Bill Text: NY S01277 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Relates to provisions concerning debt collection procedures.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-08 - REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION [S01277 Detail]
Download: New_York-2013-S01277-Introduced.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1277
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
(PREFILED)
January 9, 2013
___________
Introduced by Sen. PERKINS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to debt collection
procedures
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. Article 29-H of the general business law, as added by chap-
2 ter 753 of the laws of 1973, subdivision 9 of section 601 as amended and
3 subdivision 10 of section 601 and subdivision 3 of section 602 as added
4 by chapter 342 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
5 ARTICLE 29-H
6 DEBT COLLECTION PROCEDURES
7 Section 600. Definitions.
8 601. Prohibited CREDITOR practices.
9 602. [Violations and penalties] CREDITOR RESPONSIBILITIES.
10 603. [Severability] PROHIBITED DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES.
11 603-A. SELLING OR TRANSFERRING OF DEBTS.
12 603-B. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.
13 603-C. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.
14 603-D. SEVERABILITY.
15 S 600. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context or
16 subject matter otherwise requires: 1. "[Consumer claim] DEBT" OR
17 "CONSUMER DEBT" means any obligation OR ALLEGED OBLIGATION of a natural
18 person for the payment of money [or its equivalent which is or is
19 alleged to be in default and which arises] ARISING out of a CONSUMER
20 transaction wherein credit has been offered or extended to a natural
21 person, and the money, property [or], INSURANCE, service OR SERVICES
22 which [was] ARE the subject of the transaction [was] ARE primarily for
23 personal, family or household purposes, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH OBLIGATION
24 HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A JUDGMENT. The term includes an obligation of a
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02936-01-3
S. 1277 2
1 natural person who is a co-maker, endorser, guarantor or surety as well
2 as the natural person to whom such credit was originally extended.
3 2. "Debtor" means any natural person who owes or who is asserted to
4 owe a [consumer claim] CONSUMER DEBT.
5 3. "[Principal creditor] CREDITOR" means any person, firm, ASSOCI-
6 ATION, corporation, [or] organization [to whom] OR OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY
7 THAT OFFERS OR EXTENDS CREDIT, CREATING a consumer [claim is] DEBT owed,
8 due or asserted to be due or owed, [or any assignee for value of said
9 person, firm, corporation or organization] BUT SUCH TERM DOES NOT
10 INCLUDE ANY PERSON, ASSOCIATION, FIRM, CORPORATION, ORGANIZATION OR
11 OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY TO THE EXTENT THAT IT RECEIVES AN ASSIGNMENT OR
12 TRANSFER OF A DEBT IN DEFAULT SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACILITATING
13 COLLECTION OF SUCH DEBT FOR ANOTHER.
14 4. "COMMUNICATION" MEANS THE CONVEYING OF INFORMATION REGARDING A DEBT
15 DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO ANY PERSON THROUGH ANY MEDIUM.
16 5. "CONSUMER" MEANS ANY NATURAL PERSON OBLIGATED OR ALLEGEDLY OBLI-
17 GATED TO PAY ANY DEBT ARISING OUT OF A TRANSACTION IN WHICH THE MONEY,
18 PROPERTY, INSURANCE, OR SERVICES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE TRANS-
19 ACTION ARE PRIMARILY FOR PERSONAL, FAMILY, OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES, WHETH-
20 ER OR NOT SUCH OBLIGATION HAS BEEN REDUCED TO JUDGMENT.
21 6. "DEBT COLLECTOR" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL, ASSOCIATION, FIRM, CORPO-
22 RATION, ORGANIZATION OR OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY WHO, AS PART OF HIS OR HER
23 JOB, REGULARLY COLLECTS OR SEEKS TO COLLECT FROM A CONSUMER A DEBT OWED
24 OR DUE TO ANOTHER OR ALLEGED TO BE OWED OR DUE.
25 THE TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE:
26 (A) ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF A CREDITOR WHILE, IN THE NAME OF THE
27 CREDITOR, COLLECTING DEBTS FOR SUCH CREDITOR;
28 (B) ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE UNITED STATES, ANY STATE OR ANY
29 POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF ANY STATE TO THE EXTENT THAT COLLECTING OR
30 ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT ANY DEBT OWED IS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER
31 OFFICIAL DUTIES;
32 (C) ANY PERSON WHILE SERVING OR ATTEMPTING TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS ON
33 ANY OTHER PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
34 DEBT;
35 (D) ANY INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYED BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH, AT THE
36 REQUEST OF CONSUMERS, PERFORMS BONA FIDE CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING AND
37 ASSISTS CONSUMERS IN THE LIQUIDATION OF THEIR DEBTS BY RECEIVING
38 PAYMENTS FROM SUCH CONSUMERS AND DISTRIBUTING SUCH AMOUNTS TO CREDITORS;
39 (E) ANY PERSON WHILE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR FOR ANOTHER PERSON,
40 BOTH OF WHOM ARE RELATED BY COMMON OWNERSHIP OR AFFILIATED BY CORPORATE
41 CONTROL, IF THE PERSON ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR DOES SO ONLY FOR
42 PERSONS TO WHOM IT IS SO RELATED OR AFFILIATED AND IF THE PRINCIPAL
43 BUSINESS OF SUCH PERSON IS NOT THE COLLECTION OF DEBTS; OR
44 (F) ANY PERSON COLLECTING OR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT ANY DEBT OWED OR
45 DUE OR ASSERTED TO BE OWED OR DUE ANOTHER TO THE EXTENT SUCH ACTIVITY
46 (I) IS INCIDENTAL TO A BONA FIDE FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR A BONA FIDE
47 ESCROW ARRANGEMENT; (II) CONCERNS A DEBT WHICH WAS ORIGINATED BY SUCH
48 PERSON; (III) CONCERNS A DEBT WHICH WAS NOT IN DEFAULT AT THE TIME IT
49 WAS OBTAINED BY SUCH PERSON; OR (IV) CONCERNS A DEBT OBTAINED BY SUCH
50 PERSON'S SECURED PARTY IN A COMMERCIAL CREDIT TRANSACTION INVOLVING THE
51 CREDITOR.
52 7. "LOCATION INFORMATION" MEANS A CONSUMER'S PLACE OF ABODE AND HIS OR
53 HER TELEPHONE NUMBER AT SUCH PLACE, OR HIS OR HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.
54 8. "VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT" MEANS A COPY OF THE LAST BILL OR NOTICE
55 OF COLLECTION SENT FROM THE CREDITOR TO THE DEBTOR, ANY JUDGMENT LEVIED
56 IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUCH DEBT, AND, IF APPLICABLE, A COPY OF THE JUDG-
S. 1277 3
1 MENT RELEASE AND A COPY OF THE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION ADVISING THE DEBTOR
2 THAT HIS OR HER DEBT HAS BEEN SOLD OR TRANSFERRED.
3 S 601. Prohibited CREDITOR practices. No [principal] creditor, as
4 defined by this article, or his OR HER agent shall:
5 1. Simulate in any manner a law enforcement officer, or a represen-
6 tative of any governmental agency of the state of New York or any of its
7 political subdivisions; or
8 2. Knowingly collect, attempt to collect, or assert a right to any
9 collection fee, attorney's fee, court cost or expense unless such
10 [changes] CHARGES are justly due and legally chargeable against the
11 debtor; or
12 3. Disclose or threaten to disclose information affecting the debtor's
13 reputation for credit worthiness with knowledge or reason to know that
14 the information is false; or
15 4. Communicate or threaten to communicate the nature of a consumer
16 [claim] DEBT to the debtor's employer prior to obtaining final judgment
17 against the debtor. The provisions of this subdivision shall not
18 prohibit a [principal] creditor from communicating with the debtor's
19 employer to execute a wage assignment agreement if the debtor has
20 consented to such an agreement; or
21 5. Disclose or threaten to disclose information concerning the exist-
22 ence of a debt known to be disputed by the debtor without disclosing
23 that fact; or
24 6. Communicate with the debtor or any member of his OR HER family or
25 household AT ANY TIME OTHER THAN BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00 A.M. AND 9:00
26 P.M. LOCAL TIME OR with such frequency [or at such unusual hours] or in
27 such a manner as can reasonably be expected to abuse or harass the
28 debtor; or
29 7. Threaten any action which the [principal] creditor in the usual
30 course of his OR HER business does not in fact take; or
31 8. Claim, or attempt or threaten to enforce a right with knowledge or
32 reason to know that the right does not exist; or
33 9. Use a communication which simulates in any manner legal or judicial
34 process or which gives the appearance of being authorized, issued or
35 approved by a government, governmental agency, or attorney at law when
36 it is not; or
37 10. If such [principal] creditor or agent sends more than fifty infor-
38 mation subpoenas per month, fail to keep complete records concerning all
39 information subpoenas sent by such [principal] creditor or agent. Such
40 records shall be maintained for five years. Contemporaneous records
41 shall be kept that set forth with specificity the grounds for such
42 [principal] creditor or agent's reasonable belief, which must be certi-
43 fied and accompany each information subpoena pursuant to rule fifty-two
44 hundred twenty-four of the civil practice law and rules, that the party
45 receiving the subpoena has in its possession information about the
46 debtor that will assist the creditor in collecting his or her judgement.
47 In addition to any other penalty that [my] MAY be imposed, failure to
48 maintain records in accordance with this subdivision shall subject such
49 [principal] creditor or agent to a civil penalty of not more than fifty
50 dollars per subpoena, up to a maximum of five thousand dollars per
51 violation, in an action brought by the attorney general.
52 S 602. CREDITOR RESPONSIBILITIES. EVERY CREDITOR OR HIS OR HER AGENT
53 SHALL SEND A NOTICE TO THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF THE DEBTOR ADVISING THE
54 DEBTOR WHEN HIS OR HER DEBT IS BEING SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, PRIOR TO OR
55 CONTEMPORANEOUS WITH THE SALE OF THE DEBT. A COPY OF THIS NOTICE SHALL
56 BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PERSON, FIRM, ORGANIZATION OR ENTITY TO WHOM THE
S. 1277 4
1 CREDITOR OR HIS OR HER AGENT HAS AGREED TO SELL OR TRANSFER THE DEBT,
2 ALONG WITH A COPY OF ANY NOTICE IN REGARD TO THE DEBT PROVIDED TO THE
3 CREDITOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF
4 SECTION SIX HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE. A CREDITOR SHALL PROVIDE A
5 COPY OF SUCH NOTICE TO ANY DEBT COLLECTOR HIRED TO COLLECT SUCH DEBT.
6 S 603. PROHIBITED DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES. IT IS AN UNCONSCIONABLE
7 AND DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE FOR A DEBT COLLECTOR TO ATTEMPT TO COLLECT
8 A DEBT OWED, DUE, OR ASSERTED TO BE OWED OR DUE EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE
9 WITH THE FOLLOWING:
10 1. ACQUISITION OF LOCATION INFORMATION. ANY DEBT COLLECTOR COMMUNICAT-
11 ING WITH ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE CONSUMER FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING
12 LOCATION INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONSUMER IN ORDER TO COLLECT A DEBT
13 SHALL:
14 (A) IDENTIFY HIMSELF OR HERSELF, STATE THAT HE OR SHE IS CONFIRMING OR
15 CORRECTING LOCATION INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONSUMER, AND, ONLY IF
16 EXPRESSLY REQUESTED, IDENTIFY HIS OR HER EMPLOYER;
17 (B) NOT STATE OR IMPLY THAT SUCH CONSUMER OWES ANY DEBT;
18 (C) NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ANY SUCH PERSON MORE THAN ONCE, UNLESS
19 REQUESTED TO DO SO BY SUCH PERSON OR UNLESS THE DEBT COLLECTOR REASON-
20 ABLY BELIEVES THAT THE EARLIER RESPONSE OF SUCH PERSON IS ERRONEOUS OR
21 INCOMPLETE AND THAT SUCH PERSON NOW HAS CORRECT OR COMPLETE LOCATION
22 INFORMATION. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE DEBT COLLECTOR NEED
23 NOT COUNT AS A COMMUNICATION RETURNED UNOPENED MAIL OR A MESSAGE LEFT
24 WITH A PARTY OTHER THAN THE PERSON THE DEBT COLLECTOR IS ATTEMPTING TO
25 REACH IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE LOCATION INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONSUMER, AS
26 LONG AS THE MESSAGE IS LIMITED TO A TELEPHONE NUMBER, THE NAME OF THE
27 DEBT COLLECTOR AND A REQUEST THAT THE RECIPIENT TELEPHONE THE DEBT
28 COLLECTOR;
29 (D) NOT COMMUNICATE BY POST CARD;
30 (E) NOT USE ANY LANGUAGE OR SYMBOL ON ANY ENVELOPE OR IN THE CONTENTS
31 OF ANY COMMUNICATION EFFECTED BY THE MAILS OR TELEGRAM THAT INDICATES
32 THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR IS IN THE DEBT COLLECTION BUSINESS OR THAT THE
33 COMMUNICATION RELATES TO THE COLLECTION OF A DEBT, PROVIDED THAT A DEBT
34 COLLECTOR MAY USE HIS OR HER BUSINESS NAME OR THE NAME OF A DEPARTMENT
35 WITHIN HIS OR HER ORGANIZATION AS LONG AS ANY NAME USED DOES NOT CONNOTE
36 DEBT COLLECTION; AND
37 (F) IF THE DEBT COLLECTOR KNOWS THE CONSUMER IS REPRESENTED BY AN
38 ATTORNEY WITH REGARD TO THE SUBJECT DEBT AND IF THE DEBT COLLECTOR HAS
39 KNOWLEDGE OF THE ATTORNEY'S NAME AND ADDRESS OR CAN READILY ASCERTAIN
40 SUCH ATTORNEY'S NAME AND ADDRESS, NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ANY PERSON OTHER
41 THAN THAT ATTORNEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING LOCATION INFORMATION
42 ABOUT THE CONSUMER UNLESS THE ATTORNEY FAILS TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER'S
43 LOCATION WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME AFTER A REQUEST FOR THE
44 CONSUMER'S LOCATION FROM THE DEBT COLLECTOR AND:
45 (I) INFORMS THE DEBT COLLECTOR THAT HE OR SHE IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO
46 ACCEPT PROCESS FOR THE CONSUMER, OR
47 (II) FAILS TO RESPOND TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR'S INQUIRY ABOUT THE ATTOR-
48 NEY'S AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT PROCESS WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME
49 AFTER THE INQUIRY.
50 2. COMMUNICATION IN CONNECTION WITH DEBT COLLECTION. (A) WITHOUT THE
51 PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE CONSUMER GIVEN DIRECTLY TO THE DEBT COLLEC-
52 TOR AFTER THE INSTITUTION OF DEBT COLLECTION PROCEDURES, OR WITHOUT
53 PERMISSION OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, A DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL
54 NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONSUMER IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLECTION OF
55 ANY DEBT:
S. 1277 5
1 (I) ORALLY, AT ANY TIME OTHER THAN BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00 A.M. AND
2 9:00 P.M. LOCAL TIME OR ANY UNUSUAL PLACE KNOWN, OR WHICH SHOULD BE
3 KNOWN, TO BE INCONVENIENT TO THE CONSUMER;
4 (II) AT THE CONSUMER'S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. IF THE DEBT COLLECTOR HAS
5 RECEIVED CONSENT FROM THE CONSUMER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONSUMER AT
6 THE CONSUMER'S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, THE DEBT COLLECTOR MAY COMMUNICATE
7 WITH THE CONSUMER, UNLESS THE DEBT COLLECTOR KNOWS OR HAS REASON TO KNOW
8 THAT THE CONSUMER'S EMPLOYER OR SUPERVISOR PROHIBITS THE CONSUMER FROM
9 RECEIVING SUCH A COMMUNICATION, OR
10 (III) WITH EXCESSIVE FREQUENCY. IN THE ABSENCE OF KNOWLEDGE OF CIRCUM-
11 STANCES TO THE CONTRARY, A DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL ASSUME THAT MORE THAN
12 TWICE DURING A SEVEN-CALENDAR-DAY PERIOD IS EXCESSIVELY FREQUENT. IN
13 MAKING ITS CALCULATION, THE DEBT COLLECTOR NEED NOT INCLUDE ANY COMMUNI-
14 CATION BETWEEN A CONSUMER AND THE DEBT COLLECTOR WHICH IS IN RESPONSE TO
15 AN ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION FROM THE CONSUMER, OR RETURNED UNOPENED
16 MAIL, OR A MESSAGE LEFT WITH A PARTY OTHER THAN ONE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE
17 FOR THE DEBT AS LONG AS THE MESSAGE IS LIMITED TO A TELEPHONE NUMBER,
18 THE NAME OF THE DEBT COLLECTOR AND A REQUEST THAT ONE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE
19 FOR THE DEBT TELEPHONE THE DEBT COLLECTOR; OR ANY COMMUNICATION WHICH IS
20 REQUIRED BY LAW OR CHOSEN FROM AMONG ALTERNATIVES OF WHICH ONE IS
21 REQUIRED BY LAW.
22 (B) IN ORDER TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY SUBDIVISION
23 ONE OF THIS SECTION, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE CONSUMER
24 GIVEN DIRECTLY TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR AFTER THE INSTITUTION OF DEBT
25 COLLECTION PROCEDURES, OR WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE
26 CONSUMER'S ATTORNEY OR WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF A COURT OF
27 COMPETENT JURISDICTION, OR AS REASONABLY NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE A POST
28 JUDGMENT JUDICIAL REMEDY, A DEBT COLLECTOR MAY NOT COMMUNICATE, IN
29 CONNECTION WITH THE COLLECTION OF ANY DEBT, WITH ANY PERSON OTHER THAN
30 THE CONSUMER, HIS OR HER ATTORNEY, A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY IF OTHER-
31 WISE PERMITTED BY LAW, THE CREDITOR, THE ATTORNEY OF THE CREDITOR, OR
32 ATTORNEY OF THE DEBT COLLECTOR.
33 (C) AFTER INSTITUTION OF DEBT COLLECTION, A DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL NOT
34 COMMUNICATE WITH A CONSUMER WITH RESPECT TO A DEBT IF THE CONSUMER HAS
35 NOTIFIED THE DEBT COLLECTOR IN WRITING THAT THE CONSUMER REFUSES TO PAY
36 A DEBT OR WISHES THE DEBT COLLECTOR TO CEASE FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH
37 THE CONSUMER WITH RESPECT TO THAT DEBT, EXCEPT:
38 (I) TO ADVISE THE CONSUMER THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR'S FURTHER EFFORTS
39 ARE BEING TERMINATED;
40 (II) TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMER THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR MAY INVOKE SPECI-
41 FIED REMEDIES WHICH ARE ORDINARILY INVOKED BY SUCH DEBT COLLECTOR;
42 (III) WHERE APPLICABLE, TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMER THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR
43 INTENDS TO INVOKE A SPECIFIED REMEDY, OR
44 (IV) TO RESPOND TO EACH SUBSEQUENT COMMUNICATION FROM THE CONSUMER.
45 (D) FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SUBDIVISION THE TERM "CONSUMER" INCLUDES
46 THE CONSUMER'S PARENT (IF THE CONSUMER IS A MINOR), GUARDIAN, EXECUTOR,
47 ADMINISTRATOR, AND SPOUSE (UNLESS THE DEBT COLLECTOR KNOWS OR HAS REASON
48 TO KNOW THAT THE CONSUMER IS LEGALLY SEPARATED FROM OR NO LONGER LIVING
49 WITH HIS OR HER SPOUSE), OR AN INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED BY THE CONSUMER TO
50 MAKE PURCHASES AGAINST THE ACCOUNT WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THE
51 COLLECTION EFFORTS. A REQUEST THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR CEASE FURTHER
52 COMMUNICATION, PROVIDED FOR UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION, IF MADE BY THE
53 CONSUMER'S SPOUSE OR AN INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED BY THE CONSUMER TO MAKE
54 PURCHASES AGAINST THE ACCOUNT, ONLY AFFECTS THE DEBT COLLECTOR'S ABILITY
55 TO COMMUNICATE FURTHER WITH THE PERSON MAKING THE REQUEST.
S. 1277 6
1 3. HARASSMENT OR ABUSE. A DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL NOT HARASS, OPPRESS OR
2 ABUSE ANY PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLECTION OF A DEBT. WITHOUT
3 LIMITING THE GENERAL APPLICATION OF THE FOREGOING, THE FOLLOWING CONDUCT
4 IS PROHIBITED:
5 (A) THE USE OR THREAT OF VIOLENCE OR OTHER CRIMINAL MEANS TO HARM THE
6 PHYSICAL PERSON, REPUTATION, OR PROPERTY OF ANY PERSON;
7 (B) THE USE OF OBSCENE OR PROFANE LANGUAGE OR LANGUAGE THE NATURAL
8 CONSEQUENCE OF WHICH IS TO ABUSE THE RECIPIENT OF THE COMMUNICATION;
9 (C) THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALE OF ANY DEBT TO COERCE PAYMENT OF THE
10 DEBT;
11 (D) CAUSING A TELEPHONE TO RING OR ENGAGING ANY PERSON IN TELEPHONE
12 CONVERSATION REPEATEDLY OR CONTINUOUSLY WITH INTENT TO ANNOY, ABUSE, OR
13 HARASS ANY PERSON AT THE CALLED NUMBER;
14 (E) THE PUBLICATION OF A LIST OF CONSUMERS WHO ALLEGEDLY REFUSE TO PAY
15 DEBTS, EXCEPT TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE OF THE DEBT COLLECTOR'S EMPLOYER OR TO
16 A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY OR TO PERSONS MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF 15
17 USC 1681A(F) OR 15 USC 1681B(3); OR
18 (F) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE PLACE-
19 MENT OF TELEPHONE CALLS WITHOUT MEANINGFUL DISCLOSURE OF THE CALLER'S
20 IDENTITY.
21 4. FALSE OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATIONS. A DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL NOT
22 MAKE ANY FALSE, DECEPTIVE, OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATION OR MEANS IN
23 CONNECTION WITH THE COLLECTION OF ANY DEBT. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERAL
24 APPLICATION OF THE FOREGOING, THE FOLLOWING CONDUCT IS PROHIBITED:
25 (A) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR IS
26 VOUCHED FOR, BONDED BY, OR AFFILIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES OR ANY
27 STATE, INCLUDING THE USE OF ANY BADGE, UNIFORM OR FACSIMILE THEREOF;
28 (B) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OF:
29 (I) THE CHARACTER, AMOUNT, OR LEGAL STATUS OF ANY DEBT, OR
30 (II) ANY SERVICES RENDERED OR COMPENSATION WHICH MAY BE LAWFULLY
31 RECEIVED BY ANY DEBT COLLECTOR FOR THE COLLECTION OF A DEBT;
32 (C) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL IS AN
33 ATTORNEY OR ANY COMMUNICATION IS FROM AN ATTORNEY;
34 (D) THE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT NONPAYMENT OF ANY DEBT WILL
35 RESULT IN THE ARREST OR IMPRISONMENT OF ANY PERSON OR THE SEIZURE,
36 GARNISHMENT, ATTACHMENT, OR SALE OF ANY PROPERTY OR WAGES OF ANY PERSON
37 UNLESS SUCH ACTION IS LAWFUL AND THE DEBT COLLECTOR OR CREDITOR INTENDS
38 TO PURSUE SUCH ACTION;
39 (E) THE THREAT TO TAKE ANY ACTION THAT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN OR THAT
40 IS NOT INTENDED TO BE TAKEN;
41 (F) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT A SALE, REFERRAL, OR
42 OTHER TRANSFER OF ANY INTEREST IN A DEBT SHALL CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO:
43 (I) LOSE ANY CLAIM OR DEFENSE TO PAYMENT OF THE DEBT; OR
44 (II) BECOME SUBJECT TO ANY PRACTICE PROHIBITED BY THIS ARTICLE;
45 (G) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION MADE IN ORDER TO DISGRACE
46 THE CONSUMER THAT THE CONSUMER COMMITTED ANY CRIME OR OTHER CONDUCT;
47 (H) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN
48 TURNED OVER TO INNOCENT PURCHASERS FOR VALUE;
49 (I) COMMUNICATING OR THREATENING TO COMMUNICATE TO ANY PERSON CREDIT
50 INFORMATION WHICH IS KNOWN OR WHICH SHOULD BE KNOWN TO BE FALSE, INCLUD-
51 ING THE FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE A DISPUTED DEBT'S STATUS AS DISPUTED;
52 (J) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT DOCUMENTS ARE LEGAL
53 PROCESS;
54 (K) THE USE OF ANY FALSE REPRESENTATION OR DECEPTIVE MEANS TO COLLECT
55 OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT ANY DEBT OR TO OBTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING A
56 CONSUMER;
S. 1277 7
1 (L) THE USE OR DISTRIBUTION OF ANY WRITTEN COMMUNICATION WHICH SIMU-
2 LATES OR IS FALSELY REPRESENTED TO BE A DOCUMENT AUTHORIZED, ISSUED, OR
3 APPROVED BY ANY COURT, OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES, THE
4 STATE OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, OR WHICH CREATES A FALSE
5 IMPRESSION AS TO ITS SOURCE, AUTHORIZATION, OR APPROVAL;
6 (M) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT DOCUMENTS ARE NOT
7 LEGAL PROCESS FORMS AND DO NOT REQUIRE ACTION BY THE CONSUMER;
8 (N) THE FALSE REPRESENTATION OR IMPLICATION THAT A DEBT COLLECTOR
9 OPERATES OR IS EMPLOYED BY A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY AS DEFINED BY 15
10 USC 1681A(F);
11 (O) COMMUNICATING OR THREATENING TO COMMUNICATE TO ANY PERSON CREDIT
12 INFORMATION WHICH IS KNOWN OR WHICH SHOULD BE KNOWN TO BE FALSE, INCLUD-
13 ING THE FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE A DISPUTED DEBT'S STATUS AS DISPUTED;
14 (P) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED UNDER SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
15 AND EXCEPT FOR ANY COMMUNICATION WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW OR CHOSEN FROM
16 AMONG ALTERNATIVES OF WHICH ONE IS REQUIRED BY LAW, OR ANY FORMAL PLEAD-
17 ING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LEGAL ACTION, THE FAILURE TO DISCLOSE CLEARLY
18 IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS MADE TO COLLECT A DEBT OR TO OBTAIN INFORMATION
19 ABOUT A CONSUMER, THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A
20 DEBT AND THAT ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE; OR
21 (Q) THE USE OF ANY BUSINESS, COMPANY, OR ORGANIZATION NAME OTHER THAN
22 THE TRUE NAME OF THE DEBT COLLECTOR'S BUSINESS, COMPANY, OR ORGANIZA-
23 TION.
24 5. UNFAIR PRACTICES. A DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL NOT USE ANY UNFAIR OR
25 UNCONSCIONABLE MEANS TO COLLECT OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. WITHOUT
26 LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, SUCH PROHIBITED CONDUCT INCLUDES:
27 (A) THE COLLECTION OF ANY AMOUNT (INCLUDING ANY INTEREST, FEE, CHARGE,
28 OR EXPENSE INCIDENTAL TO THE PRINCIPAL OBLIGATION) UNLESS SUCH AMOUNT IS
29 EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED BY THE AGREEMENT CREATING THE DEBT;
30 (B) THE SOLICITATION OR USE BY A DEBT COLLECTOR OF ANY POSTDATED CHECK
31 OR OTHER POSTDATED PAYMENT INSTRUMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THREATENING OR
32 INSTITUTING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION;
33 (C) CAUSING CHARGES TO BE MADE TO ANY PERSON FOR COMMUNICATIONS BY
34 MISREPRESENTATION OF TRUE PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNICATION. SUCH CHARGES
35 INCLUDE COLLECT TELEPHONE CALLS, TELEGRAM AND WIRELESS TELEPHONE FEES;
36 (D) TAKING OR THREATENING TO TAKE ANY NONJUDICIAL ACTION TO EFFECT
37 DISPOSSESSION OR DISABLEMENT OF PROPERTY IF:
38 (I) THERE IS NO PRESENT RIGHT TO POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY CLAIMED AS
39 COLLATERAL;
40 (II) THERE IS NO PRESENT INTENTION TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY;
41 OR
42 (III) THE PROPERTY IS EXEMPT BY LAW FROM SUCH DISPOSSESSION OR DISA-
43 BLEMENT;
44 (E) COMMUNICATING WITH A CONSUMER REGARDING A DEBT BY POST CARD;
45 (F) USING ANY LANGUAGE OR SYMBOL, OTHER THAN THE DEBT COLLECTOR'S
46 ADDRESS, ON ANY ENVELOPE WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH A CONSUMER BY USE OF
47 THE MAILS OR BY TELEGRAM, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION COPIED TO A THIRD
48 PARTY EXCEPT THAT A DEBT COLLECTOR MAY USE HIS OR HER BUSINESS NAME OR
49 THE NAME OF A DEPARTMENT WITHIN HIS OR HER ORGANIZATION AS LONG AS ANY
50 NAME USED DOES NOT INDICATE THAT HE OR SHE IS IN THE BUSINESS OF DEBT
51 COLLECTION;
52 (G) COMMUNICATING WITH A CONSUMER REGARDING A DEBT WITHOUT IDENTIFYING
53 HIMSELF OR HERSELF AND HIS OR HER EMPLOYER OR COMMUNICATING IN WRITING
54 WITH A CONSUMER REGARDING A DEBT WITHOUT IDENTIFYING HIMSELF OR HERSELF
55 BY NAME AND ADDRESS; OR
S. 1277 8
1 (H) IF ANY CONSUMER OWES MULTIPLE DEBTS AND MAKES ANY SINGLE PAYMENT
2 TO ANY DEBT COLLECTOR WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEBTS, SUCH DEBT COLLECTOR
3 MAY NOT APPLY SUCH PAYMENT TO ANY DEBT WHICH IS DISPUTED BY THE CONSUMER
4 AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, SHALL APPLY SUCH PAYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
5 CONSUMER'S DIRECTIONS.
6 6. DECEPTIVE FORMS. IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO DESIGN, COMPILE
7 AND FURNISH ANY FORM KNOWING THAT SUCH FORM WOULD BE USED TO CREATE THE
8 FALSE BELIEF IN A CONSUMER THAT A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CREDITOR OF SUCH
9 CONSUMER IS PARTICIPATING IN THE COLLECTION OF OR IN AN ATTEMPT TO
10 COLLECT A DEBT SUCH CONSUMER ALLEGEDLY OWES SUCH CREDITOR, WHEN IN FACT
11 SUCH PERSON IS NOT SO PARTICIPATING.
12 7. VALIDATION OF DEBTS. THE FOLLOWING VALIDATION PROCEDURES SHALL BE
13 FOLLOWED BY DEBT COLLECTORS:
14 (A) WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL COMMUNICATION WITH A CONSUMER
15 IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLECTION OF ANY DEBT, A DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL,
16 UNLESS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THE INITIAL COMMUNI-
17 CATION OR THE CONSUMER HAS PAID THE DEBT, SEND THE CONSUMER A CLEAR
18 WRITTEN NOTICE TITLED "DEBTOR'S RIGHTS," WHICH SHALL CONTAIN:
19 (I) THE DELINEATED AMOUNTS OF THE ORIGINAL DEBT, ANY INTEREST AND
20 PENALTIES ACCRUED, AND THE TOTAL DEBT DUE AT THE TIME OF THE NOTICE,
21 (II) THE NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE CREDITOR TO WHOM
22 THE DEBT IS OWED, OR SUCH CREDITOR'S AGENT, AND THE NAME, ADDRESS AND
23 TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR, IF DIFFERENT FROM THE CURRENT
24 DEBT COLLECTOR,
25 (III) THE DATE THE DEBT WAS DEEMED IN DEFAULT,
26 (IV) A STATEMENT THAT UNLESS THE CONSUMER, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER
27 RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE, DISPUTES THE VALIDITY OF THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION
28 THEREOF, THE DEBT WILL BE ASSUMED VALID BY THE DEBT COLLECTOR, AND
29 (V) A STATEMENT THAT, IF THE CONSUMER NOTIFIES THE DEBT COLLECTOR IN
30 WRITING WITHIN THE THIRTY-DAY PERIOD AT THE ADDRESS DESIGNATED BY THE
31 DEBT COLLECTOR IN THE NOTICE, THAT THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF IS
32 DISPUTED, THE DEBT COLLECTOR WILL OBTAIN VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT
33 AGAINST THE CONSUMER AND A COPY OF SUCH VERIFICATION WILL BE MAILED TO
34 THE CONSUMER BY THE DEBT COLLECTOR.
35 (B) IF THE CONSUMER NOTIFIES THE DEBT COLLECTOR IN WRITING WITHIN THE
36 THIRTY DAY PERIOD DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION THAT
37 THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF IS DISPUTED, OR IF NOTICE OF SUCH
38 DISPUTE IS GIVEN TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE,
39 THE DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL NOT ATTEMPT TO COLLECT THE AMOUNT IN DISPUTE
40 UNTIL THE DEBT COLLECTOR OBTAINS AND MAILS TO THE CONSUMER VERIFICATION
41 OF THE DEBT. A DEBT COLLECTOR THAT RECEIVES SUCH WRITTEN NOTICE SHALL
42 PROVIDE A COPY THEREOF TO THE OWNER OF THE DEBT.
43 (C) THE DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL MAINTAIN FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE THE
44 DEBTOR'S RIGHTS NOTICE WAS MAILED, DOCUMENTATION OF THE DATE SUCH NOTICE
45 WAS MAILED, THE DATE THE RESPONSE, IF ANY, WAS RECEIVED AND ANY ACTION
46 TAKEN FOLLOWING SUCH RESPONSE.
47 (D) THE FAILURE OF A CONSUMER TO DISPUTE THE VALIDITY OF A DEBT UNDER
48 THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED BY ANY COURT AS AN ADMISSION OF
49 LIABILITY BY THE CONSUMER.
50 (E) THE SENDING OR DELIVERY OF ANY FORM OR NOTICE WHICH DOES NOT
51 RELATE TO DEBT COLLECTION AND IS EXPRESSLY REQUIRED BY THE INTERNAL
52 REVENUE CODE OF 1986, TITLE V OF THE GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT, OR ANY
53 PROVISION OF FEDERAL OR STATE LAW RELATING TO NOTICE OF DATA SECURITY
54 BREACH OR PRIVACY, OR ANY REGULATION PRESCRIBED UNDER ANY SUCH PROVISION
55 OF LAW, SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS AN INITIAL COMMUNICATION IN CONNECTION
56 WITH DEBT COLLECTION FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.
S. 1277 9
1 (F) IF THE CONSUMER NOTIFIES THE DEBT COLLECTOR IN WRITING AFTER THE
2 THIRTY-DAY PERIOD DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION THAT
3 THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF IS DISPUTED, THE DEBT COLLECTOR SHALL
4 OBTAIN VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT, AND MAIL SUCH VERIFICATION TO THE
5 CONSUMER. THE DEBT COLLECTOR MAY CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO COLLECT THE
6 AMOUNT IN DISPUTE.
7 S 603-A. SELLING OR TRANSFERRING OF DEBTS. EVERY DEBT PURCHASER OR HIS
8 OR HER AGENT SHALL SEND A NOTICE TO THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF THE DEBTOR
9 ADVISING THE DEBTOR WHEN THE DEBT PURCHASER SELLS OR TRANSFERS THE DEBT,
10 PRIOR TO OR CONTEMPORANEOUS WITH THE SALE OF THE DEBT. A COPY OF SUCH
11 NOTICE SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PERSON, FIRM, ORGANIZATION OR ENTITY
12 TO WHOM THE DEBT PURCHASER OR HIS OR HER AGENT HAS AGREED TO SELL OR
13 TRANSFER THE DEBT ALONG WITH A COPY OF ANY NOTICE IN REGARD TO THE DEBT
14 PROVIDED TO THE DEBT PURCHASER IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (B) OF
15 SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE. A DEBT
16 PURCHASER SHALL PROVIDE A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE TO ANY DEBT COLLECTOR
17 HIRED TO COLLECT SUCH DEBT.
18 S 603-B. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY RIGHT OF
19 ACTION GRANTED TO ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, ANY
20 PERSON WHO HAS BEEN INJURED BY REASON OF VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE MAY
21 BRING AN ACTION AGAINST ANY PERSON OR PERSONS, TO ENJOIN SUCH UNLAWFUL
22 ACT, AND TO RECOVER AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO (1) ANY ACTUAL DAMAGE SUSTAINED
23 BY SUCH PERSON AS A RESULT OF SUCH FAILURE, AND (2) SUCH ADDITIONAL
24 DAMAGES AS THE COURT MAY ALLOW BUT NOT EXCEEDING TWO THOUSAND FIVE
25 HUNDRED DOLLARS, AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES.
26 (B) INTENT. A DEBT COLLECTOR MAY NOT BE HELD LIABLE IN ANY ACTION
27 BROUGHT UNDER THIS ARTICLE, ABSENT ACTUAL DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER, IF THE
28 DEBT COLLECTOR SHOWS BY A PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE THAT THE VIOLATION
29 WAS NOT INTENTIONAL AND RESULTED FROM A BONA FIDE ERROR NOTWITHSTANDING
30 THE MAINTENANCE OF PROCEDURES REASONABLY ADAPTED TO AVOID ANY SUCH
31 ERROR.
32 (C) LIMITATIONS. AN ACTION TO ENFORCE ANY LIABILITY CREATED BY THIS
33 ARTICLE MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY OTHER COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION,
34 WITHIN TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THE VIOLATION OCCURS.
35 S [602] 603-C. Violations and penalties. 1. Except as otherwise
36 provided by law, any person who [shall violate] VIOLATES the terms of
37 this article [shall be] IS guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such
38 violation shall be deemed a separate offense.
39 2. The attorney general or the district attorney of any county may
40 bring an action in the name of the people of the state to restrain or
41 prevent any violation of this article or any continuance of any such
42 violation.
43 3. Any aggrieved person or entity served with more than fifty informa-
44 tion subpoenas per month by a [principal] creditor or his or her agent
45 shall also have a cause of action to challenge compliance with subdivi-
46 sion ten of section six hundred one of this article and/or the certif-
47 ication requirements of rule fifty-two hundred twenty-four of the civil
48 practice law and rules. In such action, a successful plaintiff shall be
49 awarded ten dollars for each information subpoena served upon such
50 plaintiff where it is shown that the required certification for such
51 information subpoena was not made pursuant to rule fifty-two hundred
52 twenty-four of the civil practice law and rules, that the required
53 record for such information subpoena was not maintained pursuant to
54 subdivision ten of section six hundred one of this article, or that the
55 specific grounds for the certification required to accompany such infor-
56 mation subpoena pursuant to rule fifty-two hundred twenty-four of the
S. 1277 10
1 civil practice law and rules were not reasonable. A successful plaintiff
2 may also be awarded court costs and attorney fees.
3 S [603] 603-D. Severability. If any provision of this article or the
4 application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid the
5 invalidity thereof shall not affect other provisions or applications of
6 the article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
7 application, and to this [and] END the provisions of this article are
8 severable.
9 S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
10 ing the date on which it shall have become a law, provided, however,
11 that section 602, subdivision 7 of section 603 and section 603-a of the
12 general business law, as added by this act, shall apply only to debts
13 incurred on or after the effective date of such sections.
