Update February 2022 – As Spire strives to stay at the forefront of industry changes and trends, our commitment to advanced industry compliance continues. In addition to SCRA compliance, Spire maintains high-quality industry memberships and data security-focused certifications. Our comprehensive, transparent, and compliant consumer-focused services benefit not only the clients we work with but also all of those who have been working toward account resolution.
August 2021 – Founded by U.S. Military veterans Joseph Torriere and Jacob Torriere, Spire Recovery Solutions is committed to helping and supporting our Nation’s military service members. One of the many ways we actively demonstrate our support of our Nation’s heroes is through compliance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, or SCRA.
SCRA Protections
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides extra protections to those who have been called up for active duty. It prevents them from being sued during active military service and for most, the protections begin the day they enter active duty (or in the case of reservists, upon the receipt of certain military orders). Eligible active-duty service members include all Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Reserves. Members of the National Guard who are mobilized under federal orders for more than 30 consecutive days are also included as are active-duty commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It also protects U.S. citizens who serve with allied military forces for the duration of a military conflict that involves the United States.
The primary purpose of the SCRA is to help active-duty personnel and their families meet legal and financial obligations and protect their rights while protecting our country. The SCRA protects eligible military service members by:
- Reducing the interest rate on any pre-service loans to a maximum of 6 percent.
- Protecting against default judgments in civil cases.
- Protecting against foreclosure on their home.
- Protecting against repossession of their property.
- Terminating residential housing and automobile leases without penalty.
The History of the SCRA
The Servicemember Civil Relief Act, or SCRA, was officially enacted in 1940, but the law’s origins date as far back as the Civil War when the U.S. Congress passed a moratorium on civil actions being brought against Union soldiers and sailors. This meant that until the service member returned from war, civil matters including breach of contract, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and divorce proceedings were put on hold.
During World War I, these concerns were raised again and Congress passed the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1918 which stayed in effect until it expired at the end of WWI. The present-day SCRA is a reenactment of the 1918 law and has remained in effect with no interruptions. Throughout the decades, the SCRA has been revised more than 12 times to reflect the current needs of an evolving military and our ever-changing world. An important amendment was added on November 11, 2009, when the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) was signed into law.
How the SCRA Helps Military Families Today
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act helps not only active-duty military but also their families through the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA). The MSRRA is an amendment to the SCRA that was signed into law in 2009. Its purpose is to protect military spouses in matters such as voting, property, taxes, and providing equitable treatment of military spouses. For military families, answering the question of where you are from can be complicated, especially when it comes to filing taxes. The MSRRA allows military spouses to claim for tax purposes the same state of domicile as their service member which simplifies family tax filing.
Spire Recovery Solutions’ Commitment to SCRA Compliance
Collection agencies like Spire Recovery Solutions often have an automated, reliable SCRA Compliance Scrub solution through which they process data from the Department of Defense database, easily identifying those who qualify for SCRA protection. Scrub services must comply with strict SCRA guidelines to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, and controls are in place. These services exist to help collection agencies and make sure that collection activities are in compliance with the established guidelines and our Nation’s active-duty service members are protected.
“As U.S. Military Veterans, both Jacob and I have seen firsthand the positive impact that consumer protections can have on active-duty military personnel. U.S. Servicemembers need to be able to devote full focus and energy to defending our nation,” says Joseph Torriere, President of Spire Recovery Solutions. “Through the enactment of the SCRA and its associated amendments, active-duty military don’t have to worry about problems associated with legal and/or financial transactions, evictions and foreclosures, interest rates, default judgments, repossessions, and even the equitable treatment of military spouses. This law protects the people who are around the world protecting us. The entire team at Spire Recovery Solutions is proud to support and comply with the SCRA.”
Spire Recovery Solutions is passionate about supporting our country’s veterans, active military, and our local communities. We actively support the Naked Warrior Project, FeedMore WNY, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and many more. To learn more about how we are creating positive change, please visit the Spire Recovery Solutions News page.
About The SCRA
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) SCRA is a United States federal law that provides certain protections in lending for service members who are called to active duty. The SCRA was enacted in 2003 as a revision and expansion of the Soldier’s and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940 (SSCRA), a law that was designed to protect the rights and ease the financial burden of the millions of service members activated for World War II.
About Spire Recovery Solutions
Spire Recovery Solutions, LLC was founded by U.S. Veterans Joseph Torriere and Jacob Torriere. Spire is located in Lockport, NY, is a professional, nationally licensed full-service debt collection agency that assists creditors in the recovery of outstanding balances while providing consumers with exceptional customer service. Their company’s customized processes and state-of-the-art technology provide transparency and compliance that clients and consumers trust and rely on while working together toward account resolution.
