FTC Halts Alleged $20 Million Phantom Debt Collection Operation
The Federal Trade Commission has secured a federal court order temporarily halting a California-based debt collection operation accused of collecting more than $20 million from consumers through false legal threats and attempts to collect debts they frequently did not owe. The FTC announced the enforcement action Nov. 9, following a Nov. 5 order from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California freezing the defendants’ assets and appointing a temporary receiver.
New Receivables Podcast - A Guide to Reviving Dormant Judgments
A court judgment gives creditors the legal right to pursue recovery, but getting paid is another story. Some judgments sit for years without producing results. Others may still hold value if creditors know when and how to act. In this episode of Receivables Podcast, Adam Parks sits down with Brad Council, Managing Partner at Slovin & Council, to build a practical dormant judgment recovery guide for creditors and debt buyers.
Federal Student Loan Changes Fuel Private Lending Growth as Credit Risks Mount Changes to federal graduate student loan programs are accelerating growth in private education lending, with Sallie Mae, Navient, and SoFi reporting substantial increases in loan originations during the third quarter of 2026. The shift follows new federal borrowing restrictions that took effect July 1, creating additional opportunities for private lenders while raising questions about credit risk, repayment performance, and future collection activity.
Debt Collection Lawsuits Surge in Utah as Filings Climb Across Multiple States Debt collection lawsuits in Utah have reached levels not seen in more than a decade, with new court data showing filings increased 23% compared with 2019. The increase reflects a broader national trend as creditors and debt buyers pursue more delinquent accounts through state courts, although several states have experienced substantially larger increases.
Washington Governor Orders Six-Month Pause on New Regulations, Launches Statewide Review Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed an executive order temporarily restricting new state agency rulemaking and directing a review of existing regulations. The initiative could affect future regulatory requirements for debt collectors, financial institutions and other businesses operating in the state.