Exceptionally talented sports legends, musicians, and actors all have something in common – halls of fame. At the other end of the spectrum are banned debt collectors. They, too, get special recognition… in the FTC’s hall of shame.
A year ago, the FTC first issued its list of banned debt collectors – individuals and companies whose behavior was so egregious that courts have banned them permanently from participating in the debt collection business. In February 2015, the FTC’s Hall of Shame contained 63 inductees; there are now more than 100.
Several recent inductees were recognized for their dishonorable deeds during Operation Collection Protection — the first coordinated federal-state enforcement initiative targeting deceptive and abusive debt collection practices. Those dis-honorees are: Broadway Global Master Inc., K.I.P., LLC (Payday Loan Recovery Group), National Check Registry, LLC and Premier Debt Acquisitions, LLC.
Are you being contacted by a debt collector? It’s important to understand your rights. And if you think a collector has violated those rights, the FTC wants to hear about it. Your complaints give us leads to follow, and may stop a collector from mistreating someone else. Got a minute? Watch our short video about dealing with debt collectors:
www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0048-dealing-debt-collectors
by Colleen Tressler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
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