With COVID-19 holding the global economy captive, Congress is attempting to head off what they predict will be an economic tidal wave of evictions, foreclosures and civil judgments by introducing The Small Business and Consumer Debt Collection Emergency Relief Act of 2020 (the “Bill”). Per its Senate sponsors, the Bill would modify and expand the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act or FDCPA (the “Act”)—the federal statute that regulates consumer debt collection practices—to better protect individuals during national emergencies and also safeguard the nation’s small businesses.
The current Act focuses on prohibiting abusive and deceptive collections tactics, such as calling debtors late at night and concealing the debt collector’s identity. To read more, click here.