Improve the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

We call on the Obama administration to work with Congress to improve the protections provided in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. With a statutory penalty of "up to $1000" for violations of the act, it is nearly impossible for debtors to take advantage of the protections it provides. The statutory penalty provided for in 15 U.S.C. 1692k (a)(2)(A) needs to be increased to an amount sufficient for attorneys to be willing to represent consumers on a contingency basis. Many of these victims are poor, disabled, or unemployed and do not have the funds needed to hire an attorney. Debt collectors are usually staffed with experienced litigators against whom a pro se plaintiff cannot prevail. State consumer protection authorities and the FTC usually depend on consumers to enforce this law.