THE-FAIR-DEBT-COLLECTION-PRACTICES-ACT(美国公平催收法案)

THEFAIRDEBTCOLLECTIONPRACTICESACT公平债务催收法案AsamendedbyPublicLaw104-208,110Stat.3009(Sept.30,1996)ToamendtheConsumerCreditProtectionActtoprohibitabusivepracticesbydebtcollectors.为了规制债务催收人滥用催收行为而修订消费者信贷保护法案。BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesofAmericainCongressassembled,ThattheConsumerCreditProtectionAct(15U.S.C.1601etseq.)isamendedbyaddingattheendthereofthefollowingnewtitle:TITLEVIII-DEBTCOLLECTIONPRACTICES

[FairDebtCollectionPracticesAct]Sec.

801.

ShortTitle

802.

Congressionalfindingsanddeclarationofpurpose

803.

Definitions

804.

Acquisitionoflocationinformation

805.

Communicationinconnectionwithdebtcollection

806.

Harassmentorabuse

807.

Falseormisleadingrepresentations

808.

Unfairpractice

809.

Validationofdebts

810.

Multipledebts

811.

Legalactionsbydebtcollectors

812.

Furnishingcertaindeceptiveforms

813.

Civilliability

814.

Administrativeenforcement

815.

ReportstoCongressbytheCommission

816.

RelationtoStatelaws

817.

ExemptionforStateregulation

818.

Effectivedate§801.

ShortTitle

[15USC1601note]Thistitlemaybecitedasthe"FairDebtCollectionPracticesAct."§802.

Congressionalfindingsanddeclarationsofpurpose

[15USC1692](a)Thereisabundantevidenceoftheuseofabusive,deceptive,andunfairdebtcollectionpracticesbymanydebtcollectors.Abusivedebtcollectionpracticescontributetothenumberofpersonalbankruptcies,tomaritalinstability,tothelossofjobs,andtoinvasionsofindividualprivacy.1.有充足的证据表明，许多债务催收者通过滥用催收手段、欺骗、不公平的催收手段等方式来进行催收工作。滥用催收手段导致了大量的个人破产、婚姻关系破裂、失业和对个人隐私的侵犯等不良后果的产生。(b)Existinglawsandproceduresforredressingtheseinjuriesareinadequatetoprotectconsumers.2.现行的相关法律法规对消费者的保护力度不够。(c)Meansotherthanmisrepresentationorotherabusivedebtcollectionpracticesareavailablefortheeffectivecollectionofdebts.3.应当使用除了欺骗和其他滥用的催收手段来进行有效的债务催收。(d)Abusivedebtcollectionpracticesarecarriedontoasubstantialextentininterstatecommerceandthroughmeansandinstrumentalitiesofsuchcommerce.在洲际贸易和通过此种方法和手段进行商业交易的活动中，滥用催收手段的行为还继续大范围的存在着。。Evenwhereabusivedebtcollectionpracticesarepurelyintrastateincharacter,theyneverthelessdirectlyaffectinterstatecommerce.(e)Itisthepurposeofthistitletoeliminateabusivedebtcollectionpracticesbydebtcollectors,toinsurethatthosedebtcollectorswhorefrainfromusingabusivedebtcollectionpracticesarenotcompetitivelydisadvantaged,andtopromoteconsistentStateactiontoprotectconsumersagainstdebtcollectionabuses.为了禁止债务催收者滥用催收手段，保证那些采取正当手段进行催收的催收机构在市场竞争中不至于处于不利地位；为了促进州政府在保护消费者免受债务催收者滥用催收手段的侵害的法案的统一，特制订此法案。§803.

Definitions[15USC1692a]Asusedinthistitle--(1)Theterm"Commission"meanstheFederalTradeCommission.(2)Theterm"communication"meanstheconveyingofinformationregardingadebtdirectlyorindirectlytoanypersonthroughanymedium.(3)Theterm"consumer"meansanynaturalpersonobligatedorallegedlyobligatedtopayanydebt.(4)Theterm"creditor"meansanypersonwhooffersorextendscreditcreatingadebtortowhomadebtisowed,butsuchtermdoesnotincludeanypersontotheextentthathereceivesanassignmentortransferofadebtindefaultsolelyforthepurposeoffacilitatingcollectionofsuchdebtforanother.(5)Theterm"debt"meansanyobligationorallegedobligationofaconsumertopaymoneyarisingoutofatransactioninwhichthemoney,property,insuranceorserviceswhicharethesubjectofthetransactionareprimarilyforpersonal,family,orhouseholdpurposes,whetherornotsuchobligationhasbeenreducedtojudgment.(6)Theterm"debtcollector"meansanypersonwhousesanyinstrumentalityofinterstatecommerceorthemailsinanybusinesstheprincipalpurposeofwhichisthecollectionofanydebts,orwhoregularlycollectsorattemptstocollect,directlyorindirectly,debtsowedordueorassertedtobeowedordueanother.Notwithstandingtheexclusionprovidedbyclause(F)ofthelastsentenceofthisparagraph,thetermincludesanycreditorwho,intheprocessofcollectinghisowndebts,usesanynameotherthanhisownwhichwouldindicatethatathirdpersoniscollectingorattemptingtocollectsuchdebts.Forthepurposeofsection808(6),suchtermalsoincludesanypersonwhousesanyinstrumentalityofinterstatecommerceorthemailsinanybusinesstheprincipalpurposeofwhichistheenforcementofsecurityinterests.Thetermdoesnotinclude--(A)anyofficeroremployeeofacreditorwhile,inthenameofthecreditor,collectingdebtsforsuchcreditor;(B)anypersonwhileactingasadebtcollectorforanotherperson,bothofwhomarerelatedbycommonownershiporaffiliatedbycorporatecontrol,ifthepersonactingasadebtcollectordoessoonlyforpersonstowhomitissorelatedoraffiliatedandiftheprincipalbusinessofsuchpersonisnotthecollectionofdebts;(C)anyofficeroremployeeoftheUnitedStatesoranyStatetotheextentthatcollectingorattemptingtocollectanydebtisintheperformanceofhisofficialduties;(D)anypersonwhileservingorattemptingtoservelegalprocessonanyotherpersoninconnectionwiththejudicialenforcementofanydebt;(E)anynonprofitorganizationwhich,attherequestofconsumers,performsbonafideconsumercreditcounselingandassistsconsumersintheliquidationoftheirdebtsbyreceivingpaymentsfromsuchconsumersanddistributingsuchamountstocreditors;and(F)anypersoncollectingorattemptingtocollectanydebtowedordueorassertedtobeowedordueanothertotheextentsuchactivity(i)isincidentaltoabonafidefiduciaryobligationorabonafideescrowarrangement;(ii)concernsadebtwhichwasoriginatedbysuchperson;(iii)concernsadebtwhichwasnotindefaultatthetimeitwasobtainedbysuchperson;or(iv)concernsadebtobtainedbysuchpersonasasecuredpartyinacommercialcredittransactioninvolvingthecreditor.(7)Theterm"locationinformation"meansaconsumer'splaceofabodeandhistelephonenumberatsuchplace,orhisplaceofemployment.(8)Theterm"State"meansanyState,territory,orpossessionoftheUnitedStates,theDistrictofColumbia,theCommonwealthofPuertoRico,oranypoliticalsubdivisionofanyoftheforegoing.§804.

Acquisitionoflocationinformation

[15USC1692b]获取债务人的位置信息Anydebtcollectorcommunicatingwithanypersonotherthantheconsumerforthepurposeofacquiringlocationinformationabouttheconsumershall–任何债务催收者出于获取消费者的位置信息的目的，在和除了消费者本人的任何人联系时，应当：(1)identifyhimself,statethatheisconfirmingorcorrectinglocationinformationconcerningtheconsumer,and,onlyifexpresslyrequested,identifyhisemployer;1.表明自己的身份，声明自己在确认或者是在更正相关消费者的位置信息，如果有明确的要求，还须披露自己的雇主信息。(2)notstatethatsuchconsumerowesanydebt;2.不能透漏相关消费者欠债的信息。(3)notcommunicatewithanysuchpersonmorethanonceunlessrequestedtodosobysuchpersonorunlessthedebtcollectorreasonablybelievesthattheearlierresponseofsuchpersoniserroneousorincompleteandthatsuchpersonnowhascorrectorcompletelocationinformation;3.不能和上述的人员联系超过一次，除非上述人员请求或者债务催收者有合理的理由相信上述人员之前的回复是错误的或者是不完整的，所以需要改正或者补充完整上述信息。(4)notcommunicatebypostcard;2.不能通过明信片来进行联系。(5)notuseanylanguageorsymbolonanyenvelopeorinthecontentsofanycommunicationeffectedbythemailsortelegramthatindicatesthatthedebtcollectorisinthedebtcollectionbusinessorthatthecommunicationrelatestothecollectionofadebt;and5.不能在信封上或者内容中使用任何表明债务催收者在从事债务催收的工作或者其他和催收债务有关的语言或象征符号；(6)afterthedebtcollectorknowstheconsumerisrepresentedbyanattorneywithregardtothesubjectdebtandhasknowledgeof,orcanreadilyascertain,suchattorney'snameandaddress,notcommunicatewithanypersonotherthanthatattorney,unlesstheattorneyfailstorespondwithinareasonableperiodoftimetothecommunicationfromthedebtcollector.6.在债务催收员知道消费者委托了律师，并且知道或者能够知道律师的姓名和地址的情况下，其不能再和除该律师以外的人联系，除非该律师未能在合理时间内回复债务催收员。§805.

Communicationinconnectionwithdebtcollection

[15USC1692c](a)COMMUNICATIONWITHTHECONSUMERGENERALLY.

Withoutthepriorconsentoftheconsumergivendirectlytothedebtcollectorortheexpresspermissionofacourtofcompetentjurisdiction,adebtcollectormaynotcommunicatewithaconsumerinconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt–1.没有消费者事先的同意或者明确的认可法院的管辖权，债务催收员不能和消费者进行任何相关债务催收的联系-(1)atanyunusualtimeorplaceoratimeorplaceknownorwhichshouldbeknowntobeinconvenienttotheconsumer.Intheabsenceofknowledgeofcircumstancestothecontrary,adebtcollectorshallassumethattheconvenienttimeforcommunicatingwithaconsumerisafter8o'clockantimeridianandbefore9o'clockpostmeridian,localtimeattheconsumer'slocation;1.在任何不同寻常的时间或地点，在债务催收人员知道或者应当知道的消费者在那么一段时间或处在那个一个地点是不方便的，债务催收员可以假定依照消费者当地时间消费者在早上8点到下午9点联系是方便的。(2)ifthedebtcollectorknowstheconsumerisrepresentedbyanattorneywithrespecttosuchdebtandhasknowledgeof,orcanreadilyascertain,suchattorney'snameandaddress,unlesstheattorneyfailstorespondwithinareasonableperiodoftimetoacommunicationfromthedebtcollectororunlesstheattorneyconsentstodirectcommunicationwiththeconsumer;or在债务催收员知道消费者委托了律师，并且知道或者能够知道律师的姓名和地址的情况下，其不能再和除该律师以外的人联系，除非该律师未能在合理时间内回复债务催收员或者律师同意直接和消费者联系；或者(3)attheconsumer'splaceofemploymentifthedebtcollectorknowsorhasreasontoknowthattheconsumer'semployerprohibitstheconsumerfromreceivingsuchcommunication.3.债务催收员知道或者有理由知道消费者的雇主禁止在消费者工作的场所收到债务催收的信息。(b)COMMUNICATIONWITHTHIRDPARTIES.

Exceptasprovidedinsection804,withoutthepriorconsentoftheconsumergivendirectlytothedebtcollector,ortheexpresspermissionofacourtofcompetentjurisdiction,orasreasonablynecessarytoeffectuateapostudgmentjudicialremedy,adebtcollectormaynotcommunicate,inconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt,withanypersonotherthanaconsumer,hisattorney,aconsumerreportingagencyifotherwisepermittedbylaw,thecreditor,theattorneyofthecreditor,ortheattorneyofthedebtcollector.b.和第三方联系。除了804条的规定，没有消费者事先的同意或者明确的认可法院的管辖权，债务催收员不能和消费者进行任何相关债务催收的联系-(c)CEASINGCOMMUNICATION.

Ifaconsumernotifiesadebtcollectorinwritingthattheconsumerrefusestopayadebtorthattheconsumerwishesthedebtcollectortoceasefurthercommunicationwiththeconsumer,thedebtcollectorshallnotcommunicatefurtherwiththeconsumerwithrespecttosuchdebt,except–中止联系。如果一个消费者书面通知债务催收员他∕她将绝支付账款，或者消费者希望债务催收员中止进一步与其联系，债务催收员应该停止出于催收相关债务的目的和消费者进一步联系。除非——(1)toadvisetheconsumerthatthedebtcollector'sfurthereffortsarebeingterminated;1.通知消费者债务催收员的进一步措施正在被终止；(2)tonotifytheconsumerthatthedebtcollectororcreditormayinvokespecifiedremedieswhichareordinarilyinvokedbysuchdebtcollectororcreditor;or2.通知消费者债务催收员或者债权人可能采取他们一般情况下会采取的特殊的救济方式；或者(3)whereapplicable,tonotifytheconsumerthatthedebtcollectororcreditorintendstoinvokeaspecifiedremedy.Ifsuchnoticefromtheconsumerismadebymail,notificationshallbecompleteuponreceipt.3.在适当的情况下，通知消费者债务催收员或者债权人打算采取特殊的救济方式。如果这样的通知是消费者通过邮件发的，(d)Forthepurposeofthissection,theterm"consumer"includestheconsumer'sspouse,parent(iftheconsumerisaminor),guardian,executor,oradministrator.本章所称的“消费者”包括消费者的配偶，父母（如果消费者是未成年人），法定监护人，执行人，或者管理人。§806.

Harassmentorabuse

[15USC1692d]Adebtcollectormaynotengageinanyconductthenaturalconsequenceofwhichistoharass,oppress,orabuseanypersoninconnectionwiththecollectionofadebt.Withoutlimitingthegeneralapplicationoftheforegoing,thefollowingconductisaviolationofthissection:债务催收员不能采取骚扰、施压、或其它过度行为去催收账款。不限于上述的几种行为，下列的行为也是对该款的违反：(1)Theuseorthreatofuseofviolenceorothercriminalmeanstoharmthephysicalperson,reputation,orpropertyofanyperson.1.使用威胁或者暴力或者其它的犯罪方式去侵犯人身、名声、或者任何人的财产(2)Theuseofobsceneorprofanelanguageorlanguagethenaturalconsequenceofwhichistoabusethehearerorreader.2.使用污言秽语进行攻击。(3)Thepublicationofalistofconsumerswhoallegedlyrefusetopaydebts,excepttoaconsumerreportingagencyortopersonsmeetingtherequirementsofsection603(f)or604(3)1ofthisAct.公布宣称拒绝付款的消费者名单，除非是向消费者报告机构或者符合本法案603(f)or604(3)1规定的人公布。(4)Theadvertisementforsaleofanydebttocoercepaymentofthedebt.4.发布买卖债权的广告。(5)Causingatelephonetoringorengaginganypersonintelephoneconversationrepeatedlyorcontinuouslywithintenttoannoy,abuse,orharassanypersonatthecallednumber.5.持续的打骚扰电话或者进行意图在于骚扰、烦恼债务人的重复致电。(6)Exceptasprovidedinsection804,theplacementoftelephonecallswithoutmeaningfuldisclosureofthecaller'sidentity.除了在804里规定的之外，§807.

Falseormisleadingrepresentations

[15USC1692e]Adebtcollectormaynotuseanyfalse,deceptive,ormisleadingrepresentationormeansinconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt.Withoutlimitingthegeneralapplicationoftheforegoing,thefollowingconductisaviolationofthissection:债务催收不能使用任何欺诈或者误导的陈述来进行催收。不限于上述的情形，以下的方式也是对该款的违反：(1)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatthedebtcollectorisvouchedfor,bondedby,oraffiliatedwiththeUnitedStates1.虚假陈述或者暗示债务催收员是由政府保证或担保的，包括使用徽章、制服、或传真来证明。(2)Thefalserepresentationof–(A)thecharacter,amount,orlegalstatusofanydebt;or针对任何债务的特点、数量或者法律地位；或者(B)anyservicesrenderedorcompensationwhichmaybelawfullyreceivedbyanydebtcollectorforthecollectionofadebt.(3)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatanyindividualisanattorneyorthatanycommunicationisfromanattorney.(4)Therepresentationorimplicationthatnonpaymentofanydebtwillresultinthearrestorimprisonmentofanypersonortheseizure,garnishment,attachment,orsaleofanypropertyorwagesofanypersonunlesssuchactionislawfulandthedebtcollectororcreditorintendstotakesuchaction.(5)Thethreattotakeanyactionthatcannotlegallybetakenorthatisnotintendedtobetaken.(6)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatasale,referral,orothertransferofanyinterestinadebtshallcausetheconsumerto--(A)loseanyclaimordefensetopaymentofthedebt;or(B)becomesubjecttoanypracticeprohibitedbythistitle.(7)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthattheconsumercommittedanycrimeorotherconductinordertodisgracetheconsumer.(8)Communicatingorthreateningtocommunicatetoanypersoncreditinformationwhichisknownorwhichshouldbeknowntobefalse,includingthefailuretocommunicatethatadisputeddebtisdisputed.(9)Theuseordistributionofanywrittencommunicationwhichsimulatesorisfalselyrepresentedtobeadocumentauthorized,issued,orapprovedbyanycourt,official,oragencyoftheUnitedStatesoranyState,orwhichcreatesafalseimpressionastoitssource,authorization,orapproval.(10)Theuseofanyfalserepresentationordeceptivemeanstocollectorattempttocollectanydebtortoobtaininformationconcerningaconsumer.(11)Thefailuretodiscloseintheinitialwrittencommunicationwiththeconsumerand,inaddition,iftheinitialcommunicationwiththeconsumerisoral,inthatinitialoralcommunication,thatthedebtcollectorisattemptingtocollectadebtandthatanyinformationobtainedwillbeusedforthatpurpose,andthefailuretodiscloseinsubsequentcommunicationsthatthecommunicationisfromadebtcollector,exceptthatthisparagraphshallnotapplytoaformalpleadingmadeinconnectionwithalegalaction.(12)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthataccountshavebeenturnedovertoinnocentpurchasersforvalue.(13)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatdocumentsarelegalprocess.(14)Theuseofanybusiness,company,ororganizationnameotherthanthetruenameofthedebtcollector'sbusiness,company,ororganization.(15)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatdocumentsarenotlegalprocessformsordonotrequireactionbytheconsumer.(16)Thefalserepresentationorimplicationthatadebtcollectoroperatesorisemployedbyaconsumerreportingagencyasdefinedbysection603(f)ofthisAct.§808.

Unfairpractices[15USC1692f]Adebtcollectormaynotuseunfairorunconscionablemeanstocollectorattempttocollectanydebt.Withoutlimitingthegeneralapplicationoftheforegoing,thefollowingconductisaviolationofthissection:(1)Thecollectionofanyamount(includinganyinterest,fee,charge,orexpenseincidentaltotheprincipalobligation)unlesssuchamountisexpresslyauthorizedbytheagreementcreatingthedebtorpermittedbylaw.(2)Theacceptancebyadebtcollectorfromanypersonofacheckorotherpaymentinstrumentpostdatedbymorethanfivedaysunlesssuchpersonisnotifiedinwritingofthedebtcollector'sintenttodepositsuchcheckorinstrumentnotmorethantennorlessthanthreebusinessdayspriortosuchdeposit.(3)Thesolicitationbyadebtcollectorofanypostdatedcheckorotherpostdatedpaymentinstrumentforthepurposeofthreateningorinstitutingcriminalprosecution.(4)Depositingorthreateningtodepositanypostdatedcheckorotherpostdatedpaymentinstrumentpriortothedateonsuchcheckorinstrument.(5)Causingchargestobemadetoanypersonforcommunicationsbyconcealmentofthetrueproposeofthecommunication.Suchchargesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,collecttelephonecallsandtelegramfees.(6)Takingorthreateningtotakeanynonjudicialactiontoeffectdispossessionordisablementofpropertyif--(A)thereisnopresentrighttopossessionofthepropertyclaimedascollateralthroughanenforceablesecurityinterest;(B)thereisnopresentintentiontotakepossessionoftheproperty;or(C)thepropertyisexemptbylawfromsuchdispossessionordisablement.(7)Communicatingwithaconsumerregardingadebtbypostcard.(8)Usinganylanguageorsymbol,otherthanthedebtcollector'saddress,onanyenvelopewhencommunicatingwithaconsumerbyuseofthemailsorbytelegram,exceptthatadebtcollectormayusehisbusinessnameifsuchnamedoesnotindicatethatheisinthedebtcollectionbusiness.§809.

Validationofdebts

[15USC1692g](a)Withinfivedaysaftertheinitialcommunicationwithaconsumerinconnectionwiththecollectionofanydebt,adebtcollectorshall,unlessthefollowinginformationiscontainedintheinitialcommunicationortheconsumerhaspaidthedebt,sendtheconsumerawrittennoticecontaining--(1)theamountofthedebt;(2)thenameofthecreditortowhomthedebtisowed;(3)astatementthatunlesstheconsumer,withinthirtydaysafterreceiptofthenotice,disputesthevalidityofthedebt,oranyportionthereof,thedebtwillbeassumedtobevalidbythedebtcollector;(4)astatementthatiftheconsumernotifiesthedebtcollectorinwritingwithinthethirty-dayperiodthatthedebt,oranyportionthereof,isdisputed,thedebtcollectorwillobtainverificationofthedebtoracopyofajudgmentagainsttheconsumerandacopyofsuchverificationorjudgmentwillbemailedtotheconsumerbythedebtcollector;and(5)astatementthat,upontheconsumer'swrittenrequestwithinthethirty-dayperiod,thedebtcollectorwillprovidetheconsumerwiththenameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,ifdifferentfromthecurrentcreditor.(b)Iftheconsumernotifiesthedebtcollectorinwritingwithinthethirty-dayperioddescribedinsubsection(a)thatthedebt,oranyportionthereof,isdisputed,orthattheconsumerrequeststhenameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,thedebtcollectorshallceasecollectionofthedebt,oranydisputedportionthereof,untilthedebtcollectorobtainsverificationofthedebtoranycopyofajudgment,orthenameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,andacopyofsuchverificationorjudgment,ornameandaddressoftheoriginalcreditor,ismailedtotheconsumerbythedebtcollector.(c)Thefailureofaconsumertodisputethevalidityofadebtunderthissectionmaynotbeconstruedbyanycourtasanadmissionofliabilitybytheconsumer.§810.

Multipledebts

[15USC1692h]Ifanyconsumerowesmultipledebtsandmakesanysinglepaymenttoanydebtcollectorwithrespecttosuchdebts,suchdebtcollectormaynotapplysuchpaymenttoanydebtwhichisdisputedbytheconsumerand,whereapplicable,shallapplysuchpaymentinaccordancewiththeconsumer'sdirections.§811.

Legalactionsbydebtcollectors

[15USC1692i](a)Anydebtcollectorwhobringsanylegalactiononadebtagainstanyconsumershall--(1)inthecaseofanactiontoenforceaninterestinrealpropertysecuringtheconsumer'sobligation,bringsuchactiononlyinajudicialdistrictorsimilarlegalentityinwhichsuchrealpropertyislocated;or(2)inthecaseofanactionnotdescribedinparagraph(1),bringsuchactiononlyinthejudicialdistrictorsimilarlegalentity--(A)inwhichsuchconsumersignedthecontractsuedupon;or(B)inwhichsuchconsumerresidesatthecommencementoftheaction.(b)Nothinginthistitleshallbeconstruedtoauthorizethebringingoflegalactionsbydebtcollectors.§812.

Furnishingcertaindeceptiveforms

[15USC1692j](a)Itisunlawfultodesign,compile,andfurnishanyformknowingthatsuchformwouldbeusedtocreatethefalsebeliefinaconsumerthatapersonotherthanthecreditorofsuchconsumerisparticipatinginthecollectionoforinanattempttocollectadebtsuchconsumerallegedlyowessuchcreditor,wheninfactsuchpersonisnotsoparticipating.(b)Anypersonwhoviolatesthissectionshallbeliabletothesameextentandinthesamemannerasadebtcollectorisliableundersection813forfailuretocomplywithaprovisionofthistitle.§813.

Civilliability

[15USC1692k](a)Exceptasotherwiseprovidedbythissection,anydebtcollectorwhofailstocomplywithanyprovisionofthistitlewithrespecttoanypersonisliabletosuchpersoninanamountequaltothesumof--(1)anyactualdamagesustainedbysuchpersonasaresultofsuchfailure;(2)(A)inthecaseofanyactionbyanindividual,suchadditionaldamagesasthecourtmayallow,butnotexceeding$1,000;or(B)inthecaseofaclassaction,(i)suchamountforeachnamedplaintiffascouldberecoveredundersubparagraph(A),and(ii)suchamountasthecourtmayallowforallotherclassmembers,withoutregardtoaminimumindividualrecovery,nottoexceedthelesserof$500,000or1percentumofthenetworthofthedebtcollector;and(3)inthecaseofanysuccessfulactiontoenforcetheforegoingliability,thecostsoftheaction,togetherwithareasonableattorney'sfeeasdeterminedbythecourt.Onafindingbythecourtthatanactionunderthissectionwasbroughtinbadfaithandforthepurposeofharassment,thecourtmayawardtothedefendantattorney'sfeesreasonableinrelationtotheworkexpendedandcosts.(b)Indeterminingtheamountofliabilityinanyactionundersubsection(a),thecourtshallconsider,amongotherrelevantfactors--(1)inanyindividualactionundersubsection(a)(2)(A),thefrequencyandpersistenceofnoncompliancebythedebtcollector,thenatureofsuchnoncompliance,andtheextenttowhichsuchnoncompliancewasintentional;or(2)inanyclassactionundersubsection(a)(2)(B),thefrequencyandpersistenceofnoncompliancebythedebtcollector,thenatureofsuchnoncompliance,theresourcesofthedebtcollector,thenumberofpersonsadverselyaffected,andtheextenttowhichthedebtcollector'snoncompliancewasintentional.(c)Adebtcollectormaynotbeheldliableinanyactionbroughtunderthistitleifthedebtcollectorshowsbyapreponderanceofevidencethattheviolationwasnotintentionalandresultedfromabonafideerrornotwithstandingthemaintenanceofproceduresreasonablyadaptedtoavoidanysucherror.(d)AnactiontoenforceanyliabilitycreatedbythistitlemaybebroughtinanyappropriateUnitedStatesdistrictcourtwithoutregardtotheamountincontroversy,orinanyothercourtofcompetentjurisdiction,withinoneyearfromthedateonwhichtheviolationoccurs.(e)NoprovisionofthissectionimposinganyliabilityshallapplytoanyactdoneoromittedingoodfaithinconformitywithanyadvisoryopinionoftheCommission,notwithstandingthataftersuchactoromissionhasoccurred,suchopinionisamended,rescinded,ordeterminedbyjudicialorotherauthoritytobeinvalidforanyreason.§814.

Administrativeenforcement

[15USC1692l](a)CompliancewiththistitleshallbeenforcedbytheCommission,excepttotheextendthatenforcementoftherequirementsimposedunderthistitleisspecificallycommittedtoanotheragencyundersubsection(b).ForpurposeoftheexercisebytheCommissionofitsfunctionsandpowersundertheFederalTradeCommissionAct,aviolationofthistitleshallbedeemedanunfairordeceptiveactorpracticeinviolationofthatAct.AllofthefunctionsandpowersoftheCommissionundertheFederalTradeCommissionActareavailabletotheCommissiontoenforcecompliancebyanypersonwiththistitle,irrespectiveofwhetherthatpersonisengagedincommerceormeetsanyotherjurisdictionaltestsintheFederalTradeCommissionAct,includingthepowertoenforcethe