On January 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it filed a complaint against three New York-based debt collection companies and their owners. The CFPB alleged the companies sold debts to collection companies that used unlawful collection tactics. Specifically, the CFPB alleged the companies knew or should have known that the collection companies used unlawful tactics, such as making false threats or statements to consumers. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, alleges the challenged conduct violated the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The CFPB seeks civil penalties, as well as consumer and injunctive relief.