Daily Digest - May 7, 2026

🎂Happy Birthday to: Chris Atallah of ConsumerAffairs, and Bruce Marrow of NCB Management Services, Inc.

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.

Getting to Know Tim Woudenberg of Creditors Bureau USA

• It might have been under less-than-ideal circumstances that Tim Woudenberg came to join the credit and collections industry, but in just a few short years, he has found a home and learned that it doesn’t matter how you get somewhere, but what you do when you get there that matters. His love for helping get the trains to run on time and desire to show people that they matter have helped cement him as a rising leader in the industry. Read on to learn more about Tim, how he makes reading books to his kids fun, and what he does to unwind at the end of a long day.

• More details here.

• This series is sponsored by TEC Services Group

A MESSAGE FROM TCN

TODAY’S WEBINAR

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Judge Disqualifies Plaintiff’s Attorney in FDCPA Case Over Conflict of Interest Tied to Prior Defense Work

• A District Court judge in Michigan has disqualified an attorney representing a plaintiff in a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act case after finding that her years of prior work defending collection agencies now operating under the same corporate umbrella as the defendant created an actual conflict of interest. The ruling stems from a lawsuit accusing the defendant of violating the FDCPA by sending a collection notice in an envelope with a transparent window that allegedly revealed the existence of a debt to anyone viewing the mail piece. But the more significant issue became whether the plaintiff’s attorney could pursue claims against a company connected to entities she had previously represented for years in FDCPA litigation.

• More details here.

Judge Rejects Claims Against Credit Bureaus and Collector in Dispute Over Vehicle Lease Charges

• A District Court judge in New Jersey has dismissed Fair Credit Reporting Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claims stemming from a disputed vehicle lease balance, ruling that the plaintiff’s allegations centered on a legal disagreement over the debt itself rather than inaccurate credit reporting or unlawful collection activity. The ruling involved claims against multiple defendants, including two credit reporting agencies and a debt collector, after the plaintiff disputed charges assessed following the early return of a leased vehicle and challenged a subsequent text message sent during collection efforts. The court ultimately granted the motions filed by the defendants and denied the plaintiff leave to amend the complaint again.

• More details here.

Encore Capital: Technology, Digital Engagement Driving Stronger Recoveries

• Encore Capital Group reported a sharp increase in first-quarter profit as elevated credit card charge-offs, strong portfolio supply, and operational improvements helped fuel record collections and stronger recoveries. The company posted net income of $86.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 84% from $46.8 million a year earlier, while earnings per share doubled to $3.86 from $1.93. Executives also raised full-year guidance and repeatedly pointed to technology investments, digital engagement strategies, and operational efficiencies as major drivers behind the company’s recent performance.

• More details here.

WebRecon: Everything up but TCPA

• In a complete reversal from February, TCPA (-3.1%) litigation ticked down in March, while FDCPA (+17.3%) and FCRA (+18.9%) both had strong increases. Year-to-date, everything was up though, with TCPA (+23.7%), FDCPA (+12.1%) and FCRA (+40.1%) all still tracking well ahead of the same time in 2025.CFPB complaints were also up for the month (+18.9%) and the year (+46.6%), continuing the rally in the CFPB complaint portal despite the agency pulling back from its strong enforcement of this sector.

• More details here.

Indiana Governor Signs Medical Debt Transparency Bill Into Law

• A new Indiana law aimed at increasing transparency around medical billing and limiting certain insurance payment practices has now been ceremonially signed by Governor Mike Braun. House Bill 1271 requires hospitals to notify patients about available financial assistance programs before medical bills are sent to collections and includes new restrictions on how insurers can use automated systems and artificial intelligence when adjusting claims.

• More details here.

WORTH NOTING: Kids don't have to be that sophisticated to bypass online age verification checks ... The cars you should avoid because they are the most costly and frequently in need of repairs ... When it comes to contracts, most people aren't doing a deep dive ... This might be the largest amount I've ever seen in a Model Validation Notice ... The hottest neighborhoods in the country are in areas where affordability is key ... How to reduce friction in automotive collections ... The best advice that people ever received from their moms ... If you like to grill fish on the barbecue, you may be interested in this.

Top 10 Thursday, part I

Top 10 Thursday, Part II

Webinar Recap: Texting to Pay: Getting Consumers to Pay Without Calls or Emails

The webinar “Texting to Pay: Getting Consumers to Pay Without Calls or Emails” highlighted how SMS is transforming collections by meeting consumers in their preferred communication channel. Sponsored by DialConnection and Concepts To Code, the session brought together leaders from Viking Client Services, ARM Tech Advisors, TelePerformance, MRS BPO, and Concepts2Code to discuss compliance, strategy, and technology.

Panelists agreed texting is not governed by the same rules as calls or emails under Reg F, but emphasized the importance of balancing legal requirements with carrier restrictions. As Scott Hamilton noted, “Being able to solve for trust and friction is the secret sauce.” Strategies included short, human‑sounding texts, multi‑message campaigns, and offering dual options (links plus inbound phone numbers) to reassure consumers wary of scams.

Emerging technologies like RCS were identified as the next frontier, enabling secure, embedded payments directly within messages. Panelists also discussed the value of two‑way texting, inbound responses, and reducing friction through prefilled links and clear instructions. As Mark Rinehart observed, “If anyone texts me a few hundred characters, other than my mom, I’m not reading it.”

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize compliance and carrier rules: Texting strategies must account for state regulations and telecom restrictions to avoid blocked or flagged messages.

• Build trust through clarity and consistency: Identify your agency and creditor upfront, use recognizable numbers, and align SMS with other channels to reduce consumer skepticism.

• Reduce friction to drive payments: Prefilled links, deep portal access, and text‑to‑pay options streamline the consumer experience and increase recovery rates.

This summary positions texting as a critical, evolving tool for agencies, creditors, and fintechs seeking to improve recovery while adapting to consumer preferences and regulatory expectations.

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