Section 807 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1692e, provides, in part, as follows:
A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:
"(1) The false representation or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States or any State, including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof."
Title: Vermont Letter Informing Debt Collector of False or Misleading Misrepresentations in Collection Activities — False Representation or Implication that the Debt Collector is Vouched for, Bonded by, or Affiliated with the United States Introduction: In Vermont, individuals have the right to address false or misleading misrepresentations made by debt collectors during collection activities. This letter provides an overview of the specific scenario where a debt collector falsely represents or implies that they are vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States. The purpose of this letter is to inform the debt collector of their misrepresentation and request immediate corrective action. --- [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date] [Debt Collector's Name] [Debt Collector's Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] Subject: False Representation or Implication of Affiliation with the United States Dear [Debt Collector's Name], I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to address a concerning matter regarding false or misleading misrepresentations made in your collection activities. It has come to my attention that during your communications, your debt collection agency may have falsely represented or implied that you are vouched for, bonded by, or in any way affiliated with the United States. As per the Vermont Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (VT FD CPA), it is explicitly prohibited for debt collectors to engage in any false, deceptive, or misleading practices while attempting to collect a debt. In particular, Section [Insert Relevant Section Number(s)] of the VT FD CPA clearly states that debt collectors may not falsely represent their affiliation with any governmental entity, such as the United States government. By alleging a connection to the United States, you create a false sense of credibility, which may mislead and confuse debtors like myself. Therefore, I kindly request that you take immediate action to rectify this misrepresentation. In light of the circumstances, I am providing you with a deadline of [Insert Reasonable Date, e.g., 15 days from the receipt of this letter] to address and correct this issue. Failure to comply may result in legal action being pursued, including filing a complaint with the appropriate regulatory bodies. To confirm your understanding and commitment to rectifying this situation, I kindly request that you provide a written response within 10 business days of receiving this letter. Your response should outline the actions you have taken or intend to take to ensure compliance with the VT FD CPA and cease the false representation or implication mentioned above. Please note that I reserve my rights under the VT FD CPA and any other applicable state and federal laws to pursue any available remedies if this matter is not promptly resolved. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I expect your cooperation and compliance in resolving this issue. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]
