10/13/09

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) _ With many Americans in dire financial
straits, states are cracking down to make sure aggressive debt
collectors target only people who legitimately owe them money.

National consumer credit laws already prohibit collection
agencies from harassing, deceptive, or unfair practices like
telling neighbors or family about what is owed, or calling before 8
a.m. or late at night.

Now a half-dozen states have adopted additional limits, like
imposing statutes of limitation on collections and adding
opportunities to punish abusive practices in court, and other
states may follow suit.

Lawmakers are increasingly focusing on outfits that buy bad debt
from credit card companies and other lenders for pennies on the
dollar and profit when they collect more than they paid.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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