Overview

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued guidance to combat illegal medical debt collection tactics.
• Approximately 100 million Americans owe $220 billion in medical debt, according to the CFPB.
• Illegal practices include double billing, unsubstantiated charges, and misrepresenting consumers' rights to dispute debts.
• Vice President Kamala Harris supports efforts to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports.
• The CFPB's advisory opinion aims to protect consumers and holds debt collectors accountable under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.