Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Deceptive and Unfair Collection of Medical Debt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 12 CFR Part 1006 AGENCY: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. ACTION: Advisory opinion. SUMMARY: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is issuing this advisory opinion to remind debt collectors of their obligation to comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Regulation F's prohibitions on false, deceptive, or misleading representations or means in connection with the collection of any medical debt and unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any medical debts. DATES: This advisory opinion is applicable as of December 3, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Karithanom, Regulatory Implementation & Guidance Program Analyst, Office of Regulations, at 202-435-7700 or at: https://reginquiries.consumerfinance.gov/​ . If you require this a document in an alternative electronic format, please contact CFPB_Accessibility@cfpb.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Executive Summary The CFPB is issuing this advisory opinion through the procedures for its Advisory Opinions Policy. [ 1 ] Refer to those procedures for more information. This advisory opinion explains that debt collectors are strictly liable under the FDCPA and Regulation F ( 12 CFR part 1006 ) for engaging in the following ( printed page 80716) unlawful practices when collecting medical bills: ○ Collecting an amount not owed because it was already paid. This includes instances when a bill was already fully or par…