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Posts published in “Debt Collection”

11th Cir. Holds ‘Actual Damages’ Not Required for ‘Willful’ Violations of FCRA

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently held that a trial court's denial of a motion for class certification was an abuse of discretion because the trial court’s analysis of Rule 23(b)(3)’s predominance requirement was based on its erroneous interpretation of the second option in section 1681n(a)(1)(A) of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act as requiring a showing of actual damages.

7th Cir. Rules Dispute Sent Through Wrong Channel Gave Rise to Valid FDCPA ‘Bona Fide’ Error Defense

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently affirmed a trial court’s summary judgment ruling in favor of a debt collector asserting a bona fide error defense to an action under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Illinois App. Court (2d Dist) Upholds Dismissal of FDCPA Claims as Demand Letter Indicated Debt Was Commercial

The Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, recently affirmed the dismissal of a claim for supposed violations of the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act where the consumer plaintiff failed to allege facts that the money sought to be collected was a “debt” as defined by section 1692a(5) of the FDCPA, and the demand letter from the defendant law firm indicated that the debt was commercial in nature.

NJ Appellate Division Holds Debt Purchaser Not Liable Under NJ Consumer Fraud Act for Failing to Obtain State License

A recent decision from the New Jersey Appellate Division comes as welcome relief for purchasers of defaulted debt. The decision, Woo-Padva v. Midland Funding LLC, concerns the New Jersey Consumer Finance Licensing Act (CFLA), and whether a debt buyer who failed to have such a license could be liable under the state’s consumer protection law.

Calif. App. Court (4th Dist) Reverses Dismissal, Holds Rosenthal Act Covers Debts ‘Alleged to be Due and Owing’

The Court of Appeal of California (Fourth District) recently reversed a trial court’s dismissal of a putative class action alleging a solar energy system provider violated the Rosenthal Act, California’s parallel version of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

7th Cir. Holds Hiring Attorney, Paying Appearance Fee, Emotional Distress Not Enough for Article III Standing

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently affirmed the dismissal of a debtor’s federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act lawsuit for lack of Article III standing. In so ruling, the Seventh Circuit held that the debtor’s hiring an attorney and paying an appearance fee, as well as alleged confusion, lost sleep, and emotional distress, were not sufficient to meet the requirements of standing.

1st Cir. Rejects Debt Collector’s Appeal from Order Denying Motion to Compel Arbitration

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently dismissed an appeal in a putative class action removed from Massachusetts state court to federal trial court concerning a motion to compel arbitration, holding that the order was not a final decision and was not within an exception that would permit interlocutory review.