Litigation

The following is an excerpt from a recent communication from an NSSTA member firm to its members concerning advertising of the Certified Structured Settlement Consultant (CSSC) professional designation. There are still alot of people flouting the NSSTA guidelines. Kudos to this unnamed firm!

"Hello!

Fellow members of the industry, NSSTA and the University of Notre Dame have expressed concerns regarding the way CSSC designations are listed on bios of structured settlement brokers.  To be clear, Notre Dame does not have a CSSC program.  Rather, the CSSC designation is offered by NSSTA in cooperation with the Notre Dame?s Executive Education Department.  For this reason, CSSC designations should not be listed as having been received from Notre Dame. 

To help ensure the CSSC designation is accurately described, NSSTA has provided sample language (below) for broker use.  If you have the CSSC designation, your bio will automatically be edited to comply with the description below.  If you would like to edit other components of your bio at this time, please forward your revised bio copy as soon as possible.  Please note that the only acceptable means for describing your CSSC designation are as stated below.   

Thanks!

Sample Resume Language

The CSSC is administered by the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) and developed in cooperation with the University of Notre Dame Executive Education Department.

Certified Structured Settlement Consultant (CSSC) ? The CSSC certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas of structured settlement consulting. The CSSC is administered by the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) and developed in cooperation with the University of Notre Dame Executive Education Department.

The Certified Structured Settlement Consultant (CSSC) program is administered by the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) and developed in conjunction with the University of Notre Dame Executive Education Department. The CSSC is the structured settlements industry?s oldest and most respected designation, establishing educational standards for structured settlement professionals throughout the nation. The CSSC program consists of more than 80 hours of classroom and study culminating in a comprehensive examination and provides an objective measure of an individual's broad-based knowledge and competency in structured settlements".

Message to the stragglers...Unless you enjoy seeing your firm's or your firm's members names in lights perhaps you should consider reviewing your company's bios and marketing materials and if there are any offenders, then generating somehing similar to your own members.

CREDENTIAL PUFFERY, WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL IS MISLEADING AND MAY VIOLATE THE LAW. HELP STAMP OUT CREDENTIAL PUFFERY IN THE INDUSTRY BY REVIEWING YOUR OWN BIOS, LINKEDIN PROFILES AND MARKETING MATERIALS AND THOSE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES.