Daily Digest - March 20, 2026

🎂 Happy Birthday to: Shad Neese of Crown Asset Management, Nancy McLaughlin of Phin Solutions, Kellie O’Hern of LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Tony Pampena of CBV Collection Services, and Patrick Lausen of Convergence Acquisitions.

🚨New Training Bytes Video Released!

Check out the newest Training Bytes video! Each week, an expert from the accounts receivable management industry will share how he or she would handle different scenarios that collectors often face. This week, Stacey Sexton from ARS National Services shares how hard collectors should push when a consumer says, “no”. Thanks to Peak Revenue Learning for sponsoring this series! Click on the image below to view this week’s episode!

Logo Madness is Back!

The quest to identify the best logo in the credit and collections industry is here. Click here to submit your logo and click here to see the past winners.

NEW: Digital Communications Survey

✅ Click here and take a quick digital communications and benchmarking survey

❓QUICK QUESTION

Suit Accuses Collector of Emailing Plaintiff’s Sister

• Anyone who knows me or has read or seen any of the content that I have produced over the years knows that my vibe is on the casual/informal side. It can be difficult, sometimes, because lawsuits are never a joking matter. So I say this firmly with my tongue planted inside my cheek — I kind of think this suit is more of mom and dad’s fault than it is the defendant’s. A collection operation is being accused of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act because it sent a series of emails to the plaintiff’s sister, whose name is only one letter different from the plaintiff.

• More details here.

• This series is sponsored by WebRecon

A MESSAGE FROM TCN

TODAY’S WEBINAR

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Good-Faith Reliance Wins the Day: Indiana Court Backs Law Firm in FDCPA Dispute

• An Indiana Appeals Court has affirmed a summary judgment ruling in favor of a law firm that was sued for allegedly violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act because it believed what a landlord/client told it about his interactions with the plaintiff.

• More details here.

Treasury to Take Over Defaulted Student Loan Collections in Major Federal Shift

• The Trump administration is taking another major step in reshaping the federal student loan system, announcing that the Treasury Department will assume operational responsibility for collecting on defaulted federal student loans as part of a new “Federal Student Assistance Partnership” with the Department of Education.

• More details here.

Expunged Does Not Mean Inaccurate, Court Says in Background Check FCRA Case

• A District Court judge in Virginia has dismissed a Fair Credit Reporting Act case against a background screening company that was accused of including criminal records in a background check that had been expunged five years ago.

• More details here.

AI Regulation at Federal Level Takes Shape

• A sweeping federal AI proposal from Sen. Marsha Blackburn [R-Tenn.] is giving companies a clearer view of what regulation could look like and it comes with real teeth. The draft legislation would require companies to report how artificial intelligence is impacting their workforce every quarter, with penalties reaching up to $1 million per violation for failing to comply. For organizations already investing in AI to drive efficiency, the message is clear. Transparency and documentation may soon become just as important as deployment.

• More details here.

Avtal Raises $24 Million to Build Digital Infrastructure for the Future of Debt Collection

• Avtal, a digital engagement platform that helps collection agencies increase revenue while delivering a better consumer experience, today announced it has raised $24 million in Series A and Seed funding led by S3 Ventures, with participation from NJP Ventures.

• More details here.

WORTH NOTING: Bots are taking over the web and will soon outnumber human traffic ... A lot of members of Gen Z have a hard time remembering when their payments are due ... Alaska, West Virginia, and Maine are at the top of the list of worst states for healthcare affordability ... The price of a stamp may climb as high as $1 in the near future, according to the Postmaster General ... Things that dog owners wished they knew before they brought a pet into their homes ... A list of things to keep in your car if you are always on the go ... A list of methods and ideas to help keep you off your phone ... Who qualifies and how to claim a $10,000 car loan tax deduction.

Funny Friday, part I

Funny Friday, Part II

Yesterday’s webinar recap will appear in tomorrow’s Daily Digest. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Did you know you can get full access to all of my past webinars, along with transcripts and summaries of each, for only $29/month? Sign up to be a premium subscriber today!

The Daily Digest is sponsored by TCN