FactoringEthics.com & StopCashCalls.com
March 30, 2015

The following is a review and unveiling of each of the two new sites. Both are part of the same movement we’re starting which we call, collectively, the Ethics Initiative. We’ve always believed that business should be conducted in as clean a manner as possible, and have always striven to do so. We are dismayed at the level of prominence that scraping, in particular, has reached in an industry that doesn’t need the bad press; and more importantly, we’re hoping you’ll join us in trying to clean it up.

FactoringEthics.com is dedicated to the collection and dissemination of information directly pertinent to maintaining cleanliness in the factoring industry. Relevant regulations, statutes, etc. are posted and explained in order to arm anyone who wants to prepare themselves for potential harassment by unscrupulous actors in the factoring industry. For example, brokers and annuitants should be aware of and well versed in the existence and application of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act , which is clear regarding the solicitation of potential clientele by phone-using businesses – and really, what business isn’t using a telephone? Violating the TCPA has clear consequences, but like most things in government, the question isn’t the intent or application of relevant regulation, but the enforceability. Simply put: no one can enforce anything if no one’s reporting wrongdoing. As far as the government is concerned, if there’s no squawking, there’s no problem. It’s time to squawk.

Another aspect of FactoringEthics.com that we’re pleased to announce is an oft-overlooked reality of the industry: there are many aliases in use. At first glance one might say, “Wow, what a competitive marketplace!” Well hold on, just because there are a bunch of different names being thrown out there doesn’t mean they’re competitors. This site will collect and expose all factoring companies and their known aliases. We do not seek to rate any of them nor do we seek to dissuade their use, per se – but we do believe that transparency in the secondary market can only help. There’s no reason that legitimate business will be harmed by exposing these aliases. The notion of “Let the buyer beware!” echoes true here; but with this information in hand, brokers and annuitants can both breathe a little easier knowing who’s-who in a seemingly crowded marketplace.

StopCashCalls.com is dedicated specifically to annuitants and brokers who want to have a more active role in standing against anyone who violates the TCPA. We’re working with an attorney to establish a class-action suit against anyone found to be in violation of the TCPA with an annuitant. If you’re an annuitant and you’ve been receiving constant phone calls and you want them to stop – say no more, sign up and provide a testimonial and you’ll be added to the list of people to contact for reference. Only if you’re comfortable taking the next step by joining in the class-action suit will we share your information with any attorney that the Project is working with. You’ll call the shots. We’ll help get you the tools for your freedom from harassment.

If you, a broker, are tired of hearing, both from your clients and through the grapevine, that yet-another annuitant is being harassed non-stop then we implore you to pick up the phone or open your e-mail client and let us know. Only through cooperation can we put a stop to behavior that shouldn’t even be going on in the first place. Scraping can stop. Harassment can stop. Ethics isn’t just jargon to throw around to generate buzz or get web-clicks. Ethical concerns are as serious as anyone’s bottom line – and our stance is that annuitants shouldn’t be taken advantage of to pad a predator’s bottom line.

We look forward to contact and cooperation for the Ethics Initiative as we get the ball rolling.

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Our Recent Blogs

The Loan = Factoring Transaction Myth

October 11, 2022
Myth: You will lose money by factoring, so take out a loan instead. Reality: Whether you factor annuity payments or take a loan, there is a cost to obtaining money, but many people believe that factoring involves “losing” money. This misconception comes from comparing the cumulative future payments with the present value lump sum payment offered by the factoring company. For instance, if an annuitant has 200 monthly payments of $1,000 , the cumulative payments would be $200,000 . In this case, a factoring transaction might net the annuitant approximately $100,000 or 50% of the cumulative total. This is not “losing” money, it is the result of obtaining future payments early at a 10% discount rate. If instead the annuitant took a $100,000 loan at 10% and paid it back over 200 months , the total cost including interest would also be $200,000 (assuming the annuitant had sufficient credit to get the loan). A loan requires credit, collateral, origination fees, and carries the risk of late fees and foreclosure if payments are not made when due. In the factoring scenario, the annuitant would need to wait 200 months (almost 17 years) to collect the full $200,000 , during which time the equivalent present value of the payments is continually diminishing due to inflation. A dollar will not have the same purchasing power in 17 years as it has today.

One Simple Step to Stop Abuse!

September 20, 2022
The foundation of abuse in the factoring industry is cracking! South Carolina’s supreme court as well as its senate are readying for reform in response to the most recent expose (see here , here and here ). Both the court and the legislature are intent on fixing a clearly broken system. Despite the natural inclination to copy what other states have done (MN, GA, LA, etc.), whose reforms ironically ended up benefiting the worst abusers of the industry, we suggest a simpler reform that will solve the absolute majority of abuse: Keep the personal identification information (PII) protected for all structured settlement recipients from here on out. This way, the companies guilty of these abuses won’t be able to find new victims. More: make such protection retroactive. This is already standard practice for minors receiving structures, and it works, at least until they turn 18. Extending this protection would do wonders for structure health. What predatory companies can’t find, they can’t chase. Keep people safe and their identification information secure. Advocate for smart reforms.

Something's Hitting the Fan with the 11th Circuit

June 27, 2022
Another day, another question of abusive cash now transactions. Another lead paint victim, too. See here for more details. It all begs the question: why do the big cash now companies prey on the head injured? Is it a delicacy? Or are they just hoping no one will notice? Ladies and gentlemen, this is why we harp on brokers needing to educate their annuitants on how factoring is useful in some situations, and completely inappropriate in others. It’s why brokers are the referral gatekeepers, or at least, they should be. Anyone with a severe personal injury, especially one affecting their judgment, requires greater aid in both pre and post structure environments. Even if a factoring transaction might have addressed the legitimate needs of the man in the article, was factoring the whole thing really necessary? Probably not. It’s why consultation is required, not just telemarketing. As for the court and its involvement in the issue of whether insurers have a duty to question factoring transactions, full stop. Requiring insurers to question factoring transactions would increase their liability, as well as the fact that while courts must apply the best interest standard, an ethical factoring company uses the annuitant’s best interest as its guiding light. Furthermore, it is the duty of the court to determine whether a factoring transaction is in the best interest of the seller and serves as final gatekeeper. That’s the whole purpose of going to court in the first place. If not the courts, then the legislatures in whatever state is affected by abusive or exploitative practices. We’ve seen this throughout the country in the past few years, such as in Louisiana, Georgia, and Minnesota. It’s cumbersome to add additional requirements upon the companies involved in a potential transaction when the issue isn’t whether the company’s sought to conduct business as usual, but whether the court authorized it in the circumstances they are meant to scrutinize. Factoring transactions can and should be done according to set rules. No forum shopping, no poaching, no scraping, no “gotcha!” checks, no flagrant flouting of the TCPA and other applicable state consumer protection laws. There’s a right way and a wrong way. Promote the right way. Educate. Consult. Refer. We’ll be here.

Cam Mears on Factoring with Dan Finn

November 22, 2021
We're thrilled to see that others are contributing to the factoring expose by the Minnesota Star Tribune . This time, structured settlement consultant Dan Finn. You can read his take on factoring and the Star article here . What's more, you can see Cam Mears delve into the details on factoring in his one-on-one interview with Finn here on YouTube! Factoring doesn't have to be the boogeyman. Make sure it's done right by referring only to those you trust to offer proper consultation.
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