Daily Digest - May 19, 2026

🎂 Happy Birthday to: Jeremy Poehler of National Debt Holdings and Susan Namm of Velocity Holdings.

🎉Congratulations for starting new positions: Andrew Blady as General Counsel at Provana, and Diego Granados as Branch Office & Operations Manager at American Family Insurance.

Logo Madness!

It’s time to crown the best logo in the industry. Full bracket available here so you can track the competition. Click on the link underneath the logo to choose your winner. Voting is open for 24 hours.

Collector Facing FDCPA Class Action for Allegedly Texting After Opt Out

• A collection operation is facing a class-action lawsuit in the District Court for the Eastern District of Washington for allegedly violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for sending text messages to a consumer after the consumer opted out of receiving texts.

• More details here.

• This series is sponsored by WebRecon

A MESSAGE FROM TCN

TODAY’S WEBINARS

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Appeals Court Rejects Collection Law Firm’s Attempt to Compel Arbitration

• The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has ruled that a debt collection law firm could not force a consumer into arbitration based on an arbitration provision contained in the original loan agreement because the law firm was not a party to the agreement. The ruling affirmed a lower court decision denying the law firm’s motion to compel arbitration in a lawsuit accusing the firm and a debt buyer of suing on a time-barred debt.

• More details here.

Medical Bill Shock Is a Collections Problem, Too

• A new national survey from RevSpring draws a direct line between billing confusion and consumer disengagement, and the implications extend well beyond hospital finance departments. For credit and collections professionals, the data reads less like a healthcare report and more like a diagnostic on the exact friction points that turn manageable balances into delinquent accounts.

• More details here.

Tenn. AG Secures $11.1M Settlement With Mariner Finance Over Loan Add-On Practices

• The Attorney General of Tennessee last week announced an $11.1 million settlement with Mariner Finance that resolves allegations that the company used deceptive practices involving optional add-on products and refinancing tactics that allegedly increased consumers’ debt burdens.

• More details here.

Ninth Circuit Revives FCRA Claims Against Bank Over Unauthorized Credit Pulls

• The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has revived key portions of a proposed class action accusing a bank of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by obtaining consumers’ credit reports after allegedly opening unauthorized bank accounts in their names. The appeals court ruled the plaintiffs plausibly alleged the defendant lacked a permissible purpose to access the reports and adequately alleged willful violations of the FCRA.

• More details here.

Video: Recapping the Florida & Georgia Collectors Joint Conference

• JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Last week at the joint conference hosted by the Florida Collectors Association and Georgia Collectors Association, professionals from across credit and collections gathered to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. Beyond the presentations and networking, the event featured conversations around leadership, digital communication, consumer engagement, culture, and personal growth.

• More details here.

WORTH NOTING: The average HOA (homeownership association) fee jumped 44% last year ... Using a tracking pixel may make you more susceptible to a data breach ... The brands that Americans trust the most and how to use that to save money ... A quiz to determine if you know how to behave on a flight ... The price of being a pet parent is going through the roof ... It's not you: more and more websites are testing to make sure you are a human ... Employers believe they are doing the best they can with healthcare costs, but employees disagree ... What you can learn about spending smarter from Warren Buffett's grocery list.

Trailer Tuesday, part I

Trailer Tuesday, Part II

Webinar Recap: Understanding Digital Wallets Like Apple Pay and Google Pay and Why They Are A Game-Changer for Collections

Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are gaining traction among consumers, offering secure, convenient, and frictionless payment experiences. While adoption in the collections industry remains modest—panelists cited only 3–5% of payments currently processed through wallets—their potential to reduce friction, increase trust, and align with mobile-first strategies makes them a critical consideration for agencies.

Panelists emphasized that wallets provide tokenization and encryption, making them more secure than manual card entry. They also reduce drop-off rates in other industries, such as utilities, by up to 30%. However, limitations remain: wallets lack ACH support, and adoption has been slower than expected in collections. As Chris Brunner noted, “The wallets just aren’t full enough and rich enough yet from the types of tender the industry needs.”

Despite these challenges, the consensus was clear: offering consumers choice and convenience is essential. As Chad Probst summarized, “Security and convenience are the levers you’re pushing on.” With Gen Z adoption of digital wallets exceeding 80% in retail, the collections industry must prepare for rising demand.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Integrate Wallet Options Strategically: Even with low adoption today, wallets build trust and credibility, especially for first-time payers hesitant to share card details.

• Prioritize Mobile-First Engagement: SMS, MMS, RCS, and WhatsApp are becoming primary channels. Agencies not optimizing for mobile risk falling behind.

• Balance Payment Choices: Offering 3–5 payment methods—including wallets—avoids cognitive overload while meeting diverse consumer preferences.

This webinar underscored that while digital wallets are not yet a “panacea” for collections, they represent a growing consumer expectation. Agencies that embrace wallet integration now will be better positioned to reduce friction, improve recovery rates, and meet the evolving demands of a mobile-first, security-conscious consumer base.

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