Daily Digest – December 16. Group Involved in Debt Collection Scheme Made Bold Claims, Lots of Money; FCC Chairman Announces Resignation. What’s Next?

The Daily Digest is sponsored by TCN, a leading provider of cloud-based call center technology for enterprises, contact centers, BPOs, and collection agencies worldwide. 

GROUP INVOLVED IN DEBT COLLECTION SCHEME MADE BOLD CLAIMS, LOTS OF MONEY

• A copy of the complaint filed against six North Carolina residents charged with participating in a debt collection scheme that bilked consumers out of $6 million reveals the depths that the alleged perpetrators would stoop to in order to collect from unsuspecting individuals.

FCC CHAIRMAN ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

• Tom Wheeler, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, announced yesterday morning that he is stepping down next month. Reports were circulating last week that Wheeler would agree to step down, only if Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the five commissioners that make up the top of the FCC, was re-confirmed for another five-year term. Rosenworcel, a Democrat, is due to have her term expire this month. With Wheeler leaving and Rosenworcel potentially on the way out, that would give Republicans a 2-to-1 majority at the FCC until a new chairman and a new commissioner are confirmed.

JUDGE APPROVES $4.7 MILLION SETTLEMENT AFTER 2,000 PEOPLE JAILED FOR NOT PAYING FINES

• A federal judge has approved a $4.7 million settlement against the Jennings, Missouri, after next 2,000 individuals were jailed because they were unable to pay municipal fines, a situation that legal advocates likened to a modern day “debtor’s prison.” The town issued more than 1.4 arrest warrants per adult as a means of brutalizing, punishing, and profiting, according to the plaintiffs.

CFPB LAUNCHES DATABASE TRACKING TRENDS IN CONSUMER LOANS

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced yesterday the launch of its Consumer Credit Trends tool, which provides information about mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and student loans. While delinquency and default rate information are not included in the trends database, there are some interesting statistics that may be of use to collection agencies and other companies in the accounts receivable management industry.

WORTH NOTING: It’s that time of year. Here is a review of the year’s best apps … Who knew that ugly sweaters had their own industry and that it had grown to be multi-million dollars? … Four mistakes that can ruin a first impression … This is not too broad: the 25 best habits to have in life … This is my kind of article: 22 ways to be healthier with minimum effort … The average salary if you play in each of the major professional sports … A touching tribute to Craig Sager, who died yesterday … The stock market has surged more following the election of Donald Trump than after any other presidential election in history.

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The Daily Digest is sponsored by TCN, a leading provider of cloud-based call center technology for enterprises, contact centers, BPOs, and collection agencies worldwide.