FTC action (where is the GD SEC?): FTC Obtains

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FTC Obtains Court Order Against Final Defendant in Phantom Debt Scheme

For Release
March 5, 2018

Tags:

deceptive/misleading conduct Finance Bureau of Consumer Protection Consumer Protection Credit and Finance Debt Collection

The final defendant in an operation that posed as lawyers and falsely threatened to sue people or have them arrested for failing to pay on debts they did not owe is banned from the debt collection business under a recently entered court order.

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, the federal court entered a default judgment against Dequan M. Sicard, granting the injunctive and equitable monetary relief that the FTC sought in a complaint filed in July 2017. The court recently entered a stipulated order against the other defendants in the case.

Under the order, Sicard is banned from participating in debt collection activities, buying or selling consumer or commercial debt, and trading in consumer information related to a debt. He is also prohibited from making misrepresentations about any product or service, profiting from consumers’ personal information obtained from any debt collection activities, and failing to dispose of consumers’ information properly.

The order imposes a $702,059 judgment against Sicard. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, entered the default judgment on January 23, 2018.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook (link is external), follow us on Twitter (link is external), read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
Press Release Reference:
FTC Charges Debt Collection Scheme with Posing as Attorneys to Take Consumers’ Money for Phantom Debts
FTC Obtains Court Order Banning Debt Collectors from Debt Collection Business
Contact Information

CONTACT FOR CONSUMERS:
Consumer Response Center
877-382-4357

CONTACT FOR NEWS MEDIA:
Frank Dorman (link sends e-mail)
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674

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