About Consumer Protection Institute

FAQs

1. What are the different CPI programs?

2. What forms of payment do you accept?

3. Is payment secure on this site? What about identity theft? Is my data safe?

4. Can you help me with debt consolidation or debt settlement?

5. I can send a certified letter for less money. Why should I use CPI?

6. What is the 30 day rule?

7. I am past the 30 day response timeframe from the collector's first written contact. Can I still dispute the debt?

8. Explain your guarantee.

9. Can CPI quickly help me?

10. What types of debts are covered?

11. Will debt collectors accept documents directly from CPI?

12. My debt is now with an attorney collector who is threatening lawsuit and a judgment. Is this also covered?

13. Is it true that many courts are clogged with lawsuits and judgments for this type of debt?

14. I sent money to the first debt collector and now a second collector is telling me they never received it.

15. I received a letter about a debt that is many years old or I don’t remember it. Can they still collect it?

16. I am receiving harassing calls at work, at home, and even my neighbors and co-workers are receiving calls. What can I do?

17. What happens if a collector receives my documents to stop contact using your service and they continue to contact me?

18. Do I need to provide CPI with a limited Power of Attorney?

19. Will debt settlement services stop contact?

20. Will debt counseling services stop contact?

21. I wrote a cease-contact letter to the debt collector but they still call me. Why?

22. I called the debt collector and asked that they stop all contact, but they continue. Why?

23. How does the DebtResponse™ Process work?

24. Do you notify the FTC of our claims?

25. I have four credit cards in collection at different stages and four different collectors. Can you help me with this?

26. Why should I purchase the DISPUTE+STOP CONTACT package? Collectors have to stop contacting me while they validate my dispute.

27. Do you have any current promotions?

28. Can I sue a debt collector?

29. What happens if I do not pay a debt and it moves to the next debt collector? Will you handle it for me when the collection process re-starts?

30. I have heard that demanding cease or stop contact can actually shorten the collection timeframe so it ends up at an attorney faster?

31. Can collectors continue to contact me after I have made payment arrangements?

32. How many letters or calls can I expect from a debt collector?

33. What is the Collector Watch List?

34. What are my obligations when collectors call?

35. What are some common examples of harassment?

36. What is the Mini-Miranda warning?

37. What happens of a collector never notified me in writing within five days of their first call?

38. What is the danger of extending a debt?

39. Do you have special discounts for seniors, students and displaced auto workers?

40. I feel resentment, overcome and frustration dealing with debt collectors. What can I do?

41. Will CPI survey more consumers?

42. Will CPI become a national franchise and what are the expansion plans?

43. Can I make a donation to CPI?

44. Will you be adding complete self-service?

45. Why does a disputed debt often move through a series of collectors?
    

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What are the different CPI programs?

DebtResponse™ – professionally respond to debt collectors to start or continue a dispute claim or, stop all collector contact.

FollowDebt™ – continuous, low-cost debt response protection for the life of any collection claim which could be more than one year.

DebtPayoff™ – confirm all collector negotiations when you agree to pay off a debt on a payment plan. It is very important that all payment details be clearly stated to avoid problems such as payments from your bank account, debt or credit card; fees; timing; down payments, grace periods and more. (back to top)

What forms of payment do you accept?

Checks, eChecks, Money Orders, Western Union, PayPal, Debit Cards/Express Invoice, and Credit Cards. Checks may require clearing time before we start work.

Is payment secure on this site? What about identity theft? Is my data safe?

Yes, we use PayPal and Green-by-Phone (for checks) secure payment servers and our own SSL Certificate which also prevents identity theft. When you make payment your information is data encrypted and PayPal provides 100% protection against unauthorized payments. If you pay by faxing us your information, we enter your payment details and thoroughly destroy you payment information immediately. Your profile information is transmitted to CPI also using secure servers. At CPI, your information is in a secure, triple-firewalled data-vault with daily virus scans and is double-archived on-site. (back to top)

Can you help me with debt consolidation or debt settlement?

No, we are not in either business. In the future we may form partnerships or alliances with these types of organizations and may be able to make referrals.

I can send a certified letter for less money. Why should I use CPI?

CPI stimulates and strengthens consumer-debt collector communications and awareness by adding psychological, business and ethical emphasis plus professional impact to your information. Communications sent by CPI obtain attention and action resulting in fast results for you. (back to top)

This approach is much stronger, faster and more reliable than confusing do-it-yourself. And, we guarantee results.

What is the 30 day rule?

To correctly dispute a collector's claim you need to respond within 30 days of receiving the collector's initial correspondence. Until a collector receives your dispute they can continue collection. (back to top)

I am past the 30 day response timeframe from the collector's first written contact. Can I still dispute the debt?

Normally no, but we have found that many debt collectors will afford you an opportunity to start a dispute past the 30 day time window and we recommend that you file and document a DebtResponse™ claim soon. Since debts are sold and re-sold (without your knowledge) on the debt circuit you can be sure you will have another opportunity to dispute when it surfaces again at the next collector. We suggest you subscribe to our FollowDebt™ option which gives your next disputes high priority in our system. (back to top)

Explain your guarantee.

We are so confident in our results for you that we have a 100% guarantee process if you are not satisfied with the results, and your payment will be rapidly refunded. Our guarantee is more fully described in our guarantee. (back to top)

Can CPI quickly help me?

Yes, the DebtResponse™ is fast, low cost, dependable, and guaranteed. Within days collectors will stop abusive or harassing contact. Under our current promotion, Disputes are processed between 24 – 48 hours. (back to top)

What types of debts are covered?

All unsecured consumer debts such as major credit cards, mortgages, medical/hospital bills, department store credit cards, oil/gas cards, personal loans (unsecured), overdue rent, automobile repossessions and past due utility bills.
Not covered: certain student loans, certain car payments and certain secured loans. Download the PDF document with the complete list of covered debts. (back to top)

We also cover time-barred, identify-theft and deceased debt collection claims.

Will debt collectors accept documents directly from CPI?

Yes, as part of our standard Terms & Conditions you give CPI authorization to contact your debt collectors for the sole purpose of successful delivery of your documents. Because your documents are sent through a professional service, debt collectors will react to your CPI documents rapidly, carefully and 100% of the time. (back to top)

My debt is now with an attorney collector who is threatening lawsuit and a judgment. Is this also covered?

Yes, attorney collectors must abide by the FDCPA process even if you have disputed the claim before with prior debt collectors. (back to top)

Is it true that many courts are clogged with lawsuits and judgments for this type of debt?

Yes, many debt collectors have learned to file suit as fast as possible if they cannot develop a repayment program with you. Many debt-stressed consumers do not show up in court, do not have an attorney or are not prepared. If you lose they will obtain a judgment and proceed to the next enforcement steps. (back to top)

I sent money to the first debt collector and now a second collector is telling me they never received it.

This is a common problem. We suggest you immediately file a DebtResponse™ Dispute Claim to resolve this problem. (back to top)

I received a letter about a debt that is many years old or I don’t remember it. Can they still collect it?

This is another common problem. The claim may be time-barred. Use DebtResponse™ to start a Dispute and obtain complete validation information. You can always stop collection contact at any time. (back to top)

I am receiving harassing calls at work, at home, and even my neighbors and co-workers are receiving calls. What can I do?

The best way to stop this behavior is to file a DebtResponse™ Stop Contact as fast as possible. This low-cost protection starts in about 10 days and is guaranteed. Or use our Priority Service if you need faster stop contact. (back to top)

What happens if a collector receives my documents to stop contact using your service and they continue to contact me?

This does not normally happen. Contact us immediately and we will send a duplicate of your original correspondence by one or more of the following: fax, certified email and possibly an air express document. We will also follow-up. (back to top)

Do I need to provide CPI with a limited Power of Attorney?

No, we are not negotiating on your behalf; we are your document management provider helping you obtain fast, long-lasting relief. (back to top)

Will debt settlement services stop contact?

No, collection normally continues. We suggest you subscribe to DebtResponse™ and start a Stop Contact or Dispute claim as insurance against future collection attempts and potential harassment while you are working with any debt settlement organization. (back to top)

Will debt counseling services stop contact?

They should, but we find this is not their core business, so contact may continue. And, if you “fall off” the debt management program (DMP) for any reason such as non-payment, debt collection will re-start. (back to top)

I wrote a cease-contact letter to the debt collector but they still call me. Why?

This is also very common. You may have sent it normal mail so they "never received" it; contained confusing requests, was "lost" or, they are ignoring it - even if sent by fax or certified mail.

We guarantee that professional documents delivered and tracked by CPI will provide the fastest, most positive results. (back to top)

I called the debt collector and asked that they stop all contact, but they continue. Why?

Calls do not preserve your rights. You must contact the debt collector in writing and if needed follow-up. Our DebtResponse™ program includes a strong and robust process to ensure your protection. (back to top)

How does the DebtResponse Process work?

(back to top)

Do you notify the FTC of our claims?

As soon as we see a substantial pattern with any debt collector we plan to notify the FTC since the FTC does not act on single claims, but waits until it sees a clear pattern. We may also notify other groups and possibly the media. This approach increases debt collector compliance. (back to top)

I have four credit cards in collection at different stages and four different collectors. Can you help me with this?

Yes. The first DebtResponse™ claim is $24.99 and additional DebtResponse™ claims are $18.99. Simply enter each additional claim separately using the on-line form or download the PDF form-then complete it and fax it to 888-465-2009. (back to top)

Why should I purchase the DISPUTE+STOP CONTACT package? Collectors have to stop contacting me while they validate my dispute.

Once collectors receive your dispute they must stop all collection activity until they send you their dispute response. At that point collection activity normally resumes. This option allows you to take control of the collection process by allowing the collector to respond to your dispute and then automatically stop collection activity. Once they respond you still have the ability to further dispute their response if necessary.

Do you have any current promotions?

Please see our "In The News" section for any Promotions. (back to top)

Can I sue a debt collector?

Yes, and each violation is worth a maximum of $1000.00. CPI is not a legal team and in the future we may be able to recommend a professional who can assist you. (back to top)

What happens if I do not pay a debt and it moves to the next debt collector? Will you handle it for me when the collection process re-starts?

Yes, we suggest you use our FollowDebt™ option. When the next collector contacts you about the same claim, immediately contact CPI and we will re-issue your original stop contact or dispute documentation (modified for this collector or any change in circumstances) on a Priority Basis at no extra charge. (back to top)

I have heard that demanding cease or stop contact can actually shorten the collection timeframe so it ends up at an attorney faster?

Research and field testing shows this as untrue. If you demand stop contact, the collector may not wait to return your account at the end of their contract period, but may return the account almost immediately. This normally starts the same cycle with the next collector. Since there are often several collectors in the cycle, this process can be at least one year. Note that even after we send a Stop Contact demand a collector can contact you once more. (back to top)

Can collectors continue to contact me after I have made payment arrangements?

Normally collectors have no reason to contact you after payment arrangements have been made unless you do not make your promised payments. If you stop making payments and collection re-starts we suggest you subscribe to our DebtResponse™ program as insurance to stop contact or modify collector contact behaviors. (back to top)

How many letters or calls can I expect from a debt collector?

This is based upon their commission agreement which is generally in the 20% - 50% range and is generally: X calls and Y letters. Debt collection agencies with higher commissions or good bottom-line results, or both, can afford more letters and calls. CPI is now developing this information and will post it in our Blog when we complete our research. (back to top)

What is the Collector Watch List?

CPI's software automatically scans through our claim database to identify collector patterns such as responses, timing, or other issues. These patterns are transferred to our Collector Watch List which enables CPI to continuously improve service levels. (back to top)

What are my obligations when debt collectors call?

You are not required:

1. To discuss anything with a collector unless you want to
   
2. To answer a phone call from a collector (Caller ID)
   
3. To speak with the collector
   
4. To answer any collector questions
   
5. To talk about your personal and financial affairs

(back to top)

What are some common examples of harassment?

• Threaten to attach your wages when not legal or not intended
  
• Contact your employer about the debt
  
• Call you "continuously until the debt is paid"
  
• Sell the debt to another company to continue collection on a time-barred debt (zombie debt)
  
• Contact your neighbors about the debt
  
• Contact the Department of Homeland Security about your alien status
  
• Threaten imprisonment or criminal action
  
• Report a financed vehicle as "stolen" because you missed one or more payments
  
• Threaten to file criminal bad check charges on a post dated check that the collector requested from you
  
• Evict, lockout, or seize personal property where this is limited by state laws
  
• Start a lawsuit where no lawsuit is intended
  
• State a threat implying that the collection agency has several employees or investigators working to collect a debt
  
• Collect "collection costs", "attorney's fees", interest not pre-agreed to in excess of that allowed by statutes, "fines", or any other fee in excess of the actual amount due unless the original agreement provides for the amount the collector threatens to collect
• The collector cannot threaten to add attorney's fees or his fees where the agreement you signed does not specifically provide for them
  
• Collectors cannot add any other fees or late fees or other charges
• Start a lawsuit or start any kind of legal action where the threat is not followed through or state other threats designed to demoralize, humiliate, degrade, embarrass or intimidate you into payment
  
• Make any threat where the collector says they are legal counsel or an attorney when in fact not
  
• Threaten to mislead you that a claim will be transferred to an attorney or another department within a collector’s business
• It is unlawful under the FDCPA to threaten suit if no such action is intended. This even applies if the collector says if you don't do something within a certain time period, something else may happen
  
• An attorney cannot sue you in a state that is not your home state, under the FDCPA
• Legal collection letters must be reviewed by a lawyer. It is unlawful for such a letter to be sent unless the lawyer reviews the letter
• A collector's threat to "make this legal" or to "turn the matter over to our legal department" may violate the FDCPA where the collector has no legal department
• It is also a violation to send a letter stating that a collector will "recommend litigation" or "advise the creditor to sue"
• Not notifying you within five fays of the first communication to deprive you of your right to a dispute
  
• Harassing you through the mail such as using postcards

(back to top)

What is the Mini-Miranda warning?

Each time a debt collector contacts you, he must give you a "Mini-Miranda warning." Example: "Hi, I am (name of collector). I am (or this office is) a debt collector representing (creditor). Information obtained during this call will be used for the purpose of collecting a debt."

Letters you receive in the mail from collectors also must contain a similar warning such as:

"This is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Unless within 30 days of your receipt of this notice, you notify us that you dispute the validity of this debt, it will be assumed to be correct. If you notify this office within thirty days that you dispute the validity of the debt, we will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment. If you request it within 30 days, we will provide you with the name and address of the original creditor (if different from the current creditor)." (back to top)

What happens of a collector never notified me in writing within five days of their first call?

Debt collectors sometimes use this tactic and do not notify consumers in writing after their first call. They may be counting on the fact that you will run out of time (the 30 day response time). We recommend you immediately file a DebtResponse™ Dispute and select "No Initial Communication" from the Type of Dispute menu. This will place the collector on notice and they will either: 1. send you a copy of the initial communication, or 2. "start the clock" and send it for the first time. If they send a copy and it has an old date, but you never factually received it, that can be further disputed. DebtResponse™ gives you two sets of disputes.

What is the danger of extending a debt?

By acknowledging a debt, you may extend the time the creditor can collect. All states have statutes of (time) limitations on debt collecting and six years is the maximum in most states - some are less. You can extend your liability by acknowledging the debt or sending a partial payment! (back to top)

Do you have special discounts for seniors, students and displaced auto workers?

Yes, we extend 10-20% discounts to these groups. We hope to soon be working directly with student groups, auto unions and other associations. During 2009 we plan to announce new discount programs, so please check back frequently. (back to top)

I feel resentment, overcome and frustration dealing with debt collectors. What can I do?

Psychological results of debt collection are often feelings of helplessness, surrender, agony and even paralysis. You can also feel overcome and always tired – what we call the Debt Collection Syndrome. You’ve had enough. We suggest you register for one of our programs to eliminate collector stress. Once you start a dispute or demand stop contact through CPI, you will feel more at ease, more in control - and your anger and frustration will quickly stop. (back to top)

Will CPI survey more consumers?

Yes, our plan is to survey a wide cross-section of consumers to help with our research and provide educational feedback through our Blog. This survey will attempt to reach a wide variety of people at various stages in the debt collection cycle. If you are interested please signup for our Newsletter or send an email to: survey@cpinstituteonline.org. (back to top)

Will CPI become a national franchise and what are the expansion plans?

During 2009 we will be examining the viability for Affiliate and Franchise programs. Our current business plan indicates potential expansion into other debt-stressed markets such as Canada, UK, Spain and possibly Brazil. (back to top)

Can I make a donation to CPI?

Yes and we appreciate all donations. CPI is a registered NJ non-profit and have applied for our Federal 501(3)(c) status. Our mission is to help debt-stressed consumers professionally respond to debt collectors to eliminate the stress, helplessness and anxiety associated with the debt collection process. Donations can help with our educational and marketing programs - as well as maintaining the low prices needed by most of our clients. Donate Now
(back to top)

Will you be adding complete self-service?

Yes, during 2009 we plan to add more self-service functionality including the ability to log complaints, track phone conversations, start and send documents directly, review your account details, and a wide range of additional add-on options. (back to top)

Why does a disputed debt often move through a series of collectors?

In our current economic climate disputed consumer debts are rapidly sold from one debt collector to another due to consumers who request validation information via dispute.

When a collector receives a dispute they may stop debt collection and simply sell the debt (if they are the owner) - often unmarked as a dispute. This can be cheaper, more efficient and easier for a debt collector because original consumer documents are not transferred with the accounts. Debt collectors must obtain this information from the original creditor, often for a fee. Rather than validate these disputes for economic reasons, collectors often sell these debts without disclosing that there is a prior dispute.

This may start a long debt-collection cycle for you. CPI's DebtResponse™ program is highly effective and will obtain the dispute documents - or continue the dispute-chain.

Services & Pricing - DebtResponse™

Timing & Delivery

CPI documents are sent to debt collectors by certified mail within 7 business days of your paid registration. We may supplement this with certified email, fax or air express. We also immediately email, fax or email US Postal Service or other tracking information to you for your records.

Your tracking information shows the date of delivery and ‘starts the clock’:

Once stop contact is in effect or you receive a dispute response, simply call or send an email to responses@cpinstituteonline.org stating that STOP CONTACT HAS STARTED or MY DISPUTE HAS BEEN ANSWERED and we will update your file.

If contact does not stop, call or email us immediately for your free follow-up.

If you do not receive a response to a dispute, contact us for your free follow-up. If your dispute is not answered to your satisfaction, please contact us (most disputes involve wrong person, wrong amount, wrong dates or no verification of the debt). Send us the nature of the unresolved problem and we will issue a second request at no charge!

If you requested Priority Service for Stop Contact we will expedite your documents the same day if received by 2PM EST and send them by overnight air express marked as Urgent and Stop Contact on Receipt together with a fax and possibly certified e-mail, copies to you.

Our Guarantee

Disputes: debt collectors will initially respond to your dispute(s) within 2 – 4 weeks of receipt of our certified mailing, fax or air express - depending upon what type of research they need to perform or documentation they need to obtain.

• No response: If you notify us that a collector did not respond or advise you of an interim step within 4 weeks, we will immediately send a second demand by fax or air express at no charge; copy to you.
• If you notify us that a collector did not respond to our second demand (abnormal), we will send a third demand and refund your money in full.
• Inadequate Response: If you notify us that a collector responded to you with inadequate information we will ask you to fax us their response and your reasons. Then we will send another demand – at no charge. (no refund)
• Interim Responses: Note that debt collectors often send interim letters stating they are working on your dispute response.
• Crossover Mail: Please allow for correspondence crossing in the mail between you and debt collectors.

Stop Contact: debt collectors will stop contact with you within 7-10 days of receipt of our certified mailing, fax or air express; or 1 day of receipt if you choose priority service.

• Continuing Contact: If a collector does not stop contact within 7-10 days we will ask you to describe the continuing contact in detail and contact them a second time at no charge to you - and refund your money in full.
• Crossover Mail: Please allow for correspondence crossing in the mail between you and debt collectors.

Dispute & Stop Contact: debt collectors will initially respond to your dispute(s) within 2 - 4 weeks of receipt of our certified mailing, fax or air express - depending upon what type of research they need to perform or documentation they need to obtain. Debt collectors will also stop contact with you within 7-10 days of receipt of our certified mailing, fax or air express or 1 day if you choose priority service except for a response to your dispute.

• Contact Stops, No Dispute Response: If a debt collector stops contact but does not respond to your dispute we follow the Dispute guarantee process and prorate your refund at 50%.
• Contact Continues, You Received a Dispute Response: If a debt collector does not stop contact but does respond adequately to your dispute we follow the Stop Contact guarantee process and prorate your refund at 50%.
• Contact Continues, No Response: If a debt collector does not stop contact and does not respond CPI will follow the Dispute and Stop Contact guarantee processes and refund your money.
• Interim Responses: Note that debt collectors often send interim letters stating they are working on your dispute response.
• Crossover Mail: Please allow for correspondence crossing in the mail between you and debt collectors.

Become a Client

Click here to Register Now and you will be taken to the Registration Page. Simply fill in the information, click on submit, then make payment. Within hours your profile will be built and our work started – with notifications and copies to you.

How We Work

After you register and complete the online forms (or fax or email) we start work.

Here’s the CPI process -

CPI

1. Builds your client profile

2. Contacts you (if required) to make sure we have all information

3. Builds your documents from our database

4. Produces and quality controls your final documents (documents may be assembled based on the state you live in for maximum impact)

5. Delivers your documents by Certified Mail, Fax or Certified eMail (Air Express is for our priority service)

6. Sends you document copies and delivery receipt information for your records

7. Archives all information for your records and future use.

Debt Collector

8. Initial debt collector dispute responses will be sent directly to you from the debt collector - guaranteed (collectors are allowed to contact you one more time after they receive your stop contact document.) (responses may include an 'interim' response stating they are working on your dispute)

You

9. You notify CPI by email, phone or fax:

a. Received Complete Dispute Information: from the collector and we update your client record - or

b. Received Incomplete or Inadequate Dispute Information: and CPI assists you per our guarantee

c. Contact has Stopped: or is Continuing and CPI assists you per our guarantee

Recommend Us

CPI is all about helping debt-stressed consumers professionally communicate 'disputes' and 'stop contacting me' messages to debt collectors.

Please let your friends, colleagues and family know of our services and we will send you and your referrals a discount coupon. If you already purchased our products we will refund the value of the coupon to you. Click on the Share button below and email our site to your friends.

Thank you, CPI

CPI Affiliates Program - Planned for 2009

CPI will be offering you the unique opportunity of building your own DebtResponse™ site. Helping consumers respond to debt collectors can significantly enhance your site's equity value. Responses to consumer debt collectors are a growing and integral part of the debt collector-consumer communication chain, and your regular users will certainly appreciate this valuable addition to your existing content.

DebtResponse™ takes the confusion and stress out of communicating with debt collectors - whether a consumer has recently been contacted, is regularly being tormented by one or more debt collectors, or is well-along in the debt collection cycle.

DebtResponse™ is easy to use and guarantees results; and can be used with one or more debt collectors at the same time. Our referral program and sharing tool means that visitors and clients alike will send news of CPI to other consumers who "have had enough" and need this service - and this network will rapidly expand. Our planned Utube video will help. This means that one referral or share can bring in more than one visitor to your site. Clients and visitors will be sharing CPI news they like on social networks, bringing even more visitors to your site.

Become an Associate today and experience your surge in traffic. Win a loyal chain of visitors and generate an additional revenue stream. Registration and membership are absolutely FREE! Joining our Associates Program is a hassle-free procedure. You are only required to insert an HTML tag in your website and we do the rest for you. Please contact us at: affiliate@cpinstituteonline.org.

In The News

Dispute Your Debt Collection Claims For Free!

Stop Debt Collector Contact For Free!

As a community service each month we will be selecting one Not-for-Profit organization to help some of their members or congregation to dispute collector claims or stop contact, free of charge!

Some of the groups that can take advantage of this program include:

• Charities
  
• Churches
  
• Community Centers
  
• Colleges
  
• Synagogues
  
• Groups & Associations
  
• Mosques

If you operate a Not-for-Profit organization and think your members could benefit from the opportunity to dispute their consumer debts or stop collector contact at no charge, we would love to hear from you.

Please send an email to nfp@cpinstituteonline.org and include:

- Name of your organization

- Street address

- City, State and Zip

- Contact name

- Contact email address

- Phone

- Fax

- Approximate number of people would participate

- Comments:

Media

Welcome to CPI's Press Room, designed to provide the media, journalists, and reporters with press materials and information about Consumer Protection Institute.

CPI issues are newsworthy because they relate to what consumers experience every day. Debt collection practices affect millions of consumers every day. In addition to assisting our clients, we are dedicated to educating the public.

Media Contact Information

If you're a member of the media, we understand that you may be working under a deadline. Please email us or call 888-466-2009 and we will respond as soon as possible.

Press Kit

Our press kit provides you with background information on CPI. Please email us for a complete Press kit . Here's our Fact Sheet.

Careers

CPI is looking for some nice, talented people to join us as our company grows. Currently we are looking to fill the following positions which are virtual-based (work from home) -

• Customer Service Representatives
• On-line Chat Sales Representatives
  
• Channel Sales Director
  
• Intake Clerks
  
• Field Evangelists (local) (New York, Chicago, Nevada, California, Florida, Washington DC)
  
• FileMaker Developers

Please send all resumes to careers@cpinstituteonline.org

Your Rights

A federal statute - the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA") - gives you specific legal rights against debt collectors who berate, intimidate, oppress or harass you - call you during odd hours - make false representations about the debt or their intentions, or act in other negative ways. Collectors often make false statements or threats that harass, oppress, berate, demoralize or intimidate.

The basic purpose of the FDCPA is to protect “all consumers, the gullible as well as the shrewd,” “the trusting as well as the suspicious,” from abusive debt collection practices.

In addition to the FDCPA, some states supplement the FDCPA - often with stronger protection. These are known as "mini-FDCPAs".

Here’s a capsule of the FDCPA’s protections and some commentary:

Basic Definitions
§ 1692 a(3) Definition of a Consumer as any natural person obligated on or allegedly obligated on a debt
§ 1692 a(5) Definition of a Debt as an obligation for money, goods, insurance, or services for primarily personal, family, or household purposes
§ 1692 a(6) Definition of a Debt Collector as collectors, collection agencies, lawyers, forms writers

Contacting Third Parties
§ 1692 b(1) Contact of Third Party: Failed to identify themselves, or failed to state that collector is confirming or correcting location information
§ 1692 b(2) Contact of Third Party: Stated that the consumer owes any debt
§ 1692 b(3) Contact of Third Party: Contacted a person more than once, unless requested to do so
§ 1692 b(4) Contact of Third Party: Utilized postcards
§ 1692 b(5) Contact of Third Party: Any language or symbol on any envelope or communication indicating debt collection business
§ 1692 b(6) Contact of Third Party: After knowing the consumer is represented by an attorney

(Contacting third parties such as co-workers or neighbors is often a reason to demand cease contact)

Prohibited Communications Practices
§ 1692 c(a)(1) At any unusual time, unusual place, or unusual time or place known to be inconvenient to the consumer, before 8:00 am or after 9:00 pm
§ 1692 c(a)(2) After it knows the consumer to be represented by an attorney unless attorney consents or is unresponsive
§ 1692 c(a)(3) At place of employment when knows that the employer prohibits such communications
§ 1692 c(b) With anyone except consumer, consumer’s attorney, or credit bureau concerning the debt
§ 1692 c(c) After written notification that consumer refuses to pay debt, or that consumer wants collector to cease communication

Harassment or Abuse
§ 1692 d Any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person
§ 1692 d(1) Used or threatened the use of violence or other criminal means to harm the consumer or his/her property
§ 1692 d(2) Profane language or other abusive language
§ 1692 d(3) Published a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts
§ 1692 d(4) Advertised for sale any debts
§ 1692 d(5) Caused the phone to ring or engaged any person in telephone conversations repeatedly
§ 1692 d(6) Placed telephone calls without disclosing his/her identity

False or Misleading Representations in Communications
§ 1692 e Any other false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the debt collection
§ 1692 e(1) Affiliated with the United States or any state, including the use of any badge, uniform or facsimile
§ 1692 e(2) Character, amount, or legal status of the alleged debt
§ 1692 e(3) Any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney
§ 1692 e(4) Nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, or attachment
§ 1692 e(5) Threaten to take any action that cannot legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken
§ 1692 e(6) Sale or transfer of any interest in the debt will cause the consumer to lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt
§ 1692 e(7) Consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer
§ 1692 e(8) Threatens or communicates false credit information, including the failure to communicate that a debt is disputed
§ 1692 e(9) Represent documents as authorized, issued or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or state.
§ 1692 e(10) Any false representation or deceptive means to collect a debt or obtain information about a consumer
§ 1692 e(11) Communication fail to contain the mini-Miranda warning: "This is an attempt to collect a debt… communication is from a debt collector.”
§ 1692 e(12) Debt has been turned over to innocent purchasers for value
§ 1692 e(13) Documents are legal process when they are not
§ 1692 e(14) Any name other than the true name of the debt collector's business
§ 1692 e(15) Documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer
§ 1692 e(16) Debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency

Unfair Practices
§ 1692 f Any unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect the alleged debt
§ 1692 f(1) Attempt to collect any amount not authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law
§ 1692 f(2) Accepted or solicit postdated check by more than 5 days without 3 business days written notice of intent to deposit
§ 1692 f(3) Accepted or solicited postdated check for purpose of threatening criminal prosecution
§ 1692 f(4) Depositing or threatening to deposit a post-dated check prior to actual date on the check
§ 1692 f(5) Caused any charges to be made to the consumer, e.g., collect telephone calls
§ 1692 f(6) Taken or threatened to unlawfully repossess or disable the consumer's property
§ 1692 f(7) Communicated with the consumer by postcard
§ 1692 f(8) Any language or symbol on the envelope that indicates the communication concerns debt collection

Multiple Debts
§ 1692 h Collector must apply payments on multiple debts in order specified by consumer and cannot apply payments to disputed debts

30 Day Validation Notice
§ 1692 g Failure to send the consumer a 30-day validation notice within five days of the initial communication
§ 1692 g(a)(1) Must state amount of debt
§ 1692 g(a)(2) Must state name of creditor to whom debt owed
§ 1692 g(a)(3) Must state right to dispute within 30 days
§ 1692 g(a)(4) Must state right to have verification/judgment mailed to consumer
§ 1692 g(a)(5) Must state will provide name and address of original creditor if different from current creditor
§ 1692 g(b) Collector must cease collection efforts until debt is validated

Legal Actions
§ 1692 i(a)(2) Brought any legal action in a location other than where contract signed or where consumer resides

Deceptive Forms by Creditor
§ 1692 j Forms been designed, compiled and/or furnished to create the false belief that a person is an attorney

Dispute Your Debt Collection Claims
For Free!

Stop Debt Collector Contact For Free!

As a community service each month we will be selecting one Not-for-Profit organization to help some of their members or congregation to dispute
collector claims or stop contact, free of charge!

Click Here for More Info

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CPI announces special discount programs for qualified Seniors, Students and Auto Workers – see our FAQs for complete details

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CPI announces 2009 Consumer Debt Collection Survey – see our FAQs for complete details.

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CPI announces 2009 Random Give-Back Program

For every 10 new clients in 2009 we will provide our services to one new
person, at random, for free. This can include any of our DebtResponse™
programs. If you are selected, we will contact you and refund your money.

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