THE-FAIR-DEBT-COLLECTION-PRACTICES-ACT(美國(guó)公平催收法案)

THEFAIRDEBTCOLLECTIONPRACTICESACT公平債務(wù)催收法案AsamendedbyPublicLaw104-208,110Stat.3009(Sept.30,1996)ToamendtheConsumerCreditProtectionActtoprohibitabusivepracticesbydebtcollectors.為了規(guī)制債務(wù)催收人濫用催收行為而修訂消費(fèi)者信貸保護(hù)法案。BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesofAmericainCongressassembled,ThattheConsumerCreditProtectionAct(15U.S.C.1601etseq.)isamendedbyaddingattheendthereofthefollowingnewtitle:TITLEVIII-DEBTCOLLECTIONPRACTICES

[FairDebtCollectionPracticesAct]Sec.

801.

ShortTitle

802.

Congressionalfindingsanddeclarationofpurpose

803.

Definitions

804.

Acquisitionoflocationinformation

805.

Communicationinconnectionwithdebtcollection

806.

Harassmentorabuse

807.

Falseormisleadingrepresentations

808.

Unfairpractice

809.

Validationofdebts

810.

Multipledebts

811.

Legalactionsbydebtcollectors

812.

Furnishingcertaindeceptiveforms

813.

Civilliability

814.

Administrativeenforcement

815.

ReportstoCongressbytheCommission

816.

RelationtoStatelaws

817.

ExemptionforStateregulation

818.

Effectivedate§801.

ShortTitle

[15USC1601note]Thistitlemaybecitedasthe"FairDebtCollectionPracticesAct."§802.

Congressionalfindingsanddeclarationsofpurpose

[15USC1692](a)Thereisabundantevidenceoftheuseofabusive,deceptive,andunfairdebtcollectionpracticesbymanydebtcollectors.Abusivedebtcollectionpracticescontributetothenumberofpersonalbankruptcies,tomaritalinstability,tothelossofjobs,andtoinvasionsofindividualprivacy.1.有充足的證據(jù)表明，許多債務(wù)催收者通過(guò)濫用催收手段、欺騙、不公平的催收手段等方式來(lái)進(jìn)行催收工作。濫用催收手段導(dǎo)致了大量的個(gè)人破產(chǎn)、婚姻關(guān)系破裂、失業(yè)和對(duì)個(gè)人隱私的侵犯等不良后果的產(chǎn)生。(b)Existinglawsandproceduresforredressingtheseinjuriesareinadequatetoprotectconsumers.2.現(xiàn)行的相關(guān)法律法規(guī)對(duì)消費(fèi)者的保護(hù)力度不夠。(c)Meansotherthanmisrepresentationorotherabusivedebtcollectionpracticesareavailablefortheeffectivecollectionofdebts.3.應(yīng)當(dāng)使用除了欺騙和其他濫用的催收手段來(lái)進(jìn)行有效的債務(wù)催收。(d)Abusivedebtcollectionpracticesarecarriedontoasubstantialextentininterstatecommerceandthroughmeansandinstrumentalitiesofsuchcommerce.在洲際貿(mào)易和通過(guò)此種方法和手段進(jìn)行商業(yè)交易的活動(dòng)中，濫用催收手段的行為還繼續(xù)大范圍的存在著。。Evenwhereabusivedebtcollectionpracticesarepurelyintrastateincharacter,theyneverthelessdirectlyaffectinterstatecommerce.(e)Itisthepurposeofthistitletoeliminateabusivedebtcollectionpracticesbydebtcollectors,toinsurethatthosedebtcollectorswhorefrainfromusingabusivedebtcollectionpracticesarenotcompetitivelydisadvantaged,andtopromoteconsistentStateactiontoprotectconsumersagainstdebtcollectionabuses.為了禁止債務(wù)催收者濫用催收手段，保證那些采取正當(dāng)手段進(jìn)行催收的催收機(jī)構(gòu)在市場(chǎng)競(jìng)爭(zhēng)中不至于處于不利地位；為了促進(jìn)州政府在保護(hù)消費(fèi)者免受債務(wù)催收者濫用催收手段的侵害的法案的統(tǒng)一，特制訂此法案?！?03.

Definitions[15USC1692a]Asusedinthistitle--(1)Theterm"Commission"meanstheFederalTradeCommission.(2)Theterm"communication"meanstheconveyingofinformationregardingadebtdirectlyorindirectlytoanypersonthroughanymedium.(3)Theterm"consumer"meansanynaturalpersonobligatedorallegedlyobligatedtopayanydebt.(4)Theterm"creditor"meansanypersonwhooffersorextendscreditcreatingadebtortowhomadebtisowed,butsuchtermdoesnotincludeanypersontotheextentthathereceivesanassignmentortransferofadebtindefaultsolelyforthepurposeoffacilitatingcollectionofsuchdebtforanother.(5)Theterm"debt"meansanyobligationorallegedobligationofaconsumertopaymoneyarisingoutofatransactioninwhichthemoney,property,insuranceorserviceswhicharethesubjectofthetransactionareprimarilyforpersonal,family,orhouseholdpurposes,whetherornotsuchobligationhasbeenreducedtojudgment.(6)Theterm"debtcollector"meansanypersonwhousesanyinstrumentalityofinterstatecommerceorthemailsinanybusinesstheprincipalpurposeofwhichisthecollectionofanydebts,orwhoregularlycollectsorattemptstocollect,directlyorindirectly,debtsowedordueorassertedtobeowedordueanother.Notwithstandingtheexclusionprovidedbyclause(F)ofthelastsentenceofthisparagraph,thetermincludesanycreditorwho,intheprocessofcollectinghisowndebts,usesanynameotherthanhisownwhichwouldindicatethatathirdpersoniscollectingorattemptingtocollectsuchdebts.Forthepurposeofsection808(6),suchtermalsoincludesanypersonwhousesanyinstrumentalityofinterstatecommerceorthemailsinanybusinesstheprincipalpurposeofwhichistheenforcementofsecurityinterests.Thetermdoesnotinclude--(A)anyofficeroremployeeofacreditorwhile,inthenameofthecreditor,collectingdebtsforsuchcreditor;(B)anypersonwhileactingasadebtcollectorforanotherperson,bothofwhomarerelatedbycommonownershiporaffiliatedbycorporatecontrol,ifthepersonactingasadebtcollectordoessoonlyforpersonstowhomitissorelatedoraffiliatedandiftheprincipalbusinessofsuchpersonisnotthecollectionofdebts;(C)anyofficeroremployeeoftheUnitedStatesoranyStatetotheextentthatcollectingorattemptingtocollectanydebtisintheperformanceofhisofficialduties;(D)anypersonwhileservingorattemptingtoservelegalprocessonanyotherpersoninconnectionwiththejudicialenforcementofanydebt;(E)anynonprofitorganizationwhich,attherequestofconsumers,performsbonafideconsumercreditcounselingandassistsconsumersintheliquidationoftheirdebtsbyreceivingpaymentsfromsuchconsumersanddistributingsuchamountstocreditors;and(F)anypersoncollectingorattemptingtocollectanydebtowedordueorassertedtobeowedordueanothertotheextentsuchactivity(i)isincidentaltoabonafidefiduciaryobligationorabonafideescrowarrangement;(ii)concernsadebtwhichwasoriginatedbysuchperson;(iii)concernsadebtwhichwasnotindefaultatthetimeitwasobtainedbysuchperson;or(iv)concernsadebtobtainedbysuchpersonasasecuredpartyinacommercialcredittransactioninvolvingthecreditor.(7)Theterm"locationinformation"meansaconsumer'splaceofabodeandhistelephonenumberatsuchplace,orhisplaceofemployment.(8)Theterm"State"meansanyState,territory,orpossessionoftheUnitedStates,theDistrictofColumbia,theCommonwealthofPuertoRico,oranypoliticalsubdivisionofanyoftheforegoing.§804.

Acquisitionoflocationinformation

[15USC1692b]獲取債務(wù)人的位置信息Anydebtcollectorcommunicatingwithanypersonotherthantheconsumerforthepurposeofacquiringlocationinformationabouttheconsumershall–任何債務(wù)催收者出于獲取消費(fèi)者的位置信息的目的，在和除了消費(fèi)者本人的任何人聯(lián)系時(shí)，應(yīng)當(dāng)：(1)identifyhimself,statethatheisconfirmingorcorrectinglocationinformationconcerningtheconsumer,and,onlyifexpresslyrequested,identifyhisemployer;1.表明自己的身份，聲明自己在確認(rèn)或者是在更正相關(guān)消費(fèi)者的位置信息，如果有明確的要求，還須披露自己的雇主信息。(2)notstatethatsuchconsumerowesanydebt;2.不能透漏相關(guān)消費(fèi)者欠債的信息。(3)notcommunicatewithanysuchpersonmorethanonceunlessrequestedtodosobysuchpersonorunlessthedebtcollectorreasonablybelievesthattheearlierresponseofsuchpersoniserroneousorincompleteandthatsuchpersonnowhascorrectorcompletelocationinformation;3.不能和上述的人員聯(lián)系超過(guò)一次，除非上述人員請(qǐng)求或者債務(wù)催收者有合理的理由相信上述人員之前的回復(fù)是錯(cuò)誤的或者是不完整的，所以需要改正或者補(bǔ)充完整上述信息。(4)notcommunicatebypostcard;2.不能通過(guò)明信片來(lái)進(jìn)行聯(lián)系。(5)notuseanylanguageorsymbolonanyenvelopeorinthecontentsofanycommunicationeffectedbythemailsortelegramthatindicatesthatthedebtcollectorisinthedebtcollectionbusinessorthatthecommunicationrelatestothecollectionofadebt;and5.不能在信封上或者內(nèi)容中使用任何表明債務(wù)催收者在從事債務(wù)催收的工作或者其他和催收債務(wù)有關(guān)的語(yǔ)言或象征符號(hào)；(6)afterthedebtcollectorknowstheconsumerisrepresentedbyanattorneywithregardtothesubjectdebtandhasknowledgeof,orcanreadilyascertain,suchattorney'snameandaddress,notcommunicatewithanypersonotherthanthatattorney,unlesstheattorneyfailstorespondwithinareasonableperiodoftimetothecommunicationfromthedebtcollector.6.在債務(wù)催收員知道消費(fèi)者委托了律師，并且知道或者能夠知道律師的姓名和地址的情況下，其不能再和除該律師以外的人聯(lián)系，除非該律師未能在合理時(shí)間內(nèi)回復(fù)債務(wù)催收員?！?05.

Communicationinconnectionwithdebtcollection

[15USC1692c](a)COMMUNICATIONWITHTHECONSUMERGENERALLY.

Withoutthepriorconsentoftheconsumergivendirectlytothedebtcollectorortheexpresspermissionofacourtofcompetentjurisdiction,adebtcollectormaynotcommunicatewithaconsumerinconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt–1.沒(méi)有消費(fèi)者事先的同意或者明確的認(rèn)可法院的管轄權(quán)，債務(wù)催收員不能和消費(fèi)者進(jìn)行任何相關(guān)債務(wù)催收的聯(lián)系-(1)atanyunusualtimeorplaceoratimeorplaceknownorwhichshouldbeknowntobeinconvenienttotheconsumer.Intheabsenceofknowledgeofcircumstancestothecontrary,adebtcollectorshallassumethattheconvenienttimeforcommunicatingwithaconsumerisafter8o'clockantimeridianandbefore9o'clockpostmeridian,localtimeattheconsumer'slocation;1.在任何不同尋常的時(shí)間或地點(diǎn)，在債務(wù)催收人員知道或者應(yīng)當(dāng)知道的消費(fèi)者在那么一段時(shí)間或處在那個(gè)一個(gè)地點(diǎn)是不方便的，債務(wù)催收員可以假定依照消費(fèi)者當(dāng)?shù)貢r(shí)間消費(fèi)者在早上8點(diǎn)到下午9點(diǎn)聯(lián)系是方便的。(2)ifthedebtcollectorknowstheconsumerisrepresentedbyanattorneywithrespecttosuchdebtandhasknowledgeof,orcanreadilyascertain,suchattorney'snameandaddress,unlesstheattorneyfailstorespondwithinareasonableperiodoftimetoacommunicationfromthedebtcollectororunlesstheattorneyconsentstodirectcommunicationwiththeconsumer;or在債務(wù)催收員知道消費(fèi)者委托了律師，并且知道或者能夠知道律師的姓名和地址的情況下，其不能再和除該律師以外的人聯(lián)系，除非該律師未能在合理時(shí)間內(nèi)回復(fù)債務(wù)催收員或者律師同意直接和消費(fèi)者聯(lián)系；或者(3)attheconsumer'splaceofemploymentifthedebtcollectorknowsorhasreasontoknowthattheconsumer'semployerprohibitstheconsumerfromreceivingsuchcommunication.3.債務(wù)催收員知道或者有理由知道消費(fèi)者的雇主禁止在消費(fèi)者工作的場(chǎng)所收到債務(wù)催收的信息。(b)COMMUNICATIONWITHTHIRDPARTIES.

Exceptasprovidedinsection804,withoutthepriorconsentoftheconsumergivendirectlytothedebtcollector,ortheexpresspermissionofacourtofcompetentjurisdiction,orasreasonablynecessarytoeffectuateapostudgmentjudicialremedy,adebtcollectormaynotcommunicate,inconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt,withanypersonotherthanaconsumer,hisattorney,aconsumerreportingagencyifotherwisepermittedbylaw,thecreditor,theattorneyofthecreditor,ortheattorneyofthedebtcollector.b.和第三方聯(lián)系。除了804條的規(guī)定，沒(méi)有消費(fèi)者事先的同意或者明確的認(rèn)可法院的管轄權(quán)，債務(wù)催收員不能和消費(fèi)者進(jìn)行任何相關(guān)債務(wù)催收的聯(lián)系-(c)CEASINGCOMMUNICATION.

Ifaconsumernotifiesadebtcollectorinwritingthattheconsumerrefusestopayadebtorthattheconsumerwishesthedebtcollectortoceasefurthercommunicationwiththeconsumer,thedebtcollectorshallnotcommunicatefurtherwiththeconsumerwithrespecttosuchdebt,except–中止聯(lián)系。如果一個(gè)消費(fèi)者書面通知債務(wù)催收員他∕她將絕支付賬款，或者消費(fèi)者希望債務(wù)催收員中止進(jìn)一步與其聯(lián)系，債務(wù)催收員應(yīng)該停止出于催收相關(guān)債務(wù)的目的和消費(fèi)者進(jìn)一步聯(lián)系。除非——(1)toadvisetheconsumerthatthedebtcollector'sfurthereffortsarebeingterminated;1.通知消費(fèi)者債務(wù)催收員的進(jìn)一步措施正在被終止；(2)tonotifytheconsumerthatthedebtcollectororcreditormayinvokespecifiedremedieswhichareordinarilyinvokedbysuchdebtcollectororcreditor;or2.通知消費(fèi)者債務(wù)催收員或者債權(quán)人可能采取他們一般情況下會(huì)采取的特殊的救濟(jì)方式；或者(3)whereapplicable,tonotifytheconsumerthatthedebtcollectororcreditorintendstoinvokeaspecifiedremedy.Ifsuchnoticefromtheconsumerismadebymail,notificationshallbecompleteuponreceipt.3.在適當(dāng)?shù)那闆r下，通知消費(fèi)者債務(wù)催收員或者債權(quán)人打算采取特殊的救濟(jì)方式。如果這樣的通知是消費(fèi)者通過(guò)郵件發(fā)的，(d)Forthepurposeofthissection,theterm"consumer"includestheconsumer'sspouse,parent(iftheconsumerisaminor),guardian,executor,oradministrator.本章所稱的“消費(fèi)者”包括消費(fèi)者的配偶，父母（如果消費(fèi)者是未成年人），法定監(jiān)護(hù)人，執(zhí)行人，或者管理人?！?06.

Harassmentorabuse

[15USC1692d]Adebtcollectormaynotengageinanyconductthenaturalconsequenceofwhichistoharass,oppress,orabuseanypersoninconnectionwiththecollectionofadebt.Withoutlimitingthegeneralapplicationoftheforegoing,thefollowingconductisaviolationofthissection:債務(wù)催收員不能采取騷擾、施壓、或其它過(guò)度行為去催收賬款。不限于上述的幾種行為，下列的行為也是對(duì)該款的違反：(1)Theuseorthreatofuseofviolenceorothercriminalmeanstoharmthephysicalperson,reputation,orpropertyofanyperson.1.使用威脅或者暴力或者其它的犯罪方式去侵犯人身、名聲、或者任何人的財(cái)產(chǎn)(2)Theuseofobsceneorprofanelanguageorlanguagethenaturalconsequenceofwhichistoabusethehearerorreader.2.使用污言穢語(yǔ)進(jìn)行攻擊。(3)Thepublicationofalistofconsumerswhoallegedlyrefusetopaydebts,excepttoaconsumerreportingagencyortopersonsmeetingtherequirementsofsection603(f)or604(3)1ofthisAct.公布宣稱拒絕付款的消費(fèi)者名單，除非是向消費(fèi)者報(bào)告機(jī)構(gòu)或者符合本法案603(f)or604(3)1規(guī)定的人公布。(4)Theadvertisementforsaleofanydebttocoercepaymentofthedebt.4.發(fā)布買賣債權(quán)的廣告。(5)Causingatelephonetoringorengaginganypersonintelephoneconversationrepeatedlyorcontinuouslywithintenttoannoy,abuse,orharassanypersonatthecallednumber.5.持續(xù)的打騷擾電話或者進(jìn)行意圖在于騷擾、煩惱債務(wù)人的重復(fù)致電。(6)Exceptasprovidedinsection804,theplacementoftelephonecallswithoutmeaningfuldisclosureofthecaller'sidentity.除了在804里規(guī)定的之外，§807.

Falseormisleadingrepresentations

[15USC1692e]Adebtcollectormaynotuseanyfalse,deceptive,ormisleadingrepresentationormeansinconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt.Withoutlimitingthegeneralapplicationoftheforegoing,thefollowingconductisaviolationofthissection:債務(wù)催收不能使用任何欺詐或者誤導(dǎo)的陳述來(lái)進(jìn)行催收。不限于上述的情形，以下的方式也是對(duì)該款的違反：(1)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatthedebtcollectorisvouchedfor,bondedby,oraffiliatedwiththeUnitedStates1.虛假陳述或者暗示債務(wù)催收員是由政府保證或擔(dān)保的，包括使用徽章、制服、或傳真來(lái)證明。(2)Thefalserepresentationof–(A)thecharacter,amount,orlegalstatusofanydebt;or針對(duì)任何債務(wù)的特點(diǎn)、數(shù)量或者法律地位；或者(B)anyservicesrenderedorcompensationwhichmaybelawfullyreceivedbyanydebtcollectorforthecollectionofadebt.(3)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatanyindividualisanattorneyorthatanycommunicationisfromanattorney.(4)Therepresentationorimplicationthatnonpaymentofanydebtwillresultinthearrestorimprisonmentofanypersonortheseizure,garnishment,attachment,orsaleofanypropertyorwagesofanypersonunlesssuchactionislawfulandthedebtcollectororcreditorintendstotakesuchaction.(5)Thethreattotakeanyactionthatcannotlegallybetakenorthatisnotintendedtobetaken.(6)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatasale,referral,orothertransferofanyinterestinadebtshallcausetheconsumerto--(A)loseanyclaimordefensetopaymentofthedebt;or(B)becomesubjecttoanypracticeprohibitedbythistitle.(7)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthattheconsumercommittedanycrimeorotherconductinordertodisgracetheconsumer.(8)Communicatingorthreateningtocommunicatetoanypersoncreditinformationwhichisknownorwhichshouldbeknowntobefalse,includingthefailuretocommunicatethatadisputeddebtisdisputed.(9)Theuseordistributionofanywrittencommunicationwhichsimulatesorisfalselyrepresentedtobeadocumentauthorized,issued,orapprovedbyanycourt,official,oragencyoftheUnitedStatesoranyState,orwhichcreatesafalseimpressionastoitssource,authorization,orapproval.(10)Theuseofanyfalserepresentationordeceptivemeanstocollectorattempttocollectanydebtortoobtaininformationconcerningaconsumer.(11)Thefailuretodiscloseintheinitialwrittencommunicationwiththeconsumerand,inaddition,iftheinitialcommunicationwiththeconsumerisoral,inthatinitialoralcommunication,thatthedebtcollectorisattemptingtocollectadebtandthatanyinformationobtainedwillbeusedforthatpurpose,andthefailuretodiscloseinsubsequentcommunicationsthatthecommunicationisfromadebtcollector,exceptthatthisparagraphshallnotapplytoaformalpleadingmadeinconnectionwithalegalaction.(12)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthataccountshavebeenturnedovertoinnocentpurchasersforvalue.(13)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatdocumentsarelegalprocess.(14)Theuseofanybusiness,company,ororganizationnameotherthanthetruenameofthedebtcollector'sbusiness,company,ororganization.(15)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatdocumentsarenotlegalprocessformsordonotrequireactionbytheconsumer.(16)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatadebtcollectoroperatesorisemployedbyaconsumerreportingagencyasdefinedbysection603(f)ofthisAct.§808.

Unfairpractices[15USC1692f]Adebtcollectormaynotuseunfairorunconscionablemeanstocollectorattempttocollectanydebt.Withoutlimitingthegeneralapplicationoftheforegoing,thefollowingconductisaviolationofthissection:(1)Thecollectionofanyamount(includinganyinterest,fee,charge,orexpenseincidentaltotheprincipalobligation)unlesssuchamountisexpresslyauthorizedbytheagreementcreatingthedebtorpermittedbylaw.(2)Theacceptancebyadebtcollectorfromanypersonofacheckorotherpaymentinstrumentpostdatedbymorethanfivedaysunlesssuchpersonisnotifiedinwritingofthedebtcollector'sintenttodepositsuchcheckorinstrumentnotmorethantennorlessthanthreebusinessdayspriortosuchdeposit.(3)Thesolicitationbyadebtcollectorofanypostdatedcheckorotherpostdatedpaymentinstrumentforthepurposeofthreateningorinstitutingcriminalprosecution.(4)Depositingorthreateningtodepositanypostdatedcheckorotherpostdatedpaymentinstrumentpriortothedateonsuchcheckorinstrument.(5)Causingchargestobemadetoanypersonforcommunicationsbyconcealmentofthetrueproposeofthecommunication.Suchchargesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,collecttelephonecallsandtelegramfees.(6)Takingorthreateningtotakeanynonjudicialactiontoeffectdispossessionordisablementofpropertyif--(A)thereisnopresentrighttopossessionofthepropertyclaimedascollateralthroughanenforceablesecurityinterest;(B)thereisnopresentintentiontotakepossessionoftheproperty;or(C)thepropertyisexemptbylawfromsuchdispossessionordisablement.(7)Communicatingwithaconsumerregardingadebtbypostcard.(8)Usinganylanguageorsymbol,otherthanthedebtcollector'saddress,onanyenvelopewhencommunicatingwithaconsumerbyuseofthemailsorbytelegram,exceptthatadebtcollectormayusehisbusinessnameifsuchnamedoesnotindicatethatheisinthedebtcollectionbusiness.§809.

Validationofdebts

[15USC1692g](a)Withinfivedaysaftertheinitialcommunicationwithaconsumerinconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt,adebtcollectorshall,unlessthefollowinginformationiscontainedintheinitialcommunicationortheconsumerhaspaidthedebt,sendtheconsumerawrittennoticecontaining--(1)theamountofthedebt;(2)thenameofthecreditortowhomthedebtisowed;(3)astatementthatunlesstheconsumer,withinthirtydaysafterreceiptofthenotice,disputesthevalidityofthedebt,oranyportionthereof,thedebtwillbeassumedtobevalidbythedebtcollector;(4)astatementthatiftheconsumernotifiesthedebtcollectorinwritingwithinthethirty-dayperiodthatthedebt,oranyportionthereof,isdisputed,thedebtcollectorwillobtainverificationofthedebtoracopyofajudgmentagainsttheconsumerandacopyofsuchverificationorjudgmentwillbemailedtotheconsumerbythedebtcollector;and(5)astatementthat,upontheconsumer'swrittenrequestwithinthethirty-dayperiod,thedebtcollectorwillprovidetheconsumerwiththenameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,ifdifferentfromthecurrentcreditor.(b)Iftheconsumernotifiesthedebtcollectorinwritingwithinthethirty-dayperioddescribedinsubsection(a)thatthedebt,oranyportionthereof,isdisputed,orthattheconsumerrequeststhenameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,thedebtcollectorshallceasecollectionofthedebt,oranydisputedportionthereof,untilthedebtcollectorobtainsverificationofthedebtoranycopyofajudgment,orthenameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,andacopyofsuchverificationorjudgment,ornameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,ismailedtotheconsumerbythedebtcollector.(c)Thefailureofaconsumertodisputethevalidityofadebtunderthissectionmaynotbeconstruedbyanycourtasanadmissionofliabilitybytheconsumer.§810.

Multipledebts

[15USC1692h]Ifanyconsumerowesmultipledebtsandmakesanysinglepaymenttoanydebtcollectorwithrespecttosuchdebts,suchdebtcollectormaynotapplysuchpaymenttoanydebtwhichisdisputedbytheconsumerand,whereapplicable,shallapplysuchpaymentinaccordancewiththeconsumer'sdirections.§811.

Legalactionsbydebtcollectors

[15USC1692i](a)Anydebtcollectorwhobringsanylegalactiononadebtagainstanyconsumershall--(1)inthecaseofanactiontoenforceaninterestinrealpropertysecuringtheconsumer'sobligation,bringsuchactiononlyinajudicialdistrictorsimilarlegalentityinwhichsuchrealpropertyislocated;or(2)inthecaseofanactionnotdescribedinparagraph(1),bringsuchactiononlyinthejudicialdistrictorsimilarlegalentity--(A)inwhichsuchconsumersignedthecontractsuedupon;or(B)inwhichsuchconsumerresidesatthecommencementoftheaction.(b)Nothinginthistitleshallbeconstruedtoauthorizethebringingoflegalactionsbydebtcollectors.§812.

Furnishingcertaindeceptiveforms

[15USC1692j](a)Itisunlawfultodesign,compile,andfurnishanyformknowingthatsuchformwouldbeusedtocreatethefalsebeliefinaconsumerthatapersonotherthanthecreditorofsuchconsumerisparticipatinginthecollectionoforinanattempttocollectadebtsuchconsumerallegedlyowessuchcreditor,wheninfactsuchpersonisnotsoparticipating.(b)Anypersonwhoviolatesthissectionshallbeliabletothesameextentandinthesamemannerasadebtcollectorisliableundersection813forfailuretocomplywithaprovisionofthistitle.§813.

Civilliability

[15USC1692k](a)Exceptasotherwiseprovidedbythissection,anydebtcollectorwhofailstocomplywithanyprovisionofthistitlewithrespecttoanypersonisliabletosuchpersoninanamountequaltothesumof--(1)anyactualdamagesustainedbysuchpersonasaresultofsuchfailure;(2)(A)inthecaseofanyactionbyanindividual,suchadditionaldamagesasthecourtmayallow,butnotexceeding$1,000;or(B)inthecaseofaclassaction,(i)suchamountforeachnamedplaintiffascouldberecoveredundersubparagraph(A),and(ii)suchamountasthecourtmayallowforallotherclassmembers,withoutregardtoaminimumindividualrecovery,nottoexceedthelesserof$500,000or1percentumofthenetworthofthedebtcollector;and(3)inthecaseofanysuccessfulactiontoenforcetheforegoingliability,thecostsoftheaction,togetherwithareasonableattorney'sfeeasdeterminedbythecourt.Onafindingbythecourtthatanactionunderthissectionwasbroughtinbadfaithandforthepurposeofharassment,thecourtmayawardtothedefendantattorney'sfeesreasonableinrelationtotheworkexpendedandcosts.(b)Indeterminingtheamountofliabilityinanyactionundersubsection(a),thecourtshallconsider,amongotherrelevantfactors--(1)inanyindividualactionundersubsection(a)(2)(A),thefrequencyandpersistenceofnoncompliancebythedebtcollector,thenatureofsuchnoncompliance,andtheextenttowhichsuchnoncompliancewasintentional;or(2)inanyclassactionundersubsection(a)(2)(B),thefrequencyandpersistenceofnoncompliancebythedebtcollector,thenatureofsuchnoncompliance,theresourcesofthedebtcollector,thenumberofpersonsadverselyaffected,andtheextenttowhichthedebtcollector'snoncompliancewasintentional.(c)Adebtcollectormaynotbeheldliableinanyactionbroughtunderthistitleifthedebtcollectorshowsbyapreponderanceofevidencethattheviolationwasnotintentionalandresultedfromabonafideerrornotwithstandingthemaintenanceofproceduresreasonablyadaptedtoavoidanysucherror.(d)AnactiontoenforceanyliabilitycreatedbythistitlemaybebroughtinanyappropriateUnitedStatesdistrictcourtwithoutregardtotheamountincontroversy,orinanyothercourtofcompetentjurisdiction,withinoneyearfromthedateonwhichtheviolationoccurs.(e)NoprovisionofthissectionimposinganyliabilityshallapplytoanyactdoneoromittedingoodfaithinconformitywithanyadvisoryopinionoftheCommission,notwithstandingthataftersuchactoromissionhasoccurred,suchopinionisamended,rescinded,ordeterminedbyjudicialorotherauthoritytobeinvalidforanyreason.§814.

Administrativeenforcement

[15USC1692l](a)CompliancewiththistitleshallbeenforcedbytheCommission,excepttotheextendthatenforcementoftherequirementsimposedunderthistitleisspecificallycommittedtoanotheragencyundersubsection(b).ForpurposeoftheexercisebytheCommissionofitsfunctionsandpowersundertheFederalTradeCommissionAct,aviolationofthistitleshallbedeemedanunfairordeceptiveactorpracticeinviolationofthatAct.AllofthefunctionsandpowersoftheCommissionundertheFederalTradeCommissionActareavailabletotheCommissiontoenforcecompliancebyanypersonwiththistitle,irrespectiveofwhetherthatpersonisengagedincommerceormeetsanyotherjurisdictionaltestsintheFederalTradeCommissionAct,includingthepowertoenforcethe