Illinois Consumers and Mistaken Identity Complaints


Have you received a call from a debt collector but you’re certain you haven’t missed any payments?  You could be one of many Illinois residents who have been victims of mistaken identity when it comes to debt collection or a harmful debt collection scam. According to a recent report from the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund, “debt collectors trying to collect debt from the wrong person were the top source of complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.”
The recent report, summarized in an Illinois PIRG news release, was the last one in a long series of reports that sought to analyze complaints received by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  According to the news release, the CFPB’s public Consumer Complaints Database opened for business, so to speak, to July 2011 and currently accepts complaints about most all “financial products and services.”
Have you been unfairly targeted by a debt collection company?  It’s easy to file a complaint through the CFPB, but it’s also important to speak to an experienced Illinois consumer protection attorney.  At the Emerson Law Firm, our dedicated attorneys can discuss your claim with you today.
What Is Illinois PIRG and What Does it Do?
Illinois PIRG identifies itself as “an independent voice for consumers.”  In short, it’s a consumer group made up of advocates who conduct research and help to bring information to consumers.  According to its website, it seeks to “counter the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests.”
More useful for our purposes, the consumer advocacy group also creates debt collection reports that summarizes and provides insight for Illinois residents into the current work being done at the CFPB.  According to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Illinois PIRG’s CFPB Debt Collection Report “makes helpful recommendations about policies that can be pursued to ensure that consumers get the accurate, timely information they need and to improve the CFPB’s effectiveness in protecting its consumers.”
Attempts to Collect Debts Never Owed
The key issue in the most recent Illinois PIRG Debt Collection Report is one of mistaken identity.  In short, many Americans have reported that debt collectors have harassed them and have insisted they repay debts that they don’t owe. This kind of harassment is illegal under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).  Dev Gowda, an advocate with the Illinois PIRG Education Fund explained that the problem certainly lies with the debt collectors and their unwillingness to verify that they have correct information and are contacting the actual debtor.  Gowda said, “many consumers who don’t owe debts are being harassed by lazy debt collectors who don’t verify consumer identities.”
In response to such complaints, Illinois PIRG’s report suggests that the CFPB make certain improvements to their rules about debt collecting.  Most notably when it comes to cases of mistaken identity, they want the CFPB to begin requiring debt collectors “to stringently verify that they are collecting accurately owed debts from the correct consumers” before they even begin the process of debt collection.
Have you been mistakenly contacted by a debt collector?  Have you been harassed by a collection agency such as Midland Funding or Portfolio Recovery Associates?  You may be able to file a lawsuit.  An experienced consumer protection lawyer can talk with you today and can answer your questions about filing a claim for compensation.
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