After significant delays in 2025, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) adopted amendments to its debt collection rules with significant changes to when it was delayed in 2025 for the third time as we previously reported.
The changes to the DCWP rule changes will take effect on September 1, 2026 and aim to modernize protections for New York City consumers. They also clarify how they apply to the different types of debt collectors, including original creditors once they begin collection procedures.
DCWP Rule Changes
The overall goal of the DCWP was to substantially expand the current record retention and reporting requirements for collection agencies, along with revising validation and verification procedures. Changes made include:
- Revised definitions to clarify the applicability of these rules;
- Clarified when the requirements of section 5-77 of the rules apply;
- Changed the communication frequency cap for all debt collectors collecting multiple debts
- from the same consumer to applying on a per-account basis;
- Streamlined the process for a consumer to consent to electronic communication, and
- specified that requests to cease electronic communication are specific to that electronic
- medium;
- Removed the reference to a consumer’s working hours in the rule about workplace
- communications;
- Specified that the consumer reporting agency notice must be sent through one medium
- used to communicate with the consumer, but not all mediums;
- Removed the reference to “validation period” and clarified the process and rights of a
- consumer to dispute or request verification of a debt;
- Increased flexibility for consumers and debt collectors to communicate in languages other
- than English;
- Clarified certain requirements for verifying medical debt;
- Specified that a debt collector is only required to provide the expanded itemization of the
- debt once; and
- Modified language in the notice of time-barred debt to clarify consumers’ rights.
The rules were set to take effect last on October 1, 2025 and the amendments will not take effect on September 1, 2026.
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