HuffPo’s Bryce Covert put a piece out today discussing the “outrageous tactics” of rogue debt collectors—even so much as referring to them as “organized crime” syndicates. And we agree.

CFSA put out the following statement in March, where our chairman said:

“It is simply wrong to pursue criminal complaints against consumers who have defaulted on personal debt,” said D. Lynn DeVault, board chair of the CFSA. “Lenders should be working with their customers to figure out a solution. Our members offer borrowers an extended payment plan at no extra cost to the borrower and adhere to CFSA Best Practices which prohibit any criminal recourse.”

Not to mention what two of our Best Practices say verbatim:

7. A member must collect past due accounts in a professional, fair and lawful manner. A member will not use unlawful threats, intimidation, or harassment to collect accounts. CFSA believes that the collection limitations contained in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) should guide a member’s practice in this area.

8. A member will not threaten or pursue criminal action against a customer as a result of the customer’s check being returned unpaid or the customer’s account not being paid.