Legal Resources
Life of a Debt: Data Integrity in Debt Collection
June 6, 2013Joint FTC-CFPB roundtable to examine the flow of consumer data throughout the debt collection process
Mobile Cramming Roundtable
May 8, 2013A national roundtable to examine mobile cramming, unauthorized third-party charges on mobile phone bills
Paper, Plastic…or Mobile? A Staff Report on the FTC Workshop on Mobile Payments
March 8, 2013An FTC staff report today highlighting key issues facing consumers and companies as they adopt mobile payment services
Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book (2012)
February 26, 2013Report analyzing consumer complaints received by the FTC in 2012, including a list of the Top 10 Consumer Complaints and complaint data by state and metropolitan area
The Structure and Practices of the Debt Buying Industry
January 30, 2013The first empirical study of debt buyers, companies in the business of buying consumer debts and trying to collect on them
In Short: Advertising & Privacy Disclosures in a Digital World
May 30, 2012Following up on the FTC's 2000 "Dot Com Disclosures" publication, a national workshop to consider the need for new guidance concerning effecting advertising and privacy disclosures in online and mobile environments
Paper, Plastic . . . or Mobile
April 26, 2012FTC workshop to examine the use of mobile payments in the marketplace and how this emerging technology impacts consumers
Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book (2011)
February 28, 2012Report listing the top consumer complaints received by the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Database in 2011
The Road Ahead: Selling, Financing, and Leasing Motor Vehicles
November 17, 2011National workshops in Detroit, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C., to explore the consumer protection issues that arise in the sale, financing or leasing of motor vehicles
Forum on Unauthorized Third-Party Charges on Telephone Bills (Cramming)
May 12, 2011Forum on how the government, businesses, and organizations can work together to prevent consumers from being victimized by unauthorized third-party charges on their telephone bills, a practice known as “cramming"
Debt Collection 2.0: Protecting Consumers as Technologies Change
April 29, 2011Public workshop to examine how debt collectors are using new technologies and how this affects consumers
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Annual Report - 2011
March 22, 2011Report to Congress summarizing the administrative and enforcement actions taken in 2010 under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act aiming to curtail abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices in the marketplace.
Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book (2010)
March 8, 2011Report analyzing consumer complaints received by the FTC in 2010, including a list of the Top 10 Consumer Complaints and complaint data by state and metropolitan area
Activities of the Federal Trade Commission Under the Truth In Lending Act, the Consumer Leasing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act During 2010
February 1, 2011Annual report to the Federal Reserve Board on FTC enforcement activities regarding the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Consumer Leasing Act, and Truth in Lending Act, including a discussion of FTC activities under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act Report - 2010
July 13, 2010Ninth annual report from the FTC, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education describing efforts to combat scholarship and financial aid fraud in 2009.
Repairing a Broken System: Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration
July 12, 2010Report about system for resolving consumer debt collection disputes recommends significant litigation and arbitration reforms to improve efficiency and fairness to consumers.
Report to the White House Council on Women and Girls
June 1, 2010Report focuses on discrete FTC program areas that have a particular impact on women and children. Highlights five areas, describing, for each, recent FTC law enforcement actions or policy initiatives as well as available consumer and business education materials: health care for women and children; marketing to children and adolescents; consumer credit; entrepreneurship and business opportunities; and family pocketbook issues.
Report On Emergency Technology For Use With ATMs
May 7, 2010Report regarding emergency PIN and alarm button devices that would allow users of ATMs to electronically alert police about crimes at ATMs.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Annual Report - 2010
April 2, 2010Report to Congress summarizing the administrative and enforcement actions taken in 2009 under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act aiming to curtail abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices in the marketplace.
Report on Effect of Credit-Based Insurance Scores
March 9, 2010Study conducted by the FTC and the Federal Reserve Board regarding automobile and homeowners insurance and whether credit scores and credit-based insurance scores affect the availability and affordability of consumer credit.