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ACA Education on Demand: Core Course Recordings

Recordings of our live webinars help you to pursue industry education on your own time.

Education

Core Seminars

A Breakdown of Course Descriptions

ACA’s Core courses present the fundamental principles of collection industry compliance and business management. Core courses are designed to be compliant, objective, relevant, and ethical—precepts aligned with the ACA Code of Conduct.

ACA-certified instructors prioritize topics by “Need to Know” and “Where to Find It,” a vital breakdown for the busy professional. Using real-world scenarios, participants learn “How to Do It” using industry best practices.

Core courses are the building blocks for ACA designations. Advance your career and demonstrate your excellence in the ARM industry to clients and colleagues by proudly displaying your ACA credentials with designation badge images! Courses may also be taken outside of a designation track. We recommend that for the right experience, learners consider the category and any prerequisites when making an individual education plan.

The ACA Core library of seminars includes knowledge-based credentials, as well as those for specialty roles, such as attorneys and health care collectors, to provide education for all career stages and meet the educational requirements for ACA DesignationsTimes and Professional Development Units (PDUs) for the courses are listed. Times may vary for face-to-face events and online courses. Register for training events and purchase e-learning courses online.

Have questions about content or professional development credit? 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Courses are self-reported. Please contact Member Services once you have completed a course to ensure it is verified.

ACA Core Courses Breakdown

ACA Introductory Courses

Essentials courses provide compulsory education on federal regulatory compliance, industry terminology, communication techniques, and best practices.

ECST Course

Essential Collection Skills and Techniques (ECST)

Effective communication is the cornerstone of the collection industry. Using a set of 3 Essential Collection Skills and Techniques (the “ECSTs”) and 8 call Checkpoints, this scenario-based course emphasizes positive verbal communication delivery and keen listening skills while applying professional questioning and negotiation techniques to build rapport with consumers, obtain accurate information, and overcome stalls and objections to achieving payment. (This course is also available in a self-paced e-course. Take only 1 version of the course.) Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s): none REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Professional Collection Specialist (PCS)
PCS Badge

FDCPAE Course

FDCPA Essentials for the ARM Industry (FDCPAE)

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the primary federal law of the collection industry. Compliance success starts with understanding the consumer’s rights and your responsibilities under the FDCPA as a professional debt collector. (This course is also available in a self-paced e-course. Take only one version of the course.) This course will prepare you to:
  • Identify restrictions on the method and timing of collection communications.
  • Determine a Right Party Contact (“RPC”) with whom you may discuss a debt and how to avoid unauthorized third-party disclosures.
  • Recognize and deliver the “Mini-Miranda” disclosure to consumers and understand your duties during the 30-day Validation Period.
  • Recognize and respond appropriately to consumer disputes, cease communication requests, and consumers in bankruptcy.
  • Recognize and prevent prohibited practices such as harassment, abuse, false and misleading representations, and unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt.
  • Explain the consequences of violating the FDCPA for yourself and your company.
Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s): none REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Professional Collection Specialist (PCS)
PCS Badge

ACA Intermediate Courses

Intermediate courses incorporate a higher degree of industry terminology, regulatory and compliance information, and business management principles.

High-Performing Teams Course

Building High-Performing Teams

As a supervisor, it’s your responsibility is to effectively manage your most important assets: people and relationships. Gain strategies for leading a diverse team of people who will maintain efficient and effective collection practices. This course will prepare you to:
  • Build relationships on your team that nurture communication, collaboration, and trust.
  • Create vision, purpose, and value statements with your team.
  • Set strategic and shared goals that foster commitment and accountability.
  • Identify the roles and work processes of your team members.
  • Implement conflict resolution techniques.
  • Set agreed upon ground rules for the team.
  • Hold effective meetings that end with results.
Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s): Exceptional Leadership REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Collection Industry Professional (CIP)
  • Professional Collection Manager (PCM)
CIP BadgePCM Badge

EPM Course

Effective Performance Management

Gain the skills you need to effectively coach and manage your team to achieve successful business results while creating a positive and motivating work environment.  This course will prepare you to:
  • Identify Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • Write effective performance evaluations.
  • Deliver effective feedback, coaching, and/or corrective action.
Estimated time for completion: 1 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1 Recommended pre-requisite(s): Exceptional Leadership REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Collection Industry Professional (CIP)
  • Professional Collection Manager (PCM)
CIP BadgePCM Badge

Ethical & Professional Collections Course

Ethical and Professional Collections

Whereas compliance is something you and your company may do, ethics is an internal dynamic or philosophy that can guide us on our professional journey. This course will review fundamental principles of business ethics and apply them to the collection industry. Discover and share opportunities to articulate the ACA Code of Conduct in your company mission, values, and compliance program in order to foster an ethical culture across your entire organization.  This course will prepare you to:
  • Define ethics, values, and what it means to be a professional collector.
  • Describe how agency values play a role in establishing ethical and professional business practices.
  • Recognize the importance of consistent owner and management behavior with agency values.
  • Interpret how ethical and professional behaviors drive agency productivity.
  • Explain ACA’s Code of Conduct and the role the compliance and operations areas play to enforce ethical practices within your agency.
  • Describe different ethical approaches to common scenarios in the debt collection industry.
  • Develop internal compliance procedures for your agency.
Estimated time for completion: 1 hour Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1 Recommended pre-requisite(s): Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Professional (CCCP)
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)
  • Healthcare Collection Management (HCM)
Badge CCCPCCCO BadgeHCM Badge

Exceptional Leadership Course

Exceptional Leadership

Being a leader presents unique challenges and opportunities. As a leader, you must understand your role as a supervisor, manage difficult situations, prioritize your roles and responsibilities and manage your time effectively. (90 minutes, .75 PDUs) This course will prepare you to:
  • Recognize the basic principles of effective leadership.
  • Manage difficult situations appropriately.
  • Prioritize your roles and responsibilities.
  • Set goals and strategies for strengthening your leadership skills.
Estimated time for completion: 1 hour Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1 Recommended pre-requisite(s): none REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Collection Industry Professional (CIP)
  • Professional Collection Manager (PCM)
CIP BadgePCM Badge

HCM Course

Healthcare Collection Management: Advanced Topics for the HCM Designation

Healthcare collections differ from other collection practices in many significant ways, especially when it comes to consumer care. This course will discuss the risks and benefits of healthcare collecting then dive into advanced operational topics related to healthcare collection, such as federal laws, the healthcare account lifecycle, strategies for collecting self-pay and Medicare accounts, and the basics of working with charitable providers.  This course will prepare you to:
  • Describe the importance of understanding the patient in healthcare collections.
  • Define public relations, financial assistance, and good will.
  • Explore the provider-agency relationship.
  • Discover different types of health insurance and payers.
  • Explain how healthcare laws affect ongoing healthcare collections.
Estimated time for completion: 4-5 hourss Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 5 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance OR Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations
  • Essential Collection Skills and Techniques
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Healthcare Collection Manager (HCM)
HCM Badge

Intro Compliance Course

Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance

ACA experts will guide you through the complex web of regulatory entities impacting the industry while you discover the components of the compliance lifecycle; learn what makes a strong compliance team leader and how to support a culture of compliance at your agency. Take away the ACA Compliance Checklist to help you start an effective Compliance Management System (CMS) as required by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  This course will prepare you to:
  • Identify the primary regulators and laws within the scope of the debt collection industry.
  • Describe the benefits of implementing a compliance program with an effective Compliance Management System (CMS).
  • Allocate talent, time, and other resources effectively by clearly defining compliance roles and responsibilities.
  • Apply the three stages of the Compliance Cycle when developing a CMS.
  • Use the ACA Compliance Checklist (and other resources) to plan and document compliance activities.
Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s): none REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Collection Industry Professional (CIP)
  • Professional Collection Manager (PCM)
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Professional (CCCP)
CIP BadgePCM BadgeBadge CCCP

Managing Floor Process Course

Managing the Collection Floor

This course focuses on strategies in collection floor management that help maintain compliance and foster continuous improvement. Additional strategies address efficient and effective collection practices. The ultimate goal of all the processes you manage on the collection floor is improved and measurable performance.  This course will prepare you to:
  • Describe effective inventory management strategies.
  • Operate a compliant collection floor.
  • Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure performance.
  • Develop and understand efficient, effective, and compliant practices for the collection floor.
Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s): none REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Professional Collection Manager (PCM)
PCM Badge

Hiring Strategies Course

Successful Hiring Strategies 

One of the realities of running a business is hiring great people that can perform required duties, deliver amazing customer service, and mesh with your company culture.  This course will prepare you to:
  • Identify the right person to fill the position and objectively choose a candidate.
  • Compose effective, valuable, and legal interview questions.
  • Access community and online resources for recruiting.
Estimated time for completion: 1 hour Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1 Recommended pre-requisite(s): none REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Collection Industry Professional (CIP)
  • Professional Collection Manager (PCM)
CIP BadgePCM Badge

ACA Advanced Courses

Topics are discussed in terms of Compliance Management System (CMS) requirements and risk management issues, and include analysis of case law, enforcement actions, and other events in the regulatory space. These courses may be used for advanced compliance renewal credit.

FDCPA Course

Advanced FDCPA Issues

Going beyond the basics of ACA’s FDCPA Essentials, next-level subjects such as the Bona Fide Error defense, trending court cases, and FDCPA enforcement actions are explored in this course. This awareness may help you enhance your compliance program proactively, and thus, increase your accountability for the FDCPA and other consumer protection laws. This course will prepare participants to:
  • Categorize liability and damages for violations of the FDCPA.
  • Identify the criteria necessary to exercise a Bona Fide Error Defense.
  • Track trending areas of concern in communications with consumers, debt collection practices, and applicability of the FDCPA using industry resources. Categorize liability and damages for violations of the FDCPA.
Estimated time for completion: 2 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 2 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • FDCPA Essentials for the Accounts Receivable Management Industry
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Professional (CCCP)
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)
Badge CCCPCCCO Badge

Risk Assessment Course

Conducting a Risk Assessment

Assessing risk means identifying who can be harmed and in what way(s). Could you quantify the harm that could occur if your company took no action against a threat? A sound risk assessment prepares you to create and implement a remediation plan essential to a robust Compliance Management System (CMS).  This course will prepare you to:
  • Identify the key characteristics of an effective Compliance Management System (CMS).
  • Recognize the four phases of compliance that range from proactive to reactive activities.
  • Inventory potential risks.
  • Calculate inherent risk, inherent severity, and residual risk using scoring models.
  • Prioritize risks using a Heat Map.
  • Document risk assessment activities and strategies.
This course will also prepare you for ACA’s companion seminars: Root Cause Analysis and Controls and Corrective Actions, which offer a deep dive into the remediation and monitoring phases of the compliance cycle. Estimated time for completion: 1.5 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1.5 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance OR
  • Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)
CCCO Badge

Controls Corrective Course

Controls and Corrective Actions

This course is a continuation of ACA’s Conducting a Risk Assessment course, as the processes go together. In this segment, you will take a deeper dive into the many ways in which your organization can tailor its monitoring to include appropriate controls and corrective actions.   This course will prepare you to:
  • Create and implement remediation plans to mitigate risk.
  • Evaluate your compliance management system using stages of maturity and by monitoring system operations.
Estimated time for completion: 1 hour Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • Conducting a Risk Assessment
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)
CCCO Badge

Data Security Course

Data Security and Privacy 1

Data security breaches affect millions of consumers and businesses—are you prepared? (3 hours, 3 PDUs) This introduction to data security will:
  • Introduce a compliance perspective focused on personal responsibility and positive behavioral change.
  • Provide a core set of key terms and essential concepts pertaining to privacy and data security to set the stage for a discussion of preventive and remedial strategies.
  • Explore notification laws and strategies for establishing effective policies and procedures.
  • Offer practical advice for implementing effective data security and breach notification procedures in your own organization.
Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance OR
  • Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)
  • Healthcare Collection Manager (HCM)
CCCO BadgeHCM Badge

Data Security 2 Course

Data Security and Privacy 2

In the sequel to Data Security and Privacy 1, you will explore tactics for managing the security of your company’s data in an era of mobile devices that are both company-issued and employee-owned. This course also offers a conversation about the use of social media from a compliance perspective and practical advice for handling security incidents in your own organization.  To get the best experience from this course, we recommend that participants:
  • First complete ACA’s Data Security and Privacy I course.
  • Have a working knowledge of federal and state data security breach notification laws.
  • Are tasked with (a) understanding and assisting in the implementation of reasonable processes and tactics for allowing removable media and social media usage in your workplace and (b) assuring your organization is prepared to handle security incidents.
Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • Data Security and Privacy I
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • None. May be used as renewal credit.

Data Furnishers Course

Duties of Data Furnishers under the FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and its implementing Regulation V require data furnishers to adopt reasonable policies and procedures surrounding the accuracy and integrity of their furnishing practices, to notify certain consumers prior to furnishing negative information, and to respond to consumer disputes and claims of identity theft and fraud. Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) may also implement additional reporting policies, and while such policies do not amend the law, they do present additional considerations furnishers should address in a Compliance Management System (CMS) and resulting business practices.

This course will prepare participants to:

  • Describe how the FCRA and Regulation V work together to prescribe regulatory requirements.
  • Apply FCRA, Regulation V, and CRA accuracy and integrity standards when reporting consumer information.
  • Differentiate between Direct and CRA dispute investigation requirements.
  • Recognize alerts and respond to claims of identity theft and fraud.
  • Certify a permissible purpose when obtaining and using consumer reports.
  • Incorporate effective policies and procedures into a Compliance Management System (CMS).

Estimated time for completion: 2 hours

Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 2

Recommended pre-requisite(s): 

  • Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance OR
  • Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations

REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:

  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)

CCCO Badge

Root Cause Course

Root Cause Analysis

Repetition is great for things like learning a new skill or following a routine for quality control. Dealing with repeat problems is tedious and frustrating. Remove the root and the problem will stop growing! Adapted from ACA’s Blueprint® system, Root Cause Analysis is a process that will guide you to the true origin of a problem.  This course will prepare you to perform a Root Cause Analysis by:
  • Correctly identifying the known problem.
  • Determining WHY the known problem occurred and categorizing the reasons.
  • Analyzing the results of asking “Why?”
  • Determining if the reasons why are the cause or result of the known problem.
Estimated time for completion: 1 hour Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1 Recommended pre-requisite(s): none REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • None. May be used for renewal credit.
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TS Badge

Trainer Specialist (TS)

Unlock your training superpowers! In this mini-camp, you’ll explore essentials of adult learning theory and gain new insights from other compliance training heroes on how to turn “Need to Know” into fast, fun, and effective. Come for the ideas, stay for the samples, and take home the ACA Trainer Specialist designation! Upon successful completion of the three required sessions and exam, you will be able to conduct ACA’s Essentials training any time (this includes FDCPA Essentials for Collectors and Essential Collection Skills and Techniques) as part of your organization’s onboarding program or to prepare your collectors for the ACA Professional Collection Specialist (PCS) designation. THIS COURSE HAS PREREQUISITES. If you are taking the TS workshop with the intention of earning the TS designation, please refer to the requirements here

Estimated time for completion: 4.5 hours

Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 4.5

Recommended pre-requisite(s):

  • ACA Professional Collection Specialist (PCS) designation.

REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:

  • Trainer Specialist (TS)

TS Badge

Understanding CFPB Course

Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations  

Using principles from ACA’s Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance, this course will describe priorities outlined in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Supervision and Examination Manual. You will also explore the examination process and ways to curate key resources for your Compliance Management System (CMS). This course will prepare you to:
  • Describe the impact of the CFPB’s regulatory authority and its compliance priorities.
  • Identify the CFPB’s expectations for an effective Compliance Management System.
  • Describe the objectives and procedures associated with a Compliance Management Review (CMR) examination by the CFPB.
  • Recognize the process and expectations associated with a Civil Investigative Demand (CID).
Estimated time for completion: 3 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 3 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)
CCCO Badge

Writing Effective Policies Course

Writing Effective Policies and Procedures  

Vital to any CMS, written policies, procedures, and work instructions have unique characteristics that determine when and how they should be used. During this course, you will practice writing a sample of each using defined guidelines plus take home tools and samples to jumpstart development of this critical element of the compliance lifecycle. This course will prepare you to:
  • Define a policy, procedure and work instruction and describe how they impact each other.
  • Determine the situations in which to use a policy, procedure, or work instruction.
  • Write a policy, procedure, and work instruction.
  • Describe how policies, procedures and work instructions fit into the compliance cycle.
  • Develop a documentation plan based on your company’s needs.
Estimated time for completion: 1.5 hours Professional Development Unit (PDU) points: 1.5 Recommended pre-requisite(s):
  • Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance OR
  • Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations
REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACA DESIGNATIONS:
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Professional (CCCP)
  • Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO)
CCCO Badge

Meet our Certified Instructors

Celebrating Mastery in the Accounts Receivable Management (ARM) Industry Through Peer Education

Certified Instructors serve as subject matter experts in the development of ACA Core courses, as well as the delivery of the courses via live webinars and in-person training for ACA members and non-member guests of our educational programs. Certified Instructors go through an extensive vetting and training process and must possess:

  • Membership in good standing with ACA or an ACA employee.
  • No less than five years of experience in the credit and collection industry.
  • The ACA Professional Collection Specialist (PCS) designation.
  • Proven experience in facilitating adult education, public speaking, and/or training.
  • Attendance at ACA events.
  • ACA achievements and leadership experience at the national and unit levels.
  • Successful completion of ACA’s Instructor Training Academy.

Certified Instructors

Education at Your Pace

Stream a Course Any Time!

ACA’s Core courses are available on-demand. Learn online on your time.

By completing a self-paced Core course recording, you are eligible to receive Professional Development Units (PDUs) toward an ACA designation and designation renewal—just as you would attending a live session or webinar.

  • Purchase access to each course individually. Once purchased, your access will expire in 60 days.
  • ALL on-demand Core recordings are eligible under the ACA Training Zone. If your company has this all-access pass, simply access the course video(s) and materials anytime for the life of your Training Zone subscription for no additional fee.
  • Watch the video(s) and complete the activities in the accompanying Participant Workbook. Keep a copy of the Self-Reporting Attendance Form from the Participant Workbook to track your participation. Submit to ACA with your initial designation application or renewal forms.

Important Notifications

Please take a moment to review your important notifications below. You can find all your notifications at My ACA Assistant.

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Terms of Use

ACA International’s Website Terms of Use and Intellectual Property Policy

Please read to the end of our “Terms of Use” by scrolling through all the way down.

This Terms of Use Agreement is a legal agreement between ACA International, a Minnesota non-profit corporation, whose notice address is contained below, and any of its affiliates (“ACA”) and any person using the website located at www.acainternational.org (“Website”), whether using the public portion of the Website that does not require you to provide any password information (“Public Site”) or the private portion of the Website designated for ACA Members through a password protected login (“Member Site”) (collectively and interchangeably referred to as you or “User”). By using this Website, purchasing products from ACA or utilizing any service or business offered by ACA, you accept these conditions and agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.  Please read them carefully.  You may print this Agreement at any time by clicking on the link on the Website.

Terms

ACA provides the Website and various services subject to your compliance with this Terms of Use Agreement, any specifically referenced documents contained herein, and any posted guidelines, rules or other documents applicable to such services or materials posted on the Website that are all incorporated by reference (collectively referred to herein as “Terms of Use”).

Acknowledgement

BY COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS AND/OR USING THIS WEBSITE, USER AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF USE. IF USER DOES NOT WISH TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF USE, PLEASE EXIT THE WEBSITE NOW. USER’S REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS WEBSITE, OR ANY PRODUCTS, SERVICES, CONTENT OR OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OR THROUGH THIS WEBSITE, IS TO STOP USING THE WEBSITE AND/OR THOSE PARTICULAR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. USER’S AGREEMENT WITH ACA REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THESE TERMS OF USE BECOMES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON COMMENCEMENT OF USER’S USE OF THIS WEBSITE.

ACA reserves the right to change the Terms of Use from time to time without notice to User. User acknowledges and agrees that it is User’s responsibility to review this Website and the Terms of Use periodically and to be aware of any modifications. User’s continued use of this Website after such modifications will constitute User’s acknowledgement of the modified Terms of Use and agreement to abide and be bound by the modified Terms of Use. If any of these conditions are deemed invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that condition is deemed severed and does not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining condition.

ACA reserves the right to modify or discontinue the Website, including any features included, at any time with or without notice to User. ACA shall not be liable to User or any third party if ACA chooses to exercise such right. Modifications may include, without limitation, changes in the pricing structure, the addition of fee-based services or changes to limitations on allowable file sizes. Any new features that augment or enhance the services on the Website are also subject to the Terms of Use. The Website is provided “AS IS” with no warranty of any kind associated with the performance of the Website or the Content provided.

Privacy

Subject to ACA’s Privacy Policy located on the Website that is hereby incorporated, User is solely responsible for the contents of any of User’s communications submitted, transmitted, displayed, posted or shared through the Website or to ACA, whether by electronic mail or other means, for any reason (“User Data”). All User Data will be treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary. Unless otherwise established, User retains all rights in the User Data and hereby grants ACA and its designated licensees a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty free, perpetual, and worldwide right to copy, distribute, display, perform, publish, translate, adapt, modify, sublicense, create derivative works, and otherwise use such User Data for any purpose, regardless of the form or medium, whether now known or later developed, in which it is used (“User Data License”). User is responsible for ensuring no User Data is confidential, proprietary, or in any way related to an unsolicited idea or proposal, and User waives any allegation claiming otherwise.

User represents and warrants that: (a) User owns or otherwise controls all of the right, title and interest to the User Data; (b) the User Data is accurate; (c) use of the User Data does not violate this policy or any third-party rights and/or will not cause injury to any person or entity; and (d) User will indemnify ACA for all claims related to the User Data.

Electronic Communications

By providing your email address to ACA, User consents to receive electronic communications from ACA. ACA will communicate with User by e-mail or by posting notices on this Website. User agrees that all agreements, notices, disclosures and other communications that ACA provides to User electronically, satisfies any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. User further agrees that by supplying the User’s email to ACA, User consents to receiving email communication from ACA. This consent applies specifically to all business communications between User and ACA.

User is always entitled to receive a paper copy of any communication without charge, by contacting ACA. Upon receipt of your notice, ACA will mail a paper copy of any of the documents originally delivered in electronic format within 45 business days. You may also contact us at the above-listed contact points to revoke your overall consent to electronic communications. No fees shall be assessed against you if you choose to revoke your consent.

By providing your email address, you further agree that you have access to the hardware and software requirements necessary to review, upload and/or print your electronic communications.

The software and hardware requirements include having a valid email address that is personal and private to you, along with the ability to open a PDF document through a free Adobe™ or similar viewing program. If, at any time, you no longer have access to the necessary requirements, you agree to submit a request through our Website to update your contact information. You understand that ACA will notify you if there is any change in the hardware or software requirements that could impact your ability to access electronically formatted documents. Your continued use of the electronic documents after such time will serve as reaffirmation that you have sufficient hardware/software to view such documents.

As long as your consent is valid, you understand you must notify ACA of any change in your email. You take sole responsibility for failure to provide ACA with updated contact information.

Conduct

User’s use of the Website is subject to all applicable laws and regulations. User agrees not to upload, share, post, or otherwise distribute or facilitate distribution of ACA Content (defined below) or User Data that is or is used in a manner that is “Objectionable,” including, without limitation, displaying any Content or posting any User Data that is illegal, obscene, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, infringing of intellectual property rights or otherwise injurious to third parties, consists of or contains software viruses, political campaigning, commercial solicitation, chain letters, mass mailings, or any form of “spam,” includes a false e-mail address, impersonates any person or entity or otherwise misleads as to the origin of a card or other content. ACA reserves the right, but has no obligation, to remove or edit such Objectionable User Data.

ACA, at its sole discretion, may: (a) immediately terminate the services User receives from ACA (“Services”), and the Terms of Use, or otherwise restrict User’s Services; and/or (b) immediately remove any Objectionable User Data, with or without notice, if User posts Objectionable User Data.

Intellectual Property

ACA’s Intellectual Property is important and its protection is vital to ACA’s role in the credit and debt collection industry. The following provisions apply to ACA’s protection of its Intellectual Property.

Definitions

“ACA Content” means Information owned, created, or provided by ACA, either directly, or indirectly through speakers, committee members, independent contractors, members of ACA or any other party presenting information through ACA, or at an ACA sponsored event, including, but not limited to, any oral presentations, PowerPoint™ slides, written materials, Information included on the Website, such as software programs, training guides, presentations and seminars, and Intellectual Property.

“Confidential Information” means any and all ACA Content that is treated as confidential by ACA or that due to the nature of its subject matter or circumstances surrounding its disclosure, would reasonably be understood to be non-public or confidential, whether in oral, written, electronic, or other form or media, whether or not such ACA Content is marked, designated, or otherwise identified as “confidential.”

“Information” means any and all technological, scientific, business, legal, organizational, commercial, operational, or financial materials; unpublished or unpatented inventions, invention summaries and/or disclosures; compilations; samples; statistics; summaries; ideas; notes; concepts; data; know-how; discoveries; processes; essays; knowledge; improvements; methods; techniques; technologies; systems; interpretations; analyses; products; practices; procedures; protocols; research; tests; trials; controls; prototypes; formulas; sales information; descriptions; formulations; submissions; communications; skills; experience; plans; objectives; algorithms; reports; results; forecasts; studies; conclusions; inventions; trade secrets; designs; specifications; documentation; components; computer programs and all source and object code; images; icons; audiovisual components and objects; schematics; drawings; processes; visual depictions; and customer, vendor, and supplier lists; whether or not copyrightable or patentable, in any form or medium (tangible, intangible, oral, written, electronic, observational, or other), whether now known or later developed.

“Intellectual Property” and/or “IP” means any and all United States and foreign intellectual property rights included within any Information owned or created by ACA, along with any associated advertising materials, publications, technical papers and computer software, including, but not limited to: (a) all unexpired patents and patent applications and all rights therein, and any continuation, divisional, extensions, reissues, reexaminations or substitutions thereof, any subsequent filings in any country claiming priority therefrom, and any and all discoveries or inventions whether or not embodied within the foregoing, and any right, whether by license or otherwise, to use or exploit any of the foregoing; (b) all original works of authorship and all copyrights in any jurisdiction (whether or not registered), including, but not limited to, any renewals or extensions thereof, and all derivative works, whether in the current medium or any medium later developed, and any right, whether by license or otherwise, to use or exploit any of the foregoing (“Copyright(s)”); (c) trademarks, service marks, association marks, trade dress or other source identifiers, whether registered or unregistered, that are used by ACA (“Trademark(s)”); (d) all Confidential Information related to the items listed herein; and (e) any other proprietary rights associated with ACA’s Information, whether or not Confidential Information.

Right to Use

By accepting the Terms of Use, User acknowledges and hereby agrees that unless expressly stated otherwise, all ACA Content is solely owned and the property of ACA. User is granted a nonexclusive, revocable, non-assignable, limited license to: (a) access the ACA Content available through the Website for personal use; and (b) create a hyperlink to the Website on User’s website, so long as the link does not portray ACA, or its products or services, in a false, misleading, derogatory, or otherwise offensive manner, and User states that ACA is not affiliated with User. All rights not granted herein are reserved for ACA. This license specifically, but not exclusively, does not grant User: (a) any right to use Trademarks or Copyrights without ACA’s express written permission; (b) any right to resale or commercial use of the Website or ACA Content; (c) any right to create derivative use of the Website or ACA Content; (d) any right to use data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools in connection to the Website or ACA Content; (e) any right to copy, commercialize, reproduce, modify, republish, upload, post, transmit, create derivative works or distribute any ACA Content from the Website, in any form, or by any means without prior written permission from ACA; (f) any right to frame or utilize framing techniques to enclose any Intellectual Property without express written consent of ACA; (g) the right to use any meta tags or any other “hidden text” using Intellectual Property without the express written consent of ACA; (h) any ownership rights to any ACA Content. Any unauthorized use of ACA Content is strictly prohibited and is a violation of ACA’s Intellectual Property rights that may result in criminal or civil penalties, and immediately terminates the permission or license granted herein by ACA.

ACA does not warrant or represent that User’s use of ACA Content or any other materials displayed on, or obtained through, the Website will not infringe the rights of third parties.

Policies

ACA has developed policies to ensure accordance with the laws respecting personal rights, antitrust limitations and ACA’s reputation. User hereby agrees to abide by ACA’s general policies in addition to the Terms of Use, including, but not limited to, ACA’s Logo Use Policy, ACA’s Copyright Policy, ACA’s Privacy Policy, and ACA’s Antitrust and Anti-Harassment Policies, all of which can be found on the Website, which are incorporated herein by reference (“Website Policies”).

User Material

If at any time User believes its copyright, trademark or other property rights have been infringed by a posting on the Website, User shall immediately send notification to ACA’s “Designated Agent” that is identified below.

Designated Agent

Pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. Sec. 512(c), ACA’ Designated Agent for notice of claims of copyright infringement can be reached as indicated below. Service of repeat infringers of copyright or of users about whom repeat claims of copyright infringement are received will be terminated.

Designated Agent for Claimed Infringement:
ACA International
Legal Department
3200 Courthouse Lane, Eagan, MN 55121-1585
(952) 926-6547

User acknowledges and agrees that upon receipt of a notice of a claim of copyright infringement, ACA may immediately remove the identified materials from the Website without liability to User or any other party and that the claims of the complaining party and the party that originally posted the materials will be referred to the United States Copyright Office for adjudication as provided in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Product Descriptions

ACA attempts to be as accurate as possible. However, ACA does not warrant that product descriptions or other ACA Content of this Website is accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. If a product offered by ACA itself is not as described, User’s sole remedy is to return the product in unused condition.

Third Party Sites and Information

The Website may offer third party links allowing User to access other sites on the Internet or that include third party user data, commentary, posts, blogs or otherwise include information, documents, software, materials and/or services provided by other parties (“Third-Party Content”). Third Party Content may contain information or material that some people may find inappropriate or offensive. User Data and Third-Party Content are not under ACA’s control and ACA has no affiliation, does not endorse or take responsibility for any User Data or Third-Party Content. User acknowledges that ACA is not responsible for the accuracy, copyright compliance, legality, decency or any other aspect of the Third-Party Content, nor is ACA responsible for errors or omissions in any references to other parties or their products and services. The inclusion of such Third-Party Content does not imply endorsement of, or association with, the Third-Party Content by ACA.

Disclaimer of Warrranties and Limitation of Liability

THIS WEBSITE AND ALL INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, PRODUCTS (INCLUDING SOFTWARE) AND SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO USER THROUGH THIS WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED BY ACA ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN WRITING. ACA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS WEBSITE OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, PRODUCTS (INCLUDING SOFTWARE) OR SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO USER THROUGH THIS WEBSITE, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN WRITING. USER EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT USER’S USE OF THIS WEBSITE IS AT USER’S SOLE RISK.

TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY APPLICABLE LAW, ACA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ACA DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THIS WEBSITE, INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, PRODUCTS (INCLUDING SOFTWARE) OR SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO USER THROUGH THIS WEBSITE, THE SERVERS, OR E-MAIL SENT FROM ACA ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. ACA WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR FROM ANY INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, PRODUCTS (INCLUDING SOFTWARE) OR SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO USER THROUGH THIS WEBSITE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN WRITING.

CERTAIN STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY TO YOU, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.

Through User’s use of the Website, User may have the opportunities to engage in commercial transactions with other users and vendors. User acknowledges that all transactions relating to any merchandise or services offered by any party, including, but not limited to, the purchase terms, payment terms, warranties, guarantees, maintenance and delivery terms relating to such transactions, are agreed to solely between the seller or purchaser of such merchandise and services and User.

ACA MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING ANY TRANSACTIONS EXECUTED THROUGH, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE WEBSITE, AND USER UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT SUCH TRANSACTIONS ARE CONDUCTED ENTIRELY AT USER’S OWN RISK. ANY WARRANTY THAT IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CONTENT, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, MATERIALS, OR INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED SOLELY BY SUCH THIRD PARTY OR THROUGH A SEPARATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ACA DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY EXPRESS PRODUCT WARRANTY WITHIN THE TERMS OF USE.

Indemnification

Upon a request by ACA, User agrees to indemnify, defend and hold ACA harmless from all liability, loss, claim and expense, including attorney’s fees, related to User’s violation of the Terms of Use or misuse of the Website. ACA hereby reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by User, in which event User will cooperate with ACA in asserting any available defenses.

Privacy Policy

ACA’s Privacy Policy, located on the Website, as it may change from time to time, is a part of the Terms of Use and incorporated herein by reference. User is solely responsible for reviewing the Privacy Policy.

International Use

Although the Website may be accessible worldwide, ACA makes no representation that materials on the Website are appropriate or available for use in locations outside the United States and accessing them from territories where their contents are illegal is prohibited. Users who access the Website from other locations do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws. Any offer for any product, services and/or information made in connection with this Website is void where prohibited.

Termination of Use

User agrees that ACA may, in ACA’s sole discretion, terminate or suspend User’s access to all or part of the Website with or without notice and for any reason, including, without limitation, breach of the Terms of Use. Any suspected fraudulent, abusive or illegal activity may be grounds for terminating User’s relationship and may be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities. Upon termination or suspension, regardless of the reasons therefore, User’s right to use the ACA Content available on the Website immediately ceases and User acknowledges and agrees that ACA may immediately deactivate or delete User’s account and all related information and files in User’s account and/or bar any further access to such files or the Website. ACA is not liable to User or any third party for any claims or damages arising out of any termination or suspension or any other actions taken by ACA in connection therewith.

Assignment

The Terms of Use may be automatically assigned by ACA in its sole discretion. User may not resell, assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Terms of Use, in whole or in part, without ACA’s prior written consent and any attempt to so resell, assign or transfer will be null and void.

Attorneys’ Fees

In any action, formal or informal, initiated by ACA to enforce the Terms of Use, ACA will be entitled to costs and attorneys’ fees.

Interpretation

If a court finds any provision of the Terms of Use invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Terms of Use shall be interpreted so as to best affect the intent of the parties or the parties agree that the maximum period or scope legally permissible under such circumstances will be substituted for the period or scope stated herein.

Amendment

The Terms of Use may be amended at any time by ACA without specific notice to User. The latest Terms of Use will be posted on the Website, and User takes sole responsibility to periodically review the Terms of Use prior to using the Website.

Applicable Law

By using the Website, User agrees that the laws of the state of Minnesota, without regard to principles of conflict of laws, will govern these Terms of Use and any disputes relating in any way to ACA or to products or services sold or distributed by ACA and both ACA and User submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal court in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Payment of Fees

Fees due by User for using certain services or purchasing products are either set out in a separate agreement or described elsewhere in the Website and are the sole responsibility of User (“Fee”). Any such agreement is incorporated by reference. If User incurs a Fee, User agrees to pay all Fees. ACA will bill all Fees to User’s credit card or other automatic payment option available and provided to ACA by User. User agrees to provide ACA with accurate and complete billing information, including valid credit card information, User’s name, address and telephone number and to provide ACA with any changes in such information within five (5) calendar days of the change. If, for any reason, User’s credit card company refuses to pay the Fee, User agrees that ACA may require User to pay any unpaid amount due upon demand (“Default”) by other means acceptable to ACA. If legal action is necessary to collect any Fees due, User agrees to reimburse ACA for all expenses incurred to recover Fees due, including collection fees, attorney’s fees and other expenses.

Registration Data

In order to access some of the services on the Website, User will require an account, password and/or other information and data provided to ACA in connection with the use of the Website (“Registration Data”). By providing Registration Data, User agrees that all information provided in the Registration Data is true and accurate, User is at least eighteen (18) years of age and that User will maintain and update this information as required to keep it current, complete and accurate. User grants ACA the right to disclose to third parties certain Registration Data about User in accordance with its Privacy Policy. Registration Data is considered “Personal Information” within the Privacy Policy. ACA shall act in accordance with the terms of its Privacy Policy when handling the Registration Data. User is also responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the Registration Data, and for any and all statements made, and acts or omissions that occur by use of the account associated with the Registration Data (“Account”). User must take steps to ensure that no third-party can utilize the Registration Data or the Account. User may not transfer or share User’s Account with anyone, and ACA reserves the right to immediately terminate User’s Account in the event of any unauthorized transfer or sharing. Each Account is personal to a single User.

Exclusive Member Content

Users that are ACA members (“Members”) and in the event the Member is an entity, their properly authorized individual users, will be provided online access to valuable information relevant to the credit and collection industry on the Website and hub.acainternational.org (“Hub”), which is exclusive to Members, much of which is specifically designated as members-only content and requires User specific Registration Data and Account (“Member Content”). Members hereby acknowledge Member Content is the sole property of ACA and is included as ACA Content. Entity Members may authorize individual employee user access to Member Content, wherein each user identified in the ACA user roster will be assigned unique Registration Data. Entity Members are responsible for the conduct of their employees that use the Website and/or the Hub. Entity Member’s responsibility for employee conduct does not absolve the employee of their personal responsibility to comply with Terms of Use. Additions, deletions, and modifications to a Member’s information, and employee roster, must be made by the Member’s designated contact. Members are required to maintain an up-to-date and accurate roster. Rosters must timely reflect changes regarding inactive email addresses and Users who have separated from employment. Only those employees physically located at the approved Member geographical location may be provided access. In no event may any entity Member add a non-employee to its user roster, or otherwise allow non-employees access to Member Content through the Member’s Account. Hub use must comply with ACA’s Hub Terms of Access as they may be amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference. If the Member learns a User identified in the Member’s user roster, or otherwise through the Member’s Account, has improperly accessed or disseminated information originating from ACA or violated the Terms of Use, the Member must report the event to ACA immediately and take appropriate corrective action, which shall include, but not exclusively: (a) preventing further unauthorized access; (b) issuing notice to all known and suspected unauthorized recipients of the breach; (c) providing to ACA a disclosure of all known recipients of Member Content; (d) destroying or returning all information improperly retrieved or disseminated; and (e) cooperating with ACA in such a manner as ACA may determine appropriate under the circumstances to avoid further harm.

Delivery

Unless in downloadable format, most product orders placed with ACA are delivered via FedEx, UPS and USPS, within four (4) business days to two (2) weeks of ordering the product. Back orders can take up to six (6) weeks depending on the type of product ordered. User will pay all shipping charges for ordered and returned items. Shipping charges are subject to change without prior notification to User.

Limitation of Liability

ACA Content is presented for educational, general reference and informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal or other advice. ACA does not represent or warrant that ACA Content is accurate, complete or current for any specific or particular purpose or application. ACA Content is not intended to be a full and exhaustive explanation of the law in any area, nor should it be used to replace the advice of your own legal counsel.

ACA CONTENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” ACA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND AS TO ACA CONTENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY ACA IN WRITING. BY USING ACA CONTENT IN ANY WAY, WHETHER OR NOT AUTHORIZED, USER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND HEREBY RELEASES ACA FROM ANY LIABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH ACA CONTENT, UNLESS SEPARATELY PROVIDED IN WRITING BY ACA IN A SEPARATE CONTRACT.

Risk of Loss

All items purchased from ACA are made pursuant to a shipment contract. This means that the risk of loss and title for such items pass to User upon our delivery to the carrier.

FURTHER, ACA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE IN ANY WAY FOR THIRD PARTY GOODS AND SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH THE WEBSITE OR FOR ASSISTANCE IN CONDUCTING COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS THROUGH THIS WEBSITE INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PROCESSING OF ORDERS.

Updated 3/1/2019

 

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The content on this site is presented for educational, general reference, and informational purposes only; is not intended to serve as legal or other advice; is not intended to be a full and exhaustive explanation of the law in any area; and should not replace the advice of your own legal counsel. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to the legal disclaimers in our Terms of Use. Review our Terms of Use for more information.

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