Stop Debt Collectors From Accessing Your Private Information

HB18-1057: An alarming change in debt collection procedure

Wage garnishment is a serious step with dramatic implications for families. As families struggle with rising costs of living, Colorado's household debt is increasing. Now is not the time to give debt collectors an unprecedented short cut that undermines privacy and involves the state in private matters.

The bill currently in front of Colorado's General Assembly would allow private debt collectors to get state employment and wage information in order to seize wages of consumers. But it is even worse. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, 71 percent of debt cases occur without the consumer even being aware that there is a judgment against them. Fortunately, the current process in place ensures that the consumer will know if they owe money. If passed, this bill would so radically change the system that consumers may not know that they owe money until their wages are garnished.

You can stop this bill. Please let your legislator know that you are opposed to letting debt collectors get private data and to oppose HB18-1057.

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Stop Debt Collectors from Getting Private State Data

Dear [elected official],

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I am writing to urge you to oppose HB18-1057. This bill would allow debt collection agencies to compel the state to provide private information on consumers across Colorado. This would set an alarming precedent and could lead to devastating consequences for people throughout the state.

Debt collectors are asking the legislature for the ability to gain information gathered by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment in order to garnish wages of consumers. However, these debt collectors already have access to private databases of information that contain what they are asking the state to hand over.

Many debt cases are default judgments - meaning that consumers are not even aware they owe money. Thankfully, a process in place - Rule 69 proceedings - gives consumers some small safeguards to make sure they are aware of judgments against them and know whether they owe money. If HB18-1057 were to become law, many consumers would not know there has been a judgment against them until their wages are being garnished.

Wage garnishment and debt are serious issues that demand thoughtful responses. Allowing private debt collectors access to state data and short-cutting established procedures is not the answer. I urge you to oppose this bill on the grounds that it is the wrong time to give state information to private debt collectors at the expense of consumers.

Sincerely, [Your information here]