Complaints logged against the collection industry by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dropped 22.4% in September (2,640) compared with August (3,232) but the number is expected to go up in the next few weeks, according to WebRecon, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based company that pulled the data for an analysis.
In September 2013, there were 2,009 complaints filed against collectors, 31.4% lower than last month.
There were a total of 670 debt collectors complained about in September. The types of debt behind the complaints include:
782 Other (phone, health club, etc.) (30%)
577 Credit card (22%)
547 Unknown (21%)
345 Medical (13%)
150 Payday loan (6%)
91 Mortgage (3%)
65 Auto (2%)
44 Non-federal student loan (2%)
39 Federal student loan (1%)
The breakdown of complaint types includes:
1,135 Continued attempts to collect debt not owed (43%)
486 Communication tactics (18%)
414 Disclosure verification of debt (16%)
250 False statements or representation (9%)
179 Improper contact or sharing of info (7%)
176 Taking/threatening an illegal action (7%)
The status of September's complaints includes:
1,846 Closed with explanation (70%)
367 Closed with non-monetary relief (14%)
193 In progress (7%)
112 Closed (4%)
81 Untimely response (3%)
41 Closed with monetary relief (2%)