CFPB and FTC Report to Congress Regarding FDCPA Unlawful Debt Collection Practices

The CFPB and FTC reported their 2018 activities to Congress about combating illegal debt collection practices.  The CFPB and FTC share enforcement responsibilities under the FDCPA and last month the agencies reauthorized their memorandum of understanding to continue their coordination in enforcement, share consumer complaint and supervisory information, and consumer education collaboration.  The CFPB’s annual report to Congress on the FDCPA (Report), as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act includes information provided by the FTC in a letter to the CFPB detailing the FTC’s law enforcement, educational, research and policy development activities, outreach, and other actions designed to halt FDCPA and FTC Act violations.   

In the Report the CFPB announced its intent to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will address consumer disclosures and communication practices.  The CFPB identified that debt collection issues are one of the most numerous consumer complaint topics.  A few of the FDCPA-related activities undertaken by the CFPB in 2018 include:

• Six public enforcement actions;
• Non-public investigations into collection practices;
• Provision of sample letters consumers can use when interacting with debt collectors;
• Provision of educational materials both online and in print; and
• Provision of training for over 26,500 staff and volunteers in social service organizations. 

The Report lists all CFPB activities and provides relevant detail.