I write this petition carrying a heavy burden on my shoulders and anxiety within me, insidious side effects of my personal experiences with unlawful lending companies. But this is not just about me, it is an issue that has far-reaching implications.

Unlawful lending companies are on the prowl, inflicting financial and psychological distress on countless individuals. They employ unjust debt collection tactics and even go to the extent of breaching data privacy principles. This has to be stopped.

As per the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) data, debt collection complaints constituted about 27% of the complaints filed in June 2021. This is not a minor issue but a rampant, serious one. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also reports that they've received over 85,000 complaints about such practices in the same year. Moreover, the lack of sufficient laws in place to protect citizens' data privacy allows these companies to access and misuse personal information, causing a violation of privacy rights.

This petition is a call-to-action. We demand better regulation of these illegitimate lending companies, a reform of the debt collection practices, and stricter data privacy laws. Let's unite to prevent more people from becoming victims of their predatory operations, to safeguard our mental health and our rights as consumers and citizens. Please, sign this petition and allow our collective voice to echo in the halls of justice.