Needleman Joins Panel in Addressing FTC on FDCPA Reform

Joann Needleman of Maurice & Needleman, P.C. joined a panel of experts who spoke to the Federal Trade Commission on Dec. 4 regarding reform of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or FDCPA.

The FTC issued a report in February 2009, "Collecting Consumer Debts: The Challenges of Change – A Workshop Report,"  which recommended changes to the FDCPA. At the roundtable on Dec. 4, the FTC explained their intention to further enhance consumer protections against debt collectors.  It is anticipated that the changes will make it more difficult for creditors to recover debts owed to them.

This was the last of three Roundtable Discussions on Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration. Previous roundtables were held in Chicago and San Francisco. The FTC will be taking public comments on debt collection litigation through January 2010. Following that, the agency will make recommendations for changes to the FDCPA.