Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) staff letter: Berger
May 29, 1997 · Section 809 [1692g]; Section 809(a) [1692g(a)]; Section 809(b) [1692g(b)]
Topic: Debt validation
Staff opinion letters are informal views of FTC staff, not binding Commission rulings, and some were later superseded by statutory amendments (including the 2006 FDCPA amendments) or later guidance. Check current law before relying on any letter.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20580
Division of Credit Practices Bureau of Consumer Protection
May 29, 1997
S. Joshua Berger
AAA - 399, Caller Box 10001
Saipan, MP 96950
Dear Mr. Berger:
This is in reply to your letter of March 3, 1997, concerning several questions about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) (copy enclosed ). Our answers are as follows:
1) Since the courts deem you to be a "debt collector," even though all you do is file suit against the consumer, you must comply with Section 809(a) of the FDCPA, i.e., you must provide the validation notice within five days of your initial communication with the consumer, even if the communication is connected with the suit.
2) We interpret the "thirty-day period" as a period within which consumers must dispute their debts in writing in order to avail themselves of their Section 809(b) rights, but not as a "grace" period. Thus, we believe that there is nothing in the Act that prevents you from filing suit during this period, so long as you do not make any representations that contradict Section 809(b).
3) Because of Heintz v. Jenkins, all pleadings must be considered "communications" if they convey "... information regarding a debt directly or indirectly to any person through any medium."
I hope this answers your questions.
Sincerely,
John F. LeFevre Attorney
Source: FTC staff letter as archived by the U.S. National Archives web harvest, archived copy. Works of the U.S. government.