Debt Collection
FDCPA and Debt Collection Activities Getting New Press
I’m watching CNN Headline News this morning, over morning coffee, and I’m thrilled to see a “Top Tips” on unlawful debt collection activities. This seems to be motivated in part by the release of the FTC’s annual report for the past year. (See the full 13-page report here, in Adobe PDF.) Most of the FTC’s information about the extent of noncompliance with the FDCPA comes from consumer complaints, and 2006 was a banner year, it seems - over 69,000 complaints about third party debt collectors, more than any other industry. The total number of complaints about FDCPA violations rose about 3.8% from 2005; the FTC believes that the number of actual violations is significantly underreported.
I’d agree. First, I’m not sure how many people actually know the FTC has oversight and enforcement authority in this area. Second, of those that do, how many realize how easy it is to lodge a complaint?
Since this blog’s primary purpose is to educate the public about its rights in the field of consumer debt, let me do my part right now.
Why You Should File a Debt Collection Abuse Complaint With the FTC
One simple reason: the power of numbers. The more complaints the FTC receives, the better information it has about the scope of a particular problem. And the better the information, the more effective its enforcement activities.
Will a FTC complaint solve your problem directly? Probably not. For that, you need some self-help, or the assistance of an attorney in egregious cases. But you should also file the complaint with the FTC anyway.
How To File a FTC Complaint About Debt Collection Practices
There are three ways.
- Go to the FTC website at this page - http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/cmplanding.shtm - and click the link for the Consumer Complaint Form. This is the preferred method.
- Write to the FTC at:
Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580 - Call the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
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Consumers really need to educate themselves on the illegal practices of these collectors. So they can then identify them and file complaints accordingly. If you are someone in debt and are recieving calls it is almost guaranteed that one if not more of the collectors are doing something illegal in an attempt to collect the debt.
We as a people have to learn how to be more active in protecting our freedoms. We put people in place that was suppose to be trustworthy, come to find out that they are not, and then we do not have a plan of action in place to stop the mayhem that they committ against us. We need activist training classes in the public and private sector. I am willing to assist in providing space for such classes, give me a call: 678-519-1329, Angel.