CFPB and FTC Issue Joint Statement on Preventing Illegal Evictions

CFPB Acting Director, Dave Uejio, and FTC Acting Chairwoman, Rebecca Slaughter, recently issued a joint statement on the agencies’ efforts to stop illegal evictions and protect consumers facing economic hardship due to Covid-19.

The statement aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) extension of the federal moratorium on evictions through June 30, 2021.  The agencies indicated that staff at both agencies will be monitoring and investigating eviction practices.  In addition, the joint statement explains that evicting or threatening to evict tenants in violation of the CDC, state, or local moratoria, may violate prohibitions against deceptive and unfair practices, including under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, and will not be tolerated.