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."
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date] [Debt Collection Agency's Name] [Agency's Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] Subject: False Representation or Implication of Affiliation with the United States Dear [Debt Collection Agency's Name], I am writing this letter to express my concerns regarding the recent communication I received from your agency regarding a debt that you claim I owe. It has come to my attention that there may be false or misleading misrepresentations in your collection activities, particularly the false representation or implication that your agency is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States. Upon reviewing the correspondence I received from your agency, dated [date of correspondence], it was explicitly stated or implied that your agency has a direct affiliation with the United States government. This false representation is misleading and may mislead individuals into believing that your collection activities are backed or endorsed by a government entity, which is not the case. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FD CPA), specifically section 807(10), it is strictly prohibited for debt collectors to use any false representation or implication that they are vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States government. Such misrepresentations can confuse and mislead consumers, violating their rights and potentially causing reputational harm. I kindly request that your agency immediately ceases to make any false or misleading claims that create the impression of an affiliation with the United States government. I expect prompt action from your agency to correct this issue to ensure compliance with the FD CPA. Furthermore, I remind you that under the FD CPA, I have the right to request validation of the debt you claim I owe. I hereby request that you provide me, in writing, with all necessary documentation verifying the existence and validity of the alleged debt. Please be aware that any further violations of the FD CPA will not be tolerated and may result in legal action. I hope that we can resolve this matter amicably without escalating the situation. I expect your agency to acknowledge receipt of this letter within 15 days and to provide a written response regarding your actions to address the false representation. Your prompt attention to this matter will be appreciated. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Sincerely, [Your Name]
