
can get a loan or a job, so it is judgment and mail you a copy of conformed to the laws of New York
important that consumers check such judgment or verification. If State…”
their credit reports and correct you request of this office in writing The Certificate of Conformity is used
any information that is inaccurate. within 30 days after receiving this for the out of state notary, not the
Each of the nationwide credit notice this office will provide you affiant. Should an affidavit be filed
reporting companies is required with the name and address of the without the required Certificate
to provide consumers with a free original creditor, if different from of Conformity, it will be flagged
copy of their credit reports once the current creditor. by the Clerk and filed. However,
every 12 months upon request. Any validation notices that applications for default judgment
Consumers can learn more about contain the phrase “30 days from will be rejected by the Clerk. A
their right to a free credit report receiving this notice” should be submission of the Certificate of
under federal law at http://www. changed to state “30 days after Conformity shall cure the defect.
ftc.gov/freereports. receiving this notice.” Please note Upon DBA’s request for
that any modifications to CNR clarification, The Clerk of New
approved letters require submission York has stated that “the original
and approval or else insurance certificate of conformity may
coverage will not be available for be copied and used for each
the modified letter. affidavit”.


INDUSTRY NEWS

More consumers file for bankruptcy protection

By Christine Dugas, USA TODAY ASK DR. DEBT

“People generally file for Chapter
13 to try to save a home,” says
Robert Lawless, professor of law at
the University of Illinois.
Before the housing crisis, financially
strapped consumers could often
avoid bankruptcy by tapping the
rising value of their homes and taking
out home equity loans. “People have
borrowed money to avoid filing for
bankruptcy,” says Lawless. “When
consumer credit tightens up, as
we’ve seen, that does increase the
The economic recovery (bankruptcy) filing rate.” Ask Dr. Debt
effort has not slowed consumer Business bankruptcy filings are Consumers seeking solutions
bankruptcy filings. They surged 14% rising, too. In February, there were to debt problems have a new
in February compared with a year 6,557 business filings, compared online resource through Ask Dr.
earlier, according to the American with 6,390 a year earlier, according Debt, a financial education Web
Bankruptcy Institute. to Automated Access to Court site that ACA International
The 111,693 cases filed last month Electronic Records. -- a nonprofit credit association
also represented a 9% increase from Gerdano expects that trend to unveiled April 15. “It’s essentially
January, the report said. continue, but he notes that business an online version of ‘Dear Abby’
“The debt-stress overhang from bankruptcies represent fewer than for consumers with credit and
years of consumer spending has a 10% of total filings. debt questions,” John Nemo,
more acute impact now because Last year, there were 1.47 million public relations director for ACA
of troubling economic times,” bankruptcy filings, up 32% from 2008, International, said in an e-mail.
says Samuel Gerdano, American according to data released by the Nemo said visitors to the site will
Bankruptcy Institute executive Administrative Office of the U.S.
be able to search a database of
director. Courts on Tuesday. Chapter 7 filings
frequently asked questions and
And that financial distress is driving rose 41% in 2009, while Chapter 13
filings were up just 12%.
submit their own. Ask Doctor Debt
more Americans to file for Chapter
The bankruptcy rate has risen also contains interactive tools to
7 bankruptcy, which — if approved
— allows a court to discharge most each year since the law was educate consumers, such as budget
unsecured consumer debt, including changed in 2005. “We are already calculators and a free personal
credit card bills. on a faster pace in 2010 than we financial management Web course.
When a stricter bankruptcy law were a year ago,” Gerdano says.
took effect in 2005, a major goal “Consumer filings will likely surpass 1.5
was to require more families to rely million filings this year.”
on Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which
requires filers with regular income to
repay debts in full, or in part, over
several years.
Yet the number of Chapter 13
filings decreased 3% last month from
January, the American Bankruptcy
Institute says.


EVENT PAGE

NRA Team Bowl for Kids’ Sake

On Saturday, March 6, 2010, four NRA teams
“Bowled for Kids’ Sake”, a Big Brothers Big Sisters
event. The four teams – the NRA Pin Collectors,
NRA Bowling Stones, NRA Golden Boys, and
NRA Money Makers raised over $2,000.00 for Big
Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. NRA
has one more team bowling on Saturday, March
27, 2010…the NRA Bowl Dogs (Craig Andrus,
Winnie Smith, David Kell, Yvonne Cooper, Chris
Bowen).
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
has been the area’s leader in establishing and
supporting ‘one-to-one’ mentoring relationships
-- or friendships -- since 1981. They currently
serve over 1,000 children throughout Dauphin,

Above: NRA Bowling Stones (Julie Conti, Tasey
Leitzell, Liz Krom, Emma Yingling, Penni Lee)

Cumberland, Lebanon and Perry Counties. The
bigs (volunteers), little (children), and families are as
diverse as the colors of a rainbow. They come from
all walks of life and hail from Harrisburg to Hershey,
Shippensburg to Carlisle, Lebanon to Palmyra and
West Perry to West Enola. What they all have in
common is a desire to be part of something big
and to bring a little magic into their own lives or the
life of a child. It’s not just children that they reach;
the volunteers say they get as much, if not more
out of the friendships as do the children.

THANK YOU!! NRA would like to extend a
very special Thank You to the staff of VASCULAR
ASSOCIATES who were generous enough to make a
donation in support of NRA’s efforts!

Above: NRA Golden Boys (Derek Bowman Orlando
Laureano)


EVENT PAGE

Thank you
to all the
teams for
your hard
work in sup-
port of the
Bowl for Kids
Sake 2010

Above: NRA Bowl Dogs (David Kell,
Chris Bowen, Winnie Smith, Yvonne
Cooper, Craig Andrus).

Left: NRA Pin Collectors (Carin
Schrum, Anita Schaar, Lori Gutshall,
Kim Summerlot, Brad Huffman)

Not Pictured: NRA Money Makers
(Ashton Novinger, Melinda Laureano,
Cherie Wiley Valerie Ginger)


2010 Newsletters

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