FTC Announces More Balanced Panel for Next Debt Collection Dialogue

The Federal Trade Commission has announced the panels for the Debt Collection Dialogue in Dallas on September 29, 2015, the second of three such planned events. Representatives from the FTC, other federal and state law enforcement agencies, and the debt collection industry will discuss enforcement actions, consumer complaints, compliance issues, industry best practices, and how regulatory enforcement actions are investigated and pursued.

The first Debt Collection Dialogue, held in Buffalo in early June 2015, received criticism from industry representatives, who felt the event was more of a lecture than an actual dialogue.

The event will feature two moderated panels with representatives from enforcement agencies and the collection industry. This is the tentative schedule:

The event will be in the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak Street. More information, including how to pre-register and how to submit questions for the two panels in advance, is posted at www.ftc.gov/debtcollectiondialogue-dallas. Pre-registration is not necessary to attend but is encouraged for event planning. [Note that the first Dialogue – in June – effectively “sold out” in advance.]

The third Debt Collection Dialogue, to be held in Atlanta, will begin at 1:30 p.m. on November 18 at the Latin American Association, 2750 Buford Highway. Information is available at www.ftc.gov/debtcollectiondialogue-atlanta.

Both events will be free and open to the public.