According to the Federal Trade Commission, federal courts in New York and Georgia, acting on an FTC motion, have temporarily halted three debt collection operations that the FTC alleges have violated federal law by threatening and deceiving consumers via text messages, emails, and phone calls. The FTC's press release explains:
[T]he defendants used text messages, emails, and phone calls to falsely threaten to arrest or sue consumers. They also unlawfully contacted friends, family members, and employers, withheld information consumers needed to confirm or dispute debts, and did not identify themselves as debt collectors, as required by law.
The defendants in the law enforcement sweep called “Messaging for Money” are known as Unified Global Group, Premier Debt Acquisitions, and The Primary Group.
The FTC's full press release is here.
