Dear Members,
It is my honor to announce the creation of the Recovery Agent Protection Committee (RAPC), chaired by Wade Argo, President of Argo Management in Illinois, and co-chaired by Amy Bednar, President of Relentless Recovery in Ohio. This committee was established to tackle one of the greatest challenges in our profession: ensuring the safety and protection of repossession agents.
Every day, our agents step into unpredictable and dangerous situations. Too often, these risks go unnoticed or unaddressed, leaving agents vulnerable to threats of violence. RAPC’s mission is clear—to unite our industry in building safeguards that protect agents, raise awareness, and promote fairness across the recovery space.
Our Immediate Goal
- Evaluate current protections in key states to understand where recovery agents stand today.
- Create a universal protection framework that ARA and its members can carry forward nationwide, setting consistent standards for agent safety.
- Collect and report incidents of violence against agents to bring visibility to the very real dangers our members face.
Our Broader Vision
RAPC’s work will extend beyond evaluating protections. The committee will also:
- Promote training programs in situational awareness, recognizing pre-fight indicators, and safe exit strategies, giving agents the tools they need to protect themselves.
- Educate lenders, forwarders, and company owners on how current business models and fee structures can unintentionally place agents in harm’s way.
- Encourage participation and collaboration across our industry, from state associations to independent owners to include all groups operating in this sector, because protecting agents requires a united front.
Why This Matters
The current model, where agents are often pressured to choose between recovering collateral or not getting paid, pushes people to take risks that can escalate into violent encounters. That is unacceptable. The bottom line is simple: no fee structure or business practice should ever put an agent’s life on the line.
A Call to Action
RAPC is committed to driving this effort forward, but its strength will come from broad participation. In the months ahead, Wade and his team will call on members from across the country to share their voices, their experiences, and their commitment to protecting those who protect our industry.
This is not an overnight project, but it is an essential one. With unity, focus, and determination, we can build meaningful protections that will safeguard agents today and for generations to come.
Please join me in supporting Wade, Amy, and the Recovery Agent Protection Committee as they begin this vital mission. Together, we can show that ARA stands firmly for the safety, dignity, and protection of every recovery agent.
Sincerely,
Vaughn Clemmons
President, American Recovery Association
