Debt Collectors

As part of its effort to crack down on scams that target Americans in financial distress, the FTC has sued more than 30 debt collection companies. On Wednesday, another one, Rincon Debt Management made the list and was shut down. Do you know your rights against abusive debt collectors?

Hundreds of thousands of borrowers who are behind on their federal student loans could soon receive some unwanted -- and expensive -- attention. A provision in President Obama's deficit reduction plan would allow debt collectors to chase down delinquent borrowers on their cell phones.

States across the country are pushing for tougher consumer protection rules to address debt-collectors' use of cell phones and text messages, as well as better govern what happens when debts are sold on from creditors to collectors. The same rules that guide the way debt collectors are supposed to...

The Federal Trade Commission received more than 140,000 complaints about debt collectors in 2010, more than any other industry, the agency announced in an annual report to Congress. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits unfair, deceptive, and abusive debt collection practices,...

Following a series of debt-collection violations that victimized consumers, New York's attorney general has issued a stern warning to debt collectors. In the wake of a debt collection scam that targeted military personnel, one of a rash of recent violations, state officials have issued a warning...

Federal Circuit Court Judge Denny Chin has ruled that a class action can go forward against a law firm, a process-serving company and a debt-buying company that sues them for being a criminal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) law.

Harassing calls from debt collectors are bad enough, but when you don't even owe the debt, that's a whole lot worse. Susan McCafferty, a 63-year old resident of Harvey, La., and a Consumer Ally reader, says she's been getting those kinds of calls. And, it seems, so are others. As countless...

Melanie Beacham had received letters, phone calls and a courier from the auto loan debt collector, but when an agent contacted her family and friends through Facebook, she decided to fight back. Beacham sued MarkOne Financial LLC of Tampa, Fla. for harassment and inflicting emotional distress...

An Oklahoma payday lender is being sued by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott for masquerading as an official government agency of Dallas County. The defendant, Patrick D. "Dylan" White, and his businesses, CASHMAX, Fed Cash, TOPCASH and Cash Service Center, have been prohibited from any further...

Last week, a Minnesota-based debt collection firm with a long history of shady practices and consumer complaints was slapped with a whopping $1.75 million fine by the Federal Trade Commission. It was the second-highest fine ever issued in a civil trial against a debt collection company. Among the...