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

Eleventh Circuit’s Mistaken Interpretation Likely to Expose Attorneys to Increased FDCPA Liability

23 July 2015

2nd CFPB Enforcement Action This Week Involving Debt Collection, Now Against Discover Bank

22 July 2015

Encore Partners With U.S. Reps. Peters and Hunter On Bill To Exempt Forgiven Debt From Federal Taxation

22 July 2015

Department Stores National Bank To Pay $23.8M For Charging Fees on Collection Accounts

21 July 2015

5 Lessons from the CFPB's Supervisory Highlights Report

21 July 2015

USA Funds Sues Department of Education Over Collection Fees

20 July 2015

Does Your Backup Person Meet State Licensing Requirements?

20 July 2015

RevSpring to Present on the Importance of Electronic Signatures in Accounts Receivables

20 July 2015

FTC Schedules Additional Debt Collection "Dialogues," In Dallas And Atlanta

20 July 2015

What Debt Collectors Really Need To Know About the FCC Order and the TCPA

17 July 2015

North Dakota Announces Debt Collection License Changes

17 July 2015

Lawsuits Against the Industry Up Across the Board

17 July 2015

CFPB's First Monthly Complaints Report Could Use More Context

16 July 2015

Multiple Groups Hop on the Bandwagon, Filing Suit In Multiple Courts For TCPA Ruling

16 July 2015

Idaho Collection Agency Licensee Changes Must Be Updated Within 30 Days

16 July 2015

Connecticut Now Requires Use of NMLS for Licensing Consumer Collection Agencies

16 July 2015

CFPB Director Cordray Testifies Before Senate Banking Committee; Session Was Mostly Partisan Posturing

16 July 2015

Texas-Based Commerical Debt Collector Faces Penalty and Consent Order From Minnesota

15 July 2015

Decoding the Order in CFPB v. Hanna

15 July 2015

Federal Court Paves Way For CFPB To Pursue Enforcement Action Against Hanna

15 July 2015