Headline: Publishers, be very selective with the debt relief offers you promote going forward. This industry is about to undergo increased scrutiny and regulation!

Details: Many of the debt relief services advertised using affiliate marketing are going to undergo increased regulatory scrutiny by the FTC, state regulators, and attorneys general. The Telemarketing sales rule (called the TSR) is going to be amended to cover these services in the future. These services include: credit counseling, debt settlement, and debt negotiation. The basic premises of the changes will dramatically impact the way these services can be advertised. The noteworthy changes below will require more up front disclosures and insure the consumer is better protected. The commission is seeking comments on the amendment that would:

* Prohibit companies from charging fees until they have provided the debt relief services;

* Require disclosures about the debt relief services being offered, including how long it will take to obtain promised debt relief and how much it will cost;

* Prohibit specific misrepresentations about material aspects of debt relief services, including success rates and whether a debt relief company is nonprofit;

* Extend the TSR to cover calls consumers make to debt relief services in response to their advertisements; and

* Define the term “debt relief service” to cover any service to renegotiate, settle, or in any way alter the payment terms or other terms of the debt between a consumer and one or more unsecured creditors or debt collectors, including a reduction in the balance, interest rate, or fees owed.

More on the changes HERE, HERE and HERE.