Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Friday announced that her office has filed an emergency regulation that prohibits creditors from engaging in methods of debt collection that can require people to leave their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healey said the regulation, 940 CMR 35.00, is designed to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive debt collection practices during the outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. It is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 90 days or until the state of emergency declared by the governor is over.
In addition to prohibiting the filing new lawsuits against Massachusetts consumers, visiting their homes or places of work, or repossessing their cars, the regulation prohibits debt collection agencies and debt buyers from making unsolicited debt collection telephone calls to consumers.
