by   Victoria Ring---Bio-

I received an email this week that greatly disturbed me.  There is a company out there claiming to offer a Certification for Bankruptcy Processors.  Donna, one of our newsletter subscribers, alerted me to this but she did not provide me with a website address to check out so I do not know the name of the company that solicited her.  However, I want everyone to know that a bankruptcy forms processor CANNOT be certified.  The only certifications issued to non-attorneys must be approved by the federal government.  The only certification I know of that exists for non-attorneys is a Certified Paralegal and this title can only be achieved after intense study and testing by an approved state or federal agency.  Since bankruptcy is Federal law, bankruptcy is governed under the Department of Justice.

So if you should come across any website (or receive an email) claiming to certify a non-attorney as a bankruptcy processor, print it out and send a copy to:

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Bankruptcy Judges Division
1 Columbus Circle, N.E., Suite 4-250
Washington, D.C. 20544

Also, if there is a mailing address on the website, get the name of the state the company is operating in and send a copy of your fraud report to the state bankruptcy court:

1.  Go to http://www.uscourts.gov/courtlinks/
2.  Click on the name of the state to company is located
3.  Get the name and address for that particular state bankruptcy court

You do not need to reveal your name or contact information when reporting fraud but it is helpful if you would include a paragraph explaining the reason you consider this to be fraud. So you might want to attach a note that says:

I found a website that claims they certify bankruptcy processors. I know it is illegal to certify non-attorneys without being a federally approved agency. I am submitting a copy of the web site where I found this information and feel it deserves your investigation.

Perhaps if we all work together, we can help in reducing this fraud and protect others in the future from falling prey to it.