Attorney General Masto Reports Debt Collection is One of Nevada’s Biggest Consumer Protection Issues


March 5, 2014

Carson City, NV – Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto reports that Nevada consumers are the second most likely in the country to file complaints about debt collection with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) according to a U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund report released last Thursday.

    “One of the biggest consumer protection issues Nevadan’s face today is debt collection and targeting from collection departments,” said Masto. “As always, we will continue to hold those accountable for taking advantage of consumers.”

      The report, “Debt Collectors, Debt Complaints: The CFPB's Consumer Complaint Database Gets Real Results for Consumers” states that, debt collectors trying to collect debt from the wrong person was the No. 1 complaint the CFPB received. Nevadans ranked second nationally in complaints per 100,000 residents, after Washington, D.C. In addition to erroneous debt collection, repeated phone calls from debt collectors were the second most filed complaint against debt collectors.

        Debtors’ rights against debt collectors include:

        • Requesting validation of the debt from the collector.
        • Disputing the debt if the creditor attempts to collect from the wrong person or if the debt is time-barred by a statute of limitations.
        • Requesting that the collector stop telephoning the debtor at home or at work.

          Nevada Homeowner Relief Program, which is sponsored by the Attorney General’s Office and provides free assistance to consumers. Learn more about Home Again by visiting our website at HomeAgainNevada.gov or call 1-855- HLP-4-NEV (457-4638).

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