In an effort to provide clarity regarding possible changes connected with automotive debt collection practices, American Financial Services Association’s government affairs committee recently published a white paper about the topic.

“With the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act, regulation of debt collection activities will likely increase as the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will have the authority to issue new rules under the Fair Debt Collection Protection Act,” the committee explained.

AFSA indicated its paper is meant to provide a legislative snapshot of numerous state bills considered this session on automotive debt collection.

So far this legislative session, AFSA determined 48 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Congress have considered 538 bills that relate to debt collection issues, and the association noted 27 states have considered bills relating specifically to automotive debt collection activities.

“Debt collection in general, such as practices that involve automatic dialing and announcing devices, are also addressed,” the association pointed out.

AFSA members can obtain the paper at the association’s website, www.afsaonline.org.