ACA International Supports FTC Policy on Collecting Debts of the Deceased

ACA International, the association of credit and collection professionals, supports the Federal Trade Commission’s recently finalized policy statement bringing clarity to the complexities of collecting on a decedent’s debt.

“The FTC’s policy recognizes the challenges with estate administration and provides much needed clarity on how collectors may communicate with people to find those authorized to settle outstanding debts from a decedent’s estate,” said ACA International Chief Executive Officer Patrick J. Morris.

The FTC’s policy statement  clarifies the 1977 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which determines whom debt collectors may contact after a relative has died such as the deceased person’s spouse and the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate. “The FTC showed great wisdom in updating the FDCPA to be consistent with the complexities of state probate law,” said Morris.