Credit Consultants
Association is dedicated to the professionalization of the field of credit
restoration. As we establish ourselves as a profession, we must attend to
both the privileges and responsibilities of a profession. Privileges derive
from society's agreement to accept our designation as a group of trained
individuals possessing specialized knowledge and, therefore, the power
implicit in this knowledge. Our responsibilities, in turn, result from the
society’s trust that the profession will regulate itself to do no harm, and
to govern itself to ensure the dignity and welfare of individuals we serve
and the public. To maintain this status, professional organizations must
develop and enforce guidelines that regulate their members’ professional
conduct. A code of ethical principles and standards is one such set of
self-regulatory guidelines. This code guides professionals to act
responsibly as they employ the privileges granted by society. A profession’s
inability to regulate itself violates the public’s trust and undermines the
profession’s potential to be of service to society.
Ethical codes of conduct
that professions adopt are based in the values of the society. Consequently,
these values include the balance between the rights and privacy of the
individual and the general welfare of society. Each profession must
determine its values and social function. The profession must then develop
and adopt an ethics code which guides professional conduct. While no set of
guidelines can anticipate all situations, a useful code should provide
guidance when problems or dilemmas arise. This code should also proactively
direct the actions of its members in work-related settings. If this is
accomplished, the code will ensure society’s trust in the profession.
Credit Consultants
Association Ethical Principles and Standards (hereinafter referred to as the
Ethics Code) is presented here and consists of this Introduction, a
Preamble, six general Principles, and 19 Standards. The Introduction
discusses the intent and organizational considerations of the Ethics Code.
The Preamble and General Principles are intended to guide Credit Consultants
Association members toward the highest ideals of the profession. The
Standards more precisely specify the boundaries of ethical conduct. Although
the Preamble and the General Principles are not themselves enforceable
rules, they should be considered by Credit Consultants Association members
in arriving at an ethical course of action. Ethical Standards are
enforceable rules that mandate behavioral choices.
Membership in the Credit
Consultants Association commits members to adhere to the Credit Consultants
Association Ethics Code. Credit Consultants Association members should be
aware that, in many situations, additional ethical and legal codes may be
applied to them by other professional organizations or public bodies. In the
process of making decisions regarding their professional behavior, Credit
Consultants Association members must consider this Ethics Code, in addition
to other ethical guidelines or legal codes. If the Ethics Code suggests a
higher standard of conduct than is required by legal codes or other ethical
guidelines, Credit Consultants Association members should meet the higher
ethical standard. If the Ethics Code standard appears to conflict with the
requirements of law, then Credit Consultants Association members must make
known their commitment to the Ethics Code and take steps to resolve the
conflict in a responsible manner. If neither law nor the Ethics Code
resolves an issue, Credit Consultants Association members should consider
other professional materials (e.g., guidelines and standards that have been
adopted or endorsed by other professional in the credit industry.
PREAMBLE
Credit Consultants
Association members may fulfill many roles based on their professional
training and competence. In these roles they may work to develop a valid and
reliable body of knowledge based on research; they may apply that knowledge
to legally restore their client credit and credit score via education and
legal applications. They will not advise clients to lie or take money in
advanced. Their goals are to broaden the credit knowledge of their client to
reduce the cost of credit. This will improve the condition of both the
individual and society. Credit Consultants Association members respect the
central importance of freedom of inquiry and expression in research,
teaching, and consulting. They also strive to help the public to develop
informed judgments and choices concerning consumer credit, and personal
financial behavior. This Ethics Code provides a common set of values upon
which Credit Consultants Association members build their professional work.
This Code is intended to
provide the general principles and specific ethical standards for managing
many situations encountered by Credit Consultants Association members. It
has as its primary goal the welfare and protection of the individuals and
groups with whom Credit Consultants Association members work. It is the
individual responsibility of each Credit Consultants Association member to
aspire to the highest possible standards of conduct. Credit Consultants
Association members respect and protect human and civil rights, and do not
knowingly participate in or condone unfair discriminatory practices.
The development of a
dynamic ethical code for an Credit Consultants Association member’s
work-related conduct requires a personal commitment to a lifelong effort to
act ethically; to encourage ethical behavior by students, supervisees,
employees, and colleagues, as appropriate; and to consult with others, as
needed, concerning ethical problems, Each Credit Consultants Association
member supplements, but does not violate, the Ethics Code’s values, on the
basis of guidance drawn from personal values, culture, and experience.
GENERAL
PRINCIPLES
Principle A:
Competence
Credit Consultants
Association members maintain the highest standards of competence in their
work. They recognize the boundaries of their professional competencies and
the limitations of their expertise. They maintain knowledge related to the
services they render, and they recognize the need for ongoing education.
Credit Consultants Association members make appropriate use of professional,
technical, and administrative resources. They provide only those services
and use only those techniques for which they are qualified by education,
training, or experience. In those areas in which recognized professional
standards do not yet exist. Credit Consultants Association members exercise
careful judgment and take appropriate precautions to protect the welfare of
those with whom they work.
Principle B:
Integrity
Credit Consultants
Association members promote integrity in the practice of credit restoration.
In these activities Credit Consultants Association members are honest and
fair. When describing or reporting their credit restoration services,
products, fees, or teaching, they do not make statements that are false,
misleading, or deceptive. Each customer credit profiles are properly
analyzed for items that will lower their credit score and the appropriate
action taken. Consultants will clarify for relevant parties the roles they
are performing and the obligations they adopt. They function appropriately
in accordance with those roles and obligations. Credit Consultants
Association should alert their clients that they CAN perform credit
restoration on their own --you provide specialize knowledge that will
improve their outcome faster.
Principle C:
Professional Responsibility
Credit Consultants
Association members are responsible for safeguarding the public and Credit
Consultants Association from members who are deficient in ethical conduct.
They uphold professional standards of conduct and accept appropriate
responsibility for their behavior. Credit Consultants Association members
consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and
institutions to the extent needed to serve the best interests of the
recipients of their services. Credit Consultants Association members are
concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues’ professional
conduct. When appropriate, they consult with colleagues in order to prevent,
avoid, or terminate unethical conduct.
Principle D: Respect
for People’s Rights and Dignity
Credit Consultants
Association members’ accord appropriate respect to the fundamental rights,
dignity, and worth of all people. They respect the rights of individuals to
privacy, confidentiality, self-determination, and autonomy, mindful that
legal and other obligations may lead to inconsistency and conflict with the
exercise of these rights. Credit Consultants Association members are aware
of cultural, individual, and role differences, including those due to age,
gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
disability, language, and socioeconomic status. Credit Consultants
Association members try to eliminate the effect on their work of biases
based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone
unfair discriminatory practices.
Principle E: Concern
for Others' Welfare
Credit Consultants
Association members seek to contribute to the welfare of those with whom
they interact professionally. When conflicts occur among Credit Consultants
Association members’ obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve those
conflicts and to perform those roles in a responsible fashion that avoids or
minimizes harm. Credit Consultants Association members are sensitive to real
and ascribed differences in power between themselves and others. They do not
exploit or mislead other people during or after professional dealings. E.g.
make treats to expose credit problems of a well known public figure that is
a client of a CCC.
Principle F:
Responsibility
Credit Consultants
Association members will avoid misusing their work, and will comply with the
law in all matter of credit restoration.
GENERAL ETHICAL STANDARDS
These General Standards
are applicable to Credit Consultants Association members across all their
professional roles and in all their professional interactions and
communications.
1. Professional
Relationship
Credit Consultants
Association members provide teaching, research, educational, supervisory, or
other consultative services only in the context of credit restoration and
the credit industry.
2. Boundaries of
Competence
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members represent diverse academic and
professional backgrounds. These different training histories provide
different competencies. Individuals from different training backgrounds must
deliver services, teach, and conduct research only within the boundaries of
their competence.
(b) Credit Consultants Association members provide credit restoration
services and guarantee a high level of competence in this area.
(c) Credit Consultants Association members who engage in credit
assessment, consulting, or other professional credit activities maintain a
reasonable level of awareness of current professional information in their
fields of activity, and undertake ongoing efforts to maintain competence in
the skills they use.
(d) Credit Consultants Association members are aware of the
limitations of their work and do not make claims or take actions that exceed
these limitations.
3.
Human Differences
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members recognize that differences of age,
gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
disability, language, or socioeconomic status can significantly affect their
work. Credit Consultants Association members working with specific
populations have the responsibility to develop the necessary skills to be
competent with these populations, or they make appropriate referrals.
(b) Credit Consultants Association members do not engage in unfair
discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin,
religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or any basis
proscribed by law.
4.
Exploitation
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members do not solicit testimonials from
current clients or other persons who because of their particular
circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.
5.
Personal Problems and Conflicts
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members recognize that personal problems and
personal conflicts may interfere with their effectiveness. Accordingly, they
refrain from undertaking an activity when their personal problems may harm
others to whom they may owe a professional obligation.
(b) In their professional roles Credit Consultants Association
members may obtain privileged information about clients. Credit Consultants
Association members do not use this information for personal gain.
6.
Avoiding Harm
Credit Consultants
Association members take reasonable steps to avoid harming their clients and
to minimize harm where it is foreseeable and unavoidable.
7. Misuse of Credit
Consultants Association Members’ Influence
Because Credit
Consultants Association members’ professional judgments and actions may
affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal,
financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to
misuse of their influence.
8. Misuse of Credit
Consultants Association Members’ Work
Credit Consultants
Association members do not participate in activities in which it appears
likely that their skills or products will be misused by others. If Credit
Consultants Association members learn of misuse or misrepresentation of
their work, they take reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse or
misrepresentation.
9. Barter (with
Clients)
Credit Consultants
Association members refrain from accepting goods, services, or other
nonmonetary remuneration from clients in return for services, because such
arrangements create inherent potential for conflicts, exploitation, and
distortion of the professional relationship. In certain circumstances Credit
Consultants Association members may receive tokens of appreciation from
clients. In these situations it is the Credit Consultants Association
member’s responsibility to determine that the gifts are appropriate for the
setting, not exploitative, and that the gifts do not serve as payment for
services.
10. Consultations and
Referrals
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members arrange for appropriate consultations
and referrals based principally on the best interests of their clients, with
appropriate consent and subject to other relevant considerations, including
applicable law and contractual obligations.
(b) Credit Consultants Association members cooperate with other
professionals in order to serve their clients effectively and appropriately.
11.
Third-Party Requests for Services
(a)
When a Credit Consultants Association member agrees to provide services to a
person or entity at the request of a third party, the Credit Consultants
Association member clarifies, at the outset of the service, the nature of
the relationship with each party. This clarification includes the role of
the Credit Consultants Association member, the probable uses of the services
provided or the information obtained, and the fact that there may be limits
to confidentiality.
(b) If there is a foreseeable risk of the Credit Consultants
Association member’s being called upon to perform conflicting roles because
of the involvement of a third party, the Credit Consultants Association
member clarifies the nature and direction of his or her responsibilities,
keeps all parties appropriately informed as matters develop, and resolves
the situation in accordance with the Ethics Code.
12.
Delegation to and Supervision of Subordinates
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members delegate to their employees,
supervisees, and research assistants only those responsibilities that such
persons can reasonably be expected to perform competently.
(b) Credit Consultants Association members provide proper training
and supervision to their employees or supervisees and take reasonable steps
to see that such persons perform services responsibly, competently, and
ethically.
13.
Documentation of Professional Work
Credit Consultants
Association members appropriately document their professional work in order
to facilitate provision of services later by them or by other professionals,
to ensure accountability, and to meet other requirements of institutions or
the law.
14. Fees and
Financial Arrangements
(a)
As early as is feasible in a professional relationship, the Credit
Consultants Association member and the client should reach an agreement
clearly specifying the compensation and the billing arrangements.
(b) Credit Consultants Association members do not exploit recipients
of services or payers with respect to fees.
(c) If limitations to services can be anticipated because of
limitations in financing, this is discussed with the client or other
appropriate recipient of services as early as is feasible.
(d) Credit Consultants Association members do not deliver services
for future remuneration based on the client’s future results nor do they
accept testimonials in place of fees for services.
15.
Definition of Public Statements
Credit Consultants
Association members are responsible for the clarity and honesty of public
statements about their work made to clients or the public, by themselves or
others representing them. If Credit Consultants Association members learn of
deceptive statements about their work made by others, Credit Consultants
Association members make reasonable efforts to correct such statements.
16. Informed Consent
to Restore Credit
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members obtain appropriate informed consent
to restore their client's credit, using language that is reasonably
understandable to the client. The content of informed consent will vary
depending on circumstances. However, informed consent generally implies that
the person (1) has the capacity to consent, (2) has been informed of
significant information concerning the steps necessary to restore their
credit, (3) has freely and without undue influence expressed consent, and
(4) consent has been appropriately documented.
(b) When persons are legally incapable of giving informed consent,
Credit Consultants Association members obtain informed permission from a
legally authorized person, if such substitute consent is permitted by law.
17.
Maintaining Confidentiality
(a)
Credit Consultants Association members have a primary obligation to uphold
and take reasonable precautions to respect the confidentiality rights of
those with whom they work or consult, recognizing that confidentiality may
be established by law, institutional rules, and/or professional
relationships.
(b) Credit Consultants Association members discuss with persons with
whom they work (1) the foreseeable uses of the information generated through
their services.
(c) Credit Consultants Association members do not disclose in their
writings, lectures, or other public media, confidential, personally
identifiable information concerning their clients that they obtained during
the course of their work, unless the person or organization has consented in
writing or unless there is other ethical or legal authorization for doing
so.
18.
Conflicts between Ethics and Organizational Demands
If the demands of an
organization with which Credit Consultants Association members are
affiliated conflict with the Ethics Code, members clarify the nature of the
conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and to the extent
feasible, seek to resolve the conflict in a way that permits the fullest
adherence to the Ethics Code.
19. Resolution of
Ethical Conflicts
The
successful implementation of an ethics code requires a personal commitment
to act ethically, encourage ethical behavior by others, and consult with
others concerning ethical problems. When applying the code of ethical
conduct, Credit Consultants Association members may encounter problems in
identifying unethical conduct or in resolving ethical conflict. When faced
with significant ethical concerns, one should consider the following courses
of action. Before any action is taken, one may benefit from advice from
uninvolved and objective advisors or peers familiar with ethical issues.
When members believe that there may have been an ethical violation by
another member, they may attempt to clarify and resolve the issue by
bringing the matter to the attention of the other involved parties if such
an informal resolution appears appropriate and the intervention does not
violate any confidentiality rights that may be involved. Discuss ethical
problems with your immediate supervisor except when it appears that the
supervisor is involved in the ethical issue, in which case the problem
should be presented to the next higher administrative level. If satisfactory
resolution cannot be achieved when the problem is initially presented, the
issue should be submitted to the next higher administrative level. Contact
with levels above the immediate administrator should be initiated only with
the administrator's knowledge, assuming that the administrator is not
involved. If the ethical problem or conflict still exists after exhausting
all levels of internal review, support from appropriate professional
organizations should be obtained. It is important for Credit Consultants
Association members to understand that unethical conduct is a serious
matter. However, the primary aims of these ethical principles are to inform
and motivate the highest standards of conduct among Credit Consultants
Association members as we serve our clients, our professions, and our
community.
