CFPB Proposes Delaying Effective Date of the Debt Collection Rule

By Caren D. Enloe

On April 6th, the CFPB announced its proposal to postpone the effective date of the Debt Collection Rule.  Originally scheduled to take effect November 30, 2021, the CFPB now proposes that the Rule become effective on January 29, 2022.  According to the CFPB, the "proposed delay would allow stakeholders affected by the pandemic additional time to review and implement the rules."   A thirty day comment period will open once the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the "NPRM") is published in the Federal Register.  A couple of quick takeaways:

• While the CFPB notes that debt collectors can choose to implement the Rule prior to the effective date, as of now, the safe harbors and presumptions will not be in effect until the effective date; 

• No other proposed changes to the Debt Collection Rule are suggested in the NPRM; however, that does not mean proposed substantive changes won't be forthcoming after confirmation is completed as to the new Director of the CFPB; and 

• Debt Collectors should keep an eye on this development but continue forward with their assessment of their policy, procedures and practices to ensure timely compliance with the Rule whenever the effective date.