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."
District of Columbia 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: Subject: Notice of False or Misleading Misrepresentations in Collection Activities — False Affiliation with the United States Dear [Debt Collector's Name], I am writing to bring to your attention certain false or misleading representations in your debt collection activities, specifically, your false representation or implication that your company is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States. This letter serves as a formal notice and demand to immediately cease and correct these deceptive practices, as they are in clear violation of the law under the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FD CPA) and the corresponding District of Columbia laws, debt collectors are required to provide accurate and truthful information to consumers in their collection efforts. Misrepresenting any affiliation with the United States government is an explicit violation of these statutes, and the consequences can be severe. The false representation or implication that your company possesses a special endorsement or association with the United States creates a false sense of authority, credibility, and urgency for the debtor. This misleading tactic is designed to exploit the consumer's trust and intimidate them into taking actions that they might otherwise not take, such as making prompt payment arrangements or disclosing personal and financial information. As a responsible consumer, I am fully aware of my rights under the FD CPA and the District of Columbia laws. It is essential that debt collectors like yourself respect these rights and conduct business in a fair, legal, and ethical manner. While I believe that this false representation may have been unintentional, it is crucial for your organization to rectify the situation immediately. Failure to comply with this formal notice by [specified date×, usually 15 days from the date of the letter] will leave me no choice but to pursue legal remedies available to me under the FD CPA and District of Columbia law. These remedies may include filing a formal complaint with the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, reporting your activities to relevant consumer protection agencies, and seeking damages for any harm caused by your misleading actions. I trust that you will take this matter seriously, promptly investigate the claims made, and take immediate corrective actions to rectify the false or misleading representations. Please provide me with written confirmation within the specified time that you have ceased these deceptive practices and will refrain from engaging in such behavior in the future. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I hope that this letter serves as a wake-up call to ensure your company maintains ethical standards when dealing with consumers. Together, we can promote fair and transparent debt collection practices that uphold the rights of all parties involved. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] Keywords: District of Columbia, letter, informing, debt collector, false or misleading misrepresentations, collection activities, false representation, implication, vouched for, bonded by, affiliated with, United States
