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).

See all Topics
Image from a dictionary showing the word leg-is-la-tion [Image by creator Art of Success from AdobeStock]

D.C. Emergency and Temporary Legislation Limiting Collection Activities to Take Effect September 23, 2021

8 September 2021

An animated image of a judge facing two lawyers in court [Image by creator cookart from AdobeStock]

10th Circuit Says Single Phone Call is Sufficient for Standing, Blasts Defense Counsel for Presenting Bona Fide Error Defense Without Procedures.

26 August 2021

File drawer with one folder in focus, labeled "Court Decisions" [Image by creator tashatuvango from AdobeStock]

6th Cir. Holds Mere Confusion Does Not Impart Article III Standing, Reverses FDCPA Ruling in Favor of Defendant

25 August 2021

 [Image by creator kentoh from AdobeStock]

CA DFPI Issues Draft Rules to Implement CCFPL Provisions on Complaint Handling, UDAAP Definition for Commercial Transactions

24 August 2021

Image of a neon bright yellow outline of a wired phone handset against a black background [Image by creator SergeyNivens from AdobeStock]

140 Days Later: Here Are Five Things To Know (Right Now) About How Courts Are Handling ATDS Cases Post Facebook

23 August 2021

 [Image by creator blackzheep from AdobeStock]

Does Your Collection Agency Name Violate Regulation F? [Podcast]

19 August 2021

 [Image by creator enterlinedesign from AdobeStock]

Utah District Court Finds Petition Clause Bars FDCPA Suit Brought Against Debt Buyer for Filing Collection Suit Without a License

18 August 2021

Image from a dictionary showing the word leg-is-la-tion [Image by creator Art of Success from AdobeStock]

D.C. City Council Amends Emergency Debt Collection Bill

5 August 2021

Image of a blackboard with a 3 item checklist that includes Plan, Prepare, Perform [Image by creator Yury Zap from AdobeStock]

CFPB Finalizes Regulation F Implementation Date: What Your Organization Needs To Consider in Order To Be “Reg F Ready”

3 August 2021

Microphone sitting on table [Image by creator olegkruglyak3 from AdobeStock]

BREAKING: CFPB Confirms Reg F Will Take Effect on November 30, 2021

30 July 2021

Image from a dictionary showing the word leg-is-la-tion [Image by creator Art of Success from AdobeStock]

D.C. Council Passes Comprehensive Debt Collection Bill; Sends to Mayor for Signature

28 July 2021

 [Image by creator enterlinedesign from AdobeStock]

Awesome TCPA Win!: Court finds Facebook’s “Clear Holding” Requires Use of R&SNG and Not Just Capacity to Qualify as ATDS

27 July 2021

Man in a suit holding a large cardboard box that says "Dismissed" [Image by creator nito from AdobeStock]

Eastern District of New York Dismisses Six Hunstein Copy-Cat Cases; Questions Hunstein’s Viability After TransUnion

26 July 2021

Chairs around large table [Image by creator peterschreiber.media from AdobeStock]

California DFPI Announces Inaugural Debt Collection Advisory Committee Meeting

26 July 2021

File drawer with one folder in focus, labeled "Court Decisions" [Image by creator tashatuvango from AdobeStock]

8th Cir. Confirms Various Loss Mit and Foreclosure Communications Not Subject to FDCPA

22 July 2021

File drawer with one folder in focus, labeled "Licenses" [Image by creator tashatuvango from AdobeStock]

CA DFPI: Debt Collector License Application Due by Dec. 31, 2021

21 July 2021

A set of five different-shaped road signs that all say "Penalty" [Image by creator Argus from AdobeStock]

CFPB Fines GreenSky $2.5 Million and Requires Cancellation of $9 Million in Loans

15 July 2021

 [Image by creator Leigh Prather from AdobeStock]

Consumer Relations Consortium Receives Responses from Nevada Regarding New Medical Collections Law

12 July 2021

 [Image by creator Krasimira Nevenova from AdobeStock]

Connecticut and Minnesota Approve Work From Home; MN Requires Debt Buyers to be Licensed

8 July 2021

Photo of courthouse building with "judicial" written on it [Image by creator Natalia Bratslavsky from AdobeStock]

Nevada Federal Court Won't Weigh in on Medical Collection Law Until Late July

30 June 2021