FTC Fines Large Debt Collector $700,000 for Unlawful Collection Calls

Courts Financial Crimes FTC Debt Collection Student Lending

On February 14, the FTC announced that it has entered a Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Civil Penalty Judgment of $700,000 with a debt collector that allegedly used unlawful tactics to collect on federal student loans and other debts. According to the complaint, filed by the DOJ on behalf of the FTC in the District Court for the Southern District of Texas, agents working for the defendant-debt collectors (i) left messages that illegally disclosed purported debts to individuals other than the debtors without permission to do so; and (ii) contacted consumers multiple times despite being told they had the wrong number or that the person answering did not owe the debt. Furthermore, the company was alleged to have falsely represented to regulators that it would take steps to prevent its employees from making such unlawful calls. In addition to the $700,000 fine, the Stipulated Order also enjoined the company from continuing such practices going forward.