The number of reported U.S. data breaches in 2016 surpassed the previous all-time high reached in 2013 according to a report conducted by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). The 1,093 data breaches confirmed by ITRC exposed over 36.6 million [data or individual data] records.
This summer, the Seattle Space Needle will point the way to the debt collection industry’s largest event of the year, the ACA International Convention & Expo. The ACA International’s yearly event operates as the debt collection industry’s focal point for innovative ideas, products and services. Collection agencies, collection attorneys, creditors and other professionals will take…
Petaluma, Calif. (February 16, 2017) — Optio Solutions, LLC, a national debt collection agency, celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 7. The company has grown exponentially since its inception by creating long-term strategic partnerships with many national clients while providing them with a favorable return on investment and durable brand protection. The agency is licensed…
Collection and Recovery Solutions 2017 takes place May 10 – 12 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas, and is open to senior-level members of the debt collections industry involved in collection, recovery operations, compliance, risk and strategy on a first-come, first-served basis via registration. The conference offers general sessions, receptions, an exhibit hall and…
The Internal Revenue Service announced the official start of the 2016 tax season on Monday, January 23 by unlocking the doors to its virtual storefront and accepting the first electronic tax returns. The agency anticipates processing over 153 million returns this year with an estimated 80% of the total generated by tax preparation software. Meanwhile,…
There are certain jobs and industries where cutting corners is acceptable or even considered harmless. The accounts receivable industry, where debt collection values are revered, is not one of them. “What harm,” one may ask, “is there in not fully complying with state and federal laws, or not documenting business activities such as letters or…
Petaluma, Calif. (January 18, 2017) — Optio Solutions, an accounts receivable management firm, has appointed Claire Molesworth to the position of in-house counsel and manager of corporate compliance. She reports directly to President and CEO Chris Schumacher. Molesworth is a seasoned litigation and regulatory attorney with over eight years of experience representing banks and financial…
Petaluma, Calif. (December 20, 2016) — Optio Solutions, an accounts receivable management firm, generated its latest installment of holiday giving by participating in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program and the Annual Food & Funds Drive for the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Employees placed dozens of Christmas presents under the Angel Tree and donated enough…
Earlier this week, TransUnion published an article forecasting higher 2017 delinquency rates for auto loans that will pose greater challenges for auto debt collections. The expected delinquencies are “still far below recession levels,” but auto lenders will be well served by an organized collection effort that allows them to remain in front of the expected…
Petaluma, Calif. (December 15, 2016) — Optio Solutions, a national debt collection agency, announces the completion of PCI and SSAE 16 (SOC 1) Type II audits and the receipt of its Report on Compliance (ROC). These actions confirm that Optio is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Security Data Standard (PCI compliance) and has implemented…