FTC to Host Consumer Debt Collection Technology Workshop

On April 28, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission will host a public workshop to examine how debt collectors are using new technologies and how this affects consumers. The workshop, titled Debt Collection 2.0: Protecting Consumers as Technologies Change, will feature consumer advocates, industry representatives, technologists, academics and government officials.

As noted in the FTC's Federal Register notice, these new technologies available to debt collectors include mobile telephones, e-mail, social media, information gathering tools and the software platforms that collectors use, such as dialers, databases and payment portals. The discussion will focus on how collectors use these technologies, consumer protection concerns that arise, and how policymakers should respond to those concerns.

Several ACA International members will serve as panelists at the workshop. Those who would like to be panelists should submit a request in response to the Federal Register notice. Requests should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and must be received on or before 5 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, March 22, 2011.

Interested parties may submit relevant written comments or data, which will be placed on the public record. To be considered in preparation for the workshop, comments must be received by April 7, 2011, although the Commission will accept comments through May 28, 2011. ACA will be submitting comments to the FTC.

Additional details on the FTC workshop are available on the FTC's website.

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