Advancing the professionalism of the moving industry by fostering an environment of security and protection is a top priority for IAM. This commitment begins with the IAM Code of Ethics, a foundational requirement for all IAM members, ensuring a shared standard of integrity and accountability.
IAM has developed a suite of tools and programs to support its members, empowering them to request assistance and share critical information to make informed business decisions. These include:
- The Issue Resolution System (IIRS): A streamlined platform for members to report trade issues, enabling quick and efficient conflict resolution.
- The Receivable Protection Program (RPP): A financial safeguard that helps protect members from losses due to unpaid invoices.
- IAM Alerts & Alleged Debtor List: A resource providing real-time, actionable insights to support strategic decision making with a global perspective.
By creating multiple layers of protection, IAM ensures its members operate in a secure, professional, and informed environment. These initiatives underscore IAM's dedication to upholding the integrity of the industry while enabling members to build trust, resolve challenges, and protect their financial and reputational interests. Together, these efforts strengthen the global moving community and reinforce IAM’s mission to champion the moving industry.
- Receivable Protection Program (RPP)
- IAM Issue Resolution System
- IAM Alerts & Alleged Debtor List
- IAM Code of Ethics
- FAQs
Benefits of the RPP
The Receivable Protection Program (RPP) is an initiative by the International Association of Movers (IAM) that helps safeguard members from financial losses due to unpaid invoices. Since 2015, it has returned over $6.5 million in value to its members.
Available to Core, Premier, and Value members, the RPP helps resolve payment disputes and protects businesses from insolvent partners through resources like the Alleged Debtor List. The program is praised for its effectiveness in mitigating risks in the moving industry.
Learn More About the RPPIAM Issue Resolution System
Collaborate with Confidence
Member companies rely on the International Association of Movers (IAM) to provide them with tools to make them easier. Trade issues cause significant friction for members and use up focus and energy that could be better directed at optimizing business.
All IAM members have access to the IAM Issue Resolution System (IIRS) to seek support from their association on collecting unpaid invoices, resolving disputed shipments or ethical violations, as well as reporting the misuse of IAM's name or loge.
Learn More About The IIRSAlleged Debtor List
IAM Alerts & Alleged Debtor List
Trust and transparency are crucial. As part of the IAM Alert System, the Alleged Debtor List provides members with real-time, actionable information, empowering them to make informed business decisions with global insights.
The IAM Alleged Debtor List is a collection of all IAM Members who are allegedly not paying their invoices to other members. IAM member companies listed on the Alleged Debtors List have not resolved outstanding invoices to other members, and IAM’s intervention to resolve these debts has escalated to the level stipulated by the IAM Executive Committee for publication on the Alleged Debtor List.
View the Alleged Debtor ListTracking the Effectiveness of the RPP
IAM Code of Ethics: As members of the International Association of Movers, we recognize the importance of codifying and raising awareness about the ethical principles which guide the work of moving companies, their suppliers, and their staffs.
Ethical dilemmas occur when values conflict. The IAM Code of Ethics states the values to which our members are committed and embodies the ethical responsibilities of our profession. More specifically, it provides IAM Members with a set of guidelines to assist them in understanding the difference between “right” and “wrong,” and in applying those understanding to their dealings with clients and other IAM members.
FAQs
FAQs
1. Alleged Debtor List
The Alleged Debtors list is posted in the Company Alerts & Alleged Debtors as well as in the IAMX Online directory which details the IAM members who are allegedly delinquent on payments owed to other IAM members. This tool provides members with advance business information regarding which members may not be paying their invoices. Filed claims for less $3000.00 USD are not eligible for posting on the Alleged Debtor List.
2. My company is owed money by a fellow Member who is an important client of ours. Can we file the unpaid invoice(s) confidentially?
YES! IAM treats all disputes confidentially and will not initiate the Intervention process with the delinquent company unless your company explicitly authorizes us to do so. The last thing IAM Staff wants to do is jeopardize your company’s business relationship.
3. What if I submit an unpaid invoice(s) that is less than $3000.00 USD?
IAM can assist with an intervention on all outstanding debts regardless of the amount owed or age of the invoice. If requested, IAM will conduct and initial intervention via the IAM Issue Resolution System with a 30 day self-resolution period.
If the debt remains unresolved after the completion of the self resolution period, IAM will keep it on file if the amount due is under $3,000.00 USD. If the debt is over $3,000.00 USD or if the filed by party is an IAMTrusted Moving Company, IAM will proceed with a formal RPP intervention.
4. What is the number one tip IAM gives to companies about the RPP?
Report within 120 days of the invoice date! If we do not know about an outstanding debt, we cannot assist.
You can choose to report and request that IAM does not intervene and keeps the debt confidential. However, if you do not report within that 120-day window, you will not be protected in case the delinquent party becomes non-operational or declares bankruptcy.
5. Under RPP Compensation, if my unpaid invoice(s) is approved, will IAM pay me the entire amount of the invoice that was not paid?
Yes, but this determination depends on a variety of factors. To protect the solvency of the RPP Reserve Fund, IAM maintains limitations governing the total amount paid out per year, the total amount paid out to compensate claimants of one particular company, and the total amount paid out to compensate a specific claimant. More information on these limitations can be found in the RPP Operating Rules and Regulations in Section II, Part A.
6. Other trade associations like LACMA and FIDI operate similar programs to the RPP. If my unpaid invoice(s) is valid in all three programs, can I still recover money from the RPP?
IAM’s policy on this subject is to work with FIDI and LACMA on overlapping compensation. The three organizations have worked out a process through which we can share these types of debts to ensure that we are maximizing the amount we can compensate under the rules of the program while sharing the costs from our mutual members.
7. My unpaid invoice(s) was not denied. Why am I not receiving a payout this year?
Even if your unpaid invoice was not denied, IAM only pays out RPP Compensation when it has determined that the debtor company has filed for bankruptcy or ceased to exist. If the debtor company you reported against is still operating by the end of the fiscal year, the reported debt will be rolled over to the next fiscal year and will be evaluated as a part of the following fiscal year’s review.
8. Why does IAM ask for additional documentation for eligible RPP compensation unpaid invoice(s)?
The RPP Operating Rules explicitly list the required documentation that the Filed By Party must submit for a potentially eligible compensation. These documents are used to verify that a service was actually completed and that the charges billed match the original accepted quote. All RPP compensation is independently verified for eligibility and this back-up documentation is required for that confirmation as well.
9. I have provided evidence that a company I submitted an unpaid invoice(s) against is out of business. Why haven’t I received my check yet?
Settlements are based on a maximum annual payables amount determined by the number of IAM Member companies paying into the RPP at the end of each fiscal year. All eligible RPP compensations are reviewed at the end of each fiscal year and no payments will be disbursed until after the start of the next fiscal year.
13. This used to be true. However, now that IAM has extended the program to ALL IAM Members, the Association can now afford to cover invoices that stem from both commercial household goods shipments and for the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and General Services Administration.
10. I heard that the RPP only covers invoices that stem from commercial household goods shipments (i.e. non-U.S. Military / Government Shipments). Is this true?
This used to be true. However, now that IAM has extended the program to ALL IAM Members, the Association can now afford to cover invoices that stem from both commercial household goods shipments and for the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and General Services Administration.
11. The RPP now covers invoices from U.S. Military and Government shipments? Is that right?
Yes, by expanding the RPP, IAM can now spread risk among approximately 2,000 companies rather 100 to 200 companies. In the past, failing to cover these invoices was a chief complaint of the RPP, so IAM wanted to incorporate this feature to make the program even more valuable to members.
12. So my company will be able to obtain compensation for unpaid invoices, request IAM intervention on outstanding invoices, and receive advance information about which IAM Members are allegedly not paying their invoices?
Yes, your company will receive all three benefits as part of its IAM Membership dues.
13. This Alleged Debtor List – How does a company get designated as an Alleged Debtor?
As part of RPP Intervention, IAM Staff conducts a step-by-step procedure by which a company will be identified as an Alleged Debtor if no effort is made to resolve the outstanding debt. Ample time is provided to the alleged debtor to pay off the outstanding invoice or propose an acceptable payment plan before being placed on that list. Additionally, IAM staff will work with the debtor company to follow up on debts that they may be waiting for from other IAM members.
Member Testimonial
The RPP is a significant step in safeguarding all IAM agents around the world in terms of payment. The membership of IAM is one large family but, unfortunately, especially with a world recession, companies do go out of business, and this is where the RPP safeguard steps in and helps resolve this situation.
We have been RPP members since its initiation into IAM, and the help and support provided in trying to resolve payment disputes has been substantial and extremely successful. I must pay particular credit to Brian Limperopulos from IAM for his positive and unequivocal support in relation to resolving issues through RPP.
The only thing I do not fully understand is why the vast majority of members are not signing up to use the scheme! It is a fantastic safeguard. It is here for the benefit of all IAM members and I would strongly recommend that we all start using it. Well done to IAM on the RPP initiative.
The RPP is a significant step in safeguarding all IAM agents around the world in terms of payment. The membership of IAM is one large family but, unfortunately, especially with a world recession, companies do go out of business, and this is where the RPP safeguard steps in and helps resolve this situation.
We have been RPP members since its initiation into IAM, and the help and support provided in trying to resolve payment disputes has been substantial and extremely successful. I must pay particular credit to Brian Limperopulos from IAM for his positive and unequivocal support in relation to resolving issues through RPP.
The only thing I do not fully understand is why the vast majority of members are not signing up to use the scheme! It is a fantastic safeguard. It is here for the benefit of all IAM members and I would strongly recommend that we all start using it. Well done to IAM on the RPP initiative.
Campbell McGimpsey
Director, McGimpsey Brothers (Removals) Limited