FTC releases 29th Annual Report to Congress on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Thw Federal Trade Commission is pleased to submit to Congress this annual report summarizing the administrative and enforcement actions it has taken under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act during the past year.

These actions are part of the Commission's ongoing effort to curtail deceptive, unfair, and abusive debt collection practices in the marketplace. Such practices cause substantial consumer injury, including payment of amounts not owed, unintended waivers of rights, invasions of privacy, and emotional distress. In some circumstances, illegal collection practices can place consumers deeper in debt. Although the Commission is vested with primary enforcement responsibility under the FDCPA, it shares overall enforcement responsibility with other federal agencies.

In addition, consumers who believe they have been victims of statutory violations may seek relief in state or federal court.

The FDCPA prohibits deceptive, unfair, and abusive practices by third-party collectors. For the most part, creditors are exempt when they are collecting their own debts. The FDCPA permits reasonable collection efforts that promote repayment of legitimate debts, and the Commission's goal is to ensure compliance with the Act without unreasonably impeding the collection process.