WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The Federal Trade Commission is wary some debt collectors and recovery agencies could be violating federal consumer protection laws when attempting to collect debt owed by the deceased.

As a result, federal officials are proposing a new policy statement to govern collectors’ actions. Moreover, they are also seeking public comment about the proposed policy.

The FTC believes its proposal clarifies that it will not take enforcement action against debt collectors or related agents who communicate with a decedent’s spouse or executor, administer and persons authorized to handle a deceased person’s estate.

However, federal officials also contend the proposed policy guidelines make clear that misleading consumers about their personal obligation in paying a deceased person’s debt is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

“The communication should state that the collector is seeking to identify and locate the person who has the authority to pay any outstanding bills of the decedent out of the decedent’s estate, but cannot make any other references to the debts of the decedent, including providing any information about the specific debts at issue,” the FTC writes in its policy proposal.

“The proposed statement clarifies how a debt collector may locate the appropriate person with whom to discuss the decedent’s debt,” officials continued. “The proposed statement emphasizes to collectors that misleading consumers about their personal obligation to pay a decedent’s debt is a violation of the FDCPA.”

Collectors and agencies can make comments to this proposal through this website. Officials are accepting feedback until Nov. 8.