Volume 61, February 2009

In This Issue: Surviving the Audit Scammers Step Up Efforts Against Law Firms Press Releases Upcoming Events

Surviving the Audit by Melissa A. Meggison, Esq., Pollack and Rosen, P.C. In Collections litigation there is one client communication dreaded above all others: "We're coming next week, be ready for an audit."  This simple sentence creates a knot in the pit of most collection attorney's stomachs.  It turns a good day into a bad one and before you know it your lead staff is in an uproar: pulling reports and files and trying to locate the most current Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).  To some, the stress may be unbearable.  To others, this call induces no stress at all.  Why? Because these attorneys know the key to surviving an audit is knowing and understanding the relationship with the client. By knowing your relationship with your client, you can figure out how to prepare for the audit so it is as stress free as possible.    Each Client fits into one of three categories:  New Clients, Older Clients where there exists a good relationship, and Older Clients where the relationship is rocky.  Before you even reach for the SOP, in order to survive the audit, you must figure out who this client is to you. Read the complete article, Surviving the Audit.

Scammers Step Up Efforts Against Law Firms by Terrill Caplan - Chief Security Officer - Law Enforcement Support Division, Fraud Aid, Inc. and Det. Mark Fenton - Cyber Crimes Investigations, Vancouver Police Dept. The Facts Nigerian scammers operating out of Canada and the U.K. have stepped up their efforts against U.S. and Canadian law firms in what is called the "Collection" scam. The suspects have access to mass produced counterfeit negotiable instruments, mostly in the form of certified or corporate checks, and have successfully defrauded a number of lawyers in both the U.S and Canada. On or about August 4, 2008, a suspect using the aliases Jack William and Kennb Osas purchased mailing lists of North American law firms from an online marketing company.  On or about October 21, 2008, the same group purchased an internet domain of kyleenterprisehk.net and email services from Rosepark Telecom, an internet service provider favored by fraud artists.Other known aliases of suspects and companies involved in the fraud are Deborah Morrison, Philip Franklin, Bernard Morin, Genentech, Devlan Construction, Edward Jones Securities, Mystik Toyz, Bajer Design & Marketing, Inc., Phillips Toy Mart, Belmont Toys, Toys 4 Fun, Kidcore Toys, Train Central,Masterpieces Puzzles, Mega Marbles, Another World Enterprises and Save A Buck Enterprises. Read the complete article, Scammers Step Up Efforts Against Law Firms.

Press Releases IAT Announces New National Sales Manager IAT, a leading provider of communications solutions for the collection industry and related markets, announced today that Ray Fowler recently joined IAT as their National Sales Manager. He brings with him 12 years of technology sales experience and has held multiple management positions. He looks forward to learning about each customer and prospective customer's unique situation and figuring out how to help them meet their specific needs, maximize their dialing technology and increase their profitability. Read the complete press release, IAT Announces New National Sales Manager. Frank, Frank, Goldstein & Nager, P.C. (FFGN) is pleased to announce that itis now certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE). FFGN received it's certification as a WBE through New York City and the Women's Business Enterprise Nation Council (WBENC). WBENC is the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations. WBENC works to foster diversity in the world of commerce with programs and policies designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for women business owners.  FFG&N is one of the oldest collection law firms in New York State. Founded in 1940, FFG&N, is now owned and operated by Jocelyn Nager, Esq. The practice is devoted exclusively to the collection of bad debt. Frank, Frank, Goldstein & Nager P.C., Attorneys At Law, 1430 Broadway, Suite 1615, New York, N.Y. 10018, Phone: (212) 686-0100, Fax: (212) 686-6726, Email: Info@FFGNESQS.com. ACA Legal Counsel will address legal issues at IAT Annual User Conference IAT recently announced that Valerie Hayes, ACA International Corporate Counsel, will discuss the industry's most pressing legal issues at the 2009 IAT User Conference this April.A Utah-based dialing technology company, IAT provides both site-premised and hosted dialing solutions for the collection industry. At the Annual User Conference, IAT trains customers on their dialing technology and provides guest speakers to cover other important topics of interest to their clients. Read the complete press release, ACA Legal Counsel will address legal issues at IAT Annual User Conference.

 "One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears - by listening to them."

Dean Rusk

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