State v. O'Neill Investigations, Inc.

OPINION

CONNOR, Justice.

In recent years, unscrupulous acts and practices of independent debt collection agencies1 have come under increasing scrutiny from both the public and private sector. Consumer groups,2 state law enforcement agencies,3 private industry,4 and former members of the debt collection profession itself5 have collectively called for protection for consumers from unfair collection practices, including use of obscene or profane language, threats of violence or imprisonment, telephone calls at unreasonable hours, misrepresentation of consumer’s legal rights, disclosure of…