The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit recently joined the Eleventh Circuit (and a growing majority of courts) in rejecting the “Hunstein theory” of liability under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). In Shields v. Professional Bureau of Collections of Maryland, Inc., the Tenth Circuit affirmed a lower court’s dismissal of FDCPA claims for lack of standing, confirming that a debt collector’s use of an outside mail vendor does not constitute an actionable, concrete injury.… Continue Reading
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Want to save money and avoid annoying judges? Read the world’s first opinion evaluating Regulation F (Also: Read Regulation F)
It’s official! We have our first-ever federal court opinion evaluating the requirements of Regulation F! Okay, maybe “evaluating” isn’t the right word. “Reading Regulation F out loud” is more like it.
- The Question: Does Regulation F require debt collectors to use the CFPB’s model validation notice (“MVN”) to comply with the FDCPA?
Seventh Circuit issues decision on FDCPA standing and bona fide error defense
A new decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in two consolidated cases analyzes the requirements for Article III standing in a FDCPA case. It also addresses what a debt collector must show to establish that it maintained procedures reasonably adapted to avoid an error as required by the FDCPA’s bona fide error defense. … Continue Reading
CFPB sues debt buyer companies and their owners/officers for unlawful debt collection practices based on third-party conduct
The CFPB filed a complaint earlier this week in a New York federal district court against three companies that purchase defaulted debts (Corporate Defendants) and three individuals who are owners and/or officers of the Corporate Defendants (Individual Defendants). (Click here to read the statement from United Holding Group, LLC, one of the Corporate Defendants, about the lawsuit.)… Continue Reading
CA DFPI provides assurance of no action to debt collection license applicants experiencing NMLS delays
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has published a notice on its website concerning delays that debt collectors and buyers seeking to comply with the new licensing requirement in the state’s Debt Collection Licensing Act are currently experiencing.
The new law, passed in September 2020, requires debt collectors and buyers to apply for a DFPI license by December 31, 2021. … Continue Reading
CA DFPI brings first enforcement action against a debt collector and debt buyer for violating the state’s Consumer Financial Protection Law
Last week, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) brought its first enforcement action against a debt collector and debt buyer for violating the state’s Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL). The DFPI’s Desist and Refrain Order and Order Assessing Penalties (totaling $375,000) charges F & F Management Inc. (F&F) with violating the CCFPL by (1) engaging in unfair acts and practices, and (2) and violating the CA Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Rosenthal), the CA Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act (CCRAA), and the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). … Continue Reading
Utah federal court rules Petition Clause of the First Amendment provides immunity from FDCPA claims
A Utah federal district court recently ruled in two cases that the Petition Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides immunity to debt collectors from FDCPA claims. The two cases are Holmes v. Crown Asset Management, LLC and Reyes v. N.A.R. Inc. and Olson Associates, P.C. Both decisions were issued by Judge Howard C.… Continue Reading
Debt collector asks 11th Cir. for en banc review of decision applying FDCPA restriction on third-party communications to debt collector’s transmittal of debtor’s personal information to letter vendor
Last month, in a very troubling decision of first impression, a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed the lower court’s dismissal of the plaintiff’s FDCPA claim, instead ruling that the plaintiff stated a claim where the plaintiff alleged that a debt collector’s transmittal of the plaintiff’s personal information to the vendor it used to generate and send collection letters “constituted a communication ‘in connection with the collection of any debt’ within the meaning of [FDCPA Section 1692c(b)].” … Continue Reading
CFPB issues interim rule applicable to FDCPA debt collectors seeking to evict tenants for non-payment of rent
The CFPB has issued an interim final rule that requires “debt collectors” as defined under the FDCPA who seek to evict tenants for non-payment of rent to provide written notice to tenants of their rights under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order that establishes an eviction moratorium. The interim rule also prohibits FDCPA debt collectors from misrepresenting tenants’ eligibility for protection from eviction under the moratorium. … Continue Reading
11th Cir. rules FDCPA restriction on third-party communications applies to debt collector’s transmittal of debtor’s personal information to vendor that generated and sent collection letters
In a very troubling decision of first impression, a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has ruled that a debt collector’s transmittal of the plaintiff’s personal information to the vendor it used to generate and send collection letters “constituted a communication ‘in connection with the collection of any debt’ within the meaning of [FDCPA Section 1692c(b)]”. … Continue Reading