Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019
Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019
This bill applies certain consumer protections regarding debt collection to debt owed to a federal agency and to debt buyers.
A federal agency that is a creditor may not sell or transfer a debt to a debt collector until 90 days after the obligation arises. Specified notice to the consumer of such a sale or transfer is required.
A collector of debt owed to a federal agency may not collect any interest, fee, charge, or expense that is (1) unreasonable in relation to actual costs, (2) not authorized by a contract between the debt collector and the federal agency, or (3) greater than 10% of the amount collected.
The Government Accountability Office shall report on the use of debt collectors by federal, state, and local government agencies.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.