At least 43 million Americans have overdo medical bills on their credit reports, according to a 2014 report on medical debt by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – CFPB. And 59% of people contacted by a debt collector say the exchange was over medical bills. This month, the CFPB proposed a rule to frame what debt collectors are allowed to do when pursuing many types of overdo bills, including medical debt. But the law passed in 1977, did not anticipate email and text messages. The CFPB’s proposal clarifies how debt collectors can use these communication tools. It would allow consumers to opt out of being contacted though emails and text messages. The rule specifies that debt collectors can make no more than seven telephone calls weekly over a specific debt. Consumers should ask for details in writing and if necessary dispute the debt. If the judge agrees, after seven years, the debt can be dismissed.
Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is the Pastor of Andrew Chapel, United Methodist Church on the Northern Neck in Montross, VA. Rev. Dr. Taylor promotes best practices for financial literacy and financial empowerment in the church and leads workshops throughout Northern Virginia. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the District Finance Committee. In May 2015, Rev. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA. Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is married to Dr. David Taylor, who is also the Director of our church-based free clinic. They have two adult children and three grandchildren. In her leisure time, Rev. Dr. Taylor enjoys traveling, jogging, weightlifting, swimming, yoga, and interior decorating. In May 2015, Rev. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. Rev. Dr. Taylor was born and raised in New York City and recently discovered her ancestral roots in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is married to David Taylor and they have a son and a daughter. Their daughter is a educator and son is an Active-Duty Senior Seaman in the Navy married with three children. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading, swimming, writing poetry, crocheting and spending time with her family.