Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, d/b/a Central Financial Control
Documents in this case
- Order · · 22 p.
- Stipulation · · 4 p.
Case summary
CFPB took action against a medical debt collection company for mishandling consumer credit reporting disputes and preventing consumers from exercising important debt collection rights.
Order ()
PDF of this document (22 pages)
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 1 of 22 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING File No. 2015-CFPB-0012 In the Matter of:
Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, d/b/a Central Financial Control CONSENT ORDER I Overview The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) has reviewed the practices by which Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, d/ b/a Central Financial Control (Respondent, as defined below), collects medical debt and furnishes information relating to consumers to consumer reporting agencies. The Bureau has identified the following law violations: (1) Respondent failed to respond within 30 days to consumer disputes about the information Respondent furnished to consumer reporting agencies, in violation of Section 623(a)(8) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2(a)(8), and Subpart E of Regulation V, 12 C.F.R. § 1022-43, the implementing regulation ofthe FCRA; and (2) in certain instances, Respondent failed to provide consumers with a "debt validation notice" within five days of its initial communication with the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt, in violation of Section 8og(a) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a). Under Sections 1053 and 1055 of the Consumer Financial
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 2 of 22 Protection Act of 2010 ("CFPA"), 12 U.S.C. §§ 5563, 5565, the Bureau issues this Consent Order ("Consent Order").
II Jurisdiction 1.
The Bureau has jurisdiction over this matter under: (a) Sections 1053 and 1055 of the CFPA, 12 U.S.C. §§ 5563, 5565; (b) Section 621 of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681s(b)(1); and (3) Section 814 ofthe FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. § 1692l(b)(6). III Stipulation 2.
Respondent has executed a "Stipulation and Consent to the Issuance of a Consent Order," dated June 15, 2015 (Stipulation), which is incorporated by reference and is accepted by the Bureau. By this Stipulation, Respondent has consented to the issuance of this Consent Order by the Bureau under Sections 1053 and 1055 of the CFPA, 12 U.S.C. §§ 5563 and 5565. Respondent neither admits nor denies the findings offact or conclusions oflaw in this Consent Order, except that Respondent admits the facts necessary to establish the Bureau's jurisdiction over Respondent and the subject matter of this action.
IV Definitions 3.
The following definitions apply to this Consent Order: a. "Affected Consumers" means all consumers who were the recipients or guarantors for the recipients of medical service(s), had a balance due for the service(s), including the estate or beneficiaries of any consumer who is now deceased, and for whom, during the Relevant Period, Respondent: (1) failed to respond to the consumer's Direct Dispute within 30 days; or (2) failed to send a
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 3 of 22 Debt Validation Notice to the consumer ·within five days of its initial communication with the consumer in connection with the collection of a medical debt.
b. "Bureau" means Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. c. "Consumer Reporting Agencies" or "CRAs" means a "consumer reporting agency," as that term is defined in Section 6o3CO of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(O.
d. "Debt Validation Notice" means the written notice referenced in Section 809 of the FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a).
e. "Direct Dispute" means a dispute that is submitted by a consumer directly to a Furnisher concerning information relating to the consumer that the Furnisher has furnished to a CRA, and that is subject to Section 623(a)(8) of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2(a)(8), and 12 C.F.R. § 1022-43. f. "Effective Date" means the date on which the Consent Order is issued. g. "Enforcement Director" means the Assistant Director of the Office of Enforcement for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or his/ her delegee. h. "Furnisher" means an entity that furnishes information relating to consumers to one or more CRAs for inclusion in a consumer report, as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 1022-41(c).
1. "Furnisher Rule" refers to Regulation V, Subpart E, 12 C.F.R. §§ 1022-40-43. J. "Related Consumer Action" means a private action by or on behalf of one or more consumers or an enforcement action by another governmental agency brought against Respondent based on substantially the same facts as described in Section V of this Consent Order.
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 4 of 22 k. "Relevant Period" includes the period beginning on January 1, 2011 to the Effective Date.
l. "Respondent" means Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, d/b/a Central Financial Control, and its successors and assigns.
v Bureau Findings and Conclusions The Bureau finds the following:
4.
Respondent is a third party debt collector with offices in California and Texas that specializes in the collection of medical debt. Respondent is an indirect subsidiary of Conifer Health Solutions, LLC.
5.
Respondent is a "covered person" as that term is defined by 12 U.S.C. § 5481(6). 6.
Respondent is a "debt collector," as that term is defined by the FDCPA, because it "uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails in any business the principal purpose of which is the collection of any debts" and because it "regularly collects or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be owed or due another." 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6). 7.
Respondent is a "furnisher" as that term is defined in the Furnisher Rule, because it "furnishes information relating to consumers to one or more consumer reporting agencies for inclusion in a consumer report." 12 C.F.R. § 1022-41(c). Findings and Conclusions as to Violation of FCRA and Furnisher Rule 8.
Since at least January 2011, Respondent has furnished information, including information about consumers' delinquent medical debt, to the CRAs on a regular basis for inclusion in consumer reports.
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 5 of 22 g.
From at least January 2011 through October 2013, Respondent routed all Direct Disputes to an internal department for investigation pursuant to Respondent's general policies and procedures.
10.
Respondent had no policies and procedures specifically tailored to the handling or tracking of Direct Disputes. Instead, Respondent reviewed and responded to Direct Disputes in the order in which they were received. 11.
Because Respondent's policies and procedures set no deadline for responding to Direct Disputes, in most instances Respondent did not respond to Direct Disputes within the 30-day timeframe required by the FCRA. 12.
On average, Respondent took more than go days to respond to Direct Disputes and, in some cases, Respondent took more than a year to respond to Direct Disputes.
13.
In total, during the Relevant Period, Respondent failed to investigate and respond within 30 days to 13,713 Direct Disputes.
14.
Respondent's failure to timely respond to Direct Disputes may have harmed consumers. Among other things, consumers may have expended time and money to follow up on unresolved Direct Disputes or experienced emotional distress due to Respondent's delayed response to their Direct Disputes. In addition, for approximately two percent of the Direct Disputes that consumers submitted for which Respondent did not provide a timely response, the dispute would have resulted in a change to the consumer's consumer reports. 15.
FCRA Section 623(a)(8) and the Furnisher Rule require that Furnishers, like Respondent, respond to Direct Disputes within 30 days of receiving notice of the
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 6 of 22 dispute. 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681s-2(a)(8)(E)(i)-(iv) and 1681i(a)(1)(A); 12 C.F.R. § 1022-43(e)(1)-(4).
16.
As a result, the acts or practices described in paragraphs 8 - 15 constitute a violation of Sections 623(a)(8)(E) of the FCRA, 15 U .S.C. § 1681s-2(a)(8)(E), and the Furnisher Rule, 12 C.F.R. § 1022-43(e).
Findings and Conclusions as to Violation of the FDCP A 17.
Respondent collects or attempts to collect consumer medical debts that are owed to third parties.
18.
As part of these collection efforts, Respondent initiates communications with consumers, typically through letters and telephone calls. 19.
Generally, Respondent mails consumers a Debt Validation Notice before its initial communication \'\lith the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt. 20.
However, on 4,172 accounts where the consumer was represented by counsel, Respondent did not send the consumer a Debt Validation Notice within five days of its initial communication \·vith the consumer in connection ""ith the collection of the debt.
21.
In addition, on 6,686 accounts, Respondent failed to send the consumer a Debt Validation Notice because of scenario gaps in Respondent's computer system logic or due to human error.
22.
In total, from January 1, 2011 to the Effective Date, Respondent did not send the Debt Validation Notice within five days of its initial communication with the consumer in connection \'\lith the collection of a debt for 10,858 accounts, and collected $2,359,563.94 on these accounts.
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 7 of 22 23.
The Debt Validation Notice is an essential safeguard for consumers, especially with regard to medical debt, as the insurance reimbursement and the medical billing processes are commonly fraught with complexity, confusion, delay, and can lead to consumers being unsure of how much to pay, when to pay, or even whom to pay. 24.
Respondent's failure to send the Debt Validation Notices to consumers on these accounts could have harmed consumers by, among other things, not informing consumers of their legal right to request that Respondent validate their debt at the outset, and through this process identify and correct any errors, such as who owes the debt or the amount of the debt.
25.
Section 809 of the FDCPA requires debt collectors to send consumers a Debt Validation Notice V\ri.thin five days of their initial communication V\ri.th the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a). 26.
As a result, the acts or practices described in paragraphs 17- 25 constitute a violation of Section 809 ofthe FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a). CONDUCT PROVISIONS VI Order to Cease and Desist and Take Other Affirmative Action IT IS ORDERED, under Sections 1053 and 1055 of the CFPA, that: 27.
Respondent and its officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys who have actual notice of this Consent Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, shall cease and desist from any further violations of Section 623(a)(8) of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2(a)(8), and Subpart E of Regulation V (referred to as the Furnisher Rule), 12 C.F.R. § 1022-43, and take the following affirmative actions:
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 8 of 22 a. Develop and implement policies and procedures to comply with the FCRA and Furnisher Rule to respond to Direct Disputes Vlrithin 30 days of receipt of the Direct Dispute.
b. Provide sufficient staffing, facilities, systems, and information necessary to timely and accurately respond to Direct Disputes in accordance Vlrith the FCRA, Furnisher Rule, and other Federal laws.
c. Employ qualified and experienced personnel to provide legal oversight regarding Respondent's obligations to timely respond to Direct Disputes and send consumers Debt Validation Notices in compliance Vlrith the FDCPA and FCRA.
d. For each Affected Consumer for whom Respondent failed to timely respond to a Direct Dispute, Respondent must, Vlrithin 30 days of the Effective Date: 1. Update the information it has furnished to the CRAs, if it has not already done so; and n. Send a notice to each Affected Consumer stating that it has updated the information it has furnished to the CRA for the Affected Consumer, if it has not already done so.
e. Refrain from furnishing information to a CRA relating to a consumer's medical debt for at least 90 days from the date the account is assigned to Respondent for collection.
28.
Respondent and its officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys who have actual notice of this Consent Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, shall cease and desist from any further violations of Section 809 of the FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a), and take the follo'VIring affirmative actions:
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 9 of 22 a. Within 30 days, correct any errors in Respondent's databases or systems that resulted in Respondent's failure to send a consumer a Debt Validation Notice; b. Except where the initial communication vvith the consumer results in a payment by the consumer on the debt, refrain from collecting any payments from any consumer until Respondent has confirmed that it sent the consumer a Debt Validation Notice;
c. For each Affected Consumer to whom Respondent failed to send a Debt Validation Notice and for whom it furnished information to the CRAs, Respondent must, v.rithin 30 days of the Effective Date: 1.
Update the information it has furnished to the CRAs, if it has not already done so; and n. Send a notice to each Affected Consumer stating that it has updated the information it has furnished to the CRA for the Affected Consumer, if it has not already done so.
VII Compliance Plan IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
29.
Within 60 days of the Effective Date, Respondent must submit to the Enforcement Director for review and determination of non-objection a comprehensive compliance plan designed to ensure that Respondent's practices for responding to Direct Disputes and sending consumers a Debt Validation Notice comply with all applicable Federal consumer financial laws and the terms of this Consent Order (Compliance Plan). The Compliance Plan must include, at a minimum: a. Detailed steps for addressing each action required by this Consent Order;
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 10 of 22 b. An explanation of Respondent's consumer compliance organizational and reporting structure;
c. Written descriptions of the job duties for key consumer-compliance staff positions, which clearly define employee authority and accountability; d. A requirement that Respondent allocate resources to compliance that are commensurate with the company's size, complexity, and business operations to ensure that it implements an adequate compliance program including appropriate staffing levels '"rith qualified and experienced personnel; e. A requirement that Respondent conduct monthly audits to ensure that it is responding to Direct Disputes \o\rithin 30 days of receipt of the dispute, as required by the FCRA and Furnisher Rule, which must include: 1. Data relating to the timeliness of Respondent's response to Direct Disputes, including data on the number of Direct Disputes received each month, the length of time it took to respond to Direct Disputes, whether it took longer than 30 days to respond to any Direct Dispute, and whether any errors were identified through the Direct Dispute investigation process; and n. A plan for promptly resolving any issues in the Direct Dispute response process;
f. A requirement that Respondent conduct monthly audits to ensure that it is sending consumers a written Debt Validation Notice \o\rithin five days of its initial communication \o\rith the consumer in connection \o\rith the collection of a debt, as required by the FDCPA, which must include: 1. Data relating to the number of new accounts assigned to Respondent, the number of accounts for which a Debt Validation Notice has been sent, the
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 11 of 22 number of accounts for which no Debt Validation Notice has been sent, and, for such accounts, an explanation of why no Debt Validation Notice has been sent; and n. A plan for promptly resolving any issues relating to Respondent's failure to send consumers a Debt Validation Notice within five days of its initial communication with the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt;
g. A requirement that Respondent provide ongoing education and training in Federal consumer financial laws for all appropriate employees and affiliated individuals, with training tailored to each individual's responsibilities and duties; training activities must be documented and the training programs reviewed and updated at least annually to ensure that appropriate personnel are provided v.rith the most relevant and pertinent information; h. A requirement that the Compliance Plan be updated at least every two years, or as required by changes in laws or regulations, so that the Compliance Plan remains current and effective; and 1.
Specific timeframes and deadlines for implementation of the steps described above.
30.
The Enforcement Director will have the discretion to make a determination of nonobjection to the Compliance Plan or to direct Respondent to re\rise it. If the Enforcement Director directs Respondent to revise the Compliance Plan, Respondent must make the requested revisions and resubmit the Compliance Plan to the Enforcement Director within 30 days.
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 12 of 22 31.
After receiving notification that the Enforcement Director has made a determination of non-objection to the Compliance Plan, Respondent must implement and adhere to the steps, recommendations, deadlines, and timeframes outlined in the Compliance Plan.
MONETARY PROVISIONS VIII Order to Pay Redress IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
32.
Within 10 days of the Effective Date, Respondent must reserve or deposit $5,130,213.94 into a segregated deposit account for the purpose of providing redress to Affected Consumers as required by this Section. 33.
Within 60 days of the Effective Date, Respondent must submit to the Enforcement Director for review and non-objection a comprehensive written plan for providing redress consistent with this Consent Order (Redress Plan). The Enforcement Director "'rill have the discretion to make a determination of non-objection to the Redress Plan or direct the Respondent to revise it. If the Enforcement Director directs the Respondent to revise the Redress Plan, the Respondent must make the revisions and resubmit the Redress Plan to the Enforcement Director within 30 days. After receiving notification that the Enforcement Director has made a determination of non-objection to the Redress Plan, Respondent must implement and adhere to the steps, recommendations, deadlines, and timeframes outlined in the Redress Plan.
34.
The Redress Plan must:
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 13 of 22 a. Specify how Respondent '"rill identify all Affected Consumers who will receive redress under this Consent Order;
b. Require Respondent to compensate each Affected Consumer for whom Respondent failed to respond to a Direct Dispute within 30 days; the amount of the payment to each Affected Consumer "'rill range from $100 - $1,000 and correspond to the duration of Respondent's delay in responding to the Direct Dispute;
c. Require Respondent to compensate each Affected Consumer to whom Respondent failed to send a Debt Validation Notice, either: 1. A full refund of all amounts paid by the Affected Consumer for the account(s) for which Respondent failed to send a Debt Validation Notice; or n. $100 for each Affected Consumer who did not make any payments to Respondent;
d. Prmride that, for Affected Consumers to whom Respondent prmrides a refund in accordance with Paragraph 34(c)(i), Respondent will forgive any remaining balance and not attempt to re-collect the debt, resulting in debt forgiveness of $319,731.74;
e. Prmride that nothing in the Redress Plan creates any new collection, credit reporting, or litigation rights on behalf of Respondent; and f.
Prmride that Respondent shall pay all costs of administering redress as required by this Section.
35.
Respondent shall prmride all relief to Affected Consumers required by this Consent Order, regardless of whether the total of such relief exceeds the amount resenred or deposited into a segregated account under Paragraph 32.
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 14 of 22 36.
After completing the Redress Plan, if the amount of redress provided to Affected Consumers is less than $5,130,213.94, "'~thin 30 days of the completion of the Redress Plan, Respondent must pay to the Bureau, by ~re transfer to the Bureau or to the Bureau's agent, and according to the Bureau's wiring instructions, the difference between the amount of redress provided to Affected Consumers and $5,130,213.94, so that such funds may be distributed to the U.S. Treasury as disgorgement.
37.
Respondent may not condition the payment of any redress to any Affected Consumer under this Order on the Affected Consumer waiving any right, nor deny any service, modification, or other consideration regularly offered or provided to consumers to any Affected Consumer.
IX Order to Pay Civil Money Penalties IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
38.
Under Section 1055(c) ofthe CFPA, 12 U.S.C. § 5565(c), by reason of the violations of law described in Section V of this Consent Order, and taking in.to account the factors in 12 U.S.C. § 5565(c)(3), Respondent must pay a civil money penalty of $5oo,ooo to the Bureau.
39.
Within 10 days of the Effective Date, Respondent must pay the civil money penalty by wire transfer to the Bureau or to the Bureau's agent in compliance "'~th the Bureau's ~ring instructions.
40.
The civil money penalty paid under this Consent Order will be deposited in the Civil Penalty Fund of the Bureau as required by Section 1017(d) ofthe CFPA, 12 u.s.c. § 5497(d).
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 15 of 22 41.
Respondent must treat the civil money penalty paid under this Consent Order as a penalty paid to the government for all purposes. Regardless of how the Bureau ultimately uses those funds, Respondent may not:
a. Claim, assert, or apply for a tax deduction, tax credit, or any other tax benefit for any civil money penalty paid under this Consent Order; or b. Seek or accept, directly or indirectly, reimbursement or indemnification from any source, including but not limited to payment made under any insurance policy, v.rith regard to any civil money penalty paid under this Consent Order. 42.
To preserve the deterrent effect of the civil money penalty in any Related Consumer Action, Respondent may not argue that Respondent is entitled to, nor may Respondent benefit by, any offset or reduction of any compensatory monetary remedies imposed in the Related Consumer Action because of the civil money penalty paid in this action (Penalty Offset). If the court in any Related Consumer Action grants such a Penalty Offset, Respondent must, v.rithin 30 days after entry of a final order granting the Penalty Offset, notify the Bureau, and pay the amount of the Penalty Offset to the U.S. Treasury. Such a payment v.rill not be considered an additional civil money penalty and will not change the amount of the chril money penalty imposed in this action.
X Additional Monetary Provisions IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
43· In the event of any default on Respondent's obligations to make payment under this Consent Order, interest, computed under 28 U.S.C. § 1961, as amended, will
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 16 of 22 accrue on any outstanding amounts not paid from the date of default to the date of payment, and ·will immediately become due and payable. 44· Respondent must relinquish all dominion, control, and title to the funds paid to the fullest extent permitted by law and no part of the funds may be returned to Respondent.
45.
Under 31 U.S.C. § 7701, Respondent, unless it already has done so, must furnish to the Bureau its taxpayer identifying numbers, which may be used for purposes of collecting and reporting on any delinquent amount arising out of this Consent Order.
46.
Within 30 days of the entry of a final judgment, consent order, or settlement in a Related Consumer Action, Respondent must notify the Enforcement Director of the final judgment, consent order, or settlement in writing. That notification must indicate the amount of redress, if any, that Respondent paid or is required to pay to consumers and describe the consumers or classes of consumers to whom that redress has been or will be paid.
XI Reporting Requirements IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
47· Respondent must notify the Bureau of any development that may affect compliance obligations arising under this Consent Order, including but not limited to, a dissolution, assignment, sale, merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor company; the creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this Consent Order; the filing of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding by or against
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 17 of 22 Respondent; or a change in Respondent's name or address. Respondent must provide this notice at least 30 days before the development or as soon as practicable after the learning about the development, whichever is sooner. 48.
Within 90 days ofthe Bureau's non-objection to the Compliance Plan, and again one year after the Effective Date, Respondent must submit to the Enforcement Director an accurate written compliance progress report (Compliance Report), which, at a minimum:
a. Describes in detail the manner and form in which Respondent has complied with this Order; and b. Attaches a copy of each Order Acknowledgment obtained under Section XII, unless previously submitted to the Bureau.
XII Order Distribution and Acknowledgment IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
49.
Within 30 days ofthe Effective Date, Respondent must deliver a copy of this Consent Order to each of its board members and executive officers, as well as to any managers, employees, Service Providers, or other agents and representatives who have responsibilities related to the subject matter of the Consent Order. so.
For 5 years from the Effective Date, Respondent must deliver a copy of this Consent Order to any business entity resulting from any change in structure referred to in Section XI, any future board members and executive officers, as well as to any managers, employees, Service Providers, or other agents and representatives who will have responsibilities related to the subject matter of the Consent Order before they assume their responsibilities.
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 18 of 22 51.
Respondent must secure a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of a copy of this Consent Order, ensuring that any electronic signatures comply with the requirements of theE-Sign Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq., within 30 days of delivery, from all persons receiving a copy of this Consent Order under this Section. XIII Recordkeeping IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
52.
Respondent must create, for at least 5 years from the Effective Date, the folloV\ring business records:
a. All documents and records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each provision ofthis Consent Order, including all submissions to the Bureau; and b. All documents and records pertaining to the Redress Program, described in Section VIII above.
53.
Respondent must retain the documents identified in Paragraph 52 for at least 5 years.
54· Respondent must make the documents identified in Paragraph 52 available to the Bureau upon the Bureau's request.
XIV Notices IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
55· Unless otherwise directed in writing by the Bureau, Respondent must prmride all submissions, requests, communications, or other documents relating to this Consent Order in writing, with the subject line, "In re Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, File No. 2015-CFPB-0012," and send them either:
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 19 of 22 a. By overnight courier (not the U.S. Postal Service), as follows: Assistant Director for Enforcement Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ATIENTION: Office of Enforcement 1625 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20006; or b. By first-class mail to the below address and contemporaneously by email to Enforcement [email protected]:
Assistant Director for Enforcement Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ATIENTION: Office of Enforcement 1700 G Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20552 XVI Compliance Monitoring IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, to monitor Respondent's compliance with this Consent Order:
56.
Within 14 days of receipt of a written request from the Bureau, Respondent must submit additional compliance reports or other requested information, which must be made under penalty of perjury; provide sworn testimony; or produce documents.
57.
Respondent must permit Bureau representatives to interview any employee or other person affiliated v.rith Respondent who has agreed to such an intenriew. The person interviewed may have counsel present. sB.
Nothing in this Consent Order v.rilllimit the Bureau's lawful use of civil investigative demands under 12 C.F.R. § 1080.6 or other compulsory process.
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 20 of 22 59.
For the duration of the Order in whole or in part, Respondent agrees to be subject to the Bureau's supervisory authority under 12 U.S.C. § 5514. Consistent with 12 C.F.R. § 1091.111, Respondent may not petition for termination of supervision under 12 C.F.R. § 1091.113.
XVII Modifications to Non-Material Requirements IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
60.
Respondent may seek a modification to non-material requirements of this Consent Order (e.g., reasonable extensions oftime and changes to reporting requirements) by submitting a written request to the Enforcement Director. 61.
The Enforcement Director may, in his/her discretion, modify any non-material requirements of this Consent Order (e.g., reasonable extensions oftime and changes to reporting requirements) if he/she determines good cause justifies the modification. Any such modification by the Enforcement Director must be in writing.
XVIII Administrative Provisions 62.
The provisions of this Consent Order do not bar, estop, or othervvise prevent the Bureau, or any other governmental agency, from taking any other action against Respondent, except as described in Paragraph 63. 63.
The Bureau releases and discharges Respondent from all potential liability for law violations that the Bureau has or might have asserted based on the practices described in Section V of this Consent Order, to the extent such practices occurred before the Effective Date and the Bureau knows about them as of the Effective
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 21 of 22 Date. The Bureau may use the practices described in this Consent Order in future enforcement actions against Respondent and its affiliates, including, without limitation, to establish a pattern or practice of violations or the continuation of a pattern or practice of violations or to calculate the amount of any penalty. This release does not preclude or affect any right of the Bureau to determine and ensure compliance with the Consent Order, or to seek penalties for any violations of the Consent Order.
64.
This Consent Order is intended to be, and will be construed as, a final Consent Order issued under Section 1053 ofthe CFPA, 12 U.S.C. § 5563, and expressly does not form, and may not be construed to form, a contract binding the Bureau or the United States.
65.
This Consent Order v.rill terminate 5 years from the Effective Date or 5 years from the most recent date that the Bureau initiates an action alleging any violation of the Consent Order by Respondent. If such action is dismissed or the relevant adjudicative body rules that Respondent did not violate any prmrision of the Consent Order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the Consent Order will terminate as though the action had never been filed. The Consent Order v.rill remain effective and enforceable until such time, except to the extent that any provisions of this Consent Order have been amended, suspended, waived, or terminated in writing by the Bureau or its designated agent. 66.
Calculation of time limitations v.rill run from the Effective Date and be based on calendar days, unless otherwise noted.
67.
The provisions of this Consent Order will be enforceable by the Bureau. For any violation of this Consent Order, the Bureau may impose the maximum amount of
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2015-CFPB-0012 Document 1 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 22 of 22 civil money penalties allowed under section 1055(c) of the CFPA, 12 U.S.C. § ss6s(c). In connection vvith any attempt by the Bureau to enforce this Consent Order in federal district court, the Bureau may serve Respondent wherever Respondent may be found and Respondent may not contest that court's personal jurisdiction over Respondent.
68.
This Consent Order and the accompanying Stipulation contain the complete agreement between the parties. The parties have made no promises, representations, or warranties other than what is contained in this Consent Order and the accompanying Stipulation. This Consent Order and the accompanying Stipulation supersede any prior oral or written communications, discussions, or understandings.
69.
Nothing in this Consent Order or the accompanying Stipulation may be construed as allowing the Respondent, its Board, officers, or employees to violate any law, rule, or regulation.
IT IS SO ORDERED, thisiZ._th day of June, 2015. ~r~ Director Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Stipulation ()
PDF of this document (4 pages)
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU File No. 2015-CFPB-[ ] In the matter of:
Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, d/b/a Central Financial Control STIPULATION AND CONSENT TO THE ISSUANCE OF A CONSENT ORDER The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) intends to initiate an administrative proceeding against Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, d/b/a Central Financial Control (Respondent), under 12 U.S.C. §§ 5563 and 5565, for the following violations oflaw: (1) Respondent failed to respond within 30 days to consumer disputes about the information Respondent furnished to consumer reporting agencies, in violation of Section 623(a)(8) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2(a)(8), and Subpart E of Regulation V, 12 C.P.R.§ 1022-43, the implementing regulation of the FCRA; and (2) in certain instances, Respondent failed to provide consumers with a "debt validation notice" within five days of its initial communication with the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt, in violation of Section 8og(a) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a).
Respondent, in the interest of compliance and resolution of the matter, consents to the issuance of a Consent Order substantially in the form of the one to which this Stipulation and 2015-CFPB-0012 Document 2 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 1 of 4
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Consent to the Issuance of a Consent Order is attached (Consent Order), and which is incorporated by reference.
In consideration of the above premises, Respondent agrees to the following: Jurisdiction 1. The Bureau has jurisdiction over this matter under Sections 1053 and 1055 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA), 12 U.S.C. §§ 5563, 5565. Consent 2. Respondent agrees to the issuance of the Consent Order and admits the facts necessary to establish the Bureau's jurisdiction over Respondent and the subject matter of this action. Respondent neither admits nor denies any of the remaining allegations of fact by the Bureau, and neither admits nor denies the Bureau's conclusions of law.
3. Respondent agrees that the Consent Order will be deemed an "order issued with the consent ofthe person concerned" under 12 U.S.C. § 5563(b)(4), and agrees that the Order will become a final order, effective upon issuance, and will be fully enforceable by the Bureau under 12 U.S.C. §§ 5563(d)(1) and 5565. 4. Respondent voluntarily enters into this Stipulation and Consent to the Issuance of a Consent Order.
5. The Consent Order resolves only Respondent's potential liability for law violations that the Bureau asserted or might have asserted based on the practices described in Section V of the Consent Order, to the extent such practices occurred before the Effective Date and the Bureau knows about them as of the Effective Date. Respondent acknowledges that no promise or representation has been made by the Bureau or any employee, 2015-CFPB-0012 Document 2 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 2 of 4
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agent, or representative of the Bureau, about any liability outside of this action that may have arisen or may arise from the facts underlying this action or immunity from any such liability.
6. Respondent agrees that the facts described in Section V of the Consent Order will be given collateral estoppel effect, without further proof, in any proceeding before the Bureau based on the entry of the Consent Order, or in any subsequent civil litigation by the Bureau to enforce the Consent Order or its rights to any payment or monetary judgment under the Consent Order.
7. The terms and provisions of this Stipulation and the Consent Order will be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their successors in interest. 8. Respondent agrees that the Bureau may present the Consent Order to the Bureau Director for signature and entry without further notice. Waivers 9. Respondent, by consenting to this Stipulation, waives: a. Any right to service of the Consent Order, and agrees that issuance of the Consent Order will constitute notice to the Respondent of its terms and conditions; b. Any objection to the jurisdiction of the Bureau, including, without limitation, under section 1053 ofthe Dodd-Frank Act;
c. The rights to all hearings under the statutory provisions under which the proceeding is to be or has been instituted; the filing of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law; proceedings before, and a recommended decision by, a hearing officer; all post-hearing procedures; and any other procedural right available under 12 U.S. C.§ 5563 or 12 CFR Part 1081; d. The right to seek any administrative or judicial review of the Consent Order; 2015-CFPB-0012 Document 2 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 3 of 4
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e. Any claim for fees, costs or expenses against the Bureau, or any of its agents or employees, and any other governmental entity, related in any way to this enforcement matter or the Consent Order, whether arising under common law or under the terms of any statute, including, but not limited to the Equal Access to Justice Act and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996; for these purposes, Respondent agrees that Respondent is not the prevailing party in this action because the parties have reached a good faith settlement; f. Any other right to challenge or contest the validity of the Consent Order; g. Such provisions of the Bureau's rules or other requirements of law as may be construed to prevent any Bureau employee from participating in the preparation of, or advising the Director as to, any order, opinion, finding of fact, or conclusion oflaw to be entered in connection with this Stipulation or the Consent Order; and h. Any right to claim bias or prejudgment by the Director based on the consideration of or discussions concerning settlement of all or any part of the proceeding. Syndicated Office Systems, LLC, BY:
Date Secretary /Treasurer, Syndicated Office Systems, LLC 2015-CFPB-0012 Document 2 Filed 06/18/2015 Page 4 of 4