New legislation targeting debt counseling and settlement services seeks to safeguard consumers from fraud. Business and consumer groups have split opinions on the law’s usefulness.
Understanding the ins and outs of the Uniform Debt-Management Services Act (UDMSA) is like studying how to survive on twigs and berries when lost in the woods—undoubtedly beneficial expertise, but something you hope you’ll in no way require.
The UDMSA is legislation that covers debt settlement and credit counseling services, which helps folks who might be in require of debt consolidation programs. Currently, these services are regulated at the state level, which means debt-ridden buyers in California who seek help are most likely treated differently than their counterparts in Maine. It also means that there’s no national oversight of credit counselors, debt consolidation programs, and debt settlement companies. The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) believes customers stand to benefit from a far more consistent approach to the regulation of these services. For this reason, the NCCUSL is asking state governments to adopt the UDMSA.