Where the FCRA Meets the FDCPA: The Impact of Unfair Collection Practices on the Credit Report
Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law Policy, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2013
SMU Dedman School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 132
29 Pages Posted: 6 Dec 2013 Last revised: 13 Dec 2013
Date Written: 2013
Abstract
This Article explores the impact that contemporary practices in consumer debt collection litigation may have on credit reporting and scoring. In doing so, it pays particular attention to available data regarding the use of unfair collection practices in such litigation, and considers whether consumer reports of such litigation unfairly burden consumers’ ability to obtain housing, employment, insurance, or credit. It highlights some of the obstacles consumers face at the intersection of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act and considers alternative proposals to provide fair and accurate information relating to consumer debts while also preventing the harm that results from consumer reporting of unfair collection litigation.
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