Debt collectors are harassing people during the pandemic

We’re in the middle of a global pandemic and an economic crisis. The last thing any of us needs right now is to be hounded every few hours by out-of-control debt collection companies.

But unfortunately, that’s what’s happening to thousands of people. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received more than 6,000 complaints from people being harassed by debt collectors since March 1.

The CFPB was created 10 years ago to protect people from these kinds of predatory practices, and it has the power to stop them.

Join us in calling on the CFPB to stand up for people who are being harassed by debt collectors.

Millions of people have lost their jobs over the past four months. Many more have been forced to leave their jobs or work part time in order to care for their children. Now more than ever, we need protection from predatory debt collection practices.

But, as the many complaints filed with the CFPB show, debt collectors are still resorting to abusive tactics. One person in New Jersey reported being called every two hours by a debt collector whom they’d already informed that they’re out of work due to the pandemic. A person in New Mexico was served a court summons by a collector without any prior warning.

These are just two stories among thousands.

People who are wondering how they’re going to make rent and put food on the table shouldn’t also have to deal with this kind of harassment.

Tell the CFPB: Crack down on predatory debt collection practices.

The debt collection industry has lobbied to continue collecting throughout the pandemic, so it’s critical that we speak out. While some states and agencies have taken some action against bad debt collection practices, what we really need is a strong federal response from the CFPB, which has the authority to rein in exactly this kind of harassment and abuse.

Tell the CFPB to protect people from debt collection harassment.