Debt Collection Resources for Active and Veteran Military Personnel

ACA International and ARMing Heroes, representing the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry, offer valuable resources to help active duty and veteran United States Military personnel faced with financial concerns.

“We sincerely appreciate the sacrifice and service of the courageous men and women of our military who have and continue to put their lives on the line to protect our country and the freedoms we enjoy,” said ACA International CEO Pat Morris, a former officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.  ”All consumers, regardless of military status, deserve to be treated respectfully and within the guidelines of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) if contacted about financial obligations.”

Active military have the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which grants special privileges regarding debt and debt collection so soldiers can focus on the immediate task at hand during active duty. The SCRA allows certain active military personnel and, in a few cases, non-service members, to suspend or postpone certain civil obligations as to not worry about financial concerns at home. A lender, creditor or insurer is prohibited by law from taking any adverse actions against military personnel because they exercised their rights under SCRA.

Other important areas covered under the SCRA include:

• Default judgments

• Stay of proceedings

• Statutes of limitations

• Cap on interest rates

• Eviction proceedings

• Installment contract for property purchase

• Mortgages

• Terminating home or vehicle leases

The SCRA can only be exercised while engaged in active duty, including full-time training; annual training duty; and attendance at a service school while in active military service. Generally, the SCRA applies only to obligations and liabilities incurred prior to entering active duty and typically not those incurred during active duty.

“Discharged U.S. military veterans and their families also have a place to go for help,” ARMing Heroes Board President Nick Bernardo said.  ”We gave nearly $27,000 in grants last year to veterans with financial troubles and we hope to do the same this year.” The non-profit organization relies on tax deductible donations to connect veterans to employment, training, mentoring, credit and financial counseling made available through the ARM industry.

For more information about the SCRA and rights of military personnel when it comes to debt collection, visit www.AskDoctorDebt.org, a free and valuable consumer-focused financial literacy resource. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has resources available at www.consumerfinance.gov/servicemembers.

ACA International is the comprehensive, knowledge-based resource for success in the credit and collection industry. Founded in 1939, ACA brings together nearly 5,000 members in the United States and abroad, and their employees, including third-party collection agencies, asset buyers, attorneys, creditors and vendor affiliates. ACA establishes a wide variety of products, services and publications.

Founded in 2009, ARMing Heroes serves the needs of U.S. military veterans, including their spouse and children.  It exists to make sure veterans get the help they have earned through programs oriented to the unique ways in which the accounts receivable management industry can help. Programs include “No Debts for Vets” and “One for a Warrior.”