View Rule

The Federal government for many years has received more consumer complaints about debt collectors than about any other single industry. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from engaging in unfair, deceptive, abusive, and other unlawful collection practices, but no Federal agency was vested with authority to issue general implementing regulations prior to the creation of the CFPB. The CFPB is considering whether rules governing the collection of debts are warranted under the FDCPA or other CFPB authorities, and, if so, what types of rules would be appropriate. Rulemaking might include disclosures or address acts or practices in connection with debt collection activities. In November 2013, the CFPB issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment, data, and information from the public about debt collection practices and in January 2014, the CFPB extended the comment period to February 28, 2014. The Bureau is obtaining responses to a survey seeking information from consumers about their experiences with debt collectors, and is engaged in qualitative testing to determine what information would be useful for consumers to have about debt collection and how that information should be provided to them.