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."
Subject: Letter Informing Debt Collector of False or Misleading Misrepresentations — False Affiliation with the United States Dear [Debt Collector's Name], I hope this letter finds you well. My purpose in writing to you today is to bring your attention to a matter of significant concern regarding the nature of your collection activities. It has come to my attention that your agency has been engaging in false representations or implications that you are vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that such assertions are entirely false and misleading. As a resident of Los Angeles, California, I am fully aware of the regulations outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FD CPA). This federal law provides clear guidelines on the acceptable practices for debt collection agencies, explicitly prohibiting misleading or deceptive acts by collectors. Section 807(10) of the FD CPA specifically prohibits the "use of any false representation or implication that the debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency or that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States." Contrary to your misrepresentations, it is crucially important to note that your agency is in no way affiliated with the United States government or any federal entity. The use of such false affiliations can mislead and confuse consumers, potentially causing unnecessary distress and misunderstanding. It is imperative that you rectify this false representation issue immediately, as it is a clear violation of the FD CPA and a violation of my consumer rights. To ensure that this issue is promptly resolved, I request the following actions: 1. Cessation of False or Misleading Representations: Immediately cease representing or implying that your debt collection agency is in any way vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States. 2. Updated Correspondence: Revise your correspondence, including letters and phone calls, to accurately reflect the true relationship between your agency and the United States. 3. Contact Disclosure: Provide clear and accurate disclosure in all future communication, stating that your organization is an independent debt collection agency and not affiliated with the United States government. I expect your prompt response within [15 days] from the receipt of this letter, confirming that the necessary actions have been taken to address this issue. Failure to do so will leave me no choice but to report this violation to the appropriate regulatory bodies and seek legal remedies available under the FD CPA. Please be advised that I will be keeping complete documentation of all our correspondences, including this letter as well as any responses received. Additionally, please note that any continued collection activities without resolution of this matter will be considered as willful disregard of the FD CPA, entitling me to damages and your agency to potential legal consequences. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I trust that you will rectify this issue promptly in accordance with the law. I look forward to receiving your written response and confirming the actions taken. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Phone Number] [Email Address]Subject: Letter Informing Debt Collector of False or Misleading Misrepresentations — False Affiliation with the United States Dear [Debt Collector's Name], I hope this letter finds you well. My purpose in writing to you today is to bring your attention to a matter of significant concern regarding the nature of your collection activities. It has come to my attention that your agency has been engaging in false representations or implications that you are vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that such assertions are entirely false and misleading. As a resident of Los Angeles, California, I am fully aware of the regulations outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FD CPA). This federal law provides clear guidelines on the acceptable practices for debt collection agencies, explicitly prohibiting misleading or deceptive acts by collectors. Section 807(10) of the FD CPA specifically prohibits the "use of any false representation or implication that the debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency or that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States." Contrary to your misrepresentations, it is crucially important to note that your agency is in no way affiliated with the United States government or any federal entity. The use of such false affiliations can mislead and confuse consumers, potentially causing unnecessary distress and misunderstanding. It is imperative that you rectify this false representation issue immediately, as it is a clear violation of the FD CPA and a violation of my consumer rights. To ensure that this issue is promptly resolved, I request the following actions: 1. Cessation of False or Misleading Representations: Immediately cease representing or implying that your debt collection agency is in any way vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States. 2. Updated Correspondence: Revise your correspondence, including letters and phone calls, to accurately reflect the true relationship between your agency and the United States. 3. Contact Disclosure: Provide clear and accurate disclosure in all future communication, stating that your organization is an independent debt collection agency and not affiliated with the United States government. I expect your prompt response within [15 days] from the receipt of this letter, confirming that the necessary actions have been taken to address this issue. Failure to do so will leave me no choice but to report this violation to the appropriate regulatory bodies and seek legal remedies available under the FD CPA. Please be advised that I will be keeping complete documentation of all our correspondences, including this letter as well as any responses received. Additionally, please note that any continued collection activities without resolution of this matter will be considered as willful disregard of the FD CPA, entitling me to damages and your agency to potential legal consequences. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I trust that you will rectify this issue promptly in accordance with the law. I look forward to receiving your written response and confirming the actions taken. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Phone Number] [Email Address]
