Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT

As amended by Pub. L. 109-351, §§ 801-02, 120 Stat. 1966 (2006)

As a public service, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has

prepared the following complete text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

(FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692-1692p.

Please note that the format of the text differs in minor ways from the U.S.

Code and West’s U.S. Code Annotated. For example, this version uses FDCPA

section numbers in the headings. In addition, the relevant U.S. Code citation is

included with each section heading. Although the staff has made every effort

to transcribe the statutory material accurately, this compendium is intended as

a convenience for the public and not a substitute for the text in the U.S. Code.

able

onTenTs

§ 801 Short title

§ 802 Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

§ 803 Definitions

§ 804 Acquisition of location information

§ 805 Communication in connection with debt collection

§ 806 Harassment or abuse

§ 807 False or misleading representations

§ 808 Unfair practices

§ 809 Validation of debts

§ 810 Multiple debts

§ 811 Legal actions by debt collectors

§ 812 Furnishing certain deceptive forms

§ 813 Civil liability

§ 814 Administrative enforcement

§ 815 Reports to Congress by the Commission

§ 816 Relation to State laws

§ 817 Exemption for State regulation

§ 818 Exception for certain bad check enforcement programs operated by

private entities

§ 819 Effective date

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§ 801. Short Title

This title may be cited as the “Fair Debt Collection Prac-

tices Act.”

§ 802. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

(a) There is abundant evidence of the use of abusive, decep-

tive, and unfair debt collection practices by many debt

collectors. Abusive debt collection practices contribute to

the number of personal bankruptcies, to marital instability,

to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of individual privacy.

(b) Existing laws and procedures for redressing these injuries

are inadequate to protect consumers.

collection practices are available for the effective collec-

tion of debts.

(d) Abusive debt collection practices are carried on to a sub-

stantial extent in interstate commerce and through means

and instrumentalities of such commerce. Even where

abusive debt collection practices are purely intrastate in

character, they nevertheless directly affect interstate com-

merce.

(e) It is the purpose of this title to eliminate abusive debt col-

lection practices by debt collectors, to insure that those

debt collectors who refrain from using abusive debt col-

lection practices are not competitively disadvantaged, and

to promote consistent State action to protect consumers

against debt collection abuses.

§ 803. Definitions

As used in this title—

(1) The term “Commission” means the Federal Trade

Commission.

(2) The term “communication” means the conveying of

information regarding a debt directly or indirectly to

any person through any medium.

(3) The term “consumer” means any natural person obli-

gated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt.

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(4) The term “creditor” means any person who offers or

extends credit creating a debt or to whom a debt is

owed, but such term does not include any person to the

extent that he receives an assignment or transfer of a

debt in default solely for the purpose of facilitating col-

lection of such debt for another.

(5) The term “debt” means any obligation or alleged

obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of

a transaction in which the money, property, insurance

or services which are the subject of the transaction are

primarily for personal, family, or household purposes,

whether or not such obligation has been reduced to

judgment.

(6) The term “debt collector” means any person who uses

any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails

in any business the principal purpose of which is the

collection of any debts, or who regularly collects or

attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed

or due or asserted to be owed or due another. Not-

withstanding the exclusion provided by clause (F) of

the last sentence of this paragraph, the term includes

any creditor who, in the process of collecting his own

debts, uses any name other than his own which would

indicate that a third person is collecting or attempt-

ing to collect such debts. For the purpose of section

808(6), such term also includes any person who uses

any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails

in any business the principal purpose of which is the

enforcement of security interests. The term does not

include—

(A) any officer or employee of a creditor while, in

the name of the creditor, collecting debts for such

creditor;

(B) any person while acting as a debt collector for

another person, both of whom are related by com-

mon ownership or affiliated by corporate control,

if the person acting as a debt collector does so only

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for persons to whom it is so related or affiliated and

if the principal business of such person is not the

collection of debts;

State to the extent that collecting or attempting to

collect any debt is in the performance of his official

duties;

(D) any person while serving or attempting to serve le-

gal process on any other person in connection with

the judicial enforcement of any debt;

(E) any nonprofit organization which, at the request

of consumers, performs bona fide consumer credit

counseling and assists consumers in the liquida-

tion of their debts by receiving payments from such

consumers and distributing such amounts to credi-

tors; and

(F) any person collecting or attempting to collect any

debt owed or due or asserted to be owed or due

another to the extent such activity

(i) is incidental to a bona fide fiduciary obligation

or a bona fide escrow arrangement;

(ii) concerns a debt which was originated by such

person;

(iii) concerns a debt which was not in default at the

time it was obtained by such person; or

(iv) concerns a debt obtained by such person as a

secured party in a commercial credit transac-

tion involving the creditor.

(7) The term “location information” means a consumer’s

place of abode and his telephone number at such place,

or his place of employment.

(8) The term “State” means any State, territory, or posses-

sion of the United States, the District of Columbia, the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any political subdi-

vision of any of the foregoing.

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§ 804. Acquisition of location information

Any debt collector communicating with any person other

than the consumer for the purpose of acquiring location infor-

mation about the consumer shall—

(1) identify himself, state that he is confirming or correct

ing location information concerning the consumer, and,

only if expressly requested, identify his employer;

(2) not state that such consumer owes any debt;
(3) not communicate with any such person more than once

unless requested to do so by such person or unless

the debt collector reasonably believes that the earlier

response of such person is erroneous or incomplete and

that such person now has correct or complete location

information;

(4) not communicate by post card;
(5) not use any language or symbol on any envelope or

in the contents of any communication effected by the

mails or telegram that indicates that the debt collector

is in the debt collection business or that the communi-

cation relates to the collection of a debt; and

(6) after the debt collector knows the consumer is repre-

sented by an attorney with regard to the subject debt

and has knowledge of, or can readily ascertain, such

attorney’s name and address, not communicate with

any person other than that attorney, unless the attorney

fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to

the communication from the debt collector.

§ 805. Communication in connection with debt collection

(a) COMMUNICATION WITH THE CONSUMER GENER-

ALLY. Without the prior consent of the consumer given

directly to the debt collector or the express permission of

a court of competent jurisdiction, a debt collector may not

communicate with a consumer in connection with the col-

lection of any debt—

(1) at any unusual time or place or a time or place known

or which should be known to be inconvenient to the

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consumer. In the absence of knowledge of circumstanc-

es to the contrary, a debt collector shall assume that the

convenient time for communicating with a consumer

is after 8 o’clock antimeridian and before 9 o’clock

postmeridian, local time at the consumer’s location;

(2) if the debt collector knows the consumer is represented

by an attorney with respect to such debt and has knowl-

edge of, or can readily ascertain, such attorney’s name

and address, unless the attorney fails to respond within

a reasonable period of time to a communication from

the debt collector or unless the attorney consents to

direct communication with the consumer; or

(3) at the consumer’s place of employment if the debt col-

lector knows or has reason to know that the consumer’s

employer prohibits the consumer from receiving such

communication.

(b) COMMUNICATION WITH THIRD PARTIES. Except as

provided in section 804, without the prior consent of the

consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the ex-

press permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as

reasonably necessary to effectuate a postjudgment judicial

remedy, a debt collector may not communicate, in connec-

tion with the collection of any debt, with any person other

than a consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency

if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of

the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.

debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a

debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease

further communication with the consumer, the debt collec-

tor shall not communicate further with the consumer with

respect to such debt, except—

(1) to advise the consumer that the debt collector’s further

efforts are being terminated;

(2) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or credi-

tor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily

invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or

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(3) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt

collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified rem

edy.

If such notice from the consumer is made by mail, notifica

tion shall be complete upon receipt.

(d) For the purpose of this section, the term “consumer” in-

cludes the consumer’s spouse, parent (if the consumer is a

minor), guardian, executor, or administrator.

§ 806. Harassment or abuse

A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natu-

ral consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any

person in connection with the collection of a debt. Without

limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following

conduct is a violation of this section:

(1) The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal

means to harm the physical person, reputation, or prop-

erty of any person.

(2) The use of obscene or profane language or language

the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer

or reader.

(3) The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly

refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting

agency or to persons meeting the requirements of sec-

tion 603(f) or 604(3)

of this Act.

(4) The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce pay-

ment of the debt.

(5) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person

in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously

with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the

called number.

(6) Except as provided in section 804, the placement of

telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the

caller’s identity.

1. Section 604(3) has been renumbered as Section 604(a)(3).

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§ 807. False or misleading representations

A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or mis-

leading representation or means in connection with the col-

lection 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.

(2) The false representation of—

(A) the character, amount, or legal status of any debt; or
(B) any services rendered or compensation which may

be lawfully received by any debt collector for the

collection of a debt.

(3) The false representation or implication that any indi-

vidual is an attorney or that any communication is from

an attorney.

(4) The representation or implication that nonpayment of

any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of

any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment,

or sale of any property or wages of any person unless

such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor

intends to take such action.

(5) The threat to take any action that cannot legally be

taken or that is not intended to be taken.

(6) The false representation or implication that a sale,

referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall

cause the consumer to—
(A) lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt;

(B) become subject to any practice prohibited by this

title.

(7) The false representation or implication that the con-

sumer committed any crime or other conduct in order

to disgrace the consumer.

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(8) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any

person credit information which is known or which

should be known to be false, including the failure to

communicate that a disputed debt is disputed.

(9) The use or distribution of any written communication

which simulates or is falsely represented to be a docu-

ment authorized, issued, or approved by any court,

official, or agency of the United States or any State, or

which creates a false impression as to its source, autho-

rization, or approval.

(10) The use of any false representation or deceptive means

to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain

information concerning a consumer.

(11) The failure to disclose in the initial written communi-

cation with the consumer and, in addition, if the initial

communication with the consumer is oral, in that initial

oral communication, that the debt collector is attempt-

ing to collect a debt and that any information obtained

will be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose

in subsequent communications that the communication

is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall

not apply to a formal pleading made in connection with

a legal action.

(12) The false representation or implication that accounts

have been turned over to innocent purchasers for value.

(13) The false representation or implication that documents

are legal process.

(14) The use of any business, company, or organization

name other than the true name of the debt collector’s

business, company, or organization.

(15) The false representation or implication that documents

are not legal process forms or do not require action by

the consumer.

(16) The false representation or implication that a debt col-

lector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting

agency as defined by section 603(f) of this Act.

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§ 808. Unfair practices

A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable

means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limit-

ing the general application of the foregoing, the following

conduct is a violation of this section:

(1) The collection of any amount (including any interest,

fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obli-

gation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by

the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law.

(2) The acceptance by a debt collector from any person of

a check or other payment instrument postdated by more

than five days unless such person is notified in writing

of the debt collector’s intent to deposit such check or

instrument not more than ten nor less than three busi-

ness days prior to such deposit.

(3) The solicitation by a debt collector of any postdated

check or other postdated payment instrument for the

purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecu-

tion.

(4) Depositing or threatening to deposit any postdated

check or other postdated payment instrument prior to

the date on such check or instrument.

(5) Causing charges to be made to any person for com-

munications by concealment of the true propose of

the communication. Such charges include, but are not

limited to, collect telephone calls and telegram fees.

(6) Taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action to

effect dispossession or disablement of property if—
(A) there is no present right to possession of the prop-

erty claimed as collateral through an enforceable

security interest;

(B) there is no present intention to take possession of

the property; or

sion or disablement.

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(7) Communicating with a consumer regarding a debt by

post card.

(8) Using any language or symbol, other than the debt col-

lector’s address, on any envelope when communicating

with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram,

except that a debt collector may use his business name

if such name does not indicate that he is in the debt col-

lection business.

§ 809. Validation of debts

(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a

consumer in connection with the collection of any debt,

a debt collector shall, unless the following information is

contained in the initial communication or the consumer has

paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice contain-

ing—

(1)  the amount of the debt;
(2)  the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3)  a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days

after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the

debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed

to be valid by the debt collector;

(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt col

lector in writing within the thirty-day period that the

debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt col-

lector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of

a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such

verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer

by the debt collector; and

(5) a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request

within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will

provide the consumer with the name and address of the

original creditor, if different from the current creditor.

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within

the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the

debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the con-

sumer requests the name and address of the original credi-

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tor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt,

or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector

obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment,

or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy

of such verification or judgment, or name and address of

the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt

collector. Collection activities and communications that

do not otherwise violate this title may continue during

the 30-day period referred to in subsection (a) unless the

consumer has notified the debt collector in writing that the

debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the con-

sumer requests the name and address of the original credi-

tor. Any collection activities and communication during the

30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with

the disclosure of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt or

request the name and address of the original creditor.

under this section may not be construed by any court as an

admission of liability by the consumer.

(d) A communication in the form of a formal pleading in a

civil action shall not be treated as an initial communication

for purposes of subsection (a).

(e) The sending or delivery of any form or notice which

does not relate to the collection of a debt and is expressly

required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, title V of

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, or any provision of Federal or

State law relating to notice of data security breach or priva-

cy, or any regulation prescribed under any such provision

of law, shall not be treated as an initial communication in

connection with debt collection for purposes of this sec-

tion.

§ 810. Multiple debts

If any consumer owes multiple debts and makes any single

payment to any debt collector with respect to such debts, such

debt collector may not apply such payment to any debt which

is disputed by the consumer and, where applicable, shall apply

such payment in accordance with the consumer’s directions.

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§ 811. Legal actions by debt collectors

(a) Any debt collector who brings any legal action on a debt

against any consumer shall—

(1) in the case of an action to enforce an interest in real

property securing the consumer’s obligation, bring

such action only in a judicial district or similar legal

entity in which such real property is located; or

(2) in the case of an action not described in paragraph (1),

bring such action only in the judicial district or similar

legal entity—
(A) in which such consumer signed the contract sued

upon; or

(B) in which such consumer resides at the commence-

ment of the action.

(b) Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize the

bringing of legal actions by debt collectors.

§ 812. Furnishing certain deceptive forms

(a) It is unlawful to design, compile, and furnish any form

knowing that such form would be used to create the false

belief in a consumer that a person other than the creditor

of such consumer is participating in the collection of or in

an attempt to collect a debt such consumer allegedly owes

such creditor, when in fact such person is not so participat-

ing.

(b) Any person who violates this section shall be liable to the

same extent and in the same manner as a debt collector is

liable under section 813 for failure to comply with a provi-

sion of this title.

§ 813. Civil liability

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, any debt col-

lector who fails to comply with any provision of this title

with respect to any person is liable to such person in an

amount equal to the sum of—

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(1) any actual damage sustained by such person as a result

of such failure;

(2) (A) in the case of any action by an individual, such

additional damages as the court may allow, but not

exceeding $1,000; or
(B) in the case of a class action,

(i) such amount for each named plaintiff as could

be recovered under subparagraph (A), and

(ii) such amount as the court may allow for all

other class members, without regard to a mini-

mum individual recovery, not to exceed the

lesser of $500,000 or 1 per centum of the net

worth of the debt collector; and

(3) in the case of any successful action to enforce the

foregoing liability, the costs of the action, together with

a reasonable attorney’s fee as determined by the court.

On a finding by the court that an action under this

section was brought in bad faith and for the purpose

of harassment, the court may award to the defendant

attorney’s fees reasonable in relation to the work ex-

pended and costs.

(b) In determining the amount of liability in any action un-

der subsection (a), the court shall consider, among other

relevant factors—

(1) in any individual action under subsection (a)(2)(A),

the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the

debt collector, the nature of such noncompliance, and

the extent to which such noncompliance was intention-

al; or

(2) in any class action under subsection (a)(2)(B), the

frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the

debt collector, the nature of such noncompliance, the

resources of the debt collector, the number of persons

adversely affected, and the extent to which the debt

collector’s noncompliance was intentional.

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brought under this title if the debt collector shows by a

preponderance of evidence that the violation was not inten-

tional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding

the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid

any such error.

(d) An action to enforce any liability created by this title may

be brought in any appropriate United States district court

without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any

other court of competent jurisdiction, within one year from

the date on which the violation occurs.

(e) No provision of this section imposing any liability shall

apply to any act done or omitted in good faith in conformi-

ty with any advisory opinion of the Commission, notwith-

standing that after such act or omission has occurred, such

opinion is amended, rescinded, or determined by judicial

or other authority to be invalid for any reason.

§ 814. Administrative enforcement

(a) Compliance with this title shall be enforced by the Com-

mission, except to the extent that enforcement of the

requirements imposed under this title is specifically com

mitted to another agency under subsection (b). For purpose

of the exercise by the Commission of its functions and

powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act, a viola-

tion of this title shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive act

or practice in violation of that Act. All of the functions and

powers of the Commission under the Federal Trade Com-

mission Act are available to the Commission to enforce

compliance by any person with this title, irrespective of

whether that person is engaged in commerce or meets any

other jurisdictional tests in the Federal Trade Commission

Act, including the power to enforce the provisions of this

title in the same manner as if the violation had been a vio-

lation of a Federal Trade Commission trade regulation rule.

(b) Compliance with any requirements imposed under this title

shall be enforced under—

15 USC 1692l

(1) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, in the

case of—
(A) national banks, by the Comptroller of the Currency;
(B) member banks of the Federal Reserve System

(other than national banks), by the Federal Reserve

Board; and

sured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corpora-

tion (other than members of the Federal Reserve

System), by the Board of Directors of the Federal

Deposit Insurance Corporation;

(2) section 5(d) of the Home Owners Loan Act of 1933,

section 407 of the National Housing Act, and sections

6(i) and 17 of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, by the

Federal Home Loan Bank Board (acting directing or

through the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Cor-

poration), in the case of any institution subject to any

of those provisions;

(3) the Federal Credit Union Act, by the Administrator of

the National Credit Union Administration with respect

to any Federal credit union;

(4) subtitle IV of Title 49, by the Interstate Commerce

Commission with respect to any common carrier sub-

ject to such subtitle;

(5) the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, by the Secretary of

Transportation with respect to any air carrier or any

foreign air carrier subject to that Act; and

(6) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (except as pro-

vided in section 406 of that Act), by the Secretary of

Agriculture with respect to any activities subject to that

Act.

to in subsection (b) of its powers under any Act referred

to in that subsection, a violation of any requirement im-

posed under this title shall be deemed to be a violation of

a requirement imposed under that Act. In addition to its

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powers under any provision of law specifically referred to

in subsection (b), each of the agencies referred to in that

subsection may exercise, for the purpose of enforcing com-

pliance with any requirement imposed under this title any

other authority conferred on it by law, except as provided

in subsection (d).

(d) Neither the Commission nor any other agency referred to

in subsection (b) may promulgate trade regulation rules or

other regulations with respect to the collection of debts by

debt collectors as defined in this title.

§ 815. Reports to Congress by the Commission

(a) Not later than one year after the effective date of this title

and at one-year intervals thereafter, the Commission shall

make reports to the Congress concerning the administra-

tion of its functions under this title, including such recom-

mendations as the Commission deems necessary or ap-

propriate. In addition, each report of the Commission shall

include its assessment of the extent to which compliance

with this title is being achieved and a summary of the en-

forcement actions taken by the Commission under section

814 of this title.

(b) In the exercise of its functions under this title, the Com-

mission may obtain upon request the views of any other

Federal agency which exercises enforcement functions

under section 814 of this title.

§ 816. Relation to State laws

This title does not annul, alter, or affect, or exempt any

person subject to the provisions of this title from comply-

ing with the laws of any State with respect to debt collection

practices, except to the extent that those laws are inconsistent

with any provision of this title, and then only to the extent of

the inconsistency. For purposes of this section, a State law is

not inconsistent with this title if the protection such law af-

fords any consumer is greater than the protection provided by

this title.

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§ 817. Exemption for State regulation

The Commission shall by regulation exempt from the

requirements of this title any class of debt collection practices

within any State if the Commission determines that under the

law of that State that class of debt collection practices is sub-

ject to requirements substantially similar to those imposed by

this title, and that there is adequate provision for enforcement.

§ 818. Exception for certain bad check enforcement programs

operated by private entities

(a) In General.—

(1) TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PRIVATE ENTITIES.—

Subject to paragraph (2), a private entity shall be

excluded from the definition of a debt collector, pursu

ant to the exception provided in section 803(6), with

respect to the operation by the entity of a program de-

scribed in paragraph (2)(A) under a contract described

in paragraph (2)(B).

(2) CONDITIONS OF APPLICABILITY.—Paragraph (1)

shall apply if—
(A) a State or district attorney establishes, within the

jurisdiction of such State or district attorney and

with respect to alleged bad check violations that do

not involve a check described in subsection (b), a

pretrial diversion program for alleged bad check

offenders who agree to participate voluntarily in

such program to avoid criminal prosecution;

(B) a private entity, that is subject to an administrative

support services contract with a State or district

attorney and operates under the direction, supervi-

sion, and control of such State or district attorney,

operates the pretrial diversion program described in

subparagraph (A); and

a State or district attorney under the contract, the

private entity referred to in subparagraph (B)—
(i) complies with the penal laws of the State;

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(ii) conforms with the terms of the contract and

directives of the State or district attorney;

(iii) does not exercise independent prosecutorial

discretion;

(iv) contacts any alleged offender referred to in

subparagraph (A) for purposes of participating

in a program referred to in such paragraph—

(I) only as a result of any determination by

the State or district attorney that probable

cause of a bad check violation under State

penal law exists, and that contact with the

alleged offender for purposes of participa-

tion in the program is appropriate; and

(II) the alleged offender has failed to pay the

bad check after demand for payment, pur-

suant to State law, is made for payment of

the check amount;

(v) includes as part of an initial written commu-

nication with an alleged offender a clear and

conspicuous statement that—

(I) the alleged offender may dispute the valid-

ity of any alleged bad check violation;

(II) where the alleged offender knows, or has

reasonable cause to believe, that the al-

leged bad check violation is the result of

theft or forgery of the check, identity theft,

or other fraud that is not the result of the

conduct of the alleged offender, the alleged

offender may file a crime report with the

appropriate law enforcement agency; and

(III) if the alleged offender notifies the private

entity or the district attorney in writing, not

later than 30 days after being contacted for

the first time pursuant to clause (iv), that

there is a dispute pursuant to this subsec-

tion, before further restitution efforts are

§818

15USC1692p

pursued, the district attorney or an em-

ployee of the district attorney authorized

to make such a determination makes a

determination that there is probable cause

to believe that a crime has been committed;

and

(vi) charges only fees in connection with services

under the contract that have been authorized by

the contract with the State or district attorney.

(b) Certain Checks Excluded.—A check is described in this

subsection if the check involves, or is subsequently found

to involve—

(1) a postdated check presented in connection with a pay-

day loan, or other similar transaction, where the payee

of the check knew that the issuer had insufficient funds

at the time the check was made, drawn, or delivered;

(2) a stop payment order where the issuer acted in good

faith and with reasonable cause in stopping payment on

the check;

(3) a check dishonored because of an adjustment to the

issuer’s account by the financial institution holding

such account without providing notice to the person at

the time the check was made, drawn, or delivered;

(4) a check for partial payment of a debt where the payee

had previously accepted partial payment for such debt;

(5) a check issued by a person who was not competent, or

was not of legal age, to enter into a legal contractual

obligation at the time the check was made, drawn, or

delivered; or

(6) a check issued to pay an obligation arising from a

transaction that was illegal in the jurisdiction of the

State or district attorney at the time the check was

made, drawn, or delivered.

definitions shall apply:

§818

15USC1692p

(1) STATE OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.—The term “State

or district attorney” means the chief elected or ap-

pointed prosecuting attorney in a district, county (as

defined in section 2 of title 1, United States Code), mu

nicipality, or comparable jurisdiction, including State

attorneys general who act as chief elected or appointed

prosecuting attorneys in a district, county (as so de-

fined), municipality or comparable jurisdiction, who

may be referred to by a variety of titles such as district

attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, commonwealth’s

attorneys, solicitors, county attorneys, and state’s at-

torneys, and who are responsible for the prosecution of

State crimes and violations of jurisdiction-specific local

ordinances.

(2) CHECK.—The term “check” has the same meaning

as in section 3(6) of the Check Clearing for the 21st

Century Act.

(3) BAD CHECK VIOLATION.—The term “bad check

violation” means a violation of the applicable State

criminal law relating to the writing of dishonored

checks.

§ 819. Effective date

This title takes effect upon the expiration of six months

after the date of its enactment, but section 809 shall apply only

with respect to debts for which the initial attempt to collect oc-

curs after such effective date.

15 USC 1692 note

egislaTive

isTory

House Report: No. 95-131 (Comm. on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs)

Senate Report: No. 95-382 (Comm. on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs)

Congressional Record, Vol. 123 (1977)

April 4, House considered and passed H.R. 5294.

Aug. 5, Senate considered and passed amended version of

H.R. 5294.

Sept. 8, House considered and passed Senate version.

Enactment:

Public Law 95-109 (Sept. 20, 1977)

Amendments: Public Law Nos.

99-361 (July 9, 1986)

104-208 (Sept. 30, 1996)

109-351 (Oct. 13, 2006)