I.A.P.D.A Customer Service Certified Debt Specialist
Serving Sole Proprietors, Start-Ups and The Industry's Largest Debt Settlement Companies!
Leading the Consumer Debt Settlement Industry since 2000 with Training, Certification and Professional Development
Debt Settlement Professionals
Certified Debt Specialist CDS Table of Contents (Version 12-2-0-1)
We are proud of the success and recognition that we’ve achieved with our clients. We pride ourselves on developing practical solutions that drive results in the real world. These solutions span sales performance improvement, learning and development, and technological innovation. Below are just a few examples of awards that we have earned.
Module 1 Suitability - All Debt Relief Options
Assessing and advising the client on the best debt relief option for them.
- Introduction to Credit.
- Where Credit Reports are used.
- The nine point credit rating scale.
- Credit Bureau policies regarding bankruptcy.
- Myths of Credit.
- Contents of Credit Reports.
Module 2 Understanding the Lending Process
- Credit underwriting guidelines
- Income
- Debt
- Credit
- Savings
- The 4 C's of lending
- Income to Debt Service Ratios
- How to Build a Credit History and Establish Credit.
- A detailed education on FICO and Vantage credit scores
- A detailed education on other debt re-payment strategies - the alternatives to a Debt Settlement Program
- Client Budget & Review
- Re-establishing Credit.
- Explanation of Credit Bureau Pay Habits Ratings
- Counseling the client on
making a
Financial Plan
*Debtor Client Counseling - Additional client education materials - Client Saving and Investment counseling
- Establishing Credit History
Module 3 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.
- Collection / Collector Training information.
- Typical Initial Collector Telephone Call
- Debt Collection Practices Acts
- Priorities of the Collector
- Collection tactics
- Counseling the client on
dealing with
Creditors and Collectors
*Debtor Client Counseling - Additional client education materials
Module 4 Credit Reports and Credit Repair
- Credit Repair (Correction)
- What is Credit Repair
- Inaccurate Credit Reports
- Credit Reporting Acts
- Steps Required to Restore Good Credit
- Reviewing Credit Report
- equesting Corrections
- Obtaining Credit Report
- Ranking Questionable Items on Report
- Sample Letters 1 - 5
- Counseling the client on
Credit
Reports
*Debtor Client Counseling - Additional client education materials
Module 5 Negotiation Process & Techniques
- General understanding of negotiation process.
- Negotiation techniques.
- The 4 secrets of Debt Negotiation.
- Debt validation and procedures
- Statute of Limitations - State by State
- Settlement of judgments
- Treatment of Business Debt Settlement.
- Creditor Lawsuits and the importance of filing an answer with the courts
- What to accomplish in each contact with the Creditor / Collector, building consensus and reaching the best possible settlement for the client.
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 Assessing and advising the client on the best debt relief option for them.
- 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
- Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act
- Truth in Lending Act
- Credit Repair Organizations Act
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
- Fair Credit Billing Act
- Service Members Civil Relief 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 Supervisory and Examinations manual - Unfair, Deceptive or Abusive Acts and Practices (effective October 1, 2012)
- CFPB Final Rule governing persons providing consumer debt relief services - (effective August 2, 2013)
- 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
- Advertising, including sample ads.
- Public Court Records
- Direct Mail campaigns
- Referrals
- Example Fee Structures
- 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.
Commonly used contracts, forms and letters Provided in both printable and editable formats. - Source of Clients:
- Automobile Dealers
- Credit Grantors
- Purchasing Pre-Qualified Leads
- Cases to take on
- Example Scripts for Client Calls - to enhance full understanding of the course materials.
- 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.
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
- Budgeting, Money & Cash Flow Management
- Borrowing Money (loans)
- Life Insurance Considerations
- An Education in Retirement Planning
Module 12 Educating Your Client regarding Credit Counseling and Debt Management Plans
- The Communication Process and Counseling
- Understand and Using Counseling Skills
- Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information
- Credit Reports
- Debt Recovery Steps
- Bankruptcy (mortgages, student loans, alimony, child support & reposessions)
- Understand and Using Listening Skills
- Understanding Problem Solving
- Understanding Credit Cards
- Consumer Rights - Guide to Consumer Laws
- Existing Strategies for Reducing Client Debt
- Debt Management Plans
Begin a rewarding career providing debt settlement services to clients desperate for help with overwhelming unsecured debt like high interest credit cards loans. Make a real difference in the lives of American families strangled by debt. Work independently or apply for employment with leading debt relief firms after your certification as a Certified Debt Specialist. IAPDA certification training will provide you with the knowledge to advise your clients on debt settlement, credit counseling, debt management plans and bankruptcy.
Your Path to Financial Recovery Starts Here
Discuss your debt relief options with a trusted IAPDA Member Company.
