Federal Trade Commission

In 2006, over 69,000 consumers complained to the FTC regarding deceptive & illegal practises carried out by debt collectors.

- The FTC received more complaints against debt collectors than against any other industry

- 40.3%, 27,929 consumers, complained of debt collectors attempting to collect more than they were owed

- 3.4%, 2,387 consumers, complained that collectors were attempting to collect interest, fees, or expenses that were not owed, such as collection fees, late fees and court costs

- 21.2% or 14,656 consumers complained of harassment from repeated or continuous calls

- 22.1% or 15,314 consumers complained of debt collectors making calls to employers, friends and family repeatedly in an attempt to allegedly gather information to assist them in collecting the debt

- 11.5% or 7,967 consumers complained of being harassed with collectors using obscene, profane or otherwise abusive language

- 11.4% or 7,913 consumers complained that they were threatened with a lawsuit or some other legal action that the debt collector could not or did not intend to take, such as seizure of property or arrest.

Consumers were exercising their rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, brought in to presumably control this otherwise historically scummy industry.

How many cases from 69,000 did the 'mighty' FTC take to court?

One.

(The FTC tried three cases, two settled before reaching the benches)

One out of 69,000 - in percentage terms that's 0.0000144%

Good to know the FTC have our backs in protecting us from this kind of financial scum eh?

Seems like everyone in this business - except the consumers who get shafted - is capable of coersion, something in government which always grips my shit.