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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Key Figures Download on FTC Discussion on Process Servers and Legal Collection Issues
11 August 2009
5000 FDCPA Lawsuits: A Disturbing New Milestone
11 August 2009
FTC Collection Litigation Roundtable Sees Lively Debate on Legal Issues
7 August 2009
Debt Collector Registry and Dispute Resolution Proposal May Alienate Prominent ACA Affiliate
6 August 2009
Capital Debt Settlement and Legal Helpers Form Consumer Advocacy Partnership
3 August 2009
DCS 2009 Announces the Addition of Arbitration and Dialer Strategy Round Tables
31 July 2009
FTC Announces Further Extension on 'Red Flags' Rule Implementation to November 1
30 July 2009
ACA International Submits Testimony on Arbitration to House Subcommittee
29 July 2009
FTC Meeting to Discuss Collection Litigation and Arbitration
28 July 2009
ASK THE EXPERTS: Federal Healthcare Reform
27 July 2009
Debt Portfolio Registration Services Fill an Operational and Regulatory Gap
22 July 2009
Patient?s Death Renews Calls on Capitol Hill to Limit Specialty-Hospital Growth
21 July 2009
The Collections Quandary: Tripped by a Cell Phone No More
15 July 2009
FDCPA Lawsuit Volume Picks Up Steam in June
13 July 2009
Operators of Credit Card Rate Reduction Scam Are Banned From Telemarketing: FTC
10 July 2009
Consumer Bankruptcies on Pace to Hit Pre-Reform Levels in 2009
8 July 2009
CBA President Says Proposed Consumer Protection Act is a ?Bridge Too Far?
6 July 2009
Collection Agency Settles with FTC for $225,000
6 July 2009
FDIC Announces Settlement With Advanta Bank Corporation for Deceptive and Unfair Practices
2 July 2009
FTC Issues Advisory Opinion to ACA International Regarding FDCPA - FCRA Conflict
2 July 2009