The economic crisis has affected consumers across the globe. Here in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission oversees the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which differentiates between lawful and illegal practices by debt collection companies.
In the U.K., the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is in charge of protecting consumers. A recent article in The Guardian gives tips to British consumers who are under siege by debt collectors. It suggests making sure that the agency is a member of the Credit Services Association and that it complies with the OFT guidelines. Just as U.S. consumers can sue collectors for engaging in behaviors prohibited by the FDCPA, Brits can file suit under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The article explains that Britain’s Court of Appeal has ruled that the conduct of original creditors (as opposed to collection agencies) could be legally interpreted as harassment.
Sergei Lemberg
