Punked

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action against the nation's two largest debt buyers and collectors for using deceptive tactics to collect bad debts. The Bureau found that Encore Capital Group and Portfolio Recovery Associates bought debts that were potentially inaccurate, lacking documentation, or unenforceable. Without verifying the debt, the companies collected payments by pressuring consumers with false statements and churning out lawsuits using robo-signed court documents. The CFPB ordered the companies to overhaul their debt collection and litigation practices and to stop reselling debts to third parties. Encore must pay up to 42 million in consumer refunds and a 10 million penalty, and stop collection on over 125 million worth of debts.