ACA Statement on the FTC's Annual Report on the FDCPA

Below is the statement of ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA), on the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) 2007 Annual Report to Congress on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
 
ACA Chief Executive Gary Rippentrop issued the following statement regarding the report:
"ACA International strongly supports the FDCPA and was instrumental in the bill becoming law nearly 30 years ago. The Act continues to serve the interests of both consumers and the professional debt collection community, by clearly defining consumers' rights and collectors' responsibilities. ACA and its members believe that everyone contacted by a collector is entitled to fairness and respect, and we are committed to these principles as we provide a valuable service to the U.S. economy.

"Any instance of unfair practice is unfortunate and denounced by ACA. Yet we are confident that, as noted in the FTC report, the number of complaints represents a very small fraction of annual contacts made to consumers. More significantly we are pleased to see the number of complaints filed with the FTC annually have leveled even though the amount of outstanding consumer debt is increasing. We are most proud that ACA's efforts to address consumer complaints are working."

ACA General Counsel Rozanne Andersen added an update on the association's study of FTC complaints.

"Over the past year we have studied complaint data in order to better understand how a tally of complaints represents compliance within our growing and ever-changing industry," said Andersen. "Further analysis is needed to determine what percentage of the complaints filed with the FTC actually represents consumer inquiries about their FDCPA rights, what percentage represents the need for broad based consumer financial literacy education and what percentage of complaints may be addressed through ACA's ethical standards. As acknowledged by the FTC, the Commission 'cannot determine the extent to which the complaints...represent illegal practices by debt collectors in general.' ACA will soon complete its study and is eager to share its findings to provide context to the annual FDCPA report and lead the industry. ACA is also proud to announce increased efforts to promote consumer education through the work of the ACA International Foundation."

Rippentrop concluded by pledging ACA's continued support of the FTC. "Thanks to the provisions of the FDCPA, the vast majority of collectors who follow the rules are not placed at a competitive disadvantage to the unethical few who don't. Fairness requires a level playing field, and ACA continues to work with the Commission toward that end."