New York Congressman Gregory Meeks has introduced a new bill called the Debt Collection Harmonization Act that would expand current consumer protection laws to include government debts such as speeding tickets and court fees.
Meeks’ bill is similar to the Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act introduced by Senators Cory Booker and Mike Lee. Both are in reaction to the investigation conducted by CNNMoney that found government debt collectors are not held to the same consumer protections as firms that collect debts such as credit card bills or auto loans.
Following the release of CNNMoney’s findings, Meeks was one of the first lawmakers to speak out saying, “private debt collectors often have a financial incentive to draw blood from stones, pressuring individuals to make financial commitments they cannot truly afford.”
Meeks went on to say that the investigation revealed stories from people all over the country who had been “abused by debt collectors operating under the assumed authority of state and local governments.” Debt collectors are reportedly making abusive threats of foreclosure, driver’s license suspension, wage garnishments, even arrest.
Meeks’ hopes that his new bill will put a stop to government debt collectors targeting hard-working Americans and harassing them into paying fees they cannot afford.
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