Your ACA membership investment provides you with open access to many resources. Members may purchase other industry-tailored products and services at rates significantly less than those charged to the public. A number of programs are member exclusives not available to the public.

The collection industry plays a vital role in the economy, returning $39.3 billion to U.S. businesses in 2005 alone. Recovering bad debt benefits consumers, by holding the line on prices that may otherwise have to be raised. Last year this positive impact of the collection industry saved the average American household $351.

Collection companies are also important to good public stewardship. Governments at every level depend on private collection agencies to recover taxpayer money that can be spent on critical investments in healthcare, law enforcement, education and other services. Currently the majority of federal agencies, 43 states and thousands of cities and counties nationwide are working with private collectors to recover delinquent taxes, fines and other amounts they are owed.

The collection industry consists of third–party debt collectors who service accounts referred to them by various credit grantors: from credit card issuers to banks, from local retail stores and service businesses, to the federal, state and local governments – virtually any organization that extends credit, offers payment installment plans, or makes assessments.

The nation's collection professionals are often an extension of local businesses. When customers don't pay their bills, the industry can help these merchants stay afloat. Each year, collectors help hundreds of thousands of U.S. businesses, small and large, minimize the cost of bad debt.

To collect on unpaid debt, the collection industry follows very specific, federally regulated guidelines that establish consumers' rights and collectors' responsibilities. These guidelines include laws such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which was enacted in 1977 with the support of ACA, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The collection industry uses leading edge technologies and training to ensure that collectors work most effectively and efficiently with consumers to resolve debt problems. The collection industry generates hundreds of thousands of American jobs a year in small towns and major metropolitan areas, and is rapidly growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the collection industry employs 456,000 collectors, and is expected to increase staffing 21-35 percent by 2014.

Unit Web Site List

U.S. Units
ACA's affiliated U.S. Units are independently incorporated associations covering one or more states.  They serve members as the local industry resource for information, education, state legislative advocacy and more.  Active participation in your local unit is the best way to build business relationships and establish a personal network of people with whom you can discuss trends and ideas, and work with on common concerns that benefit your ability to conduct business in your state.

International Unit
Collection agency members in more than 60 countries make up the International Unit of ACA International.  Four regional directors provide leadership to this unit, which meets annually at ACA's Annual Convention in July. Members communicate year-round via e-mail.

Unit Leadership Directory
Select the directory link above to select and view rosters of each unit's officers, directors, committee chairs and a key staff person (if applicable).

For more information about a specific unit, contact its president or key staff person, the membership chair or any officer. In addition, many units have their own Web sites or a site hosted by ACA. To view a unit's Web site or bylaws, select one of the links in the chart below.  

Unit sites hosted by ACA are noted with an asterisk (*). Would you like ACA to host your unit's Web site? This is a free service. Visit unit site hosting services for more information. If your unit already has a site and it's not listed below, contact ACA's Membership Department to have it added.

ACA International makes every attempt to post the most current version of each unit's bylaws. If you have questions about a document's accuracy or would like a copy certified as the most current available, please contact the unit's president or key staff person.

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