New Communication Channels for Debt Collection
New guidelines by the CFPB increase how debt collection professionals can communicate with debtors.
Consumers do not need to permit debt collectors to use their email, text, or social media accounts to contact them. However, the communications must specify how the customer can limit contact via various channels or ask for no interaction.
The CFPB imposes restrictions on the use of these channels by debt collectors. For example, a consumer cannot be contacted by a debt collector via social media if the communication is visible to other consumers, such as in the case of a public comment on an Instagram post. Furthermore, before making a friend request, collectors must additionally disclose to the consumer that they are debt collectors. Additionally, restrictions imposed by the FDCPA on contacting a consumer at unfavorable times or locations also apply to electronic platforms like social networking.
This new regulation finally opened the communications and allowed debt collectors to more accurately reflect how society communicates, instead of tying the professional collector down to communications channels quickly becoming archaic.
Marcadis Singer, PA
5104 South Westshore Blvd.,
Tampa, Florida.
Phone: (813) 288-1881