Third-party debt collection has an important impact on America's andGeorgia's economies, according to a new study by ACA International and global advisory firm Ernst and Young based on 2010 data. 

"These findings reinforce the critical role the third-party debt collection industry plays as a service provider in recovering unpaid consumer debt on behalf of the public, private and non-profit sectors," said Georgia Collectors Association President Allison Millwood. "Moreover, third-party collectors are actively engaged in Georgia communities as employers, volunteers, philanthropists and taxpayers."

Among the key national findings of this landmark survey about third-party debt collection:

• Recovering Assets: In the U.S., $55 billion was recovered on behalf of creditor clients.  Third-party collection agencies based in Georgia recovered $2.3 billion. 
• Creating Jobs:  Third-party collection agencies directly employed 148,272 people with a payroll of $5 billion.  Indirectly, they influenced the creation of 300,000 jobs with a payroll of $10 billion. Georgia collection agencies directly employed 5,806 people with a payroll of $186 million.  Indirectly, they influenced a total of 12,672 jobs in Georgia with a payroll of$407 million.
• Paying Taxes:  Third-party collection agencies and their employees paid $495 million in federal taxes and $509 million in state and local taxes.  The total impact of the industry generated $970 million in federal taxes paid and $1 billion in state and local taxes. Georgia collection agencies and their employees paid $17.4 million in state and local taxes and $19.1 million in federal taxes.
• Giving Back: Third-party collection agencies and their employees contributed $85.2 million and volunteered 652,000 hours to charitable community causes. Georgia collection agencies contributed $4.5 million and 29,300 volunteer hours to charitable causes.

"Our nation was built on the premise that those who provide credit, goods and services to consumers have the expectation of being repaid," said ACA International CEO Pat Morris. "Recovering these debts helps organizations survive; prevents layoffs; keeps cost down and credit, goods and services available; and reduces the need for tax increases to cover government budget shortfalls."

To review the complete ACA / Ernst and Young report, "Impact of Third-Party Debt Collection to the National and State Economies," please visit www.acainternational.org/impact.