As previously discussed in our June 15 post titled “New York DFS Clarifies Debt Collection Requirements,” the Federal Trade Commission co-hosted the first “Debt Collection Dialogue” in Buffalo, New York, together with the New York Attorney General’s Office.  As part of that event, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Jessica Rich and New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman made opening remarks, and officials from the New York State Department of Financial Services and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau made various presentations.  According to the FTC’s recent press release, the Buffalo event drew nearly 200 participants.  Likely, in part, due to the turnout in Buffalo, the FTC has announced that it will host two additional dialogues this fall in Dallas and Atlanta. 

By the FTC’s press release, it is anticipated that representatives from the FTC and other federal and state law enforcement agencies, and debt collection industry leaders and professionals, will be in attendance at Dallas and Atlanta events. 

It also appears that the focus of each dialogue will be to “discuss enforcement actions, consumer complaints, compliance issues, and industry best practices.”  Further, FTC “agency staff will also answer questions, including how regulatory enforcement actions are investigated and pursued.” 

The first of the upcoming dialogues will take place in Dallas at 1:30 p.m. on September 29 in the Center for Community Cooperation, located at 2900 Live Oak Street. 

The Atlanta event, co-hosted with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, will begin at 1:30 p.m. on November 18 at the Latin American Association, located at 2750 Buford Highway.

Additional information on both of the dialogues, including how to pre-register, is available on the FTC’s website.