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Executive summary of the October 2020 final rule (Oct. 2020)
On October 30, 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued a final rule (Debt Collection Rule or Rule) implementing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). 1 The Debt Collection Rule is available at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/final- rules/debt-collection-practices-regulation-f/. The Debt Collection Rule will become effective one year after publication in the Federal Register.
Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F) Supplemental Proposal on Time-Barred Debt (Mar. 2020)
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) proposes to amend Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and currently contains the procedures for State application for exemption from the provisions of the FDCPA. On May 21, 2019, the Bureau published in the Federal Register a proposed rule (May 2019 Proposed Rule) that would prescribe Federal rules governing the activities of debt collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA.
Fast Facts for Supplemental Debt Collection Proposal on Time-Barred Debt (Mar. 2020)
On May 7, 2019, the Bureau issued a proposal (the May 2019 Proposed Rule) to amend Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The May 2019 Proposed Rule was published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2019 and would prescribe federal rules governing the activities of debt collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA. The supplemental proposal on time-barred debt supplements the May 2019 Proposed Rule by adding a proposed §1006.26(c), as well as a related provision of §1006.34(c), Model Forms, and Official Interpretations.
Table of Contents for Debt Collection Proposed Rule (May 2019)
Table of Contents for Debt Collection (Regulation F) NPRM
May 7, 2019 proposal to amend Regulation F to prescribe Federal rules governing the activities of debt collectors covered by the FDCPA
Regulation F: Federal Register Notice, 85 Fed. Reg. 76734 (Nov. 30, 2020)
The CFPB issued this final rule to revise Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and currently contains the procedures for State application for exemption from the provisions of the FDCPA. The Bureau is finalizing Federal rules governing the activities of debt collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA. The Bureau's final rule addresses, among other things, communications in connection with debt collection and prohibitions on harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair practices in debt collection.
Regulation F: Federal Register Notice, 86 Fed. Reg. 5766 (Jan. 19, 2021)
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is issuing this final rule to revise Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The final rule governs certain activities by debt collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA.
Regulation F: Provision in Connection with Global COVID-19 Pandemic, 86 Fed. Reg. 21163 (Apr. 22, 2021)
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is issuing this interim final rule to amend Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and currently contains the procedures for State application for exemption from the provisions of the FDCPA. The interim final rule addresses certain debt collector conduct associated with an eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Native Design Files for Model Validation Notice (Oct. 2021)
This is a link to a GitHub webpage that has InDesign, PDF, and Word versions of the Model Validation Notice in both English and Spanish included in Regulation F.
Spanish Translation of the Model Validation Notices (Oct. 18, 2021)
The Debt Collection Rule permits debt collectors to send consumers a validation notice completely and accurately translated into any language, so long as the debt collector also either (1) sends an English-language version in the same communication or (2) previously provided the consumer with an English-language version in a prior communication. 12 C.F.R. § 1006.34(e)(1). The following is a “complete and accurate” Spanish translation of the model Englishlanguage validation notice in Appendix B of the Rule.
Executive Summary of the December 2020 Final Regulation F (Dec. 2020)
On December 18, 2020, the CFPB issued a final rule (December 2020 Rule) amending Regulation F to provide additional requirements regarding validation information and disclosures provided at the outset of debt collection communications, prohibit suits and threats of suits regarding time-barred debt, and identify actions that must be taken before a debt collector may report information about a debt to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs).
Usability Testing Report: Model Validation Notice (Nov. 2020)
In this research project, the CFPB tested whether the Regulation F model validation notice effectively disclosed debt information and what actions consumers can take in response to the notice. Our findings demonstrate that the model validation notice is clear, easy to understand, and effectively provides consumers with actionable information.
Debt Collection Rule FAQs (Oct. 1, 2021)
Questions and answers pertaining to compliance with CFPB Regulation F on the FDCPA.Questions and answers pertaining to compliance with CFPB Regulation F on the FDCPA.
Delay of Regulation F Effective Date, 86 Fed. Reg. 20,334 (Apr. 19, 2021)
In 2020, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) finalized two rules titled Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F). The rules revise Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Both final rules have an effective date of November 30, 2021. The Bureau is proposing to extend that effective date by 60 days, until January 29, 2022.
Debt Collection Rule: Small Entity Compliance Guide (Apr. 2021)
This guide meets the requirements of section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 with regard to the Debt Collection Rule and is a Compliance Aid issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Bureau published a Policy Statement on Compliance Aids, available at www.consumerfinance.gov/policy-compliance/rulemaking/finalrules/policy-statement-compliance-aids/, that explains the Bureau’s approach to Compliance Aids.
Quantitative Survey Testing of Model Disclosure Clauses and Forms for Debt Collection: ICF Methodology Report (Jan. 2020)
Building on CFPB qualitative work, CFPB engaged ICF in September 2019 to quantitatively measure how variations of the language, content, and display in the Regulation F validation notices affect consumer understanding and stated behavior. The survey was conducted with 8,011 total respondents, with 5,312 having experienced debt collections. The study was a web survey conducted with respondents who were panelists from Ipsos KnowledgePanel.
CFPB Study of Consumer Experiences with Debt Collection (Jan. 2017)
This report presents the results of the Survey of Consumer Views on Debt which the CFPB conducted between December 2014 and March 2015. The survey results substantially expand the understanding of debt collection in the United States by providing the first comprehensive and nationally representative data on consumers’ experiences and preferences related to debt collection. The study led to CFPB Regulation F.
Small Business Review Panel Report and Appendices (Oct. 2016)
This Panel Report addresses the CFPB’s debt collector and debt buyer rulemaking that led to Regulation F. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), the CFPB must convene and chair a Small Business Review Panel when it is considering a proposed rule that could have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Panel considers the impact of the CFPB proposals under consideration and obtains feedback from representatives of the small entities that would be subject to the rule.
Small Business Review Panel Outline (July 2016)
This is an outline of the Panel Report addressing the CFPB’s debt collector and debt buyer rulemaking that led to Regulation F. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), the CFPB must convene and chair a Small Business Review Panel when it is considering a proposed rule that could have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Panel considers the impact of the CFPB proposals under consideration and obtains feedback from representatives of the small entities that would be subject to the rule.