Debt collectors in New York may soon be prohibited from contacting individuals through social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. A bill awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature aims to curb the use of private messages on these platforms for debt collection.
“Very often when a debt collector targets someone privately through a private message, it can be a huge risk,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, the bill’s sponsor, in an interview with public radio’s The Capitol Pressroom.
Bichotte-Hermelyn emphasized that relying on social media for debt collection can lead to serious mistakes, including contacting the wrong person.
“Many of us, first of all, we don’t even use our real names on social media,” she said. “It could be easily fraudulent activities, a mix-up of someone you think you’re targeting, is not the right person, and now you’re harassing someone online.”
If signed into law, the legislation would prevent debt collectors from using social media messaging. However, collectors could still reach out online through email.