A recent decision out of the Eastern District of Wisconsin provides an important reminder to loan servicers that a statement in a debt collection letter could be considered misleading under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., even if the letter is “literally correct.”
The case is Reitz v.
The plaintiff incurred a debt to a medical provider who placed the debt with a debt collector. The collection letter from the debt collector included a request for repayment of principal and interest. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging that the debt collector violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) because it was not
On August 13, 2020, the Oregon Bankers Association (“OBA”) and three Oregon-chartered banks filed a Complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the State of Oregon, Oregon’s Attorney General, and the Director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. The Complaint alleges that House Bill 4204 (“HB 4204” or “the Bill”) is unconstitutional
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provided temporary guidance to lenders due to COVID-19 on various topics related to servicing mortgage loans. On June 30, Fannie Mae updated its COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions – Servicing on the topics related to retention workout options, reporting and operational processes, and incentive fees, amongst other topics.
Foreclosure Suspension Extended
Does a judicial foreclosure action constitute “debt collection activity” under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”)? The answer depends on whether the creditor attempts to recover the unpaid mortgage balance or just the property, according to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Barnes v. Routh Crabtree Olson, P.C.
Due
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) held its public workshop on the proposed changes to the Safeguards Rule under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLBA”). The FTC has not updated the Safeguards Rule since implementing it in 2003. With substantial developments in the way businesses increasingly depend and operate using non-public personal information through electronic means
On July 28, 2020, Troutman Pepper attorneys, Maryia Jones (Virginia Beach office) and Stephen J. Steinlight (New York – East Side office) will serve again on the faculty for their webinar series by Lorman Educational Services entitled, “Collection Disputes: A Good Defense Is the Best Offense.”
The credit and collection industry remain under
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is holding its public workshop today on the proposed changes to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999’s Safeguards Rule (“Safeguards Rule”). For background, the Safeguards Rule requires financial institutions, and potentially affiliates and/or service providers, to keep customer information secure. The FTC has stated it seeks to modify the Safeguards Rule
On June 23, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interim final rule (“IFR”) intended to make it easier for consumers to transition out of COVID-19-related financial hardship and easier for mortgage services to assist those consumers. The IFR will become effective on July 1, 2020.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to review an appellate court ruling that two mortgage companies defrauded a federal mortgage insurance program, leaving them owing nearly $300 million in damages to the United States government.
In August 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in United