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ECRA Members Code of Professional Ethics
With the kind of trust that is delegated to credit repair professionals by members of the general public who may engage their services to build or repair credit, it is imperative that our members be governed by a predetermined Code of Professional Ethics. This Code of Ethics has been formulated to serve as a standard model of specified behavior that is well above the barest minimum expected of a credit repair professional. The Code aims to prescribe ethical standards for the conduct of its members in order to ensure that members comply with requirements as specified by the Code.
These conventions are binding on all members without exception, and are of an obligatory nature. Violation of these Conventions will constitute a violation of terms of membership, and will be construed as grounds for disciplinary action.
Convention 1
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation on each member to abide by all conventions as listed in this Code, without exceptions.
Convention 2
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation on each member to refrain from insisting or asking for payment in cash or other forms of payments prior to such services being fully rendered. This is not merely unethical; it’s a violation of the Credit Repair Organizations Act.
Convention 3
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that no member will discriminate against clients based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origins, or political persuasion.
Convention 4
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a member will at all costs refrain from giving illegal advice of any kind to his or her clients. Advice that pertains to “creating a new identity” by applying for an Employee Identification Number (EIN) constitutes one such form of illegal advice. This sort of creation of a separate identity (separate from the old one with bad credit) is known as file segregation, and will not only lead to debarment from membership but will also make the member liable for prosecution, leading to possible fines and even jail terms.
Convention 5
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member will at all times inform the client of his or her legal rights. The member will pass on to the client any information he or she may have concerning how the client may be able to repair his or her credit for free.
Convention 6
All members are required to continuously educate themselves and update their professional skills in order to better serve the interests of their clients. Those may include classes offered by ECRA, attending Yearly ECRA conferences, participating in online ECRA seminars and interacting on the ECRA membership site.
Convention 7
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member will under no circumstance promise results from his or her credit repair practices. No specific guarantees of any kind pertaining to the results of his or her efforts may be made, and the member is required to make the client fully aware at all times of what the end results of a member’s credit repair procedures may be.
Convention 8
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member will present the client with the “Consumer Rights under State and Federal Law” document. The Member will obtain the signature of the client on this document and keep it on file for a minimum of three years.
Convention 9
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member shall at all times place the interests of the client above monetary concerns. The member will use his or her professional skills to ensure that the client receives maximum benefits from his or her services.
Convention 10
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a member will not share financial information pertaining to the client’s credit reports with another member or with a third party. However this convention may be relaxed in case of a need to discuss the matter with a party who requires access to the information for the discharge of his or her professional duties. The member will obtain a signed document from the client authorizing the release of such information to a third party.
Convention 11
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a member will adhere to the provisions of the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Among other things, the Act explicitly forbids making any untrue or misleading statements pertaining to a client’s credit worthiness or financial capacity.
Convention 12
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member will provide to the client an agreement stipulating the services that are expected to be performed, and any assurances regarding these services. This agreement will also reflect the expected costs to the client for these services, and the date by which the services are to be completed. This statement will then be signed, dated and a copy presented to the client.
Convention 13
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member will provide the client with the official printed ECRA statement and a copy of his or her current and valid membership to the ECRA.
Convention 14
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member will abide by any final ruling made by ECRA when mediating any client disputes. The final ruling will stand and the member will not have any recourse against ECRA, its members, board of directors or the client filing the dispute.
Convention 15
Absolute in the Code of Professional Ethics is the obligation that a Member will abide by state licensing requirements. The ECRA member must be licensed in the home state he or she conducts business as a Credit professional, unless state exemptions apply.
Member can download the ECRA statement online HERE
Member can download Consumer Rights under State and Federal Law HERE
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