One speaker that caught my attention at the recent NOSSCR conference in Philadelphia was Peter Barry, a Minnesota consumer rights attorney. He spoke about abusive debt collectors, and what to do about them under the FDCPA. It was a very good presentation, and I have been thinking about the topic since attending the session.

Our disability clients, who are by definition unable to work, can be under severe financial stress. Unpaid bills come with the territory. Our clients also have health conditions, often including chronic pain or mental health issues, that can make them vulnerable to debt collectors, some of whom are unscrupulous.

I am going to explore this issue with my clients. I want to see if they are being treated with truth, fairness, dignity, and respect. Because our clients have enought stress in their lives without being treated poorly by debt collectors.

Here are debt collection FAQs from the FTC.