Debt collectors are regulated by the FTC on the federal level. At the state level, attorneys general are typically responsible for enforcing state and federal laws. A few local governments also separately regulate debt collectors. The laws that govern the ARM industry are civil, meaning that liability is almost always monetary. So a state’s attorney general will not file criminal charges against a debt collector accused of violating the law, rather, he/she will sue for damages. Collection laws include federal and state statutes that govern the proper operation of companies and personnel that work in the debt collection industry. The most comprehensive collection law is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Other federal laws that collectors must follow include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the data security requirements of the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA).
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FTC Extends Comment Period for Proposed Policy Statement Clarifying How to Collect Decedents' Debts
9 November 2010
State AG Recovers $1.25 Million From Three Collection Agencies
9 November 2010
Texas AG Charges Payday Lender with Fraud Over Debt Collection
8 November 2010
Foreclosure Gate and Robo-Signing Leaves ARM Industry Vulnerable
5 November 2010
Consumer Group Warns on New FTC Position on Deceased Debt Collection
4 November 2010
State AG Sues to Shut Down Collector that Used Fake Courtroom
4 November 2010
Why the Meaningful Involvement Doctrine Should Not Exist Under the FDCPA
3 November 2010
FTC Obtains Court Order Barring Credit Repair Operation from Making False Claims and Charging Up-Front Fees
29 October 2010
FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics, October 1-15
28 October 2010
Collection Director Admits Selling Debtor Information
26 October 2010
Better Business Bureau Changes Ratings Methodology, Benefiting Debt Collectors
25 October 2010
Probe of Wireless Debt Collection Practices Moot for ARM Telecom Players
25 October 2010
ACA International Responds to CNN's "Almighty Debt" Program
22 October 2010
FTC Settles Charges Against Collection Agency for $1.75 million
22 October 2010
Debt Relief Companies Prohibited From Collecting Advance Fees Under FTC Rule That Takes Effect October 27
21 October 2010
Manny Newburger and Fair Debt Consultants, LLC Announce the Release of Disk 2 in The Compliant Collector Training Series
20 October 2010
TV Spotlight Shines Bright on Debt Collectors This Week
20 October 2010
WebRecon Launches State Lawsuit Service
19 October 2010
FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics for September 16-30
18 October 2010
Paper Runs Interesting Defense of Debt Collectors
18 October 2010