The Attorney General of Massachusetts has announced an enforcement action against a mortgage servicing company that will pay $975,000 for engaging in unfair debt collection practices by failing to provide compliant debt validation notices and calling individuals more frequently than is allowed by state law, while also failing to make …
Read More »Mass. AG, Auto Lender Reach $5.6M Settlement Over Collection Practices
An auto lender has agreed to pay $5.6 million as part of a settlement with the Attorney General of Massachusetts over its debt collection practices, the AG’s office announced on Friday, affecting more than 1,000 borrowers throughout the state. A copy of the assurance of discontinuance between the AG and …
Read More »Mass. Division of Banks Fines Companies $10k for Collecting Without Proper License
The Massachusetts Division of Banks has entered into a consent order with a group of companies that were accused of operating in the state without a license in which the companies will pay a penalty of $10,000 while also ceasing from engaging in any business activity that is prohibited in …
Read More »Mass. Leg. Holds Hearing on Caller ID Bill
A hearing was held yesterday before the Massachusetts state legislature on a bill that would require companies calling individuals in that state and using a Caller ID number displaying a Massachusetts area code to have a physical presence in the state or face fines of up to $10,000 per call. …
Read More »Mass. AG Reaches $27M Settlement With Auto Lender, Allegations Included Violating State Call Limits
The Attorney General of Massachusetts has announced a $27 million settlement with an auto finance company that was sued back in 2020 for, among other alleged infractions, violating state law related to the number of phone call attempts that can be made when collecting on debts. A copy of the …
Read More »Mass. AG Levies $1M Fine Against Debt Settlement Company
The Attorney General of Massachusetts has announced a consent order with a debt settlement company that will pay $1 million to settle claims it took advantage of consumers by charging them “significant” fees for negotiating settlements with creditors and enrolling consumers in “unaffordable” programs that left consumers “in worse financial …
Read More »Mass. AG Sings Familiar Tune Warning Collectors From Trying to Seize Stimulus Funds
Like Summer follows Spring and Fall follows Summer, so too does another round of reminders to debt collectors that stimulus funds are protected from garnishment follow the latest round of stimulus payments now being sent to individuals across the country in the form of the child tax credit. The child …
Read More »Mass. Regulator to Allow WFH For All Licensed Entities, Including Collectors
The Massachusetts Division of Banks — which regulates debt collectors in the Commonwealth — has formally authorized guidance that will allow for the “continued operation for personnel to operate remotely from non-licensed locations,” meaning that companies can have employees working remotely, including from their homes. The guidance was originally put …
Read More »New Student Loan Licensing Law in Mass. Now in Effect
A new law went into effect last week requiring anyone servicing student loans in Massachusetts to be licensed, and the definition of student loans as well as the types of companies required to be licensed are broader than one might expect. Under the law, which was enacted earlier this year, …
Read More »Mass. AG Reaches $260k Settlement With Healthcare Provider Over Billing Practices
The Attorney General of Massachusetts has announced a settlement with a healthcare provider that will see the company pay $260,000 — including a civil penalty of $185,000 — after it was accused of failing to disclose to patients that it was not part of their insurance network and seeking to …
Read More »