Fair Debt Collections Practices Act

Two things that have changed the way a debt collector can communicate with you: Debt collectors can now send unsolicited emails, texts and social media messages. You can opt-out of any or all of these channels of communication. A debt collector can now “friend” you on social media. They have to, however, identify themselves as a debt collector and disclose their intent if the purpose of friending you is ultimately to use that platform and direct connection to send direct messages in pursuit of debt. While debt collectors were not previously banned from contacting consumers over text or on social media, the revised rules are intended to provide “clear rules of the road” now and in the future, the CFPB said. Dealing with debt collectors can be a trying time for the nearly 70 million Americans who are estimated to have a debt in collection. That staggering number translates [...]