The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that Fannie Mae is not a “consumer reporting agency” under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”). Accordingly, Fannie Mae was not liable to borrowers for alleged...more
In Ditech Financial LLC v. Corbett, 2018 WL 6006682, at *1, —N.Y.S.3d —- (2d Dept. Nov. 16, 2018), the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, held that a notice of default sent to the borrowers-defendants, which discussed a...more
New York’s Appellate Division, Second Department, ruled short sale documents do not constitute an unqualified acknowledgment of the debt or manifest a promise to repay the debt sufficient to reset the statute of limitations...more
Mortgagees and their servicers should take note that a New York appellate court has confirmed that a default letter, stating the mortgage debt “will be accelerated” if the default is not cured, does not clearly and...more
Mortgage servicers and other financial institutions have been battling the issue of what affirmative act “clearly and unequivocally” accelerates a mortgage debt for years. Currently, there is a split in authority between the...more
The Second Circuit held that a debt collector’s follow-up questions regarding the nature of a consumer’s verbal dispute of a debt in an attempt to resolve the issue did not rise to the level of a misleading or abusive...more
On June 21, 2018, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“Southern District”) held that Title X of the Dodd Frank Act, which established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) as an...more
In a win for the collection industry, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed an “interest disclaimer” is only necessary on collection notices if the debt is accruing interest. While this much-needed clarification may...more
In a significant ruling for businesses, technological progress, and the economy at large, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously granted in part, and denied in part, various petitions for review of the Federal...more
In Ceban v. Capital Management Services, L.P., Case No. 17-cv-4554 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 17, 2018), the District Court held that the statement “[t]his settlement may have tax consequences” in a debt collection letter does not...more
Action Item: The Eleventh Circuit held that a first voicemail from a debt collector constitutes a “communication” based on a plain reading of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). In addition, in a case of first...more
Action Item: On remand from the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that a consumer’s allegations that the operator of a website reported inaccurate information about him...more
On July 10, 2017, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued a final rule (“Arbitration Rule”) prohibiting banks, debt servicers, credit card companies, and a wide range of other businesses from using...more
In Reyes v. Lincoln Automotive Financial Services, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently held that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) does not permit a consumer to unilaterally revoke...more
Action Item: Banks and other consumer finance firms that purchase delinquent debt and then collect on their own behalf are not “debt collectors” under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. However, this limitation still...more
Action Item: The U.S. Supreme Court holds that filing a proof of claim on a time-barred debt is not a false or deceptive collection practice within the meaning of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
In a 5-3 decision...more
Action Item: New York’s Appellate Division, Second Department, affirms that dismissal under Civil Practice Law and Rules (“CPLR”) 3215(c) does not constitute neglect to prosecute and therefore a plaintiff may avail itself of...more
Action Item: The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirms that activities incident to the non-judicial foreclosure of a deed of trust under California state law is not “debt collection” within the scope of...more
Action Item: Financial institutions currently subject to CFPB enforcement proceedings should be aware of the D.C. Circuit’s decision ruling that the CFPB cannot (i) circumvent applicable statutes of limitation in the context...more
Action Item: The Ninth Circuit reversed the Arizona District Court’s summary judgment in favor of a defendant debt collector in an action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. In a case of first impression, the Ninth...more
Action Item: The United States Supreme Court declined to review a Second Circuit ruling that non-national bank assignees of debt are not entitled to preemption of state usury laws under the National Bank Act. The Supreme...more
Action Item: In light of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Davidson, the definition of “debt collector,” for purposes of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”), is strictly limited to the...more
Action Item: In light of this decision, debt collectors should avoid the use of account numbers and/or QR codes on envelopes or within the viewing area of clear plastic envelope windows. Revealing such information on...more
Action Item: Lenders and servicers should continue to maintain policies and procedures that minimize third-party communications and ensure maintenance of sufficient records documenting the frequency and purpose of those...more
In Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., decided on June 25, 2015, the United States Supreme Court held that disparate impact claims are cognizable under the Fair Housing Act....more
6/29/2015