On January 2, the CFPB published a blog post discussing collection practices, particularly those that occur in the workplace. It highlights the stress and pressure that such practices can place on individuals, including alleged threats to employment and alleged coercion to pay debts that may not be owed. The CFPB noted that it has acted against companies that engage in these practices, including imposing penalties and securing relief for affected consumers. The blog post describes a prohibition under on debt collectors contacting individuals at their workplace if the debt collectors know or should know the employer prohibits such communications or the communications are inconvenient for the individual. It also provides guidance on steps individuals can take, including telling debt collectors to stop contacting them at work, requesting in writing that debt collectors cease all communications, and submitting complaints to the CFPB. Additionally, the blog post calls for legislative change to an “outdated provision” of the FDCPA that allows debt collectors to contact third parties for location information, including place of employment.
