The FSSP began the “strictest” inspection of collectors in recent years – RBC

The checks are carried out on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko, who handed over on October 10, 2024. According to the document referred to in the publication, they must be completed by December 10 and cover compliance with the Law “On Collection ” (230-FZ).

The FSSP confirmed that they monitor the organizations’ compliance with the law. The focus is on the services of companies that are on the “red list” due to complaints from citizens. These are collectors, banks and microfinance organizations that violated the law, for example, using physical force, threatening or interacting with debtors after they were declared bankrupt.

According to the FSSP, 18 collection companies are in the high-risk group and another 11 are classified as “significant risk.” Among them are First Client Bureau, ID Collect, Filbert, ABK (Sberbank), Phoenix (part of the group with T-Bank), Dobrozaim, etc.

Checks include analysis of the frequency of interactions with debtors, the presence of third-party consent, audio recordings of calls and confidentiality documents. For example, checks are also carried out on banks in the top 50, although they are not on the “red list”, sources say.

By law, bailiffs can issue an order, open an administrative case or limit the company’s right to certain types of interaction with debtors. One of the companies has already suspended operations, sources said.

The National Association of Professional Collection Agencies (NAPCA) supported the FSSP’s efforts and affirmed the importance of oversight. The association noted that infractions are recorded more frequently among small players. In 2023, of 7,969 violation protocols, only 76 concerned NAPCA members. The representative of the SRO “MiR” noted that the inspections affect an area that has been regulated for a long time. He added that citizens’ complaints often turn out to be unfounded: only 10% to 15% of complaints are considered justified.

In January-September 2024, the FSSP received 38.6 thousand complaints about incorrect debt collection. Of these, 27% were considered justified. According to the service, the majority of complaints concern the work of microfinance organizations (45%) and banks (36%).