Debt Collectors Can Now Text, Email, and Send Direct Messages to Borrowers on Social Media

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Debt collectors can now text, email, and send direct messages to borrowers on social media after new rules approved by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took effect on Tuesday.

The new rules clarify how debt collectors can use email, text messages, social media, and other contemporary methods to communicate with consumers. It also enables borrowers to limit the ability of debt collectors to contact them through such communication methods.

While debt collectors are able to contact borrowers via an array of communication methods, the 1977 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits harassing, abusive, and unfair debt collection practices as well as false and misleading representations by debt collectors.

Under the new rules, debt collectors who contact borrowers on social media have to identify themselves as such and give consumers the option to opt of out being contacted online.

That option needs to be โ€œa reasonable and simple method to opt-out of such communications at a specific email address or telephone number.โ€

Any messages they send must be done so privately, meaning they cannot post on the borrowerโ€™s public page, however, debt collectors are able to send a friend request or follow the consumer, as long as they provide identifying information.

A debt collector is presumed to violate federal law if they โ€œplace telephone calls to a particular person in connection with the collection of a particular debt more than seven times within seven consecutive days or within seven consecutive days of having had a telephone conversation about the debt,โ€ as per the new rules.

Debt collectors are also prohibited from using or threatening to sue consumers on time-barred debt and are required to take โ€œspecific stepsโ€ to disclose the existence of a debt to consumers before reporting information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency.

Specifically, debt collectors mustย speak with the consumer in person or wait at least 14 days after sending a letter or virtual communication before reporting them to aย credit rating agency.

Byย Katabella Roberts

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

All Apologies For the Culture War Slop

"Forgive me for ignoring the elite-driven political/economic excesses, focusing instead on divisive culture war slop."

Rising sea levels are less of a threat than we were told

New study challenges climate alarmism: sea levels aren't rising faster than the past century, despite dire warnings of floods and mass migrations.

President Trump is Being Wrongfully Obstructed on Tariffs

Podcaster Zach De Gregorio, in โ€œWolves And Finance,โ€ delivers a sharp editorial unpacking the truth behind Trumpโ€™s international tariff policies.

Trump And Kennedy Are Placing Patients First

Trump admin set rules requiring hospitals and insurers to give patients clear price info, aiming to boost transparency and put patients first.

Figures flip the field

Sports programs with strong donor bases and NIL collectives are flipping recruits and transfers at rapid speed, like traders on Wall Street.

Hegseth, Caine Visit Puerto Rico as US Enhances Military Presence in Caribbean

Sec. of War Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine visited Puerto Rico Sept. 8 as the U.S. boosts its Caribbean military presence to counter drug cartels.

Appeals Court Upholds $83 Million Ruling Against Trump

A federal appeals court upheld a jury ruling ordering Trump to pay columnist E. Jean Carroll $83.3M in damages for defaming her.

Video Shows Fatal Stabbing of Ukraine War Refugee: What to Know

Video shows moments before Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was killed on a Charlotte light rail, raising new concerns over crime and public safety.

Border Czar Says ICE Will Target More Businesses After Enforcement Operation at Hyundai

Trump administration to expand immigration enforcement, targeting more businesses after detaining hundreds at a Georgia Hyundai plant.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trumpโ€™s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.

Trump Signs Order Renaming Department of Defense as Department of War

President Donald Trump on Sept. 5 signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Countries That Unlawfully Detain Americans

President Trump signed an EO on targeting the unlawful detention of American citizens around the world and to facilitate the release of hostages.

Trump Sends Warning to Venezuela After US Military Strikes Boat Allegedly Carrying Drugs

President Trump sent a warning to Venezuela after the U.S. military struck what the administration says was a boat carrying drugs in the Caribbean.
spot_img

Related Articles