Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F), 5766-5862 [2020-28422]

Download as PDF 5766 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION 12 CFR Part 1006 [Docket No. CFPB–2019–0022] RIN 3170–AA41 Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F) Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ACTION: Final rule; official interpretation. AGENCY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is issuing this final rule to revise Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The final rule governs certain activities by debt collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA. Among other things, the final rule clarifies the information that a debt collector must provide to a consumer at the outset of debt collection communications, prohibits debt collectors from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt, and requires debt collectors to take certain actions before furnishing information about a consumer’s debt to a consumer reporting agency. DATES: This rule is effective on November 30, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Singerman, Counsel, or Dania Ayoubi, Joseph Baressi, Seth Caffrey, Brandy Hood, David Jacobs, Courtney Jean, Adam Mayle, Kristin McPartland, Michael Silver, Senior Counsels, Office of Regulations, at 202–435–7700. If you require this document in an alternative electronic format, please contact CFPB_ Accessibility@cfpb.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 SUMMARY: I. Summary of the Final Rule The Bureau is finalizing amendments to Regulation F, 12 CFR part 1006, which implements the FDCPA.1 The amendments prescribe Federal rules governing the activities of debt collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA (debt collectors or FDCPA debt collectors). The final rule clarifies the information that a debt collector must provide to a consumer at the outset of debt collection communications and provides a model validation notice containing such information. The final rule also addresses consumer protection concerns related to passive collections (i.e., the practice of furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency before communicating with the consumer about the debt) and the collection of debt that is beyond the statute of limitations (i.e., time-barred debt). On November 30, 2020, the Bureau published a final rule in the Federal Register that focused on debt collection communications and related practices by debt collectors (November 2020 Final Rule). The November 2020 Final Rule reserved certain sections of Regulation F in anticipation of this final rule. As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, in 1977, Congress passed the FDCPA to eliminate abusive debt collection practices by debt collectors, to ensure that those debt collectors who refrain from using abusive debt collection practices are not competitively disadvantaged, and to promote consistent State action to protect consumers against debt collection abuses.2 The statute was a response to ‘‘abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by many debt collectors.’’ 3 According to Congress, these practices ‘‘contribute to the number of personal bankruptcies, to marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of individual privacy.’’ 4 The FDCPA established specific consumer protections, enabling consumers to establish controls on when and how debt collectors contact them, establishing privacy protections surrounding the collection of debts, and protecting consumers from certain collection practices. The FDCPA also established broad consumer protections, prohibiting harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair practices. In the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), Congress provided the Bureau with authority under the FDCPA to prescribe substantive rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau issues this final rule, like the November 2020 Final Rule, to implement and interpret the FDCPA. A. Coverage and Organization of the Final Rule The final rule is based primarily on the Bureau’s authority to issue rules to implement the FDCPA and, consequently, covers debt collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA. As revised in the November 2020 Final Rule, Regulation F contains four subparts. Subpart A contains generally 2 15 3 15 1 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 U.S.C. 1692(e). U.S.C. 1692(a). PO 00000 Frm 00002 B. Scope of the Final Rule FDCPA section 809(a) requires that a debt collector send a written notice containing certain information about the debt and actions the consumer may take in response (the validation notice) to a consumer within five days of the initial communication, unless such validation information was provided in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt.5 The final rule clarifies the information about the debt and the consumer’s rights with respect to the debt that a debt collector must provide to a consumer at the outset of debt collection communications, including (if applicable) on a validation notice. The final rule also requires a debt collector to provide prompts that a consumer can use to dispute the debt, request information about the original creditor, or take certain other actions. The final rule provides a safe harbor for compliance with these disclosure requirements for debt collectors who use the model validation notice or certain variations of the notice. The final rule also prohibits a debt collector from suing or threatening to sue a consumer to collect time-barred debt. In addition, the final rule prohibits a debt collector from furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency before engaging in specific outreach to the consumer about the debt. The final rule also addresses certain other disclosure-focused provisions, such as clarifying how a debt collector may respond to a consumer’s request for original-creditor information if the original creditor is the same as the current creditor. Additionally, the final rule interprets the definition of consumer under the FDCPA to include deceased natural persons and, relatedly, provides that, if a debt collector knows or should know that the a consumer is deceased, and the debt collector has not previously provided the validation information to the deceased consumer, the debt collector must provide that information to a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate. 5 15 4 Id. Jkt 253001 applicable provisions, such as definitions that apply throughout the regulation. Subpart B contains rules for FDCPA debt collectors. Subpart C is reserved for any future debt collection rulemakings. Subpart D contains certain miscellaneous provisions. This final rule adds additional provisions in subparts A, B, and D. Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM U.S.C. 1692g(a). 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations II. Background khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 A. Debt Collection Market Background A consumer debt is commonly understood to be a consumer’s obligation to pay money to another person or entity. Sometimes a debt arises out of a closed-end loan. Other times, a debt arises from a consumer’s use of an open-end line of credit, commonly a credit card. And in other cases, a debt arises from a consumer’s purchase of goods or services with payment due thereafter. Often there is an agreed-upon payment schedule or date by which the consumer must repay the debt. For a variety of reasons, consumers sometimes are unable or unwilling to make payments when they are due. Collection efforts may directly recover some or all of the overdue amounts owed to debt owners and thereby may indirectly help to keep consumer credit available and more affordable to consumers.6 Collection activities also can lead to repayment plans or debt restructuring that may provide consumers with additional time to make payments or resolve their debts on more manageable terms.7 The November 2020 Final Rule provides an extensive overview of the debt collection market (including the roles of creditors, third-party debt collectors, debt buyers, and a variety of service providers in the market), methods of debt collection, and consumer protection concerns in debt collection.8 Below the Bureau summarizes information regarding debt collection methods and consumer protection concerns specifically related to the topics addressed in this final rule. B. Debt Collection Methods If a consumer’s payment obligations remain unmet, a creditor may send the account to a third-party debt collector to recover on the debt in the third-party debt collector’s name. A creditor typically stops communicating with a consumer once responsibility for an account has moved to a third-party debt collector. Active debt collection efforts typically begin with the debt collector attempting to locate the consumer, usually by identifying a valid telephone number or mailing address, so that the debt collector can establish contact with the consumer. Once a debt collector has 6 See Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2013, at 9 (Mar. 20, 2013), https:// www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/researchreports/annual-report-on-the-fair-debt-collectionpractices-act/ (2013 FDCPA Annual Report). 7 See id. 8 See 85 FR 76734, 76735–37 (Nov. 30, 2020). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 obtained contact information for a consumer, the debt collector typically will seek to communicate with the consumer to obtain payment on some or all of the debt. As already noted, FDCPA section 809(a) generally requires a debt collector to provide certain information to a consumer either at the time that, or shortly after, the debt collector first communicates with the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt. The required information includes: (1) Certain details about the debt, such as the amount of the debt and the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed; and (2) a description of consumer protections, such as the consumer’s rights to dispute the debt and to request information about the original creditor. A debt collector may send a validation notice containing the required information as the initial communication to the consumer or send the required information in a validation notice within five days after the initial communication. Currently, validation notices include little or no information about the debt beyond the information specifically listed in FDCPA section 809(a). This information may not be sufficient for the consumer to recognize the debt, particularly if, for example, the amount owed has changed over time due to interest, fees, payment, or credits, or if the debt collector has changed since an original collection attempt. A debt collector may tailor the collection strategy depending on a variety of factors, including the size and age of the debt and the debt collector’s assessment of the likelihood of obtaining money from the consumer. For example, rather than engage in active debt collection efforts by affirmatively locating and contacting consumers, some debt collectors collecting relatively small debts—such as many medical, utility, and telecommunications debts—report the debts to consumer reporting agencies and then wait for consumers to contact them after discovering the debts on their consumer reports.9 As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, a debt owner may also try to recover on a debt through litigation.10 And debt collectors sometimes attempt to collect debt for which the applicable statute of limitations has expired. The length of the limitations period for debt collection claims usually varies by State 9 Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Consumer Credit Reports: A Study of Medical and Non-Medical Collections, at 35–36 (Dec. 2014), https:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201412_cfpb_reports_ consumer-credit-medical-and-non-medicalcollections.pdf (CFPB Medical Debt Report). 10 See 85 FR 76735, 76736 (Nov. 30, 2020). PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5767 and debt type; most limitations periods are between three and six years, although some are as long as 15 years. Currently, in most States, expiration of the statute of limitations, if raised by the consumer as an affirmative defense, precludes the debt collector from recovering on the debt through litigation, but it does not extinguish the debt itself. If the debt is not extinguished, a debt collector may use non-litigation means, such as letters and telephone calls, to collect a time-barred debt, as long as those means do not violate the FDCPA or other laws.11 C. Consumer Protection Concerns As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, each year consumers submit tens of thousands of complaints about debt collection to Federal regulators.12 A significant proportion of those complaints involve debts that consumers believe they do not owe, which may be because the debt is being collected in error or because the consumer does not recognize the debt. Consumers also file thousands of private actions each year against debt collectors who allegedly have violated the FDCPA, including many cases alleging violations related to the validation notice. Since the Bureau began operations in 2011, it has brought numerous debt collection 11 See 85 FR 12672, 12672–73 (Mar. 3, 2020). e.g., Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2020, at 13 (Mar. 2020), https:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_ fdcpa_annual-report-congress_03-2020.pdf (2020 FDCPA Annual Report); Fed. Trade Comm’n, 2019 Consumer Sentinel Network Databook, at 7 (Jan. 2020), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/ reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2019/ consumer_sentinel_network_data_book_2019.pdf; Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2019, at 15–16 (Mar. 2019), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/ documents/cfpb_fdcpa_annual-report-congress_032019.pdf (2019 FDCPA Annual Report); Fed. Trade Comm’n, 2018 Consumer Sentinel Network Databook, at 4, 7 (Feb. 2019), https://www.ftc.gov/ system/files/documents/reports/consumer-sentinelnetwork-data-book-2018/consumer_sentinel_ network_data_book_2018_0.pdf; Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2018, at 14–15 (Mar. 2018), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/ documents/cfpb_fdcpa_annual-report-congress_032018.pdf (2018 FDCPA Annual Report); Fed. Trade Comm’n, 2017 Consumer Sentinel Network Databook, at 3, 6 (Mar. 2018), https://www.ftc.gov/ system/files/documents/reports/consumer-sentinelnetwork-data-book-2017/consumer_sentinel_data_ book_2017.pdf; Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., 2017 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2017, at 15–16 (Mar. 2017), https:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201703_ cfpb_Fair-Debt-Collection-Practices-Act-AnnualReport.pdf (2017 FDCPA Annual Report); Fed. Trade Comm’n, Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book for January–December 2016, at 3, 6 (Mar. 2017), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/ reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-bookjanuary-december-2016/csn_cy-2016_data_ book.pdf. 12 See, E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5768 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations cases against third-party debt collectors, alleging both FDCPA violations and unfair, deceptive, or abusive debt collection acts or practices in violation of the Dodd-Frank Act.13 In many of these cases, the Bureau has obtained civil penalties, monetary compensation for consumers, and other relief. In its supervisory work, the Bureau similarly has identified many FDCPA violations during examinations of debt collectors. Over the past decade, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and State regulators also have brought numerous additional actions against debt collectors for violating Federal and State debt collection and consumer protection laws. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 D. FDCPA and Dodd-Frank Act Protections for Consumers Federal and State governments historically have sought to protect consumers from harmful debt collection practices. From 1938 to 1977, the Federal government primarily protected consumers through FTC enforcement actions against debt collectors who engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of section 5 of the FTC Act.14 When Congress enacted the FDCPA in 1977, it found that ‘‘[e]xisting laws and procedures for redressing . . . injuries [were] inadequate to protect consumers.’’ 15 Congress found that ‘‘[t]here [was] abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by many debt collectors’’ and that these practices ‘‘contribute to the number of personal bankruptcies, to marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of individual privacy.’’ 16 The FDCPA was enacted, in part, ‘‘to eliminate abusive debt collection practices by debt collectors, [and] to insure that those debt collectors who 13 See, e.g., Stipulated Final Judgment and Consent Order, Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. Encore Capital Grp., Inc., 3:20–cv–01750 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 15, 2020), https://www.courtlistener.com/ recap/gov.uscourts.casd.686719/ gov.uscourts.casd.686719.5.1.pdf; Consent Order, In re Asset Recovery Assocs., 2019–BCFP–0009 (Aug. 28, 2019), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ documents/7938/cfpb_asset-recovery-associates_ consent-order_2019-08.pdf; Consent Order, In re Encore Capital Grp., Inc., 2015–CFPB–0022 (Sept. 9, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/ 201509_cfpb_consent-order-encore-capitalgroup.pdf; Consent Order, In re Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 2015–CFPB–0023 (Sept. 9, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201509_cfpb_ consent-order-portfolio-recovery-associates-llc.pdf; Complaint, Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. Nat’l Corrective Grp., Inc., 1:15–cv–00899–RDB (D. Md. Mar. 30, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/ 201503_cfpb_complaint-national-correctivegroup.pdf. 14 15 U.S.C. 45. 15 15 U.S.C. 1692(b). 16 15 U.S.C. 1692(a). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 refrain from using abusive debt collection practices are not competitively disadvantaged.’’ 17 Among other things, the FDCPA: (1) Prohibits debt collectors from engaging in harassment or abuse, making false or misleading representations, and engaging in unfair practices in debt collection; (2) restricts debt collectors’ communications with consumers and others; and (3) requires debt collectors to provide consumers with disclosures concerning the debts they owe or allegedly owe. The FDCPA, in general, applies to debt collectors as that term is defined under the statute. As discussed further in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.2(i) of the November 2020 Final Rule, the FDCPA generally provides that a debt collector is any person: (1) Who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails in any business the principal purpose of which is the collection of any debts (i.e., the ‘‘principal purpose’’ prong), or (2) who regularly collects, or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be owed or due to another (i.e., the ‘‘regularly collects’’ prong). FDCPA section 803(6) also sets forth several exclusions from the general definition. Until the creation of the Bureau, no Federal agency was authorized to issue regulations to implement the substantive provisions of the FDCPA. Courts have issued opinions providing differing interpretations of various FDCPA provisions, and there is considerable uncertainty with respect to how the FDCPA applies to communication technologies that have developed since 1977. The Dodd-Frank Act amended the FDCPA to provide the Bureau with authority to ‘‘prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors.’’ 18 III. Summary of the Rulemaking Process A. The November 2020 Final Rule The Bureau issued the November 2020 Final Rule to finalize certain provisions of the proposed rule that the Bureau published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2019, to amend Regulation F.19 Specifically, the November 2020 Final Rule primarily addressed debt collection communications and related practices by debt collectors. The November 2020 Final Rule reserved certain sections of U.S.C. 1692(e). section 814(d), 15 U.S.C. 1692l(d). 19 See 84 FR 23274 (May 21, 2019). Regulation F in anticipation of this final rule. B. The 2019 Proposal and 2020 Supplemental Proposal As noted, on May 21, 2019, the Bureau published a proposed rule (the May 2019 proposal or proposal) in the Federal Register to amend Regulation F.20 The proposal provided a 90-day comment period that would have closed on August 19, 2019. To allow interested persons more time to consider and submit their comments, the Bureau issued an extension of the comment period until September 18, 2019.21 In response to the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau received more than 14,000 comments from consumers, consumer groups, members of Congress, other government agencies, creditors, debt collectors, industry trade associations, and others. As discussed below, the Bureau has considered those comments in deciding to issue this final rule. As relevant to this final rule, in the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau proposed to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and (b) regarding the information that debt collectors must provide to consumers at the outset of debt collection communications and debt collectors’ obligations to respond to consumers’ disputes and requests for original-creditor information, including if the consumer obligated or allegedly obligated to pay the debt has died. The Bureau also proposed to prohibit debt collectors from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a debt that the debt collector knows or should know is a time-barred debt. And the Bureau proposed to prohibit debt collectors from furnishing information regarding a debt to a consumer reporting agency before communicating with the consumer about the debt. On February 21, 2020, the Bureau released a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Regulation F to require debt collectors to make certain disclosures when collecting time-barred debts (the February 2020 proposal).22 The February 2020 proposal provided a 60day comment period that would have closed on May 4, 2020. To allow interested persons more time to consider and submit their comments, the Bureau issued two extensions of the comment period, the first until June 5, 2020, and the second until August 4, 17 15 20 Id. 18 FDCPA 21 84 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 FR 37806 (Aug. 2, 2019). 85 FR 12672 (Mar. 3, 2020). 22 See E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 2020.23 In response to the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau received approximately 90 comments from consumers, consumer groups, members of Congress, other government agencies, creditors, debt collectors, industry trade associations, and others. As discussed below, the Bureau has considered those comments in adopting this final rule. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 C. Consumer Testing The Bureau has undertaken two rounds of qualitative disclosure testing and one round of quantitative disclosure testing, all of which have informed this final rule. First, as discussed in more detail in the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau in 2014 contracted with a third-party vendor, Fors Marsh Group (FMG), to assist with developing, and to conduct qualitative consumer testing of the model validation notice.24 This initial qualitative testing included focus group testing, cognitive testing, and usability testing conducted by FMG.25 Through the testing, the Bureau sought insight into consumers’ understanding of debt collection protections and how consumers would interact with the forms if the forms were incorporated into a final rule. Specific findings from the consumer testing are discussed in more detail in part V where relevant. In conjunction with the release of the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau made available a report prepared by FMG regarding the focus group testing,26 the cognitive testing,27 the usability 23 See 85 FR 17299 (Mar. 27, 2020) (first extension); 85 FR 30890 (May 21, 2020) (second extension). 24 The Bureau also tested a statement of consumer rights disclosure, but the Bureau decided not to propose to require debt collectors to provide such a disclosure to consumers. Instead, the Bureau proposed in the May 2019 proposal to require certain debt collectors to provide with the validation information a statement referring consumers to a Bureau-provided website that would describe certain consumer protections in debt collection. See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv). Because the Bureau did not propose to require debt collectors to provide consumers with a statement of consumer rights disclosure, the Bureau did not summarize testing related to that disclosure in the May 2019 proposal. 25 See 84 FR 23274, 23279 (May 21, 2019). 26 See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection Focus Groups (Aug. 2014), https:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debtcollection_fmg-focus-group-report.pdf (FMG Focus Group Report). The focus group testing was conducted in accordance with OMB control number 3170–0022, Generic Information Collection Plan for the Development and/or Testing of Model Forms, Disclosures, Tools, and Other Similar Related Materials. 27 See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection Cognitive Interviews (n.d.), https:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debtcollection_fmg-cognitive-report.pdf (FMG Cognitive Report). The cognitive testing was conducted in accordance with OMB control number 3170–0022, VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 testing,28 and a report prepared by FMG summarizing the focus group testing, cognitive testing, and usability testing.29 Second, to obtain additional information about consumer comprehension and decision-making in response to sample debt collection disclosures relating to time-barred debt, in 2017 the Bureau contracted with ICF International, Inc. (ICF) to conduct a web survey of approximately 8,000 individuals possessing a broad range of demographic characteristics.30 This quantitative testing concluded in late September 2019, and, in conjunction with the release of the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau 31 and ICF 32 published detailed reports summarizing the testing methodology and results. The February 2020 proposal provides an extensive overview of the quantitative testing.33 Third, to further evaluate the effectiveness of the model validation notice, the Bureau contracted with FMG again in 2019 to conduct an additional round of qualitative testing. Because of the COVID–19 pandemic, FMG conducted this consumer testing by telephone, completing 51 one-on-one usability interviews between October 5 and October 15, 2020. The qualitative testing showed, among other things, that 80 percent of participants shared positive initial reactions to the model Generic Information Collection Plan for the Development and/or Testing of Model Forms, Disclosures, Tools, and Other Similar Related Materials. 28 See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection User Experience Study (Feb. 2016), https:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debtcollection_fmg-usability-report.pdf (FMG Usability Report). Like the other testing, the usability testing was conducted in accordance with OMB control number 3170–0022, Generic Information Collection Plan for the Development and/or Testing of Model Forms, Disclosures, Tools, and Other Similar Related Materials. 29 See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection Validation Notice Research: Summary of Focus Groups, Cognitive Interviews, and User Experience Testing (Feb. 2016), https:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debtcollection_fmg-summary-report.pdf (FMG Summary Report). 30 OMB approved the Bureau’s request to conduct the survey on May 7, 2019. See Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs, Office of Mgmt. & Budget, ICR—OIRA Conclusion, https:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_ nbr=201902-3170-001# (last visited Feb. 18, 2020). 31 See Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Disclosure of Time-Barred Debt and Revival: Findings from the CFPB’s Quantitative Disclosure Testing (Feb. 2020), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/ cfpb_debt-collection-quantitative-disclosuretesting_report.pdf (CFPB Quantitative Testing Report). 32 See ICF Int’l, Inc., Quantitative Survey Testing of Model Disclosure Clauses and Forms for Debt Collection: Methodology Report (Jan. 21, 2020), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/ cfpb_icf_debt-survey_methodology-report.pdf. 33 See 85 FR 12672, 12676–77 (Mar. 3, 2020). PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5769 validation notice and indicated that the information in the notice was clear and available actions were obvious. In addition, 88 percent of participants rated the overall model validation notice as ‘‘very easy’’ or ‘‘easy’’ to understand, and no participants rated the notice as ‘‘difficult’’ or ‘‘very difficult’’ to understand. Finally, 77 percent of participants answered correctly over 90 percent of the time when, after reviewing the notice, they were asked to answer certain questions about information included on the notice. In conjunction with release of this final rule, the Bureau is making available a report prepared by FMG regarding the qualitative testing.34 D. Other Outreach 35 In November 2013, the Bureau began the rulemaking process with the publication of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding debt collection.36 As discussed in the May 2019 proposal, the ANPRM sought information about a wide variety of both first- and thirdparty debt collection practices. The Bureau received more than 23,000 comments in response to the ANPRM, which the Bureau considered when developing the proposals. To better understand the operational costs of debt collection firms, including law firms, the Bureau also surveyed debt collection firms and vendors and published a report based on that study in July 2016 (CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study or Operations Study).37 The Operations Study focused on understanding how debt collection firms obtain information about delinquent consumer accounts and attempt to collect on those accounts. In August 2016, the Bureau convened a Small Business Review Panel (Small Business Review Panel or Panel) with the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with 34 See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Usability Testing Report: Model Validation Notice (Nov. 20, 2020), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/ documents/cfpb_model-validation-notice_report_ 2020-12.pdf (November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report). 35 The preamble to the May 2019 proposal includes a more thorough discussion of the outreach the Bureau conducted prior to issuing the proposal. See 84 FR 23274, 23278–80 (May 21, 2019). 36 78 FR 67848 (Nov. 12, 2013). 37 See generally Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Study of Third-Party Debt Collection Operations (July 2016), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ documents/755/20160727_cfpb_Third_Party_Debt_ Collection_Operations_Study.pdf (CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5770 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).38 As part of this process, the Bureau prepared an outline of proposals under consideration and the alternatives considered (Small Business Review Panel Outline or Outline),39 which the Bureau posted on its website for review by the small entity representatives participating in the Panel process and by the general public. The Panel gathered information from the small entity representatives and made findings and recommendations regarding the potential compliance costs and other impacts on those entities of the proposals under consideration. Those findings and recommendations are set forth in the Small Business Review Panel Report, which is part of the administrative record in this rulemaking and is available to the public.40 The Bureau considered these findings and recommendations in preparing the proposals and this final rule. The Bureau has also met on many occasions with various stakeholders, including consumer advocates, debt collection trade associations, industry participants, academics with expertise in debt collection, Federal prudential regulators, and other Federal and State consumer protection regulators. The Bureau also received a number of comments specific to the debt collection rulemaking in response to its Request for Information Regarding the Bureau’s Adopted Regulations and New Rulemaking Authorities 41 and its Request for Information Regarding the Bureau’s Inherited Regulations and 38 The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), as amended by section 1100G(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, requires the Bureau to convene a Small Business Review Panel before proposing a rule that may have a substantial economic impact on a significant number of small entities. See Public Law 104–121, tit. II, 110 Stat. 857 (1996) (as amended by the Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007, Public Law. 110–28, tit. VIII, subtit. C, sec. 8302, 121 Stat. 204 (2007)). 39 Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Small Business Review Panel for Debt Collector and Debt Buyer Rulemaking: Outline of Proposals Under Consideration and Alternatives Considered (July 28, 2016), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/ documents/20160727_cfpb_Outline_of_ proposals.pdf (Small Business Review Panel Outline). The Bureau also gathered feedback on the Small Business Review Panel Outline from other stakeholders, members of the public, and the Bureau’s Consumer Advisory Board and Community Bank Advisory Council. 40 Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., U.S. Small Bus. Admin. & Office of Mgmt. & Budget, Final Report of the Small Business Review Panel on the CFPB’s Proposals Under Consideration for the Debt Collector and Debt Buying Rulemaking (Oct. 2016), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/ cfpb_debt-collector-debt-buyer_SBREFA-report.pdf (Small Business Review Panel Report). 41 83 FR 12286 (Mar. 21, 2018). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 Inherited Rulemaking Authorities; 42 the Bureau considered these comments in developing the proposals and this final rule. In addition, the Bureau has engaged in general outreach, speaking at consumer advocate and industry events and visiting consumer organizations and industry stakeholders. The Bureau has provided other regulators with information about the proposals and this final rule, has sought their input, and has received feedback that has helped the Bureau to prepare this final rule. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Bureau is required to conduct an assessment of significant rules within five years of the rule’s effective date. The Bureau anticipates that this final rule may be significant and therefore may require an assessment within five years of the rule’s effective date. The Bureau is preparing now for this possible assessment. Specifically, the Bureau is considering how best to obtain information now to serve as a baseline for evaluation of the costs, benefits, and other effects of the final rule. The Bureau expects to collect data and other information from consumers, debt collectors, and other stakeholders to understand whether the rule is achieving its goals under the FDCPA and the Dodd-Frank Act, and to help the Bureau measure the costs and benefits of the rule. Topics of data collection could include: whether consumers are better able to identify a debt when receiving validation information after the rule compared to before the rule; whether debt collectors are receiving higher or lower rates of consumer disputes after the rule compared to before the rule; whether greater clarity about FDCPA requirements helps reduce litigation related to the validation notice after the rule compared to before the rule; and costs of the rule, both anticipated and unexpected, for consumers or for industry. The Bureau expects to conduct outreach in 2021 to explore how best to obtain such data, including potentially through surveying consumers or firms or by collecting operational data. IV. Legal Authority The Bureau is issuing this final rule primarily pursuant to its authority under the FDCPA and the Dodd-Frank Act. As amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, FDCPA section 814(d) provides that the Bureau ‘‘may prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors,’’ as defined in the FDCPA.43 42 83 FR 12881 (Mar. 26, 2018). U.S.C. 1692l(d). As noted, the Bureau is the first Federal agency with authority to prescribe 43 15 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Section 1022(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that ‘‘[t]he Bureau is authorized to exercise its authorities under Federal consumer financial law to administer, enforce, and otherwise implement the provisions of Federal consumer financial law.’’ 44 Section 1022(b)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the Director may prescribe rules and issue orders and guidance, as may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Bureau to administer and carry out the purposes and objectives of the Federal consumer financial laws, and to prevent evasions thereof.45 ‘‘Federal consumer financial law’’ includes title X of the Dodd-Frank Act and the FDCPA.46 No provisions in this final rule are based on section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Act.47 These and other authorities are discussed in greater detail in parts IV.A through C below. Part IV.A discusses the Bureau’s authority under sections 806 through 808 of the FDCPA. Parts IV.B through C discuss the Bureau’s relevant authorities under the DoddFrank Act. A. FDCPA Sections 806 Through 808 As discussed in part V, the Bureau is finalizing several provisions, in whole or in part, pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA sections 806 through 808, which set forth general prohibitions on, and requirements relating to, debt collectors’ conduct and are accompanied by non-exhaustive lists of examples of unlawful conduct. The November 2020 Final Rule provides an overview of how the Bureau interprets FDCPA sections 806 through 808. FDCPA section 806 generally prohibits a debt collector from ‘‘engag[ing] in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a substantive debt collection rules under the FDCPA. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act’s grant of rulemaking authority to the Bureau, no agency had authority to issue substantive rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors under the FDCPA, but the FTC published various materials providing guidance on the FDCPA. The FTC’s materials have informed the Bureau’s rulemaking and, if relevant to particular provisions, are discussed in part V. 44 12 U.S.C. 5512(a). 45 12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(1). 46 12 U.S.C. 5481(12)(H), (14). 47 The Bureau proposed to rely on its Dodd-Frank Act section 1031 authority (relating to unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in connection with consumer financial products or services) to support two interventions in the May 2019 proposal. The Bureau has not finalized any provisions of this final rule (or, as discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, of that final rule), pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1031. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations debt.’’ 48 Then, ‘‘[w]ithout limiting the general application of the foregoing,’’ it lists six examples of conduct that violate that section.49 Similarly, FDCPA section 807 generally prohibits a debt collector from ‘‘us[ing] any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt.’’ 50 Then, ‘‘[w]ithout limiting the general application of the foregoing,’’ section 807 lists 16 examples of conduct that violate that section.51 Finally, FDCPA section 808 prohibits a debt collector from ‘‘us[ing] unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt.’’ 52 Then, ‘‘[w]ithout limiting the general application of the foregoing,’’ FDCPA section 808 lists eight examples of conduct that violate that section.53 Consistent with the approach in the November 2020 Final Rule 54 and as proposed in the May 2019 proposal,55 the Bureau interprets FDCPA sections 806 through 808 in light of: (1) The FDCPA’s language and purpose; (2) the general types of conduct prohibited by those sections and, where relevant, the specific examples enumerated in those sections; and (3) judicial decisions.56 In particular, the Bureau notes that, by their plain terms, FDCPA sections 806 through 808 make clear that their examples of prohibited conduct do not ‘‘limit[ ] the general application’’ of those sections’ general prohibitions. The FDCPA’s legislative history is consistent with this understanding,57 as are opinions by courts that have addressed this issue.58 Accordingly, the Bureau may interpret the general provisions of FDCPA sections 806 to 808 to prohibit 48 15 U.S.C. 1692d. U.S.C. 1692d(1)–(6). 50 15 U.S.C. 1692e. 51 15 U.S.C. 1692e(1)–(16). 52 15 U.S.C. 1692f. 53 15 U.S.C. 1692f(1)–(8). 54 See 85 FR 76734, 76738 (Nov. 30, 2020). 55 84 FR 23274, 23281–82 (May 21, 2019). 56 Where the Bureau prescribes requirements pursuant only to its authority to implement and interpret sections 806 through 808 of the FDCPA, the Bureau does not take a position on whether such practices also would constitute an unfair, deceptive, or abusive act or practice under section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Act. 57 See, e.g., S. Rep. No. 382, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. 2, 4 (1977), reprinted in 1977 U.S.C.C.A.N. 1695, 1698 (S. Rep. No. 382) (‘‘[T]his bill prohibits in general terms any harassing, unfair, or deceptive collection practice. This will enable the courts, where appropriate, to proscribe other improper conduct which is not specifically addressed.’’). Courts have also cited legislative history in noting that, ‘‘in passing the FDCPA, Congress identified abusive collection attempts as primary motivations for the Act’s passage.’’ Hart v. FCI Lender Servs., Inc., 797 F.3d 219, 226 (2d Cir. 2015). 58 See, e.g., Stratton v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 770 F.3d 443, 450 (6th Cir. 2014) (‘‘[T]he listed examples of illegal acts are just that—examples.’’). khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 49 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 conduct that the specific examples in FDCPA sections 806 through 808 do not address if the conduct violates the general prohibitions. In addition, the Bureau uses the specific examples to inform its understanding of the general prohibitions. The Bureau also interprets FDCPA sections 806 through 808 in light of the significant body of existing court decisions interpreting those sections, including, where applicable, cases discussing the collection of timebarred debt.59 Finally, consistent with the majority of courts, the Bureau interprets FDCPA sections 806 through 808 to incorporate an objective, ‘‘unsophisticated’’ or ‘‘least sophisticated’’ consumer standard.60 B. Dodd-Frank Act Section 1032 Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a) provides that the Bureau may prescribe rules to ensure that the features of any consumer financial product or service, ‘‘both initially and over the term of the product or service,’’ are ‘‘fully, accurately, and effectively disclosed to consumers in a manner that permits consumers to understand the costs, benefits, and risks associated with the product or service, in light of the facts and circumstances.’’ 61 Under DoddFrank Act section 1032(a), the Bureau is empowered to prescribe rules regarding the disclosure of the ‘‘features’’ of consumer financial products and services generally. Accordingly, the Bureau may prescribe rules containing disclosure requirements even if other Federal consumer financial laws do not specifically require disclosure of such features. Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(c) provides that, in prescribing rules pursuant to Dodd-Frank Act section 1032, the Bureau ‘‘shall consider available evidence about consumer awareness, understanding of, and responses to disclosures or communications about the risks, costs, and benefits of consumer financial products or services.’’ 62 The Bureau is finalizing §§ 1006.34 and 1006.38 based in part on its authority under DoddFrank Act section 1032. 59 Id. See, e.g., Holzman v. Malcolm S. Gerald & Assocs., 920 F.3d 1264 (11th Cir. 2019); Tatis v. Allied Interstate, LLC, 882 F.3d 422 (3d Cir. 2018); Pantoja v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 852 F.3d 679 (7th Cir. 2017), cert. denied, 138 S. Ct. 736 (2018); Daugherty v. Convergent Outsourcing Inc., 836 F.3d 507 (5th Cir. 2016); Buchanan v. Northland Grp., Inc., 776 F.3d 393 (6th Cir. 2015); McMahon v. LVNV Funding, LLC, 744 F.3d 1010, 1020 (7th Cir. 2014). 60 85 FR 76734, 76740 (Nov. 30, 2020); 84 FR 23274, 23282–83 (May 21, 2019). 61 12 U.S.C. 5532(a). 62 12 U.S.C. 5532(c). PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5771 C. Other Authorities Under the DoddFrank Act Section 1022(b)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the Bureau’s Director ‘‘may prescribe rules and issue orders and guidance, as may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Bureau to administer and carry out the purposes and objectives of the Federal consumer financial laws, and to prevent evasions thereof.’’ 63 ‘‘Federal consumer financial laws’’ include the FDCPA and title X of the Dodd-Frank Act.64 Section 1022(b)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act prescribes certain standards for rulemaking that the Bureau must follow in exercising its authority under DoddFrank Act section 1022(b)(1).65 See part VII for a discussion of the Bureau’s standards for rulemaking under DoddFrank Act section 1022(b)(2). V. Section-by-Section Analysis Subpart A—General Section 1006.1 and Coverage Authority, Purpose, 1(c) Coverage In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau adopted § 1006.1(c)(1) to specify that, except as provided in § 1006.108 and appendix A, Regulation F applies to debt collectors, as defined in § 1006.2(i), other than a person excluded from coverage by section 1029(a) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, title X of the Dodd-Frank Act (12 U.S.C. 5519(a)).66 The Bureau also noted that it was not finalizing, as part of the November 2020 Final Rule, proposed § 1006.1(c)(2), which provided that certain provisions of Regulation F applied to debt collectors only when they were collecting consumer financial product or service debt, as defined in § 1006.2(f). The Bureau explained that it was not finalizing § 1006.1(c)(2) as part of the November 2020 Final Rule because all of the provisions of that final rule apply to debt collectors as defined in § 1006.2(i). The Bureau nevertheless reserved § 1006.1(c)(2) so that the Bureau could clarify which provisions of this final rule, if any, apply to debt collectors only if they are collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service. For the reasons discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34, two provisions of that section (§ 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and (3)(iv)) apply to debt collectors only if they are collecting debt related to a consumer 63 12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(1). U.S.C. 5481(14). 65 12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(2). 66 85 FR 76734, 76742 (Nov. 30, 2020). 64 12 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5772 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations financial produce or service as defined in § 1006.2(f). Therefore, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.1(c)(2) to provide that certain provisions of Regulation F apply to debt collectors only if they are collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), and to specify that those provisions are § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and (3)(iv). Section 1006.2 Definitions 2(e) Consumer FDCPA section 803(3) defines a consumer as any natural person obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt.67 The Bureau proposed § 1006.2(e) to implement this definition and to interpret it to include a deceased natural person who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay a debt.68 The Bureau explained that this interpretation would ensure that individuals trying to resolve a deceased consumer’s debts have the same legal right to receive the validation notice, and to dispute the debt and request information about the original creditor, as the deceased consumer would have had. As the Bureau noted in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau received a number of comments regarding its proposal to interpret the term consumer to include deceased natural persons. The Bureau also noted that it had proposed that interpretation, in large part, to facilitate delivery of validation notices under proposed § 1006.34 if the consumer obligated, or allegedly obligated, on the debt has died. Further, the Bureau noted that it planned to address comments received regarding that interpretation, and to determine whether to finalize that interpretation, as part of this final rule. Thus, as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, § 1006.2(e) provides that the term consumer means any natural person obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt.69 The Bureau now addresses comments received regarding its proposal to interpret the definition to include deceased natural persons. Several commenters supported the Bureau’s proposed interpretation. One industry commenter stated that, in the decedent debt context, the person acting khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 67 15 U.S.C. 1692a(3). 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019). 69 For the reasons discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, § 1006.2(e) as finalized in that rule also provides that, for purposes of § 1006.6, the term consumer includes the persons described in § 1006.6(a). To account for any revisions adopted in this final rule, it also specifies that the Bureau may further define the term in Regulation F to clarify its application when the consumer is deceased. See 85 FR 76734, 76744–45, 76888 (Nov. 30, 2020). 68 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 on behalf of a deceased consumer’s estate should have the same rights regarding validation notices and disputes as the consumer would have had if the consumer were still living. Another industry commenter reported that many debt collectors currently attempt to treat deceased consumers as ‘‘consumers’’ under the FDCPA and explained that the proposal would provide additional clarity that would benefit both consumers and debt collectors in resolving the debts of deceased consumers. A group of consumer advocates supported clarifying the rights of executors, administrators, and personal representatives regarding validation notices and disputes. However, as discussed below, these consumer advocate commenters opposed the proposed interpretation and suggested a different way to address the issue. Other commenters opposed interpreting the term consumer to include deceased natural persons who are obligated or allegedly obligated to pay a debt. One industry commenter asserted that the proposed interpretation would serve no purpose because deceased consumers lacked privacy interests. A trade group commenter stated that no evidence of confusion existed in the decedent debt context, and that the Bureau’s interpretation would expand the class of individuals entitled to sue debt collectors for violations of the FDCPA and the final rule. Finally, a group of consumer advocates suggested that the Bureau’s interpretation was unnecessary because proposed comments 34(a)(1)–1 and 38– 1 would clarify that a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate operates as the consumer for purposes of §§ 1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38.70 These commenters also stated that, if the Bureau were attempting to change the class of individuals who may bring civil actions against debt collectors, the FDCPA already allows any ‘‘person’’ to bring such claims. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is revising § 1006.2(e), as set forth in the November 2020 Final Rule, to clarify that the definition of consumer includes deceased natural persons. As explained in the May 2019 proposal, the FDCPA does not specify whether a consumer, as defined in section 803(3), includes a deceased consumer (or whether a natural person, as that term is used in section 803(3), includes a deceased natural person).71 Because the 70 See the section-by-section analyses of §§ 1006.34 and 1006.38. 71 See 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019). PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 definition of consumer in FDCPA section 803(3) is silent with respect to deceased consumers, other FDCPA provisions that refer to a debt collector’s obligations to a consumer lack clarity in the decedent debt context. For example, FDCPA provisions requiring debt collectors to provide validation information, and to respond to disputes and requests for original-creditor information, do not address situations in which the person obligated or allegedly obligated to pay the debt is deceased. Uncertainty surrounding these provisions increases the risk of consumer harm in the decedent debt context. Specifically, without validation information and an opportunity to dispute the debt, individuals trying to resolve debts in a deceased consumer’s estate will lack information needed to determine whether they are being asked to pay the right debt, in the right amount, and to the right debt collector, and, consequently, whether they should assert dispute rights. Accordingly, to increase clarity and to decrease the risk of consumer harm, the Bureau is revising § 1006.2(e) to provide that the term consumer means any natural person, whether living or deceased, obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. The Bureau also is revising § 1006.2(e) to delete the statement that the Bureau may further define the term to clarify its application when the consumer is deceased, since this final rule contains that further definition.72 Relatedly, the Bureau is finalizing the commentary to §§ 1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38 that clarifies that a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate, such as the executor, administrator, or personal representative, operates as the consumer for purposes of §§ 1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38. Regarding the comment that deceased consumers have no privacy rights, the Bureau disagrees. In its Policy Statement on Decedent Debt, the FTC prohibited debt collectors from openly referring to a deceased consumer’s debts in communications with third parties, instead adopting an approach that ‘‘balance[d] the legitimate needs of the collector with the privacy interests of 72 In the proposal, the Bureau explained that its interpretation was ‘‘consistent with a modern trend in the law that favors recognizing, as a default, the continued existence of a natural person after death.’’ 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019). Consumer advocates pointed out that the authority cited for this proposition comes from contexts other than the FDCPA. But these commenters do not explain why this fact undermines the existence of the trend described by the Bureau. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 the decedent.’’ 73 In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau took a similar approach regarding location communications for decedent debt.74 Moreover, interpreting the term consumer in § 1006.2(e) to include deceased natural persons is supported by more than concern for a decedent’s privacy; it also clarifies debt collector’s obligations to a consumer and, in turn, to those authorized to act on the consumer’s behalf, if the consumer has died. This includes clarifying a debt collector’s obligations under the FDCPA’s provisions, as implemented in this final rule and in the November 2020 Final Rule, regarding validation information and disputes and requests for original-creditor information, which help to ensure that consumers are not paying the wrong debt, in the wrong amount, to the wrong debt collector. This interpretation also clarifies the application of § 1006.22(f)(4), which the Bureau adopted in the November 2020 Final Rule to prohibit debt collectors from communicating or attempting to communicate with a person in connection with the collection of a debt through a social media platform if the communication or attempt to communicate is viewable by the general public or the person’s social media contacts.75 In adopting that provision, the Bureau discussed that a consumer advocate commenter had stated that the Bureau should broaden the prohibition to apply to deceased consumers, such that debt collectors would be prohibited from posting publicly about a deceased consumer’s alleged debt on the consumer’s social media page. The consumer advocate commenter stated that a debt collector’s only reason for doing so would be to pressure surviving relatives to pay the debt, either to protect the deceased consumer’s reputation or out of a sense of moral obligation.76 In finalizing § 1006.22(f)(4) in the November 2020 Final Rule, Bureau noted that the prohibition applied to communications and attempts to communicate with ‘‘a person,’’ and that person, as defined in § 1006.2(k), includes a consumer. The Bureau again noted that it had received a number of 73 Fed. Trade Comm’n, Statement of Policy Regarding Communications in Connection with the Collection of Decedents’ Debts at 44921 (July 27, 2011), https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/ documents/federal_register_notices/statementpolicy-regarding-communications-connectioncollection-decedents-debts-policy-statement/ 110720fdcpa.pdf (FTC Policy Statement on Decedent Debt). 74 See 85 FR 76734, 76797–00, 76890, 76900 (Nov. 30, 2020). 75 See id. at 76836–39, 76892. 76 See id. at 76836–39. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 comments regarding its proposal to interpret the term consumer to include deceased natural persons and that it would address such comments in this final rule. In determining to revise § 1006.2(e) to include a deceased natural person who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay a debt, the Bureau thus also clarifies that the prohibition in § 1006.22(f)(4) includes deceased consumers. The Bureau disagrees with the industry commenter that there is no evidence of confusion about the definition of consumer in the decedent debt context. As explained above, the FDCPA’s current lack of clarity in the decedent debt context creates uncertainty in several situations arising during the collection of debts belonging to deceased consumers. Therefore, the Bureau determines that additional clarity will improve the debt collection system for all parties. Nor does § 1006.2(e) expand the class of potential plaintiffs who may bring suit under the FDCPA and Regulation F, as an industry commenter alleged. The civil liability provision of the FDCPA already creates liability for violations committed against any person.77 As noted in the proposal, the trend in the law has been to recognize, as a default, the continued existence of a natural person after death for purposes of bringing civil actions, particularly for remedial statutes like the FDCPA.78 This commenter did not explain how the Bureau’s interpretation would result in a lawsuit by someone other than a ‘‘person’’ under the statute. Finally, the Bureau disagrees, as suggested by certain commenters, that the commentary to §§ 1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38 (final comments 34(a)(1)–1 and 38–3) provide adequate clarity without interpreting the term consumer to include deceased natural persons. In fact, interpreting the term consumer to include deceased natural persons is a necessary predicate to provide that the persons identified in those comments operate as the consumer for purposes of the requirements relating to validation information, disputes, and requests for original-creditor information. Commenters raised additional issues related to § 1006.2(e). A few industry commenters suggested that the Bureau’s proposed interpretation was inconsistent with the Bureau’s mortgage servicing rules regarding successors in interest. One trade group commenter stated that allowing any individual authorized to act on behalf of a deceased consumer’s estate to meet Regulation F’s 77 15 U.S.C. 1692k. 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019). 78 See PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5773 definition of consumer under § 1006.2(e) will complicate and potentially impede the existing successor in interest process under Regulations X and Z. The commenter explained that, under proposed comment 34(a)(1)–1, mortgage servicers who are also debt collectors under Regulation F would have to send validation information to the person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate but would not be able to send foreclosure-related disclosures required under State law to the same person, unless that person had assumed ownership of the obligation. The commenter also suggested that, under proposed comment 38–1, debt collectors would be required to focus resources on verifying the identify of an individual asserting to be a person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate, which would take away from legitimate efforts to respond to disputes and requests for original-creditor information. Another trade group commenter stated that the clarification in proposed comment 34(a)(1)–1 to send the validation notice to the person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate if the debt collector knows or should know that the consumer is deceased would, unlike the Bureau’s mortgage servicing rules, appear to create an affirmative obligation for mortgage servicers to track down information about potential successors in interest and cloud requirements for mortgage servicers under Regulation X. For this reason, a third trade group commenter suggested that, if a required notice must be sent and no individual has come forward as a potential or confirmed successor in interest, the Bureau should permit mortgage servicers to address a validation notice to the deceased consumer or ‘‘the estate of’’ the deceased consumer rather than require a search for an individual to whom to address the notice. As the Bureau has previously explained, while many mortgage servicers are not subject to the FDCPA, mortgage servicers that acquired a mortgage loan at the time that it was in default may be subject to the FDCPA with respect to that mortgage loan.79 As discussed below, the Bureau concludes that including a deceased natural person who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay a debt within the definition of consumer under § 1006.2(e) is not inconsistent with the Bureau’s mortgage servicing rules on successors in interest. 79 See 85 FR 76734, 76758 (Nov. 30, 2020); 81 FR 71977, 71978 (Oct. 19, 2016). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5774 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Although one commenter asserted that finalizing this definition as proposed would complicate and potentially impede the existing successor in interest process, the commenter failed to explain why that would be the case and the Bureau does not believe that to be the case. Regarding delivery of validation information, as discussed below, comment 34(a)(1)–1 clarifies that, if a debt collector knows or should know that a consumer is deceased, and if the debt collector has not previously provided the validation information to the deceased consumer, then in such circumstances, to comply with § 1006.34(a)(1), a debt collector must provide the validation information to an individual whom the debt collector identifies by name and who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate.80 A person who is authorized to act on behalf of a deceased consumer’s estate may include the executor, administrator, or personal representative. However, as discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, for purposes of Regulations X and Z, a successor in interest is, in general, a person to whom an ownership interest either in a property securing a mortgage loan subject to subpart C of Regulation X, or in a dwelling securing a closedend consumer credit transaction under Regulation Z, is transferred under specified circumstances including, for example, after a consumer’s death or as part of a divorce.81 Therefore, a person who is authorized to act on behalf of a deceased consumer’s estate for purposes of Regulation F may or may not also be a successor in interest under Regulations X and Z, depending on whether an ownership interest in a property securing a mortgage loan or a dwelling securing a closed-end consumer credit transaction is transferred to that person under the circumstances specified in Regulations X and Z.82 Comment 34(a)(1)–1 provides debt collectors clarity regarding to whom the validation information must be provided in the narrow circumstance in which the debt collector knows or should know that a consumer is deceased and the debt collector has not previously provided the validation 80 See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(a)(1). 81 See 85 FR 76734, 76758–59 (Nov. 30, 2020). See also 12 CFR 1024.31, 1026.2(a)(27)(i). A confirmed successor in interest, in turn, means a successor in interest once a mortgage servicer has confirmed the successor in interest’s identity and ownership interest in the property that secures the mortgage loan or in the dwelling. See 12 CFR 1024.31, 1026.2(a)(27)(ii). 82 12 CFR 1024.31, 1026.2(a)(27). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 information to the deceased consumer. According to the comment, under these circumstances, a debt collector who is collecting the debt of a deceased consumer must determine who is authorized to act on behalf of a deceased consumer’s estate. These efforts, however, do not create an affirmative obligation under the Bureau’s mortgage servicing rule for a mortgage servicer that is subject to the FDCPA with respect to a mortgage loan to seek out potential successors in interest within the meaning of the mortgage servicing rules. Under the mortgage servicing rules, a mortgage servicer is not required to conduct a search for potential successors in interest if the mortgage servicer has not received actual notice of their existence.83 If, in the course of determining who is authorized to act on behalf of a deceased consumer’s estate for purposes of § 1006.34(a)(1), a mortgage servicer receives actual notice of the existence of a potential successor in interest, the mortgage servicer must, as required under Regulation X, maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the servicer can retain this information and promptly facilitate communication with the potential successor in interest.84 However, because a mortgage servicer that is subject to the FDCPA with respect to a mortgage loan may comply with both this final rule and the applicable successor in interest provisions under Regulations X and Z, the Bureau concludes there is no conflict with the mortgage servicing rules. Additionally, nothing in this final rule is intended to alter the successor in interest provisions in Regulations X and Z or to impose additional requirements under Regulations X and Z. In response to the commenter’s concern regarding the burdens under comment 38–1 of determining who is authorized to act on behalf of a deceased consumer’s estate before responding to a dispute or request for original-creditor information, the potential burdens associated with responding to such incoming disputes and requests will be significantly reduced once a debt collector has procedures in place to make that threshold determination or has already made that determination for purposes of providing the validation information as described in comment 34(a)(1)–1. 83 12 CFR 1024.38(b)(1)(vi); comment 38(b)(1)(vi)–1. 84 Id. The general servicing policies, procedures, and requirements in 12 CFR 1024.38 do not apply to a mortgage servicer that qualifies as a small servicer pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.41(e). See 12 CFR 1024.30(b)(1). PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 The Bureau declines to adopt the suggestion to allow mortgage servicers to address a validation notice to the deceased consumer or to ‘‘the estate of’’ the deceased consumer. As discussed in the proposal, the Bureau shares the view of the FTC, which stated in its Policy Statement on Decedent Debt that individuals who lack the authority to resolve the estate but who wish to be helpful are likely to open communications addressed to the decedent’s estate, or to an unnamed executor or administrator, which makes such communications insufficiently targeted to a consumer with whom the debt collector may generally discuss the debt.85 The Bureau, therefore, shares the view of the FTC that ‘‘communication[s] addressed to the decedent’s estate, or an unnamed executor or administrator, [are] location communication[s] and must not refer to the decedent’s debts.’’ 86 Accordingly, comment 34(a)(1)–1 specifies that a debt collector must provide the validation information to an individual that the debt collector identifies by name who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate. A group of consumer advocates stated that certain other provisions of the Bureau’s proposal, such as § 1006.14(e)’s prohibition on publishing lists of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts and § 1006.18(b)(1)(iv)’s prohibition on falsely representing or implying that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer, should apply to deceased consumers. But, these commenters claimed, other provisions, like § 1006.6(b)(1)’s restrictions on communicating at inconvenient times or places, were nonsensical as applied to deceased consumers. Therefore, these commenters argued, the Bureau’s interpretation in proposed § 1006.2(e) was overbroad. The Bureau acknowledges that there may be certain provisions in the November 2020 Final Rule and in this final rule that refer to a consumer that simply will be inapplicable in the context of a deceased consumer.87 Nevertheless, as consumer advocates acknowledged, other provisions that 85 See 84 FR 23274, 23334 (May 21, 2019). Policy Statement on Decedent Debt, supra note 73, at 44920. 87 For example, § 1006.6(b) restricts, among other things, the times at which debt collectors can communicate or attempt to communicate with consumers. See 85 FR 76734, 76889 (Nov. 30, 2020). To the extent that ‘‘communicate’’ includes having a conversation, the Bureau believes it is obvious that this prohibition is simply inapplicable in the case of a deceased consumer (but does apply to having a conversation with the executor or administrator of the consumer’s estate). 86 FTC E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations refer to a consumer will apply to deceased consumers. For example, as discussed above, interpreting the term consumer in § 1006.2(e) to include deceased natural persons means that, as applied to § 1006.22(f)(4), debt collectors are prohibited from posting publicly about a deceased consumer’s alleged debt on a deceased consumer’s public-facing social media page. In situations that are currently unclear, such as delivery of validation information, the final rule adopts commentary clarifying debt collectors’ obligations. This group of consumer advocates also recommended that the Bureau require debt collectors to provide a validation notice to the person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate even if validation information already was provided to the consumer. These commenters also asked the Bureau to provide that the validation period starts from the date the person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate receives the validation notice, and to require debt collectors to respond to disputes and requests for original-creditor information submitted by this person, even if a response already was provided to the consumer. The Bureau declines to adopt these suggestions because the Bureau finds that, in the scenario described, the debt collector has already satisfied the debt collector’s obligations to the consumer as set forth in FDCPA section 809 and §§ 1006.34 and 1006.38. Depending on the facts, the debt collector could be required to provide a validation notice or dispute response to the person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate,88 but the Bureau declines to require debt collectors to do so in all cases. Nevertheless, the Bureau notes that debt collectors who voluntarily provide validation notices after a consumer dies (as some industry commenters reported is done), and who, in doing so, start a new validation period, do not thereby violate the FDCPA or Regulation F. For the reasons discussed above, and pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.2(e) as proposed to interpret the definition of consumer in FDCPA section 803(3) to mean any natural person, whether living or deceased, who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. 88 See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 2(f) Consumer Financial Product or Service As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau proposed § 1006.2(f) to define consumer financial product or service debt to mean any debt related to any consumer financial product or service, as consumer financial product or service is defined in section 1002(5) of the Dodd-Frank Act.89 As also discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau did not finalize § 1006.2(f) as part of that rulemaking because the Bureau did not finalize in that rulemaking any provisions for which the definition in proposed § 1006.2(f) would have been relevant. For the reasons discussed in the section-by-section analyses of §§ 1006.1(c) and 1006.34, the Bureau is adopting in this final rule two provisions (§ 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and (3)(iv)) that apply to debt collectors only if they are collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service. This includes, for example, debt collectors collecting debts related to consumer mortgage loans or credit cards.90 To facilitate compliance with those provisions, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.2(f) to provide that consumer financial product or service has the meaning in section 1002(5) of the DoddFrank Act (12 U.S.C. 5481(5)). The Bureau notes that it originally proposed § 1006.2(f) to define the term ‘‘consumer financial product or service debt.’’ However, because the relevant defined term in the Dodd-Frank Act is ‘‘consumer financial product or service,’’ and because certain commenters observed that including two definitions of the term ‘‘debt’’ in the rule would be confusing, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.2(f) to provide that the defined term in the rule is ‘‘consumer financial product or service’’ and that the term has the same meaning given to it in section 1002(5) of the Dodd-Frank Act. Subpart B—Rules for FDCPA Debt Collectors Section 1006.26 Collection of TimeBarred Debts The May 2019 proposal and the February 2020 proposal both addressed the collection of time-barred debt. In the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau proposed to define several terms (proposed § 1006.26(a)) and to prohibit debt collectors from bringing or threatening to bring legal actions against consumers to collect certain time-barred 89 85 FR 76734, 76745 (Nov. 30, 2020). 84 FR 23274, 23286 (May 21, 2019). 90 See PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5775 debts (proposed § 1006.26(b)). In the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau proposed to require debt collectors to provide disclosures if collecting certain time-barred debts (proposed § 1006.26(c)). The February 2020 proposal also included model language and forms that debt collectors could use to comply with the proposed disclosure requirements. In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau noted that it planned to address its proposals regarding time-barred debt in this final rule, and the Bureau reserved § 1006.26 for that purpose. After considering the comments received in response to both the May 2019 and February 2020 proposals, the Bureau is now finalizing proposed § 1006.26(a) and (b) with modifications as described below. The Bureau is not finalizing proposed § 1006.26(c). 26(a) Definitions Proposed § 1006.26(a) defined two terms not defined in the FDCPA: Statute of limitations and time-barred debt. The Bureau proposed to define these terms to facilitate compliance with proposed § 1006.26(b) and (c). As discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(a) as proposed. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(a) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. 26(a)(1) Statute of Limitations Proposed § 1006.26(a)(1) defined the term statute of limitations to mean the period prescribed by applicable law for bringing a legal action against the consumer to collect a debt.91 Statutes of limitation, which typically are established by State law, provide time limits for bringing suit on legal claims. As the Bureau explained in the May 2019 proposal, statutes of limitation serve several purposes.92 First, statutes of limitations advance a defendant’s interest in repose. That is, they reflect a legislative judgment that it is ‘‘unjust to fail to put the adversary on notice to defend within a specified period of time.’’ 93 Second, statutes of limitations eliminate stale claims. That is, they protect defendants and the courts from having to deal with cases in which ‘‘the search for truth may be seriously impaired by the loss of evidence, whether by death or disappearance of witnesses, fading 91 See 84 FR 23274, 23327–28 (May 21, 2019). generally Rotella v. Wood, 528 U.S. 549, 555 (2000) (identifying ‘‘the basic policies of all limitations provisions’’ as ‘‘repose, elimination of stale claims, and certainty’’). 93 United States v. Kubrick, 444 U.S. 111, 117 (1979). 92 See E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5776 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations memories, disappearance of documents, or otherwise.’’ 94 Third, statutes of limitations provide ‘‘certainty about a plaintiff’s opportunity for recovery and a defendant’s potential liabilities.’’ 95 For debt collection claims, the length of the applicable statute of limitations often varies by State and, within each State, by debt type. Although most statutes of limitations applicable to debt collection claims are between three and six years, some are as long as 15 years. Several commenters addressed proposed § 1006.26(a)(1). One industry commenter confirmed that the proposed definition of statute of limitations comported with debt collectors’ understanding of the term. A number of other industry commenters requested that the Bureau modify the definition to account for the fact that it can be challenging to determine the applicable statute of limitations in certain circumstances. For example, two industry commenters requested that the Bureau clarify that, in determining the applicable statute of limitations, a debt collector need only conduct a reasonable investigation based on objectively ascertainable facts, and that a debt collector would only be charged with knowing that the statute of limitations has expired if the law is clearly established. The commenters also requested that the Bureau more specifically define certain elements of the term statute of limitations to lessen the burden on debt collectors of determining whether a debt is time barred. For example, they suggested defining ‘‘applicable law’’ as the law of the jurisdiction where the consumer resides or is believed to reside at the time collections begin, or the law of the jurisdiction in which the consumer signed any underlying contract. Commenters suggested that these changes would make it easier for a debt collector to determine the statute of limitations applicable to a particular debt while protecting a debt collector from liability when it is difficult determine the exact date on which a debt becomes time barred. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(a)(1) as proposed. As industry commenters confirmed, the definition of statute of limitations in § 1006.26(a)(1) is consistent with debt collectors’ understanding of the term. The Bureau declines to modify the definition to identify the type of investigation a debt collector must or should undertake to ascertain the applicable statute of limitations. The Bureau also declines to 94 Id. 95 Young v. United States, 535 U.S. 43, 47 (2002) (quoting Rotella, 528 U.S. at 555). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 define the term ‘‘applicable law’’ in the manner requested by commenters. The Bureau recognizes that, in some cases, it can be challenging and costly for a debt collector to determine what statute of limitations applies to a legal action against the consumer to collect a particular debt, and that, in some cases, the commenters’ suggestions could reduce those challenges and costs. The Bureau declines, however, to address the challenges and costs associated with determining whether a debt is time barred by modifying the definition of statute of limitations, a term with a meaning widely understood by debt collectors, or by defining new terms. Comments relating to the difficulty of determining whether a debt is time barred are discussed further in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.26(b). 26(a)(2) Time-Barred Debt Proposed § 1006.26(a)(2) defined the term time-barred debt to mean a debt for which the applicable statute of limitations has expired.96 As the Bureau explained in the May 2019 proposal, many debt collectors already determine whether the statute of limitations applicable to a debt has expired. Some do so to comply with State and local disclosure laws that require them to inform consumers when debts are time barred.97 Others do so to assess whether they can sue to collect the debt, which may affect their collection strategy. In addition, the information that debt buyers generally receive when bidding on and purchasing debts, and the information that other debt collectors generally receive at placement, may allow them to determine whether the applicable statute of limitations has expired.98 Several commenters addressed proposed § 1006.26(a)(2). An industry 96 See 84 FR 23274, 23328 (May 21, 2019). e.g., Cal. Civ. Code sec. 1788.52(d)(3); Conn. Gen. Stat. sec. 36a–805(a)(14); Mass. Code Regs., tit. 940, § 7.07(24); N.M. Code. R. sec. 12.2.12.9(A); N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs., tit. 23, sec. 1.3; New York City, N.Y., Rules, tit. 6, sec. 2– 191(a); W. Va. Code sec. 46a–2–128(f). 98 See Fed. Trade Comm’n, The Structure and Practices of the Debt Buying Industry, at 49 (Jan. 2013), https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/ documents/reports/structure-and-practices-debtbuying-industry/debtbuyingreport.pdf (FTC Debt Buying Report) (‘‘The data the Commission received from debt buyers suggests that debt buyers usually are likely to know or be able to determine whether the debts on which they are collecting are beyond the statute of limitations.’’). Similarly, the majority of respondents to the Bureau’s Debt Collection Operations Study reported always or often receiving certain information and documentation that may be relevant to determining whether a debt is time barred, such as debt balance at charge off, account agreement documentation, and billing statements. See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 23. 97 See, PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 commenter confirmed that the proposed definition comported with debt collectors’ understanding of the term. Two other industry commenters expressed concern that the term timebarred debt may imply that a debt collector has no right at all to collect the debt, whereas in most jurisdictions a debt’s time-barred status only limits the debt collector’s right to recover on the debt through a lawsuit. Several industry commenters expressed concern that the proposal seemed to contemplate that a debt is a single amount that becomes time barred at a single moment in time and noted that not all debts operate in that manner. For example, these commenters stated that an installment loan could become time barred on a rolling basis depending on when each installment was due. In addition, according to some commenters, a legal action to collect a debt may be based on more than one legal theory or involve more than one cause of action, and each theory or cause of action may be subject to a different statute of limitations. Similarly, according to some commenters, certain secured debts may be subject to more than one method of suit and more than one statute of limitations. For example, these commenters asserted, in some States a mortgagee may choose whether to pursue a remedy at law on the note, a remedy in equity on the mortgage, or both, and the statute of limitations applicable to these claims may differ. Relatedly, one industry commenter asked the Bureau to clarify that debt collectors are not prohibited from taking legal action to enforce a lien even if a claim on the underlying obligation is time barred. Alternatively, the commenter asked the Bureau to clarify that the requirements of proposed § 1006.26 would apply only when all causes of action associated with the underlying note and with the security instrument are time barred.99 The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(a)(2) as proposed. As industry commenters confirmed, the definition of time-barred debt in § 1006.26(a)(2) is consistent with debt collectors’ 99 Another commenter seeking clarification on the scope of proposed § 1006.26(b) asserted that in rem enforcement of a security instrument is not inherently debt collection. The Bureau notes that § 1006.26, like the rest of this final rule, applies only to FDCPA debt collectors. The Supreme Court recently held that a business engaged in no more than nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings is not an FDCPA debt collector, except for the limited purpose of FDCPA section 808(6). See Obduskey v. McCarthy & Holthus LLP, 139 S. Ct. 1029 (2019). FDCPA section 808(6) specifically prohibits taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action in certain circumstances, such as where there is no present right to possession through an enforceable security instrument. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations understanding of the term. In response to commenters’ concerns that the term time-barred debt might imply that a debt collector has no right to collect the debt, the Bureau notes that, in most jurisdictions, as commenters observed and as is discussed in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.26(b), a debt is not extinguished when the statute of limitations expires. Rather, in these jurisdictions, a debt collector still may collect the debt using non-litigation means, such as telephone calls and letters, and the Bureau’s use of the term time-barred debt neither changes that fact nor is meant to imply otherwise. With respect to industry commenters’ concern about debts for which multiple statutes of limitation may be relevant, the Bureau notes that a debt is a timebarred debt under § 1006.26(a)(2) if the applicable statute of limitations has expired. The applicable statute of limitations depends on the specific legal action the debt collector takes or represents that it will take. For some debts, such as certain installment loans and secured debts, it may be the case that one claim associated with a debt is time barred while another claim associated with the debt is not. In such a case, the prohibitions in § 1006.26(b) apply to the time-barred claim only. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 26(b) Legal Actions and Threats of Legal Actions Prohibited The Bureau proposed § 1006.26(b) to prohibit a debt collector from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a debt that the debt collector knows or should know is a time-barred debt.100 In response to comments, the Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.26(b) with two principal changes. First, the Bureau is not adopting the proposed knows-orshould-know standard; instead, a debt collector may violate final § 1006.26(b) even if the debt collector neither knew nor should have known that a debt was time barred. Second, consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Midland Funding, LLC v. Johnson, the final rule clarifies that the prohibitions in § 1006.26(b) do not apply to proofs of claim filed in bankruptcy proceedings.101 Prohibitions As the Bureau explained in the May 2019 proposal, in most States the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, if raised by the consumer as an affirmative defense, precludes the debt collector from recovering on the debt using judicial processes, but it does 100 See 101 137 84 FR 23274, 23328–29 (May 21, 2019). S. Ct. 1407 (2017). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 not extinguish the debt itself.102 In other words, in most States a debt collector may use non-litigation means to collect a time-barred debt, as long as those means do not violate the FDCPA or other laws. If a debt collector does sue to collect a time-barred debt, and if the consumer proves the expiration of the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense, the court will dismiss the suit. Suits and threats of suit on timebarred debts can harm consumers in multiple ways. A debt collector’s threat to sue on a time-barred debt may prompt some consumers to pay or prioritize that debt over others in the mistaken belief that doing so is necessary to avoid litigation. In some jurisdictions, a consumer’s payment on or acknowledgement of a debt can revive the debt collector’s right to sue for the entire amount, opening the consumer to new legal liability.103 Similarly, suits on time-barred debts may lead to judgments against consumers on claims for which those consumers had meritorious defenses, including defenses based on the statute of limitations. Few consumers who are sued for allegedly unpaid debts— whether time barred or not—actually defend themselves in court, and those 102 See generally Midland Funding, LLC v. Johnson, 137 S. Ct. 1407, 1411–12 (2017) (noting that under ‘‘the law of many States . . . a creditor has the right to payment of a debt even after the limitations period expires,’’ and collecting State laws). In Mississippi and Wisconsin, however, debts are extinguished when the applicable statute of limitations expires. See Miss. Code Ann. sec. 15– 1–3 (‘‘The completion of the period of limitation prescribed to bar any action, shall defeat and extinguish the right as well as the remedy.’’); Wis. Stat. Ann. sec. 893.05 (‘‘When the period within which an action may be commenced on a Wisconsin cause of action has expired, the right is extinguished as well as the remedy.’’). 103 Revival extinguishes the consumer’s right to raise the expiration of the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense to litigation; that is, it revives the debt collector’s right to sue to collect the debt. Although State revival laws vary, there are generally several circumstances in which revival occurs. First, in some States, a consumer’s partial payment on a time-barred debt revives the debt collector’s right to sue. Second, in some States, a consumer’s written acknowledgement of a timebarred debt revives the debt collector’s right to sue. Third, a consumer’s oral acknowledgement of a time-barred debt may revive the debt collector’s right to sue in some States. See, e.g., Lima v. Schmidt, 595 So. 2d 624, 631 (La. 1992) (‘‘Our courts have consistently held that renunciation must be clear, direct, and absolute and manifested by words or actions of the party in whose favor prescription has run.’’) (citations omitted); 22 Tenn. Pract. Contract Law and Practice § 12:88 (rev. Aug. 2020) (‘‘[T]he defendant may revive a plaintiff’s remedy that has been barred by the statute of limitations. This event can occur either when the defendant expressly promises to pay a debt or when the defendant acknowledges the debt and expresses a willingness to pay it . . . . The expression of a defendant’s willingness to pay might be implied from the words or action of a debtor . . . .’’) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5777 who do often are unrepresented. As a result, the vast majority of judgments on unpaid debts, including on time-barred debts, are default judgments, entered solely on the representations contained in the debt collector’s complaint.104 Consumer and consumer advocate commenters generally supported the prohibitions in proposed § 1006.26(b). Many of these commenters also argued that, to prevent deception, the Bureau should prohibit the collection of timebarred debt altogether, even though the Bureau did not propose such a prohibition in the May 2019 proposal or the February 2020 proposal. The Bureau certainly supports measures to prevent deception because of the harm it causes to consumers. However, the Bureau concludes that is not necessary to ban the collection of time-barred debt to prevent potential deception. As discussed in the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau’s quantitative testing generally indicates that disclosures, in certain situations, can be effective in curing the potential deception associated with the collection of time-barred debt.105 The Bureau concludes that a prohibition on the collection of time-barred debt would impose significant burden on debt collectors to identify such debts and would decrease the value of time-barred debts to little or nothing; a debt has little or no value if the owner cannot collect the debt either in litigation or outside of litigation. The Bureau declines to impose such extraordinarily large costs because much less costly measures—namely, disclosures—can be 104 See FTC Debt Buying Report, supra note 98, at 45 (observing that ‘‘90 percent or more of consumers sued in [debt collection actions] do not appear in court to defend,’’ which ‘‘creates a risk that consumer will be subject to a default judgment on a time-barred debt’’); Peter A. Holland, The One Hundred Billion Dollar Problem in Small Claims Court: Robo-Signing and Lack of Proof in Debt Buyer Cases, 6 J. Bus. & Tech. L. 259, 265 (2011) (‘‘In the majority of debt buyer cases, the courts grant the debt buyer a default judgment because the consumer has failed to appear for trial . . . . Debtors who do receive notice usually appear without legal representation.’’); CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 18 (observing that respondents reported obtaining default judgments in 60 to 90 percent of their filed suits); cf. Kimber v. Fed. Fin. Corp., 668 F. Supp. 1480, 1478 (M.D. Ala. 1987) (‘‘Because few unsophisticated consumers would be aware that a statute of limitations could be used to defend against lawsuits based on stale debts, such consumers would unwittingly acquiesce to such lawsuits. And, even if the consumer realizes that she can use time as a defense, she will more than likely still give in rather than fight the lawsuit because she must still expend energy and resources and subject herself to the embarrassment of going into court to present the defense; this is particularly true in light of the costs of attorneys today.’’). 105 See 85 FR 12672, 12677–79 (Mar. 3, 2020). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5778 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations effective in preventing potential deception. Moreover, the Bureau emphasizes that prohibiting the collection of time-barred debt when doing so is unnecessary to prevent potential deception is inconsistent with the First Amendment limitations on the Bureau’s authority to ban commercial speech. Courts have held that a debt collector who asks a consumer to pay a debt is engaging in commercial speech.106 Prohibiting the collection of time-barred debt therefore would restrict commercial speech. The Supreme Court has held that restrictions on commercial speech are permissible when they: (1) Are supported by a substantial government interest; (2) directly advance that interest; and (3) are no more extensive than necessary to serve that interest.107 If the potential deception associated with the collection of time-barred debt can be cured by a disclosure, then prohibiting the collection of time-barred debt would impose a restriction that is more extensive than necessary.108 As noted above, the Bureau’s quantitative testing generally indicates that, in certain situations involving the collection of time-barred debt, disclosures can be effective in curing potential deception. Therefore, the Bureau declines to finalize a prohibition on the collection of time-barred debt. In addition to consumers and consumer advocates, several industry commenters, Federal agency staff, and one local government commenter expressed support for the proposed prohibitions. Commenters who supported the proposed prohibitions asserted that suits and threats of suit on time-barred debts may induce consumers to make payments they otherwise would not make. Some consumer advocate commenters noted that these payments can revive the debt collector’s right to sue in certain jurisdictions. Additionally, consumer advocate commenters asserted that consumers often assume that the mere filing of a lawsuit means that they owe the debt, that the amount owed is accurately stated, and that the debt collector has the legal right to collect the debt, whereas in fact the debt collector may lack support for its claims. These commenters also asserted that consumers generally lack the knowledge and resources to defend their rights in 106 See, e.g., ACA Int’l v. Healey, 457 F. Supp. 3d 17, 25–26 (D. Mass. 2020); Stover v. Fingerhut Direct Mktg., 709 F. Supp. 2d 473, 479 (S.D. W.Va. 2009). 107 See Cent. Hudson Gas & Elec. Corp. v. Pub. Serv. Comm’n, 447 U.S. 557, 566 (1980). 108 In re R.M.J., 455 U.S. 191, 203 (1982); see also Pearson v. Shalala, 164 F.3d 650 (D.C. Cir. 1999). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 court, and, as a consequence, many claims result in default judgments on debts that were not legally enforceable. Consumer advocate commenters also provided anecdotes and pointed to recent enforcement actions to show that debt collectors continue to sue and threaten to sue on time-barred debt.109 One industry commenter who supported elements of proposed § 1006.26(b) acknowledged that proposed § 1006.26(b) is consistent with long-standing FDCPA case law. Several industry commenters who opposed proposed § 1006.26(b) argued that the Bureau should not prohibit suits and threats of suit on time-barred debt because, in most jurisdictions, expiration of the statute of limitations does not prohibit a debt collector from bringing suit but rather provides the consumer with an affirmative defense to liability. According to these commenters, proposed § 1006.26(b) would effectively preempt State affirmative defense laws by making expiration of the statute of limitations a total bar to suit, thereby interfering with debt collectors’ right to legal recourse under State law. Relatedly, an industry commenter argued that State courts are capable of addressing situations in which a debt collector sues to collect a time-barred debt, including by dismissing the debt collector’s claim and awarding sanctions if appropriate. Another industry commenter asserted that consumers should be responsible for tracking the legal obligations associated with their debts, and that it would be unduly burdensome to require debt collectors to determine whether a debt is time barred, particularly for debt collectors who are small businesses. Some industry commenters argued that the Bureau lacks the authority to prohibit suits and threats of suit on time-barred debts. For example, several industry commenters argued that proposed § 1006.26(b) exceeds the Bureau’s authority because, in their view, nothing in the FDCPA permits the Bureau to preempt State laws relating to debt collection or access to courts or establishes a Federal role in determining State law defenses. Similarly, one industry commenter asserted that 109 See, e.g., Consent Order ¶¶ 65–69, In re Encore Capital Grp., Inc., No. 2015–CFPB–0022 (Sept. 9, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201509_ cfpb_consent-order-encore-capital-group.pdf; Consent Order ¶¶ 56–59, In re Portfolio Recovery Assocs. LLC, No. 2015–CFPB–0023 (Sept. 9, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201509_cfpb_ consent-order-portfolio-recovery-associates-llc.pdf; see also Complaint ¶¶ 30–35, Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot. v. Encore Capital Grp., Inc., No. 2020CV1750 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 8, 2020), https:// www.consumerfinance.gov/documents/9167/cfpb_ encore-capital-group-et-al_complaint_2020-08.pdf. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 proposed § 1006.26(b) contradicts the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and State-law equivalents and abridges a debt collector’s right to petition the courts. The commenter pointed to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, pursuant to which an attorney’s claims, defenses, and other legal contentions must be warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law or for establishing new law. According to this commenter, the proposed prohibitions conflict with Rule 11 and its equivalents by discouraging debt collectors from filing legitimate lawsuits that argue in good faith for the modification or reversal of existing law. Final § 1006.26(b) prohibits a debt collector from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt. A debt collector who sues or threatens to sue a consumer to collect a time-barred debt explicitly or implicitly misrepresents to the consumer that the debt is legally enforceable, and that misrepresentation is material to consumers because it may affect their conduct with regard to the collection of that debt, including whether to pay it.110 The Bureau’s consumer testing suggests that consumers often are uncertain about their rights concerning time-barred debt.111 Consumers sued or threatened with suit on a time-barred debt generally do not recognize that the debt is time barred, that time-barred debts are unenforceable in court, or that they must raise the expiration of the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense. The prohibitions in final § 1006.26(b) generally are consistent with the current state of the law. Multiple courts have held that suits and threats of suit on time-barred debt violate the FDCPA, reasoning that such practices violate FDCPA section 807’s prohibition on false or misleading representations, FDCPA section 808’s prohibition on unfair practices, or both.112 The FTC 110 See, e.g., Kimber, 668 F. Supp. at 1489 (‘‘By threatening to sue Kimber on her alleged debt . . . FFC implicit[ly] represented that it could recover in a lawsuit, when in fact it cannot properly do so.’’). 111 See FMG Focus Group Report, supra note 26, at 9–10; FMG Cognitive Report, supra note 27, at 36–37; FMG Summary Report, supra note 29, at 35– 36; see also Fed. Trade Comm’n, Repairing a Broken System: Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration at iii, 26 (July 2010), https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/ documents/reports/federal-trade-commissionbureau-consumer-protection-staff-report-repairingbroken-system-protecting/debtcollectionreport.pdf (FTC Litigation Report). 112 See, e.g., Pantoja v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 852 F.3d 679, 683–84 (7th Cir. 2017); McMahon v. LVNV Funding, LLC, 744 F.3d 1010, 1020 (7th Cir. 2014); Phillips v. Asset Acceptance, LLC, 736 F.3d 1076, 1079 (7th Cir. 2013); Huertas E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 also has concluded that the FDCPA bars actual and threatened suits on timebarred debt.113 In addition, the prohibitions in final § 1006.26(b) generally are consistent with current industry practice. For example, a number of industry commenters stated they do not sue or threaten to sue on time-barred debt as a matter of policy, and one trade group commenter stated that it requires its members to refrain from suing or threatening to sue on time-barred debts. The Bureau recognizes that, in most jurisdictions, expiration of the statute of limitations provides the consumer with an affirmative defense to liability, but it does not bar a debt collector from bringing suit. The Bureau concludes, however, that consumers are unlikely to know whether the applicable statute of limitations has expired or that the expiration of the statute of limitations provides an affirmative defense. Suits and threats of suit on time-barred debts therefore imply to the least sophisticated consumer not simply that the debt collector may sue or has sued the consumer but also that the debt collector’s claim is legally enforceable. For time-barred debts, this is misleading because expiration of the statute of limitations provides the consumer with a complete defense.114 Accordingly, the Bureau concludes that bringing or threatening to bring a legal action to collect a time-barred debt is a deceptive practice under FDCPA section 807 even if expiration of the statute of limitations is an affirmative defense rather than a categorical bar to suit. As explained below, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(b) as an interpretation of FDCPA section 807’s prohibition on deception; such an interpretation is squarely within the Bureau’s authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. Contrary to commenters’ claims, § 1006.26(b) does not preempt State laws relating to when a debt collector may bring a lawsuit in State court. Rather, it provides that a debt collector who sues or threatens to sue a consumer to collect a time-barred debt violates the FDCPA even if applicable State law permits the suit. In addition, v. Galaxy Asset Mgmt., 641 F.3d 28, 33 (3d Cir. 2011) (per curiam); Goins v. JBC & Assocs., P.C., 352 F. Supp. 2d 262, 273 (D. Conn. 2005); Kimber, 668 F. Supp. at 1487–89. 113 FTC Litigation Report, supra note 111, at 23. 114 See, e.g., Goins, 352 F. Supp. 2d at 272 (holding that, although the statute of limitations is an affirmative defense, threatening to bring suit on time-barred debt ‘‘can at best be described as a ‘misleading’ representation, in violation of § 1692e,’’ because the statute of limitations is a complete defense to any suit). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 contrary to commenters’ assertions, § 1006.26(b) does not exceed the Bureau’s authority by regulating access to the courts or litigation activities. Debt collectors have repeatedly argued that they cannot be held liable under the FDCPA for actions taken in litigation because, for example, the United States Constitution allows debt collectors to petition the courts, or because the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (or their State equivalents) allow debt collectors to argue for the modification or reversal of existing law. Many courts have rejected such arguments, generally reasoning that the FDCPA unquestionably applies to litigation activities.115 The fact that expiration of a State’s statute of limitations may not extinguish a debt under State law or bar a lawsuit in State court unless an affirmative defense is raised and proven does not render the FDCPA’s prohibition on using deceptive or misleading representations or means in debt collection inapplicable. There is nothing unusual about the proposition that some behavior permitted by State law may nevertheless violate Federal law. Moreover, nothing in § 1006.26(b) prohibits a debt collector from bringing a legal action against a consumer in which the debt collector argues for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law or the establishment of new law—including a legal action in which the debt collector argues that a debt is not time barred. Debt collectors remain free to do so. But a debt collector who brings such an action may violate § 1006.26(b) if a court ultimately determines that the debt was time barred. Liability Standard Proposed § 1006.26(b) would have prohibited a debt collector from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt only if the debt collector knew or should have known the debt was time barred. In proposing a knows-or-should-know standard, the Bureau explained that determining whether a debt is time barred may involve analyzing which State law applies, which statute of limitations applies, when the statute of limitations began to run, and whether the statute of limitations has been tolled or reset. In many cases, a debt collector 115 See, e.g., Aguilar v. LVNV Funding LLC, No. 2:19–cv–105, 2019 WL 3369706, at *3–4 (M.D. Fla. July 26, 2019); Tobing v. Parker McCay, P.A., No. 3:17–cv–00474, 2018 WL 2002799, at *9 (D.N.J. Apr. 30, 2018); Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. Frederick J. Hanna & Assocs., P.C., 114 F. Supp. 3d 1342, 1359–61 (N.D. Ga. 2015); Johnson v. Riddle, 305 F.3d 1107, 1118 (10th Cir. 2002). PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5779 will know, or will be able to readily determine, whether the statute of limitations has expired. In some instances, however, a debt collector may be genuinely uncertain even after undertaking a reasonable investigation, such as if the case law in a State is unclear as to which statute of limitations applies to a particular type of debt. The proposed knows-or-shouldknow standard was meant to address this concern by not imposing liability on a debt collector if it had no way of knowing that a particular debt was time barred. But the Bureau also acknowledged that it sometimes may be difficult to determine whether a knowsor-should-know standard has been met. Such uncertainty could increase litigation costs and make it difficult for consumers and government agencies to bring actions against debt collectors. To address this concern, the Bureau sought comment on an alternative strict liability standard pursuant to which a debt collector would be liable for suing or threatening to sue on a time-barred debt even if the debt collector neither knew nor should have known that the debt was time barred. Industry commenters generally did not support a strict liability standard. These commenters generally agreed that it can be difficult for a debt collector to determine whether a debt is time barred and asserted that holding debt collectors strictly liable for good faith errors would be unduly harsh. These commenters stated, for example, that determining the applicable statute of limitations and whether it has expired may require analyzing a variety of factual and legal questions specific to the debt, and that, in many cases, a debt collector may reach the wrong conclusion even after undertaking a reasonable investigation and analysis. Industry commenters asserted that debt collectors may be unable to reliably determine the statute of limitations before filing suit because the law is unclear, because some information relevant to the analysis may be unavailable, or both. Some industry commenters also asserted that the analysis may change over time. For example, according to these commenters, a consumer’s decision to move to a different State after signing a loan agreement could affect a debt collector’s analysis of which State law applies and whether the statute of limitations has been tolled. As another example, an industry commenter stated that, in certain jurisdictions, the statute of limitations applicable to mortgage debt is in flux because of unprecedented access by consumers to loss mitigation and an increase in bankruptcy filings in E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5780 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations the wake of the foreclosure crisis. Several industry commenters also expressed concern that debt collectors who are not attorneys may have particular difficulty making an accurate time-barred debt determination. For these reasons, industry commenters asserted that a strict liability standard, which would leave no room for error, would expose debt collectors to liability even though it would be challenging or very costly in many circumstances to determine if a debt is time barred. Some industry commenters supported the proposed knows-or-should-know standard. These commenters generally asserted that the proposed standard would help debt collectors avoid liability for good-faith mistakes in determining whether a debt is time barred—something industry commenters argued is important given the complexity and uncertainty of certain time-barred debt analyses. One industry commenter asserted that the proposed standard also would adequately protect consumers from harm. However, several industry commenters who expressed general support for the proposed standard also asked the Bureau to provide additional guidance, including examples of circumstances in which a debt collector neither knows nor should know that a debt is time barred. Not all industry commenters supported the proposed knows-orshould-know standard. Some industry commenters argued that the proposed standard was vague and subjective and could increase litigation risk rather than mitigating it. Other industry commenters asked the Bureau to clarify that the knows-or-should-know standard depends on the specific understanding and sophistication of the particular debt collector. They asserted, for example, that what an attorney debt collector knows or should know about a debt’s time-barred status may differ from what a non-attorney debt collector knows or should know. Some industry commenters who opposed the proposed knows-or-shouldknow standard offered alternative standards. For example, several industry commenters recommended that the Bureau finalize a reasonable investigation standard such that a debt collector who sued or threatened to sue to collect a time-barred debt would not be liable if the debt collector undertook a reasonable investigation before doing so. Similarly, some industry commenters argued that a debt collector who acts in good faith should not be liable for suits and threats of suit on time-barred debts. Other industry commenters suggested that the Bureau VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 finalize a liability standard akin to qualified immunity such that a debt collector who sued or threatened to sue to collect a time-barred debt would not be liable unless the applicable statute of limitations was clearly established. Other industry commenters suggested that the Bureau finalize an actual knowledge standard such that a debt collector who sued or threatened to sue on a time-barred debt would be liable only if the debt collector knew the debt was time barred. Some commenters suggested that the Bureau finalize various safe harbors for debt collectors. For example, industry commenters recommended safe harbors for debt collectors collecting debts of a certain age and for debt collectors who rely on information provided by the creditor. Other industry commenters suggested that a debt collector who maintains and follows reasonable procedures for determining whether a debt is time barred should receive a safe harbor from liability in the event that the debt collector inadvertently sues or threatens to sue on a time-barred debt. One industry commenter requested that the Bureau specifically confirm that FDCPA section 813(c)’s bona fide error defense would apply to violations of § 1006.26(b). Other commenters, including consumers, consumer advocates, academics, some members of Congress, a group of State Attorneys General, and several local governments, urged the Bureau to adopt a strict liability standard. Although some of these commenters acknowledged that determining whether a debt is time barred can be complicated,116 others argued that determining whether a debt is time barred is relatively straightforward in most cases. One commenter suggested that, if the Bureau finalizes the proposed knows-or-shouldknow standard, the Bureau should clarify that in most cases a debt collector will know (or should know) whether the statute of limitations has run because in most cases debt collectors have the necessary information to make the determination. Some consumer advocate commenters who argued for a strict liability standard stated that it would incentivize debt collectors to determine whether a debt is time barred before threatening or 116 A group of academic commenters challenged the Bureau’s assertion that debt buyers generally receive enough information to determine whether a debt is time barred. These commenters noted that fewer than half of respondents to the Bureau’s industry survey reported receiving account agreement documentation or billing statements, information that the commenters believed would help a debt collector calculate the applicable statute of limitations and whether it has expired. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 filing suit. Some consumer advocate commenters suggested that this would help reduce the consumer protection risks associated with the collection of time-barred debt, including the risk that consumers may be unable to adequately protect their rights in court and the risk that consumers may make a payment on the debt under the misimpression that the debt is legally enforceable, which could revive the debt collector’s right to sue. Some commenters expressed concern that the proposed knows-orshould-know standard would not adequately incentivize debt collectors to determine the time-barred status of debts. Around two dozen members of Congress asserted that finalizing a knows-or-should-know standard without additional protections could encourage willful ignorance on the part of a debt collector about the time-barred status of a debt. A group of State Attorneys General and some consumer advocate commenters similarly argued that a knows-or-should-know standard would promote willful ignorance by debt collectors. A number of commenters, including consumer advocate commenters and a group of State Attorneys General, advocated a strict liability standard because, in their view, debt collectors generally have more resources and expertise and better access to information than consumers. These commenters generally asserted that it would often be difficult for a consumer to establish that a debt was time barred and that the debt collector knew or should have known that fact. Many of these commenters also argued that the proposed knows-orshould-know standard was inconsistent with the FDCPA (which some commenters described as a strict liability statute) and with FDCPA section 807’s prohibition on deception (which does not include a knowledge element). Some commenters pointed out that, because FDCPA section 813(c) provides debt collectors with a bona fide error defense to liability in certain circumstances, a strict liability standard would not expose debt collectors to undue liability. Commenters also argued that the proposed knows-or-shouldknow standard was inconsistent with case law imposing or implying a strict liability standard when evaluating claims that a debt collector sued or threatened to sue to collect a timebarred debt. Several commenters agreed with the Bureau that a strict liability standard generally would reduce ambiguity and be easier to enforce than the proposed knows-or-should-know standard. Federal government agency staff encouraged the Bureau to consider E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations further whether a knows-or-shouldknow standard would place an unnecessary burden on law enforcement agencies. The Bureau is not finalizing the proposed knows-or-should-know standard and is instead finalizing a strict liability standard. Although determining whether a debt is time barred can be challenging or costly in certain circumstances, the Bureau concludes that the proposed knows-orshould-know standard is generally inconsistent with FDCPA section 807, which does not include an exception or exclusion for debt collectors whose deceptive statements are unintentional or for whom ensuring that a statement is not deceptive is burdensome.117 The Bureau also concludes that a strict liability standard is more consistent with FDCPA section 807’s prohibition on deception, as well as case law imposing or implying such a standard when evaluating claims under FDCPA section 807 generally and claims related to suits and threats of suit on timebarred debt specifically.118 Moreover, the Bureau notes that a knows-or-should-know standard could, in some circumstances, shift the risk that a claim is deceptive from debt collectors to consumers. As explained above, suits and threats of suit on timebarred debt can cause consumer harm. In a case in which it is difficult or costly to determine whether a debt is time barred, a knows-or-should-know standard could allow debt collectors to avoid liability for causing such harm. In other consumer protection contexts, courts and the FTC have recognized that an advertiser who makes an unsubstantiated claim may be liable for deception even if the cost of substantiating the claim is high or prohibitively expensive.119 The khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 117 For the same reasons, the Bureau concludes that the alternative standards proposed by industry commenters—including, for example, an actual knowledge standard, a reasonable-investigation standard, or a clearly-established-law standard—are generally inconsistent with FDCPA section 807. 118 See, e.g., Pantoja, v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 852 F.3d 679, 683 (7th Cir. 2017); Buchanan v. Northland Grp., Inc., 776 F.3d 393, 399 (6th Cir. 2015); Phillips v. Asset Acceptance, LLC, 736 F.3d 1076, 1083–84 (7th Cir. 2013); Clark v. Capital Credit & Collection Servs., 460 F.3d 1162, 1176 (9th Cir. 2006); Gearing v. Check Brokerage Corp., 233 F.3d 469, 472 (7th Cir. 2000). 119 See, e.g., POM Wonderful, LLC v. FTC, 777 F.3d 478, 497 (D.C. Cir. 2015) (‘‘We acknowledge that RCTs [i.e., randomized clinical trials] may be costly. . . . Yet if the cost of an RCT proves prohibitive, petitioners can choose to specify a lower level of substantiation for their claims. As the Commission observed, the need for RCTs is driven by the claims petitioners have chosen to make.’’) (internal brackets and quotation marks omitted); In re POM Wonderful LLC, 2013 WL 268926, at *50 (F.T.C. Jan. 16, 2013) (rejecting argument that an VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 Bureau’s decision to finalize a strict liability standard is generally consistent with this principle. The Bureau emphasizes that, although a strict liability standard might create some risk for debt collectors if a debt’s time-barred status is unclear, debt collectors have multiple ways to manage such risk. In particular, a debt collector can avoid liability under § 1006.26(b) by confirming that the statute of limitations has not expired before bringing or threatening to bring a legal action. Similarly, a debt collector who is ultimately unable to determine with certainty whether a debt is time barred can avoid liability under § 1006.26(b) by refraining from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action while, in most States, continuing with non-litigation collection activities. Moreover, a debt collector who brings or threatens to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt may, depending upon the reason for the debt collector’s error, have a defense to civil liability under FDCPA section 813 if the debt collector shows by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such error.120 For these reasons, the Bureau concludes that finalizing a strict liability standard under § 1006.26(b) does not pose an undue risk of liability for debt collectors, even in cases in which a debt collector is unable to determine with certainty whether a debt is time barred. Requests for Clarification Several commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the scope of proposed § 1006.26(b)’s prohibitions.121 Two advertiser may ‘‘make particular claims that go beyond the substantiation it possesses and then ask the Commission to excuse the inadequacy of its support by asserting that [the] advertiser did the best it could because the proper substantiation for the actual claim would be too expensive’’); In re Kroger Co., 98 F.T.C. 639, 737 (1981) (‘‘Where the demands of the purse require such compromises, the advertiser must generally limit the claims it makes for its data or make appropriate disclosures to insure proper consumer understanding of the survey’s results.’’). 120 See Jerman v. Carlisle, McNellie, Rini, Kramer & Ulrich LPA, 559 U.S. 573 (2010) (holding that bona fide error defense is not available when FDCPA violation arises from a debt collector’s mistaken interpretation of FDCPA’s legal requirements but noting that bona fide error defense is available when FDCPA violation arises from certain other types of errors). 121 Commenters also asked the Bureau to adopt a number of interventions that the Bureau did not propose, such as a prohibition on revival and a prohibition on perpetual tolling, which commenters asserted prevents a statute of limitations from ever expiring in certain circumstances. The Bureau did PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5781 industry commenters suggested that the term ‘‘legal action’’ is unclear and could be interpreted to encompass any action in any court of law or equity. These commenters suggested replacing ‘‘legal action’’ with ‘‘lawsuit,’’ asserting that, although ‘‘legal action’’ and ‘‘lawsuit’’ have overlapping meanings, ‘‘lawsuit’’ has a narrower connotation that excludes certain legal actions, such as bankruptcy proceedings. Alternatively, these commenters argued that, if the Bureau declines to change the term legal action, the prohibitions in proposed § 1006.26(b) should be adjusted to specifically exclude certain types of legal actions, such as garnishment actions, probate actions, and the filing of proofs of claim in bankruptcy proceedings.122 Another commenter asked the Bureau to clarify that, for purposes of proposed § 1006.26(b), the term ‘‘legal action’’ does not include ‘‘non-original complaints,’’ such as amended complaints, supplemental complaints, complaints re-filed after a prior dismissal without prejudice, postjudgment court filings, or post-judgment communications (such as executions or garnishments). Final § 1006.26(b) uses the term ‘‘legal action.’’ In Midland Funding, LLC v. Johnson, the Supreme Court held that filing a proof of claim on a time-barred debt in a bankruptcy proceeding does not violate the FDCPA sections 807 or 808.123 Consistent with Midland, the final rule clarifies that § 1006.26(b) does not prohibit the filing of proofs of claim in a bankruptcy proceeding. The Bureau does not see a basis to categorically exclude other types of legal actions, such as garnishment and probate actions, from the prohibitions in § 1006.26(b). No other section of the FDCPA pertaining to legal actions contains a similar exclusion, and the commenters did not explain why they believe an exclusion is merited here. At least one industry commenter asked the Bureau to clarify the types of actions and statements that qualify as a threat of legal action or that could be interpreted by a consumer as a threat of legal action. The Bureau declines to do so at this time. Whether a particular action or statement constitutes a threat of legal action depends on the facts and circumstances of the particular case. Nevertheless, the Bureau notes that § 1006.26(b) prohibits not only explicit not propose these interventions and it is not finalizing them. 122 A consumer advocate commenter argued that the rule should expressly prohibit filing a bankruptcy proof of claim to recover a time-barred debt. 123 137 S. Ct. 1407 (2017). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5782 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations threats of legal action but also implicit ones. For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(b), which provides that a debt collector must not bring or threaten to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a timebarred debt. Section 1006.26(b) also states that these prohibitions do not apply to proofs of claim filed in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(b) as an interpretation of FDCPA section 807. FDCPA section 807 generally prohibits debt collectors from using ‘‘any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt,’’ and FDCPA section 807(2)(A) specifically prohibits falsely representing ‘‘the character, amount, or legal status of any debt.’’ The Bureau interprets FDCPA section 807 and 807(2)(A) to prohibit debt collectors from suing or threatening to sue consumers on time-barred debts because such suits and threats of suit explicitly or implicitly misrepresent, and cause consumers to believe, that the debts are legally enforceable. In addition, threats to sue consumers on time-barred debts are similar to threats to take actions that cannot legally be taken, which FDCPA section 807(5) specifically prohibits, because both involve the threat of action to which the consumer has a complete legal defense.124 The Bureau’s interpretation of FDCPA section 807 is generally consistent with wellestablished case law holding that suits and threats of suits on time-barred debt violate FDCPA section 807.125 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Proposed Provision Not Finalized In the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau proposed to require a debt collector collecting a debt that the debt collector knows or should know is a time-barred debt to provide time-barred debt disclosures and, if applicable, revival disclosures (proposed § 1006.26(c)(1) and (2)).126 The Bureau 124 A consumer advocate commenter requested that the Bureau clarify that a debt collector who brings or threatens to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt also violates the Dodd-Frank Act. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.26(b) as an interpretation of FDCPA section 807 only. 125 See, e.g., Pantoja, 852 F.3d at 683; McMahon, 744 F.3d at 1020; Phillips, 736 F.3d at 1079; Kimber, 668 F. Supp. at 1488–89. 126 Specifically, proposed § 1006.26(c)(1) would have required a debt collector collecting a debt that the debt collector knows or should know is a timebarred debt to disclose (i) that the law limits how long a consumer can be sued for a debt and that, because of the age of the debt, the debt collector will not sue the consumer to collect it; and (ii) if, under applicable law, the debt collector’s right to bring a legal action against the consumer can be VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 proposed to require these disclosures in the debt collector’s initial communication with the consumer, on any validation notice, and in certain situations if the debt became time barred during collections. The February 2020 proposal also included, among other things, model forms and language a debt collector could have used to comply with the proposed disclosure requirements (proposed Model Forms B–4 through B–7), and it provided a safe harbor to a debt collector who used the model forms or language (proposed § 1006.26(c)(3)). In support of proposed § 1006.26(c), the Bureau cited, among other things, the results of its quantitative testing survey.127 Although some commenters expressed general support for the idea of addressing the risk of deception associated with the collection of timebarred debts by requiring time-barred debt and revival disclosures, many commenters opposed the Bureau’s specific proposal. According to industry commenters, the proposal would have imposed a significant burden on debt collectors by requiring them to conduct time-barred debt and revival analyses for each debt in collection. These commenters also reported that they would face a significant risk of liability given uncertainty about the statute of limitations and revival law in at least some States. Industry commenters stated that most debt collectors lack the legal training to determine whether a debt is time barred or the circumstances in which it can be revived. To comply with the disclosure requirements, these commenters asserted that debt collectors would need to engage an attorney or otherwise incur substantial costs. Industry commenters particularly objected to imposing these costs on debt collectors who never sue to collect debts, or never sue to collect revived debts. Industry commenters also raised concerns about being required to respond to legal questions from consumers as a result of providing the disclosures. Among consumer, consumer advocate, academic, and State Attorneys General commenters who opposed the Bureau’s proposal, many doubted that disclosures can effectively convey information about topics as complicated and unfamiliar to consumers as timebarred debt and revival. These commenters also raised concerns about the Bureau’s proposed model disclosures, characterizing them as revived, then the fact that revival can occur and the circumstances in which it can occur. 85 FR 12672, 12696 (Mar. 3, 2020). 127 See id. at 12678–79. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 confusing, vague, and ineffective— particularly for the least sophisticated consumer.128 Some consumer advocate commenters also expressed concern about the accuracy of the proposed disclosures and the frequency with which the Bureau proposed to require them. These commenters urged the Bureau to reconsider or significantly revise the proposal. Given industry commenters’ concerns about the burden on debt collectors of the Bureau’s specific proposal, and consumer advocate commenters’ concerns about whether the Bureau’s specific proposal would effectively cure consumer deception, the Bureau has decided not to finalize proposed § 1006.26(c). In deciding not to finalize proposed § 1006.26(c), the Bureau determines only that the specific disclosure requirements described in the February 2020 proposal may not sufficiently accommodate the concerns raised by different stakeholders. However, the Bureau concludes, as discussed in the February 2020 proposal, that, in many circumstances, disclosures can effectively cure the potential deception associated with the collection of time-barred debt. Finally, the Bureau emphasizes that the FDCPA, the November 2020 Final Rule, and this final rule nevertheless apply to debt collectors’ activities involving the collection of time-barred debts, including debt collectors’ communications when collecting such debts. Accordingly, a debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of a timebarred debt. Nor may a debt collector use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect a timebarred debt. Depending on the circumstances associated with the collection of a specific time-barred debt, a debt collector may decide that, to avoid violating the FDCPA and the final 128 Courts have applied an objective standard of an ‘‘unsophisticated’’ or ‘‘least sophisticated’’ consumer to claims brought under FDCPA section 807. Jensen v. Pressler & Pressler, 791 F.3d 413, 419 (3d Cir. 2015) (‘‘The standard is an objective one, meaning that the specific plaintiff need not prove that she was actually confused or misled, only that the objective least sophisticated debtor would be.’’); Hartman v. Great Seneca Fin. Corp., 569 F.3d 606, 613 (6th Cir. 2009) (applying least sophisticated consumer standard to section 807 claim); Bentley v. Great Lakes Collection Bureau, 6 F.3d 60, 62 (2d Cir. 1993) (same); Swanson v. S. Or. Credit Serv., Inc., 869 F.2d 1222, 1227 (9th Cir. 1988) (per curiam) (same). This standard ‘‘protects the consumer who is uninformed, naive, or trusting, yet it admits an objective element of reasonableness.’’ Gammon v. GC Servs. Ltd. P’ship, 27 F.3d 1254, 1257 (7th Cir. 1994). As discussed in part IV, the Bureau interprets FDCPA sections 807 to incorporate an objective, ‘‘unsophisticated’’ or ‘‘least sophisticated’’ consumer standard. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations rule, the debt collector needs to disclose information to consumers about the debt collector’s ability to sue and the possibility of revival and, in that case, the debt collector may do so. Section 1006.30 Practices Other Prohibited 30(a) Required Actions Prior to Furnishing Information The Bureau proposed in § 1006.30(a) to prohibit so-called passive collections, i.e., the practice of a debt collector furnishing to a consumer reporting agency, as defined in section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA),129 information regarding a debt before communicating with the consumer about the debt. The Bureau proposed § 1006.30(a) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors; pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 806, which prohibits a debt collector from engaging in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt; and pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 808, which prohibits a debt collector from using unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Courts have interpreted FDCPA sections 806 and 808 to prohibit certain coercive collection methods that may cause consumers to pay debts not actually owed.130 For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is: (1) Finalizing § 1006.30(a) as § 1006.30(a)(1), with changes to specify the required actions that a debt collector generally must take before furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency; and (2) finalizing in § 1006.30(a)(2) a special rule for information furnished to certain specialty consumer reporting agencies. 30(a)(1) In General The Bureau received comments on proposed § 1006.30(a) from consumer advocates and individuals, nonprofits, 129 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f). e.g., Fox v. Citicorp Credit Servs., Inc., 15 F.3d 1507, 1517 (9th Cir. 1994) (reversing grant of summary judgment to debt collector in part because ‘‘a jury could rationally find’’ that filing writ of garnishment was unfair or unconscionable under section 808 when debt was not delinquent); Ferrell v. Midland Funding, LLC, No. 2:15–cv–00126–JHE, 2015 WL 2450615, at *3–4 (N.D. Ala. May 22, 2015) (denying debt collector’s motion to dismiss section 806 claim where debt collector allegedly initiated collection lawsuit even though it knew plaintiff did not owe debt); Pittman v. J.J. Mac Intyre Co. of Nev., Inc., 969 F. Supp. 609, 612–13 (D. Nev. 1997) (denying debt collector’s motion to dismiss claims under sections 807 and 808 where debt collector allegedly attempted to collect fully satisfied debt). khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 130 See, VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 industry commenters, and government agencies. Many commenters supported the proposed prohibition on passive collections. A consumer group emphasized the consumer harms identified in the proposal and agreed that, because with passive collections a consumer does not know a debt is in collection, the practice can cause a consumer’s credit score to decrease, increase the cost of future credit for the consumer, make it more difficult for a consumer to obtain affordable housing, and jeopardize some job opportunities, all without the consumer’s knowledge. Three government commenters also supported the proposed prohibition; one of them reported receiving consumer complaints regarding passive collections. An industry commenter supporting the proposal noted that the commenter provides consumers with a 90-day grace period before furnishing information to consumer reporting agencies. A number of comments, primarily from industry or industry trade groups, opposed the prohibition or suggested changes or clarifications. Two industry trade groups and a law firm commenter argued that proposed § 1006.30(a) should not be finalized because it conflicts with the FCRA, including section 623(a)(7), which requires certain financial institutions to provide written notice to customers if they furnish negative information to a consumer reporting agency, and section 623(a)(5), which requires furnishers to provide certain information about a reported delinquency to the consumer reporting agency no later than 90 days after furnishing information.131 Other industry commenters argued that the proposal would encourage consumers to ignore communications, provide inaccurate forwarding information to the creditor, or falsely mark mail as undeliverable to avoid having collection items furnished to consumer reporting agencies. In addition, several industry commenters stated that locating consumers for certain debts, such as medical debt, telecommunications debt, or rental debt, is costly and may not be justified for small amounts. If debt collectors cannot passively collect these debts, the commenters argued, then the debts are effectively uncollectible. One industry trade group similarly argued that passive collections benefits consumers who otherwise cannot be located, rather than harming them, because the collection item on their credit report will provide them contact information for the debt collector, 131 15 PO 00000 U.S.C. 1681s–2(a)(5) and (7). Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5783 which the consumer can then use to make payment arrangements. A number of commenters suggested changing or clarifying the proposed requirement to ‘‘communicate’’ before furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency. Some urged the Bureau to adopt a stricter requirement, such as by requiring written notice to the consumer before reporting, mandating specific disclosure language, imposing across-the-board waiting periods before reporting, or prohibiting indirect communications. Others expressed concern that the proposal would impose more stringent communication requirements than the FDCPA otherwise requires and asked the Bureau to relax the proposal, such as by clarifying that proof of receipt of a communication is not required, by allowing debt collectors to satisfy the proposed requirement by leaving limited-content messages (as defined in § 1006.2(j) of the November 2020 Final Rule), or by permitting debt collectors to presume receipt of a communication after a waiting period expires. After considering all of the comments, the Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.30(a) and its related commentary with substantial revisions, as follows. Subject to § 1006.30(a)(2) (discussed below), final § 1006.30(a)(1) requires a debt collector to take certain actions before furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency, as defined in section 603(f) of the FCRA. Specifically, the debt collector must either: (1) Speak to the consumer about the debt in person or by telephone, or (2) place a letter in the mail or send an electronic message to the consumer about the debt and wait a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of undeliverability. During the reasonable period, the debt collector must permit receipt of, and monitor for, notifications of undeliverability from communications providers. If the debt collector receives such a notification during the reasonable period, the debt collector must not furnish information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency until the debt collector otherwise satisfies § 1006.30(a)(1). The Bureau is finalizing commentary to clarify these requirements as discussed below. The Bureau finalizes the requirements under § 1006.30(a)(1) to address consumer harms that may arise if a debt collector furnishes information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency without first informing the consumer about the debt. As discussed in the proposal, consumers who have not been informed about the debt are likely to be unaware that they have a debt in E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5784 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations collection unless they obtain and review their consumer report. In turn, many consumers may not obtain their consumer reports until they apply for credit, housing, employment, or another product or service provided by an entity that reviews consumer reports during the application process. At that point, consumers may feel pressure to pay debts that they otherwise would dispute, including debts they do not owe, or may face the denial of an application, a higher interest rate, or other negative consequences. In addition, as discussed in the proposal, debt collectors may attempt to collect debts passively if the expected return from that technique exceeds the cost of attempting to collect the debt by communicating with consumers.132 The Bureau understands that imposing a requirement intended to inform the consumer about a debt before furnishing information about a debt to consumer reporting agencies will increase costs for debt collectors who do not currently attempt to do so. However, passive collection practices can harm consumers for the reasons discussed above. The Bureau has determined that the final rule best balances debt collectors’ cost concerns with protections for consumers against the harms imposed by passive collection practices. Final § 1006.30(a)(1) gives a debt collector flexibility to contact consumers in a variety of ways, including in person, by telephone, by mail, or by electronic message.133 This gives debt collectors flexibility to contact the consumer in a manner that works best for their operations, and debt collectors need not confirm receipt of mail or electronic messages. Although proposed § 1006.30(a) used the term ‘‘communicate,’’ the proposal did not clearly specify a debt collector’s obligations if the debt collector learned after furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency that no communication actually occurred (because, e.g., the communication was sent by mail to the consumer’s current address but the debt collector later received a notification that the letter was not delivered). Some commenters raised concerns that the proposal’s use of the term ‘‘communicate’’ could be construed to require debt collectors to confirm a consumer’s receipt of the information before furnishing 132 84 FR 23274, 23330 (May 21, 2019). medical offices, telecommunications companies, and rental offices typically have contact information for their customers, and because a variety of options to verify and forward mail to a consumer’s new address exist, a debt collector of such debts should be able to satisfy § 1006.30(a)’s requirements without incurring significant costs. 133 Because VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency. To respond to such comments, and because the proposal was designed to increase the likelihood that consumers would learn that a debt attributed to them is in collection but was not intended to be a broader limitation on furnishing valid information about debts to consumer reporting agencies, the Bureau finalizes specific requirements a debt collector must take before furnishing. The actions specified in the final rule are ones that increase the likelihood that a consumer will learn about a debt before a debt collector begins furnishing information about that debt to a consumer reporting agency. For this reason, after a debt collector has complied with § 1006.30(a)(1) and furnished information to a consumer reporting agency, the debt collector may furnish additional information with respect to that debt without having to repeat the actions specified in § 1006.30(a)(1). Accordingly, the Bureau does not incorporate a receipt requirement in final § 1006.30(a)(1) and, instead of using the term ‘‘communicate,’’ sets forth the specific actions that a debt collector must take before furnishing. The Bureau has also determined that final § 1006.30(a)(1) does not conflict with FCRA section 623(a)(7) or (5) because those provisions have different requirements and goals than § 1006.30(a)(1). FCRA section 623(a)(7) applies only to ‘‘financial institutions’’ as defined in FCRA section 603(t), which will cover few, if any, FDCPA debt collectors. Final § 1006.30(a)(1) does not prevent debt collectors from complying with the FCRA, and the FCRA does not prevent debt collectors from complying with final § 1006.30(a)(1).134 The FCRA also does not state that it is the exclusive Federal law governing credit reporting and, indeed, the FDCPA also references a debt collector’s interactions with consumer reporting agencies.135 Because final § 1006.30(a)(1) clearly describes the specific actions that a debt collector must take before furnishing 134 For example, FCRA section 623(a)(7) requires certain financial institutions that furnish negative information to a consumer reporting agency, as defined in FCRA section 603(p), to provide a written notice to consumers prior to, or no later than 30 days after, furnishing the negative information. A financial institution that is required to provide a written notice under FCRA section 623(a)(7) and that is also acting as an FDCPA debt collector could comply with both requirements by, for example, placing a letter in the mail to the consumer that contains sufficient information to satisfy both requirements before furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency. 135 See, e.g., 15 U.S.C. 1692c(b), 1692d(3). PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency, a debt collector may ensure compliance with the final rule based on the debt collector’s own actions, such as by placing a letter about the debt in the mail to the consumer and waiting a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of undeliverability. Therefore, the final rule also resolves concerns about consumers avoiding a debt collector’s communications to prevent the debt collector from furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency. The final rule specifies in § 1006.30(a)(1)(i) and (ii) the methods by which a debt collector may meet its obligation to take certain actions before furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency. All of the methods require that information ‘‘about the debt’’ be conveyed to the consumer. Although the final rule does not specify the particular information required to meet the ‘‘about the debt’’ requirement, the final rule adds comment 30(a)(1)–1 to clarify that the validation information required by § 1006.34(c), including such information if provided in a validation notice, is information ‘‘about the debt.’’ Under § 1006.30(a)(1), information about a debt must be transmitted ‘‘to the consumer’’ as defined in § 1006.2(e). A debt collector who sends information about the debt that reaches a ‘‘consumer’’ as defined in § 1006.6(a), which includes additional persons,136 may not have communicated with the consumer as defined in § 1006.2(e). The Bureau notes that, in taking any of the actions specified in § 1006.30(a)(1), a debt collector must comply with the FDCPA and the November 2020 Final Rule, including the prohibition on communicating, in connection with the collection of any debt, with a third party.137 Proposed comment 30(a)–1 provided clarifications regarding the term ‘‘communicate’’ in proposed § 1006.30(a)(1). Because final § 1006.30(a)(1) does not use the term ‘‘communicate’’ and instead states the specific actions the debt collector must take before furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency, proposed comment 30(a)–1 is no longer 136 For purposes of § 1006.6(a), the term ‘‘consumer’’ also includes the consumer’s spouse, parent (if the consumer is a minor), legal guardian, executor or administrator of the consumer’s estate, if the consumer is deceased, and a confirmed successor in interest. See 85 FR 76734, 76889 (Nov. 30, 2020). 137 A debt collector sending an email or text message who uses the procedures provided for in § 1006.6(d)(4) or (5) as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule does not violate the prohibition on third-party disclosure under § 1006.6(d)(1). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations necessary and the Bureau is not finalizing it. The final rule specifies in § 1006.30(a)(1)(ii) that a debt collector who places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message to the consumer about the debt to satisfy § 1006.30(a)(1) must wait a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of undeliverability before furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency. New comment 30(a)(1)–2 clarifies that the reasonable period of time begins on the date that the debt collector places the letter in the mail or sends the electronic message. Comment 30(a)(1)–2 also provides a safe harbor for waiting a reasonable period of time by clarifying that a period of 14 consecutive days after the date that the debt collector places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message is a reasonable period of time. Comment 30(a)(1)–3 clarifies that a debt collector who places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message to the consumer about the debt to satisfy § 1006.30(a)(1) and does not receive a notice of undeliverability during the reasonable period of time, and who thereafter furnishes information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency, does not violate § 1006.30(a)(1) even if the debt collector subsequently receives a notice of undeliverability. Comment 30(a)(1)–3 also provides three examples illustrating this requirement. The Bureau determines that these provisions clarify the proposal with respect to pre-furnishing outreach by mail or electronic message and provide protection for consumers.138 The Bureau understands that the U.S. Postal Service typically notifies senders of most undeliverable-as-addressed mail within 14 days. The amount of time it takes a communications provider to return a notice of undeliverability with respect to electronic messages is less clear. While an undeliverability notice is typically received soon after sending an electronic message, the Bureau understands that the time for receiving a notice of undeliverability with respect to such electronic messages may vary by provider, and the Bureau does not have sufficient information to determine a uniform time period for electronic messages. Nevertheless, the Bureau has no reason to believe that notices of undeliverability are typically received more than 14 days after an electronic message is sent. Therefore, the Bureau is finalizing the same safe harbor time 138 The Bureau does not impose a similar period when a debt collector speaks to a consumer about the debt in person or by telephone because these scenarios do not have the potential for an equivalent undeliverable notice outcome. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 period (i.e., 14 consecutive days) for electronic messages as for mailed letters.139 The Bureau may consider revising the safe harbor for electronic messages in the future based on actual stakeholder experience with this provision. The Bureau recognizes that the final rule may result in instances in which debt collectors furnish information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency even though the consumer has not been made aware of the collection item, either because the mail or electronic message is returned as undeliverable after the reasonable period has passed or is not received but is also not returned. These consumers will not have the same opportunity to receive a message about their debt as those consumers for whom the mail or electronic message is delivered. Nevertheless, the Bureau determines that establishing a requirement that debt collectors wait a reasonable period of time after placing a letter in the mail or sending an electronic message provides sufficient consumer protection without unduly prohibiting a debt collector from furnishing information about a valid debt to a consumer reporting agency. The Bureau declines commenters’ other suggestions, such as those to require communications in writing, dictate specific language, apply longer waiting periods (e.g., 180 days), or establish other safe harbors because the suggestions are unnecessary to achieve the purpose of the passive collections ban. For example, requiring written communications and specific disclosure language is unnecessary to put the consumer on notice that a debt is in collections. Additional safe harbors are unnecessary and unwarranted at this time because the final rule clarifies the specific actions that must occur before furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency. 30(a)(2) Special Rule—Information Furnished to Certain Specialty Consumer Reporting Agencies The Bureau did not propose a special rule regarding furnishing to specialty consumer reporting agencies. An industry commenter and a consumer reporting agency argued in a joint comment that the final rule should exempt from § 1006.30(a) information 139 The Bureau notes that the 14-consecutive-day period is a safe harbor. To comply with the rule, a debt collector only needs to wait a ‘‘reasonable period of time’’ to receive a notice of undeliverability. Therefore, a debt collector who shows that the debt collector waited a reasonable time period to receive notices of undeliverability for electronic messages may be able to satisfy the requirements of the final rule without waiting 14 days. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5785 furnished to certain nationwide specialty consumer reporting agencies described in FCRA section 603(x)(3), i.e., consumer reporting agencies that maintain and compile files on consumers on a nationwide basis relating to check writing history (‘‘check verification consumer reporting agencies’’). The commenters explained that merchants use check verification consumer reporting agencies to determine whether they should accept a particular check. When a merchant seeks check verification information, the check verification consumer reporting agency issues a check verification report with a code that will indicate if the check appears acceptable, the check is potentially fraudulent, or the checking account is likely overdrawn. These inquiries are usually completed in real time, while a transaction is occurring in a checkout lane or in remote retailing. The commenters expressed concern that proposed § 1006.30(a) would degrade the timely content of check verification reports issued by check verification consumer reporting agencies because debt collectors would be required to delay or refrain from reporting altogether, which would undermine the accuracy of check verification reports and reduce the willingness of merchants to accept checks. The commenters argued that the current system benefits consumers by alerting them to potential fraud or that their account may be overdrawn. Requiring contact before furnishing information would harm these consumers because the fraud or overdrawn status of the account may never be detected and, thus, consumers may not be alerted to potential fraud or may unknowingly continue writing checks on an overdrawn account. Further, the commenters stated that these requirements could harm consumers by decreasing the number of merchants that accept checks or increasing prices at merchants who continue to accept checks. The commenters also expressly recognized the harm that can occur if a debt unexpectedly appears on a creditrelated consumer reporting agency report if the consumer is applying for credit, a job, or rental housing, and cannot move forward with the transaction. However, they noted that check verification reporting does not present comparable risk of harm because (1) such reports are used to determine whether a particular check should be accepted, not to evaluate a consumer’s creditworthiness for credit, a job, or rental housing; and (2) any harm caused by refusal to accept a E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5786 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations check is outweighed by benefits, including alerting the consumer to potential fraud and preventing them from incurring additional overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees. After carefully considering the comment, the Bureau has determined that § 1006.30(a) should not apply to a debt collector’s furnishing of information about a debt to a check verification consumer reporting agency. The Bureau finds that a debt collector’s furnishing of information about a debt to a check verification consumer reporting agency before engaging in outreach to the consumer about the debt is unlikely to undermine the ability of consumers to decide whether to pay debts in the same manner as the furnishing of information about debts to other consumer reporting agencies. As a result, the Bureau has not found that furnishing information about a debt to a check verification consumer reporting agency before engaging in outreach to the consumer about the debt constitutes conduct that may have the natural consequence of harassment, oppression, or abuse in violation of FDCPA section 806, or that is an unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect a debt under FDCPA section 808. Immediate and frequent reporting appears to be a critical aspect of check verification consumer reporting, and it appears that imposing a requirement that debt collectors inform consumers about debts before furnishing information to those check verification consumer reporting agencies would require significant operational changes and could significantly reduce the effectiveness of those reports. This is unlike credit-related reporting, which typically involves less immediate furnishing. The Bureau also finds that the consumer harm that § 1006.30(a)(1) is designed to address is not present for check verification consumer reporting because these reports are unlikely to be used in making credit, employment, or rental housing decisions. While consumers could also be harmed if they are unaware of checking account report items, the harm of reducing the effectiveness of the check verification system, including the potential harm to consumers if checks are accepted by fewer merchants, outweighs the benefits of requiring communication before furnishing. In addition, the immediacy of the current check verification system provides countervailing benefits to consumers who are alerted to potential fraud or to discontinue writing checks on an overdrawn account. Further, a special rule for check verification consumer reporting agencies is VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 consistent with several State laws regulating passive collections.140 For these reasons, the Bureau concludes that furnishing of information to a check verification consumer reporting agency before engaging in outreach to the consumer does not raise concerns under FDCPA sections 806 and 808 similar to furnishing to other types of consumer reporting agencies. Therefore, the final rule adds § 1006.30(a)(2) to state that § 1006.30(a)(1) does not apply to a debt collector’s furnishing of information about a debt to a nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains information on a consumer’s check writing history, as described in FCRA section 603(x)(3).141 For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is adopting final § 1006.30(a) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau is also adopting final § 1006.30(a) pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 806, which prohibits a debt collector from engaging in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt, and FDCPA section 808, which prohibits a debt collector from using unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Section 1006.34 Notice for Validation of Debts FDCPA section 809(a) generally requires a debt collector to provide certain information to a consumer either at the time that, or shortly after, the debt collector first communicates with the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt.142 The required information—i.e., the validation information—includes details about the debt and about consumer protections, such as the consumer’s rights to dispute and receive verification of the debt and to request information about the original creditor. When this validation information is provided in writing, the 140 Colo. Rev. Stat. sec. 12–14–108 limits when ‘‘debt collectors’’ may furnish information to a consumer reporting agency, but exempts checks, negotiable instruments, or credit card drafts. California and Utah also limit when information can be furnished to a consumer reporting agency, but those laws only apply to ‘‘creditors.’’ Cal. Civ. Code sec. 1785.26; Utah Code sec. 70C–7–107. 141 If and to the extent a check verification consumer reporting agency compiles and maintains other types of information specified in FCRA section 603(x) (e.g., residential or tenant history), the special rule in § 1006.30(a)(2) does not apply with respect to a debt collector’s furnishing of that information to the check verification consumer reporting agency. 142 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a). PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 document containing the information is commonly referred to as a ‘‘validation notice.’’ The requirement to provide validation information is an important component of the FDCPA and was intended to improve the debt collection process by helping consumers to recognize debts that they owe and raise concerns about debts that are unfamiliar. Congress in 1977 considered the requirement a ‘‘significant feature’’ of the FDCPA, explaining that it was designed to ‘‘eliminate the recurring problem of debt collectors dunning the wrong person or attempting to collect debts which the consumer has already paid.’’ 143 Congress provided the Bureau with rulemaking authority in 2010 apparently to address continuing inadequacies around validation information and verification, among other things.144 In addition, debt collectors have sought clarification about how to provide information consistent with the FDCPA, noting, for instance, that a significant number of lawsuits are filed each year alleging deficiencies in their validation notices. For these reasons, the Bureau proposed § 1006.34 to require debt collectors to provide certain validation information to consumers and to specify when and how the information must be provided. As discussed in more detail below, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34 with modifications in response to feedback and for clarity and consistency with other provisions in this final rule and the November 2020 Final Rule. Final § 1006.34(a) sets forth the general requirement to provide validation information and describes how such information may be provided on a validation notice. Section 1006.34(b) sets forth definitions for purposes of § 1006.34. Section 1006.34(c) sets forth the validation information, and § 1006.34(d) sets forth a general requirement that such information be clear and conspicuous. Section 1006.34(d) also provides safe harbors for use of Model Form B–1 in appendix B to Regulation F, specified variations of the model notice, or a 143 S. Rep. No. 382, supra note 57; see also Jacobson v. Healthcare Fin. Servs., Inc., 516 F.3d 85, 95 (2d Cir. 2008) (validation notices ‘‘make the rights and obligations of a potentially hapless debtor as pellucid as possible’’); Wilson v. Quadramed Corp., 225 F.3d 350, 354 (3d Cir. 2000); Miller v. Payco-Gen. Am. Credits, Inc., 943 F.2d 482, 484 (4th Cir. 1991); Swanson v. S. Oregon Credit Serv., Inc., 869 F.2d 1222, 1225 (9th Cir. 1988). 144 See S. Rep. No. 111–176, at 19 (‘‘In addition to concerns about debt collection tactics, the Committee is concerned that consumers have little ability to dispute the validity of a debt that is being collected in error.’’). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations substantially similar form, and describes optional disclosures that debt collectors may, but are not required to, provide with the validation information.145 Section 1006.34(e) affirmatively permits debt collectors to provide validation notices translated into other languages and requires debt collectors who offer to provide consumers translated notices to provide them to consumers who request them. As discussed in further detail in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d), the Bureau proposed to require that validation notices must be the same as, or substantially similar to, the proposed model validation notice. The Bureau is not finalizing that requirement. Instead, the final rule provides certain safe harbors for compliance with the information and form requirements in § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1) for debt collectors who use the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar notice. 34(a) Validation Information Required khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(a)(1) In General FDCPA section 809(a) provides, in relevant part, that, within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall send the consumer a written notice containing the validation information, unless that information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(a)(1) to implement and interpret this general requirement.146 Specifically, proposed § 1006.34(a)(1) provided that, subject to a limited exception for if a consumer has already paid a debt, a debt collector must provide a consumer the required validation information either: (1) By sending the consumer a validation notice (i.e., a written or electronic notice) 147 in the manner permitted by 145 The Bureau proposed a model validation notice as Model Form B–3. The Bureau is finalizing that form, with revisions, as Model Form B–1. This Notice refers to proposed Model Form B–3 as the ‘‘proposed model validation notice’’ or the ‘‘proposed model notice’’ and final Model Form B– 1 as the ‘‘model validation notice’’ or ‘‘model notice.’’ This Notice uses the phrase ‘‘specified variations of the model notice’’ to refer to the specifically enumerated versions of the model notice that receive a safe harbor pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) and (ii) (i.e., notices that are the same as, or substantially similar to, the model notice but for: Omitting some or all of the optional disclosures that appear on the model notice; including optional disclosures that do not appear on the model notice; or including certain disclosures on a separate page as permitted by § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) and (5)). 146 See 84 FR 23274, 23333–34 (May 21, 2019). 147 Proposed § 1006.34(b)(4) defined a validation notice as any written or electronic notice that VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 § 1006.42 148 in the initial communication with the consumer in connection with the collection of the debt (proposed § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A)) or within five days of that initial communication (proposed § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B)); or (2) by providing the validation information orally in the initial communication (proposed § 1006.34(a)(1)(ii)).149 As discussed below, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(a)(1) with certain minor revisions. Some commenters recommended that the Bureau modify proposed § 1006.34(a)(1) generally. Some consumer advocate commenters stated that the Bureau should require debt collectors to provide non-electronic, written validation notices to all consumers. According to at least one commenter, the Bureau should require a written validation notice even if a debt collector also provides the validation information electronically. Another consumer advocate commenter asked the Bureau to require debt collectors to provide a consumer a validation notice in every communication. The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to always provide written, non-electronic validation notices to consumers. For the reasons set forth in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau interprets FDCPA section 809(a) as not requiring that the notice of debt be provided in writing when it is contained in the initial communication.150 Moreover, if FDCPA section 809(a) does require that the notice of debt be provided in writing— i.e., if the validation information is not contained within the initial communication—nothing in the FDCPA prohibits a debt collector from providing the required written validation notice electronically in accordance with the consumer-consent provisions of section 101(c) of the E– SIGN Act. In turn, if a statute (here, the FDCPA) requires a written disclosure, the E–SIGN Act’s consumer-consent provisions specify requirements pursuant to which debt collectors may send the required written disclosures electronically. Accordingly, pursuant to provides the validation information described in § 1006.34(c). 148 As finalized, § 1006.42 generally requires debt collectors to send written disclosures in a manner that is reasonably expected to provide actual notice, and in a form that the consumer may keep and access later. 85 FR 76734, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020). 149 Proposed § 1006.34(b)(2) provided that, with limited exceptions, initial communication means the first time that, in connection with the collection of a debt, a debt collector conveys information, directly or indirectly, to the consumer regarding the debt. 150 85 FR 76734, 76854 (Nov. 30, 2020). PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5787 § 1006.42, a debt collector may send the validation notice electronically under § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A) (i.e., within the initial communication) if the debt collector complies with § 1006.42(a)(1), which requires that the debt collector send the notice in a manner that is reasonably expected to provide actual notice, and in a form that the consumer may keep and access later. A debt collector may send the validation notice electronically under § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) (i.e., not within the initial communication) if the debt collector complies with § 1006.42(a)(1) and also complies with § 1006.42(b), which requires that the debt collector send the notice in accordance with section 101(c) of the E–SIGN Act. The Bureau concludes that, if debt collectors send validation notices electronically as described above, there is a reasonable likelihood that consumers will receive and be able to retain the notices. The Bureau determines, therefore, that it is unnecessary and unwarranted to impose the burden on debt collectors that would result from a requirement to always provide the validation notice in written, non-electronic form; to provide a validation notice in written form even if the debt collector also provides the validation notice electronically; or to provide a validation notice or validation information with every consumer communication.151 Such requirements would go beyond the FDCPA’s provisions and would be unduly burdensome on debt collectors, because, as stated above, the Bureau concludes that the Regulation F provisions that the Bureau is adopting provide sufficient consumer protection. Accordingly, the Bureau does not impose such requirements. The Bureau received few comments specifically about proposed § 1006.34(a)(1)(i). Commenters who provided feedback supported the Bureau’s proposal. Thus, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) largely as proposed. A large number of commenters responded to the clarification in proposed § 1006.34(a)(1)(ii) that debt collectors may provide validation information orally in the initial communication. Commenters, including most consumer advocates who addressed the topic, urged the Bureau to 151 The Bureau additionally notes that, if a statute (here, FDCPA section 809(a)) requires a written disclosure, E–SIGN Act section 104(c)(1) states that Federal agencies’ authority to interpret E–SIGN Act section 101 (including the consumer-consent provisions in E–SIGN Act section 101(c)) does not include the ‘‘authority to impose or reimpose any requirement that a record be in a tangible printed or paper form.’’ See 15 U.S.C. 7004(c)(1). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5788 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 prohibit debt collectors from providing validation information orally. These commenters stated that debt collectors could not effectively convey orally to consumers the amount of validation information that the Bureau proposed.152 Commenters argued that, if validation information were conveyed orally, a consumer would be unable to review the information at a later time, unless the consumer transcribed or recorded the communication with the debt collector. Commenters stated that this dynamic would place an unreasonable burden on consumers and would be atypical compared to other consumer law disclosure regimes, which mandate that required notices be provided in written form. At least one commenter stated that oral delivery would be incompatible with the formatting requirements in proposed § 1006.34(d). On the other hand, some industry commenters supported the Bureau’s clarification that debt collectors may provide validation information orally. These commenters asked the Bureau to provide additional guidance about oral delivery of validation information, including, for example, specific content for an oral notice, such as a script. As proposed, the Bureau is finalizing the provision in § 1006.34(a)(1)(ii) that debt collectors may provide the required validation information orally in the initial communication. The Bureau agrees that there may be significant challenges to conveying the required validation information orally.153 Nevertheless, FDCPA section 809(a) does not prohibit oral delivery. FDCPA section 809(a) states that the required validation information may be ‘‘contained in the initial communication’’ and that a written notice is mandatory only if that required information is not contained in the 152 Proposed § 1006.34(c) described the validation information that proposed § 1006.34(a)(1) would have required debt collectors to provide. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c), the final rule requires debt collectors to provide up to 18 items of validation information. 153 Section 1006.34(c) requires a significant amount of validation information that debt collectors may not currently include in the validation information they provide to consumers. It might be difficult for a debt collector to convey all of the required information orally, particularly in an initial communication, which is the only context in which a debt collector could comply with its legal obligation by providing the validation information orally. Further, real-time communications with consumers are unpredictable. Accordingly, even if the required components of the validation information are contained in the oral communication, the debt collector might not convey them in a way that meets the requirements of the regulation; for example, as commenters noted the debt collector might not convey the required information clearly and conspicuously. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 initial communication. Further, FDCPA section 807(11) indicates that the initial communication may be oral.154 Accordingly, the Bureau concludes that the most reasonable interpretation of FDCPA sections 809(a) and 807(11) is that the FDCPA permits the required validation information to be conveyed orally if it is contained in the initial communication. Moreover, debt collectors providing validation information orally will not be able to use the model validation notice and therefore will not receive a safe harbor for compliance under § 1006.34(d)(2). The Bureau declines to provide additional guidance about oral delivery of validation information. The Bureau is not aware of debt collectors providing validation information orally today, and, for the reasons discussed, the Bureau believes they will be unlikely to do so in the future. As a result, the Bureau concludes that such additional guidance is not necessary or warranted at this time. The Bureau proposed comment 34(a)(1)–1 to clarify the provision of validation notices if the consumer is deceased. Proposed comment 34(a)(1)–1 explained that, if the debt collector knows or should know that the consumer is deceased, and if the debt collector has not previously provided the deceased consumer the validation information, a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate operates as the consumer for purposes of providing validation information under § 1006.34(a)(1). Under proposed comment 34(a)(1)–1, a debt collector attempting to collect a debt from a deceased consumer’s estate generally would provide the validation information to the named person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate, if the debt collector had not already provided that information to the consumer. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.2(e), the Bureau is interpreting the term consumer to mean any natural person, whether living or deceased, who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. And the Bureau is adopting commentary clarifying how this definition operates in the decedent debt context, including with respect to debt collectors’ obligations to provide the validation information and respond to disputes and requests for original-creditor information. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(a)(1)–1 as proposed. 154 See PO 00000 15 U.S.C. 1692e(11). Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 For all of these reasons, and pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(a)(1) to implement and interpret the FDCPA section 809(a) requirement that debt collectors provide validation information to consumers. 34(a)(2) Exception FDCPA section 809(a) contains a limited exception that provides that, if required validation information is not contained in the initial communication, a debt collector need not send the consumer a written validation notice within five days of that communication if the consumer has paid the debt prior to the time that the notice is required to be sent. The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(a)(2) to implement this exception by providing that a debt collector who otherwise would be required to send a validation notice pursuant to § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) is not required to do so if the consumer has paid the debt prior to the time that § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) would require the validation notice to be sent. Proposed § 1006.34(a)(2) generally restated the statute, except for minor changes for organization and clarity.155 At least two consumer advocate commenters recommended that debt collectors be required to provide a validation notice even if a consumer has already paid the debt. According to these commenters, some consumers, including seniors, will pay a debt that they do not owe or recognize because they ‘‘pay first and ask questions later.’’ These commenters suggested that validation information would help such consumers assess after the fact whether they paid a debt that they owed. An industry trade group commenter stated that, for open-end credit, a debt collector should be permitted to satisfy § 1006.34(a)(1) by providing a periodic statement pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.7, because periodic statements disclose sufficient account information to consumers. The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to provide a validation notice if a consumer has already paid the debt. FDCPA section 809(a) explicitly provides that a debt collector is not required to send the validation notice if the consumer has paid the debt, and the Bureau has determined that it is neither necessary nor warranted to adopt a rule requiring otherwise. The Bureau also declines to adopt recommendations to include an exception to § 1006.34(a)(1) for open155 See E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 84 FR 23274, 23334–35 (May 21, 2019). 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations end credit, because a periodic statement provided in accordance with Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.7, is not an adequate substitute for the validation information. While such a periodic statement discloses some information about the debt, it typically does not disclose other information required under the final rule, such as the information about consumer protections required by FDCPA section 809(a)(3) through (5) and the corresponding provisions of final § 1006.34. Accordingly, pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors, and to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a), the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(a)(2) as proposed. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(b) Definitions To facilitate compliance with § 1006.34, proposed § 1006.34(b) defined several terms that appear throughout the section. As discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing those definitions and related commentary with certain modifications in response to feedback. Consistent with the proposal, unless noted otherwise below, the Bureau is finalizing the definitions to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. 34(b)(1) Clear and Conspicuous The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(b)(1) to define the term clear and conspicuous for purposes of Regulation F consistent with the standards used in other consumer financial services laws and their implementing regulations, including, for example, Regulation E, subpart B (Remittance Transfers).156 Proposed § 1006.34(b)(1) thus provided that disclosures are clear and conspicuous if they are readily understandable. The proposal provided that, in the case of written and electronic disclosures, the location and type size also must be readily noticeable to consumers and that, in the case of oral disclosures, the disclosures must be given at a volume and speed sufficient for a consumer to hear and comprehend them.157 For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(b)(1) largely as proposed but with minor modifications for clarity and in response to feedback. An industry commenter objected to the clear and conspicuous definition in 156 See 12 CFR 1005.31(a)(1), comment 31(a)(1)– 157 See 84 FR 23274, 23335 (May 21, 2019). 1. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 proposed § 1006.34(b)(1). This commenter stated that a clear-andconspicuous requirement is unnecessary in the debt collection context because consumers have an ongoing relationship with debt collectors, and a consumer therefore has the ability to ask a debt collector to explain a particular disclosure or communication if the consumer does not understand it. Other commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the proposed definition. For instance, industry trade group and consumer advocate commenters offered various suggestions for specific font size or disclosure placement requirements. At least one industry commenter suggested that the Bureau explain how proposed § 1006.34(b)(1) would interact with State disclosure laws, which may have their own clear-and-conspicuous standards that dictate font size or disclosure placement. An industry trade group commenter asked the Bureau to provide additional guidance about oral delivery of the validation information because, in the commenter’s view, the proposal that oral communications be ‘‘given at a volume and speed sufficient for a consumer to hear and comprehend them’’ was ambiguous. The Bureau disagrees that ongoing relationships between debt collectors and consumers make a clear and conspicuous definition unnecessary or unwarranted in the debt collection context. Consumer financial services laws and their implementing regulations commonly include standards for clear and conspicuous disclosures provided in the context of ongoing customer and business relationships between consumers and consumer financial services providers.158 Additionally, validation information is provided at the outset of collection communications. If a consumer chooses not to engage with the debt collector, no ongoing communications will be established. The Bureau declines to further clarify the clear and conspicuous definition in § 1006.34(b)(1) by, for example, dictating font sizes or requirements regarding disclosure placement as requested by some commenters. 158 See, e.g., 12 CFR 1026.5(a)(1)(i) (disclosures for open-end credit) and 12 CFR 1026.17(a)(1) (disclosures for closed-end credit). Moreover, a consumer does not typically get to choose which debt collector collects the consumer’s debt, whereas a consumer does choose his or her financial services providers. Further, some customer relationships between consumers and debt collectors may be of shorter duration than customer relationships between consumers and other types of consumer financial services providers. These factors suggest that a standard for clear and conspicuous disclosures may be even more important in the debt collection context than in other consumer financial services contexts. PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5789 Different debt collectors may design their communications in different ways, and the Bureau does not believe it is necessary or warranted to specify such details, as long as the disclosure satisfies the clear and conspicuous standard. In addition, the definition is consistent with, and provides the same level of specificity as, standards in some other consumer financial services laws and their implementing regulations, including but not limited to the Bureau’s Remittance Transfers rule,159 which do not specify font size or disclosure placement requirements. Moreover, the Bureau concludes that the lack of more prescriptive guidance will not impose material burden on debt collectors. As discussed in the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), a debt collector who uses the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form, receives a safe harbor for the information requirements in § 1006.34(c) and for the clear-andconspicuous requirement in § 1006.34(d)(1). Because debt collectors may use the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form if providing validation notices, debt collectors need not incur significant expenses ascertaining what meets the clear-and-conspicuous standard. Nevertheless, the final rule does clarify that, in the case of written and electronic disclosures, although no minimum font size is required, the location and type size must be both readily noticeable and legible to consumers.160 The Bureau declines to revise § 1006.34(b)(1) to clarify how the definition of clear and conspicuous interrelates with State disclosure laws. A debt collector can comply with both § 1006.34(b)(1) and State disclosure requirements that specify font size or disclosure placement. With respect to font size, the Bureau concludes, in general, that debt collectors satisfying State-law minimum-font-size requirements will also satisfy the standard in § 1006.34(b)(1) for a type size that is readily noticeable and legible to consumers. With respect to disclosure placement, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 159 See 12 CFR 1005.31(a)(1), comment 31(a)(1)– 1. See also, e.g., the general disclosure requirements for open-end and closed-end credit in, respectively, 12 CFR 1026.5(a)(1) and 1026.17(a)(1) and their commentary. 160 The section-by-section analysis of § 1006.38(b)(2) discusses a new safe harbor from the overshadowing prohibition in § 1006.38(b)(1) for a debt collector who uses the model validation notice. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5790 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv), a debt collector may place disclosures specifically required under other applicable law, which includes disclosures specifically required by State law, on the reverse (or, in certain specified circumstances, on the front) of the validation notice. The Bureau believes that § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) will permit debt collectors to provide State law disclosures in a manner that is clear and conspicuous under applicable law. The Bureau also declines to further clarify the meaning of clear and conspicuous in the context of oral delivery of validation information. The Bureau determines that the proposed and final regulatory text is sufficiently clear and that the final rule will not impose an undue burden on debt collectors, particularly in light of the Bureau’s expectation that few, if any, oral disclosures will be provided. For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(1) to provide that clear and conspicuous means readily understandable and that, in the case of written and electronic disclosures, the location and type size also must be readily noticeable and legible to consumers, although no minimum type size is mandated. Final § 1006.34(b)(1) also provides that oral disclosures must be given at a volume and speed sufficient for the consumer to hear and comprehend them. 34(b)(2) Initial Communication FDCPA section 809(a) requires debt collectors to provide consumers with certain validation information either in the debt collector’s initial communication with the consumer in connection with the collection of the debt, or within five days after that initial communication. FDCPA section 803(2) defines the term communication broadly to mean the conveying of information regarding a debt directly or indirectly to any person through any medium.161 FDCPA section 809(d) and (e) identifies particular communications that are not initial communications for purposes of FDCPA section 809(a) and that therefore do not trigger the validation notice requirement.162 Pursuant to FDCPA section 809(d), an initial communication excludes a communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action. Pursuant to FDCPA section 809(e), an initial communication also excludes the sending or delivery of any form or notice that does not relate to the 161 See 15 U.S.C. 1692a(2). The November 2020 Final Rule implemented this definition in § 1006.2(d). 85 FR 76734, 76888 (Nov. 30, 2020). 162 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(d), (e). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 collection of the debt and is expressly required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, title V of the Gramm-LeachBliley Act, or any provision of Federal or State law relating to notice of a data security breach or privacy, or any regulation prescribed under any such provision of law. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(b)(2) to implement FDCPA section 809(a), (d), and (e) by defining the term initial communication. The proposed definition largely restated the FDCPA and defined initial communication as the first time that, in connection with the collection of a debt, a debt collector conveys information, directly or indirectly, regarding the debt to the consumer, other than a communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action, or a communication in any form or notice that does not relate to the collection of the debt and is expressly required by any of the laws referenced in FDCPA section 809(e).163 An industry trade group recommended a bankruptcy-specific exception to the definition of initial communication for debt collectors collecting debts owed by consumers in bankruptcy. The commenter expressed concern that certain actions by a debt collector in the context of a consumer’s bankruptcy proceeding, in particular filing a proof of claim, may be construed to be an initial communication and therefore trigger the FDCPA section 809(a) validation notice requirement.164 Additionally, according to the commenter, content on the validation notice, including the debt collection communication disclosure required by FDCPA section 807(11), could be construed as a demand for payment that violates the automatic stay provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) 165 or, if the consumer has been relieved of personal liability, the discharge injunction.166 According to the commenter, some courts have opined that a debt collector would face an irreconcilable conflict 163 See 84 FR 23274, 23335 (May 21, 2019). receive a distribution from a bankruptcy estate, a creditor generally must file with the bankruptcy court a proof of claim, which includes details about an alleged debt or interest. See Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3002. 165 See 11 U.S.C. 362. 166 A debtor’s bankruptcy petition operates as an automatic stay that, among other things, prohibits ‘‘any act to collect, assess, or recover a claim against the debtor that arose before the commencement of the case.’’ 11 U.S.C. 362(a)(6). When a debtor’s liability is discharged through bankruptcy, the discharge ‘‘operates as an injunction against the commencement or continuation of an action, the employment of process, or an act, to collect, recover or offset any such debt as a personal liability of the debtor, whether or not discharge of such debt is waived.’’ 11 U.S.C. 524(a)(2). 164 To PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 between complying with the FDCPA and the Bankruptcy Code if the debt collector were required to provide a validation notice to a consumer in bankruptcy.167 The Bureau has determined to interpret the term initial communication not to include proofs of claim filed in bankruptcy proceedings. Courts have reached different conclusions about whether the FDCPA conflicts with the Bankruptcy Code.168 The Bureau is unaware of any case definitively holding that a proof of claim is an initial communication and that a debt collector therefore must provide a validation notice after filing a proof of claim. On the other hand, some courts have held that proofs of claim are not initial communications because, under FDCPA section 809(d), they are communications in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action.169 Further, the Bureau has decided to permit a debt collector to file a proof of claim in a bankruptcy proceeding as required by the Bankruptcy Code without thereby triggering the debt collector’s obligation to provide a validation notice under the FDCPA, because the Bureau finds it unlikely that consumer harm will result if a consumer does not receive a validation notice subsequent to a proof of claim in bankruptcy. The bankruptcy proof-of-claim form is filed under penalty of perjury, and a person who files a fraudulent claim could be fined up to $500,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both.170 Thus, the Bureau concludes that bankruptcy proof-ofclaim forms generally are likely to contain accurate information about the debt. Accordingly, to provide clarity for debt collectors while maintaining protections for consumers, the Bureau is interpreting the term initial 167 See, e.g., In re Chaussee, 399 B.R. 225, 238 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. 2008) (‘‘In our opinion, the debt validation provisions required by the FDCPA clearly conflict with the claims processing procedures contemplated by the [Bankruptcy] Code and Rules.’’). 168 See Walls v. Wells Fargo Bank, 276 F.3d 502, 511 (9th Cir. 2002) (holding that the Bankruptcy Code precludes application of FDCPA requirements in bankruptcy cases); Chaussee, 399 B.R. at 239 (same); contra Simon v. FIA Card Servs., N.A., 732 F.3d 259, 274 (3d Cir. 2013) (stating that when ‘‘FDCPA claims arise from communications a debt collector sends a bankruptcy debtor in a pending bankruptcy proceeding, and the communications are alleged to violate the Bankruptcy Code or Rules, there is no categorical preclusion of the FDCPA claims’’). 169 See Simon, 732 F.3d at 273; Townsend v. Quantum3 Grp., LLC, 535 B.R. 415, 423 (M.D. Fla. 2015); In re Brimmage, 523 B.R. 134, 141–42 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2015). 170 The official bankruptcy proof-of-claim form is available here: https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/ bankruptcy-forms/proof-claim-0. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 communication not to include proofs of claim filed in bankruptcy. Specifically, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(b)(2)–1, which clarifies that a proof of claim that a debt collector files in a bankruptcy proceeding in accordance with the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code is a communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action and therefore is not an initial communication for purposes of § 1006.34. The Bureau adopts this comment as an interpretation of the phrase ‘‘[a] communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action’’ in FDCPA section 809(d). The Bureau interprets that phrase to include a proof of claim that a debt collector files in a bankruptcy proceeding in accordance with the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. The Bureau acknowledges that other scenarios may exist in which a debt collector communicates with a consumer in bankruptcy and subsequently may be required to provide a validation notice. To the extent that debt collectors do provide validation notices to consumers in bankruptcy, § 1006.34(a)(1) implements an existing FDCPA disclosure requirement and does not create a new tension between the FDCPA and the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, nothing in the final rule requires debt collectors to include payment requests in the validation information; instead, payment requests are optional disclosures that § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii) permits debt collectors to include along with the validation information. Consequently, a debt collector concerned that a payment request would violate the Bankruptcy Code’s automatic stay or discharge injunction is not required to include a payment request and, additionally, could use the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form, without a payment request and receive a safe harbor under § 1006.34(d)(2). An industry trade group recommended that the Bureau exclude from the § 1006.34(b)(2) definition of initial communication the notice of transfer of loan servicing required by Regulation X.171 According to the 171 Generally, under Regulation X, each transferor servicer and transferee servicer of any mortgage loan shall provide to the borrower a notice of transfer for any assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan. 12 CFR 1024.33(b)(1). Generally, the transferor servicer shall provide the notice of transfer to the borrower not less than 15 days before the effective date of the transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan. The transferee servicer shall provide the notice of transfer to the borrower not more than 15 days after the effective date of the transfer. The transferor and VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 commenter, after an FDCPA-covered mortgage debt is transferred and a consumer receives a servicing transfer notice, the transferee may not have received all the information necessary to send a validation notice within the fiveday timeframe required by FDCPA section 809(a). For this reason, the commenter suggested that Regulation X servicing transfer notices should not trigger the validation information requirement. The Bureau declines to interpret the term initial communication to exclude servicing transfer notices required by Regulation X. Section 1006.34(b)(2) largely mirrors existing language in FDCPA sections 803(2) and 809(a), (d), and (e) and does not impose new substantive requirements or obligations on covered entities. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c), Regulation F will result in validation notices containing more information about the debt than they typically do today, but that information is, generally, either routine account information that owners of debts currently provide to debt collectors or that owners of debts can include without significant additional expense. Although the commenter argues that there may be timing considerations unique to mortgage servicing transfer notices, the Bureau determines that such timing concerns do not warrant an exception that would deem a mortgage servicing transfer notice, even one that does convey information, directly or indirectly, regarding the debt to the consumer to be excluded from the definition of an ‘‘initial communication.’’ Other commenters asked the Bureau to clarify whether a consumer-initiated communication, such as a consumer visiting a debt collector’s website or a consumer leaving a voicemail with a debt collector, would constitute an initial communication under proposed § 1006.34(b)(2). The Bureau notes that, under § 1006.34(b)(2), for an initial communication to occur, a debt collector must ‘‘convey[ ] information, directly or indirectly, regarding the debt. . . .’’ Section 1006.34(b)(2) is clear that, if a debt collector conveys no information, directly or indirectly, regarding the debt, an initial communication has not occurred and, consequently, the validation notice requirement has not been triggered. Thus, a consumer’s voicemail left with a debt collector generally would not transferee servicers may provide a single notice, in which case the notice shall be provided not less than 15 days before the effective date of the transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan. 12 CFR 1024.33(b)(3)(i). PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5791 qualify as an initial communication. Similarly, an initial communication generally would not include a consumer’s visit to a debt collector’s website, unless during that visit the debt collector conveyed information regarding the consumer’s specific debt.172 For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(2) largely as proposed but with a revision to clarify that proofs of claim filed in bankruptcy proceedings are not initial communications. 34(b)(3) Itemization Date FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers, either in the debt collector’s initial communication in connection with the collection of the debt, or within five days after that communication, the amount of the debt.173 The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) through (ix) to interpret the phrase ‘‘amount of the debt’’ to mean that debt collectors must disclose the amount of the debt as of a particular ‘‘itemization date.’’ 174 To facilitate compliance with proposed § 1006.34(c)(2), the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(b)(3) to define itemization date as one of four reference dates for which a debt collector can ascertain the amount of the debt. The proposed reference dates were the last statement date, the charge-off date, the last payment date, and the transaction date.175 The proposed definition of itemization date was designed to allow the use of dates that debt collectors could identify with relative ease because they reflect routine and recurring events, and that correspond to notable events in the debt’s history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records. The proposed definition also was intended to include dates for which debt collectors typically may receive account information from debt owners and that, therefore, debt 172 For example, a debt collector potentially could convey information regarding the debt during a consumer’s visit to a website through a website chat feature. 173 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(1). 174 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) and (viii) would have required debt collectors to disclose, respectively, the itemization date and the amount of the debt on the itemization date. Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would have required debt collectors to disclose an itemization of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. For additional discussion of these provisions, which have been renumbered in the final rule, see the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii). 175 See 84 FR 23274, 23335–37 (May 21, 2019). The reference dates were set forth in proposed § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) through (iv) and are discussed in the section-by-section analysis of those paragraphs below. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5792 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations collectors would be able to use to provide the disclosures proposed in § 1006.34(c)(viii) and (ix). Proposed comment 34(b)(3)–1 explained that a debt collector could select any of the four reference dates as the itemization date. Once a debt collector used one of the reference dates for a specific debt in a communication with a consumer, however, the debt collector would be required to use that reference date for that debt consistently when providing disclosures pursuant to § 1006.34 to that consumer. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(b)(3) and its related commentary largely as proposed but with minor wording changes and to include an additional reference date in response to feedback: The judgment date. The Bureau also is adopting new comment 34(b)(3)–2, which provides that a debt collector may use a different reference date than a prior debt collector used for the same debt. Some industry commenters supported the itemization date definition in proposed § 1006.34(b)(3). At least two industry commenters supported providing debt collectors with a choice of several reference dates because a debt collector might not be able ascertain the amount of the debt on a single reference date. According to an industry trade group commenter, the proposed reference dates would provide adequate flexibility, as a creditor’s information systems will have recorded at least one of those dates for any given debt. Another industry trade group commenter stated that the proposal’s standardization of account information would allow debt collectors to build better internal procedures and improve consumer communication practices. An industry commenter stated that proposed § 1006.34(b)(3) would require significant client education and information technology investment but ultimately concluded that the framework was feasible. Other commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(b)(3). An industry commenter stated that creditors may provide debt collectors information about multiple reference dates. According to this commenter, analyzing creditor records to identify and organize account information as of a single reference date would be complicated, costly, and increase the likelihood of validation notice errors. A group of consumer advocate commenters stated that, instead of permitting debt collectors to choose between reference dates, § 1006.34(b)(3) should define the itemization date as a single reference date supported by consumer testing. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 The Bureau determines that § 1006.34(b)(3) will facilitate compliance with the itemization daterelated requirements in final § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii). Account information available to debt collectors may vary by debt type because some account information is not universally tracked or used across product markets. To facilitate the ability of debt collectors across debt markets to comply with Regulation F, the final rule permits debt collectors to determine the itemization date by selecting from one of five reference dates for which they can ascertain the amount of the debt. The Bureau finds that this framework will not result in undue industry burden. Debt collectors today routinely analyze and organize account information included in files from creditors when creditors place accounts for collection. Debt collectors should be able to use or build on these existing functions to select an itemization date based on the definition in § 1006.34(b)(3). Therefore, even if creditors provide or retain account information based on multiple reference dates, debt collectors should not face substantial new costs or litigation risks from complying with § 1006.34(b)(3). The Bureau declines consumer advocates’ suggestion to specify a single reference date. As discussed in the proposal, the Bureau considered requiring debt collectors to provide an itemization of the debt based on a single reference date but rejected that approach because of the infeasibility of identifying a single reference date that applies to all debt types across all relevant markets.176 The group of consumer advocate commenters that recommended a single reference date did not suggest or provide evidence that it would be feasible to identify a single date that would be appropriate for all types of debt. The Bureau also declines to exercise its discretion to conduct consumer testing to attempt to determine an optimal itemization date for debt collectors to use within each debt collection market (e.g., mortgage debt, credit card debt, student loan debt, medical debt, and so on). The Bureau determines that such testing is not necessary or warranted, because the Bureau finds that debt collectors’ use of any one of the five itemization dates set forth in § 1006.34(b)(3) should correspond, in most cases, to events in the debt’s history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records. In the proposal, the Bureau requested comment on whether the itemization date should be structured as a 176 See PO 00000 84 FR 23274, 23336 (May 21, 2019). Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 prescriptive ordering of reference dates, such as a hierarchy that would permit a debt collector to use a date listed later in the hierarchy only if the debt collector did not have information about any dates earlier in the hierarchy. Industry and industry trade group commenters generally favored the proposed flexible approach. According to commenters, a prescriptive ordering would significantly increase costs and litigation risk for debt collectors. As noted above, consumer advocates expressed concern that the proposed approach would result in disclosure of itemization dates that are not meaningful to consumers and urged the Bureau to use consumer testing to determine a date that would be meaningful. The Bureau agrees that a prescriptive ordering could impose undue costs and litigation risks for debt collectors. In addition, as discussed below in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) through (v), each reference date may be meaningful to consumers because it corresponds to a notable event in the debt’s history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records. Because each reference date may be meaningful to a consumer, and because each reference date may be more or less meaningful to the consumer than one of the other reference dates depending on the circumstances surrounding the debt, there may not be a benefit to consumers if the Bureau were to structure the dates as a hierarchy. The Bureau therefore declines to adopt a prescriptive ordering of the reference dates. Some commenters who did not object to the proposed itemization date framework in principle either raised concerns that the proposed reference dates would not accommodate debts in all product markets or recommended additional reference dates. At least one industry trade group commenter asked the Bureau to clarify what reference date debt collectors should use for debts in bankruptcy. An industry commenter stated that the proposal might not accommodate a debt a consumer owes to a government, such as a tax debt. According to this commenter, although the FDCPA does not cover many debts consumers owe to governments,177 some debt collectors who collect debts on behalf of Federal government agencies are legally or contractually obliged to 177 FDCPA section 803(5) defines a ‘‘debt’’ as any obligation arising out of a transaction ‘‘primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.’’ 15 U.S.C. 1692a(5). According to the commenter, a debt a consumer owes to a government in many cases does not meet this definition. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 abide by the FDCPA.178 This commenter stated that the proposed reference dates might not accommodate tax debt because, in some instances, it will be the case that no previous statement was provided, no prior payment was made, and there was no transaction per se between the consumer and the government creditor. According to another commenter, an additional reference date for student loan debt is necessary because debt collectors collecting Federal student loans do not receive any of the proposed reference dates at the time of placement. Some commenters suggested that the Bureau permit debt collectors to use the date of default as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965; commenters argued that this date is a widely used reference date in the student loan market.179 By contrast, an FTC commissioner urged the Bureau not to use the Higher Education Act’s definition of default and instead to use the date a student loan borrower becomes 90 days past due. In addition, an industry commenter recommended that § 1006.34(b)(3) incorporate: (1) The date a creditor places a debt with the debt collector, or (2) the date the debt collector provides validation information to the consumer. Another industry commenter suggested that § 1006.34(b)(3) incorporate the date of a previously obtained court judgment. The Bureau determines that § 1006.34(b)(3)—in conjunction with the five reference dates described in § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) through (v)—provides adequate flexibility for debts in all product markets, including for debts in bankruptcy. A debt collector may choose which of the five reference dates to use based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the history of the debt—e.g., whether a creditor provided statements, whether the consumer made payments—and the information available to the debt collector. 178 For example, debt collectors who collect on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service under a ‘‘qualified tax collection contract’’ generally are required by statute to comply with the FDCPA. See 26 U.S.C. 6306(g) (‘‘The provisions of the [FDCPA] shall apply to any qualified tax collection contract, except to the extent superseded by section 6304, section 7602(c), or by any other provision of this title.’’). 179 The Higher Education Act defines ‘‘default’’ as ‘‘the failure of a borrower . . . to make an installment payment when due, or to meet other terms of the promissory note, the Act, or regulations as applicable, if the Secretary or guaranty agency finds it reasonable to conclude that the borrower and endorser, if any, no longer intend to honor the obligation to repay, provided that this failure persists for—(1) 270 days for a loan repayable in monthly installments; or (2) 330 days for a loan repayable in less frequent installments.’’ 34 CFR 682.200(b). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 With respect to which reference date a debt collector should use to itemize a tax obligation a consumer owes to a government, the date the tax was assessed may be a transaction date for tax debt, as discussed in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv). In addition, a date on which the government provided a written invoice or tax bill may constitute a last statement date for tax debt under § 1006.34(b)(3)(i). The Bureau determines that a reference date specific to student loan debt is unnecessary and unwarranted because the reference dates in § 1006.34(b)(3) are sufficient. For virtually any student loan debt, there will be a last statement date as described in § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), a last payment date as described in § 1006.34(b)(3)(ii), or a transaction date as described in § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv). For many student loan debts, all three reference dates will exist. The Bureau also declines to incorporate into § 1006.34(b)(3) the date of placement or the date the debt collector provides the validation notice. From a consumer’s perspective, these dates do not correspond to notable events in a debt’s history that the consumer may recall or be able to verify. As noted above, however, in response to feedback, the Bureau is adding a new reference date called the ‘‘judgment date,’’ which is the date of a final court judgment that determines the amount of the debt owed by the consumer. The judgment date is discussed in the section-by-section analysis of final § 1006.34(b)(3)(v). With respect to the Bureau’s request for comment about whether a subsequent debt collector should be permitted to use a different itemization date than a prior debt collector used for the same debt, industry and industry trade group commenters generally agreed that requiring debt collectors to use the same reference date as a prior collector would be burdensome and impractical. These commenters stated that debt collectors would be unable to ensure compliance with such a requirement because a creditor might not disclose the reference date that a prior debt collector used. By contrast, an academic and a consumer advocate commenter stated that a debt collector should be required to use the same itemization date the prior debt collector used because a consumer may not be able to assess the amount owed if the subsequent debt collector uses a different reference date. The final rule permits a debt collector to use a different itemization date than a prior debt collector used for the same PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5793 debt. The availability of account information, including about a prior debt collector’s activities, to a subsequent debt collector depends on the creditor or debt buyer who places the debt with the subsequent debt collector. If the creditor or debt buyer does not provide the previously used itemization date, the subsequent debt collector may be unable to determine that date, and therefore fail to comply with a requirement to use it. It is conceivable that, were the rule to require use of the same itemization date previously used, debt collectors and creditors could begin to structure their contracts and processes to enable creditors and debt collectors to transfer a previously used itemization date. However, establishing such contracts and processes would likely impose costs on creditors and debt collectors,180 and those costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Further, the Bureau finds that the costs are not warranted because permitting a subsequent debt collector to use a different itemization date will maintain protections for consumers, as long as the debt collector uses one of the five itemization dates specified in the rule. As stated above, the Bureau finds that the five itemization dates are all dates that should result in reasonably meaningful and recognizable debt amounts for consumers. Accordingly, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(b)(3)–2 to clarify that, when selecting an itemization date pursuant to § 1006.34(b)(3), a debt collector may use a different reference date than a prior debt collector who attempted to collect the debt. For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(3) and its related commentary with minor wording changes and to include a new reference date, the judgment date, in § 1006.34(b)(3)(v). In addition, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(b)(3)–2 to explain that a debt collector may use a different reference date than a prior debt collector. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(3) and § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) through (v), discussed below, pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors and pursuant to its 180 In order for the contractual framework and processes to achieve the desired result of a creditor passing the previously used itemization date to the current debt collector, creditors would have to structure contracts to require the previous debt collectors to pass back to the creditors the previously used itemization dates so that the creditors, in turn, can pass them on to the current debt collectors. Developing and implementing such contractual provisions and processes across the debt collection industry would likely impose potentially significant costs. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5794 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a) to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of consumer financial products and services are disclosed to consumers fully, accurately, and effectively. 34(b)(3)(i) The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) to permit debt collectors to use as the itemization date the date of the last periodic statement or written account statement or invoice provided to the consumer. Proposed comment 34(b)(3)(i)–1 explained that a statement provided by a creditor or a third party acting on the creditor’s behalf, including a creditor’s service provider, may constitute the last statement provided to the consumer for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i). Commenters disagreed about whether the Bureau should adopt the last statement date as a permissible reference date. Several industry and industry trade group commenters supported the proposal, stating that, for some debts, the last statement date is readily available to debt collectors and recognizable to consumers. Some commenters stated that, even when creditors do not initially provide periodic statements to debt collectors, such statements are available upon request. However, some consumer advocate commenters stated that the last statement date may not be meaningful to some consumers and may not help them recognize a debt. For example, a commenter stated that a creditor may send duplicates of the same periodic statement or invoice to a consumer multiple times, even when the balance is changing due to interest or fees. In this scenario, the commenter said, the last statement a consumer received would not reflect the actual amount owed and would not be helpful to the consumer. At least two commenters stated that a validation notice provided by a prior debt collector should not constitute a last statement for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i). According to a consumer advocate commenter, the date of a prior validation notice will not be meaningful to consumers and, consequently, an itemization as of that date will not help consumers recognize an alleged debt. An industry trade group commenter advised against relying on a validation notice provided by a prior debt collector because creditors generally do not provide previously sent validation notices to subsequent debt collectors. The Bureau determines that the last statement date may be used as a reference date. Many creditors or third VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 parties acting on a creditor’s behalf routinely provide consumers with account statements, such as periodic statements or invoices. If a consumer has received an account statement from a creditor, the consumer either may recognize the date that they last received a statement or may be able to verify that date in their records.181 Further, last statement information is often readily available to debt collectors, as debt collectors frequently receive, or have the ability to request, last statement information or records from creditors. The Bureau determines that only a last statement or invoice provided to a consumer by a creditor, as opposed to a statement, such as a validation notice, provided by a debt collector, should serve as a basis for a last statement date as defined in § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) because consumers may be more likely to recall or be able to verify a statement sent by a creditor than by a debt collector. This may be true even if a creditor issues a statement after the debt has gone into collection. Under § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), such a new statement may serve as the last statement for purposes of the itemization date. For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) and its related commentary with revisions to provide that only a statement or invoice provided by a creditor qualifies as a last statement for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i). Specifically, the Bureau is revising § 1006.34(b)(3)(i) to state that the last statement date is the date of the last periodic statement or written account statement or invoice provided to the consumer by a creditor. The Bureau also is revising comment 34(b)(3)(i)–1 to provide that a statement or invoice provided by a debt collector is not a last statement for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), unless the debt collector is also a creditor. 34(b)(3)(ii) The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(b)(3)(ii) to permit debt collectors to use the date that the debt was charged off as the itemization date. An industry trade group and an industry commenter supported the use of the charge-off date, particularly for debts associated with open-end credit, such as credit cards. The commenters stated that charge off is a regulated 181 This is likely to be true even if the consumer has received a duplicative statement as the last statement. In that scenario, under § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii), which requires a debt collector to disclose the amount of the debt on the itemization date, the debt amount that the debt collector discloses to the consumer must be the debt amount as of that last statement date. PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Federal standard for consumer credit 182 and would be a reliable reference date for itemization-related disclosures in some circumstances. An industry trade group commenter stated that creditors frequently provide debt collectors account information as of the charge-off date. Commenters stated that consumers may recognize the amount due as of the charge-off date because some creditors provide charge-off statements that reflect the charge-off balance and, they said, consumers have the ability to review these charge-off statements. Other commenters objected to including the charge-off date as a permissible reference date. An industry commenter stated that not all creditors maintain account information as of the charge-off date or communicate that information to debt collectors at placement. Consumer advocates and at least two industry trade group commenters stated that, although the charge-off date may be widely used for some financial products, it may not resonate with consumers or help them recognize a debt because consumers might not know the charge-off date.183 The Bureau determines that the charge-off date may be used as a reference date. Creditors frequently provide account information as of the charge-off date for various types of debts, including credit card debt, to debt collectors. The Bureau acknowledges that not all creditors maintain account information as of the charge-off date or provide such information to debt collectors, but the charge-off date is only one of five reference dates specified in the final rule. Further, account information at charge off is readily available to a sufficiently large number of debt collectors—including collectors of credit card debt—to justify its adoption as a reference date. In addition, while consumers might not know the specific charge-off date, they may, in fact, recognize account information as of approximately the charge-off date because charge off often occurs at around the time the creditor provided a last account statement. Further, as noted by commenters, some creditors may provide consumers with charge-off statements that reflect the balance as of the charge-off date. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(3)(ii) as proposed. 182 65 FR 36903 (June 12, 2000); Off. of the Comptroller of the Currency, Bulletin 2000–20, Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy (June 20, 2000). 183 An individual commenter requested clarification whether, for medical debt, the date of charge off is the date a creditor places the account for collection. The Bureau is not aware that such a definition is commonly used. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(b)(3)(iii) The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii) to permit debt collectors to use the date the last payment was applied to the debt as the itemization date. Industry and consumer advocate commenters generally supported proposed § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii). These commenters agreed that account information as of the last payment date is readily available to debt collectors and recognizable to consumers. According to one consumer advocate, a consumer may have a general idea of when a bill was last paid, especially if the consumer’s delinquency was related to a significant life event, such as a job loss, a divorce, or an illness. Accordingly, the Bureau determines that the last payment date as defined in § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii) is an appropriate reference date. Commenters asked the Bureau to clarify whether a third-party payment could serve as the basis for the last payment date. For example, several trade group commenters stated that, if a consumer’s car is repossessed, the sale of the collateral may be applied to the consumer’s balance after receipt of the consumer’s last payment. Another commenter raised the possibility of third-party payments and insurance adjustments in the medical debt context. A group of consumer advocates recommended that only a payment from a consumer to a creditor should serve as the basis for a last payment date. According to this commenter, a last consumer payment to a prior debt collector may not be significant or recognizable to a consumer. The Bureau determines that thirdparty payments may serve as the basis for the last payment date under § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii). The Bureau finds that the date of a third-party payment on the debt, such as a payment from an auto repossession agent or an insurance company, may be meaningful to a consumer because such payments may be accompanied by a notice to the consumer, and therefore the consumer could recognize or verify with records the date of such payments. The Bureau also determines that a consumer’s payment to a prior debt collector may serve as the last payment date. The Bureau finds that consumers are at least as likely to recognize or be able to verify with records the status of the debt as of the consumer’s last payment to a prior debt collector as consumers are able to recognize or verify an earlier (perhaps much earlier) payment to the creditor, particularly if VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 the debt has been outstanding for a long time. For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii) as proposed to provide that the last payment date is the date the last payment was applied to the debt. The Bureau also is adopting new comment 34(b)(3)(iii)–1, which clarifies that a third-party payment applied to the debt, such as a payment from an auto repossession agent or an insurance company, can be a last payment for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii). 34(b)(3)(iv) The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv) to permit debt collectors to use as the itemization date the date of the transaction that gave rise to the debt. Proposed comment 34(b)(3)(iv)–1 explained that the transaction date is the date that a creditor provided, or made available, a good or service to a consumer, and it included examples of transaction dates. The comment also explained that, if a debt has more than one potential transaction date, a debt collector may use any such date as the transaction date but must use whichever transaction date it selects consistently. A number of commenters, including consumer advocates, industry trade groups, and at least one industry commenter, supported including the transaction date in the itemization date definition. According to several commenters, consumers likely would recognize the transaction date as defined by proposed § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv). At least one commenter stated that creditors provide account information as of the transaction date for some debt types. With respect to proposed comment 34(b)(3)(iv)–1, a consumer advocate commenter stated that, if a debt has more than one potential transaction date, the debt collector should not be permitted to choose which date to use as the transaction date for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv). The commenter urged the Bureau to develop a prescriptive standard for identifying the appropriate transaction date for scenarios where multiple transaction dates exist. Several commenters also stated that determining the transaction date may be problematic in some circumstances. For example, a consumer advocate commenter explained that, while determining the transaction date is straightforward with one-time transactions, identifying the transaction date may be more difficult with respect to contracts for ongoing services, such as gym memberships, cellular telephone PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5795 contracts, or lawn care service contracts. In addition, an industry commenter stated that medical providers may combine multiple dates of service into one account or use family billing that combines separate bills for family members into one account. The commenter suggested that, if an account in collection reflects services on multiple dates or for multiple individuals, identifying a transaction date may be difficult for the debt collector. The Bureau finds that, for some debts, creditors may provide debt collectors with account information related to the transaction date. In addition, consumers may recognize the amount of a debt on the transaction date, which may be reflected on a copy of a contract or a bill provided by a creditor. For this reason, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv) as proposed to provide that the transaction date, which is the date of the transaction that gave rise to the debt, can be the itemization date for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3). As commenters noted, various dates may serve as potential transaction dates under § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv). For example, potential transaction dates may include the date a service or good was provided to a consumer or the date that a consumer signed a contract for a service or good. In the case of a consumer’s tax debt, the date a government assessed the tax may be a transaction date for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv).184 Nevertheless, the Bureau declines to adopt a prescriptive standard for identifying the only transaction date debt collectors may use. Both the contract date and the service date are significant dates that may resonate with a consumer. Because the consumer may recognize the amount of the debt on those dates, the Bureau finds that either date may serve as the transaction date. Further, the Bureau determines that developing a more prescriptive standard that would apply to all debt types is not feasible. For this reason, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(b)(3)(iv)–1, with minor changes for clarity, to provide that, if a debt has more than one transaction date, a debt collector may use any such date as the transaction date, but the debt collector must use whichever date the debt collector selects consistently, as described in comment 34(b)(3)–1. Comment 34(b)(3)(iv)–1 also addresses concerns regarding identifying the transaction date for medical debt that includes services on 184 See the discussion of tax debts in the introductory section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5796 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations multiple dates or for multiple individuals.185 The Bureau recognizes that the transaction date may be difficult to determine in some circumstances. However, under the framework in § 1006.34(b)(3) for determining the itemization date, the transaction date is one of five reference dates from which a debt collector may choose. Section 1006.34(b)(3) does not require a debt collector to use the transaction date as the reference date for itemizationrelated disclosures. If a debt collector cannot determine the transaction date, the debt collector may use another reference date. 34(b)(3)(v) As discussed above, the proposed definition of itemization date included four reference dates. In response to the proposed definition, an industry commenter suggested that the Bureau add a fifth date—the date of a court judgment. The Bureau has determined to adopt this recommendation. As a general matter, debt collectors will know if a court judgment against a consumer exists and consumers are likely to recognize the date of a court judgment against them or be able to verify the date with records. Further, the amount of the debt as of the date of a court judgment is verifiable as it will have been memorialized in court records. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(b)(3)(v) to permit debt collectors to use as the itemization date the judgment date, which is the date of a final court judgment that determines the amount of the debt owed by the consumer. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(b)(4) Validation Notice FDCPA section 809(a) provides, in relevant part, that, within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall send the consumer a written notice containing specified information (i.e., validation information), unless that information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt. Debt collectors and others commonly refer to the written notice 185 Because of differences between various debt types and the particular facts and circumstances of any given transaction, § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv) provides debt collectors flexibility when selecting a transaction date. However, if the total amount of a debt in collection includes amounts incurred on different dates of service, the Bureau believes that, even though § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv) does not require it, debt collectors generally will select the last date of service as the transaction date. This date may be most recognizable to consumers. Further, disclosing itemization-related information as of the last date, as opposed to an earlier date, likely would be easier for a debt collector. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 required by FDCPA section 809(a) as a ‘‘validation notice’’ or a ‘‘g notice.’’ The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(b)(4) to define validation notice to mean a written or electronic notice that provides the validation information described in § 1006.34(c).186 The Bureau received no comments regarding proposed § 1006.34(b)(4) and is finalizing it with a minor wording change for consistency with final § 1006.34(c). 34(b)(5) Validation Period FDCPA section 809(b) contains certain requirements that a debt collector must satisfy if a consumer disputes a debt or requests the name and address of the original creditor.187 If a consumer disputes a debt in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation information, a debt collector must stop collection of the debt until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and mails it to the consumer. Similarly, if a consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation information, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector obtains and mails such information to the consumer. FDCPA section 809(b) also prohibits a debt collector, during the 30-day period for written disputes and original-creditor information requests, from engaging in collection activities and communications that overshadow, or are inconsistent with, the disclosure of the consumer’s rights to dispute the debt and request original-creditor information, which are sometimes referred to as ‘‘verification rights.’’ As described in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (iii), the Bureau proposed to require debt collectors to disclose to a consumer the date certain on which the consumer’s verification rights under FDCPA section 809(b) expire. To facilitate compliance with that proposed requirement, proposed § 1006.34(b)(5) defined the term validation period to mean the period starting on the date that a debt collector provides the validation information described in § 1006.34(c) and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the validation information.188 To clarify how to calculate the end of the validation period—including how debt collectors may disclose a period that provides consumers additional time 186 See 84 FR 23274, 23337 (May 21, 2019). U.S.C. 1692g(b). 188 84 FR 23274, 23337–38 (May 21, 2019). 187 15 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 beyond the required 30 days to exercise their validation rights—proposed § 1006.34(b)(5) provided that a debt collector may assume that a consumer receives the validation information on any day that is at least five days (excluding legal public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt collector provides it. Proposed comment 34(b)(5)–1 clarified that, if a debt collector sends an initial validation notice that was not received and then sends a subsequent validation notice, the validation period ends 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the subsequent validation notice. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(b)(5) and proposed comment 34(b)(5)–1 (which is renumbered as comment 34(b)(5)–2) with minor wording changes for clarity and consistency with other provisions of Regulation F. The Bureau is adopting new comment 34(b)(5)–1 to illustrate how a debt collector may calculate the end of the validation period before sending the validation notice. A number of commenters, including industry commenters, supported proposed § 1006.34(b)(5). According to several commenters, the proposed definition is consistent with current industry practices. For example, with respect to the proposed five-day delivery timing assumption, industry commenters stated that debt collectors generally assume that a consumer receives a validation notice five to eight days after mailing. Consumer advocate commenters objected to the proposed definition, stating that debt collectors should be obligated to honor consumer verification requests at any time, not only during the validation period. Some commenters recommended lengthening the proposed five-day delivery timing assumption. A consumer advocate commenter and an industry trade group commenter suggested that the validation period definition should assume that the consumer receives the validation notice seven days after the debt collector mails it to account for delays or bulk mail delivery.189 Another trade group 189 United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery times for Standard Mail, commonly referred to as bulk mail, are typically longer than delivery times for first-class mail. For example, based on the USPS Originating Service Standards, bulk mail originated in Washington, DC takes six days to reach New York City, seven days to reach Denver, and nine days to reach Seattle. By contrast, first-class mail from Washington, DC reaches New York City in two days and Denver and Seattle in three days. See U.S. Postal Serv., Service Standards Maps, https:// postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/service-standardsmaps (last visited Nov. 16, 2020). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 commenter recommended a fixed tenday assumption that omits consideration of weekends and holidays. Other commenters recommended shortening the delivery timing assumption. For example, an industry trade group commenter recommended that the Bureau eliminate the assumption entirely and clarify that the validation period commences upon mailing of a validation notice. Other industry commenters urged the Bureau to shorten the assumption for nearinstantaneous communication methods, such as electronic or oral delivery. In contrast, at least two industry trade groups commenters and a consumer advocate commenter recommended a uniform validation period across delivery methods. According to an industry trade group commenter, if the validation period is not the same for all delivery methods, consumers may be confused if they receive validation notices through different delivery methods with different due dates. After considering this feedback, the Bureau determines that a validation period definition will facilitate debt collectors’ compliance with the requirement in § 1006.34(c)(3) to disclose to a consumer the date certain on which the consumer’s FDCPA section 809(b) verification rights expire. The Bureau declines, as requested by consumer advocate commenters, to require a debt collector to comply with a verification request that a consumer submits after the 30-day period provided by the statute has expired. FDCPA section 809(b) establishes a 30day period for consumers to exercise their verification rights.190 The Bureau also declines to modify the length of the five-day delivery timing assumption. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(b)(5) on the basis that a consumer typically receives a validation notice no more than five days (excluding legal public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt collector provides the notice. Based on its market monitoring activities, the Bureau understands that debt collectors typically send consumer communications by first-class mail, which generally is delivered in three 190 Although the FDCPA and this implementing regulation do not require a debt collector to provide verification after the validation period expires, a debt collector nevertheless may choose to do so. The Bureau has received feedback from debt collectors and at least one industry trade group that many debt collectors respond to disputes with verification, and to original-creditor-information requests, after the validation period has expired. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 business days or less.191 The Bureau is unaware that debt collectors typically use bulk mail to deliver validation notices, and commenters offered no evidence otherwise. For these reasons, the Bureau declines to extend the fiveday delivery timing assumption. The Bureau also declines to shorten the validation period’s five-day delivery timing assumption. The FDCPA’s 30day validation period begins to run when the consumer receives the validation information.192 If the 30-day clock began to run upon the debt collector’s mailing of the validation notice, as some commenters suggested, the consumer would be deprived of the full 30-day period provided by the FDCPA to respond to the notice. Further, the Bureau declines to shorten the length of the validation period for validation information provided by communication methods such as electronic delivery. A delivery timing assumption that varied by delivery method could pose compliance challenges and incentivize use of one communication method over another. Therefore, as proposed, the five-day delivery timing assumption applies uniformly to all validation information delivery methods. A group of consumer advocates asked the Bureau to define the validation period based solely on when the consumer is assumed to receive the validation information. In other words, this commenter requested that the rule not permit the date that a consumer actually received the validation notice to serve as the basis of the validation period. According to this commenter, relying solely on the date that the consumer is assumed to receive the information would prevent confusion if the date the consumer received the notice and the date the debt collector assumed the consumer received it are different. The Bureau declines to adopt this suggestion. The FDCPA’s 30-day validation period begins to run when the consumer receives the validation information. Nevertheless, the Bureau determines that, at least in certain contexts, the date that the consumer is assumed to receive the validation notice is the only date information that a debt collector will have at the time the 191 See U.S. Postal Serv., Service Standards Maps, https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/servicestandards-maps (last visited Dec. 1, 2020). 192 FDCPA section 809(a)(3) requires the validation notice to include ‘‘a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector.’’ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(3) (emphasis added). PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5797 validation information is generated. Specifically, a debt collector who sends a written or electronic validation notice will not know, at the time the notice is generated, the date on which the consumer will receive the notice and, therefore, must be able to use the date of assumed receipt to calculate the validation period end date. The Bureau is adding new comment 34(b)(5)–1 to clarify that, in such circumstances, debt collectors may rely on the date of assumed receipt, even if they learn after sending the notice that the consumer received the validation information on a different date. Several industry and industry trade group commenters expressed concern about the use of the term ‘‘legal public holiday’’ in proposed § 1006.34(b)(5). According to these commenters, legal public holidays may include State and local holidays that the debt collector is not aware of and cannot reasonably ascertain. In response to these concerns, and consistent with § 1006.22(c)(1) in the November 2020 Final Rule,193 the Bureau is revising § 1006.34(b)(5) to provide that a debt collector may assume that a consumer receives the validation information on any date that is at least five days (excluding legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt collector provides it. Several industry commenters asked the Bureau to clarify whether a debt collector must receive a consumer’s verification request before the validation period end date, or whether the consumer need only send the request by the validation period end date for the request to be effective. The Bureau determines that a consumer’s verification request—whether an original-creditor information request or a dispute—is effective if the consumer sends or submits the request within the 30-day period established in § 1006.34(b)(5), even if the debt collector does not receive the request until after the 30-day period. In specifying requirements for debt collectors’ responses to consumers’ verification requests, § 1006.38(c) and (d)(2) of the Bureau’s November 2020 Final Rule implemented FDCPA section 809(b) by providing that, upon receipt of an original-creditor information request (§ 1006.38(c)) or a dispute (§ 1006.38(d)(2)) ‘‘submitted by the consumer in writing within the validation period, a debt collector must cease collection of the debt . . . .’’ (emphasis added). The Bureau determines that a consumer’s original193 85 FR 76734, 76833–34, 76892 (Nov. 30, 2020). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5798 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations creditor information request or dispute has been ‘‘submitted by the consumer’’ for purposes of § 1006.38(c) and (d)(2) if the consumer sends or submits the request within the 30-day period established in § 1006.34(b)(5), even if the debt collector does not receive the request until after the 30-day period. For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(b)(5) to provide that validation period means the period starting on the date that a debt collector provides the validation information and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive it. Section 1006.34(b)(5) also specifies that a debt collector may assume that a consumer receives the validation information on any date that is at least five days (excluding legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a) (i.e., federally recognized public holidays), Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt collector provides it. Proposed comment 34(b)(5)–1 clarified that, if a debt collector sends a subsequent validation notice to a consumer because the consumer did not receive the original validation notice and the consumer has not otherwise received the validation information, the debt collector must calculate the end of the validation period based on the date the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the subsequent validation notice. At least two industry trade group commenters stated that proposed comment 34(b)(5)–1 was consistent with current industry practice. According to these commenters, if a validation notice is returned as undeliverable, debt collectors typically send a new validation notice and provide a new period for consumers to exercise their verification rights. A law firm commenter asked the Bureau to provide additional guidance on a debt collector’s duties if a validation notice is returned as undeliverable after the validation period has expired. The Bureau concludes based on feedback received and its own marketmonitoring, supervision, and enforcement experience that proposed comment 34(b)(5)–1 is consistent with existing industry practice and therefore is adopting it largely as proposed but renumbered as comment 34(b)(5)–2. If a validation notice is returned as undeliverable after the validation period has expired and the debt collector sends a subsequent notice, then, as stated in the comment, the debt collector must calculate the end of the validation period based on the date the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the subsequent validation notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 34(c) Validation Information Proposed § 1006.34(c) set forth the validation information that proposed § 1006.34(a)(1) would have required debt collectors to disclose. The validation information consisted of four general categories: Information to help consumers identify debts (including the information specifically referenced in FDCPA section 809(a)); information about consumers’ protections in debt collection; information to facilitate consumers’ ability to exercise their rights with respect to debt collection; and certain other statutorily required information. Each of those categories is addressed separately in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(c)(1) through (4). 34(c)(1) Debt Collector Communication Disclosure FDCPA section 807(11) requires a debt collector to disclose in its initial written communication with a consumer—and, if the initial communication is oral, in that oral communication as well—that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose.194 A debt collector must also disclose in each subsequent communication that the communication is from a debt collector. If a debt collector provides validation information, the debt collector engages in a debt collection communication and must make an appropriate FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure.195 The Bureau proposed to implement the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosures in § 1006.18(e).196 In turn, the Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(c)(1) that the § 1006.18(e) disclosure is required validation information. The Bureau finalized § 1006.18(e) in the November 2020 Final Rule.197 Section 1006.18(e)(1) requires a debt collector to disclose in its initial communication that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Section 1006.18(e)(2) requires a debt collector to disclose in each subsequent communication that the communication is from a debt collector. At least one industry trade group supported proposed § 1006.34(c)(1)’s cross-reference to the FDCPA section 807(11) requirement. A consumer advocate commenter asked the Bureau 194 See 15 U.S.C. 1692e(11). e.g., Dorsey v. Morgan, 760 F. Supp. 509 (D. Md. 1991). 196 See 84 FR 23274, 23322–23, 23402 (May 21, 2019). 197 See 85 FR 76734, 76830–31, 76891–92 (Nov. 30, 2020). 195 See, PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 to clarify what version of the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure should appear on the validation notice: The longer, initial disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(1) or the shorter, subsequent disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(2). The Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(1)–1 to clarify that a debt collector who provides the validation notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A)—i.e., a debt collector who provides the validation notice in the initial communication—complies with § 1006.34(c)(1) by providing the disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(1). The disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(1) is broader than, and incorporates the content of, the disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(2). Accordingly, new comment 34(c)(1)–1 also clarifies that a debt collector who provides the validation notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B)—i.e., a debt collector who provides the validation notice within five days of the initial communication—complies with § 1006.34(c)(1) by providing either the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1) or the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(2).198 The Bureau determines that this clarification will facilitate compliance, encourage use of the model validation notice, and protect consumers. The consumer advocate commenter also recommended that the Bureau require every validation notice to include a Spanish translation of the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure to assist Spanish-speaking consumers. The Bureau declines to do so. Mandating that every debt collector provide a Spanish translation of the disclosure is unnecessary for the majority of consumers, who are not Spanish speakers. Further, a mandatory translation could undermine the effectiveness of the other validation information disclosures. Moreover, the November 2020 Final Rule contained a targeted language access intervention on this topic. Pursuant to § 1006.18(e)(4) in that rule, debt collectors will be required to make the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure in the same language or languages used for the rest of the communication in which the disclosures are conveyed. Thus, if a debt collector provides a consumer a 198 The model validation notice includes the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1). As explained in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), new comment 34(d)(2)(i)–1 clarifies that a debt collector who uses the model notice to provide a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) may replace the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1) with the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(2) without losing the safe harbor provided by use of the model notice. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations validation notice in Spanish pursuant to § 1006.34(e), the debt collector must include on that notice a Spanish translation of the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(1) as proposed and is finalizing new comment 34(c)(1)–1 as described above. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(c)(2) Information About the Debt Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2) specified that certain information about the debt and the parties related to the debt was required validation information.199 The section-by-section analysis of proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) through (x) discussed the specific items of information, which were designed to help consumers recognize debts and included existing disclosures. The Bureau addresses comments related to specific disclosures in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) through (x). In this section-by-section analysis, the Bureau addresses comments related to § 1006.34(c)(2) more generally. Some commenters supported proposed § 1006.34(c)(2). A consumer advocate and a municipal government commenter stated that the proposed validation information would help consumers determine whether they owe a debt. A group of State Attorneys General stated that consumers today do not consistently receive the information they need to identify debts. According to these commenters, consumers routinely submit complaints that they do not recognize the debts or creditors disclosed on validation notices. An industry trade group stated that it would be feasible for debt collectors to disclose the proposed information because debt buyers routinely obtain such information at purchase. Other commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(2) and suggested that consumers do not need information beyond what the FDCPA expressly requires. An industry trade group stated, without providing verifiable evidence, that most debts are valid and asserted that less than one-half of 1 percent of debts lack a contractual basis or are miscalculated. According to this commenter, the small number of debts that are problematic can be resolved by consumers invoking their FDCPA verification rights. Other commenters who objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(2) cited industry burden. For example, one industry commenter stated that requiring debt 199 84 FR 23274, 23338–42, 23404 (May 21, 2019). Proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) set forth a special rule for information about the debt for certain residential mortgage debt. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 collectors to disclose the proposed information about the debt and parties related to the debt would increase costs for debt collectors as well as for creditors. Another industry commenter suggested that proposed § 1006.34(c)(2) was not feasible because debt collectors rely on creditors for account information and records. According to this commenter, if creditors did not provide the information, debt collectors would be unable to comply with § 1006.34(c)(2). Some commenters stated that the information proposed § 1006.34(c)(2) would require might confuse consumers and questioned whether it was supported by the Bureau’s consumer testing. Some commenters recommended that the Bureau revise proposed § 1006.34(c)(2) to require additional validation information. Federal government agency staff, a group of State Attorneys General, and a government commenter suggested that the name of the original creditor and the date of the original transaction should be required validation information. A group of State Attorneys General suggested that the Bureau require debt collectors to provide information about the debt as of the charge-off date. Two associations representing State regulatory agencies recommended that the Bureau require disclosure of a debt collector’s State license or registration number, such as the Nationwide MultiState Licensing System identification. According to these commenters, requiring debt collectors to disclose license or registration information would assist regulators examining for compliance with State debt collection laws. In addition, a consumer advocate, an industry trade group, and an industry commenter recommended that, for medical debt, validation information should include the facility name associated with the debt. According to these commenters, a consumer may be more likely to recognize a facility where treatment was provided than the name of the physician or healthcare provider to whom the consumer owes the debt. After considering the feedback, the Bureau has determined to finalize § 1006.34(c)(2). The Bureau determines that validation notices in use today frequently lack sufficient information about the debt and the parties related to the debt, and this lack of information undermines the ability of consumers to determine whether they owe an alleged debt. This conclusion is consistent with feedback from Federal and State government commenters, including the FTC and a group of State Attorneys PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5799 General. The Bureau’s testing also supports this conclusion.200 The Bureau determines that requiring debt collectors to disclose the information about the debt and parties related to the debt in § 1006.34(c)(2) is necessary. Industry commenters did not support their claims about the relative infrequency of problematic debts with verifiable evidence.201 In addition, a group of State Attorneys General stated that consumers routinely complain that they do not recognize debts being collected, and the Bureau’s complaint statistics indicate similar concerns about debts among consumers.202 Thus, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2) to require information about the debt and parties related to the debt. The Bureau also determines that § 1006.34(c)(2) will not impose undue industry burden. As discussed in part VII, while § 1006.34(c)(2) may increase some costs for debt collectors, as well as cause some indirect costs for creditors, the Bureau does not expect these costs to be substantial. The Bureau disagrees that a significant number of debt collectors will be unable to comply with § 1006.34(c)(2). The Bureau acknowledges that debt collectors depend on creditors to provide account information and that creditors will not be required by the final rule to provide the information that § 1006.34(c)(2) will require. Notwithstanding this fact, the Bureau has received feedback that many creditors today make available much of the information mandated by § 1006.34(c)(2). To the extent that creditors do not already provide debt collectors with this information, the Bureau determines that creditors will be incentivized to do so after § 1006.34(c)(2)’s effective date because the debt collectors they hire or sell debts to will be unable to legally collect without it. 200 Certain information that Bureau qualitative testing indicates helps consumers to recognize a debt—including a debt’s original account number or an itemization of interest and fees—may not consistently appear on validation notices. See FMG Cognitive Report, supra note 27, at 8–11. 201 Even assuming one commenter’s claim that only one-half of 1 percent of debts lack a contractual basis or are miscalculated, this error rate would impact hundreds of thousands of consumers annually. As the proposal noted, 49 million consumers are contacted by debt collectors every year. See 84 FR 23274, 23382 n.656 (May 21, 2019). If one-half of 1 percent of these consumers received validation notices for debts they did not owe, 245,000 consumers could be impacted. 202 The most common debt collection complaint received by the Bureau continues to be about attempts to collect a debt that the consumer reports is not owed. See 2020 FDCPA Annual Report, supra note 12, at 14. Consumers may report that a debt is not owed for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, that the debt is being collected in error or that the consumer does not recognize the debt. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5800 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations The Bureau determines that the information required by § 1006.34(c)(2) will not confuse consumers. As discussed in part III.C, the Bureau has validated the model validation notice and the validation information contained therein through four rounds of consumer testing. The Bureau declines the recommendation to add certain disclosures to § 1006.34(c)(2). First, the Bureau declines to require the name of the original creditor and the date of the original transaction. Requiring this additional information on validation notices may overwhelm consumers, may be repetitive, or may otherwise not add to consumer understanding because the validation information already includes items such as the debt collector’s name (§ 1006.34(c)(2)(i)), the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date (§ 1006.34(c)(2)(iii)), and the name of the creditor to whom debt is currently owed (§ 1006.34(c)(2)(v)). The Bureau also declines to tie information disclosure requirements to the date that a debt was charged off because charge off is not relevant to all debt types. However, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3)(ii), a debt collector may use the charge-off date as the itemization date, in which case consumers will receive information about the amount of the date as of the charge-off date, as well as information about interest, fees, payments, and credits since that date.203 The Bureau also declines to require a debt collector to disclose a State license or registration number. If a debt collector is specifically required by applicable law to disclose such information, a debt collector may do so as an optional disclosure under final § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A). The Bureau does agree that a facility name associated with a debt may be helpful to consumers in the medical debt context. The Bureau is not modifying § 1006.34(c)(2) to require this information, but final § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits debt collectors to include facility name as an optional disclosure. Accordingly, as noted above, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2) to require debt collectors to provide certain information about the debt and the parties related to the debt. Except with respect to final § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii), the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with 203 See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) and (viii). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors and, as described more fully below, its authority to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809. In addition, except with respect to final § 1006.34(c)(2)(v) and (ix), the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2) pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, on the basis that the validation information describes the debt, which is a feature of debt collection. 34(c)(2)(i) FDCPA section 809(b) provides that a consumer may notify a debt collector in writing, within 30 days after receipt of the information required by FDCPA section 809(a), that the consumer is exercising certain verification rights, including the right to dispute the debt.204 FDCPA section 809(a)(3) through (5), in turn, requires debt collectors to disclose how consumers may exercise their verification rights. The proposal stated that to notify a debt collector in writing that the consumer is exercising the consumer’s verification rights, the consumer must have the debt collector’s name and address.205 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) therefore provided that the debt collector’s name and mailing address are required validation information. Industry and industry trade group commenters recommended various revisions to proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(i). First, some industry trade group commenters suggested that the Bureau permit a debt collector to disclose a trade name or doing-business-as name (DBA), in lieu of the debt collector’s legal name. According to these commenters, because a debt collector may not use its legal name when communicating with consumers, a consumer may be more likely to recognize the debt collector’s trade name or DBA. Next, one industry trade group commenter recommended that the Bureau permit a debt collector to disclose a vendor’s mailing address because some debt collectors do not receive mail from consumers at their office locations and instead use letter vendors. Finally, some industry and industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau permit debt collectors to disclose multiple addresses. Some of these commenters stated that debt collectors may use separate addresses for payments and other correspondence, including disputes. For example, an industry trade group stated that some 204 15 205 84 PO 00000 U.S.C. 1692g(b). FR 23274, 23339, 23404 (May 21, 2019). Frm 00036 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 clients of debt collectors, including the Department of Education, do not permit debt collectors to receive payments at their office locations and instead require debt collectors to direct payments to a ‘‘lockbox,’’ which is a post office box administered by a third party for the receipt of payments. A consumer advocate asked the Bureau to modify proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) to require debt collectors to also disclose a telephone number, an email address, and any other method the debt collector uses for consumer communications. After considering the feedback, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) with a revision for clarity and is also adopting two new comments to incorporate certain suggestions made by commenters. As noted, some commenters suggested that debt collectors who use multiple mailing addresses be permitted to include more than one mailing address as validation information. The Bureau declines to affirmatively permit the use of more than one mailing address as validation information. As discussed in the proposal, the purpose of validation information is to facilitate a consumer’s exercise of their rights in debt collection, namely, the right to dispute the debt or to request original-creditor information. Accordingly, the mailing address included in the validation information must be an address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and original-creditor information requests. The Bureau is revising § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) to affirmatively state this requirement. If a debt collector only accepts payments at a different address than the address at which it accepts disputes and originalcreditor information requests, the Bureau notes that the debt collector need not include payment disclosures with the validation information; they are optional disclosures under § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii).206 Moreover, if a debt collector omits the optional payment disclosures, the validation 206 The Bureau also notes that nothing in Regulation F prevents a debt collector from using a different mailing address in communications that do not contain the validation information. For example, if a debt collector accepts payments at a different address, the payment address may be included in a separate communication seeking payment. Additionally, as noted at the outset of the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34, the Bureau is not finalizing the proposed requirement that all validation notices be substantially similar to the Bureau’s model validation notice. Therefore, a debt collector may include a separate payment address on a validation notice, but a debt collector who does so will not receive safe harbors pursuant to §§ 1006.34(d)(2) and 1006.38(b)(2) and must otherwise comply with the FDCPA and Regulation F. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 notice will continue to contain contact information for the debt collector, including, at the debt collector’s option, the debt collector’s telephone number pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(3)(i), should the consumer wish to reach out for payment information or to make a payment. The Bureau is also adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(i)–1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose the debt collector’s trade name or DBA in lieu of the debt collector’s legal name. The Bureau observes that, in some cases, a debt collector’s trade name or DBA may be more recognizable to consumers than the debt collector’s legal name. The Bureau therefore determines that a debt collector may use its trade name or DBA when communicating with consumers. However, when disclosing a trade name or DBA, the debt collector may not do so in a manner that violates the FDCPA section 807 prohibition on false or misleading representations. For example, a debt collector may violate the FDCPA and this final rule if the debt collector discloses a trade name or DBA that falsely represents or implies that the debt collector is an attorney, when that is not the case.207 Second, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(i)–2 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose a vendor’s mailing address, if that is an address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for originalcreditor information. As one commenter observed, some debt collectors may use a vendor to receive mail from consumers. The Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(i)–2 to accommodate this business practice. The Bureau declines to adopt the recommendation of some commenters to require debt collectors to disclose other contact methods, including a telephone number or an email address. The FDCPA does not require debt collectors to communicate by telephone or email. However, as noted, § 1006.34(d)(3)(i) permits a debt collector to disclose the debt collector’s telephone number. Likewise, § 1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A), permits a debt collector to disclose the debt collector’s website and email address. 34(c)(2)(ii) FDCPA section 809(a) requires debt collectors to disclose information about the debt that helps consumers identify the debt and facilitates resolution of the debt. The proposal stated that, like the information FDCPA section 809(a) expressly requires, the consumer’s name and address is essential information about the debt that may help a 207 See 15 U.S.C. 1692e(3). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 consumer determine whether the consumer owes a debt and is the intended recipient of a validation notice.208 The Bureau therefore proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ii) to provide that the consumer’s name and mailing address is required validation information. As discussed below, proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ii)–1 clarified the meaning of the term ‘‘consumer’s name.’’ A consumer advocate and an industry trade group expressed overall support for the proposed provision. The consumer advocate stated that consumer name information would help a consumer identify an alleged debt. The consumer advocate also stated that complete name information—such as a first name, middle name, last name, and suffix—would help consumers determine whether a debt collector is seeking a different consumer with a similar name. According to the industry trade group, it would be unreasonable for a debt collector to omit known name information. For the reasons discussed in the proposal, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(ii) as proposed. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ii)–1 clarified that the consumer’s name should reflect what the debt collector reasonably determines is the most complete version of the name information about which the debt collector has knowledge, whether obtained from the creditor or another source. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ii)– 1 further explained that a debt collector would not be able to omit name information in a manner that would create a false, misleading, or confusing impression about the consumer’s identity and provided an example. Some commenters raised concerns about proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ii)–1. A number of industry and industry trade group commenters objected to the statement that debt collectors would be required to determine the most complete version of the name about which the debt collector has knowledge, whether obtained from the creditor or another source. These commenters stated that the reference to ‘‘another source’’ was ambiguous and would create litigation risk and compel debt collectors to conduct open-ended research about a consumer’s name. Several commenters urged the Bureau to omit the reference to ‘‘another source.’’ The Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)–1 with revisions in response to feedback and for clarity. First, the Bureau is deleting the phrase ‘‘whether obtained from the creditor or another source.’’ This phrase is unnecessary as 208 84 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 FR 23274, 23339 (May 21, 2019). Frm 00037 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5801 it does not alter the fundamental expectation that a debt collector will disclose the most complete and accurate name about which the debt collector has knowledge. In addition, the Bureau determines that the reference to ‘‘another source’’ is ambiguous and may create unjustified litigation risk and industry burden. Second, the Bureau is revising the comment to clarify that a debt collector must reasonably determine ‘‘the most complete and accurate version’’ of a consumer’s name. The Bureau intended that a debt collector would be required to disclose ‘‘accurate’’ consumer name information, but proposed comment 34(c)(2)–1 only referred to ‘‘the most complete version’’ of the consumer’s name. Finally, the Bureau has elaborated on the example of a debt collector omitting a consumer’s name information. 34(c)(2)(iii) 209 FDCPA section 809(a)(2), which requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed, typically is understood to refer to the current creditor.210 As the proposal stated, if the original creditor (or the creditor as of the itemization date) and the current creditor are the same, a consumer is more likely to recognize the creditor’s name. If they are different, however, a consumer may be less likely to recognize the current creditor than the name of the creditor as of the itemization date. Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iv) provided that, if a debt collector is collecting a consumer financial product or service debt (as that term was defined in proposed § 1006.2(f)), the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date is required validation information.211 For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iv) with minor wording changes and renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii), and is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(iii)– 1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose the trade name or DBA of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date. 209 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) generally provided that the merchant brand, if any, associated with a credit card debt was required validation information. The Bureau is finalizing merchant brand information as an optional disclosure. See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii). The Bureau therefore is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iv) through (x) as § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) through (ix). 210 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(2). See the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(v). 211 84 FR 23274, 23404 (May 21, 2019). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5802 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations An industry trade group commenter expressed support for requiring debt collectors to disclose the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date but asked the Bureau to clarify that a debt collector may disclose this creditor’s trade name or DBA, as opposed to its legal name, which a consumer may not recognize. A consumer advocate objected to the proposal because a consumer may not recognize the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date. According to the commenter, in some cases, the itemization date may have occurred years after the debt was incurred. And, particularly if the debt was transferred before the itemization date, the consumer may not recognize the creditor as of that date. As an alternative, the commenter suggested that a debt collector be required to disclose the name of the original creditor. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(i), an entity’s trade name or DBA may be more recognizable to consumers than an entity’s legal name. It may be appropriate for a debt collector to disclose a creditor’s trade name or DBA, in lieu of the creditor’s legal name, when communicating with consumers. Thus, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(iii)–1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose as validation information the trade name or DBA of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date. The Bureau declines to require a debt collector to disclose the name of the original creditor as validation information under § 1006.34(c). FDCPA section 809(a)(5) and (b) require a debt collector to provide the name and address of the original creditor in response to a consumer request. While the Bureau acknowledges that, in some cases, a consumer may not recognize the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date, this information will still benefit some consumers. For an older debt or a debt that has been transferred, consumers may be more likely to recognize the creditor as of the itemization date than the current creditor. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) to provide that, if the debt collector is collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date is required validation information. In addition, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(iii)–1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose the trade name or DBA of the creditor to whom VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 the debt was owed on the itemization date. 34(c)(2)(iv) The purpose of FDCPA section 809 is to ‘‘eliminate the recurring problem of debt collectors dunning the wrong person or attempting to collect debts which the consumer has already paid.’’ 212 Consistent with the FDCPA’s purpose, FDCPA section 809(a) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers certain information, such as the amount of the debt, to help consumers identify debts. According to the proposal, an account number associated with a debt on the itemization date may be integral information that a consumer uses to identify the debt.213 The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(v) to provide that the account number, if any, associated with the debt on the itemization date, or a truncated version of that number, is required validation information. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(v)–1 explained that a debt collector may truncate an account number provided that the account number remains recognizable. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(v), renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(iv), and its related commentary with minor wording changes. Industry commenters, a consumer advocate, and a group of State Attorneys General, expressed overall support for proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(v). However, one industry commenter recommended that the Bureau exempt debt collectors collecting residential mortgage debt from the requirement to disclose an account number. According to the commenter, the account number for a residential mortgage that has had a servicing transfer may not be the current account number, which might confuse consumers. The Bureau concludes that an account number associated with a debt on the itemization date may help some consumers recognize the debt. The Bureau declines to adopt the recommendation to exempt debt collectors collecting residential mortgage debt from disclosing an account number. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3), the Bureau has determined that the reference dates that a debt collector may use to determine the itemization date may be meaningful to consumers because they correspond to a notable event in the debt’s history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records. By extension, the 212 S. 213 84 PO 00000 Rep. No. 382, supra note 57, at 4. FR 23274, 23340 (May 21, 2019). Frm 00038 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Bureau determines that an account number associated with a debt as of one of those dates will also likely resonate with a consumer, even if it is not the current account number. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(iv) and its related commentary largely as proposed, with only minor wording changes to the commentary for clarity. No substantive change is intended. 34(c)(2)(v) FDCPA section 809(a)(2) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed.214 By using the present tense ‘‘is owed,’’ the statute appears to refer to the creditor to whom the debt is owed when the debt collector makes the disclosure.215 The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) to provide that the name of the current creditor is required validation information. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing the proposal, renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(v), and is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(v)–1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose the trade name or DBA of the creditor to whom the debt is currently owed, instead of its legal name. The Bureau received no comments specifically addressing proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) and is finalizing it as proposed but renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(v). An industry trade group commenter recommended that the Bureau permit debt collectors to disclose, along with the required validation information, all current and past creditors associated with the debt. According to the commenter, some creditors, such as healthcare and financial services providers, may have multiple sub-entities with different corporate names. This commenter suggested that disclosing more names of creditors will increase the likelihood that a consumer will recognize one of them. The Bureau declines to adopt this recommendation. Disclosing all current and past creditors along with the validation information could overwhelm and confuse consumers.216 Thus, as discussed in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(c), the Bureau is requiring debt collectors to 214 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(2). FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019). 216 During one round of cognitive testing, participants were shown disclosure language that included a list of prior creditors. Confusion was observed when participants tried to explain the difference between prior and current creditors. The unclear relationship between creditors was highlighted when participants attempted to identify the creditor that currently owned the debt. See FMG Cognitive Report, supra note 27, at 3–4. 215 84 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations disclose as validation information only two creditors: The creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date (§ 1006.34(c)(2)(iii)) and the creditor to whom the debt is currently owed (§ 1006.34(c)(2)(v)). Nothing in the final rule prohibits a debt collector from including the name of another creditor on a validation notice, but a debt collector who does so will not receive the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor and will risk not complying with the requirements of § 1006.34, including the § 1006.34(b)(1) clear and conspicuous standard. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) and (iii), the Bureau is finalizing new comments 34(c)(2)(i)–1 and 34(c)(2)(iii)–1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose an entity’s trade name or DBA, instead of its legal name. The Bureau concludes that it is also appropriate to permit a debt collector to disclose the trade name or DBA of a current creditor. Thus, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(v)–1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose the trade name or a DBA of the creditor to whom the debt is currently owed, instead of its legal name. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(c)(2)(vi) FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers the amount of the debt.217 In § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), the Bureau proposed to interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(1), and to use its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a), to provide that the amount of the debt on the itemization date is required validation information.218 Consistent with proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) to provide that the itemization date, as defined in § 1006.34(b)(3), also is required validation information. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) as proposed but renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi). Several commenters, including an industry commenter, an industry trade group commenter, and a group of consumer advocates, stated that the itemization date may not be meaningful to consumers or help them recognize debts, if disclosed without an explanation of its relevance. These commenters, along with Federal government agency staff, recommended requiring debt collectors to disclose with the itemization date a statement explaining which reference date the 217 See 218 84 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(1). FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 debt collector used to determine that date.219 The Bureau declines to adopt this recommendation. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3), the Bureau determines that the reference dates that a debt collector may use to determine the itemization date have a significant likelihood of being meaningful to consumers because they correspond to notable events in a debt’s history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records. Because each of the reference dates may be meaningful to consumers, the Bureau determines that no additional disclosure explaining their relevance is necessary. Moreover, the Bureau determines that an additional disclosure explaining the reference date may confuse or overwhelm some consumers. While a debt collector likely could describe some reference dates (e.g., a last statement date) in a straightforward manner, other reference dates (e.g., the charge-off date and the transaction date) do not lend themselves to a succinct explanation. That is because some reference dates reflect financial concepts that are inherently complex (i.e., charge off) or that could vary by debt type and the facts and circumstances surrounding a particular debt (i.e., transaction dates). For such reference dates, a statement explaining their relevance could distract or confuse consumers, thereby undermining the efficacy of the other validation information. 34(c)(2)(vii) As noted, FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers the amount of the debt. As discussed in the proposal, the phrase ‘‘the amount of the debt’’ is ambiguous; it does not specify which debt amount is being referred to, even though the debt amount may change over time. As also discussed in the proposal, consumers may recognize the amount of the debt as of the itemization date (as the Bureau proposed to define that term in § 1006.34(b)(3)). Because the amount of the debt on the itemization date may help a consumer recognize a debt and determine whether the amount of a debt is accurate, the Bureau proposed to interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(1), and to use its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a), to provide in proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) that the amount of the debt on the itemization 219 As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3), the Bureau defines itemization date to mean one of five reference dates for which a debt collector can ascertain the amount of the debt. PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5803 date is required validation information.220 Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–1 explained that this amount includes any fees, interest, or other charges owed as of the itemization date. An industry commenter questioned whether proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) would significantly improve consumer understanding. According to the commenter, if a debt collector determines the itemization date based on the last statement date pursuant to § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), and if the debt is placed for collection shortly after the last statement was provided, the current amount of the debt (which the Bureau proposed as a separate item of required validation information) and the amount of the debt on the itemization date would be approximately the same. The commenter stated that, in this scenario, disclosing the amount of the debt on the itemization date would not benefit the consumer. The Bureau acknowledges that, for a given debt, the amount owed on the itemization date and the current amount of the debt may be similar or even the same. However, as discussed below in the section-by-section analysis of final § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), even in these cases, the itemization of the debt will still be required, and, as clarified in final comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–1, the itemization (if the amounts are the same) will show $0 in interest, fees, payments, and credits. As such, it should be clear to the consumer why the two amounts are the same. In many other cases, these amounts will differ, sometimes substantially. In these cases, the amount of the debt on the itemization date will help consumers recognize or evaluate the debt. For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) and its related commentary as proposed but renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii). 34(c)(2)(viii) As noted, FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires a debt collector to disclose to consumers the amount of the debt. As discussed, the Bureau proposed to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(1) to provide that debt collectors must disclose to consumers both the amount of the debt on the itemization date and the current amount of the debt (i.e., the amount of the debt on the date that the validation information is 220 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019). As proposed, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) (renumbered from proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(x)) separately to provide that the current amount of the debt also is required validation information. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5804 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations provided).221 In conjunction with the amount of the debt on the itemization date and the current amount of the debt, the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) to provide that an itemization of the current amount of the debt, in a tabular format reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date, is required validation information. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ix)–1 clarified how debt collectors could disclose that no interest, fees, payments, or credits were assessed or applied to a debt. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing the proposal, renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), with revisions to permit debt collectors to disclose the itemization on a separate page provided in the same communication with a validation notice, if the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page. The Bureau also is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(ix)–1 with a substantive modification and renumbered as comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–1, and is adopting new comments 34(c)(2)(viii)–2 through–4 to clarify other aspects of final § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii). Commenters offered differing opinions regarding proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). A group of State Attorneys General, Federal government agency staff, consumer advocate commenters, some industry trade group commenters, and at least one industry commenter supported the proposed provision. These commenters generally agreed that an itemization of the debt would help consumers recognize an alleged debt and understand how the debt had evolved over time due to interest, fees, payments, and credits. Further, the Bureau received feedback that the proposal was consistent with some industry practice. For instance, a commenter noted an industry certification standard that, during the sales of certain debt types, requires debt buyers to obtain or provide the unpaid balance due on the account, with a breakdown of the post-charge-off balance, interest, fees, payments, and credits or adjustments.222 The majority of industry and industry trade group commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). Some such commenters stated that the proposed itemization requirement would be burdensome. According to several 221 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019). Receivables Mgmt. Ass’n Int’l, Receivables Management Certification Program, at 41–45 (Mar. 1, 2020), https://rmaintl.org/RMCP (last visited Dec. 9, 2020). 222 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 industry commenters, debt collectors would either have to manually access itemization information in creditor files or implement costly information technology solutions to comply with the proposed requirement. Some industry commenters, industry trade groups, and the SBA argued that the proposed requirement would impose burdens on creditors. Commenters stated that some creditors may not maintain all of the itemization information that the proposal would require or do not typically provide itemization information at placement and that to do so would involve significant expense. Some commenters speculated that, to avoid such costs, creditors might refer fewer accounts for collection or file more collections lawsuits against consumers. The SBA, an industry trade group, and industry commenters argued that compliance costs could be onerous for smaller creditors and debt collectors. For the most part, commenters offered qualitative assessments of industry burden, but one industry trade group did estimate that proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would impose billions of dollars in compliance costs on industry.223 Some commenters stated that proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) is unnecessary or unhelpful. Multiple industry commenters asserted that an itemization is superfluous because consumers can exercise their FDCPA section 809 verification rights to receive more account information if desired. With respect to medical debt, an industry trade group stated that proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) is unnecessary because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires nonprofit hospitals to send letters with itemized information to consumers, and health insurance companies routinely mail to responsible parties ‘‘Explanation of Benefits’’ documents that provide details about coverage, payments, and co-pays. Some commenters expressed concern that proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) could increase legal risk for debt collectors if the itemization information confused consumers. At least one industry commenter stated that the Bureau’s consumer testing did 223 One industry trade group estimated that an itemization requirement would cost $600 million in professional fees to conduct legal analyses of HIPAA compliance for medical debt, $30 million for one-time system reprogramming for debt collectors, and $3 billion for one-time system reprogramming for creditors. The proposal allegedly would also result in billions of dollars in ongoing support costs and uncompensated medical care because, according to the commenter, the proposed requirement, if adopted, would increase the risks that hospitals might be unable to use debt collectors. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 not support proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) because the testing did not involve actual consumers assessing debts in a real-world setting. A few industry commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) because the FDCPA does not expressly require an itemization of the current amount of the debt. Some industry and industry trade group commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) because the itemization that appears on the model validation notice is formatted for a single debt. According to commenters, the proposal would not accommodate debt collectors who combine multiple debts in a single validation notice. Several commenters stated that not permitting debt collectors to include multiple debts in one validation notice would dramatically increase the volume of mail sent to consumers and would require consumers to exercise their verification rights for each individual debt in the event that a consumer has a global dispute. Industry and industry trade group commenters stated that the inability to combine multiple debts would be particularly challenging for medical debt collectors. According to some commenters, healthcare providers routinely combine multiple debts, in part because they utilize family billing, which involves combining the separate bills for family members of a primary insured party. Commenters stated that itemizations for medical debt may be further complicated by the fact that healthcare providers typically do not maintain a rolling total of charges for a general service and instead individually bill for each good or service provided. At least one trade group stated that student loan debt presents comparable itemization-related challenges because student loan debt may be provided through multiple disbursements with separate account numbers. An industry trade group suggested that proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would not accommodate debts in bankruptcy. According to the commenter, the proposal did not have the specificity necessary to account for how the Bankruptcy Code permits a debtor to cure pre-bankruptcy defaults over the term of the bankruptcy plan while maintaining regular post-bankruptcy payments. In addition, the commenter argued, the proposal would not accommodate the nuances that arise in the context of certain bankruptcy scenarios, such as a cramdown plan or a lien strip.224 224 Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 1322(b)(5), a bankruptcy court may change the underlying terms of a debt, which is referred to as a ‘‘cramdown.’’ Pursuant to E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 With regard to medical debt, industry commenters, an industry trade group, and the SBA stated that healthcare providers might violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) 225 Privacy Rule if they provided the proposed itemization.226 According to these commenters, proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would require debt collectors to disclose more information than the minimum necessary for treatment of the patient, payment of the bill, or healthcare operations, in violation of HIPAA. Commenters recommended various modifications to proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). Industry and industry trade group commenters suggested that debt collectors should not need to comply with proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) if interest and fees are not charged on an account.227 An industry commenter stated that debt collectors should be permitted to indicate ‘‘U’’ for ‘‘unknown’’ or ‘‘unavailable’’ in fields for which a creditor did not provide the relevant information. Several commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the proposal. An industry commenter asked how a debt collector could disclose third-party payments or insurance adjustments, particularly in the context of medical debt. An industry trade group sought additional guidance about how to disclose balance increases that are not caused by interest or fees, such as a balance increase caused by a returned payment. Noting the existence of validation notice itemization requirements imposed by other applicable law, such as New York State regulations, two industry trade groups requested guidance about how a debt collector should simultaneously comply with those requirements and proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix).228 With respect to the Bureau’s request for comment about whether the proposed itemization should be more detailed—for example, by reflecting each fee charged and each payment received—or whether certain 11 U.S.C. 1322(c)(2), a secured claim can be converted to an unsecured claim, which is referred to as a ‘‘lien strip.’’ 225 Public Law 104–191, 110 Stat. 1936 (1996). 226 45 CFR part 160 and part 164 subparts A and E. 227 In addition, an industry trade group suggested that debt collectors should not be required to comply with the itemization requirement for precharge-off debts, particularly if periodic statements continue to be provided. The Bureau notes that, in many cases, a person collecting a debt that was not in default at the time it was obtained by such person will not be a debt collector subject to the FDCPA or Regulation F. See FDCPA section 803(6)(F)(iii), 15 U.S.C. 1692a(6)(F)(iii). 228 See 23 NYCRR 1.2(b)(2). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 itemization categories should be combined as proposed, industry commenters suggested that the Bureau not deviate from the proposal. For instance, a commenter stated that, in the context of medical debts, listing all payments and credits individually could result in multiple additional pages because of the number of thirdparty payments. In contrast, citing the Bureau’s consumer testing, an academic commenter argued that the itemization should be more detailed because consumers prefer to see penalties and fees broken down into individual charges.229 After considering these comments, and for the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting the proposed requirement, renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), with revisions to provide that validation information includes an itemization of the current amount of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. Final § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) further provides that a debt collector may disclose the itemization on a separate page provided in the same communication with a validation notice, if the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page. The Bureau determines that an itemization of the debt will help a significant number of consumers recognize whether they owe a debt and evaluate whether the debt is accurate, because the itemization will disclose how the amount may have changed over time due, for example, to interest, fees, payments, and credits that have been assessed or applied to the debt. The Bureau determines that § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) will not create undue industry burden in light of modifications made in response to comments.230 The Bureau acknowledges that complying with the itemization requirement may result in some additional costs to debt collectors, particularly if they do not currently provide itemization information at placement or on validation notices, as well as in some indirect costs to creditors. However, the Bureau concludes that these costs will not substantially impact companies’ business operations because the final 229 FMG Summary Report, supra note 29. example, as noted in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), a creditor or a third-party servicer acting on the creditor’s behalf may issue a statement even after the debt has gone into collection. In that case, under § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), that new statement may serve as the last statement for purposes of the itemization date. 230 For PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5805 rule provides sufficient flexibility to debt collectors to tailor the itemization to specific business practices and types of debt. Accordingly, the Bureau does not conclude, as some commenters suggested, that the itemization requirement will result in creditors referring significantly fewer accounts for collections or filing more lawsuits against consumers.231 Although several commenters stated that the required itemization information may not be available for every debt, the Bureau notes that the itemization of the debt is based on the type of routine account information that debt collectors typically provide in response to consumer verification requests and that, as such, debt collectors should be able to obtain such information to comply with the final rule. While some debt collectors do not currently provide this itemized information at the outset of collection communications, providing such itemization information to consumers already is considered a best practice in some segments of the debt buying industry, including for credit card debt and student loan debt.232 Further, debt collectors are already required to disclose an itemization for some types of debt in at least one jurisdiction, New York State.233 In addition, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3), the final rule’s itemization date definition permits debt collectors to select an itemization date that is feasible for the type of debt in collection and the information debt collectors receive. And § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) requires itemization of fees, interest, and credits only subsequent to the selected itemization date. Thus, for example, if a debt collector selects the last statement date as the itemization date under § 1006.34(b)(3), and if the creditor has 231 An industry trade group cited an article to suggest that collection lawsuits nearly doubled in New York City since 2015 because of New York State’s debt collection rules, which mandate an itemization. See Yuka Hayashi, Debt Collectors Wage a Comeback, Wall Street Journal (July 5, 2019). The Bureau notes that the article did not cite a connection between higher rates of lawsuits and the itemization requirement. Instead, the article discussed the phenomenon of increasing lawsuits nationwide, including in States like Texas, which had not recently introduced a significant debt collection rule. 232 See Receivables Mgmt. Ass’n Int’l, Receivables Management Certification Program, at 41–45 (Mar. 1, 2020), https://rmaintl.org/RMCP (last visited Dec. 9, 2020). 233 See 23 NYCRR 1.2(b) (requiring debt collectors to provide an itemized accounting of the debt within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of certain types of charged-off debt, such as credit card debt). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5806 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations recently issued a statement to the consumer, the debt collector need only obtain and provide to the consumer an itemization with fees, interest, and credits subsequent to that last statement date. And, as discussed in the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), a debt collector may provide the itemization on a separate page and retain the safe harbor for the rest of the validation notice. For all of these reasons, the Bureau concludes that the final rule will not impose undue burdens on debt collectors and will provide consumers with useful information. The Bureau will monitor whether the itemization date definition, including the last statement date definition, meets these goals. The Bureau disagrees that § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) is unnecessary or unhelpful. The verification rights afforded by FDCPA section 809 are an important statutory protection; however, they do not serve the same purpose or provide an adequate substitute to the itemization of the debt that § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) will require. The Bureau disagrees that an itemization of the current amount of the debt is unnecessary for medical debt, as some commenters argued. Although some non-profit hospitals or insurance companies may provide itemization information to some consumers, commenters did not suggest, and the Bureau is not aware of other evidence indicating, that all consumers with medical debt receive itemization information such that § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) would be unnecessary. The Bureau also disagrees with comments that an itemization will confuse consumers. As the proposal noted, the Bureau’s qualitative consumer testing indicates that an itemization improves consumer understanding about the debt.234 The Bureau also disagrees that the FDCPA’s not expressly requiring an itemization is a sufficient reason for the Bureau not to require it by rule. The Bureau proposed and is finalizing the itemization requirement pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 809(a), as well as pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a) to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of debt collection are fully, accurately, and effectively disclosed to consumers. The Bureau is revising § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) to permit debt collectors to disclose the itemization on 234 See 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019); FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 16–19. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 a separate page.235 The itemization that appears on the model validation notice may not accommodate all debt types in every instance. Some debt collectors may have legitimate reasons to combine multiple debts on a single validation notice. This may be the case with respect to medical debt (for instance, owing to healthcare provider billing practices) and student loan debt (because consumers may receive loans through multiple disbursements with separate account numbers). As finalized, § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) states that a debt collector may disclose the itemization on a separate page provided in the same communication with a validation notice, if the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page.236 New comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–3 clarifies that a debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the separate page by, for example, including on the validation notice the statement, ‘‘See the enclosed separate page for an itemization of the debt,’’ situated next to the information about the current amount of the debt required by § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix).237 The Bureau is making an additional change to § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii). As finalized, § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) omits the proposed language that an itemization must be ‘‘in a tabular format.’’ The Bureau determined that it is unnecessary and unwarranted to mandate the use of a tabular format because, if the itemization information is provided on a separate page or orally, using a tabular format may be impractical or infeasible and, if the itemization information is provided on a validation notice, debt collectors likely will use the tabular format shown on the model notice such that they may receive a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1). 235 Under § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii), a debt collector who otherwise uses the model validation notice or a substantially similar form, but who provides the itemization of the current amount of the debt on separate page, receives a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1) except with respect to the itemization that appears on the separate page. 236 For example, when delivering a validation notice by mail, a debt collector may include the separate itemization in the same envelope as the validation notice. Similarly, when delivering a validation notice electronically, a debt collector may include the separate itemization in the same email as the validation notice. 237 Section 1006.34(d)(2)(iii) establishes that a debt collector who uses the model validation notice and who provides an itemization on a separate page receives a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1), except with respect to the disclosures that appear on the separate page. PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 To accommodate debt collectors who wish to combine multiple debts on a single validation notice, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–4 to clarify that a debt collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing either a single, cumulative itemization on the validation notice or a separate itemization of each debt on a separate page or pages provided in the same communication as the validation notice.238 The Bureau concludes that the itemization requirement will not cause healthcare providers or debt collectors to violate the HIPAA Privacy Rule. HHS staff has advised the Bureau that the HIPAA Privacy Rule generally permits covered entities to disclose protected health information required by applicable law.239 Because disclosure of itemization information will be necessary to comply with § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), this guidance indicates that the HIPAA Privacy Rule will permit its disclosure. The Bureau declines to modify § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) as commenters otherwise recommended. An itemization, even if no interest and fees have been assessed or charged on an account, remains relevant information about the debt. Further, complying with § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) if no interest and fees have been assessed or charged is relatively straightforward, and comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–1 clarifies how debt collectors may do so. However, the Bureau is finalizing proposed comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–1 with a modification to delete language stating that debt collectors may indicate ‘‘N/A’’ in a required field when no interest, fees, payments, or creditors have been 238 Relatedly, as discussed in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix), the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(ix)–2 to clarify that a debt collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix)’s requirement to disclose the ‘‘current amount of the debt’’ by disclosing on the validation notice a single, cumulative figure that is the sum of the current amount of all the debts. 239 See 45 CFR 164.512(a)(1) (‘‘A covered entity may use or disclose protected health information to the extent that such use or disclosure is required by law and the use or disclosure complies with and is limited to the relevant requirements of such law.’’); see also U.S. Dep’t of Health & Human Servs., Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule prevent health plans and providers from using debt collection agencies? Does the Privacy Rule conflict with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?, https:// www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/268/doesthe-hipaa-privacy-rule-prevent-health-careproviders-from-using-debt-collection-agencies/ index.html (last visited Dec. 1, 2020) (noting that the HIPAA Privacy Rule permits healthcare providers to provide the minimum necessary patient information to debt collectors for the purpose of receiving payment). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations assessed or applied to the account because different consumers may interpret ‘‘N/A’’ differently. For example, some consumers might understand it as indicating ‘‘not available,’’ and others might construe it as meaning ‘‘not applicable.’’ To eliminate this potential ambiguity, the Bureau is revising comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–1 to provide that a debt collector may indicate that the value of a required field is ‘‘0,’’ ‘‘none,’’ or may state that no interest, fees, payments, or credits have been assessed or applied to the debt. The Bureau also is revising the comment to clarify, as was intended in the proposal, that a debt collector may not leave a required field blank. The Bureau declines the recommendation that debt collectors be permitted to indicate ‘‘U’’ for ‘‘unknown’’ or ‘‘unavailable’’ in the itemization if a creditor did not provide the relevant information. Allowing debt collectors to omit specific itemization information in this manner could incentivize debt collectors to avoid receiving it, thereby undermining the effectiveness of § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii). Debt collectors sought clarification as to how they should comply with § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) in various scenarios. Depending on the facts and circumstances, a third-party payment or insurance adjustment may be disclosed as a ‘‘payment’’ or a ‘‘credit’’ in the itemization. Also depending on the facts and circumstances, a payment that is returned may be omitted from the itemization provided that the payment and the return offset each other, and provided that the amount of the debt owed on the itemization date pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) and the current amount of the debt pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) are accurately disclosed. Regarding § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii)’s interaction with itemization requirements in other applicable law, the Bureau is finalizing new comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–2, which states that, if a debt collector is required by other applicable law to provide an itemization of the current amount of the debt with the validation information, the debt collector may comply with § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing the itemization required by other applicable law in lieu of the itemization described in § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), if the itemization required by other applicable law is substantially similar to the itemization that appears on the model validation notice. The Bureau is aware of only one jurisdiction that requires debt collectors to provide an itemization with the validation information, and that itemization is substantially similar to VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 the itemization required by § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii).240 Further, consumers likely would not benefit— and, in fact, may be disadvantaged—by receiving multiple itemizations with the validation information. For instance, although a debt collector could include both the itemization required by § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) on the front of a validation notice, and, on the reverse, an itemization specifically required by other applicable law (as an optional disclosure pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)), a consumer would be unlikely to benefit from receiving two itemizations. In addition, permitting debt collectors to simultaneously satisfy the Bureau’s itemization requirement and a substantially similar requirement under other applicable law with one itemization avoids burdening debt collectors with the costs of creating redundant disclosures. The Bureau determines that the itemization of the current amount of the debt should not be more detailed (e.g., it should not include a detailed list of all payments). The itemization that appears on the model validation notice has been validated through four rounds of consumer testing and is effective, and the Bureau agrees with commenters who observed that a detailed disclosure of, for example, all payments could be overwhelming and not logistically feasible. For all of these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix), renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), to provide that required validation information includes an itemization of the current amount of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. Final § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) also provides that a debt collector may disclose the itemization on a separate page provided in the same communication with a validation notice if the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page. The Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(ix)–1 with revisions and renumbered as comment 34(c)(2)(viii)–1 and is adding comments 34(c)(2)(viii)–2 through –4 to clarify various aspects of final § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), as discussed above. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) and its related commentary pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 809(a), as well as its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a). 240 See PO 00000 23 NYCRR 1.2(b)(2). Frm 00043 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5807 34(c)(2)(ix) FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers the amount of the debt. Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(x) provided that the current amount of the debt is required validation information.241 Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(x)–1 explained that, for residential mortgage debt subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, a debt collector could comply with § 1006.34(c)(2)(x) by including in the validation notice the total balance of the outstanding mortgage, including principal, interest, fees, and other charges. Some commenters raised concerns about how proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(x) would disclose the current amount of the debt. Industry and industry trade group commenters stated that, if interest and fees are increasing, the current amount of the debt that appears on a validation notice may no longer be accurate by the time the consumer receives the notice. Some commenters stated that some State laws and court decisions require debt collectors to disclose if the current amount of the debt may change due to interest and fees.242 To address these concerns, industry and industry trade group commenters suggested that the Bureau should either develop a stand-alone increasing-interest-and-fee disclosure or structure § 1006.34(c)(2)(x) to permit debt collectors to disclose that the itemized current amount of the debt may increase or decrease.243 An industry trade group stated that disclosing the current amount of the debt as proposed would present challenges for some reverse mortgage debt because that amount might differ from the amount disclosed in monthly statements.244 The commenter 241 84 FR 23274, 23342, 23415 (May 21, 2019). Avila v. Riexinger & Assocs., LLC, 817 F.3d 72, 76 (2d Cir. 2016) (holding that 15 U.S.C. 1692e requires debt collectors to disclose if the amount of a debt may increase due to interest and fees). 243 A trade group commenter recommended the following dynamic balance disclosure: ‘‘As of the date of this letter, the balance due on the account is <current>. Because interest, fees, and/or other charges may change the total owed from day to day, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. If you pay the amount shown above, an adjustment may be necessary after we receive your payment, in which event you may be informed of any other amount due.’’ 244 The Bureau understands that, for some reverse mortgages, including Home Equity Conversion Mortgages insured by the FHA, when the reverse mortgage is due and payable, the amount due from the borrower may not be the amount of outstanding debt because these reverse mortgages are nonrecourse loans and a borrower will never owe more than a portion of the appraised value of the home. See 24 CFR 206.125. 242 See E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5808 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations recommended that, to avoid potential confusion in the context of reverse mortgage debt, a debt collector should be permitted to provide the last monthly account statement in lieu of disclosing the current amount of the debt. A group of consumer advocates recommended that, for residential mortgage debt, the Bureau should require debt collectors to disclose the current amount of the total unpaid balance owed as well as the arrearage owed. According to this commenter, the arrearage owed is important information because, in many jurisdictions, homeowners in default can pay the arrearage to stop a foreclosure and reinstate a mortgage. After considering these comments, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(x) as proposed but renumbered as § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). In addition, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(x)–1 as proposed and is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(ix)–2 to clarify how a debt collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). With respect to interest and fee accrual when disclosing the current amount of the debt, the Bureau declines to incorporate an increasing-interest-orfee disclosure or to structure the current amount of the debt as a dynamic balance in § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). The Bureau notes, however, that comment 34(c)(2)(ix)–1 (proposed as comment 34(c)(2)(x)–1) clarifies that the current amount of the debt is the amount of the debt as of the date that the validation information is provided. Therefore, a debt collector satisfies the requirement in § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) without providing a dynamic balance or increasinginterest-or-fee disclosure. Additionally, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv), the final rule affirmatively permits debt collectors to include along with the required validation information other disclosures specifically required by applicable law. As such, debt collectors may include a disclosure pursuant to a judicial decision or order that the current amount of the debt may increase or vary due to interest, fees, or other charges. This modification addresses the challenges debt collectors face related to interest and fee accrual in disclosing the current amount of the debt. The Bureau declines to permit debt collectors collecting reverse mortgage debt to include a last monthly account statement in place of disclosing the current amount of the debt. Unlike the special rule for certain residential mortgage debt discussed in the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(5), VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 reverse mortgages are not generally subject to a separate disclosure requirement, such as 12 CFR 1026.41(b)’s periodic statement requirement, that is functionally equivalent to, or as useful to consumers as, certain disclosures required by § 1006.34(c)(2). Reverse mortgages generally are exempt from providing periodic statements under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) 245 and its implementing Regulation Z.246 While reverse mortgages may be subject to a monthly statement requirement that would require entities to disclose the ‘‘total outstanding loan balance,’’ this regulatory requirement is not as prescriptive as the Bureau’s periodic statement requirement for other residential mortgage debt.247 Thus, the Bureau determines that a last monthly statement for a reverse mortgage debt is not an adequate substitute for § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to separately disclose an arrearage owed for residential mortgage debt. Because the Bureau did not propose this disclosure, it lacks the benefit of public comment and concludes that additional information, including through public comment, would be advisable before adopting any such interpretation. However, the Bureau notes that a debt collector who utilizes the special rule for certain residential mortgage debt described in § 1006.34(c)(5) to comply with § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii) will provide a periodic statement that may disclose such information.248 Although a mortgage servicer is not required to use the special rule for certain residential mortgage debt, a mortgage servicer who does so and who otherwise uses the model validation notice or a 245 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. 12 CFR 1026.41(e)(1). 247 The regulation provides: ‘‘The mortgagee shall provide to the borrower a monthly statement regarding the activity of the mortgage for each month, as well as for the calendar year. The statement shall summarize the total principal amount which has been paid to the borrower under the mortgage during that calendar year, the MIP paid to the Commissioner and charged to the borrower, the total amount of deferred interest added to the outstanding loan balance, the total outstanding loan balance, and the current principal limit. The mortgagee shall include an accounting of all payments for property charges. The statement shall be provided to the borrower monthly until the mortgage is paid in full by the borrower. The mortgagee shall provide the borrower with a new payment plan every time it recalculates monthly payments or the payment option is changed. The statements shall be in a format acceptable to the Commissioner.’’ See 24 CFR 206.203(a). 248 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(8)(vi) requires a periodic statement to include, if the consumer is more than 45 days delinquent, the total payment amount needed to bring the account current. 246 See PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 substantially similar form receives a safe harbor for compliance pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii). The Bureau therefore expects that, in many circumstances, a debt collector who is also a mortgage servicer that is required to provide periodic statements under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41 will disclose arrearage information. As noted in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), industry commenters requested further guidance about how to combine multiple debts on a single validation notice. The Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(ix)–2 to clarify that a debt collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) by disclosing on the validation notice a single, cumulative figure that is the sum of the current amount of all the debts. Proposed Provision Not Finalized As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.26(c), in the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau proposed to require debt collectors collecting timebarred debt to include time-barred debt and revival disclosures on the validation notice.249 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(xi) provided that validation information included those disclosures, as applicable, if the debt collector determined after a reasonable investigation that such disclosures were required by § 1006.26(c).250 For the reasons discussed in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.26(c), the Bureau is not finalizing the proposed time-barred debt disclosure requirements and, accordingly, the Bureau is not finalizing proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(xi). However, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B), any disclosures relating to time-barred debt that are specifically required by applicable law or that provide safe harbors under applicable law are optional disclosures that the final rule affirmatively permits debt collectors to include on the validation notice. 34(c)(3) Information About Consumer Protections The disclosures in FDCPA section 809(a) help consumers to determine if a particular debt is theirs and to facilitate action in response to the receipt of validation information. However, as the proposal stated, debt collectors typically disclose only the information that FDCPA section 809(a) specifically references and provide the FDCPA section 809 information using statutory 249 See 250 Id. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 85 FR 12672 (Mar. 3, 2020). at 12685, 12696. 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations language, rather than plain language that consumers can more easily comprehend.251 To address these concerns, proposed § 1006.34(c)(3) provided that certain information about a consumer’s rights with respect to debt collection is required validation information. This information, which is discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (vi) below, included disclosures specifically referenced in FDCPA section 809(a)(4) and (5), as well as additional disclosures intended to help consumers understand their debt collection rights.252 Commenters generally supported requiring debt collectors to disclose information about a consumer’s rights with respect to debt collection. Federal government agency staff and a consumer advocate commenter stated that proposed § 1006.34(c)(3) would improve consumers’ understanding of their rights in debt collection. Some industry and industry trade group commenters supported using plain language disclosures to explain consumer protections in debt collection. Some commenters recommended that the Bureau require additional disclosures about consumers’ rights with respect to debt collection. Federal government agency staff, a group of 28 State Attorneys General, and a number of consumer advocate commenters recommended that debt collectors be required to disclose the FDCPA section 805(c) cease communication right.253 A State regulatory agency recommended that the Bureau require debt collectors to disclose that a consumer’s failure to act or to dispute a debt may have credit reporting implications. This commenter also recommended that § 1006.34(c)(3) require debt collectors to disclose how consumers may obtain an annual credit report, which consumers are entitled to under the FCRA and its implementing Regulation V.254 The Bureau determines, as discussed in the proposal, that consumers will benefit from receiving additional information about their rights in debt collection and from plain language disclosures rather than disclosures that parrot the FDCPA’s statutory text.255 The Bureau therefore is adopting § 1006.34(c)(3). Specifically, as discussed further in the section-bysection analysis below, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (v) and its related commentary with minor modifications, but is not finalizing proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(vi), which addressed the opt-out notice required by § 1006.6(e) for electronic communications or attempts to communicate. The Bureau declines to require additional disclosures about consumer protections in debt collection, as some commenters suggested. In particular, the Bureau concludes that, although consumers may benefit from understanding the rights the commenters discussed, those rights are not sufficiently related to the purposes of FDCPA section 809—i.e., helping consumers to determine if a debt is theirs and to facilitate action in response to the receipt of validation information—to require debt collectors to include them as validation information.256 In addition, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv), the final rule generally requires debt collectors to include a statement that informs consumers that additional information regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau’s website, with a link to the information.257 The Bureau’s website will disclose more information about consumer protections in debt collection, including about the cease communication right. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (iii) and (v) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors and, as described more fully below, its authority to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809. The Bureau also is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3) pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, on the basis that a consumer’s rights are a feature of debt collection. 255 84 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 251 84 FR 23274, 23342 (May 21, 2019). 252 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(4) and (5). 253 In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized § 1006.6(c)(1) to implement FDCPA section 805(c) and to provide that, ‘‘if a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wants the debt collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector must not communicate or attempt to communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt.’’ 85 FR 76734, 78889 (Nov. 30, 2020). 254 See 15 U.S.C. 1681j(a); 12 CFR 1022.136. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 FR 23274, 23342 (May 21, 2019). example, when Congress established the cease communication right pursuant to FDCPA section 805(c), Congress did not require its disclosure pursuant to FDCPA section 809. The Bureau concludes that was intentional. Thus, the Bureau declines to include the cease communication right as validation information that debt collectors must disclose. 257 Section 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) requires debt collectors to include the disclosure if they are collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service, as defined in § 1006.2(f). Otherwise, debt collectors can optionally include the disclosure under § 1006.34(d)(3)(viii). 256 For PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5809 34(c)(3)(i) FDCPA section 809(a)(4) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to dispute the validity of the debt within 30 days after receipt of the validation information (i.e., during the validation period).258 If a consumer disputes a debt in accordance with FDCPA section 809(b), a debt collector must cease collecting the debt until the debt collector provides verification to the consumer; this is sometimes referred to as the collections pause. FDCPA section 809(a)(4) does not expressly indicate that a debt collector must disclose to consumers that a dispute triggers FDCPA section 809(b)’s collections pause, or whether a debt collector must disclose the end date of the validation period. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) to provide that validation information includes a statement that specifies the end date of the validation period and states that, if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing before the end of the validation period that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the consumer either the verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment.259 The Bureau received a variety of comments in response to proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(i)’s incorporation of the validation period end date.260 On the one hand, an industry trade group and a group of consumer advocate commenters supported the inclusion, asserting the validation period end date would provide certainty to consumers about the timeframe within which to exercise their verification rights. However, other commenters opposed the inclusion because, if delivery of a validation notice is delayed and the consumer receives the notice later than the debt collector presumed, the validation period end date would be inaccurate. Commenters suggested this could pose legal risk to debt collectors. To address this concern, an industry commenter recommended that the Bureau modify proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) to replace the validation period end date with a generic statement that a consumer may request verification within 30 days after receiving the validation notice. 258 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(4). FR 23274, 23343, 23404 (May 21, 2019). 260 The discussion under the ‘‘Model Validation Notice’’ heading in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2) provides details about how the statement required by § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) is disclosed on the model validation notice. 259 84 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5810 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Some commenters, including consumer advocate commenters and an industry trade group, stated that disclosing the validation period end date might leave consumers with the false impression that they could not raise concerns about a debt after the validation period expires. A group of academic commenters argued that a study suggested that a significant number of consumers believed that, if they did not dispute a debt during the validation period, they would be unable to assert later that they did not owe the debt.261 Similarly, an industry commenter stated that disclosing the validation period end date might dissuade consumers from making verification requests after that date even though debt collectors sometimes honor such requests. To address this potential misunderstanding, some commenters recommended that the final rule require debt collectors to inform consumers that they can raise concerns about a debt after the validation period end date. Commenters also addressed the Bureau’s proposal to require debt collectors to disclose FDCPA section 809(b)’s collections pause. Federal government agency staff and a group of consumer advocate commenters supported the collections pause disclosure. However, industry commenters stated that the disclosure would be burdensome because it would encourage consumers to dispute the debt for the purpose of delaying or avoiding debt collection. According to an industry commenter, consumers do not need to be informed about FDCPA section 809(b)’s collections pause because debt collectors are aware of it and observe it. The Bureau determines that consumers will benefit from § 1006.34(c)(3)(i)’s disclosure of the validation period end date. As discussed in the proposal, the validation period end date is an integral feature of consumers’ dispute right. Among other things, the validation period end date will provide certainty to consumers about the timeframe provided by the FDCPA to exercise their verification rights. The Bureau disagrees that a validation period end date that is inaccurate because a validation notice was delayed will present significant legal risk to debt 261 Jeff Sovern & Kate Walton, Are Validation Notices Valid? An Empirical Evaluation of Consumer Understanding of Debt Collection Validation Notices, 70 SMU L. Rev. 63, 128 (2017) (‘‘Our study indicated that more than a third of the respondents believed that if they failed to meet the thirty-day deadline, they would either have to pay a debt they did not owe or would not be able to argue in court that they didn’t owe the debt.’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 collectors. Final § 1006.34(b)(5) and comment 34(b)(5)–1 provide that, for purposes of determining the end of the validation period, a debt collector who provides the validation information in writing or electronically may assume that a consumer receives the validation information on any date that is at least five business days after the debt collector provides it. If a debt collector calculates the validation period end date in accordance with this presumption, the debt collector will not violate the FDCPA or its implementing Regulation F, even if, as final comment 34(b)(5)–1 clarifies, the consumer receives the validation notice later than the debt collector assumed. Further, the Bureau determines that a generic statement that a consumer may request verification within 30 days after receiving the validation notice is not an adequate substitute for disclosing the validation period end date. Such a generic statement could leave many consumers unsure about when the validation period ends. For example, consumers might receive a validation notice in the mail but not open it immediately, or they might open it and return to it later without keeping track of how much time has passed. In these and similar scenarios, consumers would not be able to determine the validation period end date. Regarding commenters’ suggestion that the Bureau require debt collectors to inform consumers that they can raise concerns about a debt after the validation period end date, the Bureau concludes that it is not necessary to require such a disclosure. FDCPA section 809(a) requires specific consumer disclosures, including statements about the consumer’s rights within 30 days of receipt of the notice, but does not require any additional statement addressing consumer actions after the expiration of that period. The Bureau determines that a specific end date will not increase consumer confusion more than general language such as ‘‘within 30 days.’’ The Bureau’s testing shows that, while some confusion does occur, about 40 percent of participants said they could still dispute the debt after the validation period end date.262 Of the remaining 60 percent of participants, about 40 percent were unclear what would happen if they wrote to dispute the debt, and only about 20 percent specifically said that 262 See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 13. Similarly, the Bureau’s prior testing suggested that ‘‘[o]verall, participants’ comments suggest that they understood the difference between writing before the specified date [and] writing after that date.’’ FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 56. PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 they could not write to dispute the debt.263 When asked whether the debt collector would be required to send information saying they owe the debt if they wrote to dispute after the validation period end date, a small majority of consumers assumed that the debt collector would be required to do so.264 Thus, although consumers may not be certain of the effect of writing to dispute the debt after the validation period end date, the Bureau’s testing indicates that a sizeable majority of consumers would not be inhibited about raising general concerns about the debt after the validation notice end date. As discussed above, the final rule’s enhanced and plain-language disclosures should improve overall consumer understanding and empower consumers to respond, should they choose, to debt collectors. The Bureau therefore declines to require as part of the validation information an explicit statement informing consumers that they may continue to raise concerns about the debt after the validation period end date. The Bureau also determines that § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) should not omit the collections pause disclosure. As the proposal noted, consumer testing indicates that knowing about the collections pause was important to consumers and would encourage them to exercise their dispute right if they questioned a debt’s validity.265 Debt collectors have not provided evidence to support the premise that a significant number of consumers exercise their FDCPA section 809 verification rights solely to evade or delay paying debts that they owe. Absent such evidence, the Bureau declines to conclude that consumers will exercise their rights for such purposes. Further, regardless of whether debt collectors are aware of and comply with FDCPA section 809(b)’s collections pause requirement, the Bureau concludes that consumers will benefit from this disclosure because it will provide them with more complete information about the actions that debt collectors must take if consumers notify them that the debt is disputed. For all of these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) as proposed, with minor wording changes to clarify the content of the required disclosure, including by specifying that the consumer must notify the debt collector in writing ‘‘on or before’’ the end of the validation period, as opposed to 263 Id. 264 Id. at 13–14. Cognitive Report, supra note 27, at 30; see also FMG Summary Report, supra note 29, at 25. 265 FMG E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations ‘‘before’’ the end of the validation period, as proposed.266 34(c)(3)(ii) FDCPA section 809(a)(5) requires debt collectors to disclose to consumers their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to request, within 30 days after receipt of the validation information, the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.267 FDCPA section 809(a)(5) does not expressly indicate that a debt collector must disclose to consumers that an original-creditor information request invokes FDCPA section 809(b)’s collections pause, or whether a debt collector must disclose the end date of the validation period. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii) to provide that validation information includes a statement that specifies the end date of the validation period and states that, if the consumer requests in writing before the end of the validation period the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the consumer the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.268 Some industry and industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau not finalize proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii).269 Some commenters stated that the validation information need not include a statement informing consumers of their right to request original-creditor information because, under the Bureau’s rule, the validation information will include the creditor as of the itemization date and, according to the commenters, that creditor and the original creditor often will be the same. Relatedly, some commenters suggested that, because the validation information will include the names of the itemization-date creditor and the current creditor, debt collectors should be permitted to omit the statement informing consumers of their right to request original-creditor information if the original creditor is the same as either of those creditors.270 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 266 The model validation notice uses the term ‘‘by’’ instead of ‘‘on or before’’ for plain language purposes. 267 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(5). 268 84 FR 23274, 23343, 23404 (May 21, 2019). 269 See the ‘‘Model Validation Notice’’ discussion in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2) for additional details about how the statement required by § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii) is disclosed on the model validation notice. 270 As an alternative to complying with § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii), an industry trade group commenter recommended that debt collectors be permitted to proactively disclose the originalcreditor information that a consumer would receive in response to an FDCPA section 809(b) request. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 Some commenters recommended that the Bureau modify proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii) to omit the validation period end date and the collections pause disclosures. These comments were substantially similar to comments discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(i). After considering the feedback, the Bureau has determined to finalize § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii). FDCPA section 809(a)(5) expressly requires debt collectors to include in the validation information a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within 30 days after receipt of the validation information, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii) to implement that requirement and to clarify the content of the disclosures for debt collectors. The Bureau did not propose an exception to this disclosure requirement if the original creditor and the current creditor are the same and therefore does not have information regarding the costs or benefits of finalizing such an exception. To the extent that commenters were concerned about the burden of responding to original-creditor information requests when the original creditor and the current creditor are the same, the Bureau is finalizing a special rule for that scenario in § 1006.38(c)(2).271 For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii) as proposed, with minor wording changes to clarify the content of the required disclosure, including by specifying that the consumer must notify the debt collector in writing ‘‘on or before’’ the end date of the validation period, as opposed to ‘‘before’’ the end of the validation period, as proposed.272 The Bureau declines to omit the validation period end date and the collections pause disclosures from § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii) for the same reasons discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(i). 34(c)(3)(iii) FDCPA section 809(a)(3) requires a debt collector to disclose to a consumer that, unless the consumer disputes the validity of the debt within 30 days of receipt of the validation information, the debt collector will assume the debt This comment is addressed in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.38. 271 See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.38(c)(2). 272 The model validation notice uses the term ‘‘by’’ instead of ‘‘on or before’’ for plain language purposes. PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5811 to be valid.273 The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iii) to provide that validation information includes a statement that specifies the end date of the validation period and states that, unless the consumer contacts the debt collector to dispute the validity of the debt, or any portion of the debt, before the end of the validation period, the debt collector will assume that the debt is valid.274 At the time of the proposal, courts in various jurisdictions had reached different conclusions about whether FDCPA section 809(a)(3) requires debt collectors to recognize oral disputes about the validity of a debt.275 These differing decisions principally arose from the fact that, whereas FDCPA section 809(a)(4) and (5) explicitly state that a consumer must notify a debt collector in writing, FDCPA section 809(a)(3) does not refer to a writing requirement. In the absence of an express writing requirement in FDCPA section 809(a)(3), the majority of circuit courts that considered the issue had determined that a consumer’s oral dispute triggers certain FDCPA protections, including, for example, FDCPA section 810’s payment application requirement.276 Consistent with this majority position, and pursuant to its authority to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(3) as well as its authority under DoddFrank Act section 1032(a), the Bureau proposed to interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(3) to allow oral disputes.277 Industry commenters, industry trade group commenters, and a group of academic commenters supported the Bureau’s proposed interpretation that FDCPA section 809(a)(3) permits 273 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(3). FR 23274, 23343–44, 23404 (May 21, 2019). 275 Compare Clark v. Absolute Collection Serv., Inc., 741 F.3d 487, 490 (4th Cir. 2014) (per curiam) (holding that oral disputes trigger certain FDCPA protections, including under FDCPA section 809(a)(3)), Hooks v. Forman, Holt, Eliades & Ravin, LLC, 717 F.3d 282, 286 (2d Cir. 2013) (same), and Camacho v. Bridgeport Fin. Inc., 430 F.3d 1078, 1082 (9th Cir. 2005) (same), with Graziano v. Harrison, 950 F.2d 107, 112 (3d Cir. 1991) (‘‘[A] dispute, to be effective, must be in writing.’’). 276 FDCPA section 810 is implemented by § 1006.30(c). See 85 FR 76734, 76843 (Nov. 30, 2020); see also Camacho, 430 F.3d at 1081–82 (holding that oral disputes trigger certain FDCPA protections, including under FDCPA sections 807(8) and 810). 277 After the proposal was published, the circuit split was resolved. In Riccio v. Sentry Credit, Inc., the Third Circuit sitting en banc overruled its prior decision and determined that FDCPA section 809(a)(3) does not require a dispute to be in writing. Riccio v. Sentry Credit, Inc., 954 F.3d 582, 594 (3d Cir. 2020) (en banc) (‘‘In short, we conclude that debt collection notices sent under § 1692g need not require that disputes be expressed in writing. In doing so, we overrule Graziano’s contrary holding.’’). 274 84 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5812 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations consumers to dispute the validity of a debt orally or in writing. Several industry and industry trade group commenters expressed concerns about how proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iii) was disclosed on the proposed model validation notice, perceiving a tension between the regulatory text and the proposed model notice text. Specifically, whereas the proposed model validation notice stated that a consumer may ‘‘call or write’’ to dispute all or part of the debt, proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iii) did not specify the manner in which a consumer must contact the debt collector and instead used the general term ‘‘contact.’’ As proposed, the Bureau determines that FDCPA section 809(a)(3) permits both oral and written disputes. The Bureau agrees with every circuit court that has addressed this issue and interprets the absence of a reference to a writing requirement in FDCPA section 809(a)(3) to mean that a writing is not required. Further, commenters overall supported this interpretation. The Bureau declines to modify how § 1006.34(c)(3)(iii) is phrased on the model validation notice. The Bureau developed the phrase ‘‘call or write’’ for comprehension purposes. The model notice’s language is intended to be plain language and consumer-friendly and was validated through multiple rounds of qualitative and quantitative consumer testing.278 Regulatory text and the model notice language reflecting that regulatory text need not be identical in every case. For instance, if consumers may not understand a requirement as described in regulatory text, it is appropriate to express that requirement in plain language in consumer disclosures.279 For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(iii) as proposed, with minor wording changes to clarify the content of the required disclosure, including by specifying that the consumer must notify the debt collector in writing ‘‘on or before’’ the end of the validation period, rather than ‘‘before’’ the end of the validation period, as proposed.280 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(c)(3)(iv) Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a) permits the Bureau to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of any consumer part III.C. the ‘‘Model Validation Notice’’ discussion in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2) for additional details about how the statement required by § 1006.34(c)(3)(iii) is disclosed on the model validation notice. 280 The model validation notice uses the term ‘‘by’’ instead of ‘‘on or before’’ for plain language purposes. financial product or service, both initially and over the term of the product or service, are fully, accurately, and effectively disclosed to consumers in a manner that permits consumers to understand the costs, benefits, and risks associated with the product or service, in light of the facts and circumstances. To enhance consumer understanding of protections available during the debt collection process, and pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a), the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to provide that, if a debt collector is collecting a consumer financial product or service debt, as defined in § 1006.2(f), then validation information includes a statement that informs the consumer that additional information regarding consumer rights in debt collection is available on the Bureau’s website at https:// www.consumerfinance.gov. Commenters generally agreed that consumers would benefit from information about additional protections available to consumers experiencing debt collection. However, commenters disagreed about the best way to provide that information. A large number of consumer advocate and academic commenters recommended that, rather than a statement that additional information is available on the Bureau’s website, the Bureau should require debt collectors to provide consumers, along with the validation notice, a reference document describing consumer protections in debt collection, similar to the document that the Bureau developed prior to the SBREFA process.281 Commenters stated that a reference document would be more useful to consumers than a statement appearing on a validation notice. Further, some such commenters stated that proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) would not help consumers without internet access who are unable to visit the Bureau’s website. Consumer advocate commenters and a group of academics also stated that, if the Bureau does not require a reference document, the Bureau should revise proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to require debt collectors to include a web address that directs consumers to a Bureau page dedicated to consumer protections in debt collection, instead of to the Bureau’s general website landing page.282 Other commenters stated that 278 See 279 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 281 For additional detail about information that the Bureau considered including in the reference document, see appendix G of the Small Business Review Panel Outline, supra note 39. 282 Also, in response to proposed § 1006.34(d)(4)(ii), a consumer advocate commenter recommended that the Bureau permit debt collectors to embed a hyperlink that directs PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 requiring consumers to click on a hyperlink if the validation notice is delivered electronically would create procedural hurdles that reduce consumer follow through and would pose security risks to consumers. At least one industry trade group commenter disagreed and supported proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) on the grounds that including a reference document with the validation notice would overwhelm consumers. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) as proposed with a revision in response to feedback. The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to provide consumers a reference document describing consumer protections in debt collection. Because the Bureau did not propose such a requirement, the Bureau did not receive robust feedback in response to the proposal about what such a required form should look like and how a requirement to provide it might operate. Further, the Bureau expects that most consumers will receive the disclosure referring to the Bureau’s website and will be able to access the website; most consumers use the internet and have experience navigating to websites.283 The Bureau determines that consumers would benefit from being directed to a page dedicated to consumer protections in debt collection instead of the Bureau’s website landing page. Accordingly, the Bureau is modifying § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to specifically reference the web page www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection instead of the Bureau’s general landing page. The Bureau is also making a conforming change to how the statement described in § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) is disclosed on the model validation notice. The Bureau determines that consumers will not face significant security risks when accessing the Bureau’s website. The vast majority of validation notices today are delivered by mail, so an active hyperlink is not possible. In the case of electronic communications, the Bureau recognizes that active hyperlinks can present security concerns to consumers, including, among other things, phishing consumers to the Bureau’s website address described in proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv). As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(4)(ii), the Bureau is adopting this recommendation to permit debt collectors to include a hyperlink without losing the safe harbor in § 1006.34(d)(2). 283 For example, a Pew Research Center study in 2019 found that 90 percent of U.S. adults use the internet. See Pew Research Ctr., Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/ fact-sheet/internet-broadband/#who-uses-theinternet (last visited Dec. 1, 2020). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations risks.284 But the Bureau is not requiring debt collectors to include an active hyperlink to the Bureau’s website in validation notices. In other words, even if the validation information is provided electronically, § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) only requires that the text ‘‘www.cfpb.gov/ debt-collection’’ be displayed in the information. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(4)(ii), a debt collector is permitted, but not required, to include an active hyperlink to the Bureau’s website. This is because hyperlinks are a common feature of electronic commercial communications. A validation notice that includes a hyperlink to the Bureau’s website may be safe and convenient for a consumer. This would particularly be the case if the debt collector had prior contact with the consumer and the consumer recognizes that the validation notice was sent by a familiar source. If a consumer is unfamiliar with the debt collector or otherwise has concerns about clicking on an active hyperlink, the consumer could choose, rather than clicking on the hyperlink, to navigate independently to the Bureau’s website to obtain more information about consumer protections in debt collection. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to provide that, if a debt collector is collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), validation information includes a statement that informs the consumer that additional information regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau’s website at www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(c)(3)(v) Proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) provided that validation information includes information that a consumer can use to take certain actions, including disputing a debt or requesting original-creditor information.285 As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) and (ii), FDCPA section 809(b) provides that consumers must notify a debt collector ‘‘in writing’’ to dispute a debt or request originalcreditor information. Under § 1006.38, this writing requirement is satisfied if a consumer provides a dispute or request 284 See, e.g., Fed. Trade Comm’n, How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams (May 2019), https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/howrecognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams (last visited Dec. 1, 2020). 285 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) set forth required consumer-response information. Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) and (vi)(B) set forth certain other consumer-response information related to payment requests and requests for Spanishlanguage validation notices. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 for original-creditor information to the debt collector using a medium of electronic communication through which a debt collector accepts electronic communications from consumers, such as an email address or a website portal.286 Thus, debt collectors are required to give legal effect to consumer disputes or requests for original-creditor information submitted electronically only if a debt collector chooses to accept electronic communications from consumers. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) to provide that validation information includes a statement explaining how a consumer can take the actions described in proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) and (d)(3), as applicable, electronically, if the debt collector sends a validation notice electronically. Proposed comment 34(c)(3)(v)–1 explained that a debt collector may provide the information described in § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) by including the statements, ‘‘We accept disputes electronically,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, followed by an email address or website portal that a consumer can use to take the action described in § 1006.34(c)(4)(i), and ‘‘We accept original-creditor information requests electronically,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, followed by an email address or website portal that a consumer can use to take the action described in § 1006.34(c)(4)(ii).287 Proposed comment 34(c)(3)(v)–1 also clarified that, if a debt collector accepts electronic communications from consumers through more than one medium, such as by email and through a website portal, the debt collector is only required to provide information regarding one of these media but may provide information about additional media. An industry commenter and an industry trade group commenter supported proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) because it would inform consumers about alternative methods to contact debt collectors and would increase the likelihood that consumers would engage with debt collectors. However, another industry commenter objected to the proposal because, the commenter argued, allowing consumers to exercise verification rights electronically would encourage consumers to submit 286 See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.38 and comment 38–1. 287 On the model validation notice, this phrase appears as ‘‘We accept such requests electronically.’’ This wording deviates from the regulatory text due to space considerations and the context of surrounding disclosures. PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5813 verification requests for the purpose of delaying or avoiding paying a debt. The Bureau determines that requiring debt collectors who provide validation notices electronically to include statements on the validation notice explaining how consumers can dispute the debt or request original-creditor information electronically will benefit consumers by facilitating their ability to exercise those verification rights electronically. The Bureau agrees that such disclosures will increase the likelihood of engagement between consumers and debt collectors but does not agree that they will encourage consumers to submit disputes or original-creditor-information requests to delay or avoid paying the debt. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(i), commenters have not provided evidence demonstrating that a significant number of consumers exercise their verification rights with the principal purpose of avoiding paying debts that they owe. Absent such evidence, the Bureau declines to conclude that consumers will exercise verification rights for this purpose. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) and its related commentary largely as proposed, except that the final rule does not require debt collectors who provide validation notices electronically to include statements stating how consumers can take the actions described in § 1006.34(d)(3) (i.e., responding to a payment prompt (§ 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)) or requesting a Spanish-language translation (§ 1006.34(d)(3)(vi))) electronically. The Bureau notes that § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) affirmatively permits a debt collector to include supplemental information in Spanish specifying how a consumer may request a Spanish-language validation notice, and such information could include how the consumer may do so electronically. In addition, as discussed at the outset of the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34, the Bureau is not finalizing the proposed requirement that all validation notices must be substantially similar to the model validation notice in order to avoid violating the rule. Therefore, under the final rule, a debt collector who chooses to include either or both of the optional payment disclosures in § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii) is not prohibited by Regulation F from including a statement about how the consumer can make a payment electronically (although including such a statement will take the debt collector out of the safe harbor in § 1006.34(d)(2)). The Bureau is E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5814 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations finalizing § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and (b), as well as its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a). rendered ineffective merely because a consumer opts out of future electronic communications pursuant to the instructions in § 1006.6(e). 34(c)(3)(vi) 34(c)(4) Consumer-Response Information khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(vi) to provide that, for a validation notice delivered in the body of an email pursuant to procedures set forth in the proposal, validation information includes the opt-out statement required by § 1006.6(e).288 Proposed comment 34(c)(3)(vi)–1 clarified certain details, including that the requirement would not apply in the case of validation notices delivered by hyperlink and that electronic delivery of a validation notice is not rendered ineffective if a consumer opts out of future electronic communications pursuant to § 1006.6(e). Although no commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(vi), the Bureau is not finalizing it. The Bureau has determined that it is not necessary to require debt collectors to include the § 1006.6(e) opt-out instructions on validation notices sent electronically because § 1006.6(e) itself already requires those instructions in every electronic communication or communication attempt, which will includes every electronic communication transmitting a validation notice. Thus, § 1006.34(c)(3)(vi) would be redundant. A debt collector who sends a validation notice electronically may provide the § 1006.6(e) disclosure in the electronic communication outside of the validation notice. A debt collector who provides the model validation notice electronically will not lose the safe harbor described in § 1006.34(d)(2) by including the § 1006.6(e) disclosure in the electronic communication outside the model notice. Accordingly, the Bureau determines that the § 1006.6(e) opt-out disclosure is not necessary to include as validation information. Although the Bureau is not finalizing proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(vi), the Bureau reaffirms the clarification in proposed comment 34(c)(3)(vi)–1 that electronic delivery of a validation notice is not 288 As finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, § 1006.6(e) requires a debt collector who communicates or attempts to communicate with a consumer electronically in connection with the collection of a debt using a specific email address, telephone number for text messages, or other electronic-medium address to include in such communication or attempt to communicate a clear and conspicuous statement describing a reasonable and simple method by which the consumer can opt out of further electronic communications or attempts to communicate by the debt collector to that address or telephone number. See 85 FR 76734, 76890 (Nov. 30, 2020). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 FDCPA section 809(b) contains certain requirements that a debt collector must satisfy if a consumer exercises the consumer’s right to dispute the validity of the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor. If a consumer disputes a debt in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation information, a debt collector must stop collection of the debt until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and mails it to the consumer. Similarly, if a consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation information, FDCPA section 809(b) requires the debt collector to cease collection of the debt until the debt collector obtains and mails such information to the consumer. FDCPA section 809(b) also prohibits a debt collector, during the 30-day period consumers have to dispute a debt or request information about the original creditor, from engaging in collection activities and communications that overshadow, or are inconsistent with, the disclosure of the right to dispute the debt or request original-creditor information, which the Bureau collectively refers to as ‘‘verification rights.’’ The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) to require a consumer-response information section to help consumers exercise their FDCPA section 809(b) verification rights.289 Specifically, proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) provided that required validation information includes certain consumer-response information situated next to prompts that consumers could use to indicate that they want to take action or make a request. The proposed information, which is discussed in the section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) through (iii), included statements describing certain actions that a consumer could take, including submitting a dispute, identifying the reason for the dispute, providing additional detail about the dispute, and requesting original-creditor information.290 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) 289 84 FR 23275, 23404 (May 21, 2019). discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(3), proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) and (vi)(B) provided that a debt collector also could include a payment disclosure and Spanish-language 290 As PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 provided that the consumer-response information section must be segregated from the validation information described in § 1006.34(c)(1) through (3) and from any optional information included pursuant to proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(i), (ii), (iv), or (v) and, if the validation information is provided in writing or electronically, located at the bottom of the notice and under the headings, ‘‘How do you want to respond?’’ and ‘‘Check all that apply:’’. As shown on the proposed model validation notice, the consumerresponse information section appeared as a tear-off portion of the form. Proposed comment 34(c)(4)–1 clarified that, if the validation information is provided in writing or electronically, a prompt described in § 1006.34(c)(4) may be formatted as a checkbox, as shown on the model validation notice. A group of academic commenters expressed general support for proposed § 1006.34(c)(4). However, some industry commenters objected to the proposed consumer-response information section. According to a depository institution, the proposed consumer- response information formatted as a tear-off is an obsolete approach because physical mail is increasingly less relevant as consumers prefer electronic communications. An industry commenter stated that the proposed consumer-response information section would encourage consumers to communicate through mail, which is more expensive and time-intensive than other communication methods, such as email. Several commenters raised concerns about proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)’s use of the heading ‘‘How do you want to respond?’’ A group of State Attorneys General and at least one industry commenter stated that consumers may incorrectly infer from this phrase that they must use the consumer-response information section to respond to a debt collector. Some commenters suggested that this phrase created the false impression that consumers must engage with the debt collector, even if they prefer not to. To address this concern, consumer advocate commenters and a group of State Attorneys General recommended that the consumerresponse information section include ‘‘Do Nothing’’ as a response option. Some industry trade group commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) being formatted for use with a return envelope. According to these commenters, some debt collectors do not include return envelopes with validation notice request disclosure as consumerresponse information. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations validation notices and instituting such a practice would entail significant costs. However, a consumer group commenter disagreed and stated that the Bureau should require debt collectors to include a return envelope with prepaid postage to facilitate use of the proposed consumer-response information section. After considering comments, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(c)(4) with minor wording changes to conform to changes in § 1006.34(d). The Bureau acknowledges that electronic communications are increasingly prevalent in society at large; however, most debt collectors do not presently communicate with consumers electronically, particularly to provide validation notices.291 Further, many consumers still prefer to communicate with debt collectors via mail instead of email or other electronic media.292 Given communication practices in the debt collection industry and consumer preferences, the Bureau determines that formatting the model validation notice consumer-response information section as a tear-off so that a consumer can return that portion of the form by mail if the consumer so chooses will benefit both debt collectors and consumers. Thus, if debt collectors opt not to format the consumer-response information section as a tear-off, the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor will not apply to their validation notices. The Bureau concludes that the heading ‘‘How do you want to respond?’’ likely will not lead consumers to believe that they must respond to the debt collector or use the consumer-response information section to do so. Consumer testing indicated that consumers paid relatively little attention to this heading.293 Further, consumers generally grasped the 291 See 85 FR 76734, 76852 (Nov. 30, 2020). to the CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, 71 percent of consumers preferred to be contacted by a debt collector by mail. Only 12 percent of consumers preferred email. Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Consumer Experience with Debt Collection: Findings from CFPB’s Survey of Consumer Views on Debt, at 29– 30 (Jan. 12, 2017), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/ f/documents/201701_cfpb_Debt-Collection-SurveyReport.pdf (CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey). 293 ‘‘The ‘You Have Rights’ and ‘How do you want to respond to this notice?’ sections had a comparatively low number of fixations (i.e., a testing participant’s eyes resting on a piece of information) compared to other parts of the notice. These two sections were often discussed during the interview as being important so the fewer number of fixations suggests that this information might have been easy to read and comprehend. Participants also commented that these sections only needed to be scanned, further suggesting that fewer fixations on this section might have been due to ease of processing the information rather than a disinterest in the information. See FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 7. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 292 According VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 consequences of not responding to a validation notice.294 These findings suggest that the heading will not induce otherwise unwilling consumers to engage with debt collectors. This conclusion is bolstered by findings from the Bureau’s most recent qualitative consumer testing. The Bureau’s consumer testing suggests that consumers understand that they have the option of not engaging with a debt collector in response to a validation notice.295 This testing also indicates that consumers understand that, if they choose to communicate with a debt collector, they do not have to use the consumer-response information section to do so.296 The Bureau therefore determines that it is unnecessary to include a ‘‘Do Nothing’’ response option, as some commenters suggested. The consumer-response information section should be formatted for use with a return envelope. The fact that the consumer-response information established by § 1006.34(c)(4) is formatted on the model validation notice for use with a return envelope does not require debt collectors to include return envelopes with validation notices, even if they use the model notice. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(4) with minor wording changes to conform to changes in § 1006.34(d). The Bureau also is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) through (iii) and their related commentary with certain modifications that are discussed in the section-by-section analysis below. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(4) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors and, as described more fully below, its authority to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809. The Bureau is also finalizing § 1006.34(c)(4) pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, on the basis that the information in § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) through (iii) informs consumers how to exercise their rights under FDCPA section 809(b) and therefore is a feature of debt collection. Requiring disclosure of consumer-response information will help to ensure that the features of debt collection are fully, accurately, and 294 See id. at 83–84. asked about whether they were legally required respond to the model validation notice, approximately 90 percent of participants reported that they were not. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 11. 296 During testing, participants generally understood that they could dispute the debt by telephone, electronically, or writing with or without the ‘‘tear-off.’’ See id. at 15. 295 When PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5815 effectively disclosed to consumers, such that consumers may better understand the costs, benefits and risks associated with debt collection. 34(c)(4)(i) Dispute Prompts FDCPA section 809(a)(4) requires a debt collector to disclose to consumers their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to dispute the validity of the debt within 30 days after receipt of the validation notice.297 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) provided that consumer-response information includes statements, situated next to prompts, that the consumer can use to dispute the validity of a debt and to specify a reason for that dispute.298 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i), which was designed to work in tandem with § 1006.34(c)(3)(i),299 provided that consumer-response information includes the following four statements, listed in the following order, using the following phrasing or substantially similar phrasing, each next to a prompt: ‘‘I want to dispute the debt because I think:’’; ‘‘This is not my debt.’’; ‘‘The amount is wrong.’’; and ‘‘Other: (please describe on reverse or attach additional information).’’ A group of academic commenters and some consumer advocate commenters supported the dispute prompts described in proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i). The academic commenters stated that the prompts would facilitate consumer disputes because consumers are accustomed to using forms with prompts, such as drop-down menus in online transactions. According to these commenters, the Bureau should facilitate consumer disputes given the low consumer literacy levels in the United States—particularly among consumers with limited English proficiency (LEP consumers)—and the FDCPA’s least-sophisticated-consumer standard.300 These commenters stated 297 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(4). FR 23274, 23404–05 (May 21, 2019). 299 As finalized, § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) provides that validation information includes the date the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing on or before that date that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt, or the disputed portion of the debt, until the debt collector sends the consumer either the verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment. 300 See, e.g., Rosenau v. Unifund Corp., 539 F.3d 218, 221 (3d Cir. 2008) (‘‘We use the ‘least sophisticated debtor’ standard in order to effectuate the basic purpose of the FDCPA: to protect all consumers, the gullible as well as the shrewd.’’) (citations and some internal quotation marks omitted); Clomon v. Jackson, 988 F.2d 1314, 1319 (2d Cir. 1993) (‘‘To serve the purposes of the consumer-protection laws, courts have attempted to articulate a standard for evaluating deceptiveness 298 84 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM Continued 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5816 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations that facilitating disputes will also benefit industry because consumer disputes may lead to questionable or invalid debts being removed from the market. Other commenters objected to proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i). Industry trade group commenters stated that the proposed dispute prompts would increase dispute volume and, consequently, debt collectors would incur additional costs responding to disputes. Industry commenters stated that higher dispute volumes would overwhelm debt collectors, making it difficult to identify and process valid disputes. Industry and industry trade group commenters stated that the proposed dispute prompts would lead consumers to believe that they had to dispute the debt, even if they recognized the debt as valid. Industry and industry trade groups argued that streamlining the dispute process would encourage frivolous disputes. One industry trade group stated that requiring a lawyer engaged in debt collection to include the proposed dispute prompts on a validation notice would constitute providing legal advice to unrepresented persons, which is a violation of attorney rules of professional conduct. Industry and industry trade group commenters stated the proposed dispute prompts would not solicit enough information for debt collectors to evaluate disputes. According to commenters, the proposed dispute prompts are too general and would result in generic disputes that would increase compliance costs, frustrate dispute investigation, undermine consumer communication, and increase litigation risk. To address these concerns, commenters recommended modifications to proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i). Some commenters suggested that the validation notice provide additional space where a consumer could include additional dispute detail, update contact information, or provide communication preferences. Other commenters recommended replacing the proposed dispute prompts with narrative instructions that solicit dispute detail and supporting documentation. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(i), commenters stated that some debt collectors receive payments and other that does not rely on assumptions about the ‘average’ or ‘normal’ consumer. This effort is grounded, quite sensibly, in the assumption that consumers of below-average sophistication or intelligence are especially vulnerable to fraudulent schemes. The least-sophisticated-consumer standard protects these consumers in a variety of ways.’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:52 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 correspondence, including disputes, at separate addresses. Industry commenters stated that proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) would effectively combine a dispute form with a payment coupon. According to commenters, a consumer’s dispute may not be processed in a timely fashion if a consumer returns a consumer-response information form with a dispute to a dedicated payment address. Several consumer advocate commenters recommended combining the proposed dispute prompts into a single prompt. According to these commenters, a single dispute prompt would be appropriate because the FDCPA does not require a consumer to specify a reason for a dispute and a consumer may make unintentional admissions against their interest by providing details. Some commenters suggested additional dispute-related prompts. Consumer advocate commenters recommended prompts for debts discharged in bankruptcy, debts resulting from identity theft, and debts that were previously paid or settled. Industry commenters urged the Bureau to add a general account inquiry prompt. According to one industry commenter, consumers with an account inquiry may perceive that they have no alternative but to select a dispute prompt if proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) does not include a general account inquiry prompt. An industry commenter asked for additional guidance about how the proposed dispute prompts should be formatted when validation information is provided on a website. Consistent with the rationale discussed in the proposal and for the following reasons, the Bureau is adopting proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i). The Bureau determines that § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) will help consumers exercise their FDCPA section 809 dispute rights, in part because prompts are a common feature in written and electronic communications and most consumers are familiar with the concept. The Bureau determines that facilitating consumer disputes under FDCPA section 809 is beneficial, particularly for less sophisticated consumers. Further, to the extent consumer disputes help remove invalid debts from circulation, § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) will improve the efficiency of debt markets. It is also not clear that finalizing the dispute prompts will result in a significant increase in consumer disputes compared to current dispute rates. Section 1006.34(c)(2) will require debt collectors to disclose more PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 information about the debt and will help consumers recognize debts they owe. Thus, § 1006.34(c)(2) may reduce the number of disputes arising from lack of consumer recognition. The Bureau disagrees that § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) will make it more difficult for debt collectors to identify and process valid disputes. As noted above, § 1006.34(c)(2) should reduce the number of disputes arising from lack of consumer recognition. Therefore, the disputes debt collectors receive will be more likely to reflect problems with the underlying debt. Further, § 1006.34(c)(4)(i)’s dispute prompts— including § 1006.34(c)(4)(i)(D)’s freeform dispute prompt—may help consumers articulate and provide more detailed information about the nature of their disputes. Thus, debt collectors may better understand the nature of a consumer’s dispute and be able to respond more efficiently than if consumers had provided generic disputes. Further, dispute prompts likely will not lead consumers to believe that they must dispute the debt. The Bureau’s consumer testing indicates that consumers who receive a validation notice understand that they are not required to dispute a debt.301 Further, the Bureau disagrees that streamlining the dispute process will significantly increase the frequency of frivolous disputes. As discussed in the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(i) and (v), debt collectors have not provided evidence that supports the premise that a significant number of consumers exercise their FDCPA section 809 verification rights solely to evade or avoid paying debts that they owe. Absent such evidence, the Bureau declines to conclude that consumers will dispute for such purposes. The Bureau determines that requiring debt collectors who are attorneys to include dispute prompts in the consumer-response information will not cause those debt collectors to violate the professional rule of conduct against providing legal advice to an unrepresented person.302 The FDCPA 301 During one round of testing, approximately 50 percent of participants stated that they would attempt to ‘‘confirm’’ a debt in response to receiving a validation notice. Participants stated that they would do so by, for example, contacting either the creditor or the debt collector. Participants did not report that they would dispute solely for the purposes of confirming the details of the debt. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 11. 302 See Am. Bar Ass’n, Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 4.3: Dealing with Unrepresented Person https:// www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_ responsibility/publications/model_ E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations requires all debt collectors, including debt collectors who are attorneys, to include in the validation information statements relating to the consumer’s right to dispute the debt. The dispute prompt merely provides consumers a simple way to exercise that right if the consumer so chooses; it does not advise the consumer whether to do so. In addition, the commenter that raised this concern cited no case law, legal interpretation, or comparable evidence to support the proposition that including the dispute prompt will be problematic. The Bureau is not modifying § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) to provide additional space for consumers to provide dispute details or to replace the dispute prompts with narrative instructions. As discussed above, the Bureau finds that it is unlikely that § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) will increase generic dispute volume. On the contrary, the dispute prompts— including the free-form dispute prompt in § 1006.34(c)(4)(i)(D)—will provide debt collectors with more detailed dispute information than they receive in many cases today. Further, the free-form dispute prompt informs consumers that they can provide additional information on the reverse of the consumerresponse-information section (which is formatted as a tear-off on the model validation notice) or on a separate page. Thus, there is no need to provide additional space for dispute detail on the validation notice itself. Section 1006.34(c)(4)(i) will not lead to disputes being misdirected to dedicated payment addresses. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(4)(iii), the debt collector must disclose in the consumerresponse information section the same mailing address disclosed pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(i), which is the mailing address where the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for originalcreditor information. The Bureau declines to structure § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) as a single dispute prompt. As discussed above, the dispute prompts are designed to help consumers articulate, and debt collectors better understand, the nature of a consumer’s dispute and respond more efficiently than if consumers had provided generic disputes. Reformulating § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) as a single prompt would undermine this goal. Meanwhile, the dispute prompts described in § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) do not contain individualized information that could reasonably result in a consumer making of_professional_conduct/rule_4_3_dealing_with_ unrepresented_person/ (last visited Dec. 2, 2020). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 an unintentional admission against their interest. The Bureau declines to adopt additional dispute-related prompts. Additional prompts for debts discharged in bankruptcy, debts resulting from identity theft, and debts that were previously paid or settled are, in the aggregate, not feasible and would likely overwhelm consumers. Further, the Bureau believes the dispute prompts in § 1006.34(c)(4)(i)(B) (this is not my debt) and (C) (the amount is wrong) essentially capture these scenarios. The Bureau also declines to add a general account inquiry prompt distinct from the dispute prompt, as suggested by some commenters who argued that consumers would use the dispute prompts to obtain general information. The Bureau’s testing has shown that consumers generally understand that their response options are not limited to selecting a dispute prompt and that disputing the debt is not the appropriate method to raise a general question about the account.303 The Bureau declines to provide additional guidance about formatting the dispute prompts if validation information is provided on a website. As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau did not finalize several proposed interventions related to electronic delivery of required notices, including proposed alternative procedures for providing the validation information on a secure website (proposed § 1006.42(c)(2)(ii)).304 Because the Bureau is not addressing electronic delivery more broadly, the Bureau declines here to provide guidance about disclosing validation information on websites. However, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), in contrast to the proposal, debt collectors are not required to use the model validation notice or a substantially similar form. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) pursuant to its authority to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809, as well as its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a). 34(c)(4)(ii) Original-Creditor Information Prompt FDCPA section 809(a)(5) requires a debt collector to disclose to consumers 303 During usability testing, when participants were asked what they could do if they did not think they owed the debt, ‘‘all participants understood that they had options for contacting the debt collector to dispute the debt,’’ which included calling and writing. FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 48. See also November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 11 (discussion in ‘‘Response to the model validation notice’’ section). 304 85 FR 76734, 76850–55 (Nov. 30, 2020). PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5817 their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to request the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.305 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(ii) provided that consumer-response information includes the statement, ‘‘I want you to send me the name and address of the original creditor,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, next to a prompt the consumer could use to request original-creditor information.306 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(ii) was intended to work in tandem with proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii).307 The Bureau received no comments specifically addressing proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(ii) and is finalizing it as proposed. 34(c)(4)(iii) FDCPA section 809(b) assumes that a consumer has the ability to write to a debt collector to exercise the consumer’s verification rights.308 Requiring a debt collector to include mailing addresses for the consumer and the debt collector, along with the consumer-response information described in § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) and (ii), may facilitate a consumer’s ability to exercise the consumer’s verification rights. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(iii) to provide that consumer-response information includes mailing addresses for the consumer and the debt collector.309 An industry trade group stated that some debt collectors use vendors to receive and process mail from consumers. According to this commenter, the Bureau should permit a debt collector to disclose the address at which a debt collector receives mail, even if that address is not the debt collector’s physical address. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(4)(iii) with a clarifying revision that addresses the commenter’s request regarding letter vendor mailing addresses. The Bureau is revising § 1006.34(c)(4)(iii) to provide that the mailing addresses disclosed for the consumer and the debt collector in the consumer-response information must include the debt collector’s and the 305 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(5). FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019). 307 As finalized, § 1006.34(c)(3)(ii) provides that validation information includes the date that the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, if the consumer requests in writing on or before that date the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the consumer the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. 308 See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b). 309 84 FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019). 306 84 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5818 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations consumer’s names and mailing addresses as disclosed pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) and (ii). In turn, the Bureau notes that final § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) and comment 34(c)(2)(i)–2 permit debt collectors to disclose a vendor’s mailing address, if that is an address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for original-creditor information. Thus, under the final rule, a debt collector may include a vendor’s address in the consumer-response information if that is the address that the debt collector discloses pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(i). The Bureau notes that final § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) and comment 34(c)(2)(i)–1 permit a debt collector to disclose its trade name or DBA, instead of its legal name. Thus, under the final rule, a debt collector must disclose its trade name or DBA in the consumerresponse information if that is the name that the debt collector discloses pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(i). 34(c)(5) Special Rule for Certain Residential Mortgage Debt FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires a debt collector to disclose to consumers the amount of the debt.310 As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii), the Bureau interprets FDCPA section 809(a)(1) to require debt collectors to disclose three pieces of itemizationrelated information: The itemization date; the amount of the debt on the itemization date; and an itemization of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. For certain residential mortgage debt covered by TILA, as implemented by Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026, 12 CFR 1026.41(b) generally requires that a periodic statement be delivered or placed in the mail within a reasonably prompt time after the payment due date or the end of any courtesy period provided for the previous billing cycle. The Bureau understands that most residential mortgage debt is subject to this requirement, although exceptions exist.311 The Bureau further understands that a consumer is 310 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(1). periodic statement requirement pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.41(b) does not apply to open-end consumer credit transactions, such as a home equity line of credit. See 12 CFR 1026.41(a)(1). Pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.41(e), certain types of transactions are exempt from § 1026.41(b)’s periodic statement requirement, including reverse mortgages, timeshare plans, certain charged-off mortgage loans, mortgage loans with certain consumers in bankruptcy, and fixed-rate mortgage loans where a servicer provides the consumer with a coupon book for payment. Further, small servicers as defined by 12 CFR 1026.41(e)(4)(ii) are exempt from the periodic statement requirement. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 311 The VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 provided with such a periodic statement every billing cycle, even if a loan is transferred between servicers. Pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(3), such a periodic statement must include a past payment breakdown, which shows the total of all payments received since the last statement, including a breakdown showing the amount, if any, that was applied to principal, interest, escrow, fees, and charges, and the amount, if any, sent to any suspense or unapplied funds account. The proposal stated that these periodic statement disclosures may be functionally equivalent to, and as useful for the consumer as, the information described in proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) through (ix).312 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) therefore provided that, for debts subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, a debt collector need not provide the validation information described in § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) through (ix) if the debt collector provided the consumer, at the same time as the validation notice, a copy of the most recent periodic statement provided to the consumer under 12 CFR 1026.41(b), and referred to that periodic statement in the validation notice. Proposed comment 34(c)(5)–1 provided examples clarifying how debt collectors could comply with § 1006.34(c)(5). Consistent with the proposal’s rationale, and for the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting § 1006.34(c)(5) and its related commentary with a substantive modification and a clarification. Some commenters recommended that the Bureau expand proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) to cover additional debt types. An industry trade group commenter stated that the Bureau should revise proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) to apply to all residential mortgage debt, including to transactions that are exempt from § 1026.41(b)’s periodic statement requirement, such as mortgage loans with certain consumers in bankruptcy. As discussed in detail in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), the Bureau received feedback that its proposed itemization would be incompatible with the account characteristics of debts in bankruptcy. Thus, this commenter suggested that the Bureau should revise proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) to permit a debt collector to reference the consumer’s bankruptcy case and the filed or pending proof of claim instead of providing the itemization-related disclosures required by § 1006.34(c)(2). Other industry trade group commenters variously recommended that the special rule extend to reverse mortgages structured 312 84 PO 00000 FR 23274, 23348 (May 21, 2019). Frm 00054 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 as open-end credit, home-equity lines of credit, and credit cards. A consumer advocate commenter recommended that the Bureau revise proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) to apply only to debts that are currently subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, to reduce the likelihood that a debt collector provides an outdated periodic statement. According to the commenter, TILA coverage is fluid and a significant amount of time can elapse between when the creditor provides a last periodic statement and when the debt collector provides a validation notice. This commenter recommended that the Bureau revise proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) to provide that the previous periodic statement must have been provided no more than 31 days before the validation notice is sent. The commenter also recommended that, if any entity other than the current servicer provided the most recent periodic statement, the debt collector must conduct a reasonable investigation to verify the accuracy of the prior entity’s periodic statement or prepare its own periodic statement. The Bureau declines to expand § 1006.34(c)(5) to cover additional debt types. For certain residential mortgage debt, the final rule permits debt collectors to provide a periodic statement that was provided under 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(3) in lieu of the information described in final § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii) because those periodic statement disclosures are functionally equivalent to, and as useful for the consumer as, that itemization information. This special rule is not appropriate for the additional debt types recommended by commenters because those debt types are not subject to prescriptive disclosure regimes, such as Regulation Z. The Bureau doubts that disclosures used for those other debt types relate to information that is functionally equivalent to, or as useful as, the information § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii) requires. For instance, mortgage loans with certain consumers in bankruptcy are exempt from § 1026.41(b)’s periodic statement requirement.313 With respect to debts in bankruptcy in general, the Bankruptcy Code does not prescribe disclosure requirements for proofs of claim that are comparable to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(3). As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix), reverse mortgages are not subject to prescriptive regulatory requirements for periodic statements. The periodic statement requirement in 12 CFR 1026.41(b) does not cover openend consumer credit transactions, 313 See E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 12 CFR 1026.41(e). 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations including home-equity lines of credit.314 With respect to credit card debt, no special accommodation is necessary as debt collectors can readily disclose the itemization information pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii). The Bureau determines that § 1006.34(c)(5) should apply only to debts that are currently subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41. Modifying the proposal to this effect is appropriate to reduce the likelihood that a debt collector provides an outdated periodic statement, which may not provide information that is functionally equivalent to, or as useful as, the information described in § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii). The Bureau therefore is revising proposed § 1006.34(c)(5) and its related commentary to provide that the special rule only applies to residential mortgage debt if a periodic statement is required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, at the time a debt collector provides the validation notice.315 Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(c)(5) as described above and is finalizing comment 34(c)(5)–1 with minor revisions for clarity and consistency with provisions of the final rule. 34(d) Form of Validation Information 34(d)(1) In General The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(i) to require that the validation information described in § 1006.34(c) be conveyed in a clear and conspicuous manner. The Bureau reasoned that FDCPA section 809(a)’s required disclosures would be ineffective unless a debt collector disclosed them in a manner that was readily understandable to consumers.316 The Bureau received no comments specifically addressing proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(i). The Bureau therefore is finalizing it largely as proposed but renumbered as § 1006.34(d)(1) 317 and with a wording change solely for consistency with final § 1006.34(c). The Bureau adopts § 1006.34(d)(1) to 314 See 12 CFR 1026.41(a)(1). § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii), a debt collector who uses the model validation notice and who also uses the special rule for certain residential mortgage debt under § 1006.34(c)(5) receives a safe harbor for use of the model notice except with respect to the disclosures that appear on the separate page. 316 84 FR 23274, 23348 (May 21, 2019). Section 1006.34(b)(1) defines clear and conspicuous, and the Bureau responded to comments on that definition in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(1). 317 As discussed under the heading Proposed Provision Not Finalized in this section-by-section analysis, the Bureau is not finalizing proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii) and therefore is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(i) as § 1006.34(d)(1). khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 315 Under VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau also adopts § 1006.34(d)(1) pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of consumer financial products and services are disclosed fully, accurately, and effectively. The Bureau finalizes this requirement on the basis that validation information is a feature of debt collection and this information must be readily understandable to be effectively and accurately disclosed. Proposed Provision Not Finalized As noted at the outset of the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.34, the Bureau proposed that debt collectors could use the model validation notice to comply with the disclosure requirements proposed in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) and (d)(1).318 In turn, the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii) to require that, if provided in a validation notice, the content, format, and placement of the validation information in § 1006.34(c) and the optional disclosures in § 1006.34(d)(3) must be substantially similar to the model validation notice. Proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1 explained that a debt collector could make certain changes as long as the resulting disclosures were substantially similar to the model validation notice, and it provided an example of a change that debt collectors may make to the validation notice if the consumer is deceased. While some industry, industry trade group, and consumer advocate commenters supported proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii), other industry and industry trade group commenters raised concerns that the proposed model validation notice would not accommodate all debt types and debt collection practices, suggesting that some debt collectors therefore would be unable to comply with proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii). At least two commenters, including a debt buyer specializing in medical debt, stated that the proposed model validation notice was not well-suited for non-financial debts, such as medical debts. A number of commenters objected to the proposal because it would not allow debt collectors to combine multiple debts in a single validation notice or place 318 As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(1), the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(i) to require that required validation information be provided in a clear and conspicuous manner. PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5819 multiple validation notices in one envelope. Commenters asked the Bureau to modify proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii) to provide debt collectors more flexibility to customize validation notices to accommodate their business practices and the types of debts they collect. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), the Bureau has determined that a model validation notice will benefit consumers and industry. However, based in part on feedback from commenters, the Bureau also has determined that proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii) was overly prescriptive. Proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii) would have required any validation notice provided by a debt collector to be substantially similar to the model validation notice. Such a requirement could cause some debt collectors to face undue compliance challenges depending on their business practices and the types of debts they collect. For this reason, the Bureau is not finalizing proposed § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii) and its related commentary. Instead, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), the Bureau is adopting a more flexible framework in which debt collectors need not use either the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form, but debt collectors who do so will receive a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1).319 This flexible framework is more consistent with model form safe harbors in other consumer financial regulations.320 The Bureau determines that this new framework will accommodate industry without significantly increasing risks to consumers because the Bureau believes it is likely that, if possible, debt collectors will use the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form to receive the compliance safe harbor. The Bureau notes that a debt collector who provides the validation information in a form that is not substantially similar either to the model validation notice or to a specified variation of the model notice also is subject to the FDCPA section 807 prohibition on false or misleading representations and the FDCPA section 809(b) prohibition on overshadowing. 319 The Bureau is relocating and repurposing some of the proposed text of § 1006.34(d)(1)(ii) and comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1 to § 1006.34(d)(2). See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2). 320 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5820 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 34(d)(2) Safe Harbor khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 As discussed, the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(d)(2) to provide, pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(b), that a debt collector who uses the model validation complies with the disclosure requirements of § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) and (d)(1).321 Proposed comment 34(d)(2)–1 provided certain details regarding use of the model validation notice. Under proposed § 1006.34(d)(2) and as explained in proposed comment 34(d)(2)–1, although use of the model validation notice was not required, debt collectors would have received a safe harbor for compliance only if they used the model validation notice. Under proposed § 1006.34(d)(2), debt collectors would not have received a safe harbor if they used a form that was substantially similar to the model validation notice. As discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(d)(2) and comment 34(d)(2)–1 with significant revisions to, among other things, provide that debt collectors may obtain a safe harbor for compliance with the validation information disclosure requirements by using either the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form. The Bureau is finalizing new commentary to provide additional details regarding the revised safe harbor framework. Industry and industry trade group commenters overall supported providing a safe harbor to debt collectors who use the model validation notice. An industry and an industry trade group commenter stated that a safe harbor would reduce frivolous litigation and compliance costs. An industry commenter stated that not requiring debt collectors to use the model validation notice would help to ensure that debt collectors can provide validation notices in a manner consistent with their business practices and the debt types they collect. Some industry commenters asked the Bureau to specify what optional disclosures could be added to the model notice. A number of industry and industry trade group commenters also asked the Bureau to further clarify what changes debt collectors could make to 321 84 FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019). As discussed elsewhere in part V, proposed § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) provided that debt collectors must send validation notices containing the information described in proposed § 1006.34(c) to consumers in a manner permitted by § 1006.42 (i.e., in a manner reasonably expected to provide actual notice and in a form that the consumer may keep and access later). And proposed § 1006.34(d)(1) provided that debt collectors must provide such validation information clearly and conspicuously. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 the model validation notice and still receive the safe harbor. Relatedly, some industry and industry trade group commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the meaning of ‘‘substantially similar,’’ and two industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau adopt Regulation Z’s definition of substantially similar. Some industry and industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau expand § 1006.34(d)(2) to provide that debt collectors who use the model validation notice comply with FDCPA section 807’s prohibition on false or misleading statements and FDCPA section 809(b)’s overshadowing prohibition.322 A group of consumer advocate commenters stated that proposed § 1006.34(d)(2) was too broad. Specifically, according to the commenter, the safe harbor’s crossreference to § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) was overbroad because simply using the model validation notice does not mean that the debt collector sent the validation notice in an initial communication or within five days of the initial communication as required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i). This commenter recommended that the Bureau remove the reference to § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) from § 1006.34(d)(2). After considering this feedback, and to clarify each of the ways in which a debt collector may receive a safe harbor for compliance with the final rule’s validation information disclosure requirements, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(2) and its related commentary with significant revisions, as follows. 34(d)(2)(i) In General First, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) to provide that, as proposed, a debt collector who uses the model validation notice receives a safe harbor for compliance with the final rule’s validation information disclosure requirements. The Bureau determines that a safe harbor is appropriate because the model validation notice will effectively disclose information required by § 1006.34(c), and the safe harbor will incentivize debt collectors to use the model notice. The Bureau agrees that the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor should not cover delivery of the validation notice. The Bureau recognizes the risk that a 322 See 15 U.S.C. 1692e; see also 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b) (‘‘Any collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.’’). PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 debt collector could deliver the model validation notice in an ineffective manner and that, as a result, the notice would be delayed or never received by the consumer. The Bureau does not intend § 1006.34(d)(2) to provide a safe harbor in such a scenario. For this reason, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) to specify that the safe harbor for use of the model notice covers only compliance with the information and form requirements of final § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1). In response to comments requesting clarity about the use of optional disclosures on the model notice, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) to squarely address how the safe harbor applies with respect to the § 1006.34(d)(3) optional disclosures.323 First, the Bureau clarifies, as was intended in the proposal, that a debt collector may include any or all of the § 1006.34(d)(3) optional disclosures without losing the safe harbor pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(2). Specifically, final § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) provides that the model validation notice contains the validation information required by § 1006.34(c) and certain optional disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3). Section 1006.34(d)(2)(i) further provides that a debt collector who uses the model validation notice complies with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1), including if the debt collector: Omits any or all of the optional disclosures shown on the model notice (see § 1006.34(d)(2)(i)(A)); or adds any or all of the optional disclosures described in § 1006.34(d)(3) that are not shown on the model notice (see § 1006.34(d)(2)(i)(B)), provided that any such optional disclosures are no more prominent than any of the required validation information.324 323 Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3) specified that a debt collector who used the model validation notice could include any of the optional disclosures along with the validation information without losing the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor for compliance. 324 The model validation notice includes the following optional disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3), each of which is described in more detail in the section-by-section analysis below: (1) Debt collector telephone contact information (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(i)); (2) reference code (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(ii)); (3) payment disclosures (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)); (4) a statement referring to disclosures made under applicable law on the reverse of the validation notice (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A)); (5) debt collector’s website (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A)); (6) statement explaining how a consumer can dispute the debt or request original-creditor information electronically (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(v)(B)); (7) Spanish-language translation disclosures (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)); (8) merchant brand information (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii)); and (9) for debt not related to a consumer financial product or service, the information specified in § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) or E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 The requirement that any § 1006.34(d)(3) optional disclosures that are added to the model validation notice be no more prominent than any of the validation information is designed to ensure that any such optional disclosures do not overload consumers with information or distract them from the required validation information. A debt collector who chooses to include one or more of the § 1006.34(d)(3) optional disclosures that do not appear on the model validation notice, but who violates the no-more-prominent requirement, loses the safe harbor under § 1006.34(d)(2) and may violate § 1006.34 depending on the facts and circumstances. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(1), a consumer advocate commenter asked the Bureau to clarify what version of the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure should appear on the validation notice: The longer, initial disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(1) or the shorter, subsequent disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(2). The model validation notice includes the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1). The Bureau is adopting new comment 34(d)(2)(i)–1 to clarify that a debt collector who uses the model notice to provide a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B)—i.e., a debt collector who provides the validation notice within five days of the initial communication—may replace the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1) with the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(2) without losing the safe harbor provided by use of the model notice. Comment 34(d)(2)(i)–1 also refers to comment 34(c)(1)–1 for further guidance related to providing the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e) on a validation notice. The Bureau declines to extend the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor to cover compliance with FDCPA section 807’s prohibition on false or misleading statements. A debt collector who uses the model validation notice is still capable of making false or misleading statements to consumers in the notice. For example, a debt collector using the (c)(3)(iv) (i.e., name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date and Bureau’s debt collection website, respectively) (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(viii)). The model validation notice does not include the following optional disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3): (1) Time-barred debt disclosures made under applicable law on the front of the validation notice (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B)); (2) debt collector email address (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A)); and (3) affinity brand or facility name information (but, as noted above, merchant brand information is shown on the model notice in the same location) (see § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 model validation notice could include false or misleading information about the debt, such as an inflated current amount of the debt. However, the Bureau agrees that debt collectors who use the model validation notice should have a safe harbor for compliance with FDCPA section 809(b)’s overshadowing prohibition. The Bureau provides a safe harbor to that effect in § 1006.38(b). The sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.38(b) discusses this change in further detail. 34(d)(2)(ii) Certain Disclosures on a Separate Page To conform with modifications in other sections of the Rule that permit debt collectors to make certain itemization-related disclosures on separate pages, the Bureau is finalizing new § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii). As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), when disclosing the itemization of the current amount of the debt, a debt collector has the option of disclosing that itemization on a separate page. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(5), the final rule establishes a special rule for certain residential mortgage debt that permits a debt collector, subject to certain conditions, to provide a periodic statement under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, instead of the itemization-related validation information required by § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii). Section 1006.34(d)(2)(ii) establishes how these provisions interact with the safe harbor provided by use of the model notice. Specifically, § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii) establishes that a debt collector who uses the model validation notice and makes certain disclosures on a separate page pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) or (5) may still receive a safe harbor for use of the model notice except with respect to the disclosures that appear on the separate page. 34(d)(2)(iii) Substantially Similar Form As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(1), the Bureau has determined that debt collectors should receive a safe harbor for the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1) if they use a form that is substantially similar to the model validation notice. The Bureau determines that, so long as a form is substantially similar to the model notice, the validation information disclosures will remain effective; the Bureau therefore is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(2) to provide this flexibility for debt collectors. PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5821 For this reason, final § 1006.34(d)(2)(iii) provides that a debt collector who uses the model validation notice as described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) or (ii) may make changes to the form and retain a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1), provided that the form remains substantially similar to the model notice. (As discussed elsewhere in this Notice, a debt collector may comply with the requirements in § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1) without using the model validation notice.) Final comment 34(d)(2)(iii)–1 provides details regarding the meaning of substantially similar, as requested by commenters, including examples of permissible changes. The Bureau believes that these are differences that may be useful to debt collectors and consumers and will not increase the risk of consumer harm. One permissible change relates to deceased consumers. Comment 34(d)(2)(iii)–1 incorporates proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1, which discussed changes that debt collectors could make if the consumer were deceased. The Bureau proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1 to explain that a debt collector may make certain changes to the content, format, and placement of the validation information described in § 1006.34(c) as long as the resulting disclosures are substantially similar to the model notice. Proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1 also provided an example of a change that debt collectors may make to the model validation notice if the consumer is deceased. The Bureau explained that, although the model validation notice will contain the name of the deceased consumer, some persons who are authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate may be misled by the use of second person pronouns such as ‘‘you’’ in the validation notice. For example, the proposed model validation notice stated that ‘‘you owe’’ the debt collector. While nothing in the proposal would have prohibited a debt collector from including a cover letter to explain the nature of the validation notice, proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1 also clarified that a debt collector could modify inapplicable language in the validation notice that could suggest that the recipient of the notice was liable for the debt. For example, if a debt collector sent a validation notice to a person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate, and if that person was not liable for the debt, the debt collector could use the deceased consumer’s name instead of ‘‘you.’’ E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5822 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations The Bureau received a few comments on proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1. One trade group commenter recommended that the Bureau allow debt collectors to replace second-person pronouns with references to the estate, such as ‘‘the estate’s bill.’’ A group of consumer advocates stated that, although the comment’s example would be appropriate in certain circumstances, the Bureau should provide an entirely separate model validation notice for decedent debt because, these commenters believed, debt collectors would be unlikely to diverge from the model notice. Two trade group commenters also asked the Bureau to create a second model validation notice for decedent debt. The Bureau is incorporating proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)–1 into comment 34(d)(2)(iii)–1, which clarifies that a debt collector may make changes to the model validation notice and retain the safe harbor provided by use of the model notice. Because the example regarding decedent debt is illustrative, nothing in comment 34(d)(2)(iii)–1 prohibits a debt collector from making other substantially similar modifications, such as referring to the estate rather than ‘‘you,’’ while still retaining the safe harbor. As explained elsewhere in this section-by-section analysis, the Bureau declines to create separate model forms for certain types of debt. The Bureau has modified the model-form-safe-harbor framework under § 1006.34(d)(2) to afford debt collectors more flexibility to customize validation information to accommodate their business practices and the types of debts they collect. Within identified limits, debt collectors may make changes to the model validation notice and still meet the standard for a safe harbor under § 1006.34(d)(2). Comment 34(d)(2)(iii)–1 also includes four new examples of other permissible changes: Relocating the consumerresponse information required by § 1006.34(c)(4) to facilitate mailing; adding barcodes or QR codes, as long as the inclusion of such items does not violate § 1006.38(b); adding the date the form is generated; and embedding hyperlinks, if delivering the form electronically, which was proposed in comment 34(d)(2)–1. The Bureau clarifies that, if a debt collector includes disclosures other than (1) the required validation information, (2) any optional disclosures described in § 1006.34(d)(3), or (3) any disclosures that, if included, still leave the form substantially similar in substance, clarity, and meaningful sequence to the model notice, then the safe harbor does not apply with respect to the entirety of VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 the validation notice. Except as described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii), the Bureau has determined not to apply the safe harbor on a partial (i.e., disclosureby-disclosure) basis because it is not clear how disclosures other than those referenced above would interact with the validation information.325 Final comment 34(d)(2)–1 clarifies that a debt collector who provides a validation notice that is neither a notice described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) or (ii), nor a substantially similar notice as described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(iii), does not receive a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1). The Bureau notes that a debt collector who adds disclosures to the model validation notice that are not referenced above nevertheless may be able to comply with the requirements in § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1), § 1006.38(b)(1), and other requirements of the FDCPA and this final rule. Model Validation Notice While the majority of industry commenters who commented on the topic supported the idea of a model form, some criticized the design of the proposed model validation notice. At least two industry commenters stated that the proposed model notice contained too much content and would overwhelm consumers. One commenter criticized the proposed model notice for departing from the prevailing industry design for validation notices. A number of identical or nearly identical comments suggested that consumers would confuse the proposed model notice for a government document, such as an IRS notice, but did not explain what in particular about the model notice they believed would cause such consumer confusion. The Bureau’s findings do not support the conclusions that the model notice contains too much content or will overwhelm consumers. The model validation notice was developed and validated over multiple rounds of consumer testing that support its efficacy and comprehensibility. The fact that the model validation notice departs from prevailing industry design is intended. As the proposal noted, many validation notices used today are confusing and lack sufficient 325 As described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii), a debt collector who includes certain itemization-related disclosures on a separate page in the same communication with the validation notice, and who includes on the front of the notice the required statement referring to those disclosures, receives a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1) except with respect to the disclosures that appear on the separate page. PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 information to help consumers recognize their debts or exercise their FDCPA verification rights.326 With the model validation notice, the Bureau has developed an improved validation notice that benefits both consumers and debt collectors. In quantitative testing, the model validation notice consistently performed better than or equal to a ‘‘status quo’’ notice designed to resemble validation notices that some debt collectors use today.327 The Bureau also disagrees that the model validation notice resembles a government document; the form clearly discloses that it is from a debt collector, not the government. A number of consumer advocate and academic commenters asserted that the proposed model notice was not adequately tested. Some of these commenters stated that the Bureau’s testing included too few participants to generate valid conclusions about the proposed model notice’s efficacy or to evaluate the comprehension of consumers, particularly of the least sophisticated consumers. For instance, a consumer advocate commenter expressed concern that only 60 consumers were included in the cognitive and usability testing rounds.328 Likewise, an academic commenter stated that the Bureau’s consumer testing focused too heavily on observing what testing participants looked at on the model notice (based on the use of eye tracking techniques) at the expense of testing participants’ comprehension of the notice. Another commenter stated that the Bureau should have tested more diverse groups, including consumers with limited English proficiency, students, older consumers, and consumers from more diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Some consumer advocate and academic commenters recommended that the Bureau field test the proposed model notice with consumers with real debts. A consumer advocate expressed concern about the performance of certain aspects of the proposed model notice in quantitative testing, noting in particular that approximately 40 percent of respondents who received the model notice failed to identify the correct entity the consumer should pay.329 326 See 84 FR 23274, 23338 (May 21, 2019). Quantitative Testing Report, supra note 31, at 13–16. 328 See FMG Summary Report, supra note 29, at 5–7. 329 Several comments in response to the May 2019 proposal also criticized the consumer testing as being outdated because, when that proposal was published, the most recent testing had occurred in 2016. However, the Bureau does not find any reason to believe that consumer understanding of the 327 CFPB E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 The Bureau disagrees that the model notice was not adequately tested. The model validation notice was developed and validated over multiple rounds of testing between 2014 and 2020, and the Bureau determines that these multiple rounds of testing were sufficient to assess the model validation notice’s efficacy and comprehensibility. Further, the Bureau disagrees that its testing focused on eye-tracking at the expense of comprehension testing as consumer comprehension of the model validation notice was assessed in three rounds of testing. The Bureau’s testing used eyetracking in conjunction with consumer responses to inform its conclusions. The Bureau disagrees that it did not sample sufficiently diverse groups. The Bureau selected respondents with the goal of developing diverse testing pools that would serve as a proxy for the population at large. For example, in one round of usability testing, participants reflected a range of demographic characteristics broken down by race and ethnicity, household income, education level, and employment status.330 With respect to criticism that the Bureau did not ‘‘field test’’ the model validation notice, testing the form with consumers with real debts would have been impractical. Regarding comments that the model validation notice did not perform well during the quantitative testing round, the Bureau disagrees. As noted above, in that testing round, the model validation notice consistently performed better than or equal to the status quo notice, including on the question of to whom the consumer should send a payment.331 Commenters provided feedback on specific aspects of the proposed validation notice, including the notice’s disclosure of the FDCPA section 809(a)(4) dispute right. As discussed, § 1006.34(c)(3)(i), which implements FDCPA section 809(a)(4), requires debt collectors to: (1) Disclose the date the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period; and (2) state that, if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing on or before that date that the debt, or any portion of the model notice has changed since 2016, and the commenters did not provide any evidence to support such a claim. Moreover, since the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau has conducted two additional testing rounds. 330 FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 85– 87. 331 In response to the question ‘‘According to the notice, if Person A wanted to make a payment on the debt, who should he or she sent the payment to?’’ approximately 60 percent of consumers who received the model validation notice answered correctly compared to approximately 40 percent of consumers who received a status quo notice. CFPB Quantitative Testing Report, supra note 31, at 14. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 debt, is disputed, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt, or the disputed portion of the debt, until the debt collector sends the consumer either verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment. The proposed model notice showed this disclosure as: ‘‘Call or write to us by November 12, 2019, to dispute all or part of the debt . . . . If you write to us by November 12, 2019, we must stop collection on any amount you dispute until we send you information that shows you owe the debt.’’ Some commenters criticized the phrase ‘‘shows you owe the debt.’’ Industry and industry trade group commenters stated that ‘‘shows you owe the debt’’ would require debt collectors to prove that consumers owe the debt. According to these commenters, this would modify the verification standard established by FDCPA section 809 and expose debt collectors to increased litigation risk.332 Thus, these commenters recommended that the Bureau revise the proposed model notice to mirror the FDCPA’s statutory text.333 In contrast, a group of academic commenters stated that the verification standard established by case law is more robust than the phrase ‘‘shows you owe the debt’’ suggests.334 These commenters expressed concerns that the proposed model notice would diminish the FDCPA’s verification standard. The Bureau is not changing the final model validation notice’s disclosure of the FDCPA section 809(a)(4) dispute right. The Bureau does not intend to modify FDCPA section 809’s verification standard and disagrees that the phrase ‘‘shows you owe the debt’’ has that effect. ‘‘Shows you owe the 332 An industry commenter stated that courts define verification narrowly and have not imposed a duty upon debt collectors to establish that a debt is owed. See Walton v. EOS CCA, 885 F.3d 1024, 1027–28 (7th Cir. 2018) (‘‘The verification assures the consumer that the creditor actually made the demand the debt collector said it did and equips the consumer to evaluate the validity of the creditor’s claim. It would be both burdensome and significantly beyond the Act’s purpose to interpret § 1692g as requiring a debt collector to undertake an investigation into whether the creditor is actually entitled to the money it seeks.’’); Haddad v. Alexander, Zelmanski, Danner & Fioritto, 758 F.3d 777 (6th Cir. 2014); Dunham v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., 663 F.3d 997, 1003 (8th Cir. 2001) (citing Chaudhry v. Gallerizzo, 174 F.3d 394 (4th Cir. 1999)). 333 For instance, one commenter recommended that the model notice should state ‘‘verifies the amount of the debt claimed’’ instead of ‘‘shows you owe the debt.’’ 334 In Haddad, the court wrote that a verifying debt collector ‘‘should provide the date and nature of the transaction that led to the debt, such as a purchase on a particular date, a missed rental payment for a specific month, a fee for a particular service provided at a specified time, or a fine for a particular offense assessed on a certain date.’’ 758 F.3d at 786. PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5823 debt’’ is a plain-language phrase that the Bureau is adopting to improve consumer understanding. This rulemaking does not interpret what constitutes verification under FDCPA section 809. The Bureau received comments on the model notice’s description of the dispute rights under FDCPA section 809(a)(3) and (4). Under FDCPA section 809(a)(3), disputes can be made orally or in writing, which the proposed model notice showed in part as: ‘‘Call or write to us by November 12, 2019, to dispute all or part of the debt.’’ However, under FDCPA section 809(a)(4) and (b), requests for verification must be made in writing to have effect under the statute.335 An academic commenter and at least two consumer advocates expressed concern that the proposed model notice’s description of these dispute rights was too nuanced, and consumers would not understand that they must write to request verification. To address this concern, a commenter recommended that the Bureau revise the model notice to state, ‘‘Call us to dispute. But if you do call, we may not be required to send information that shows you owe the debt.’’ 336 An industry trade group expressed uncertainty about why the proposed model notice used the phrase ‘‘call or write’’ as opposed to ‘‘write’’ in different sentences. The Bureau acknowledges that the dispute rights under FDCPA section 809(a)(3) and (4) may not be intuitive to some consumers. Nevertheless, the Bureau settled on the current phrasing in the model validation notice to emphasize the validation period end date as opposed to the actions—i.e., calling or writing—that a consumer may take. In general, the model validation notice has tested well. The Bureau is concerned that revising or adding content to clarify the consequences of writing versus calling may undermine the overall efficacy of the form. Further, this clarification would be unnecessary in many cases. The Bureau expects that many consumers will visit the Bureau’s website for more detailed information 335 While FDCPA section 809 requires a debt collector to honor only written verification requests, the Bureau understands that some debt collectors honor both written and non-written verification requests. Nothing in the FDCPA, the November 2020 Final Rule, or this rule prevents such debt collectors from continuing to do so. 336 This recommendation is based on phrasing that the Bureau adopted for usability testing. As noted in the usability testing report, consumers who reviewed validation notices using this phrasing ‘‘exhibited less confusion’’ about the distinction between how a debt collector would be required to respond when receiving a dispute in writing or by telephone. See FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 55–56. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5824 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 regarding consumer protections in debt collection.337 However, to provide further clarity, the Bureau has reformatted how these dispute rights appear on the model validation notice. Specifically, the dispute rights now appear in separate bullets with bolded text for comprehension purposes. Commenters provided feedback on the proposed model validation notice’s original-creditor-information request disclosure pursuant to FDCPA section 809(a)(5). Section 1006.34(c)(3)(ii), which implements this provision, requires debt collectors to disclose the date the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, if the consumer requests in writing on or before that date the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the consumer the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. The proposed model notice showed this disclosure as: ‘‘Write to ask for the name and address of the original creditor. If you write by November 12, 2019, we will stop collection until we send you that information.’’ An industry commenter stated that, by omitting the phrase ‘‘if different from the current creditor,’’ the proposed model notice would compel debt collectors to respond to original-creditor-information requests, even if the current creditor is the original creditor. A consumer advocate supported the omission, arguing that debt collectors should be required to respond to all originalcreditor-information requests, even if the current creditor and the original creditor are the same. The Bureau concludes that the model validation notice should include the statutory phrase ‘‘if different from the current creditor’’ when disclosing the original-creditor-information request right. Thus, as finalized, the model validation notice includes the phrase ‘‘if different from the current creditor.’’ Further, as discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing new § 1006.38(c)(2), which sets forth an alternative procedure that a debt collector may use to respond to a consumer’s request for originalcreditor information when the original creditor is the same as the current creditor. 337 If the debt collector is collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.34.2(f), a statement that informs the consumer that additional information regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau’s website is required under § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv). If the debt collector is collecting debt other than debt related to a consumer financial product or service, such a statement is optional under § 1006.34(d)(3)(viii). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 Commenters recommended two other modifications to the proposed model notice. To emphasize the distinction between the debt collector and the creditor, an industry trade group commenter suggested that the Bureau revise the proposed model notice to emphasize that ‘‘North South Group is a debt collector, not a creditor.’’ Another industry trade group stated that the model notice should incorporate account information into the miniMiranda disclosure, which would frontload information that would help consumers recognize alleged debts and thereby reduce the number of disputes debt collectors receive. An industry trade group commenter stated that the proposed model notice is not properly formatted for standard mailing envelopes. According to the commenter, § 1006.34(c)(4)’s consumer-response information section will not fit a standard glassine window return envelope. The Bureau declines other recommendations to modify the model validation notice. The Bureau declines to specify that North South Group is ‘‘not a creditor,’’ as consumer testing indicates that consumers generally have a functional understanding that North South Group is a debt collector.338 The Bureau declines to modify the debt collection disclosure required by FDCPA section 807(11) and § 1006.18(e) as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule. The Bureau concludes that combining this statutory disclosure with account information would undermine its clarity and purpose. The Bureau declines to modify the model notice in response to feedback that the form is not properly formatted for standard mailing envelopes. Comment 34(d)(2)(iii)–1 clarifies that debt collectors may relocate the consumer-response information required by § 1006.34(c)(4) to facilitate mailing without losing the safe harbor provided by § 1006.34(d)(2). Thus, the Bureau determines that debt collectors will be able to format the form for mailing. Various commenters requested that the Bureau publish additional model validation notices to address specific scenarios. Several consumer advocate commenters urged the Bureau to translate the model notice into other languages, including Spanish. An industry trade group commenter recommended that the Bureau develop a model notice that debt collectors could use with consumers who are not obligated on the debt, such as heirs, successors in interest, and consumers whose debts were discharged in bankruptcy. An industry commenter recommended that the Bureau create a model notice that omits all optional disclosures. The Bureau declines to create additional model validation notice forms. As discussed earlier in this section-by-section analysis, the Bureau has modified the model-form-safeharbor framework under § 1006.34(d)(2) to afford debt collectors more flexibility to customize validation information to accommodate their business practices and the types of debts they collect. Within identified limits, debt collectors may make changes to the model validation notice and still meet the standard for a safe harbor under § 1006.34(d)(2). The Bureau is making an additional change to the model validation notice in response to testing. The statement required by § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) informs the consumer that additional information regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau’s website. The Bureau’s most recent consumer testing indicated that a small number of participants who used the model validation notice were uncertain about where to find more information about consumers’ protections in debt collection.339 In response to this finding, the Bureau is modifying how the statement required by § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) appears on the model validation notice to further emphasize this disclosure and the Bureau’s website address. 338 During November 2020 usability testing, 98 percent of participants correctly identified North South Group as the correct party to send payments to. Further, participants generally understood that they could dispute the debt with North South Group. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 15. 339 During the most recent round of qualitative testing, a few participants stated that they were unsure how to learn more about debt collection in general. For example, one participant was unable to find the statement required by § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) on the model notice. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 13. PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 34(d)(3) Optional Disclosures Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3) provided that a debt collector could include the optional information described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(i) through (vi) when providing the validation information. The Bureau received no comments specifically addressing the language in proposed § 1006.34(d)(3). Commenters did suggest a variety of optional disclosures to add to § 1006.34(d)(3), such as barcodes or QR codes, the date a validation notice was created and sent, disclosures required by government creditors, and a disclosure notifying the consumer if the debt collector will E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations record telephone calls. Some of these suggested disclosures are permissible changes to the model notice under § 1006.34(d)(2)(iii) 340 or optional disclosures under § 1006.34(d)(3), and debt collectors can choose to make other suggested disclosures without safe harbor protection. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3) largely as proposed but with minor technical revisions for clarity and with one substantive revision to clarify that a debt collector who includes any of the optional disclosures receives the safe harbor described in § 1006.34(d)(2), provided that the debt collector otherwise uses the model validation notice or a variation of the model notice as described in § 1006.34(d)(2). This revision harmonizes § 1006.34(d)(3) with certain revisions to § 1006.34(d)(2) in the final rule.341 The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3) and the related provisions of § 1006.34(d)(2), including each of the optional disclosures that § 1006.34(d)(3) permits debt collectors to provide, to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and (b) and pursuant to its FDCPA section 814(d) authority to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau also is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3) and the optional disclosures pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of consumer financial products and services are disclosed fully, accurately, and effectively. 34(d)(3)(i) Telephone Contact Information khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(i) provided that a debt collector could include, along with the validation information, the debt collector’s telephone contact information, including telephone number and the times that the debt collector accepts consumer telephone calls. Two industry trade group commenters supported permitting debt collectors to disclose telephone contact information, with one such commenter noting that it would facilitate communication with consumers, and the other noting that some State laws require debt collectors to disclose telephone contact 340 See comment 34(d)(2)(iii)–1 (examples of permissible changes to the model notice include (1) adding barcodes or QR codes as long as their inclusion does not violate § 1006.38(b), and (2) adding the date the form is generated). 341 See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2)(i), particularly the discussion of new § 1006.34(d)(2)(i)(A) and (B), which refers to the optional disclosures. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 information. A group of consumer advocate commenters recommended that the Bureau make telephone contact information a mandatory disclosure. The Bureau determines that debt collectors should be permitted to include their telephone contact information along with the validation information. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(i) will accommodate debt collectors who choose to communicate with consumers by telephone or who are required to disclose telephone contact information by applicable State law. The Bureau declines to make telephone contact information a mandatory disclosure because, while many debt collectors likely will provide telephone contact information, either by choice or because of a State-law requirement, some debt collectors may not need or want to do so. In such cases, consumers can use other contact information required in the validation information to contact the debt collector. For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(i) largely as proposed, except that the Bureau is finalizing the clarification that telephone contact information may include, for example, a telephone number as well as the times that the debt collector accepts consumer telephone calls, as new comment 34(d)(3)(i)–1, rather than in the regulation text as proposed. 34(d)(3)(ii) Reference Code Many debt collectors include reference codes on validation notices for administrative purposes. The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(ii) to accommodate this practice by permitting a debt collector to include, along with the validation information, a number or code that the debt collector uses to identify the debt or the consumer. One industry commenter asked the Bureau to create a safe harbor for debt collectors to use an account number as a reference code, if that number is labeled as a reference code. The Bureau determines that creating such a safe harbor is unnecessary because debt collectors may use any number they choose as a reference code.342 The Bureau therefore is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(ii) as proposed. 34(d)(3)(iii) Payment Disclosures The Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii) to allow debt collectors to include certain payment 342 Although § 1006.34(d)(3)(ii) permits debt collectors to use any number they choose as a reference code, debt collectors may be prohibited from using certain numbers by other applicable laws, such as privacy or data security rules or regulations. PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5825 disclosures along with the validation information, provided that such disclosures were no more prominent than any of the validation information. Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) provided that a debt collector could include in the validation notice the statement ‘‘Contact us about your payment options,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase. Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) provided that a debt collector could include in the consumer-response information section described in proposed § 1006.34(c)(4) the statement, ‘‘I enclosed this amount,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, payment instructions after that statement, and a prompt for a consumer to write in a payment amount. As discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii) largely as proposed, but with certain revisions for clarity and consistency with other provisions in the final rule. Industry and industry trade group commenters supported permitting debt collectors to include optional payment disclosures. One industry trade group stated that the proposed optional payment disclosures were appropriate because they would not violate FDCPA section 809(b)’s overshadowing prohibition. Consumer advocate commenters generally objected to proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii). A number of these commenters stated that consumers may perceive the payment disclosures as threatening, may misconstrue the disclosures as stating that consumers must make a payment to exercise their FDCPA dispute right, or may be confused about whether a payment is in their interest. Some commenters stated that the proposed disclosures could lead consumers to make payments that they might not otherwise have made, which some commenters noted could cause consumers to inadvertently revive previously time-barred debts. These commenters asked the Bureau not to finalize proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii). Some commenters suggested revisions to the proposed optional payment disclosures. Industry and industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau make the proposed optional payment disclosures more prominent. For example, some commenters suggested that the proposed optional payment disclosures be placed at the top of the consumer-response information section. An industry commenter recommended that the model validation notice include additional optional payment disclosures. Industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau permit debt collectors to include E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5826 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations instructions about how a consumer could make a payment by telephone, website, or alternative payment methods, such as debit card or ACH. Based on the concerns noted above about potential consumer misunderstanding of the payment disclosures, a group of consumer advocate commenters urged the Bureau to amend the validation notice to segregate the payment disclosures from the other disclosures and to eliminate the payment prompt on the consumer response form. For the reasons discussed in the proposal, the Bureau determines that the proposed optional payment disclosures facilitate payments that may benefit both consumers and debt collectors. For consumers who recognize and choose to repay all or part of a debt, payment disclosures may make the transaction more efficient and convenient. In addition, for consumers who determine that they owe a debt but may not be ready to repay all of it at that time, payment disclosures may facilitate a discussion that can lead to repayment, settlement, or a payment plan.343 The Bureau also has determined that the optional payment disclosures do not overshadow, and are not inconsistent with, consumers’ verification rights pursuant to FDCPA section 809(b).344 Further, the Bureau’s testing found that the model validation notice, which was tested with the optional payment disclosures, was not threatening or intimidating.345 The Bureau disagrees that consumers will believe mistakenly that they must make a payment to exercise their verification rights. As the proposal noted, consumer testing indicates that consumers who encounter a payment disclosure on a validation notice understand that a payment is not required to dispute a debt.346 The Bureau determines that inclusion of the neutral, non-threatening optional payment disclosures will not confuse 343 See 84 FR 23274, 23350 (May 21, 2019). example, during consumer testing, participants reported a variety of actions they thought they could take, and approximately 50 percent of respondents said they would confirm the debt is accurate before responding. Similarly, participants who received the model validation notice, which included the optional payment disclosures, generally understood from the notice how they could dispute the debt. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 11, 15. 345 Participants with prior debt collection experience observed that the model notice was ‘‘different’’ than other validation notices they had received because the notice did not include threatening or intimidating language. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 10. 346 FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 59– 61. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 344 For VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 consumers about whether making a payment is in their best interest. For the same reasons, the Bureau declines the suggestion to segregate the payment disclosures from the other disclosures and to eliminate the payment prompt on the consumer response form. The Bureau declines recommendations to permit debt collectors to emphasize or highlight the payment option disclosures. Making the payment disclosures more prominent, as some industry commenters suggested, would reduce the efficacy of the model validation notice and risk overshadowing the validation information in violation of FDCPA section 809(b). The Bureau also determines that the optional payment disclosures in § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) are sufficient to facilitate payments 347 and that additional prominence for the payment disclosures is not justified. The Bureau also declines to permit debt collectors to include specific instructions about other payment methods. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) permits debt collectors to invite consumers to contact them about payment options, and debt collectors have the ability to provide information about alternative payment methods in subsequent communications. For these reasons, this Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii) largely as proposed but with several revisions for clarity and for consistency with other provisions in the final rule. First, the Bureau is deleting the sentences that specified that the optional payment disclosures in both § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) must be no more prominent than any of the validation information. These deleted sentences are unnecessary in view of revisions to the final rule in § 1006.34(d)(2) that apply to all of the optional disclosures, which makes the deleted sentences redundant.348 In addition, the Bureau is adding language 347 During usability testing, participants expressed an understanding that one purpose of the model validation notice was to solicit payment on a debt. When asked about their payment options based on the model validation notice, approximately 80 percent of participants stated that they would contact the debt collector by telephone, website, email, or write to explore payment options. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 10,12. 348 Final § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) states that certain optional disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3) are contained on the model notice; those optional disclosures satisfy the requirement to be no more prominent than any validation information. Final § 1006.34(d)(2)(i)(B) also permits inclusion of the optional disclosures described by § 1006.34(d)(3) that are not included on the model notice so long as they are no more prominent than any validation information; see the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) for more detail. PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 to clarify that a debt collector may choose to include either of the optional payment disclosures, or both of them. Lastly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) to clarify that the optional payment disclosure must appear ‘‘below’’ (rather than merely ‘‘with’’) the consumer-response information required by § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) and (ii). Accordingly, final § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii) provides that debt collectors may include either or both of the following payment disclosures: (1) The statement, ‘‘Contact us about your payment options,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase; and (2) below the consumer-response information required by § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) and (ii), the statement, ‘‘I enclosed this amount,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, payment instructions after that statement, and a prompt. 34(d)(3)(iv) Disclosures Under Applicable Law Some States require specific disclosures to appear on validation notices. To enable debt collectors to comply with both § 1006.34(a)(1) and disclosure requirements under other applicable law, the Bureau proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) to permit a debt collector to include, on the front of the validation notice, a statement that other disclosures required by applicable law appear on the reverse of the form and, on the reverse of the validation notice, any such legally required disclosures. Proposed comment 34(d)(3)(iv)–1 provided examples of disclosure requirements that proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) would cover, including disclosures required by State statutes or regulations and disclosures required by judicial opinions or orders. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) with revisions, including the addition of new regulatory text subsections and commentary. A number of industry and industry trade group commenters stated that the Bureau’s proposal regarding disclosures required by other applicable law would either conflict with or not accommodate such disclosures. Commenters stated that some States require disclosures to appear on the front of a validation notice.349 To address such concerns, 349 Although these commenters cited various State laws requiring disclosures, they primarily referred to State laws requiring time-barred debt disclosures and revival disclosures. For example, one industry trade group commenter noted that Massachusetts, New Mexico, and New York State and City require disclosures about time-barred debt and revival that specifically or practically must appear on the front page of the validation notice. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 commenters recommended that the Bureau allow debt collectors to include required State law disclosures on the front of the validation notice. One commenter, an industry trade group, urged the Bureau to allow for formatting flexibility for such State law disclosures while still affording safe harbor protection. At least one commenter suggested that the Bureau preempt State laws that require disclosures on the front of a validation notice. The Bureau determines that, particularly with the changes to the model validation notice discussed in the section-by-section analysis, final § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) generally will accommodate disclosures required by other applicable law.350 As noted above, a few States require time-barred debt disclosures to appear on the front of a validation notice; time-barred debt disclosures are discussed further below. The Bureau is not aware that States specifically require any other disclosures to appear on the front of the validation notice; as such, the Bureau concludes that disclosures specifically required by applicable law, other than in those few instances relating to timebarred debt, can be accommodated on the reverse of the validation notice. The Bureau also is not aware of font size, prominence, or placement requirements established by State or other applicable law that final § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) will not accommodate, as discussed further below. Further, the statement that § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) permits on the front of a validation notice is consistent with State laws that require statements on the front of the notice.351 The Bureau will 350 As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), the final rule permits a debt collector who uses the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form to receive a safe harbor. Moreover, as discussed below in this section-bysection analysis of § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv), the Bureau is modifying how the statement required by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) is disclosed on the model validation notice to mirror language on a disclosure required under Wisconsin law. 351 See, e.g., Colo. Rev. Stat. sec. 12–14–105(3)(c) (‘‘In its initial written communication to a consumer, a collection agency shall include the following statement: ‘For information about the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, see www.ago.state.co.us/cadc/cadcmain.cfm.’ If the notification is placed on the back of the written communication, there shall be a statement on the front notifying the consumer of such fact.’’); Wis. Admin. Code DFI-Bkg sec. 74.13 (‘‘Unless the initial communication is written and contains the following notice or the debtor has paid the debt, a licensee shall send the debtor the following notice within 5 days after the initial communication with a debtor: ‘This collection agency is licensed by the Division of Banking in the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, www.wdfi.org.’ . . . here the notice required by sub. (1) is printed on the reverse side of any collection notice or validation sent by the licensee, the front of such notice shall bear the following statement in not less than 8 point VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 continue to monitor whether disclosures required by other applicable law are inconsistent or conflict with § 1006.34 or Regulation F generally, and if such an inconsistency or conflict is identified, the Bureau will endeavor to take action to address it. The Bureau also reiterates that, unlike the proposal, the final rule does not require the validation notice to be substantially similar to the model validation notice; thus, if § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) does not accommodate a disclosure required under State or other applicable law, then debt collectors can provide such a disclosure without necessarily violating the rule, but they would lose the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor. The Bureau has revised § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) in response to feedback and for clarity. Final § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) provides that the debt collector may include, on the reverse of the validation notice, any disclosures that are specifically required by, or that provide safe harbors under, applicable law and, if any such disclosures are included, a statement on the front of the validation notice referring to those disclosures. Final comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–1 clarifies that disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) include, for example, specific disclosures required by Federal, State, or municipal statutes or regulations, and specific disclosures required by judicial or administrative decisions or orders, including administrative consent orders. The comment also describes how such disclosures could include, for example, time-barred debt disclosures and disclosures that the current amount of the debt may increase or vary due to interest, fees, or other charges, provided that such disclosures are specifically required by applicable law. The Bureau has revised § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) and its accompanying commentary from the proposal to clarify the disclosures that are permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv). Specifically, the revisions clarify that the provision applies if a debt collector must comply with a specific disclosure requirement under Federal, State, or local law, or under a judicial or administrative decision or order. As such, the Bureau emphasizes that this provision is not intended to capture circumstances in which a debt collector is not providing a disclosure that is required under a specific law, decision, or order, but rather the debt collector is providing a disclosure to try to comply with a more general legal requirement. type: ‘‘Notice: See Reverse Side for Important Information.’’). PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5827 For example, if the debt collector were to add language to the validation notice to try to avoid a finding of an unfair, deceptive, or abusive practice under Dodd-Frank Act section 1031 or the FDCPA, that is not an optional disclosure covered by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv). Debt collectors are not precluded from making such disclosures, but they will not receive the safe harbor under § 1006.34(d)(2). The Bureau has made modifications to the final rule, moreover, to provide additional flexibility with respect to time-barred debt disclosures, in response to feedback to the proposal. Under new § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B),352 if a debt collector is collecting time-barred debt, the debt collector may include on the front of the validation notice any time-barred debt disclosure that is specifically required by, or that provides a safe harbor under, applicable law, provided that applicable law specifies the content of the disclosure.353 New comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(B)–1 clarifies that, for example, if applicable State law requires a debt collector who is collecting time-barred debt to disclose to the consumer that the law limits how long a consumer can be sued on a debt and that the debt collector cannot or will not sue the consumer to collect it, the debt collector may include that disclosure on the front of the validation notice. New comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(B)–1 also includes a cross-reference to the definition of time-barred debt under § 1006.26(a)(2) and clarifies that, for purposes of § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B), timebarred debt disclosures may include disclosures about revival of debt collectors’ right to bring a legal action to enforce the debt. The Bureau concludes that providing additional flexibility to debt collectors to make these optional disclosures either on the front or reverse of the validation notice is warranted in view of circumstances in which it may be difficult to discern under applicable State or local law whether time-barred debt disclosures must appear on the front of a validation notice. Moreover, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B) in view of the 352 To permit this additional flexibility for timebarred debt disclosures as distinguished from other disclosures made under applicable law, the final rule has re-numbered proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv), which would have specified that the applicable law disclosures are placed on the reverse side of the validation notice only, as § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A). 353 As with other disclosures required by or providing safe harbors under applicable law, debt collectors can also make the time-barred debt disclosures on the reverse of the validation notice pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A). See comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–1, which gives an example of a timebarred debt disclosure as a disclosure permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5828 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations Bureau’s decision not to finalize a requirement for debt collectors to provide disclosures relating to timebarred debt or revival laws, described in more detail in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.26. The Bureau received feedback about modifying the scope of proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv). An industry trade group commenter stated that the Bureau should limit § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) to State laws and exclude disclosures required by judicial decisions or orders. According to the commenter, courts should not be permitted to dictate nonstandard disclosures that would limit the efficacy of the model validation notice and result in validation notices that vary by jurisdiction. This commenter asserted that permitting courts to vary the model validation notice would be inconsistent with the framework in other consumer financial laws and regulations, such as TILA and Regulation Z, which do not permit courts to add disclosures to model forms. A group of consumer advocate commenters asked the Bureau to prohibit debt collectors from including disclosures that are permitted, but not required, by applicable law, because including all possible disclosures would overwhelm consumers. On the other hand, an industry trade group commenter asked the Bureau to allow debt collectors to include such disclosures. The Bureau determines that § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) should cover disclosures required pursuant to judicial or administrative decisions or orders, including administrative consent orders. Permitting disclosures required by judicial or administrative decisions or orders to appear, like any State-lawrequired disclosures, on the reverse of a validation notice will neither undermine the efficacy of the model validation notice nor create validation notices that significantly vary by jurisdiction, other than on the reverse of the notice. Further, the Bureau concludes that permitting judicially mandated disclosures to appear on validation notices is not inconsistent with other consumer financial laws, as some commenters suggested. For instance, the Bureau understands that nothing in TILA and its implementing Regulation Z prohibit, as those commenters appeared to believe, creditors from making disclosures required pursuant to judicial orders or decisions. As noted above, final comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–1 clarifies that the disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) include specific disclosures required by judicial decisions or orders. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 In response to feedback, the Bureau also is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) and comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–1 to permit debt collectors to include disclosures that provide safe harbors under applicable law without losing the safe harbor for compliance under § 1006.34(d)(2). Such disclosures can mitigate legal risks for debt collectors and reduce the potential for consumer harm.354 On the other hand, the Bureau declines to allow debt collectors to include disclosures on the validation notice that are merely permitted by other applicable law and still retain the safe harbor.355 Such disclosures may be irrelevant to consumers, and their inclusion on the validation notice may overwhelm consumers or overshadow more relevant disclosures. Nevertheless, as noted elsewhere, a debt collector who included such a disclosure would not necessarily violate Regulation F; that debt collector would, however, be outside the safe harbor for compliance. Some commenters suggested that the Bureau revise the text and placement of the § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) disclosure that appeared on the model validation notice. An industry trade group commenter noted that Wisconsin law allows disclosures on the reverse of the notice but requires the statement, ‘‘Notice: See Reverse Side for Important Information.’’ A group of consumer advocate commenters suggested that disclosures required by applicable law should be separately labeled as ‘‘Disclosures Required by Your State’’ and ‘‘Disclosures Required by Local Federal Courts.’’ Relatedly, some commenters noted that some State laws include specific prominence or font size requirements for validation notice disclosures. A comment letter from two associations of State regulatory agencies expressed concerns that proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv), as disclosed on the model validation notice, was not sufficiently prominent. In particular, these commenters objected that the statement about disclosures required by applicable law appeared below the § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) payment disclosure. In response to feedback, the Bureau is including a new comment 354 Avila, 817 F.3d at 76 (adopting the safe harbor approach for debt collectors disclosing the amount of the debt when the balance may increase due to interest and fees adopted in Miller v. McCalla, Raymer, Padrick, Cobb, Nichols, & Clark, LLC, 214 F.3d 872, 876 (7th Cir. 2000)). 355 As discussed earlier in this section-by-section analysis, § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) has been revised in the final rule to clarify that the optional disclosures are those that are ‘‘specifically’’ required by applicable law or that provide a safe harbor under applicable law. PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–2 to clarify how the disclosure described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) may appear depending on the delivery mechanism. The comment clarifies that, if a debt collector includes disclosures pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A), the debt collector must include a statement on the front of the validation notice referring to those disclosures; and a debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the disclosures by including on the front of the validation notice the statement, ‘‘Notice: See reverse side for important information,’’ or a substantially similar statement. The comment further notes that if, as permitted by comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–1, a debt collector places the disclosures below the content of the validation notice, the debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the disclosures by stating, ‘‘Notice: See below for important information,’’ or a substantially similar statement. In response to feedback, the Bureau is also modifying how the statement required by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) is disclosed on the model validation notice. Specifically, the § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) statement appears on the final model notice as: ‘‘Notice: See Reverse Side for Important Information.’’ 356 The Bureau finds that this phrase is clearer, more conspicuous, and more likely to encourage consumer action than the proposed phrase, ‘‘Review state law disclosures on reverse side, if applicable.’’ Finally, the Bureau declines the suggestion to require debt collectors to label which disclosures are included pursuant to State law and which are included pursuant to judicial orders and decisions. That distinction likely makes little practical difference to consumers. The Bureau also determines that the § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) disclosure should be more prominent than in the proposed model validation notice, in part to account for the fact noted by some commenters that disclosures required by other applicable law may have prominence requirements, including clear and conspicuous requirements. The Bureau therefore has modified the model validation notice to further emphasize the § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) disclosure. Specifically, in contrast to the proposed model validation notice, on which the disclosure appeared in regular font in the middle of a list of other disclosures, the disclosure appears on the final model validation notice 356 The Bureau based this statement on a Wisconsin disclosure requirement. See Wis. Admin. Code DFI-Bkg sec. 74.13. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations underlined and in bold font and separated from other disclosures. Commenters sought additional guidance about what constitutes the ‘‘reverse side’’ of the validation notice. Two industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau interpret ‘‘reverse side’’ as synonymous with ‘‘next page’’ to allow debt collectors to use a second page to provide disclosures required by other applicable law. Relatedly, one commenter stated that requiring a debt collector to print on both sides of a validation notice would increase costs. Two associations of State regulatory agencies asked the Bureau to clarify where State law disclosures should be placed on validation notices delivered electronically, since disclosures delivered electronically will not have a reverse side. The Bureau recognizes that the meaning of ‘‘on the reverse’’ may vary by delivery method and format and that clarification is warranted, particularly as to validation notices delivered electronically. As such, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)– 1, which clarifies, in relevant part, that if a debt collector provides a validation notice in the body of an email, the debt collector may, in lieu of including the disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) on the reverse of the validation notice, include them in the same communication below the content of the validation notice. Furthermore, as discussed above, comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–2 notes that, if a debt collector places the disclosures below the content of the validation notice, the debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the disclosures by including the statement, ‘‘Notice: See below for important information,’’ or a substantially similar statement. These commentary provisions, therefore, address circumstances in which the validation notice is delivered in the body of an email. The Bureau declines to permit debt collectors to place disclosures required by other applicable law on a second page while maintaining the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor, as some commenters requested. In § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii), the Bureau specifies two narrow circumstances in which debt collectors are permitted to include validation information on a second page because such information, presented on a second page, is likely to benefit consumers.357 And, in both cases, if a 357 Final § 1006.34(d)(2)(ii) allows a second page for debt collectors to provide information that would otherwise be provided in a relatively abbreviated itemization of the debt (i.e., itemization VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 debt collector includes the disclosures on a second page, the debt collector loses the § 1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor with respect to the second page. The Bureau determines that it is unwarranted to provide a safe harbor that would be more expansive both in scope and protection than the other targeted exceptions to debt collectors providing other applicable law disclosures on a second page. The Bureau notes that debt collectors may include such disclosures on a second page without necessarily violating the rule. The Bureau is making one additional change not in response to comments. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) provides, in relevant part, that disclosures made under § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) must not appear directly on the reverse of the consumer-response information required by § 1006.34(c)(4), which appears on the front of the notice. This revision is included to ensure that debt collectors who choose to make the optional disclosures under § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) do not provide the disclosures in a place where the disclosures would be returned with the consumer-response information. The Bureau notes that if, as permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv), a debt collector includes on the front of a validation notice the required statement regarding disclosures under other applicable law (i.e., ‘‘Notice: See reverse side for important information’’), the debt collector must actually place such disclosures on the reverse. Conversely, a debt collector may not include disclosures under other applicable law on the reverse of a validation notice without including the statement about those disclosures on the front of the validation notice. The Bureau intended this effect when it proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) and notes it here for clarity. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv) and its related commentary with both substantive revisions and minor wording changes. 34(d)(3)(v) Information About Electronic Communications Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(v) provided that debt collectors could include certain information about electronic communications along with the validation information. First, proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A) provided that a debt collector could include the debt collector’s website and email address. on a second page and for the special rule regarding certain residential mortgage debt). This narrow exception allows the debt collector to potentially provide significantly more information to the consumer on a second page. PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5829 Second, proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(v)(B) provided that a debt collector could include, for validation information not provided electronically, the statement described in § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) explaining how a consumer could take the actions described in § 1006.34(c)(4) and § 1006.34(d)(3) electronically.358 One industry commenter supported proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(v), and the Bureau is finalizing it as proposed, with technical revisions to reflect conforming changes to final § 1006.34(c)(3)(v). For example, final § 1006.34(d)(3)(v)(B) no longer contains a reference to § 1006.34(d)(3) because final § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) itself no longer refers to § 1006.34(d)(3).359 34(d)(3)(vi) Spanish-Language Translation Disclosures Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) provided that a debt collector could include, along with the validation information, optional Spanish-language disclosures that consumers could use to request a Spanish-language validation notice. The proposal stated that Spanish-speaking LEP consumers may benefit from a Spanish-language disclosure informing them of their ability to request a Spanish-language translation, if a debt collector chooses to make such a translation available.360 The proposal stated that debt collectors may wish to provide validation information in Spanish, as doing so may facilitate their communications with consumers. Consumer advocate commenters generally supported permitting debt collectors to provide certain Spanishlanguage disclosures along with the validation information. Some consumer advocate commenters recommended that the Bureau also require debt collectors to provide the disclosures described in proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi). A group of consumer advocate commenters urged the Bureau to require a debt collector to send a translated validation notice if the debt collector receives a request from a consumer seeking information in the 358 Proposed § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) provided that such a statement was required validation information for validation notices provided electronically. 359 As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(c)(3)(v), the final rule does not require debt collectors who provide validation notices electronically to include statements explaining how consumers can take the actions described in § 1006.34(d)(3) electronically. 360 Spanish speakers represent the second-largest language group in the United States after English speakers. As of 2016, 40 million residents in the United States ages five and older spoke Spanish at home. See U.S. Census Bureau, Profile America for Facts for Features CB17–FF.17: Hispanic Heritage Month 2017, at 4 (Oct. 17, 2017), https:// www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2017/ hispanic-heritage.html. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5830 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations consumer’s preferred language, including a request received using the proposed tear off portion of the validation notice. An industry commenter supported proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) on the understanding that the Spanishlanguage disclosures would be optional. According to the commenter, requiring debt collectors to provide foreign language disclosures would entail significant costs. An industry commenter and an industry trade group commenter asked the Bureau to clarify whether providing the proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) disclosures would obligate a debt collector to provide future communications in Spanish to the consumer. Some commenters raised questions about whether the validation period would be paused when a consumer requests a Spanish-language translation of the validation notice and then restart when it is received, with a local government commenter supporting such a revision in the final rule. The Bureau declines to make the Spanish-language disclosures described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) mandatory. A requirement to provide the § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) disclosures, standing alone, would not be overly burdensome because the translation language is precisely described in the regulation and is also included on the model validation notice. However, the content of those disclosures means that mandating them would effectively compel debt collectors to provide translated validation notices to certain consumers (i.e., consumers who respond to the § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) disclosures by requesting a Spanishlanguage validation notice).361 As discussed in the proposal, the Bureau did not propose to require debt collectors to provide translated validation notices because of the associated costs of such a requirement,362 and the Bureau is declining to finalize such a requirement in this final rule.363 A debt collector who provides the optional disclosure described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) must honor a consumer’s request for a translated validation notice or risk violating FDCPA section 807. However, the proposal did not expressly state that the debt collector would be obligated to provide the Spanish-language translation of the validation notice in this circumstance. The proposal only implied such an obligation. To make the 361 15 U.S.C. 1692e. FR 23274, 23352 (May 21, 2019). 363 See the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(e). 362 84 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 rule clearer, the Bureau is finalizing a new § 1006.34(e)(2), which provides that a debt collector who includes in the validation information either or both of the optional disclosures described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi), and who thereafter receives a request from the consumer for a Spanish-language validation notice, must provide the consumer a validation notice completely and accurately translated into Spanish.364 The Bureau clarifies that, other than with respect to § 1006.34(e)(2), nothing in the rule obligates a debt collector to provide future communications in Spanish solely because the debt collector provided a disclosure described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) in Spanish. Regarding the commenters who asked for clarification about, or supported, restarting the validation period when the consumer requests a Spanishlanguage validation notice, the Bureau declines to mandate such a change but notes that debt collectors who voluntarily restart the validation period after providing a copy of the Spanishlanguage validation notice following the consumer’s request do not violate the FDCPA or Regulation F. For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi) largely as proposed but with a revision to clarify that a debt collector may include either of the optional Spanish-language translation disclosures, or both of them. 34(d)(3)(vi)(A) Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) provided that a debt collector could include a statement in Spanish informing a consumer that the consumer could request a Spanish-language validation notice. Specifically, the Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) to permit the statement, ‘‘Po´ngase en contacto con nosotros para solicitar una copia de este formulario en espan˜ol,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish. In English, this phrase means, ‘‘You may contact us to request a copy of this form in Spanish.’’ The proposal clarified that a debt collector who provided this optional disclosure could also include supplemental information in Spanish specifying how a consumer could request a Spanishlanguage validation notice. Proposed comment 34(d)(3)(vi)(A)–1 explained that, for example, a debt collector could provide a statement in Spanish that a consumer could request a Spanishlanguage validation notice by telephone or email. Consumer advocate commenters supported the Spanish-language 364 Id. PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 disclosure described in proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A). The Bureau received no other comments specifically addressing the disclosure. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) and its related commentary as proposed, with only minor wording changes. 34(d)(3)(vi)(B) Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) provided that debt collectors could include in the consumer-response information section of the validation notice a statement in Spanish that a consumer could use to request a Spanish-language validation notice. Specifically, the Bureau proposed in § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) to permit debt collectors to include the statement, ‘‘Quiero esta forma en espan˜ol,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish. In English, this phrase means, ‘‘I want this form in Spanish.’’ Proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) would have required this statement to be next to a prompt that the consumer could use to request a Spanish-language validation notice. Consumer advocate commenters generally supported the Spanishlanguage disclosure described in proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B). However, a group of consumer advocate commenters stated that the Spanish translation in proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) was inaccurate. Specifically, the commenters stated that the correct Spanish translation of ‘‘form’’ is ‘‘formulario,’’ not ‘‘forma.’’ The word ‘‘forma’’ appeared in both proposed § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) and in the sample disclosure on the proposed model validation notice. The Bureau finds that ‘‘formulario,’’ not ‘‘forma,’’ is the correct Spanish translation of ‘‘form.’’ The Bureau also finds that, for gender agreement, § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) should read ‘‘este formulario,’’ not ‘‘esta formulario.’’ The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B), its related commentary, and the disclosure on the model validation notice as proposed, but with revisions to correct the translation errors and with other, minor wording changes for consistency with other provisions of the final rule. 34(d)(3)(vii) The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) to provide that the merchant brand, if any, associated with a credit card debt, to the extent available to the debt collector, is validation information that must be provided to the consumer. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(iii)–1 provided an example of E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations merchant brand information that the Bureau initially determined would be available to a debt collector and that, therefore, would be required on a validation notice. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is not finalizing § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and its related commentary. Instead, the Bureau is restructuring and renumbering proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) as a new optional disclosure under § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii), which permits, but does not require, debt collectors to disclose the merchant brand, affinity brand, or facility name, if any, associated with the debt (and does not limit the optional disclosure to credit card debt). Industry, industry trade group, and consumer advocate commenters uniformly agreed that, if available, merchant brand information may help consumers recognize debts. For example, consumer advocate commenters stated that, in the case of a store-branded credit card, a consumer may not associate the debt with the original creditor (often a bank) and may be more likely to recognize the merchant, whose name appears on the credit card. A group of consumer advocate commenters asserted that such information was important, impliedly suggesting that the Bureau require its disclosure as part of the validation information. Although supportive of the proposed disclosure in principle, some industry trade group commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the circumstances in which merchant brand information would be deemed available. According to these commenters, whether merchant brand information is available may be unclear because it is not always identifiable in a consumer’s file or a creditor may not have provided it. One industry trade group commenter stated that the proposed provision requiring disclosure of merchant brand information for credit cards as part of the validation information would better serve consumers and reduce compliance costs if the provision included broader categories than merchant brand names and was an optional, rather than mandatory, disclosure. The Bureau received other comments about expanding the scope of proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii). An industry trade group commenter recommended that § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) also encompass affinity brand information (e.g., the name of a college). Other commenters recommended that debt collectors be permitted or required to disclose the facility name associated with a medical debt (e.g., the name of a hospital). According to commenters, a consumer VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 may be more likely to recognize a facility where treatment was provided than the healthcare service provider that is the creditor. A group of consumer advocate commenters noted that increasingly a hospital name may act as a brand for an umbrella of service providers and thus should be treated in the same manner as a merchant brand. The Bureau determines that merchant brand information may help consumers recognize debts. However, the Bureau agrees with the feedback that whether merchant brand information is available may not always be clear to a debt collector. This ambiguity is particularly likely with respect to debts that have been sold or transferred multiple times. Furthermore, not all creditors will have an associated merchant brand, at least one that is distinct from the creditor name. Accordingly, in lieu of finalizing the requirement in proposed § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii), the Bureau is adopting new § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii), which permits, rather than requires, debt collectors to disclose the merchant brand information, if any, associated with a debt. By making merchant brand an optional disclosure, the Bureau eliminates a source of potential ambiguity that could expose debt collectors to legal risk. In addition, notwithstanding this modification, the Bureau concludes that debt collectors will be incentivized to provide merchant brand information if it is available. Commenters uniformly agreed that merchant brand information helps consumers recognize debts.365 Thus, debt collectors likely will benefit from including merchant brand information if possible. Providing merchant brand information will also benefit consumers by allowing them to more easily identify debts, determine whether they owe them, and avoid the confusion resulting from seeing a validation notice with an unfamiliar name (which potentially leads to the consumer ignoring the notice). The Bureau finds that affinity brand information and facility name information also may help consumers recognize debts they owe. Whereas a merchant brand can be generally understood as the labelling or branding of a commercial entity, such as a retail store, an affinity brand may reflect the labelling or branding of an entity that is not necessarily commercial but one with which the consumer has a relationship. For example, a higher education 365 See 84 FR 23274, 23340 (May 21, 2019) (citing the Bureau’s consumer focus group findings that indicate consumers use merchant brands to recognize credit card debts). PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5831 institution (e.g., ‘‘College of Columbia’’) or a charity may be associated with a consumer financial product (e.g., a credit card provided by ‘‘ABC Bank’’) as an affinity brand. See comment 34(d)(3)(vii)–2. Moreover, facility name information (e.g., ‘‘ABC Hospital’’) may prove more recognizable to consumers with respect to a medical debt than the name of, for example, the physicians group or laboratory that is the actual creditor (particularly if the consumer has one appointment or procedure at one facility that results in multiple bills from multiple providers). See comment 34(d)(3)(vii)–3. Thus, § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) also permits debt collectors to disclose an affinity brand or a facility name, if any, associated with a debt.366 For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) to provide that, along with the validation information, debt collectors may disclose the merchant brand, affinity brand, or facility name, if any, associated with a debt. The Bureau also is adopting new comments 34(d)(3)(vii)– 1 through –3 to provide examples of a merchant brand, an affinity brand, and a facility name, respectively. 34(d)(3)(viii) The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(3)(viii) to provide that, although it is not required, a debt collector who is collecting debt not related to a consumer financial product or service may disclose certain additional information without losing the safe harbor provided by § 1006.34(d)(2) (assuming the debt collector otherwise satisfies the conditions for the safe harbor). Specifically, § 1006.34(d)(3)(viii) provides that, if a debt collector is collecting debt other than debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), the debt collector may disclose: (1) The name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date (i.e., the information specified in § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii)); or (2) a statement that informs the consumer that additional information regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau’s website at www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection (i.e., the information specified in § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv)). The Bureau determines that receipt of this 366 Although § 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits debt collectors to disclose the facility name associated with a medical debt along with the validation information, debt collectors may be prohibited from doing so by other applicable laws, such as healthcare privacy rules or regulations. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5832 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations information may be helpful for consumers. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 34(d)(4) Validation Notices Delivered Electronically As discussed in the proposal and in the November 2020 Final Rule, promoting electronic communications may benefit consumers and debt collectors.367 As also discussed in the proposal, allowing debt collectors to make certain formatting modifications to validation notices delivered electronically may help consumers exercise their verification rights under FDCPA section 809 and may facilitate a debt collector’s ability to process and understand a consumer’s response to such an electronically delivered validation notice. Proposed § 1006.34(d)(4) therefore provided several modifications, discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(4)(i) and (ii) below, that a debt collector could make, at its option, to the formatting of a validation notice delivered electronically. An industry trade group commenter expressed support for proposed § 1006.34(d)(4)’s facilitation of validation notices delivered electronically. The Bureau received no other comments specifically addressing proposed § 1006.34(d). Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(4) with only minor wording changes. The Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(4) to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(b) by establishing formatting requirements that facilitate the consumer’s right to dispute a debt and request originalcreditor information, and pursuant to its FDCPA section 814(d) authority to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau also is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(4) pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of consumer financial products and services are disclosed fully, accurately, and effectively. 34(d)(4)(i) Prompts Proposed § 1006.34(d)(4)(i) provided that a debt collector delivering a validation notice electronically pursuant to § 1006.42 could display any prompt required by § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) or (ii) or (d)(3)(iii)(B) or (vi)(B) as a fillable field.368 One industry trade group commenter supported proposed § 1006.34(d)(4)(i). According to the commenter, if a 367 See 84 FR 23274, 23351 (May 21, 2019); 85 FR 76734, 76755 (Nov. 30, 2020). 368 84 FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 validation notice is delivered by email, a debt collector should be permitted to format the prompts in the consumerresponse information section so that the debt collector receives an email if a consumer selects them. Another industry trade group commenter asked the Bureau to clarify whether a fillable field includes a checkbox. A consumer advocate commenter raised concerns about permitting a debt collector to format the payment prompt described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) as a fillable field. According to the commenter, scammers could impersonate legitimate debt collectors and attempt to convince consumers to make payments on fraudulent debts using the payment prompts. The commenter urged the Bureau to evaluate the security risks associated with fillable payment prompts and consider other approaches. The Bureau determines that allowing a debt collector to design a validation notice delivered electronically to include fillable prompts will benefit consumers and industry by making it easier for consumers to exercise their verification rights, make a payment, or request a Spanish-language translation of the notice. The Bureau does not find that permitting a debt collector to format the payment prompt described in § 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) as a fillable field entails substantial security risks. The Bureau acknowledges that, in general, electronic communications present certain security risks to consumers. However, the Bureau finds that these general risks do not justify preventing debt collectors from including in electronic communications common design modifications, such as prompts, that are convenient to consumers. Thus, the Bureau declines to limit the ability of legitimate debt collectors to include on validation notices a common design modification that will benefit consumers.369 Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(4)(i) largely as proposed, with only minor wording changes for consistency with other provisions in the final rule. 34(d)(4)(ii) Hyperlinks Proposed § 1006.34(d)(4)(ii) provided that a debt collector delivering a validation notice electronically could embed hyperlinks in the validation notice that, when clicked, would connect consumers to the debt collector’s website or permit consumers 369 With respect to the comment about whether a fillable field includes a checkbox, the Bureau confirms that a fillable field may appear as an unmarked checkbox that a consumer can select. PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 to dispute a debt or request originalcreditor information. Industry trade group commenters supported proposed § 1006.34(d)(4)(ii). For example, a commenter stated that hyperlinks are an important feature used to reduce the complexity of email and text messages while allowing readers to access important information. A consumer advocate commenter recommended that the Bureau also permit debt collectors to embed a hyperlink that connects consumers to the Bureau’s website address described in § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv). The Bureau determines that hyperlinks are a formatting modification that may benefit consumers and debt collectors if included in validation notices that are delivered electronically. And the Bureau agrees that debt collectors should be permitted to include a hyperlink that connects consumers to the Bureau’s website address described in § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv). Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(d)(4)(ii) to provide that debt collectors may embed hyperlinks that, when clicked, connect consumers to the debt collector’s website, connect consumers to the Bureau’s debt collection website as disclosed pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(3)(iv), or permit consumers to dispute the debt or request original-creditor information. 34(e) Translation Into Other Languages The Bureau proposed § 1006.34(e) to provide that a debt collector could send a consumer a validation notice completely and accurately translated into any language if the debt collector also sent an English-language validation notice that satisfied § 1006.34(a)(1). Proposed § 1006.34(e) also provided that, if a debt collector already provided a consumer an English-language validation notice that satisfied § 1006.34(a)(1) and subsequently provided the consumer a validation notice translated into any other language, the debt collector would not need to provide an additional copy of the English-language notice. Proposed comment 34(e)–1 clarified that the language of a validation notice obtained from the Bureau’s website would be considered a complete and accurate translation, although debt collectors would be permitted to use other validation notice translations if they were accurate and complete. Industry and industry trade group commenters supported proposed § 1006.34(e) and its optional approach to providing validation notices translated into other languages. An industry trade group commenter stated that this approach was appropriate E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 because some debt collectors may not have the resources to conduct collections activities in languages other than English. Other industry trade group commenters stated that requiring debt collectors to provide validation notices in other languages would be burdensome and costly. An industry trade group commenter stated that, if a debt collector provided a validation notice in another language, a consumer would expect the debt collector to communicate in that language. According to this commenter, if the debt collector was unable to do so, this unfulfilled expectation would frustrate consumers and expose debt collectors to litigation risk. Other commenters, including consumer advocates, legal aid providers, and faith groups, recommended that debt collectors be required to provide non-English validation notices to LEP consumers. According to these commenters, LEP consumers tend to experience poverty at much greater rates, face significant challenges navigating the debt collection process, and are often subject to harassment and deception. Commenters stated that English-language validation notices would not enable LEP consumers to understand their rights in debt collection or to take appropriate action if they did not believe that they owed a debt. Commenters cited demographic statistics showing the growing population of LEP consumers, particularly in certain localities. A consumer advocate commenter stated that case law suggests that a debt collector’s failure to provide a nonEnglish validation notice to an LEP consumer may violate the FDCPA.370 To address these concerns, these commenters suggested various mandatory frameworks that would require debt collectors to provide translated validation notices to consumers. These suggested alternative frameworks included requiring debt collectors to provide a translated validation notice: (1) In Spanish and located on the back of every Englishlanguage validation notice; (2) with every English-language validation notice 370 The commenter cited, for example, Evory v. RJM Acquisitions Funding LLC, 505 F.3d 769, 774 (7th Cir. 2007). However, the Bureau disagrees with the commenter’s premise that this opinion and the others it cited imply a general requirement under the FDCPA to provide translated notices to all Spanish-speaking LEP consumers. The Bureau believes, instead, that those holdings were dependent on the facts of those cases. For example, Evory discussed in dicta a hypothetical in which a debt collector targeted vulnerable Spanish-speaking LEP consumers with English-language validation notices, 505 F.3d at 774, but that particular scenario involved targeting, which is beyond the scope of § 1006.34(e). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 if the debt collector knows or should know the consumer has another language preference; (3) if the original transaction or the debt collector’s prior communication was conducted in a foreign language; (4) upon a consumer’s request; (5) if the debt collector received information in the file from the creditor or a prior debt collector indicating the consumer’s non-English language preference; or (6) if and when the debt collector at a later point communicates with the consumer in a foreign language. In some cases, commenters framed these interventions as narrow or measured. A group of consumer advocates also urged the Bureau to make available on its website Spanishtranslated validation notices as well as translations in the next seven most common languages spoken by LEP consumers in the United States. The Bureau determines that LEP consumers may benefit from translated validation notices. Further, some debt collectors may want to provide translated validation notices to LEP consumers, if doing so is consistent with their business practices. The Bureau, however, declines commenters’ requests to require debt collectors to provide a Spanish-language translation to all consumers on the back of every English-language validation notice or a translated notice to consumers in other languages if the debt collector knows or should know the consumer has a different language preference. As discussed in the proposal,371 these types of mandatory approaches would result in significant, industry-wide costs on both an upfront (implementation) basis and an ongoing basis, especially for smaller debt collectors and in connection with translations of the validation notice in languages whose use is not prevalent in the United States.372 The Bureau acknowledges that some LEP consumers may experience particular challenges in the debt collection process. However, commenters did not provide information about the costs and benefits of requiring debt collectors to provide translated validation notices to all consumers, regardless of whether the consumer requests the translation, that persuades the Bureau that such mandatory requirements are justified. The Bureau, as stated above, recognizes the benefits of providing translated disclosures to consumers. However, the Bureau concludes that the approach in the proposal, supplemented by certain changes in the final rule, strikes a better 371 See also the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi). 372 See 84 FR 23274, 23352 (May 21, 2019). PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5833 balance than a mandatory requirement. The final rule permits debt collectors to provide disclosures carrying safe harbor protection that notify and encourage consumers to request a Spanishlanguage translation of the validation notice or additional information in Spanish, which can assist the largest group of LEP consumers in the United States by a wide margin compared to other languages. At the same time, the final rule does not require debt collectors to provide all consumers with translated validation notices, whether in Spanish or other languages, and irrespective of whether the consumers request it or speak a language that is uncommon among LEP consumers in the United States. Regarding the request by a group of consumer advocate commenters that the Bureau translate the validation notice into Spanish and seven other languages and deem the Bureau translations as complete and accurate, the Bureau plans to make available on its website, prior to the effective date of the final rule, a Spanish-language translation of the validation notice, and it will consider taking such action in the future with respect to one or more of the other languages cited by these commenters following implementation of the final rule. The Bureau also declines to implement the other mandatory approaches suggested by consumer advocate, faith group, and legal aid provider commenters. As discussed above, these commenters suggested a variety of interventions, such as requiring the debt collector provide the translated notice in circumstances in which the consumer had expressed a language preference to a prior debt collector or the creditor and that preference is noted in the file for the debt, or in which, at a later point in the process, the consumer communicates in a foreign language. The Bureau disagrees with some commenters’ characterization of these interventions as targeted or narrow in scope, as each suggestion would entail a mandatory requirement with associated upfront and ongoing costs and complexity (which would be compounded if more than one or even all of these interventions were adopted collectively). In some cases, these suggested interventions are beyond the scope of the proposal. As to others, the Bureau concludes that the costs of such interventions to debt collectors, particularly smaller entities, would not outweigh the benefits to consumers because they would add undue complexity to the rule from an E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5834 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations operational, compliance, and supervisory perspective. For these reasons, the Bureau declines to adopt a final rule that requires debt collectors to provide translated validation notices. Nevertheless, because the Bureau determines that, as discussed in the proposal, LEP consumers may benefit from receiving translated validation notices, the Bureau is finalizing § 1006.34(e) to clarify how debt collectors may provide such notices if they choose. The Bureau is finalizing proposed § 1006.34(e) as § 1006.34(e)(1), with certain revisions and organizational changes for clarity; no substantive change is intended. Furthermore, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(3)(vi), the Bureau is finalizing new § 1006.34(e)(2) to provide that, if a debt collector includes in the validation information either or both of the optional disclosures notifying a consumer that the consumer can request a copy of the validation notice in Spanish, the debt collector must provide the consumer a Spanish-language validation notice if the consumer requests one. The Bureau intended this result in the proposal and is including § 1006.34(e)(2) for clarity and in response to feedback. Finally, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(e)–1 with revisions to conform to the revisions and organizational changes made to § 1006.34(e); no substantive change is intended. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Section 1006.38 Disputes and Requests for Original-Creditor Information FDCPA section 809(b) requires debt collectors both to refrain from taking certain actions during the 30 days after the consumer receives the validation information or notice described in FDCPA section 809(a) (i.e., during the validation period) and to take certain actions if a consumer either disputes the debt in writing, or requests the name and address of the original creditor in writing, during the validation period. The Bureau proposed § 1006.38 to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(b) and (c), and the Bureau finalized the majority of proposed § 1006.38 in the November 2020 Final Rule.373 The Bureau now is finalizing the remainder of proposed § 1006.38 as follows. Comment 38–1 The Bureau proposed comment 38–2 (renumbered in the November 2020 Final Rule as comment 38–1) to set forth examples of written and electronic communications consumers can use in 373 85 FR 76734, 74843–48, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 disputing the debt or requesting the name and address of the original creditor.374 The second proposed example, proposed comment 38–2.ii, would have clarified that a consumer could return to the debt collector the consumer-response form that proposed § 1006.34(c)(4)(i) would have required to appear on the validation notice and indicate on the form a dispute or request. The Bureau received no comments on proposed comment 38– 2.ii.375 The Bureau did not finalize proposed comment 38–2.ii in the November 2020 Final Rule because the Bureau did not finalize § 1006.34 as part of that final rule. The Bureau now is finalizing comment 38–2.ii as proposed, renumbered as comment 38–1.ii, except that the Bureau is correcting a typographical error in the proposed comment such that the final comment cross references § 1006.34(c)(4) rather than § 1006.34(c)(4)(i). Comment 38–3 The Bureau proposed comment 38–1 (renumbered in this final rule as comment 38–3) to clarify the applicability of § 1006.38 in the decedent debt context. Proposed comment 38–1 would have clarified that, if the consumer has not previously disputed the debt or requested the name and address of the original creditor, then a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate operates as the consumer for purposes of § 1006.38. Proposed comment 38–1 also would have clarified that, if a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate submits either a written request for original-creditor information or a written dispute to the debt collector during the validation period, then § 1006.38(c) or (d)(2), respectively, would require the debt collector to cease collection of the debt until the debt collector has responded to that request or dispute. For the reasons discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.2(e), the Bureau is interpreting the term consumer to mean any natural person, whether living or deceased, who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. And, pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors, the Bureau is adopting commentary clarifying how this definition operates in the decedent debt context, including 374 84 FR 23274, 23353 (May 21, 2019). Bureau addressed comments received on other aspects of proposed comment 38–2 in the November 2020 Final Rule. 85 FR 76734, 76843–44 (Nov. 30, 2020). 375 The PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 debt collectors’ obligations for providing the validation information and responding to disputes and requests for original-creditor information. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing comment 38–1 as proposed, renumbered as comment 38–3 in this final rule. 38(a) Definitions 38(a)(2) Validation Period The Bureau proposed in § 1006.38(a)(2) to provide that the term validation period as used in § 1006.38 has the same meaning given to it in proposed § 1006.34(b)(5).376 Because the Bureau did not finalize § 1006.34 in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized the definition in § 1006.38(a)(2) with revised wording to refer to the 30-day period described in FDCPA section 809 as defined by Regulation F.377 The Bureau noted that it might, as part of this final rule, revise the definition of validation period as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule to cross-reference any definition of that term that the Bureau adopts in this final rule. As discussed in the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(5), the Bureau is finalizing the definition of validation period.378 Therefore, the Bureau is making a technical change revising § 1006.38(a)(2), as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, to provide that the term validation period as used in § 1006.38 has the same meaning given to it in § 1006.34(b)(5). 38(b) Overshadowing of Rights To Dispute or Request Original-Creditor Information FDCPA section 809(b) provides that, for 30 days after the consumer receives the validation information described in FDCPA section 809(a), a debt collector must not engage in collection activities or communications that overshadow or are inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt or request information about the original creditor.379 The Bureau proposed in 376 84 FR 23274, 23353 (May 21, 2019). FR 76734, 76844, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020). 378 The Bureau addresses comments received regarding the definition of validation period in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(5). 379 This language was added to the FDCPA by the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006, Public Law 109–351, sec. 802(c), 120 Stat. 1966, 2006 (2006), after an FTC advisory opinion on the same subject. See Fed. Trade Comm’n, Advisory Opinion to American Collector’s Ass’n (Mar. 31, 2000) (opining that the 30-day period set forth in FDCPA section 809(a) ‘‘is a dispute period within which the consumer may insist that the debt collector verify the debt, and not a grace period within which collection efforts are prohibited’’ but that ‘‘[t]he collection agency must ensure, however, that its collection activity does not overshadow and is not inconsistent with the disclosure of the 377 85 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 § 1006.38(b) to implement this prohibition and generally restate the relevant statutory language, with only minor changes for style and clarity.380 As the Bureau discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule,381 the Bureau received a few substantive comments addressing proposed § 1006.38(b). Two industry commenters requested that the final rule define the term ‘‘overshadowing.’’ These commenters observed that debt collectors’ communications of validation information almost always expressly advise the consumer of the right to dispute the debt and to request the name and address of the original creditor. These commenters asserted that overshadowing claims are nonetheless some of the most common allegations in FDCPA lawsuits. These commenters also requested clarity as to whether the safe harbor in proposed § 1006.34(d)(2) for debt collectors who use the model validation notice also would provide a safe harbor for compliance with the overshadowing prohibition in proposed § 1006.38(b). One industry commenter requested that the final rule clarify that credit reporting during the validation period does not constitute overshadowing.382 In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized proposed § 1006.38(b) as § 1006.38(b)(1) and reserved § 1006.38(b)(2).383 As noted above, proposed § 1006.38(b) generally restated the relevant statutory language, with only minor changes for style and clarity, and § 1006.38(b)(1) in the November 2020 Final Rule did the same. In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau stated that it expected to address, as part of this final rule, the comments it received requesting further clarity about the safe harbor provided by § 1006.34(d)(2), and the Bureau reserved § 1006.38(b)(2) for that purpose.384 After considering the comments, the Bureau is finalizing in § 1006.38(b)(2) a safe harbor from the prohibition in § 1006.38(b)(1) against overshadowing.385 Section 1006.38(b)(2) consumer’s right to dispute the debt specified by [s]ection 809(a)’’). 380 84 FR 23274, 23353–54 (May 21, 2019). 381 85 FR 76734, 76844 (Nov. 30, 2020). 382 In addition, one industry commenter stated that it generally agreed with proposed § 1006.38, and a group of consumer advocates that addressed proposed § 1006.38(b) did not object to the proposal. 383 85 FR 76734, 76844, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020). 384 Id. 385 Accordingly, the heading for final § 1006.38(b)(2) refers to the safe harbor, and the Bureau is revising: (1) The heading for § 1006.38(b)(1) as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule to clarify that that paragraph relates to the overshadowing prohibition; and (2) VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 provides that a debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 in appendix B of this part in a manner described in § 1006.34(d)(2) has not thereby violated § 1006.38(b)(1). Therefore, a debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 in appendix B to Regulation F, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form, has not thereby violated § 1006.38(b)(1). The safe harbor protects only the use of the model validation notice to comply with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1). If a debt collector uses the model validation notice as described in § 1006.34(d)(2) and conducts other collection activities during the validation period, the debt collector does not receive a safe harbor for those other collection activities. A debt collector also does not receive a safe harbor for the manner in which a model validation notice is provided, such as the envelope in which a model validation notice is provided. The Bureau declines to otherwise define the term ‘‘overshadow’’ or to clarify whether other collection activities during the validation period either violate or comply with the prohibition in final § 1006.38(b)(1). The Bureau finds that the safe harbor in § 1006.38(b)(2) provides sufficient clarity for debt collectors. 38(c) Requests for Original-Creditor Information FDCPA section 809(a)(5) states that the validation information a debt collector provides to a consumer must include a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within the 30-day validation period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. FDCPA section 809(b) provides that, if a consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation information described in FDCPA section 809(a), the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector obtains and mails that information to the consumer. The Bureau proposed in § 1006.38(c) to implement this prohibition and generally restate the relevant statutory language. As the Bureau discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau received a number of comments addressing proposed § 1006.38(c).386 § 1006.38(b)(1) to omit a reference to the fact that the Bureau may provide in this part a safe harbor for debt collectors when they use certain Bureauapproved disclosures because the Bureau is providing that safe harbor in this final rule. 386 85 FR 76734, 76844–45 (Nov. 30, 2020). PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5835 Three industry commenters requested that the final rule provide that, if a debt collector’s communication of the validation information to a consumer identifies the original creditor, the debt collector need not give the consumer the option of requesting original-creditor information from the debt collector. These commenters stated that, if the original creditor has already been identified to a consumer, it would be confusing to the consumer to provide the option to request the name and address of the original creditor. Further, they stated, consumers could use unnecessary requests for originalcreditor information as a tactic to delay or avoid collection. One industry commenter requested that the final rule clarify that a debt collector is not required to include original-creditor information in its communication of validation information to a consumer. This commenter stated that lawsuits are often filed alleging that a debt collector has violated the FDCPA by not identifying the original creditor in the validation information. Several commenters recommended that the Bureau define ‘‘original creditor’’ to mean the creditor at the time of charge off. According to an industry trade group, this definition would be consistent with other laws, including the Uniform Rules for New York State Trial Courts.387 Other industry and industry trade group commenters stated that this definition would be appropriate for older debts because a consumer may no longer recognize the original creditor, particularly if an account has been sold. An industry trade group suggested that defining ‘‘original creditor’’ as the creditor at the time of charge off may resolve some compliance challenges in the retail installment sales context. According to the commenter, in retail installment sales, the original creditor is the retail seller, not the entity that ultimately buys the contract, and retailseller information may not be readily available to the debt collector or helpful to the consumer. A group of consumer advocate commenters who addressed proposed § 1006.38(c) generally noted the importance of original-creditor information to consumers in helping them recognize the debt in question. One commenter stated that the rule 387 ‘‘Original creditor means the financial institution that owned the consumer credit account at the time the account was charged off, even if that financial institution did not originate the account. Charged-off consumer debt means a consumer debt that has been removed from an original creditor’s books as an asset and treated as a loss or expense.’’ 22 NYCRR 208.14–a(a)(2). E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5836 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 should require debt collectors to identify the original creditor in the validation information.388 In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized proposed § 1006.38(c) as § 1006.38(c)(1) and reserved § 1006.38(c)(2).389 As noted above, proposed § 1006.38(c) generally restated the relevant statutory language, and § 1006.38(c)(1) in the November 2020 Final Rule did the same.390 In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau stated that it expected to address, as part of this final rule, how a debt collector may respond to a request for originalcreditor information if the original creditor is the same as the current creditor, and the Bureau reserved § 1006.38(c)(2) for that purpose.391 The Bureau also noted that it would respond in this final rule to the comments asking the Bureau to define the term original creditor. The Bureau has determined that a debt collector’s communication of the validation information must include disclosure of the option to request original-creditor information. As noted above, FDCPA section 809(a)(5) states that the validation information must include ‘‘a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.’’ 392 Because FDCPA section 809(a) requires the validation information to include disclosure of the consumer’s right to request original-creditor information, the Bureau finds that consumer confusion would result if the final rule were to permit a debt collector not to respond to a consumer’s timely request for that information if the original creditor is the same as the current creditor. Further, FDCPA section 809(b) states that ‘‘[a]ny collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.’’ 393 The Bureau 388 Consumer advocates also addressed the proposal’s provisions regarding electronic delivery of original-creditor information (and other information) in proposed § 1006.42. These comments regarding electronic delivery were addressed in the November 2020 Final Rule. Id. at 76848. 389 Id. at 76893. 390 While this final rule republishes in § 1006.38(c) some of the text of § 1006.38(c)(1) as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, this final rule makes no change to the substance of § 1006.38(c)(1) from what the Bureau finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule. 391 85 FR 76734, 76845 n.557 (Nov. 30, 2020). 392 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(5). 393 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b) (emphasis added). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 therefore has determined to require a debt collector to respond to a consumer’s request for original-creditor information if the original creditor is the same as the current creditor. However, the Bureau also has determined that FDCPA section 809(a)(5) and (b) permits a debt collector to respond differently to the consumer’s request for original-creditor information when the original creditor is the same as the current creditor. Specifically, the Bureau has determined that FDCPA section 809(b), when read together with FDCPA section 809(a)(5), requires the debt collector to provide the name and address of the original creditor to the consumer only if the original creditor is different from the current creditor. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing new § 1006.38(c)(2) to set forth an alternative procedure that a debt collector may use to respond to a consumer’s request for original-creditor information if the original creditor is the same as the current creditor. Specifically, if a debt collector receives a request for the name and address of the original creditor submitted by the consumer in writing within the validation period, the special rule set forth in § 1006.38(c)(2) provides that the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector reasonably determines that the original creditor is the same as the current creditor and either (i) notifies the consumer in writing or electronically in the manner required by § 1006.42 that the original creditor is the same as the current creditor and refers the consumer to the debt collector’s earlier provision of the validation information or (ii) satisfies § 1006.38(c)(1). Under the final rule, a debt collector is not required to use the alternative procedure in § 1006.38(c)(2); a debt collector can always comply with the rule by complying with § 1006.38(c)(1). By adopting the § 1006.38(c)(2) alternative procedure, the Bureau strikes the best balance between providing debt collectors with a less burdensome method of responding to consumer requests for original-creditor information and protecting consumers. The Bureau adopts the alternative procedure in § 1006.38(c)(2) as an interpretation of FDCPA section 809(a)(5) and (b), and pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d). In particular, § 1006.38(c)(2) is an interpretation of what it means for a debt collector, pursuant to FDCPA section 809(b), to ‘‘obtain[ ] . . . the name and address of the original creditor’’ and send that information to the consumer when, pursuant to FDCPA section 809(a)(5), the debt collector PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 already provided the name of the current creditor to the consumer within the validation information (as required by FDCPA section 809(a)(2) and § 1006.34(c)(2)(v)) and the original creditor is not different from the current creditor. If the original creditor is the same as the current creditor, the Bureau interprets FDCPA section 809(b)’s requirement to provide original-creditor information to the consumer to mean that a debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector either provides the name and address of the original creditor to the consumer in compliance with § 1006.38(c)(1) or, in compliance with § 1006.38(c)(2), notifies the consumer in writing or electronically in the manner required by § 1006.42 that the original creditor is the same as the current creditor and refers the consumer to the debt collector’s earlier provision of the validation information. The Bureau declines to require all debt collectors to include the name of the original creditor in the validation information because the Bureau believes such a requirement is not necessary or warranted. The statute prescribes a method for a consumer to obtain this information upon request. Further, the Bureau interprets FDCPA section 809(a)(2) as requiring debt collectors to disclose in the validation information the name of the current creditor; i.e., ‘‘the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed.’’ The Bureau declines to define ‘‘original creditor’’ in the manner commenters suggested. Although the definition suggested by commenters might be accurate for some debts, it is not clear to the Bureau that the suggested definition would be accurate for all debts. The Bureau did not propose such a definition and the Bureau does not have sufficient information to develop and include a definition of ‘‘original creditor’’ in the rule. Taking into consideration the provisions of FDCPA section 809(a) and (b), the final rule provides debt collectors an alternative response procedure, described above, when the original creditor—which in many cases will be the creditor as of the itemization date—is the same as the current creditor. The alternative procedure permits debt collectors to respond to some consumer requests for originalcreditor information in a less burdensome way, while also protecting consumers. Therefore, the Bureau believes that defining original creditor in the final rule is unnecessary and unwarranted. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations Section 1006.42 Disclosures Sending Required Subpart C—Reserved Subpart D—Miscellaneous 42(a) Sending Required Disclosures Section 1006.100 42(a)(2) Exceptions 100(a) In General Section 1006.100(a), as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, requires a debt collector to retain records that are evidence of compliance or noncompliance with the FDCPA and Regulation F. The Bureau proposed comment 100–1 to clarify that, for purposes of § 1006.100(a), evidence of compliance includes, among other things, copies of documents provided by the debt collector to the consumer in accordance with the requirements of proposed § 1006.34.400 Because the Bureau did not finalize § 1006.34 in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized comment 100(a)–1 to include, as an example of evidence of compliance, copies of documents provided by the debt collector to the consumer in accordance with FDCPA section 809(a), as implemented by Bureau regulation.401 Because the Bureau now is finalizing § 1006.34, the Bureau is making a technical change revising comment 100(a)–1 to include, as an example of evidence of compliance, copies of documents provided by the debt collector to the consumer in accordance with § 1006.34, as originally proposed. The Bureau addressed comments received regarding proposed comment 100–1 in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.100(a) and comment 100(a)–1 in the November 2020 Final Rule.402 The Bureau proposed in § 1006.42(a)(2) to provide that a debt collector need not comply with § 1006.42(a)(1) when providing the disclosure required by § 1006.6(e) or § 1006.18(e) in writing or electronically, unless the disclosure was included on a notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) or § 1006.38(c) or (d)(2).394 Because the Bureau did not finalize § 1006.34 in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized § 1006.42(a)(2) with a reference to the notice required by FDCPA section 809(a), as implemented by Regulation F, in lieu of a reference to the notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i).395 Because the Bureau is now finalizing § 1006.34, the Bureau is making a technical change revising § 1006.42(a)(2) to refer to the notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i), as originally proposed. The Bureau addressed comments received regarding proposed § 1006.42(a)(2) in the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.42(a)(2) in the November 2020 Final Rule.396 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 42(b) Requirements for Certain Disclosures Sent Electronically Proposed § 1006.42(b)(1) generally would have required a debt collector who provided the validation notice described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) electronically to do so in accordance with section 101(c) of the E–SIGN Act.397 Because the Bureau did not finalize § 1006.34 in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized § 1006.42(b) with a reference to the notice required by FDCPA section 809(a), as implemented by Regulation F, in lieu of a reference to the validation notice described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B).398 Because the Bureau is now finalizing § 1006.34, the Bureau is making a technical change revising § 1006.42(b) to refer to the validation notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B), as originally proposed. The Bureau addressed comments received regarding proposed § 1006.42(b)(1) in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.42(b) in the November 2020 Final Rule.399 FR 23274, 23357–59 (May 21, 2019). FR 76734, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020). 396 Id. at 76850–51. 397 84 FR 23274, 23356–57 (May 21, 2019). 398 85 FR 76734, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020). 399 Id. at 76850–51. Record Retention Section 1006.104 Relation to State Laws FDCPA section 816 provides that the FDCPA does not annul, alter, or affect, or exempt any person subject to the provisions of the FDCPA from complying with the laws of any State with respect to debt collection practices, except to the extent that those laws are inconsistent with any provision of the FDCPA, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency. FDCPA section 816 also provides that, for purposes of that section, a State law is not inconsistent with the FDCPA if the protection such law affords any consumer is greater than the protection provided by the FDCPA.403 The November 2020 Final Rule finalized § 1006.104 to implement FDCPA section 816.404 Proposed comment 104–1 clarified that a disclosure required by applicable 394 84 395 85 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 400 84 FR 23274, 23367 (May 21, 2019). FR 76734, 76907 (Nov. 30, 2020). 402 Id. at 76858 n.600. 403 15 U.S.C. 1692n. 404 85 FR 76734 at 76860 (Nov. 30, 2020). State law that describes additional protections under State law does not contradict the requirements of the FDCPA or the corresponding provisions of Regulation F.405 In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau indicated that it was not finalizing proposed comment 104–1 as part of that rule and would determine whether and how to finalize the comment as part of this final rule.406 As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, some commenters asked the Bureau to clarify how proposed comment 104–1 would interact with State law disclosure requirements.407 According to these commenters, the proposed commentary did not track FDCPA section 816’s statutory language and therefore would be susceptible to competing interpretations. These commenters expressed concern that proposed comment 104–1 could be interpreted to mean that § 1006.104 would preempt State law disclosure requirements that afford the same protections as the FDCPA and the corresponding provisions of Regulation F. These commenters opposed such an interpretation as inconsistent with FDCPA section 816. With proposed comment 104–1, the Bureau did not intend to communicate that § 1006.104 would preempt disclosures required by State law that describe State laws that afford the same protections as the FDCPA and the corresponding provisions of Regulation F. To mitigate the risk that the proposed commentary could be interpreted in this manner, the Bureau is modifying proposed comment 104–1 to more closely track FDCPA section 816’s statutory language. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing comment 104–1 to clarify that the FDCPA and the corresponding provisions of Regulation F do not annul, alter, or affect, or exempt any person subject to these requirements from complying with a disclosure requirement under applicable State law that describes additional protections under State law that are not inconsistent with the FDCPA and Regulation F. In addition, comment 104–1 clarifies that a disclosure required by State law is not inconsistent with the FDCPA or Regulation F if the disclosure describes a protection such law affords any consumer that is greater than the protection provided by the FDCPA or Regulation F. 401 85 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5837 405 84 406 85 FR 23274, 23368 (May 21, 2019). FR 76734, 76860 (Nov. 30, 2020). 407 Id. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5838 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations VI. Effective Date As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau proposed an implementation period of one year after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register.408 The Bureau received several comments on the proposed effective date. As noted in the November 2020 Final Rule, a few industry commenters supported the proposed effective date, stating that a one-year implementation period would provide debt collectors with enough time to comply with the rule. Two other industry commenters supported an 18month and a 24-month implementation period, respectively, arguing that it would take longer than one year to update policies and procedures, train employees, and make programming changes necessary to come into compliance. A government commenter encouraged the Bureau to provide small entities more than one year to comply, if such entities were not exempted from the rule altogether. Several industry commenters asked the Bureau to clarify that a debt collector is permitted to comply with all or part of the final rule before the effective date. The Bureau considered those comments in finalizing the November 2020 Final Rule and determined that that final rule would take effect one year after publication in the Federal Register. The Bureau determined that the revisions made to the proposal and discussed in that Final Rule would permit debt collectors to meet that effective date. The Bureau also recognized that all stakeholders might benefit if the November 2020 Final Rule and this final rule had the same effective date. As noted in part III, the November 2020 Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2020 and will take effect on November 30, 2021. The Bureau concludes that all stakeholders will benefit if the November 2020 Final Rule and this final rule have the same effective date. The Bureau also determines that setting the effective date for this final rule as November 30, 2021, consistent with the effective date of the November 2020 Final Rule, will provide debt collectors nearly one year, and therefore sufficient time, to come into compliance with this final rule. The Bureau notes that debt collectors may, but are not required to, comply with the final rule’s requirements and prohibitions before the effective date. Until that date, the FDCPA and other applicable law continue to govern the 408 85 FR 76734, 76863 (Nov. 30, 2020); see also 84 FR 23274, 23276 (May 21, 2019). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 conduct of FDCPA debt collectors. Similarly, to the extent the final rule establishes a safe harbor from liability for certain conduct or a presumption that certain conduct complies with or violates the rule, those safe harbors and presumptions are not effective until the final rule’s effective date. VII. Dodd-Frank Act Section 1022(b) Analysis A. Overview In developing the final rule, the Bureau has considered the potential benefits, costs, and impacts as required by section 1022(b)(2)(A) of the DoddFrank Act.409 Debt collectors play a critical role in markets for consumer financial products and services. Credit markets function because lenders expect that borrowers will pay them back. In consumer credit markets, if borrowers fail to repay what they owe per the terms of their loan agreement, creditors often engage debt collectors to attempt to recover amounts owed, whether through the court system or through less formal demands for repayment. In general, third-party debt collection creates the potential for market failures. Consumers do not choose their debt collectors, and, as a result, debt collectors do not have the same incentives that creditors have to treat consumers fairly.410 Certain provisions of the FDCPA may help mitigate such 409 Specifically, section 1022(b)(2)(A) of the Dodd-Frank Act (12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(2)(A)) requires the Bureau to consider the potential benefits and costs of the regulation to consumers and covered persons, including the potential reduction of access by consumers to consumer financial products and services; the impact of the rule on insured depository institutions and insured credit unions with less than $10 billion in total assets as described in section 1026 of the Dodd-Frank Act (12 U.S.C. 5516); and the impact on consumers in rural areas. 410 Consumers do choose their lenders, and, in principle, consumer loan contracts could specify which debt collector would be used or what debt collection practices would be in the event a loan is not repaid. Some economists have identified potential market failures that prevent loan contracts from including such terms even when they could make both borrowers and lenders better off. For example, terms related to debt collection may not be salient to consumers at the time a loan is made. Alternatively, if such terms are salient, a contract that provides for more lenient collection practices may lead to adverse selection, attracting a disproportionate share of borrowers who know they are more likely to default. See Thomas A. Durkin et al., Consumer Credit and the American Economy 521–25 (Oxford U. Press 2014) (discussing potential sources of market failure and potential problems with some of those arguments). See also Erik Durbin & Charles Romeo, The Economics of Debt Collection: With attention to the issue of salience of collections at the time credit is granted, Journal of Credit Risk (Sept. 4, 2020) (discussing how rules that limit debt collection affect consumer welfare when debt collection is not salient to consumers when they borrow). PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 market failures in debt collection, for example by prohibiting unfair, deceptive, or abusive debt collection practices by third-party debt collectors. Any restriction on debt collection may reduce repayment of debts, providing a benefit to some consumers who owe debts and an offsetting cost to creditors and debt collectors. A decrease in repayment will in turn lower the expected return to lending. This can lead lenders to increase interest rates and other borrowing costs and to restrict availability of credit, particularly to higher-risk borrowers.411 Because of this, policies that increase protections for consumers with debts in collection involve a tradeoff between the benefits of protections for those consumers and the possibility of increased costs of credit and reduced availability of credit for all consumers. Whether there is a net benefit from such protections depends on whether consumers value the protections enough to outweigh any associated increase in the cost of credit or reduction in availability of credit. The final rule will further the FDCPA’s goals of eliminating abusive debt collection practices and ensuring that debt collectors who refrain from such practices are not competitively disadvantaged.412 However, as discussed below, it is not clear based on the information available to the Bureau whether the net effect of the final rule will be to make it more costly or less costly for debt collectors to recover unpaid amounts, and therefore not clear whether the rule will tend to increase or decrease the supply of credit. The final rule will benefit both consumers and debt collectors by increasing clarity and certainty about what the FDCPA prohibits and requires. When a law is unclear, it is more likely that parties will disagree about what the law requires, that legal disputes will arise, and that litigation will be required to resolve disputes. Since 2010, consumers have filed approximately 8,000 to 12,000 lawsuits under the FDCPA each year, some of which involve issues on 411 See Thomas A. Durkin et al., Consumer Credit and the American Economy 521–25 (Oxford U. Press 2014) (discussing theory and evidence on how restrictions on creditor remedies affect the supply of credit). Empirical evidence on the impact of State laws restricting debt collection is discussed in section G below. The provisions in this final rule could also affect consumer demand for credit, to the extent that consumers contemplate collection practices when making borrowing decisions. However, there is evidence suggesting that consumer demand for credit is generally not responsive to differences in creditor remedies. See James Barth et al., Benefits and Costs of Legal Restrictions on Personal Loan Markets, Journal of Law & Economics, 29(2) (1986). 411 See 15 U.S.C. 1692(e). 412 See id. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 which the law is unclear.413 The number of disputes settled without litigation has likely been much greater.414 Perhaps more important than the costs of resolving legal disputes are the steps that debt collectors take to prevent legal disputes from arising in the first place. This includes direct costs of legal compliance, such as auditing and legal advice, as well as indirect costs from avoiding collection practices that might be both effective and legal but that raise potential legal risks. In some cases, debt collectors seeking to follow the law and avoid litigation have adopted practices that appear to be economically inefficient, with costs that exceed the benefits to consumers or even impose net costs on consumers.415 This final rule relating to disclosures could make debt collection either more or less costly in ways that are difficult to predict. For example, the validation notice requirements will provide consumers with more information than they currently receive about debts, which could reduce costs to consumers and debt collectors from disputes that arise when consumers do not recognize the debt or do not understand the basis for the alleged amount due. At the same time, the final rule’s clearer explanation of dispute rights could make consumers more likely to dispute, which could provide benefits to consumers while increasing costs for debt collectors. Disputes are costly for debt collectors to process, so these requirements could either increase or decrease debt collector and consumer costs depending on the net effect on dispute rates. In developing the final rule, the Bureau has consulted, or offered to consult with, the appropriate prudential regulators and other Federal agencies, including regarding consistency with any prudential, market, or systemic objectives administered by such agencies. 413 See WebRecon LLC, WebRecon Stats for Dec 2019 & Year in Review, https://webrecon.com/ webrecon-stats-for-dec-2019-and-year-in-reviewhow-did-your-favorite-statutes-fare/ (last visited Dec. 1, 2020). Greater clarity about legal requirements could reduce unintentional violations and could also reduce lawsuits because, when parties can better predict the outcome of a lawsuit, they may be more likely to settle claims out of court. 414 Some debt collectors have reported that they receive approximately 10 demand letters from attorneys asserting a violation of the FDCPA for each lawsuit filed. See Small Business Review Panel Outline, supra note 39, at 69 n.105. 415 For example, as discussed further below, debt collectors typically may disclose only the information that FDCPA section 809(a) specifically references and may provide the FDCPA section 809 information using statutory language, rather than plain language that consumers can more easily comprehend. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 B. Provisions To Be Analyzed The analysis below considers the potential benefits, costs, and impacts to consumers and covered persons of key provisions of the final rule (provisions), which include: 1. Time-barred debt: Prohibiting suits and threats of suit. 2. Notice for validation of debts. 3. Required actions prior to furnishing information. C. Data Limitations and Quantification of Benefits, Costs, and Impacts The discussion in this part VII relies on publicly available information as well as information the Bureau has obtained. To better understand consumer experiences with debt collection, the Bureau developed its 2015 Survey of Consumer Views on Debt, which provided the first comprehensive and nationally representative data on consumers’ experiences and preferences related to debt collection.416 In addition, the Bureau relies on its Consumer Credit Panel (CCP) to understand potential benefits and costs to consumers of the rule.417 To better understand potential effects of the rule on industry, the Bureau has engaged in significant outreach to industry, including through the CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study.418 In July 2016, the Bureau consulted with small entities as part of the SBREFA process and obtained important information on the potential impacts of proposals that the Bureau was considering at the time for the topics covered by the final rule; many of those proposals are included in the final rule.419 The sources described above, together with other sources of information and the Bureau’s market knowledge, form the basis for the Bureau’s consideration of the likely impacts of the final rule. The Bureau makes every attempt to provide reasonable estimates of the potential benefits and costs to consumers and covered persons of this final rule given available data. However, available data sources generally do not permit the Bureau to quantify, in dollar terms, how particular provisions will affect consumers. With respect to 416 See CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292. 417 For more information about Bureau data sources, see Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Sources and uses of data at the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Sept. 26, 2018), https:// www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/researchreports/sources-and-uses-data-bureau-consumerfinancial-protection/. 418 See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37. 419 See Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40. PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5839 industry impacts, much of the Bureau’s existing data come from qualitative input from debt collectors and other entities that operate in the debt collection market rather than from representative sampling that would allow the Bureau to estimate total benefits and costs. General economic principles and the Bureau’s expertise in consumer financial markets, together with the data and findings that are available, provide insight into the potential benefits, costs, and impacts of the final rule. Where possible, the Bureau has made quantitative estimates based on these principles and the data available. Some benefits and costs, however, are not amenable to quantification, or are not quantifiable given the data available to the Bureau. The Bureau provides a qualitative discussion of those benefits, costs, and impacts. The Bureau requested additional data or studies that could help quantify the benefits and costs to consumers and covered persons of the May 2019 Proposed Rule and the February 2020 Proposed Rule. The Bureau summarizes comments on this subject below, but few comments explicitly addressed quantifying the costs and benefits of the rule or provided additional data or studies. Comments on the benefits and costs of the rule are also discussed in part V above. D. Baseline for Analysis In evaluating the potential benefits, costs, and impacts of the final rule, the Bureau takes as a baseline the current legal framework governing debt collection. This includes debt collector practices as they currently exist, responding to the requirements of the FDCPA as currently interpreted by courts and law enforcement agencies, other Federal laws, and the rules and statutory requirements promulgated by the States.420 In the consideration of potential benefits, costs, and impacts below, the Bureau discusses its understanding of practices in the debt collection market under this baseline and how those practices are likely to change under the final rule. Until the creation of the Bureau, no Federal agency was given the authority to write substantive regulations implementing the FDCPA, meaning that 420 These requirements, and the specificity of the requirements, may vary depending upon the jurisdiction in which the collection occurs. This baseline does not include any potential impacts of the November 2020 Final Rule, however. The November 2020 Final Rule included a separate Dodd-Frank Act Section 1022(b) analysis, and that rule’s provisions do not go into effect until November 30, 2021. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5840 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 many of the FDCPA’s requirements are subject to interpretations in court decisions that are not always consistent or do not always definitely resolve an issue, such as a single district court opinion on an issue. Debt collectors’ practices reflect their interpretations of the FDCPA and their decisions about how to balance effective collection practices against litigation risk. Many of the impacts of the final rule relative to the baseline would arise from changes that debt collectors would make in response to additional clarity about the most appropriate interpretation of what conduct is permissible and not permissible under the FDCPA’s provisions. The Bureau received no comments regarding its choice of baseline for its section 1022(b) analysis. E. Goals of the Rule The final rule is intended to further the FDCPA’s goals of eliminating abusive debt collection practices and ensuring that debt collectors who refrain from such practices are not competitively disadvantaged. To these ends, an important goal of the rule is to benefit both consumers and debt collectors by increasing clarity and certainty about what the FDCPA prohibits and requires, which could improve compliance with the FDCPA while reducing unnecessary litigation regarding the FDCPA’s requirements. As discussed in part V and in this part VII, other goals of the rule’s provisions regarding validation information include providing more information to consumers about their debts, which may help consumers determine whether a debt is theirs and whether the reported amount owed is accurate and may reduce unnecessary disputes. The validation information is also intended to help consumers to know their rights and be able to exercise them, including by disputing a debt. In addition, the model validation notice is intended to provide information to consumers in a more appealing and easy-to-read format, making it more likely that consumers read and comprehend the information than with the validation notices currently in use. The rule’s provision requiring debt collectors to take certain actions prior to furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency is intended to increase the likelihood that consumers learn about an alleged debt before furnishing occurs, giving them an opportunity to resolve the debt or dispute it if appropriate. The rule’s provision prohibiting debt collectors from suing or threatening to sue on time-barred debts is intended to VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 mitigate the consumer harms that can result from such actions, including causing some consumers to pay or prioritize time-barred debts over other debts in the mistaken belief that doing so is necessary to avoid litigation or adverse judgments, when in fact consumers have meritorious defenses based on the statute of limitations. F. Coverage of the Rule The final rule applies to debt collectors as defined in the FDCPA and § 1006.2(i) of the November 2020 Final Rule. Creditors that collect on debts they own generally will not be affected directly by the final rule because they typically are not debt collectors for purposes of the FDCPA. Creditors, however, may experience indirect effects if debt collectors’ costs increase and if those costs are passed on to creditors. G. Potential Benefits and Costs to Consumers and Covered Persons The Bureau discusses the benefits and costs of the rule to consumers and covered persons (generally FDCPA debt collectors) in detail below.421 The Bureau believes that an important benefit of many of the provisions to both consumers and covered persons— compared to the baseline of the FDCPA as currently interpreted by courts and law enforcement agencies—is an increase in clarity and precision of the law governing debt collection. Greater certainty about legal requirements can benefit both consumers and debt collectors, making it easier for consumers to understand and assert their rights and easier for firms to ensure they are in compliance. The Bureau discusses these benefits in more detail with respect to certain provisions below but believes that they generally apply, in varying degrees, to all of the provisions discussed below. 1. Time-Barred Debt: Prohibiting Suits and Threats of Suit Section 1006.26(b) prohibits a debt collector from suing or threatening to sue a consumer to collect a time-barred debt. As discussed in part V above, multiple courts have held that the FDCPA prohibits suits and threats of suit on time-barred debt. The Bureau understands that most debt collectors do 421 For purposes of the section 1022(b)(2) analysis, the Bureau considers any consequences that consumers perceive as harmful to be a cost to consumers. In considering whether consumers might perceive certain activities as harmful, the Bureau is not analyzing whether those activities would be unlawful under the FDCPA or the DoddFrank Act. PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 not knowingly sue or threaten to sue consumers to collect time-barred debts. Although the final rule applies a strict liability standard to this prohibition, under which debt collectors may be liable for suits or threats of suit even if they do not know that the debt is timebarred, the Bureau believes that debt collectors have multiple ways of managing such risk including, but not limited to, confirming that the statute of limitations has not expired before bringing or threatening to bring a legal action or, if a debt collector is unable to make such a determination, refraining from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action while, in most States, continuing with non-litigation collection activities. Therefore, the Bureau does not expect this provision of the rule to have a significant effect on most debt collectors. To the extent that there are costs to covered persons or benefits to consumers from this provision, they will most likely come from reduced payments on time-barred debts, to the extent that some debt collectors currently sue or threaten to sue on timebarred debts as a strategy to elicit payment.422 If it is currently true that (1) suing or threatening to sue on debts is an important means of collection for debts for which the statute of limitations is close to expiring, and (2) most debt collectors stop suing or threatening to sue once the statute of limitations for a debt expires, then one would expect repayment rates to drop after the statute of limitations expires, and that drop might be made more significant by the provision. Such a reduction in payments would benefit consumers who owe the debts while imposing costs on debt collectors and creditors and potentially increasing the cost of credit generally. The Bureau therefore attempted to indirectly measure the potential effect of the provision by examining the behavior of consumers who owe debts that either recently expired or are close to expiring under their State’s statute of limitations. To do so, the Bureau used data from its Consumer Credit Panel (CCP), which contains information from one of the 422 The final rule may also increase costs to covered persons to the extent that debt collectors who currently sue or threaten to sue to collect timebarred debt increase their efforts to determine whether or not a debt is time barred. As discussed above in part V, The Bureau recognizes that, in most jurisdictions, expiration of the statute of limitations provides the consumer with an affirmative defense to liability, but it does not bar a debt collector from bringing suit. As such, some debt collectors who sue or threaten to sue on older debts may currently expend less time and effort verifying the time-barred status of a debt than they will under the final rule. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5841 three nationwide CRAs. The Bureau used data from the CCP to attempt to estimate the current effect of State statutes of limitation on the propensity of consumers to pay old debts in collection. The CCP contains information on collections tradelines—records that were furnished to this nationwide CRA by third-party debt collectors or debt buyers. The Bureau analyzed these data to determine whether the probability of payment declines around the expiration of the statute of limitations in the consumer’s State. Specifically, the Bureau followed debts reported in the CCP from the time they were first reported on a consumer’s credit record until they either showed some record of payment or disappeared from the credit record. In this analysis, the Bureau assumed that the applicable statute of limitations is the one applicable to written contracts in the consumer’s State of residence and that the statute of limitations begins for a debt on the date that the debt first appears on the consumer’s credit report. The Bureau assumed this starting date because there was no other date in the available data on which to reasonably base the beginning of the statute of limitations. There is likely to be some inaccuracy in this assumption due to a variety of factors, including delays between the beginning of the period defined by the statute of limitations and the first report of information to the CRA and cases in which the applicable statute of limitations is not the one in the consumer’s State. However, if the estimated expiration of the statute of limitations is at least approximately correct in most cases, then one would expect to observe whether the expiration of the statute of limitations has an effect on the likelihood that a debt is reported to have been paid. The Bureau calculated the probability of payment occurring after a given number of days, conditional on no payment occurring before—in technical terms, the ‘‘hazard rate’’ for payments— for all collections tradelines in the CCP. The Bureau then calculated the average hazard rate based on the number of months before or after the estimated expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. This calculation is plotted in Figure 1, below. The figure shows that the probability of a collections tradeline showing evidence of payment declines steadily for at least a year leading up to the estimated expiration of the statute of limitations and continues to decline at roughly the same rate afterwards. Thus, while the probability of payment declines over time, the reduced ability of debt collectors to pursue litigation does not seem to materially affect payments on collections tradelines. Combined with the Bureau’s understanding that debt collectors generally do not knowingly sue or threaten to sue on time-barred debt, this suggests that the provision would be unlikely to cause any further reduction in the rate of repayment on time-barred debt. Because the available data do not permit the Bureau to identify the expiration of the statute of limitations precisely, the analysis above may fail to identify some effects. 2. Notice for Validation of Debts exceptions, a debt collector must provide a consumer the validation information described in § 1006.34(c). Section 1006.34(c) implements FDCPA section 809(a)’s content requirements VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 Section 1006.34 implements and interprets FDCPA section 809(a), (b), (d), and (e). Specifically, § 1006.34(a) provides that, subject to certain PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 ER19JA21.027</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5842 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations and specifies that validation information includes certain information about the debt and the consumer’s protections with respect to debt collection that debt collectors do not currently provide to consumers. Section 1006.34(d) sets forth a general requirement that such information be clear and conspicuous. Section 1006.34(d) also provides safe harbors for using the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form, and permits the inclusion of certain optional information. Section 1006.34(e) affirmatively permits debt collectors to provide validation notices translated into other languages and requires debt collectors who offer to provide consumers translated notices to provide them to consumers who request them. Potential benefits and costs to consumers. The required validation information may benefit consumers in four ways. First, the disclosures will provide more information about the debt, which may help consumers determine whether the debt is theirs and whether the reported amount owed is accurate. Second, the notice will provide a plain-language disclosure of the consumer’s rights in debt collection, in particular the right to dispute, which should help consumers to know their rights and be able to exercise them. Third, the validation information will include consumer-response information that should make it easier for consumers to take certain actions, including disputing a debt. Finally, the model validation notice form is intended to provide information to consumers in a more plain-language and visually appealing format, making it more likely that consumers will read and comprehend the information than with the validation notices currently in use. To quantify the benefit of providing more and clearer validation information, the Bureau would need to estimate the impact of this additional information on consumers’ ability to recognize their debts compared to what is currently provided on validation notices, as well as how consumers would respond to that additional information. Although the Bureau is not aware of data that would permit a full accounting of these benefits, below is a summary of information the Bureau is aware of that is relevant to assessing these benefits. The Bureau understands that, in general, validation notices currently include little or no information about the debt beyond the information specifically listed in section 809(a) of the FDCPA (e.g., the current amount of the debt and the name of the current creditor). This information may not be VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 sufficient for the consumer to recognize the debt, particularly if: (1) The amount owed has changed over time due to interest, fees, payments, or credits; (2) the debt collector has changed since an original collection attempt; or (3) the creditor’s name is not one the consumer associates with the debt (as with some store-branded credit cards issued by third-party financial institutions). Consumers who do not recognize a debt because the information on a validation notice is insufficient may incur costs if they mistakenly dispute a debt they owe, make a payment on a debt they do not owe, or ignore a debt on the assumption that the collection attempt is in error. Relative to current validation notices, the validation information under the final rule will include more specific details about the debt, such as the debt’s account number and an itemization of the debt. The Bureau has determined that this information will benefit consumers by making it easier for them to determine whether they owe a debt and, therefore, reducing the likelihood of incurring costs due to mistakes like those noted above. The consumer can also use the consumer-response information to request the name and address of the original creditor, which may further help the consumer to recognize the debt. To fully evaluate the benefits to consumers of disclosing this additional information, the Bureau would need representative data to estimate how often consumers would read and understand the additional information on the notice and the extent to which that information increases consumer recognition and understanding compared to a notice without it. For example, the Bureau could further quantify some of the consumer benefits of the additional information if the Bureau were able to estimate: (1) How many consumers ignore notices out of a mistaken conclusion that the debt is not theirs; (2) how many consumers dispute correct debts, and subsequently, how much time the validation notice saves by obviating later interactions that result from improper disputes; and (3) how many consumers fail to dispute or make payments on incorrect debts. The Bureau is not aware of a source of information on the number of consumers in these categories or the possible time savings that could result from the validation information. The Bureau’s Debt Collection Consumer Survey suggests that the required validation information would likely be helpful in recognizing a debt. Specifically, when asked how helpful various pieces of information would be PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 in figuring out whether they owed a debt, consumers were most likely to indicate that the creditor name, type of debt, and an itemization of the amount owed (such as principal, interest, and fees) were especially valuable.423 These opinions were echoed in focus groups in which consumers noted that, after a debt is sold, it is more difficult to recognize, and that they wanted as much information as possible to help them recognize the debt as theirs (especially the account number, creditor, and amount due) with the exception of sensitive information like social security numbers.424 To quantify the benefits of the provision requiring a clear and conspicuous disclosure of a consumer’s right to dispute a debt, the Bureau would need to estimate the number of consumers who fail to dispute debts that they do not owe because they are unaware of, or do not comprehend, their right to dispute. The Bureau cannot precisely quantify this benefit; however, the discussion below identifies several applicable considerations and estimates. The Bureau estimates that at least 49 million consumers are contacted by debt collectors each year.425 Twenty-eight percent of consumers who said they had been contacted about one or more debts in collection reported that the contacts included attempts to collect at least one debt that the consumers believed they did not owe.426 One-third of consumers who had been contacted said the amount the creditor or debt collector was trying to collect was wrong for at least one of these debts, and 16 percent said the contacts included at least one contact about a debt that was instead owed by a family member. (Some consumers reported more than one of these issues). Taken together, more than half of consumers (53 percent) who said they had been contacted about one or more debts in collection reported that they thought at least one of the debts they were contacted about was in error. This suggests that there are many consumers who receive the validation notices in use today who might be likely 423 CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292. 424 FMG Focus Group Report, supra note 26, at 15–16. 425 See CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292, at 13, 40–41. 426 The survey questions concerning consumer beliefs about errors in collections did not ask respondents to distinguish between debts owed to a debt collector and debts owed to a creditor. If consumers are more or less likely to believe there is an error for collection attempts by debt collectors, then this percentage and those below may over- or under-estimate the likelihood that a consumer believes a debt is in error when the consumer is contacted by a debt collector. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 to dispute based on their perception that either the debt is not theirs or is wrong. Among the 53 percent of consumers who cited one of the issues noted above, 42 percent reported that they disputed a collection in the prior year, and 11 percent of consumers who had not cited one of those issues indicated that they had disputed a debt. The fact that less than half of consumers who questioned a debt about which the creditor or debt collector contacted them reported disputing a debt is consistent with the possibility that some consumers do not dispute in response to a collection effort because they are not aware of the option to dispute or do not understand the steps required to do so. The required clear-and-conspicuous statement of the dispute right could benefit these consumers by making them aware of their right to dispute and informing them how to dispute. The survey’s finding that only 42 percent of consumers who thought they experienced an error with a debt in collection disputed the error suggests consumers are uncertain about how to dispute a debt in collection or that they believe that disputes require too much time and effort relative to the expected benefit. The required consumerresponse information could reduce these impediments to disputing debts that consumers believe are in error. Specifically, the consumer-response information will provide a clear means of disputing a debt in a way that triggers the protections provided by the FDCPA and this rule. Furthermore, the convenience of the consumer-response information, which is formatted on the model validation notice as a tear-off with prompts for various actions, could reduce barriers to responding by eliminating or reducing the burden of, for example, deciding what information is relevant and how to phrase the response.427 This could allow some consumers to save time and avoid other negative consequences, such as lower credit scores due to a debt they may not owe being listed as unpaid on their credit reports. Additionally, the consumer-response information includes an option to 427 A 2016 research report by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority showed that, in a large randomized control trial, a tear-off form (with a text or email reminder) led to more consumers switching from a current savings account to one with a better interest rate relative to getting only an informational text or email reminder and relative to an informational box with instructions on how to switch. Paul Adams et al., Attention, Search and Switching: Evidence on Mandated Disclosure from the Savings Market (UK Fin. Conduct Authority, Occasional Paper No. 19 2016), https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/ occasional-papers/occasional-paper-19.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 request information about the original creditor. Original-creditor information may help consumers in determining whether the debt is theirs. The Bureau has tested a model validation notice. Several considerations went into the content and design of the model validation notice. First, consumers must have relevant and accurate information to make informed decisions about how to act with regard to the debt. The Bureau therefore conducted consumer testing to identify what pieces of information consumers considered to be important to help them identify whether a debt was theirs, whether the amount stated was correct, and how the amount the debt collector was attempting to collect has changed over time (e.g., due to fees, interest, and payments).428 However, there is some indication that consumers tend to not read certain types of standard-form disclosures.429 To try to avoid this result, the Bureau conducted consumer testing exploring how consumers interacted and engaged with the notice and the pieces of information contained therein.430 This helped the Bureau understand whether consumers were inclined to engage with the document in general and which pieces of the validation notice received more or less consumer attention. The Bureau incorporated the findings from this consumer testing in its design of the model validation notice. To increase both consumer engagement with and comprehension of the validation information, the Bureau designed the model notice to be visually engaging. The notice uses plain language wherever possible and conforms to recommendations the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) set forth in its plain English handbook.431 To reduce the perceived complexity of the information, the form uses a clear hierarchy of information through positioning in a columnar format, varying type size, and boldfaced type for subsection headings. It 428 FMG Summary Report, supra note 29. e.g., Ian Ayres & Alan Schwartz, The NoReading Problem in Consumer Contract Law, 66 Stan. L. Rev. 545 (2014); Yannis Bakos et al., Does Anyone Read the Fine Print? Consumer Attention to Standard-Form Contracts, 43 J. Legal Studies 1, 1–35 (2014); George R. Milne & Mary J. Culnan, Strategies for Reducing Online Privacy Risks: Why Consumers Read (or Don’t Read) Online Privacy Notices, 18 J. Interactive Mktg. 3, 15–29 (2004); Jonathan A. Obar & Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch, The Biggest Lie on the internet: Ignoring the Privacy Policies and Terms of Service Policies of Social Networking Services (York U., draft version, 2018), https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2757465. 430 FMG Cognitive Report, supra note 27. 431 See Sec. & Exchange Comm’n, A Plain English Handbook (Aug. 1998), https://www.sec.gov/pdf/ handbook.pdf. 429 See, PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5843 uses shading to highlight the amount due and plain language rather than technical terms. Usability testing analyzing eye-tracking suggests that participants were able to locate relevant information on the form, with most participants able to quickly locate their account number and the contact information of the creditor.432 The information presented in the form is also concise, presenting consumers with a manageable amount of information about the debt and what they can do in response to the information. This is important, as the perceived and actual cost to a consumer of reading a disclosure increases with the amount of information provided.433 A number of consumer advocate and academic commenters asserted that the proposed model notice was not adequately tested. Some of these commenters stated that the Bureau’s testing included too few participants to generate valid conclusions about the proposed model notice’s efficacy or to evaluate the comprehension of consumers, particularly of the least sophisticated consumers. For instance, a consumer advocate expressed concern that only 60 consumers were included in the cognitive and usability testing rounds.434 Likewise, an academic commenter stated that the Bureau’s consumer testing focused too heavily on observing what testing participants looked at on the model notice (based on the use of eye tracking techniques) at the expense of testing participants’ comprehension of the notice. Another commenter stated that the Bureau should have tested more diverse groups, including consumers with limited English proficiency, students, older consumers, and consumers from more diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Some consumer advocate and academic commenters recommended that the Bureau field test the proposed model notice with consumers with real debts. A consumer advocate expressed concern about the performance of certain aspects of the proposed model notice in quantitative testing, noting in particular that approximately 40 percent of respondents who received the model 432 FMG Summary Report, supra note 29. idea that consumers may decrease their engagement with information when more information is provided is somewhat supported by research on ‘‘choice overload.’’ This work indicates that, if choice sets are large, some people opt to make no choice at all. See, e.g., Sheena Iyengar et al., How Much Choice is Too Much? Contributions to 401(k) Retirement Plans, in Pension Design and Structure: New Lessons from Behavioral Finance, at 83 (Oxford U. Press 2004). 434 See FMG Summary Report, supra note 29, at 5–7. 433 The E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5844 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 notice failed to identify the correct entity the consumer should pay.435 The Bureau disagrees that the model validation notice was not adequately tested. The model validation notice was developed and validated over multiple rounds of testing between 2014 and 2020, and the Bureau determines that these multiple rounds of testing were sufficient to assess the model validation notice’s efficacy and comprehensibility. Further, the Bureau disagrees that its testing focused on eye-tracking at the expense of comprehension testing as consumer comprehension of the model validation notice was assessed in three rounds of testing. The Bureau’s testing used eye-tracking in conjunction with consumer responses to inform its conclusions. The Bureau disagrees that it did not sample sufficiently diverse groups. The Bureau selected respondents with the goal of developing diverse testing pools that would serve as a proxy for the population at large. For example, in one round of usability testing, participants reflected a range of demographic characteristics broken down by race and ethnicity, household income, education level, and employment status.436 With respect to the criticism that the Bureau did not ‘‘field test’’ the model validation notice, testing the form with consumers with real debts would have been impractical. Regarding comments that the model validation notice did not perform well during the quantitative testing round, the Bureau disagrees. As noted above, in that testing round, the model validation notice consistently performed better than or equal to the status quo notice, including on the question of to whom the consumer should send a payment.437 Additionally, the Bureau conducted qualitative follow-up testing of the model notice in October 2020. In this testing 88 percent of respondents reported that the notice was either ‘‘very 435 Several comments in response to the May 2019 proposal also criticized the consumer testing as being outdated because, when that proposal was published, the most recent testing had occurred in 2016. However, the Bureau does not find any reason to believe that consumer understanding of the model notice has changed since 2016, and the commenters did not provide any evidence to support such a claim. Moreover, since the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau has conducted two additional testing rounds. 436 FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 85– 87. 437 In response to the question ‘‘According to the notice, if Person A wanted to make a payment on the debt, who should he or she sent the payment to?’’ approximately 60 percent of consumers who received the model validation notice answered correctly compared to approximately 40 percent of consumers who received a status quo notice. CFPB Quantitative Testing Report, supra note 31, at 14. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 easy’’ or ‘‘easy’’ to understand.438 Between 71 percent and 100 percent of participants responded correctly to 14 different comprehension questions. Although some participants expressed confusion about a few aspects of the notice, the initial reactions to the notice were that information was clear and the available actions were obvious. In summary, the Bureau’s testing establishes that consumers will benefit from the use of the model notice compared to the baseline of status quo validation notices. The Bureau expects consumers to experience few costs as a result of the provision. Potential benefits to covered persons. The provision provides debt collectors with a safe harbor if they use the model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form to meet the requirements in § 1006.34(c). The Bureau understands that debt collectors currently face litigation risk associated with the validation notices they send, reflecting, in part, conflicting court decisions about what language is required and what language is permitted in the notices.439 The Bureau expects a significant number of debt collectors will use the model notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form and, therefore, will face significantly reduced litigation risk when providing validation notices because they will receive the safe harbor. This will benefit debt collectors directly, by reducing litigation costs related to validation notices. The provision’s requirements to provide specific information about the debt and about a consumer’s protections in debt collection could also indirectly benefit debt collectors by adding information to validation notices that would be helpful to consumers but that debt collectors currently do not include for fear that it would increase litigation risk. The validation information may also make consumers more likely to dispute, which could increase costs for debt collectors, as discussed under ‘‘Potential costs to covered persons’’ below. The validation information includes specific information about the debt intended to help consumers identify the debt and understand the amount the debt collector claims is owed. The Bureau’s qualitative consumer research and the Bureau’s complaint data suggest that the information currently included in validation notices is often not sufficient for consumers to identify a 438 See id. at 16. Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40, at 22. 439 See PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 debt or whether the amount owed is correct. If consumers are better able to identify debts, they may be less likely to dispute or ignore a debt that they in fact owe, and at the same time may be better able to articulate the basis for a dispute of a debt that they do not owe. These effects could benefit debt collectors by reducing the costs associated with consumer disputes. Although it is possible that debt collectors could currently provide such information on validation notices, the Bureau understands that some debt collectors who would like to provide additional information do not do so largely due to the legal risks associated with including information in the validation notice beyond what is expressly required by the FDCPA.440 The form will significantly reduce this legal risk. To quantify the benefits of this provision to covered persons, the Bureau would need data on how frequently consumers do not recognize the debt or the amount owed as identified on a validation notice, how many consumers would better recognize the debt if they received the required validation information, and how consumers would act in response to that information. While the Bureau is not aware of available data that would permit it to estimate these numbers, the Debt Collection Consumer Survey does provide some basis for concluding that the required validation information will be helpful to consumers and, therefore, beneficial for debt collectors. The validation information could reduce debt collector costs associated with disputes by preventing some disputes from consumers who are more likely to recognize that they owe a debt and by making the disputes that debt collectors receive clearer and easier to resolve. Debt collectors report that processing disputes is a costly activity and that it can be especially difficult to process disputes if the consumer provides little or no detail about the basis for a dispute. Debt collectors surveyed by the Bureau indicated that most disputes took between five minutes and one hour of staff time to resolve, with 15 to 30 minutes being the most common amount of time.441 Respondents said that disputes took the longest amount of time to resolve if the basis of the dispute 440 See Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40, at 22 (finding that small entities would benefit from a model notice that reduced litigation risk arising from conflicting court decisions about what information is permitted on a validation notice). 441 CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 31. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations was unclear or if the consumer said the debt was not theirs.442 One commenter noted that 40 percent of disputes at their debt collection agency are non-generic and generally resolvable. This commenter asserted that the tear offs on the model validation notice will make these nongeneric disputes less informative. An industry commenter noted that 99.4 percent of accounts it received were not disputed. Of the 0.6 percent that are disputed, 80 percent are accurate once more information is gathered. Given this, the commenter argued that providing consumers itemized statements for medical bills, which can run into many pages, is unnecessary. The Bureau does not have a basis to estimate how much the validation information might affect dispute rates. As an illustration of potential cost savings if dispute rates fall, if the information were to reduce the number of consumers who dispute by 1 percent of all validation notices sent, and assuming that there are 140 million validation notices sent per year,443 the overall number of annual disputes would fall by 1.4 million. Assuming time to process each dispute of 0.375 hours, the overall savings to industry would be estimated at 525,000 personhours, or approximately 250 full-time equivalents. Assuming labor costs for debt collectors of $22 per hour,444 this would represent industry cost savings of about $11.5 million. The validation notice could also reduce the cost of processing disputes by making it easier for consumers who dispute to provide at least some information about the basis of their disputes. This could reduce the costs to covered persons of processing disputes by making it easier for debt collectors to investigate disputed debts in order to verify the debt. Potential costs to covered persons. Debt collectors already send validation notices to consumers to comply with the FDCPA, so the validation information will generally affect the content of existing disclosures debt collectors are sending rather than require debt collectors to send entirely new disclosures. Nonetheless, debt collectors will incur certain costs to comply with khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 442 Id. 443 The assumption of 140 million validation notices per year is based on an estimated 49 million consumers contacted by debt collectors each year and an assumption that each consumer receives an average of approximately 2.8 notices during the year. 444 This assumes an hourly wage of $15 and taxes, benefits, and incentives of $7 per hour. See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 17 (reporting estimated debt collector wages between $10 and $20 per hour plus incentives). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 the form. These include one-time compliance costs, the ongoing costs of obtaining the required validation information, and potentially ongoing costs of responding to a potential increase in the number of disputes. The provision will require debt collectors to reformat their validation notices to accommodate the validation information requirements. The Bureau expects that any one-time costs to debt collectors of reformatting the validation notice will be relatively small, particularly for debt collectors who rely on vendors, because the Bureau expects that most vendors will provide an updated notice at no additional cost.445 The Bureau understands from its outreach that many covered persons currently use vendors to provide validation notices.446 Surveyed firms, and their vendors, told the Bureau that vendors do not typically charge an additional cost to modify an existing template (although this practice might not apply given that the final rule likely will require more extensive changes to validation notices than vendors typically make today).447 Debt collectors and vendors will bear costs to understand the requirements of the provision and to ensure that their systems generate notices that comply with the requirements, although these costs will be mitigated somewhat by the availability of a model notice. The validation information will require debt collectors to provide certain additional information about the debt, which will require that debt collectors receive and maintain certain data fields and incorporate them into the notices. The Bureau believes that the large majority of debt collectors already receive and maintain most data fields included in the final validation information. However, some respondents to the Debt Collection Operations Study reported that they do not receive from creditors information about post-default interest, fees, payments, and credits.448 These debt collectors will have to update their systems to track these fields. The Bureau understands that such system updates would be likely to cost less than $1,000 for each debt collector.449 At least one industry commenter asserted that one-time compliance costs 445 See id. at 33. the Operations Study, over 85 percent of debt collectors surveyed by the Bureau reported using letter vendors. Id. at 32. 447 Id. at 33. 448 In the Bureau’s Operations Study, 52 of 58 respondents reported receiving itemization of postcharge-off fees on at least some of their accounts. Id. at 23. 449 Id. at 26. 446 In PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5845 would be significantly higher than $1,000, at least for collectors of medical debt. This commenter estimated costs of between $22,000 and $31,000 for implementation. The commenter noted that, for collectors of medical debt, an itemization of charges requires information about payments by the consumer’s health insurance, increasing the complexity and cost of tracking the necessary information. The Bureau acknowledges that costs may be higher for some debt collectors. However, the Bureau’s estimate is based on responses to the CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, more than half of which came from debt collectors of medical debt. As such, the Bureau believes that, on average, its estimate of less than $1,000 in one-time costs is reasonable. If debt collectors adjust their systems to produce notices including the new validation information, the Bureau does not expect there would be an increase in the ongoing costs of printing and sending validation notices. However, there could be ongoing costs related to the validation information requirements if the required data are not always available to debt collectors.450 The Bureau understands that some creditors do not currently track post-default charges and credits in a way that can be readily transferred to debt collectors. However, the Bureau’s understanding is that most creditors, including medical providers, do track this information, and many debt collectors already provide this information on validation notices. Further, debt collectors are already 450 One industry trade group estimated that an itemization requirement would cost $600 million in professional fees to conduct legal analyses of HIPAA compliance for medical debt, $30 million for one-time system reprogramming for debt collectors, and $3 billion for one-time system reprogramming for creditors. The proposal allegedly would also result in billions of dollars in ongoing support costs and uncompensated medical care because, according to the commenter, the proposed requirement, if adopted, would increase the risks that hospitals might be unable to use debt collectors. As discussed in part V, the itemization requirement should not raise issues of HIPAA compliance that would require creditors to engage legal counsel in order to provide the required information, as HIPAA privacy regulations explicitly permit disclosure where required by law. While some one-time costs will be required so that collection and billing systems can incorporate the data needed to comply with the requirement, as discussed in this section, the Bureau understands that the required changes would not be far outside the scope of normal adjustments to billing and collection systems and does not have reason to believe the changes would be so expensive as to prevent hospitals from using debt collectors. The final rule permits debt collectors to use the date of the last statement or invoice provided to the consumer by a creditor as the itemization date. If providing a debt collector with itemization information were prohibitively expensive for a medical provider, such providers could avoid these costs by simply issuing a statement to the consumer. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5846 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 required to disclose an itemization for some types of debt in at least one jurisdiction, New York State.451 In addition, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of § 1006.34(b)(3), the final rule’s itemization date definition permits debt collectors to select an itemization date that is feasible for the type of debt in collection and the information debt collectors receive. And § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) requires itemization of fees, interest, and credits only subsequent to the selected itemization date. Thus, for example, if a debt collector selects the last statement date as the itemization date under § 1006.34(b)(3), and if the creditor has recently issued a statement to the consumer, the debt collector need only obtain and provide to the consumer an itemization with fees, interest, and credits subsequent to that last statement date. And, as discussed in the sectionby-section analysis of § 1006.34(d)(2), a debt collector may provide the itemization on a separate page and retain the safe harbor for the rest of the validation notice. Industry commenters asserted that there would be additional printing and mailing costs of the provision due to the tear-off portion of the model notice, which is formatted for use with a return envelope. The commenters argued that many debt collectors do not currently include return envelopes with their validation notices and that including a return envelope would increase mailing costs. The Bureau disagrees that this would be a cost of the rule, as the rule does not require including a return envelope with a mailed validation notice, the format of the tear-off portion notwithstanding. Given that it is not required, the Bureau expects that debt collectors will only begin including return envelopes if they find, in their own analysis, that the benefit exceeds the additional costs. Several commenters discussed the potential for ongoing costs of providing the new validation information. One industry commenter expressed concern about the availability of the information required on the model validation notice for medical debt, as the commenter 451 See 23 NYCRR 1.2(b) (requiring debt collectors to provide an itemized accounting of the debt within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of certain types of charged-off debt, such as credit card debt). The fact that debt collectors subject to New York’s requirements continue to operate and send validation notices in New York suggests that, although the itemization requirement may impose one-time adjustment costs on some creditors and debt collectors, ongoing costs are not prohibitive, at least for the types of debts for which New York has required itemization. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 believed that the only available itemization date permitted by the proposal for these debts would be date of service (i.e., the transaction date), and the commenter stated that date of service was currently only available from 17.2 percent of its clients. Another industry commenter noted that there would be costs associated with providing updated itemization dates for a debt that transfers between debt collectors. Industry trade association commenters noted that there would be costs to creditors of providing the fields to debt collectors and that not all of the required fields are necessarily tracked by all creditors currently, particularly credit unions. The Bureau acknowledges that the FDCPA and this final rule may create indirect costs for creditors that use debt collectors, because the costs to debt collectors of complying with FDCPA requirements may be passed on to creditors and because debt collectors must receive certain information about debts in order to comply with FDCPA requirements. The information available to the Bureau does not suggest that any indirect costs to creditors of this provision will be large. Further, one industry commenter asserted that the itemization requirement could competitively harm collectors of medical debt. This commenter asserted that medical care providers are currently unable to provide the required itemization information, and rather than incurring costs to provide this information, would switch to using debt collectors who do not comply with the law. This would put compliant debt collectors at a competitive disadvantage. As noted above, the Bureau acknowledges that the provision may affect the costs to creditors, including medical care providers, of using FDCPA debt collectors, because creditors must provide debt collectors with the necessary information for the validation notice. It is also possible that in some cases a less sophisticated creditor may employ a debt collector who does not attempt to comply with the rule. However, the Bureau finds it unlikely that this provision of the rule would lead to widespread non-compliance, at the expense of debt collectors who comply with the requirements of the rule. The Bureau, the FTC, and other Federal and State law enforcement agencies have and will continue to maintain vigorous enforcement of the FDCPA.452 Any debt collector who 452 See, e.g., Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., CFPB, FTC, State, and Federal Law Enforcement PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 obtained enough business through noncompliance with the rule to do material harm to debt collectors who comply with the rule would be likely to attract enforcement action from regulators. Moreover, the risk of reputational harm is likely to deter some medical providers from intentionally employing debt collectors who knowingly do not comply with the rule. Other potential costs to debt collectors could arise if changes to the validation information affect how consumers respond, particularly whether they dispute the debt. As discussed above, because the validation information would include more detail, consumers might be more likely to recognize the debt and less likely to mistakenly dispute debts that they owe. On the other hand, the new consumerresponse information would make it easier to dispute debts or request the name and address of the original creditor. Together with the additional information about consumers’ ability to dispute that will be provided, this could increase the number of consumers who dispute or request original-creditor information. Similarly, some industry commenters argued that the tear-off portion of the model notice would make disputes easier, resulting in more disputes. The overall impact on dispute rates is unclear. Any increases in dispute rates would not be likely to substantially reduce collection revenue, but increased dispute rates would increase debt collector costs. With respect to collections revenue, the Bureau expects that, with some fairly limited exceptions, consumers who choose to pay a debt are generally those who recognize that they owe the debt and want to pay it, and that in most cases the validation information would be unlikely to cause such consumers to dispute rather than pay.453 With respect to costs, the disclosures could lead consumers who do not recognize the debt or who believe there is a problem with the amount demanded to dispute Partners Announce Nationwide Crackdown on Phantom and Abusive Debt Collection (Sept. 29, 2020), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/ newsroom/cfpb-ftc-state-and-federal-lawenforcement-partners-announce-nationwidecrackdown-phantom-and-abusive-debt-collection. 453 While there is some evidence that consumers sometimes pay alleged debts even though they do not believe they owe them, such consumers may be motivated by factors, such as credit reporting concerns, that are not addressed by the validation notice itself. See Jeff Sovern et al., Validation and Verification Vignettes: More Results from an Empirical Study of Consumer Understanding of Debt Collection Validation Notices, at 46–47 (St. John’s U., Working Paper No. 18–0016, 2018), https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_ id=3219171. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 the debt rather than ignoring it. Responding to disputes is a costly activity for debt collectors, so an increase in dispute rates would increase these costs. As discussed above, covered persons surveyed by the Bureau indicated that most disputes took between five minutes and one hour of staff time to resolve, with 15 to 30 minutes being the most common amount of time.454 Alternative proposals to require Spanish-language disclosures. The Bureau considered proposals that would require debt collectors to provide a Spanish-language translation of the validation information under certain circumstances, such as on the reverse side of any English-language validation notice or if requested by a consumer. Consumers with limited English proficiency may benefit from translations of the validation information, and Spanish speakers represent the second-largest language group in the United States after English speakers.455 Requiring Spanish-language disclosures would impose costs on some debt collectors. A requirement to send a Spanish-language disclosure on the back of each validation notice could increase mailing costs for all validation notices that are sent by mail, because it would require information that would otherwise be printed on the back of validation notices, such as Statemandated disclosures, to be provided on a separate page. A requirement to provide Spanish-language validation notices upon request could lead to a smaller increase in mailing costs but could require debt collectors to develop and maintain systems for tracking a consumer’s language preference and responding to that preference. The Bureau understands that some debt collectors currently send validation notices in Spanish to some consumers. These debt collectors presumably believe that the increase in revenues from sending them to these consumers exceeds the costs of doing so. To the extent sending such notices is already prevalent, it would limit the consumer 454 CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 31. The discussion in ‘‘Benefits to covered persons’’ above provides an illustration of the potential impact on debt collectors of a change in dispute rates. Using the assumptions in that illustration, if the net impact of the proposal were to increase industrywide disputes by 1 million disputes per year, it could imply increased industry costs totaling around $8.25 million per year. 455 In 2013, 38.4 million residents in the United States aged five and older spoke Spanish at home. See U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: Hispanic Heritage Month 2015 (Sept. 14, 2015), https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-forfeatures/2015/cb15-ff18.html. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 benefits of a provision that requires Spanish-language translations as well as the costs to debt collectors of such a provision, although there would still be costs associated with ensuring that such disclosures were made as required by regulation. Consumer advocate and academic commenters argued that the Bureau should have required that the validation notice be in the language of the original transaction, including languages other than English or Spanish. The commenters noted that procedural hurdles, such as a mismatch between the consumers’ primary language and the language of a disclosure, can have large effects on behavior. The Bureau notes that this alternative would impose significantly greater costs on debt collectors than the final rule, as they would need to maintain versions of the model notice for each such language. At the same time, the marginal benefit to consumers of the alternative suggested by commenters would be smaller, as fewer consumers communicate in languages other than English and Spanish. 3. Required Actions Prior to Furnishing Information Section 1006.30(a)(1) prohibits a debt collector from furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency (CRA) about a debt before taking specific actions to contact the consumer about that debt. A debt collector can satisfy this requirement by: (i) Speaking to the consumer about the debt in person or by telephone; or (ii) placing a letter in the mail or sending an electronic message to the consumer about the debt and waiting a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of undeliverability, provided certain other conditions are satisfied. A validation notice is one type of letter or electronic communication debt collectors can use to satisfy § 1006.30(a)(1)(ii). Potential benefits and costs to consumers. The final rule will help consumers to learn about an alleged debt before a debt collector furnishes adverse information to a CRA. If consumers believe that the information is incorrect, they will have an opportunity to dispute the debt. When debt collectors furnish information about unpaid debts to CRAs, that information can appear on consumer credit reports, potentially limiting consumers’ ability to obtain credit, employment, or housing. If consumers are unaware that information about a possible unpaid debt is being furnished to a CRA, then they may not realize that their ability to obtain credit, employment or housing may be affected PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5847 by the debt’s presence on their credit reports. They may pay more for credit or lose out on employment or housing because they are unaware that their credit scores have been negatively affected or they may discover the adverse information only when they apply for credit, employment, or housing. To quantify the potential consumer benefits from the final rule, the Bureau would need to know: (1) How frequently consumers are unaware that debt collectors furnished information about their debts to CRAs but would become aware of it if debt collectors informed consumers prior to furnishing information; and (2) the benefit to these consumers of becoming aware they had a debt in collections. In many cases, consumers will not be affected by the provision because many debt collectors already take one of the actions required by the final rule before furnishing information to CRAs. Many other consumers will not be affected by the provision because not all debt collectors furnish information to CRAs about the debts on which they are seeking to recover. The Bureau understands that most debt collectors mail validation notices to consumers shortly after they receive accounts for collection.456 A minority of debt collectors sometimes or always mail validation notices only after speaking with consumers (whether contact was initiated by the debt collector or the consumer).457 The Bureau does not have representative data to estimate how often consumers would be affected by the provision, but the evidence suggests that a relatively small share of debt collectors furnish information to CRAs before providing a validation notice or taking one of the other actions required by the final rule. If, for example, debt collectors sent 456 See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 28. One large industry commenter, which does furnish to the CRAs, also confirmed that it almost always mails a validation notice before furnishing. To comply with the final rule, these debt collectors would also need to wait a reasonable period of time to allow for notifications of non-delivery, and only furnish if they don’t receive such notifications. The Bureau does not have information as to how many of these debt collectors currently take these additional steps. However, the Bureau expects that taking these additional steps would impose minimal costs on debt collectors that do not already take them. 457 In the Bureau’s Operations Study, 53 of 58 respondents said that they send a validation notice shortly after debt placement, and of those that do not, three respondents that said that they furnish data to CRAs. Id. During the meeting of the SBREFA Panel, only one small entity representative described additional burdens it would face as a result of a requirement to communicate with consumers before furnishing information to credit bureaus. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5848 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 validation notices for an additional five percent of debts in collection, the provision could result in up to approximately seven million additional validation notices sent each year (assuming that no debt collectors would cease furnishing in response to the provision).458 Learning that a debt is in collections shortly after the collections process begins can help consumers prevent or mitigate harm from adverse information on their credit reports. This can be particularly important if the information about the debt is inaccurate because in those cases consumers who learn of the alleged debt can dispute the debt under the FDCPA or dispute the item of information under the FCRA. By informing consumers about the collection item before it is furnished to a CRA, the final rule will make it less likely that consumers learn about a collection item when they are in the process of applying for credit or other benefits, at which point they may feel pressure to resolve the item and may not have the opportunity to fully dispute the item. An FTC report addressed the prevalence of collections-related errors in credit reports.459 The FTC report analyzed data from a sample of 1,001 consumers and identified errors in the credit records of three nationwide CRAs. The report found collectionsrelated errors in 4.9 percent of credit reports, and credit reports with documented errors contained, on average, 1.8 errors per report. The Bureau’s Debt Collection Consumer Survey also suggests that debt collectors make collection errors, finding that 53 percent of consumers who said they had been contacted about one or more debts in collection said that these contacts included at least one debt the consumer thought was in error.460 Credit scores are based on a wide variety of information in consumer credit files. While many errors have only small effects on consumers’ credit scores,461 in some cases information in credit files about unpaid debts can have 458 This estimate assumes 140 million validation notices are sent each year, based on an estimated 49 million consumers contacted by debt collectors each year and an assumption that each receives an average of approximately 2.8 notices during the year. 459 Fed. Trade Comm’n, Report to Congress under Section 319 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, (Dec. 2012) https:// www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reports/ section-319-fair-and-accurate-credit-transactionsact-2003-fifth-interim-federal-trade-commission/ 130211factareport.pdf (FTC Report to Congress). 460 CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292, at 24. 461 See FTC Report to Congress, supra note 459, at 43. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 a reasonably large impact on credit scores. For example, analysis of telecommunications collection items in credit reports has shown that, while additional collection items have relatively small effects in some cases, they can have substantial effects for some consumers, with an average reduction in credit score of more than 41 points for super-prime consumers.462 In some circumstances, these changes could lead to higher interest rates for consumers or denial of credit, particularly for borrowers with otherwise high credit scores. Potential benefits and costs to covered persons. The final rule will affect the practices of debt collectors who sometimes furnish information about consumers’ debts to CRAs before taking one of the required actions under the final rule. The Bureau understands that most debt collectors mail validation notices to consumers shortly after they receive the accounts for collections and before they furnish information on those accounts. These debt collectors either already would be in compliance with the final rule or could come into compliance with minimal additional cost.463 Forty-five out of 58 debt collectors responding to the Bureau’s Operations Study said that they furnish information to CRAs.464 Of these respondents, all but three said that they send a validation notice upon account placement, such that the final rule’s requirement would be satisfied as long as the debt collectors also wait a reasonable period of time to allow for notifications of non-delivery, and only furnish if they do not receive such notifications. These debt collectors will likely need to review their policies to ensure that validation notices are always sent (or validation information is provided in an initial communication) prior to reporting on the account, which the Bureau expects would involve a small one-time cost. Debt collectors that do not currently wait a reasonable 462 See Brian Bucks et al., Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Collection of Telecommunication Debt, https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/ bcfp_consumer-credit-trends_collectiontelecommunications-debt_082018.pdf (Aug. 2018). 463 In the Operations Study, 53 of 58 respondents said that they send a validation notice shortly after debt placement. CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 28. To comply with the final rule, these debt collectors would also need to wait a reasonable period of time to allow for notifications of non-delivery, accept non-delivery notifications and only furnish if they don’t receive such notifications. The Bureau does not have information as to how many of these debt collectors currently take these additional steps. However, the Bureau expects that taking these additional steps would impose minimal costs on debt collectors that do not already take them. 464 Id. at 19. PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 period of time prior to furnishing to allow for notifications of non-delivery, accept non-delivery notifications, and only furnish if they do not receive such notifications would need to adopt these practices, but the Bureau expects this would impose minimal ongoing operational costs. Other debt collectors do not furnish information to CRAs at all and will not be affected by the requirement. Debt collectors who furnish information to CRAs prior to communicating with consumers but provide validation notices to consumers only after they have been in contact with consumers will need to change their practices and would face increased costs as a result of the final rule. Because these debt collectors are already required to provide validation notices to consumers (unless validation information is provided in an initial communication or the debt has been paid), the Bureau expects that many already have systems in place for sending notices and will not face onetime compliance costs greater than those of other debt collectors.465 However, these debt collectors will face ongoing costs from sending validation notices to more consumers than they otherwise would, at an estimated cost of $0.50 to $0.80 per debt if sent by mail.466 To the extent debt collectors take advantage of opportunities to send validation notices electronically, the marginal cost of sending each notice is likely to be approximately zero. Alternatively, these debt collectors could cease furnishing information to CRAs until after they take the specific steps identified in the final rule, which could impact the effectiveness of their collection efforts.467 Because debt collectors could choose the less burdensome of these options, the additional costs of delivering notices represent an upper bound on the burden of the provision for debt collectors. 465 Debt collectors who do not currently have systems in place for sending notices will face onetime compliance costs to implement those systems. 466 See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 32–33. One small entity representative on the Bureau’s SBREFA Panel indicated that, for about one-half of its accounts, it currently sends validation notices only after speaking with a consumer, and that, if it were required to send validation notices to all consumers, it would incur additional mailing costs of $0.63 per mailing for an estimated 400,000 accounts per year. A small industry commenter asserted that mailing costs were significantly higher than $0.50–$0.80 per debt but did not provide an alternative figure. 467 If debt collectors furnish information to CRAs less frequently this could make consumer reports less informative in general, which could have negative effects on the credit system by making it harder for creditors to assess credit risk. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations Commenters noted several specific situations in which the proposed provision could, in the commenters’ view, unduly burden debt collectors. One small industry commenter raised the concern that a bad address, which occurs in 15 percent of accounts at their agency, would stop collections. Another industry commenter noted that 3 percent of its notices are returned as undeliverable and argued that attempting to deliver a validation notice should count as a communication and thus allow furnishing. Another industry commenter noted that some States are ‘‘closed’’ in the sense that debt collectors based in other States are not allowed to deliver notices into those States. This commenter was concerned that the proposed provision would not allow furnishing of information about consumers in those States and argued that this will reduce credit report accuracy. A joint comment by an industry commenter and CRA argued that the proposed provision would be particularly problematic in the check verification space. The commenter noted that, in the case of bad checks, the debt collector generally does not have the consumer’s address or telephone number and cannot communicate with the consumer directly. In these cases, the debt collector would report the bad check to a check verification CRA, but this could be prohibited under the proposed provision. The commenter argued that the proposed provision could undermine the reliability of the check payment system by making it impossible to track check fraud, among other things. The Bureau agrees with some of the commenters with respect to these additional costs and has revised the final rule from the proposal to reduce or eliminate these costs. In particular, the Bureau has revised § 1006.30(a) to specify that, if a debt collector places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message to the consumer about the debt, the debt collector must wait a reasonable period of time (with a safe harbor for waiting 14 consecutive days) before furnishing information about the debt to a CRA and, during that period, permit receipt of, and monitor for, notifications of undeliverability for mail and electronic messages. A debt collector who places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message, does not receive a notice of undeliverability during that period, and furnishes information to a consumer reporting agency after the period ends has not violated the rule even if the debt collector subsequently receives a notice of undeliverability. Section VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 1006.30(a)(2) of the final rule also specifies that § 1006.30(a)(1) does not apply to the furnishing of information about a debt to a specialty check verification CRA. The Bureau believes these changes will reduce or eliminate many of the costs cited by the commenters. H. Potential Reduction of Access by Consumers to Consumer Financial Products and Services Economic theory indicates that it is possible for changes in debt collection rules, such as those contained in this final rule, to affect consumers’ access to credit. Under economic theory, creditors should decide to extend credit based on the discounted expected value of the revenue stream from that extension of credit. This entails considering the possibility that the consumer will ultimately default and expected payments will decrease. If this final rule addressing disclosures were to increase collection costs or reduce revenue collected from delinquent debt, then this would reduce the return to lending, which in theory could lead lenders to increase the cost of lending, restrict availability of credit, or both. As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau has considered the available empirical data and research on the effect of State debt collection laws on the price and availability of credit.468 That research shows that State debt collection laws affect the price and availability of credit in ways that theory would predict, but that effects are relatively small even for changes in State laws that are likely more significant than the provisions in this final rule.469 In light of that research and the CCP analysis above, the Bureau concludes that the provisions in this final rule are unlikely to cause any significant reduction in access to consumer credit. I. Potential Specific Impacts of the Rule 1. Depository Institutions and Credit Unions With $10 Billion or Less in Total Assets, as Described in Section 1026 Depository institutions and credit unions are generally not debt collectors under the FDCPA and therefore would not be covered under the final rule. Creditors could experience indirect effects from the final rule to the extent they hire FDCPA debt collectors or sell debt in default to such debt collectors. 468 See 84 FR 23274, 23389–91 (May 21, 2019). example, one study found that additional State regulations on debt collectors’ conduct caused the rate at which a credit inquiry led to a successful account opening to decline by less than 0.02 percentage points off a base rate of about 43 percent. See id. at 23389–90. 469 For PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5849 Such creditors could experience higher costs if debt collectors’ costs increase and if debt collectors are able to pass those costs on to creditors. The Bureau understands that many depository institutions and credit unions with $10 billion or less in total assets rely on FDCPA debt collectors to collect uncollected amounts, but the Bureau does not have data indicating whether such institutions are more or less likely than other creditors to do so. The Bureau did not receive any comments on this issue with respect to the provisions in this final rule. 2. Impact of the Final Rule on Consumers in Rural Areas Consumers in rural areas may experience benefits from the final rule that are different in certain respects from the benefits experienced by consumers in general. For example, consumers in rural areas may be more likely to borrow from small local banks and credit unions that may be less likely to outsource debt collection to FDCPA debt collectors. The Bureau requested interested parties to provide data, research results, and other factual information on the impact of the proposed rule on consumers in rural areas, but the Bureau did not receive any comments on this subject. VIII. Final Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency to conduct an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) and a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) of any rule subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements.470 Section 604(a) of the RFA sets forth the required elements of the FRFA. Section 604(a)(1) requires a statement of the objectives of, and the legal basis for, the rule.471 Section 604(a)(2) requires a statement of the significant issues raised by the public comments in response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis, a statement of the assessment of the agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes made in the proposed rule as a result of such comments. Section 604(a)(3) requires the response of the agency to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in response to the proposed rule and a detailed statement of any change made to the proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the comments. Section 604(a)(4) requires a description of and, 470 5 471 5 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM U.S.C. 603(a), 604(a). U.S.C. 604(a)(1). 19JAR8 5850 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule will apply.472 Section 604(a)(5) requires a description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the classes of small entities that will be subject to the requirement and the types of professional skills necessary for the preparation of the report or record.473 Section 604(a)(6) requires a description of any significant alternatives to the rule that accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and that minimize any significant economic impact of the rule on small entities.474 Finally, section 604(a)(7) requires a description of the steps the agency has taken to minimize any additional cost of credit for small entities.475 A. Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, the Final Rule As discussed in part IV, the Bureau issues this rule pursuant to its authority under the FDCPA and the Dodd-Frank Act. The objectives of the final rule are to clarify and implement the FDCPA’s provisions and to further the FDCPA’s goals of eliminating abusive debt collection practices and ensuring that debt collectors who refrain from abusive debt collection practices are not competitively disadvantaged.476 As the first Federal agency with authority under the FDCPA to prescribe substantive rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors, the Bureau is requiring consumer disclosure requirements to provide greater clarity for both consumers and industry participants as to the information debt collectors must provide consumers to comply with the law. The Bureau intends that these clarifications will help to eliminate abusive debt collection practices and ensure that debt collectors who refrain 472 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(4). U.S.C. 604(a)(5). 474 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(6). 475 Id. 476 See 15 U.S.C. 1692(e). from abusive debt collection practices are not competitively disadvantaged.477 As amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, FDCPA section 814(d) provides that the Bureau may ‘‘prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors,’’ as that term is defined in the FDCPA.478 Section 1022(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that ‘‘[t]he Bureau is authorized to exercise its authorities under Federal consumer financial law to administer, enforce, and otherwise implement the provisions of Federal consumer financial law.’’ 479 ‘‘Federal consumer financial law’’ includes title X of the Dodd-Frank Act and the FDCPA. The legal basis for the final rule is discussed in detail in the legal authority analysis in part IV and in the section-by-section analysis in part V. B. Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments in Response to the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis The Bureau received comments on the IRFA from the Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, which are discussed in the next section. The Bureau did not receive other comments that referenced the IRFA specifically; however, several commenters did raise issues about the burdens of the proposed rule’s provisions, and the Bureau’s response to these issues is discussed in parts V and VII above and in this part below. C. Response to Any Comments Filed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration The Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration filed a public comment letter on the May 2019 proposed rule that discusses both the IRFA and certain of the proposed requirements (the ‘‘first SBA letter’’). The Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration also filed a public comment letter on the February 2020 supplemental proposed rule that khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 473 5 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 477 See id. U.S.C. 1692l(d). 479 12 U.S.C. 5512(a). 478 15 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 discusses both the IRFA and the proposed requirements (the ‘‘second SBA letter’’). This section first responds to comments on the IRFA and then responds to the substantive comments on the proposed rule’s provisions. The first SBA letter notes that the proposed rule could impose costs to read and understand the rule and to train employees in new practices. The Bureau had discussed these costs in the context of some specific provisions but has added a more general discussion of these costs to section E of the FRFA, below. The first SBA letter also notes that the Bureau claims some provisions will cause no significant impact because those provisions are already part of debt collectors’ business practices, and argues that the Bureau should clarify what the benefit of such provisions is to consumers if they will not change debt collector practices. As discussed in part V above and the section 1022(b)(2) analysis of the proposed rule, the Bureau believes that, by clarifying the FDCPA’s requirements, the rule will benefit both consumers and debt collectors, including small entities. Many market participants have identified a need for greater clarity in interpreting many of the FDCPA’s provisions. For example, a trade group commenter emphasized that ambiguities in the FDCPA lead to unnecessary and costly litigation. The Bureau believes that there is a benefit to providing additional clarity about the FDCPA’s requirements even where the vast majority of debt collectors follow practices that meet those requirements. The additional clarity helps those debt collectors to avoid unnecessary litigation and to have confidence in what practices do and do not violate the FDCPA. The additional clarity also makes it easier to establish when less scrupulous debt collectors have violated the statute and to hold them accountable, which benefits consumers as well as debt collectors who do comply with the law. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations The first SBA letter points out that the proposed rule’s Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) section estimates 1,029,500 burden hours and argues that this could translate into millions of dollars in recordkeeping and reporting costs. Most of this burden is not attributable to the rule itself but rather to the requirements of the FDCPA. As discussed in the supporting statement accompanying the Bureau’s information collection request, the PRA estimates include the burden not only of complying with the new requirements introduced by the final rule but also of complying with the FDCPA itself. These burdens had not previously been accounted for under the PRA. Thus, the large majority of the estimated burden hours represent the burden of complying with existing FDCPA provisions that exist independent of the rule, in particular the requirement to provide a validation notice under § 809(a) of the FDCPA and the requirement to respond to consumer disputes under § 809(b) of the FDCPA. There are, of course, burdens associated with other information collections that are being introduced or modified by the final rule, and those burdens are discussed in this FRFA as well as in the supporting statement. The SBA letters also expressed several concerns about specific provisions of the proposed rule and recommended changes to those provisions. These concerns and recommendations, and the Bureau’s response, are discussed in the section-by-section analysis of the relevant provisions in part V above. D. Description and, Where Feasible, Provision of an Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Final Rule Will Apply As discussed in the Small Business Review Panel Report, for the purposes of assessing the impacts of this final rule on small entities, ‘‘small entities’’ is defined in the RFA to include small businesses, small nonprofit organizations, and small government jurisdictions.480 A ‘‘small business’’ is determined by application of SBA regulations in reference to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) classifications and size standards.481 Under such standards, the 5851 Small Business Review Panel (Panel) identified four categories of small entities that may be subject to the final rule: Collection agencies (NAICS 561440) with annual receipts at or below the SBA size standard (currently $16.5 million), debt buyers (NAICS 522298) with annual receipts at or below the size standard (currently $41.5 million), collection law firms (NAICS 541110) with annual receipts at or below the size standard (currently $12 million), and servicers who acquire accounts in default. These servicers include depository institutions (NAICS 522110, 522120, and 522130) with assets at or below the size standard (currently $600 million) or nondepository institutions (NAICS 522390) with annual receipts at or below the size standard (currently $22 million). The Panel did not meet with small nonprofit organizations or small government jurisdictions.482 The following table provides the Bureau’s estimate of the number and types of entities that may be affected by the final rule: TABLE 1—ESTIMATED NUMBER OF AFFECTED ENTITIES AND SMALL ENTITIES BY CATEGORY Category NAICS Small-entity threshold Collection agencies ... Debt buyers ............... Collection law firms ... Loan servicers ........... 561440 ...................................................... 522298 ...................................................... 541110 ...................................................... 522110, 522120, and 522130 (depositories); 522390 (non-depositories). $16.5 million in annual receipts ................ $41.5 million in annual receipts ................ $12.0 million in annual receipts ................ $600 million in annual receipts for depository institutions; $22.0 million or less for non-depositories. Descriptions of the four categories: Collection agencies. The Census Bureau defines ‘‘collection agencies’’ (NAICS code 561440) as ‘‘establishments primarily engaged in collecting payments for claims and remitting payments collected to their clients.’’ 483 According to the Census Bureau, in 2012 (the most recent year for which detailed data are available), there were approximately 4,000 collection agencies with paid employees 480 5 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Estimated total number of debt collectors within category U.S.C. 601(6). current SBA size standards are found on SBA’s website, https://www.sba.gov/content/tablesmall-business-size-standards. 482 Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40, at 29. 483 As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, collection agencies include entities that collect only commercial debt, and the proposed rule would apply only to debt collectors of consumer debt. However, the Bureau understands that relatively 481 The VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 9,000 330 1,000 700 Estimated number of small-entity debt collectors within category 8,800 300 950 200 in the United States. Of these, the Bureau estimates that 3,800 collection agencies have $16.5 million or less in annual receipts and are therefore small entities.484 Census Bureau estimates indicate that in 2012 there were also more than 5,000 collection agencies without employees, all of which are presumably small entities. Debt buyers. Debt buyers purchase delinquent accounts and attempt to collect amounts owed, either themselves or through agents. The Bureau estimates that there are approximately 330 debt buyers in the United States, and that a substantial majority of these are small entities.485 Many debt buyers— particularly those that are small entities—also collect debt on behalf of other debt owners.486 Collection law firms. The Bureau estimates that there are 1,000 law firms in the United States that either have as their principal purpose the collection of few collection agencies collect only commercial debt. 484 The U.S. Census Bureau estimates average annual receipts of $95,000 per employee for collection agencies. Given this, the Bureau assumes that all firms with fewer than 100 employees and approximately one-half of the firms with 100 to 499 employees are small entities, which implies approximately 3,800 firms. 485 The Receivables Management Association, the largest trade group for debt buyers, states that it has approximately 300 debt buyer members and believes that 90 percent of debt buyers are current members. 486 The Bureau understands that debt buyers are generally nondepositories that specialize in debt buying and, in some cases, debt collection. The Bureau expects that debt buyers that are not collection agencies would be classified by the U.S. Census Bureau under ‘‘all other nondepository credit intermediation’’ (NAICS Code 522298). PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5852 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations consumer debt or regularly collect consumer debt owed to others, so that the proposed rule would apply to them. The Bureau estimates that 95 percent of such law firms are small entities.487 Loan servicers. Loan servicers would be covered by the final rule if they are covered by the FDCPA because, among other things, they acquire the right to service loans already in default.488 The Bureau believes that this is most likely to occur with regard to companies that service mortgage loans or student loans. The Bureau estimates that approximately 200 such mortgage servicers may be small entities and that few, if any, student loan servicers that would be covered by the final rule are small.489 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 E. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements of the Rule, Including an Estimate of Classes of Small Entities That Will Be Subject to the Requirements and the Type of Professional Skills Necessary for the Preparation of the Report or Record The final rule will not impose new reporting or recordkeeping requirements, but it will impose new compliance requirements on small entities subject to the rule.490 The requirements and the costs associated with them are discussed below. In addition to the specific costs discussed below, all small entities will incur costs to read the rule and incorporate its provisions into their policies and 487 The primary trade association for collection attorneys, the National Creditors Bar Association (NCBA), states that it has approximately 600 law firm members, 95 percent of which are small entities. The Bureau estimates that approximately 60 percent of law firms that collect debt are NCBA members and that a similar fraction of non-member law firms are small entities. 488 The Bureau expects that loan servicers are generally classified under NAICS code 522390, ‘‘Other Activities Related to Credit Intermediation.’’ Some depository institutions (NAICS codes 522110, 522120, and 522130) also service loans for others and may be covered by the final rule. 489 Based on the December 2015 Call Report data as compiled by SNL Financial (with respect to insured depositories) and December 2015 data from the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (with respect to non-depositories), the Bureau estimates that there are approximately 9,000 small entities engaged in mortgage servicing, of which approximately 100 service more than 5,000 loans. See 81 FR 72160, 72363 (Oct. 19, 2016). The Bureau’s estimate is based on the assumption that all those servicing more than 5,000 loans may acquire servicing of loans when loans are in default and that at most 100 of those servicing 5,000 loans or fewer acquire servicing of loans when loans are in default. 490 While the final rule does not include new recordkeeping requirements, the Bureau notes that, by introducing a new compliance requirement, the rule may increase the cost of complying with recordkeeping requirements of the November 2020 Final Rule. This is because debt collectors would need to retain evidence of compliance with any additional compliance requirement. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 procedures, and small entities with employees will need to train employees in new policies and procedures. The extent of training required will depend on debt collectors’ existing practices and on the roles performed by individual employees. Debt collectors employ an estimated 123,000 workers.491 If, on average, the rule required an additional hour of training for each of these employees, at an average cost of $22 per hour, the total training cost would be approximately $2,700,000.492 In evaluating the potential impacts of the rule on small entities, the Bureau takes as a baseline conduct in debt collection markets under the current legal framework governing debt collection. This includes debt collector practices as they currently exist, responding to the requirements of the FDCPA as currently interpreted by courts and law enforcement agencies, other Federal laws, and the rules and statutory requirements promulgated by the States. This baseline represents the status quo from which the impacts of this rule will be evaluated. The Bureau requested that interested parties provide data and quantitative analysis of the benefits, costs, or impacts of the proposed rule on small entities but did not receive any comments on this subject. The Bureau believes that, except where otherwise noted, the impacts discussed in part VII would apply to small entities to the same extent as to larger entities. F. Description of Any Significant Alternatives to the Rule That Accomplish the Stated Objectives of the Applicable Statutes and Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact of the Rule on Small Entities Section 604(a)(6) of the RFA requires the Bureau to describe in the FRFA any significant alternatives to the rule that accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and that minimize any significant economic impact of the rule on small entities.493 In developing the rule, the Bureau has considered alternative provisions and believes that none of the alternatives considered would be as effective at accomplishing the stated objectives of the FDCPA and the applicable provisions of title X of 491 2020 FDCPA Annual Report, supra note 12, at 7. 492 The estimated hourly cost is based on an estimated wage of $15 per hour and taxes, benefits, and incentives of $7 per hour. See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 17 (describing estimated debt collector wages ranging from $10 to $20 per hour). 493 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(6). PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 the Dodd-Frank Act while minimizing the impact of the rule on small entities. Some of these alternatives are discussed in part V, above. G. Discussion of Impact on Cost of Credit for Small Entities Section 603(d) of the RFA requires the Bureau to consult with small entities regarding the potential impact of the proposed rule on the cost of credit for small entities and related matters.494 To satisfy these statutory requirements, the Bureau provided notification to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (Chief Counsel) that the Bureau would collect the advice and recommendations of the same small entity representatives identified in consultation with the Chief Counsel through the SBREFA process concerning any projected impact of the proposed rule on the cost of credit for small entities. The Bureau sought to collect the advice and recommendations of the small entity representatives during the Small Business Review Panel meeting regarding the potential impact on the cost of business credit because, as small debt collectors with credit needs, the small entity representatives could provide valuable input on any such impact related to the proposed rule. The Bureau’s Small Business Review Panel Outline asked small entity representatives to comment on how the proposals under consideration would affect the cost of credit to small entities. During the SBREFA process, several small entity representatives said that the proposals under consideration at that time, which included time-barred debt disclosures among several other proposals, could have an impact on the cost of credit for them and for their small business clients. Some small entity representatives said that they use lines of credit in their business and that regulations that raise their costs or reduce their revenue could mean they are unable to meet covenants in their loan agreements, causing lenders to reduce access to capital or increase their borrowing costs. The Bureau believes that the disclosures in the final rule will have little impact on the cost of credit to small entities. The Bureau does recognize that consumer credit could become more expensive and less available as a result of requirements that restrict the collection of debt; however, the Bureau does not anticipate that the requirements of this final rule will have any significant impact on the cost or availability of consumer credit. Many 494 5 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM U.S.C. 603(d). 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations small entities affected by the disclosures in the final rule use consumer credit as a source of credit and may, therefore, see costs rise if consumer credit availability decreases. The Bureau does not expect this to be a large effect and does not anticipate measurable impact. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 IX. Paperwork Reduction Act Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),495 Federal agencies are generally required to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for information collection requirements prior to implementation. Under the PRA, the Bureau may not conduct or sponsor, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless the information collection displays a valid control number assigned by OMB. As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the Bureau conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on the information collection requirements in accordance with the PRA. This helps ensure that the public understands the Bureau’s requirements or instructions, respondents can provide the requested data in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the Bureau can properly assess the impact of collection requirements on respondents. The final rule amends 12 CFR part 1006 (Regulation F), which implements the FDCPA. The Bureau’s OMB control number for Regulation F is 3170–0056; it expires April 30, 2022. This final rule along with the November 2020 Final Rule would revise the information collection requirements contained in Regulation F that OMB has approved under that OMB control number. Under the final rule, the Bureau requires two information collection requirements in Regulation F beyond those required by the November 2020 Final Rule: 1. Validation notices (final rule § 1006.34). 2. Communication with consumers prior to furnishing information (final rule § 1006.30(a)). These information collections are required to provide benefits for consumers and will be mandatory. Because the Bureau does not collect any information, no issue of confidentiality arises. The likely respondents are for495 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 profit businesses that are FDCPA debt collectors. The collections of information contained in this rule, and identified as such, as well as the information collections contained in the November 2020 final rule have been submitted to OMB for review under section 3507(d) of the PRA. A complete description of the information collection requirement, including the burden estimate methods, is provided in the information collection request (ICR) supporting statement that the Bureau has submitted to OMB under the requirements of the PRA. The Bureau will publish a separate notice in the Federal Register when these information collections have been approved by OMB. Please send your comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Send these comments by email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or by fax to (202) 395–6974. If you wish to share your comments with the Bureau, please send a copy of these comments as described in the ADDRESSES section above. The ICR submitted to OMB requesting approval under the PRA for the information collection requirements contained herein is available at www.regulations.gov as well as on OMB’s public-facing docket at www.reginfo.gov. Title of Collection: Regulation F: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. OMB Control Number: 3170–0056. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Private Sector. Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,027.496 Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 881,000. The Bureau has a continuing interest in the public’s opinion of its collections of information. At any time, comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of the information collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, may be sent to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552, or by email to CFPB_PRA@cfpb.gov. Where applicable, the Bureau will display the control number assigned by 496 The Bureau shares enforcement authority under the FDCPA with the Federal Trade Commission. To avoid double-counting, the Bureau allocates to itself half of the estimated paperwork burden under the final rule by dividing the burden hours even between the agencies. However, since the Bureau has joint authority over the respondents themselves, the Bureau retains the entity count of all affected respondents as shown above. PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5853 OMB to any documents associated with any information collection requirements adopted in this rule. X. Congressional Review Act Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act,497 the Bureau will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States at least 60 days prior to the rule’s published effective date. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has designated this rule as a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). XI. Signing Authority The Director of the Bureau, Kathleen L. Kraninger, having reviewed and approved this document, is delegating the authority to electronically sign this document to Grace Feola, a Bureau Federal Register Liaison, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register. List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1006 Administrative practice and procedure, Consumer protection, Credit, Debt collection, Intergovernmental relations. Authority and Issuance For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau is further amending Regulation F, 12 CFR part 1006, as revised on November 30, 2020, at 85 FR 76734, effective November 30, 2021, as set forth below: PART 1006—DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES (REGULATION F) 1. The authority citation for part 1006 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 5512, 5514(b), 5532; 15 U.S.C. 1692l(d), 1692o, 7004. Subpart A—General 2. Section 1006.1 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(2) to read as follows: ■ § 1006.1 Authority, purpose, and coverage. * * * * * (c) * * * (2) Section 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and (c)(3)(iv) applies to debt collectors only when they are collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f). ■ 3. Section 1006.2 is amended by revising paragraph (e) and adding paragraph (f) to read as follows: § 1006.2 * * 497 5 E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM Definitions. * * U.S.C. 801 et seq. 19JAR8 * 5854 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations (e) Consumer means any natural person, whether living or deceased, obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. For purposes of § 1006.6, the term consumer includes the persons described in § 1006.6(a). (f) Consumer financial product or service has the same meaning given to it in section 1002(5) of the Dodd-Frank Act (12 U.S.C. 5481(5)). * * * * * Subpart B—Rules for FDCPA Debt Collectors § 1006.34 4. Section 1006.26 is added to read as follows: ■ § 1006.26 Collection of time-barred debts. (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section: (1) Statute of limitations means the period prescribed by applicable law for bringing a legal action against the consumer to collect a debt. (2) Time-barred debt means a debt for which the applicable statute of limitations has expired. (b) Legal actions and threats of legal actions prohibited. A debt collector must not bring or threaten to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt. This paragraph (b) does not apply to proofs of claim filed in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding. ■ 5. Section 1006.30 is amended by adding paragraph (a) to read as follows: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 § 1006.30 Other prohibited practices. (a) Required actions prior to furnishing information—(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, a debt collector must not furnish to a consumer reporting agency, as defined in section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)), information about a debt before the debt collector: (i) Speaks to the consumer about the debt in person or by telephone; or (ii) Places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message to the consumer about the debt and waits a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of undeliverability. During the reasonable period, the debt collector must permit receipt of, and monitor for, notifications of undeliverability from communications providers. If the debt collector receives such a notification during the reasonable period, the debt collector must not furnish information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency until the debt collector otherwise satisfies this paragraph (a)(1). (2) Special rule—information furnished to certain specialty consumer reporting agencies. Paragraph (a)(1) of VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 this section does not apply to a debt collector’s furnishing of information about a debt to a nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains information on a consumer’s check writing history, as described in section 603(x)(3) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(x)(3)). * * * * * ■ 6. Section 1006.34 is added to read as follows: Notice for validation of debts. (a) Validation information required— (1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, a debt collector must provide a consumer with the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section either: (i) By sending the consumer a validation notice in the manner required by § 1006.42: (A) In the initial communication, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section; or (B) Within five days of that initial communication; or (ii) By providing the validation information orally in the initial communication. (2) Exception. A debt collector who otherwise would be required to send a validation notice pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section is not required to do so if the consumer has paid the debt prior to the time that paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section would require the validation notice to be sent. (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section: (1) Clear and conspicuous means readily understandable. In the case of written and electronic disclosures, the location and type size also must be readily noticeable and legible to consumers, although no minimum type size is mandated. In the case of oral disclosures, the disclosures also must be given at a volume and speed sufficient for the consumer to hear and comprehend them. (2) Initial communication means the first time that, in connection with the collection of a debt, a debt collector conveys information, directly or indirectly, regarding the debt to the consumer, other than a communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action, or any form or notice that does not relate to the collection of the debt and is expressly required by: (i) The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); (ii) Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 through 6827); or (iii) Any provision of Federal or State law or regulation mandating notice of a data security breach or privacy risk. PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 (3) Itemization date means any one of the following five reference dates for which a debt collector can ascertain the amount of the debt: (i) The last statement date, which is the date of the last periodic statement or written account statement or invoice provided to the consumer by a creditor; (ii) The charge-off date, which is the date the debt was charged off; (iii) The last payment date, which is the date the last payment was applied to the debt; (iv) The transaction date, which is the date of the transaction that gave rise to the debt; or (v) The judgment date, which is the date of a final court judgment that determines the amount of the debt owed by the consumer. (4) Validation notice means a written or electronic notice that provides the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section. (5) Validation period means the period starting on the date that a debt collector provides the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the validation information. For purposes of determining the end of the validation period, the debt collector may assume that a consumer receives the validation information on any date that is at least five days (excluding legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt collector provides it. (c) Validation information. Pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a debt collector must provide the following validation information. (1) Debt collector communication disclosure. The statement required by § 1006.18(e). (2) Information about the debt. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(5) of this section: (i) The debt collector’s name and the mailing address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for original-creditor information. (ii) The consumer’s name and mailing address. (iii) If the debt collector is collecting a debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date. (iv) The account number, if any, associated with the debt on the itemization date, or a truncated version of that number. (v) The name of the creditor to whom the debt currently is owed. (vi) The itemization date. (vii) The amount of the debt on the itemization date. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations (viii) An itemization of the current amount of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. A debt collector may disclose the itemization on a separate page provided in the same communication with a validation notice, if the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page. (ix) The current amount of the debt. (3) Information about consumer protections. (i) The date that the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing on or before that date that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt, or the disputed portion of the debt, until the debt collector sends the consumer either verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment. (ii) The date that the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, if the consumer requests in writing on or before that date the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the consumer the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. (iii) The date that the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, unless the consumer contacts the debt collector to dispute the validity of the debt, or any portion of the debt, on or before that date, the debt collector will assume that the debt is valid. (iv) If the debt collector is collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), a statement that informs the consumer that additional information regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau’s website at www.cfpb.gov/debtcollection. (v) If the debt collector sends the validation notice electronically, a statement explaining how a consumer can, as described in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, dispute the debt or request original-creditor information electronically. (4) Consumer-response information. The following information, segregated from the validation information required by paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this section and from any optional information included pursuant to paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii), (d)(3)(iii)(A), (d)(3)(iv) and (v), (d)(3)(vi)(A), and (d)(3)(vii) and (viii) of VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 this section, and, if provided on a validation notice, located at the bottom of the notice under the headings, ‘‘How do you want to respond?’’ and ‘‘Check all that apply:’’: (i) Dispute prompts. The following statements, listed in the following order, and using the following phrasing or substantially similar phrasing, each next to a prompt: (A) ‘‘I want to dispute the debt because I think:’’; (B) ‘‘This is not my debt.’’; (C) ‘‘The amount is wrong.’’; and (D) ‘‘Other (please describe on reverse or attach additional information).’’ (ii) Original-creditor information prompt. The statement, ‘‘I want you to send me the name and address of the original creditor.’’, using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, next to a prompt. (iii) Mailing addresses. Mailing addresses for the consumer and the debt collector, which are the debt collector’s and the consumer’s names and mailing addresses as disclosed pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) and (ii). (5) Special rule for certain residential mortgage debt. For residential mortgage debt, if a periodic statement is required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, at the time a debt collector provides the validation notice, a debt collector need not provide the validation information required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi) through (viii) of this section if the debt collector: (i) Provides the consumer, in the same communication with the validation notice, a copy of the most recent periodic statement provided to the consumer under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41(b); and (ii) Includes on the validation notice, where the validation information required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi) through (viii) of this section would have appeared, a statement referring to that periodic statement. (d) Form of validation information— (1) In general. The validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section must be clear and conspicuous. (2) Safe harbor—(i) In general. Model Form B–1 in appendix B to this part contains the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section and certain optional disclosures permitted by paragraph (d)(3) of this section. A debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 complies with the information and form requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d)(1) of this section, including if the debt collector: (A) Omits any or all of the optional disclosures shown on Model Form B–1; or PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5855 (B) Adds any or all of the optional disclosures described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section that are not shown on Model Form B–1, provided that any such optional disclosures are no more prominent than any of the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section. (ii) Certain disclosures on a separate page. A debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section and who, pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(viii) or (c)(5) of this section, includes certain disclosures on a separate page in the same communication with the validation notice and, on the notice, the required statement referring to those disclosures, receives a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d)(1) of this section except with respect to the disclosures on the separate page. (iii) Substantially similar form. A debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section may make changes to the form and retain a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d)(1) of this section provided that the form remains substantially similar to Model Form B–1. (3) Optional disclosures. A debt collector may include any of the following information when providing the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section. A debt collector who includes any of the following information receives the safe harbor described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, provided that the debt collector otherwise uses Model Form B– 1 in appendix B to this part, or a variation of Model Form B–1, as described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. (i) Telephone contact information. The debt collector’s telephone contact information. (ii) Reference code. A number or code that the debt collector uses to identify the debt or the consumer. (iii) Payment disclosures. Either or both of the following phrases: (A) The statement, ‘‘Contact us about your payment options.’’, using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase; and (B) Below the consumer-response information required by paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, the statement, ‘‘I enclosed this amount:’’, using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, payment instructions after that statement, and a prompt. (iv) Disclosures under applicable law—(A) Disclosures on the reverse of the validation notice. On the reverse of E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5856 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations the validation notice, any disclosures that are specifically required by, or that provide safe harbors under, applicable law and, if any such disclosures are included, a statement on the front of the validation notice referring to those disclosures. Any such disclosures must not appear directly on the reverse of the consumer-response information required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section. (B) Disclosures on the front of the validation notice. If a debt collector is collecting time-barred debt, on the front of the validation notice below the disclosure required by paragraph (c)(2)(ix) of this section, any time-barred debt disclosure that is specifically required by, or that provides a safe harbor under, applicable law, provided that applicable law specifies the content of the disclosure. (v) Information about electronic communications. The following information: (A) The debt collector’s website and email address. (B) If the validation information is not provided electronically, a statement explaining how a consumer can, as described in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, dispute the debt or request original-creditor information electronically. (vi) Spanish-language translation disclosures. Either or both of the following disclosures regarding a consumer’s ability to request a Spanishlanguage translation of a validation notice: (A) The statement, ‘‘Po´ngase en contacto con nosotros para solicitar una copia de este formulario en espan˜ol’’ (which means ‘‘Contact us to request a copy of this form in Spanish’’), using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish. If providing this optional disclosure, a debt collector may include supplemental information in Spanish that specifies how a consumer may request a Spanish-language validation notice. (B) With the consumer-response information required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section, the statement ‘‘Quiero este formulario en espan˜ol’’ (which means ‘‘I want this form in Spanish’’), using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish, next to a prompt. (vii) The merchant brand, affinity brand, or facility name, if any, associated with the debt. (viii) If a debt collector is collecting debt other than debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), the information VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 specified in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) or (c)(3)(iv) of this section. (4) Validation notices delivered electronically. If a debt collector delivers a validation notice electronically, a debt collector may, at its option, format the validation notice as follows: (i) Prompts. Any prompt required by paragraph (c)(4)(i) or (ii) or paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B) or (d)(3)(vi)(B) of this section may be displayed electronically as a fillable field. (ii) Hyperlinks. Hyperlinks may be embedded that, when clicked: (A) Connect a consumer to the debt collector’s website; (B) Connect a consumer to the Bureau’s debt collection website as disclosed pursuant to paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section; or (C) Permit a consumer to respond to the dispute and original-creditor information prompts required by paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section. (e) Translation into other languages— (1) In general. A debt collector may send a consumer a validation notice completely and accurately translated into any language if the debt collector: (i) Sends the consumer an Englishlanguage validation notice in the same communication as the translated validation notice; or (ii) Previously provided the consumer an English-language validation notice, in which case the debt collector need not send the consumer an Englishlanguage validation notice in the same communication as the translated validation notice. (2) Spanish-language validation notice—requirement to provide after optional disclosure. A debt collector who includes in the validation information either or both of the optional disclosures described in paragraph (d)(3)(vi) of this section, and who thereafter receives a request from the consumer for a Spanish-language validation notice, must provide the consumer a validation notice completely and accurately translated into Spanish. ■ 7. Section 1006.38 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2), (b), and (c) to read as follows: § 1006.38 Disputes and requests for original-creditor information. (a) * * * (2) Validation period has the same meaning given to it in § 1006.34(b)(5). (b) Overshadowing of rights to dispute or request original-creditor information—(1) Prohibition. During the validation period, a debt collector must PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 not engage in any collection activities or communications that overshadow or are inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer’s rights to dispute the debt and to request the name and address of the original creditor. (2) Safe harbor. A debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 in appendix B to this part in a manner described in § 1006.34(d)(2) has not thereby violated paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (c) Requests for original-creditor information. Upon receipt of a request for the name and address of the original creditor submitted by the consumer in writing within the validation period, a debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector: (1) In general. Sends the name and address of the original creditor to the consumer in writing or electronically in the manner required by § 1006.42; or (2) Special rule if the current creditor and the original creditor are the same. In lieu of taking the actions described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, reasonably determines that the original creditor is the same as the current creditor, notifies the consumer of that fact in writing or electronically in the manner required by § 1006.42, and refers the consumer to the validation information previously provided pursuant to § 1006.34(a)(1). * * * * * ■ 8. Section 1006.42 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2) and (b) to read as follows: § 1006.42 Sending required disclosures. (a) * * * (2) Exceptions. A debt collector need not comply with paragraph (a)(1) of this section when sending the disclosure required by § 1006.6(e) or § 1006.18(e) in writing or electronically, unless the disclosure is included on a notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i) or § 1006.38(c) or (d)(2). (b) Requirements for certain disclosures sent electronically. To comply with paragraph (a) of this section, a debt collector who sends the notice required by § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B), or the disclosures described in § 1006.38(c) or (d)(2)(i), electronically must do so in accordance with section 101(c) of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E– SIGN Act) (15 U.S.C. 7001(c)). ■ 9. Appendix B to part 1006 is added to read as follows: Appendix B to Part 1006—Model Forms B–1 Model Form for Validation Notice BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 d. Under Section 1006.100—Record Retention, 100(a) In general, including the heading, is revised. ■ e. Section 1006.104—Relation to State Laws is added. The additions and revisions read as follows: ■ 10. In supplement I to part 1006: a. Under Section 1006.30—Other Prohibited Practices, the headings 30(a) Required actions prior to furnishing information, and 30(a)(1) In general, and paragraphs 1 and 2 are added. ■ b. Section 1006.34—Notice for Validation of Debts is added. ■ c. Under Section 1006.38—Disputes and Requests for Original-Creditor Information, the introductory text before 38(a) Definitions is revised. ■ ■ Jkt 253001 Supplement I to Part 1006—Official Interpretations * PO 00000 * * Frm 00093 * Fmt 4701 * Sfmt 4700 Subpart B—Rules for FDCPA Debt Collectors * * * * * Section 1006.30—Other Prohibited Practices 30(a) Required actions prior to furnishing information. 30(a)(1) In general. 1. About the debt. Section 1006.30(a)(1) provides, in relevant part, that a debt collector must not furnish to E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 ER19JA21.028</GPH> BILLING CODE 4810–AM–C 5857 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5858 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations a consumer reporting agency, as defined in section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)), information about a debt before taking one of the actions described in § 1006.30(a)(1)(i) or (ii). Each of the actions includes conveying information ‘‘about the debt’’ to the consumer. The validation information required by § 1006.34(c), including such information if provided in a validation notice, is information ‘‘about the debt.’’ 2. Reasonable period of time. Section 1006.30(a)(1)(ii) provides, in relevant part, that a debt collector who places a letter about a debt in the mail, or who sends an electronic message about a debt to the consumer, must wait a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of undeliverability before furnishing information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency. The reasonable period of time begins on the date that the debt collector places the letter in the mail or sends the electronic message. A period of 14 consecutive days after the date that the debt collector places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message is a reasonable period of time. 3. Notices of undeliverability. Section 1006.30(a)(1)(ii) provides, in relevant part, that, if a debt collector who places a letter about a debt in the mail, or who sends an electronic message about a debt to the consumer, receives a notice of undeliverability during the reasonable period of time, the debt collector must not furnish information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency until the debt collector otherwise satisfies paragraph (a)(1) of this section. A debt collector who does not receive a notice of undeliverability during the reasonable period and who thereafter furnishes information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency does not violate paragraph (a)(1) of this section even if the debt collector subsequently receives a notice of undeliverability. The following examples illustrate the rule: i. Assume that, on May 1, a debt collector mails the consumer a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). On May 10, the debt collector receives a notice of undeliverability and, without taking any additional action described in § 1006.30(a)(1), subsequently furnishes information regarding the debt to a consumer reporting agency. The debt collector has violated § 1006.30(a)(1). ii. Assume that, on May 1, a debt collector mails the consumer a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). On May 10, the debt collector receives a notice of undeliverability. On May 11, the debt VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 collector mails the consumer another validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). From May 11 to May 24, the debt collector permits receipt of, monitors for, and does not receive, a notice of undeliverability and thereafter furnishes information regarding the debt to a consumer reporting agency. The debt collector has not violated § 1006.30(a)(1). iii. Assume that, on May 1, a debt collector mails the consumer a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). From May 1 to May 14, the debt collector permits receipt of, monitors for, and does not receive, a notice of undeliverability and thereafter furnishes information regarding the debt to a consumer reporting agency. After furnishing the information, the debt collector receives a notice of undeliverability. The debt collector has not violated § 1006.30(a)(1) and, without taking any further action, may furnish additional information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency. * * * * * Section 1006.34—Notice for Validation of Debts 34(a) Validation information required. 34(a)(1) In general. 1. Deceased consumers. Section 1006.34(a)(1) generally requires a debt collector to provide the validation information required by § 1006.34(c) either by sending the consumer a validation notice in the manner required by § 1006.42, or by providing the information orally in the debt collector’s initial communication. If the debt collector knows or should know that the consumer is deceased, and if the debt collector has not previously provided the validation information to the deceased consumer, a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate operates as the consumer for purposes of § 1006.34(a)(1). In such circumstances, to comply with § 1006.34(a)(1), a debt collector must provide the validation information to an individual that the debt collector identifies by name who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate. 34(b) Definitions. 34(b)(2) Initial communication. 1. Bankruptcy proofs of claim. Section 1006.34(b)(2) defines initial communication and states that the term does not include a communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action. A proof of claim that a debt collector files in a bankruptcy proceeding in accordance with the requirements of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the U.S. PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Code) is a communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action and therefore is not an initial communication for purposes of § 1006.34. 34(b)(3) Itemization date. 1. In general. Section 1006.34(b)(3) defines itemization date for purposes of § 1006.34. Section 1006.34(b)(3) states that the itemization date is any one of five reference dates for which a debt collector can ascertain the amount of the debt. The reference dates are the last statement date, the charge-off date, the last payment date, the transaction date, and the judgment date. A debt collector may select any of these dates as the itemization date to comply with § 1006.34. Once a debt collector uses a reference date for a debt in a communication with a consumer, the debt collector must use that reference date for that debt consistently when providing the information required by § 1006.34(c) to that consumer. For example, if a debt collector uses the last statement date to determine and disclose the account number associated with the debt pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(iv), the debt collector may not use the charge-off date to determine and disclose the amount of the debt pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(vii). 2. Subsequent debt collectors. When selecting an itemization date pursuant to § 1006.34(b)(3), a debt collector may use a different reference date than a prior debt collector who attempted to collect the debt. Paragraph 34(b)(3)(i). 1. Last statement date. Under § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), the last statement date is the date of the last periodic statement or written account statement or invoice provided to the consumer by a creditor. For purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), the last statement may be provided by a creditor or a third party acting on the creditor’s behalf, including a creditor’s service provider. However, a statement or invoice provided by a debt collector is not a last statement for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(i), unless the debt collector is also a creditor. Paragraph 34(b)(3)(iii). 1. Last payment date. Under § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii), the last payment date is the date the last payment was applied to the debt. A third-party payment applied to the debt, such as a payment from an auto repossession agent or an insurance company, can be a last payment for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(iii). Paragraph 34(b)(3)(iv). 1. Transaction date. Section 1006.34(b)(3)(iv) provides that the itemization date may be the date of the transaction that gave rise to the debt. E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations The transaction date is the date that the good or service that gave rise to the debt was provided or made available to the consumer. For example, the transaction date for a debt arising from a medical procedure may be the date the medical procedure was performed, and the transaction date for a consumer’s gym membership may be the date the membership contract was executed. In some cases, a debt may have more than one transaction date. This could occur, for example, if a contract for a service is executed on one date and the service is performed on another date. If a debt has more than one transaction date, a debt collector may use any such date as the transaction date for purposes of § 1006.34(b)(3)(iv), but the debt collector must use whichever transaction date is selected consistently, as described in comment 34(b)(3)–1. 34(b)(5) Validation period. 1. Assumed receipt of validation information. Section 1006.34(b)(5) defines the validation period as the period starting on the date that a debt collector provides the validation information required by § 1006.34(c) and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive it. Section 1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (iii) requires statements that specify the end date of the validation period. If a debt collector provides the validation information in writing or electronically, then, at the time that the debt collector calculates the validation period end date, the debt collector will know only the date on which the consumer is assumed to receive the validation information. In such cases, the debt collector may use that date to calculate the validation period end date even if the debt collector later learns that the consumer received the validation information on a different date. 2. Updated validation period. If a debt collector sends a subsequent validation notice to a consumer because the consumer did not receive the original validation notice and the consumer has not otherwise received the validation information required by § 1006.34(c), the debt collector must calculate the end date of the validation period specified in the § 1006.34(c)(3) disclosures based on the date the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the subsequent validation notice. For example, assume a debt collector sends a consumer a validation notice on January 1, and that notice is returned as undeliverable. After obtaining accurate location information, the debt collector sends the consumer a subsequent validation notice on January 15. Pursuant to § 1006.34(b)(5), the end date of the validation period specified in the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 § 1006.34(c)(3) disclosures is based on the date the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the validation notice sent on January 15. 34(c) Validation information. 34(c)(1) Debt collector communication disclosure. 1. Statement required by § 1006.18(e). Section 1006.34(c)(1) provides that validation information includes the statement required by § 1006.18(e). Section 1006.18(e)(1) requires a debt collector to disclose in its initial communication that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Section 1006.18(e)(2) requires a debt collector to disclose in each subsequent communication that the communication is from a debt collector. A debt collector who provides a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A) complies with § 1006.34(c)(1) by providing on the validation notice the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1). A debt collector who provides a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) complies with § 1006.34(c)(1) by providing either the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1) or the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(2). The following example illustrates the rule: i. ABC debt collector has an initial communication with the consumer by telephone. Within five days of that initial communication, ABC debt collector sends the consumer a validation notice using Model Form B–1 in appendix B to this part. ABC debt collector has complied with § 1006.34(c)(1) even though Model Form B–1 includes the disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(1) rather than the disclosure described in § 1006.18(e)(2). 34(c)(2) Information about the debt. Paragraph 34(c)(2)(i). 1. Debt collector’s name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(i) provides, in part, that validation information includes the debt collector’s name. A debt collector may disclose its trade or doing-business-as name, instead of its legal name. 2. Debt collector’s mailing address. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(i) provides, in part, that validation information includes the mailing address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for original-creditor information. A debt collector may disclose a vendor’s mailing address, if that is an address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for original-creditor information. Paragraph 34(c)(2)(ii). 1. Consumer’s name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(ii) provides, in part, that validation information includes the consumer’s name. To satisfy the PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5859 requirement to provide this validation information, a debt collector must disclose the version of the consumer’s name that the debt collector reasonably determines is the most complete and accurate version of the name about which the debt collector has knowledge. A debt collector does not disclose the most complete and accurate version of the consumer’s name if the debt collector omits known name information in a manner that creates a false, misleading, or confusing impression about the consumer’s identity. For example, assume the creditor provides the consumer’s first name, middle name, last name, and name suffix to the debt collector. In this scenario, the debt collector would reasonably determine that the most complete and accurate version of the consumer’s name about which the debt collector has knowledge includes the first name, middle name, last name, and name suffix. If the debt collector omits any of this information, the debt collector has not satisfied the requirement to provide the consumer’s name pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(ii). Paragraph 34(c)(2)(iii). 1. Creditor’s name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) provides that, if a debt collector is collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f), validation information includes the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date. Pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(iii), a debt collector may disclose this creditor’s trade or doingbusiness-as name, instead of its legal name. Paragraph 34(c)(2)(iv). 1. Account number truncation. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(iv) provides that validation information includes the account number, if any, associated with the debt on the itemization date, or a truncated version of that number. If a debt collector uses a truncated account number, the account number must remain recognizable. For example, a debt collector may truncate a credit card account number so that only the last four digits are provided. Paragraph 34(c)(2)(v). 1. Creditor’s name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(v) provides that validation information includes the name of the creditor to whom the debt currently is owed. A debt collector may disclose this creditor’s trade or doing-business-as name, instead of its legal name. Paragraph 34(c)(2)(vii). 1. Amount of the debt on the itemization date. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(vii) provides that validation information includes the amount of the debt on the itemization E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 5860 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations date. The amount of the debt on the itemization date includes any fees, interest, or other charges owed as of that date. Paragraph 34(c)(2)(viii). 1. Itemization of the debt. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) provides that validation information includes an itemization of the current amount of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. If providing a validation notice, a debt collector must include fields in the notice for all of these items even if none of the items have been assessed or applied to the debt since the itemization date. A debt collector may indicate that the value of a required field is ‘‘0,’’ ‘‘none,’’ or may state that no interest, fees, payments, or credits have been assessed or applied to the debt; a debt collector may not leave a required field blank. 2. Itemization required by other applicable law. If a debt collector is required by other applicable law to provide an itemization of the current amount of the debt with the validation information, the debt collector may comply with § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing the itemization required by other applicable law in lieu of the itemization described in § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii), if the itemization required by other applicable law is substantially similar to the itemization that appears on Model Form B–1 in appendix B to this part. 3. Itemization on a separate page. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) provides that a debt collector may disclose the itemization of the current amount of the debt on a separate page provided in the same communication with a validation notice if the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page. A debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the separate page by, for example, including on the validation notice the statement, ‘‘See the enclosed separate page for an itemization of the debt,’’ situated next to the information about the current amount of the debt required by § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix). 4. Debt collectors collecting multiple debts. A debt collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with § 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing either a single, cumulative itemization on the validation notice or a separate itemization of each debt on a separate page or pages provided in the same communication as the validation notice. Paragraph 34(c)(2)(ix). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 1. Current amount of the debt. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) provides that validation information includes the current amount of the debt (i.e., the amount as of when the validation information is provided). For residential mortgage debt subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, a debt collector may comply with the requirement to provide the current amount of the debt by providing the consumer the total balance of the outstanding mortgage, including principal, interest, fees, and other charges. 2. Debt collectors collecting multiple debts. A debt collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with § 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) by disclosing on the validation notice a single cumulative figure that is the sum of the current amount of all the debts. 34(c)(3) Information about consumer protections. Paragraph 34(c)(3)(v). 1. Electronic communication media. Section 1006.34(c)(3)(v) provides that, if the debt collector provides the validation notice electronically, validation information includes a statement explaining how a consumer can, as described in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, dispute the debt or request original-creditor information electronically. A debt collector may provide the information required by § 1006.34(c)(3)(v) by including the statements, ‘‘We accept disputes electronically at,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, followed by an email address or website portal that a consumer can use to take the action described in § 1006.34(c)(4)(i), and ‘‘We accept original creditor information requests electronically,’’ using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, followed by an email address or website portal that a consumer can use to take the action described in § 1006.34(c)(4)(ii). If a debt collector accepts electronic communications from consumers through more than one medium, such as by email and through a website portal, the debt collector is required to provide information regarding only one of these media but may provide information on any additional media. 34(c)(4) Consumer-response information. 1. Prompts. If the validation information is provided in writing or electronically, a prompt required by § 1006.34(c)(4) may be formatted as a checkbox as in Model Form B–1 in appendix B to this part. 34(c)(5) Special rule for certain residential mortgage debt. 1. In general. Section 1006.34(c)(5) provides that, for residential mortgage PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 debt, if a periodic statement is required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, at the time a debt collector provides the validation notice, a debt collector need not provide the validation information required by § 1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii) if the debt collector provides the consumer, in the same communication with the validation notice, a copy of the most recent periodic statement provided to the consumer under 12 CFR 1026.41(b), and the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the validation information required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi) through (viii) of this section would have appeared, a statement referring to that periodic statement. A debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the periodic statement in the validation notice by, for example, including on the validation notice the statement, ‘‘See the enclosed periodic statement for an itemization of the debt.’’ 34(d) Form of validation information. 34(d)(2) Safe harbor. 1. In general. A debt collector who provides a validation notice that is neither a notice described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) or (ii), nor a substantially similar notice as described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(iii), does not receive a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1). 34(d)(2)(i) In general. 1. Disclosure required by § 1006.18(e). Section 1006.18(e)(1) requires a debt collector to disclose in its initial communication that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Section 1006.18(e)(2) requires a debt collector to disclose in each subsequent communication that the communication is from a debt collector. Model Form B–1 in appendix B to this part includes the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1). A debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 to provide a validation notice as described in § 1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) may replace the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(1) with the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e)(2) without losing the safe harbor described in § 1006.34(d)(2). See comment 34(c)(1)–1 for further guidance related to providing the disclosure required by § 1006.18(e) on a validation notice. 34(d)(2)(iii) Substantially similar form. 1. Substantially similar form. Pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(2)(iii), a debt collector who uses Model Form B–1 as described in § 1006.34(d)(2)(i) may make changes to the form and retain the safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations § 1006.34(c) and (d)(1) provided that the form remains substantially similar in substance, clarity, and meaningful sequence to Model Form B–1. Permissible changes include, for example: i. Modifications to remove language that could suggest liability for the debt if such language is not applicable. For example, if a debt collector sends a validation notice to a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate (see comment 34(a)(1)–1), and that person is not liable for the debt, the debt collector may use the name of the deceased consumer instead of ‘‘you’’; ii. Relocating the consumer-response information required by § 1006.34(c)(4) to facilitate mailing; iii. Adding barcodes or QR codes, as long as the inclusion of such items does not violate § 1006.38(b); iv. Adding the date the form is generated; and v. Embedding hyperlinks, if delivering the form electronically. 34(d)(3) Optional disclosures. 34(d)(3)(i) Telephone contact information. 1. In general. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(i) permits a debt collector to include telephone contact information. Telephone contact information may include, for example, a telephone number as well as the times that the debt collector accepts consumer telephone calls. 34(d)(3)(iv) Disclosures under applicable law. 34(d)(3)(iv)(A) Disclosures on the reverse of the validation notice. 1. In general. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) permits, in relevant part, a debt collector to include on the reverse of the validation notice any disclosures that are specifically required by, or that provide safe harbors under, applicable law. If a debt collector provides a validation notice in the body of an email, the debt collector may, in lieu of including the disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) on the reverse of the validation notice, include them in the same communication below the content of the validation notice. Disclosures permitted by § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) include, for example, specific disclosures required by Federal, State, or municipal statutes or regulations, and specific disclosures required by judicial or administrative decisions or orders, including administrative consent orders. Such disclosures could include, for example, time-barred debt disclosures and disclosures that the current amount of the debt may increase or vary due to interest, fees, or other charges, provided VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 that such disclosures are specifically required by applicable law. 2. Statement referring to disclosures. If a debt collector includes disclosures pursuant to § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A), the debt collector must include a statement on the front of the validation notice referring to those disclosures. A debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the disclosures by including on the front of the validation notice the statement, ‘‘Notice: See reverse side for important information,’’ or a substantially similar statement. If, as permitted by comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)–1, a debt collector places the disclosures below the content of the validation notice, the debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the disclosures by stating, ‘‘Notice: See below for important information,’’ or a substantially similar statement. 34(d)(3)(iv)(B) Disclosures on the front of the validation notice. 1. In general. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B) provides, in relevant part that, if a debt collector is collecting time-barred debt, the debt collector may include on the front of the validation notice any time-barred debt disclosure that is specifically required by, or that provides a safe harbor under, applicable law, provided that applicable law specifies the content of the disclosure. For example, if applicable State law requires a debt collector who is collecting time-barred debt to disclose to the consumer that the law limits how long a consumer can be sued on a debt and that the debt collector cannot or will not sue the consumer to collect it, the debt collector may include that disclosure on the front of the validation notice. See § 1006.26(a)(2) for the definition of time-barred debt. For purposes of § 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B), timebarred debt disclosures may include disclosures about revival of debt collectors’ right to bring a legal action to enforce the debt. 34(d)(3)(vi) Spanish-language translation disclosures. Paragraph 34(d)(3)(vi)(A). 1. Supplemental information in Spanish. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) permits a debt collector to include supplemental information in Spanish that specifies how a consumer may request a Spanish-language validation notice. For example, a debt collector may include a statement in Spanish that a consumer can request a Spanishlanguage validation notice by telephone or email, if the debt collector accepts consumer requests through those communication media. Paragraph 34(d)(3)(vii). 1. Merchant brand. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits a debt PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 5861 collector to include the merchant brand, if any, associated with debt. For example, assume that a debt collector is attempting to collect a consumer’s credit card debt. The credit card was issued by ABC Bank and was co-branded XYZ Store. ‘‘XYZ Store’’ is the merchant brand. 2. Affinity brand. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits a debt collector to include the affinity brand, if any, associated with the debt. For example, assume that a debt collector is attempting to collect a consumer’s credit card debt. The credit card was issued by ABC Bank, and the logo for the College of Columbia appears on the credit card. ‘‘College of Columbia’’ is the affinity brand. 3. Facility name. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits a debt collector to include the facility name, if any, associated with the debt. For example, assume that a debt collector is attempting to collect a consumer’s medical debt. The medical debt relates to a treatment that the consumer received at ABC Hospital. ‘‘ABC Hospital’’ is the facility name. 34(e) Translation into other languages. 1. Safe harbor for complete and accurate translation. Section 1006.34(e) provides, among other things, that, if a debt collector sends a consumer a validation notice translated into a language other than English, the translation must be complete and accurate. The language of a validation notice that a debt collector obtains from the Bureau’s website is considered a complete and accurate translation. Debt collectors are permitted to use other validation notice translations if they are complete and accurate. Section 1006.38—Disputes and Requests for Original-Creditor Information 1. In writing. Section 1006.38 contains requirements related to a dispute or request for the name and address of the original creditor timely submitted in writing by the consumer. A consumer has disputed the debt or requested the name and address of the original creditor in writing for purposes of § 1006.38(c) or (d)(2) if the consumer, for example: i. Mails the written dispute or request to the debt collector; ii. Returns to the debt collector the consumer-response form that § 1006.34(c)(4) requires to appear on the validation notice and indicates on the form the dispute or request; iii. Provides the dispute or request to the debt collector using a medium of electronic communication through which the debt collector accepts E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8 5862 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations electronic communications from consumers, such as an email address or a website portal; or iv. Delivers the written dispute or request in person or by courier to the debt collector. * * * * * 3. Deceased consumers. If the debt collector knows or should know that the consumer is deceased, and if the consumer has not previously disputed the debt or requested the name and address of the original creditor, a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate operates as the consumer for purposes of § 1006.38. In such circumstances, to comply with § 1006.38(c) or (d)(2), respectively, a debt collector must respond to a request for the name and address of the original creditor or to a dispute timely submitted in writing by a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate. * * * * * Subpart D—Miscellaneous Section 1006.100—Record Retention * * * * 100(a) In general. 1. Records that evidence compliance. Section 1006.100(a) provides, in part, that a debt collector must retain records khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES8 * VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:50 Jan 17, 2021 Jkt 253001 that are evidence of compliance or noncompliance with the FDCPA and this part. Thus, under § 1006.100(a), a debt collector must retain records that evidence that the debt collector performed the actions and made the disclosures required by the FDCPA and this part, as well as records that evidence that the debt collector refrained from conduct prohibited by the FDCPA and this part. If a record is of a type that could evidence compliance or noncompliance depending on the conduct of the debt collector that is revealed within the record, then the record is one that is evidence of compliance or noncompliance, and the debt collector must retain it. Such records include, but are not limited to, records that evidence that the debt collector’s communications and attempts to communicate in connection with the collection of a debt complied (or did not comply) with the FDCPA and this part. For example, a debt collector must retain: i. Telephone call logs as evidence of compliance or noncompliance with the prohibition against harassing telephone calls in § 1006.14(b)(1); and ii. Copies of documents provided to consumers as evidence that the debt PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 collector provided the information required by §§ 1006.34 and 1006.38 and met the delivery requirements of § 1006.42. * * * * * Section 1006.104—Relation to State Laws 1. State law disclosure requirements. The Act and the corresponding provisions of Regulation F do not annul, alter, or affect, or exempt any person subject to these requirements from complying with a disclosure requirement under applicable State law that describes additional protections under State law that are not inconsistent with the Act and Regulation F. A disclosure required by State law is not inconsistent with the FDCPA or Regulation F if the disclosure describes a protection that such law affords any consumer that is greater than the protection provided by the FDCPA or Regulation F. Dated: December 18, 2020. Grace Feola, Federal Register Liaison, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. [FR Doc. 2020–28422 Filed 1–15–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P E:\FR\FM\19JAR8.SGM 19JAR8

Agencies

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5766-5862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28422]



[[Page 5765]]

Vol. 86

Tuesday,

No. 11

January 19, 2021

Part VIII





Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection





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12 CFR Part 1006





Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 5766]]


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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

12 CFR Part 1006

[Docket No. CFPB-2019-0022]
RIN 3170-AA41


Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F)

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Final rule; official interpretation.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is 
issuing this final rule to revise Regulation F, which implements the 
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The final rule governs 
certain activities by debt collectors, as that term is defined in the 
FDCPA. Among other things, the final rule clarifies the information 
that a debt collector must provide to a consumer at the outset of debt 
collection communications, prohibits debt collectors from bringing or 
threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a 
time-barred debt, and requires debt collectors to take certain actions 
before furnishing information about a consumer's debt to a consumer 
reporting agency.

DATES: This rule is effective on November 30, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Singerman, Counsel, or Dania 
Ayoubi, Joseph Baressi, Seth Caffrey, Brandy Hood, David Jacobs, 
Courtney Jean, Adam Mayle, Kristin McPartland, Michael Silver, Senior 
Counsels, Office of Regulations, at 202-435-7700. If you require this 
document in an alternative electronic format, please contact 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Summary of the Final Rule

    The Bureau is finalizing amendments to Regulation F, 12 CFR part 
1006, which implements the FDCPA.\1\ The amendments prescribe Federal 
rules governing the activities of debt collectors, as that term is 
defined in the FDCPA (debt collectors or FDCPA debt collectors). The 
final rule clarifies the information that a debt collector must provide 
to a consumer at the outset of debt collection communications and 
provides a model validation notice containing such information. The 
final rule also addresses consumer protection concerns related to 
passive collections (i.e., the practice of furnishing information about 
a debt to a consumer reporting agency before communicating with the 
consumer about the debt) and the collection of debt that is beyond the 
statute of limitations (i.e., time-barred debt). On November 30, 2020, 
the Bureau published a final rule in the Federal Register that focused 
on debt collection communications and related practices by debt 
collectors (November 2020 Final Rule). The November 2020 Final Rule 
reserved certain sections of Regulation F in anticipation of this final 
rule.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq.
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    As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, in 1977, Congress 
passed the FDCPA to eliminate abusive debt collection practices by debt 
collectors, to ensure that those debt collectors who refrain from using 
abusive debt collection practices are not competitively disadvantaged, 
and to promote consistent State action to protect consumers against 
debt collection abuses.\2\ The statute was a response to ``abundant 
evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection 
practices by many debt collectors.'' \3\ According to Congress, these 
practices ``contribute to the number of personal bankruptcies, to 
marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of 
individual privacy.'' \4\
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    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 1692(e).
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 1692(a).
    \4\ Id.
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    The FDCPA established specific consumer protections, enabling 
consumers to establish controls on when and how debt collectors contact 
them, establishing privacy protections surrounding the collection of 
debts, and protecting consumers from certain collection practices. The 
FDCPA also established broad consumer protections, prohibiting 
harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair 
practices. In the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection 
Act (Dodd-Frank Act), Congress provided the Bureau with authority under 
the FDCPA to prescribe substantive rules with respect to the collection 
of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau issues this final rule, like 
the November 2020 Final Rule, to implement and interpret the FDCPA.

A. Coverage and Organization of the Final Rule

    The final rule is based primarily on the Bureau's authority to 
issue rules to implement the FDCPA and, consequently, covers debt 
collectors, as that term is defined in the FDCPA.
    As revised in the November 2020 Final Rule, Regulation F contains 
four subparts. Subpart A contains generally applicable provisions, such 
as definitions that apply throughout the regulation. Subpart B contains 
rules for FDCPA debt collectors. Subpart C is reserved for any future 
debt collection rulemakings. Subpart D contains certain miscellaneous 
provisions. This final rule adds additional provisions in subparts A, 
B, and D.

B. Scope of the Final Rule

    FDCPA section 809(a) requires that a debt collector send a written 
notice containing certain information about the debt and actions the 
consumer may take in response (the validation notice) to a consumer 
within five days of the initial communication, unless such validation 
information was provided in the initial communication or the consumer 
has paid the debt.\5\ The final rule clarifies the information about 
the debt and the consumer's rights with respect to the debt that a debt 
collector must provide to a consumer at the outset of debt collection 
communications, including (if applicable) on a validation notice. The 
final rule also requires a debt collector to provide prompts that a 
consumer can use to dispute the debt, request information about the 
original creditor, or take certain other actions. The final rule 
provides a safe harbor for compliance with these disclosure 
requirements for debt collectors who use the model validation notice or 
certain variations of the notice.
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    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a).
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    The final rule also prohibits a debt collector from suing or 
threatening to sue a consumer to collect time-barred debt. In addition, 
the final rule prohibits a debt collector from furnishing information 
about a debt to a consumer reporting agency before engaging in specific 
outreach to the consumer about the debt. The final rule also addresses 
certain other disclosure-focused provisions, such as clarifying how a 
debt collector may respond to a consumer's request for original-
creditor information if the original creditor is the same as the 
current creditor. Additionally, the final rule interprets the 
definition of consumer under the FDCPA to include deceased natural 
persons and, relatedly, provides that, if a debt collector knows or 
should know that the a consumer is deceased, and the debt collector has 
not previously provided the validation information to the deceased 
consumer, the debt collector must provide that information to a person 
who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate.

[[Page 5767]]

II. Background

A. Debt Collection Market Background

    A consumer debt is commonly understood to be a consumer's 
obligation to pay money to another person or entity. Sometimes a debt 
arises out of a closed-end loan. Other times, a debt arises from a 
consumer's use of an open-end line of credit, commonly a credit card. 
And in other cases, a debt arises from a consumer's purchase of goods 
or services with payment due thereafter. Often there is an agreed-upon 
payment schedule or date by which the consumer must repay the debt.
    For a variety of reasons, consumers sometimes are unable or 
unwilling to make payments when they are due. Collection efforts may 
directly recover some or all of the overdue amounts owed to debt owners 
and thereby may indirectly help to keep consumer credit available and 
more affordable to consumers.\6\ Collection activities also can lead to 
repayment plans or debt restructuring that may provide consumers with 
additional time to make payments or resolve their debts on more 
manageable terms.\7\
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    \6\ See Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Fair Debt Collection 
Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2013, at 9 (Mar. 20, 2013), 
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/annual-report-on-the-fair-debt-collection-practices-act/ (2013 FDCPA 
Annual Report).
    \7\ See id.
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    The November 2020 Final Rule provides an extensive overview of the 
debt collection market (including the roles of creditors, third-party 
debt collectors, debt buyers, and a variety of service providers in the 
market), methods of debt collection, and consumer protection concerns 
in debt collection.\8\ Below the Bureau summarizes information 
regarding debt collection methods and consumer protection concerns 
specifically related to the topics addressed in this final rule.
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    \8\ See 85 FR 76734, 76735-37 (Nov. 30, 2020).
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B. Debt Collection Methods

    If a consumer's payment obligations remain unmet, a creditor may 
send the account to a third-party debt collector to recover on the debt 
in the third-party debt collector's name. A creditor typically stops 
communicating with a consumer once responsibility for an account has 
moved to a third-party debt collector. Active debt collection efforts 
typically begin with the debt collector attempting to locate the 
consumer, usually by identifying a valid telephone number or mailing 
address, so that the debt collector can establish contact with the 
consumer. Once a debt collector has obtained contact information for a 
consumer, the debt collector typically will seek to communicate with 
the consumer to obtain payment on some or all of the debt.
    As already noted, FDCPA section 809(a) generally requires a debt 
collector to provide certain information to a consumer either at the 
time that, or shortly after, the debt collector first communicates with 
the consumer in connection with the collection of a debt. The required 
information includes: (1) Certain details about the debt, such as the 
amount of the debt and the name of the creditor to whom the debt is 
owed; and (2) a description of consumer protections, such as the 
consumer's rights to dispute the debt and to request information about 
the original creditor. A debt collector may send a validation notice 
containing the required information as the initial communication to the 
consumer or send the required information in a validation notice within 
five days after the initial communication. Currently, validation 
notices include little or no information about the debt beyond the 
information specifically listed in FDCPA section 809(a). This 
information may not be sufficient for the consumer to recognize the 
debt, particularly if, for example, the amount owed has changed over 
time due to interest, fees, payment, or credits, or if the debt 
collector has changed since an original collection attempt.
    A debt collector may tailor the collection strategy depending on a 
variety of factors, including the size and age of the debt and the debt 
collector's assessment of the likelihood of obtaining money from the 
consumer. For example, rather than engage in active debt collection 
efforts by affirmatively locating and contacting consumers, some debt 
collectors collecting relatively small debts--such as many medical, 
utility, and telecommunications debts--report the debts to consumer 
reporting agencies and then wait for consumers to contact them after 
discovering the debts on their consumer reports.\9\
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    \9\ Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Consumer Credit Reports: A 
Study of Medical and Non-Medical Collections, at 35-36 (Dec. 2014), 
https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201412_cfpb_reports_consumer-credit-medical-and-non-medical-collections.pdf (CFPB Medical Debt 
Report).
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    As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, a debt owner may also 
try to recover on a debt through litigation.\10\ And debt collectors 
sometimes attempt to collect debt for which the applicable statute of 
limitations has expired. The length of the limitations period for debt 
collection claims usually varies by State and debt type; most 
limitations periods are between three and six years, although some are 
as long as 15 years. Currently, in most States, expiration of the 
statute of limitations, if raised by the consumer as an affirmative 
defense, precludes the debt collector from recovering on the debt 
through litigation, but it does not extinguish the debt itself. If the 
debt is not extinguished, a debt collector may use non-litigation 
means, such as letters and telephone calls, to collect a time-barred 
debt, as long as those means do not violate the FDCPA or other 
laws.\11\
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    \10\ See 85 FR 76735, 76736 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \11\ See 85 FR 12672, 12672-73 (Mar. 3, 2020).
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C. Consumer Protection Concerns

    As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, each year consumers 
submit tens of thousands of complaints about debt collection to Federal 
regulators.\12\ A significant proportion of those complaints involve 
debts that consumers believe they do not owe, which may be because the 
debt is being collected in error or because the consumer does not 
recognize the debt. Consumers also file thousands of private actions 
each year against debt collectors who allegedly have violated the 
FDCPA, including many cases alleging violations related to the 
validation notice. Since the Bureau began operations in 2011, it has 
brought numerous debt collection

[[Page 5768]]

cases against third-party debt collectors, alleging both FDCPA 
violations and unfair, deceptive, or abusive debt collection acts or 
practices in violation of the Dodd-Frank Act.\13\ In many of these 
cases, the Bureau has obtained civil penalties, monetary compensation 
for consumers, and other relief. In its supervisory work, the Bureau 
similarly has identified many FDCPA violations during examinations of 
debt collectors. Over the past decade, the Federal Trade Commission 
(FTC) and State regulators also have brought numerous additional 
actions against debt collectors for violating Federal and State debt 
collection and consumer protection laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See, e.g., Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Fair Debt 
Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2020, at 13 (Mar. 
2020), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fdcpa_annual-report-congress_03-2020.pdf (2020 FDCPA Annual 
Report); Fed. Trade Comm'n, 2019 Consumer Sentinel Network Databook, 
at 7 (Jan. 2020), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2019/consumer_sentinel_network_data_book_2019.pdf; Bureau of Consumer 
Fin. Prot., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 
2019, at 15-16 (Mar. 2019), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fdcpa_annual-report-congress_03-2019.pdf (2019 FDCPA 
Annual Report); Fed. Trade Comm'n, 2018 Consumer Sentinel Network 
Databook, at 4, 7 (Feb. 2019), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2018/consumer_sentinel_network_data_book_2018_0.pdf; Bureau of Consumer 
Fin. Prot., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 
2018, at 14-15 (Mar. 2018), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fdcpa_annual-report-congress_03-2018.pdf (2018 FDCPA 
Annual Report); Fed. Trade Comm'n, 2017 Consumer Sentinel Network 
Databook, at 3, 6 (Mar. 2018), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2017/consumer_sentinel_data_book_2017.pdf; Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., 
2017 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: CFPB Annual Report 2017, at 
15-16 (Mar. 2017), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201703_cfpb_Fair-Debt-Collection-Practices-Act-Annual-Report.pdf 
(2017 FDCPA Annual Report); Fed. Trade Comm'n, Consumer Sentinel 
Network Data Book for January-December 2016, at 3, 6 (Mar. 2017), 
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-january-december-2016/csn_cy-2016_data_book.pdf.
    \13\ See, e.g., Stipulated Final Judgment and Consent Order, 
Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. Encore Capital Grp., Inc., 3:20-cv-
01750 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 15, 2020), https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.casd.686719/gov.uscourts.casd.686719.5.1.pdf; 
Consent Order, In re Asset Recovery Assocs., 2019-BCFP-0009 (Aug. 
28, 2019), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/documents/7938/cfpb_asset-recovery-associates_consent-order_2019-08.pdf; Consent 
Order, In re Encore Capital Grp., Inc., 2015-CFPB-0022 (Sept. 9, 
2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201509_cfpb_consent-order-encore-capital-group.pdf; Consent Order, In re Portfolio Recovery 
Assocs., LLC, 2015-CFPB-0023 (Sept. 9, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201509_cfpb_consent-order-portfolio-recovery-associates-llc.pdf; Complaint, Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau 
v. Nat'l Corrective Grp., Inc., 1:15-cv-00899-RDB (D. Md. Mar. 30, 
2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201503_cfpb_complaint-national-corrective-group.pdf.
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D. FDCPA and Dodd-Frank Act Protections for Consumers

    Federal and State governments historically have sought to protect 
consumers from harmful debt collection practices. From 1938 to 1977, 
the Federal government primarily protected consumers through FTC 
enforcement actions against debt collectors who engaged in unfair or 
deceptive acts or practices in violation of section 5 of the FTC 
Act.\14\ When Congress enacted the FDCPA in 1977, it found that 
``[e]xisting laws and procedures for redressing . . . injuries [were] 
inadequate to protect consumers.'' \15\ Congress found that ``[t]here 
[was] abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair 
debt collection practices by many debt collectors'' and that these 
practices ``contribute to the number of personal bankruptcies, to 
marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of 
individual privacy.'' \16\
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    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 45.
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 1692(b).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 1692(a).
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    The FDCPA was enacted, in part, ``to eliminate abusive debt 
collection practices by debt collectors, [and] to insure that those 
debt collectors who refrain from using abusive debt collection 
practices are not competitively disadvantaged.'' \17\ Among other 
things, the FDCPA: (1) Prohibits debt collectors from engaging in 
harassment or abuse, making false or misleading representations, and 
engaging in unfair practices in debt collection; (2) restricts debt 
collectors' communications with consumers and others; and (3) requires 
debt collectors to provide consumers with disclosures concerning the 
debts they owe or allegedly owe.
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    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 1692(e).
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    The FDCPA, in general, applies to debt collectors as that term is 
defined under the statute. As discussed further in the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.2(i) of the November 2020 Final Rule, 
the FDCPA generally provides that a debt collector is any person: (1) 
Who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails in any 
business the principal purpose of which is the collection of any debts 
(i.e., the ``principal purpose'' prong), or (2) who regularly collects, 
or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or 
asserted to be owed or due to another (i.e., the ``regularly collects'' 
prong). FDCPA section 803(6) also sets forth several exclusions from 
the general definition.
    Until the creation of the Bureau, no Federal agency was authorized 
to issue regulations to implement the substantive provisions of the 
FDCPA. Courts have issued opinions providing differing interpretations 
of various FDCPA provisions, and there is considerable uncertainty with 
respect to how the FDCPA applies to communication technologies that 
have developed since 1977. The Dodd-Frank Act amended the FDCPA to 
provide the Bureau with authority to ``prescribe rules with respect to 
the collection of debts by debt collectors.'' \18\
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    \18\ FDCPA section 814(d), 15 U.S.C. 1692l(d).
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III. Summary of the Rulemaking Process

A. The November 2020 Final Rule

    The Bureau issued the November 2020 Final Rule to finalize certain 
provisions of the proposed rule that the Bureau published in the 
Federal Register on May 21, 2019, to amend Regulation F.\19\ 
Specifically, the November 2020 Final Rule primarily addressed debt 
collection communications and related practices by debt collectors. The 
November 2020 Final Rule reserved certain sections of Regulation F in 
anticipation of this final rule.
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    \19\ See 84 FR 23274 (May 21, 2019).
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B. The 2019 Proposal and 2020 Supplemental Proposal

    As noted, on May 21, 2019, the Bureau published a proposed rule 
(the May 2019 proposal or proposal) in the Federal Register to amend 
Regulation F.\20\ The proposal provided a 90-day comment period that 
would have closed on August 19, 2019. To allow interested persons more 
time to consider and submit their comments, the Bureau issued an 
extension of the comment period until September 18, 2019.\21\ In 
response to the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau received more than 14,000 
comments from consumers, consumer groups, members of Congress, other 
government agencies, creditors, debt collectors, industry trade 
associations, and others. As discussed below, the Bureau has considered 
those comments in deciding to issue this final rule.
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    \20\ Id.
    \21\ 84 FR 37806 (Aug. 2, 2019).
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    As relevant to this final rule, in the May 2019 proposal, the 
Bureau proposed to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and (b) 
regarding the information that debt collectors must provide to 
consumers at the outset of debt collection communications and debt 
collectors' obligations to respond to consumers' disputes and requests 
for original-creditor information, including if the consumer obligated 
or allegedly obligated to pay the debt has died. The Bureau also 
proposed to prohibit debt collectors from bringing or threatening to 
bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a debt that the debt 
collector knows or should know is a time-barred debt. And the Bureau 
proposed to prohibit debt collectors from furnishing information 
regarding a debt to a consumer reporting agency before communicating 
with the consumer about the debt.
    On February 21, 2020, the Bureau released a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking to amend Regulation F to require debt collectors to 
make certain disclosures when collecting time-barred debts (the 
February 2020 proposal).\22\ The February 2020 proposal provided a 60-
day comment period that would have closed on May 4, 2020. To allow 
interested persons more time to consider and submit their comments, the 
Bureau issued two extensions of the comment period, the first until 
June 5, 2020, and the second until August 4,

[[Page 5769]]

2020.\23\ In response to the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau 
received approximately 90 comments from consumers, consumer groups, 
members of Congress, other government agencies, creditors, debt 
collectors, industry trade associations, and others. As discussed 
below, the Bureau has considered those comments in adopting this final 
rule.
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    \22\ See 85 FR 12672 (Mar. 3, 2020).
    \23\ See 85 FR 17299 (Mar. 27, 2020) (first extension); 85 FR 
30890 (May 21, 2020) (second extension).
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C. Consumer Testing

    The Bureau has undertaken two rounds of qualitative disclosure 
testing and one round of quantitative disclosure testing, all of which 
have informed this final rule.
    First, as discussed in more detail in the May 2019 proposal, the 
Bureau in 2014 contracted with a third-party vendor, Fors Marsh Group 
(FMG), to assist with developing, and to conduct qualitative consumer 
testing of the model validation notice.\24\ This initial qualitative 
testing included focus group testing, cognitive testing, and usability 
testing conducted by FMG.\25\ Through the testing, the Bureau sought 
insight into consumers' understanding of debt collection protections 
and how consumers would interact with the forms if the forms were 
incorporated into a final rule. Specific findings from the consumer 
testing are discussed in more detail in part V where relevant. In 
conjunction with the release of the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau made 
available a report prepared by FMG regarding the focus group 
testing,\26\ the cognitive testing,\27\ the usability testing,\28\ and 
a report prepared by FMG summarizing the focus group testing, cognitive 
testing, and usability testing.\29\
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    \24\ The Bureau also tested a statement of consumer rights 
disclosure, but the Bureau decided not to propose to require debt 
collectors to provide such a disclosure to consumers. Instead, the 
Bureau proposed in the May 2019 proposal to require certain debt 
collectors to provide with the validation information a statement 
referring consumers to a Bureau-provided website that would describe 
certain consumer protections in debt collection. See the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv). Because the Bureau did 
not propose to require debt collectors to provide consumers with a 
statement of consumer rights disclosure, the Bureau did not 
summarize testing related to that disclosure in the May 2019 
proposal.
    \25\ See 84 FR 23274, 23279 (May 21, 2019).
    \26\ See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection Focus Groups 
(Aug. 2014), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debt-collection_fmg-focus-group-report.pdf (FMG Focus Group 
Report). The focus group testing was conducted in accordance with 
OMB control number 3170-0022, Generic Information Collection Plan 
for the Development and/or Testing of Model Forms, Disclosures, 
Tools, and Other Similar Related Materials.
    \27\ See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection Cognitive 
Interviews (n.d.), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debt-collection_fmg-cognitive-report.pdf (FMG Cognitive 
Report). The cognitive testing was conducted in accordance with OMB 
control number 3170-0022, Generic Information Collection Plan for 
the Development and/or Testing of Model Forms, Disclosures, Tools, 
and Other Similar Related Materials.
    \28\ See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection User 
Experience Study (Feb. 2016), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debt-collection_fmg-usability-report.pdf (FMG 
Usability Report). Like the other testing, the usability testing was 
conducted in accordance with OMB control number 3170-0022, Generic 
Information Collection Plan for the Development and/or Testing of 
Model Forms, Disclosures, Tools, and Other Similar Related 
Materials.
    \29\ See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Debt Collection Validation 
Notice Research: Summary of Focus Groups, Cognitive Interviews, and 
User Experience Testing (Feb. 2016), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debt-collection_fmg-summary-report.pdf (FMG Summary Report).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, to obtain additional information about consumer 
comprehension and decision-making in response to sample debt collection 
disclosures relating to time-barred debt, in 2017 the Bureau contracted 
with ICF International, Inc. (ICF) to conduct a web survey of 
approximately 8,000 individuals possessing a broad range of demographic 
characteristics.\30\ This quantitative testing concluded in late 
September 2019, and, in conjunction with the release of the February 
2020 proposal, the Bureau \31\ and ICF \32\ published detailed reports 
summarizing the testing methodology and results. The February 2020 
proposal provides an extensive overview of the quantitative 
testing.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ OMB approved the Bureau's request to conduct the survey on 
May 7, 2019. See Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs, Office 
of Mgmt. & Budget, ICR--OIRA Conclusion, https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201902-3170-001# (last visited Feb. 18, 
2020).
    \31\ See Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Disclosure of Time-
Barred Debt and Revival: Findings from the CFPB's Quantitative 
Disclosure Testing (Feb. 2020), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debt-collection-quantitative-disclosure-testing_report.pdf (CFPB Quantitative Testing Report).
    \32\ See ICF Int'l, Inc., Quantitative Survey Testing of Model 
Disclosure Clauses and Forms for Debt Collection: Methodology Report 
(Jan. 21, 2020), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_icf_debt-survey_methodology-report.pdf.
    \33\ See 85 FR 12672, 12676-77 (Mar. 3, 2020).
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    Third, to further evaluate the effectiveness of the model 
validation notice, the Bureau contracted with FMG again in 2019 to 
conduct an additional round of qualitative testing. Because of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, FMG conducted this consumer testing by telephone, 
completing 51 one-on-one usability interviews between October 5 and 
October 15, 2020. The qualitative testing showed, among other things, 
that 80 percent of participants shared positive initial reactions to 
the model validation notice and indicated that the information in the 
notice was clear and available actions were obvious. In addition, 88 
percent of participants rated the overall model validation notice as 
``very easy'' or ``easy'' to understand, and no participants rated the 
notice as ``difficult'' or ``very difficult'' to understand. Finally, 
77 percent of participants answered correctly over 90 percent of the 
time when, after reviewing the notice, they were asked to answer 
certain questions about information included on the notice. In 
conjunction with release of this final rule, the Bureau is making 
available a report prepared by FMG regarding the qualitative 
testing.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See generally Fors Marsh Grp., Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau (CFPB) Usability Testing Report: Model Validation 
Notice (Nov. 20, 2020), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_model-validation-notice_report_2020-12.pdf (November 
2020 Qualitative Testing Report).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. Other Outreach \35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ The preamble to the May 2019 proposal includes a more 
thorough discussion of the outreach the Bureau conducted prior to 
issuing the proposal. See 84 FR 23274, 23278-80 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In November 2013, the Bureau began the rulemaking process with the 
publication of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) 
regarding debt collection.\36\ As discussed in the May 2019 proposal, 
the ANPRM sought information about a wide variety of both first- and 
third-party debt collection practices. The Bureau received more than 
23,000 comments in response to the ANPRM, which the Bureau considered 
when developing the proposals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ 78 FR 67848 (Nov. 12, 2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To better understand the operational costs of debt collection 
firms, including law firms, the Bureau also surveyed debt collection 
firms and vendors and published a report based on that study in July 
2016 (CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study or Operations Study).\37\ 
The Operations Study focused on understanding how debt collection firms 
obtain information about delinquent consumer accounts and attempt to 
collect on those accounts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See generally Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Study of 
Third-Party Debt Collection Operations (July 2016), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/documents/755/20160727_cfpb_Third_Party_Debt_Collection_Operations_Study.pdf (CFPB 
Debt Collection Operations Study).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In August 2016, the Bureau convened a Small Business Review Panel 
(Small Business Review Panel or Panel) with the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the 
Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with

[[Page 5770]]

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).\38\ As part of this process, 
the Bureau prepared an outline of proposals under consideration and the 
alternatives considered (Small Business Review Panel Outline or 
Outline),\39\ which the Bureau posted on its website for review by the 
small entity representatives participating in the Panel process and by 
the general public. The Panel gathered information from the small 
entity representatives and made findings and recommendations regarding 
the potential compliance costs and other impacts on those entities of 
the proposals under consideration. Those findings and recommendations 
are set forth in the Small Business Review Panel Report, which is part 
of the administrative record in this rulemaking and is available to the 
public.\40\ The Bureau considered these findings and recommendations in 
preparing the proposals and this final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996 (SBREFA), as amended by section 1100G(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, 
requires the Bureau to convene a Small Business Review Panel before 
proposing a rule that may have a substantial economic impact on a 
significant number of small entities. See Public Law 104-121, tit. 
II, 110 Stat. 857 (1996) (as amended by the Small Business and Work 
Opportunity Act of 2007, Public Law. 110-28, tit. VIII, subtit. C, 
sec. 8302, 121 Stat. 204 (2007)).
    \39\ Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., Small Business Review Panel 
for Debt Collector and Debt Buyer Rulemaking: Outline of Proposals 
Under Consideration and Alternatives Considered (July 28, 2016), 
https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/20160727_cfpb_Outline_of_proposals.pdf (Small Business Review Panel 
Outline). The Bureau also gathered feedback on the Small Business 
Review Panel Outline from other stakeholders, members of the public, 
and the Bureau's Consumer Advisory Board and Community Bank Advisory 
Council.
    \40\ Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., U.S. Small Bus. Admin. & 
Office of Mgmt. & Budget, Final Report of the Small Business Review 
Panel on the CFPB's Proposals Under Consideration for the Debt 
Collector and Debt Buying Rulemaking (Oct. 2016), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_debt-collector-debt-buyer_SBREFA-report.pdf (Small Business Review Panel Report).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has also met on many occasions with various 
stakeholders, including consumer advocates, debt collection trade 
associations, industry participants, academics with expertise in debt 
collection, Federal prudential regulators, and other Federal and State 
consumer protection regulators. The Bureau also received a number of 
comments specific to the debt collection rulemaking in response to its 
Request for Information Regarding the Bureau's Adopted Regulations and 
New Rulemaking Authorities \41\ and its Request for Information 
Regarding the Bureau's Inherited Regulations and Inherited Rulemaking 
Authorities; \42\ the Bureau considered these comments in developing 
the proposals and this final rule. In addition, the Bureau has engaged 
in general outreach, speaking at consumer advocate and industry events 
and visiting consumer organizations and industry stakeholders. The 
Bureau has provided other regulators with information about the 
proposals and this final rule, has sought their input, and has received 
feedback that has helped the Bureau to prepare this final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ 83 FR 12286 (Mar. 21, 2018).
    \42\ 83 FR 12881 (Mar. 26, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Bureau is required to conduct an 
assessment of significant rules within five years of the rule's 
effective date. The Bureau anticipates that this final rule may be 
significant and therefore may require an assessment within five years 
of the rule's effective date. The Bureau is preparing now for this 
possible assessment. Specifically, the Bureau is considering how best 
to obtain information now to serve as a baseline for evaluation of the 
costs, benefits, and other effects of the final rule. The Bureau 
expects to collect data and other information from consumers, debt 
collectors, and other stakeholders to understand whether the rule is 
achieving its goals under the FDCPA and the Dodd-Frank Act, and to help 
the Bureau measure the costs and benefits of the rule. Topics of data 
collection could include: whether consumers are better able to identify 
a debt when receiving validation information after the rule compared to 
before the rule; whether debt collectors are receiving higher or lower 
rates of consumer disputes after the rule compared to before the rule; 
whether greater clarity about FDCPA requirements helps reduce 
litigation related to the validation notice after the rule compared to 
before the rule; and costs of the rule, both anticipated and 
unexpected, for consumers or for industry. The Bureau expects to 
conduct outreach in 2021 to explore how best to obtain such data, 
including potentially through surveying consumers or firms or by 
collecting operational data.

IV. Legal Authority

    The Bureau is issuing this final rule primarily pursuant to its 
authority under the FDCPA and the Dodd-Frank Act. As amended by the 
Dodd-Frank Act, FDCPA section 814(d) provides that the Bureau ``may 
prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt 
collectors,'' as defined in the FDCPA.\43\ Section 1022(a) of the Dodd-
Frank Act provides that ``[t]he Bureau is authorized to exercise its 
authorities under Federal consumer financial law to administer, 
enforce, and otherwise implement the provisions of Federal consumer 
financial law.'' \44\ Section 1022(b)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides 
that the Director may prescribe rules and issue orders and guidance, as 
may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Bureau to administer and 
carry out the purposes and objectives of the Federal consumer financial 
laws, and to prevent evasions thereof.\45\ ``Federal consumer financial 
law'' includes title X of the Dodd-Frank Act and the FDCPA.\46\ No 
provisions in this final rule are based on section 1031 of the Dodd-
Frank Act.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ 15 U.S.C. 1692l(d). As noted, the Bureau is the first 
Federal agency with authority to prescribe substantive debt 
collection rules under the FDCPA. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act's 
grant of rulemaking authority to the Bureau, no agency had authority 
to issue substantive rules with respect to the collection of debts 
by debt collectors under the FDCPA, but the FTC published various 
materials providing guidance on the FDCPA. The FTC's materials have 
informed the Bureau's rulemaking and, if relevant to particular 
provisions, are discussed in part V.
    \44\ 12 U.S.C. 5512(a).
    \45\ 12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(1).
    \46\ 12 U.S.C. 5481(12)(H), (14).
    \47\ The Bureau proposed to rely on its Dodd-Frank Act section 
1031 authority (relating to unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or 
practices in connection with consumer financial products or 
services) to support two interventions in the May 2019 proposal. The 
Bureau has not finalized any provisions of this final rule (or, as 
discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, of that final rule), 
pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1031.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These and other authorities are discussed in greater detail in 
parts IV.A through C below. Part IV.A discusses the Bureau's authority 
under sections 806 through 808 of the FDCPA. Parts IV.B through C 
discuss the Bureau's relevant authorities under the Dodd-Frank Act.

A. FDCPA Sections 806 Through 808

    As discussed in part V, the Bureau is finalizing several 
provisions, in whole or in part, pursuant to its authority to interpret 
FDCPA sections 806 through 808, which set forth general prohibitions 
on, and requirements relating to, debt collectors' conduct and are 
accompanied by non-exhaustive lists of examples of unlawful conduct. 
The November 2020 Final Rule provides an overview of how the Bureau 
interprets FDCPA sections 806 through 808.
    FDCPA section 806 generally prohibits a debt collector from 
``engag[ing] in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to 
harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection 
of a

[[Page 5771]]

debt.'' \48\ Then, ``[w]ithout limiting the general application of the 
foregoing,'' it lists six examples of conduct that violate that 
section.\49\ Similarly, FDCPA section 807 generally prohibits a debt 
collector from ``us[ing] any false, deceptive, or misleading 
representation or means in connection with the collection of any 
debt.'' \50\ Then, ``[w]ithout limiting the general application of the 
foregoing,'' section 807 lists 16 examples of conduct that violate that 
section.\51\ Finally, FDCPA section 808 prohibits a debt collector from 
``us[ing] unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to 
collect any debt.'' \52\ Then, ``[w]ithout limiting the general 
application of the foregoing,'' FDCPA section 808 lists eight examples 
of conduct that violate that section.\53\ Consistent with the approach 
in the November 2020 Final Rule \54\ and as proposed in the May 2019 
proposal,\55\ the Bureau interprets FDCPA sections 806 through 808 in 
light of: (1) The FDCPA's language and purpose; (2) the general types 
of conduct prohibited by those sections and, where relevant, the 
specific examples enumerated in those sections; and (3) judicial 
decisions.\56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ 15 U.S.C. 1692d.
    \49\ 15 U.S.C. 1692d(1)-(6).
    \50\ 15 U.S.C. 1692e.
    \51\ 15 U.S.C. 1692e(1)-(16).
    \52\ 15 U.S.C. 1692f.
    \53\ 15 U.S.C. 1692f(1)-(8).
    \54\ See 85 FR 76734, 76738 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \55\ 84 FR 23274, 23281-82 (May 21, 2019).
    \56\ Where the Bureau prescribes requirements pursuant only to 
its authority to implement and interpret sections 806 through 808 of 
the FDCPA, the Bureau does not take a position on whether such 
practices also would constitute an unfair, deceptive, or abusive act 
or practice under section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the Bureau notes that, by their plain terms, FDCPA 
sections 806 through 808 make clear that their examples of prohibited 
conduct do not ``limit[ ] the general application'' of those sections' 
general prohibitions. The FDCPA's legislative history is consistent 
with this understanding,\57\ as are opinions by courts that have 
addressed this issue.\58\ Accordingly, the Bureau may interpret the 
general provisions of FDCPA sections 806 to 808 to prohibit conduct 
that the specific examples in FDCPA sections 806 through 808 do not 
address if the conduct violates the general prohibitions. In addition, 
the Bureau uses the specific examples to inform its understanding of 
the general prohibitions. The Bureau also interprets FDCPA sections 806 
through 808 in light of the significant body of existing court 
decisions interpreting those sections, including, where applicable, 
cases discussing the collection of time-barred debt.\59\ Finally, 
consistent with the majority of courts, the Bureau interprets FDCPA 
sections 806 through 808 to incorporate an objective, 
``unsophisticated'' or ``least sophisticated'' consumer standard.\60\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ See, e.g., S. Rep. No. 382, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. 2, 4 
(1977), reprinted in 1977 U.S.C.C.A.N. 1695, 1698 (S. Rep. No. 382) 
(``[T]his bill prohibits in general terms any harassing, unfair, or 
deceptive collection practice. This will enable the courts, where 
appropriate, to proscribe other improper conduct which is not 
specifically addressed.''). Courts have also cited legislative 
history in noting that, ``in passing the FDCPA, Congress identified 
abusive collection attempts as primary motivations for the Act's 
passage.'' Hart v. FCI Lender Servs., Inc., 797 F.3d 219, 226 (2d 
Cir. 2015).
    \58\ See, e.g., Stratton v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 770 
F.3d 443, 450 (6th Cir. 2014) (``[T]he listed examples of illegal 
acts are just that--examples.'').
    \59\ Id. See, e.g., Holzman v. Malcolm S. Gerald & Assocs., 920 
F.3d 1264 (11th Cir. 2019); Tatis v. Allied Interstate, LLC, 882 
F.3d 422 (3d Cir. 2018); Pantoja v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 
852 F.3d 679 (7th Cir. 2017), cert. denied, 138 S. Ct. 736 (2018); 
Daugherty v. Convergent Outsourcing Inc., 836 F.3d 507 (5th Cir. 
2016); Buchanan v. Northland Grp., Inc., 776 F.3d 393 (6th Cir. 
2015); McMahon v. LVNV Funding, LLC, 744 F.3d 1010, 1020 (7th Cir. 
2014).
    \60\ 85 FR 76734, 76740 (Nov. 30, 2020); 84 FR 23274, 23282-83 
(May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Dodd-Frank Act Section 1032

    Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a) provides that the Bureau may 
prescribe rules to ensure that the features of any consumer financial 
product or service, ``both initially and over the term of the product 
or service,'' are ``fully, accurately, and effectively disclosed to 
consumers in a manner that permits consumers to understand the costs, 
benefits, and risks associated with the product or service, in light of 
the facts and circumstances.'' \61\ Under Dodd-Frank Act section 
1032(a), the Bureau is empowered to prescribe rules regarding the 
disclosure of the ``features'' of consumer financial products and 
services generally. Accordingly, the Bureau may prescribe rules 
containing disclosure requirements even if other Federal consumer 
financial laws do not specifically require disclosure of such features. 
Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(c) provides that, in prescribing rules 
pursuant to Dodd-Frank Act section 1032, the Bureau ``shall consider 
available evidence about consumer awareness, understanding of, and 
responses to disclosures or communications about the risks, costs, and 
benefits of consumer financial products or services.'' \62\ The Bureau 
is finalizing Sec. Sec.  1006.34 and 1006.38 based in part on its 
authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ 12 U.S.C. 5532(a).
    \62\ 12 U.S.C. 5532(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Other Authorities Under the Dodd-Frank Act

    Section 1022(b)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the Bureau's 
Director ``may prescribe rules and issue orders and guidance, as may be 
necessary or appropriate to enable the Bureau to administer and carry 
out the purposes and objectives of the Federal consumer financial laws, 
and to prevent evasions thereof.'' \63\ ``Federal consumer financial 
laws'' include the FDCPA and title X of the Dodd-Frank Act.\64\ Section 
1022(b)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act prescribes certain standards for 
rulemaking that the Bureau must follow in exercising its authority 
under Dodd-Frank Act section 1022(b)(1).\65\ See part VII for a 
discussion of the Bureau's standards for rulemaking under Dodd-Frank 
Act section 1022(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ 12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(1).
    \64\ 12 U.S.C. 5481(14).
    \65\ 12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Section-by-Section Analysis

Subpart A--General

Section 1006.1 Authority, Purpose, and Coverage
1(c) Coverage
    In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau adopted Sec.  
1006.1(c)(1) to specify that, except as provided in Sec.  1006.108 and 
appendix A, Regulation F applies to debt collectors, as defined in 
Sec.  1006.2(i), other than a person excluded from coverage by section 
1029(a) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, title X of 
the Dodd-Frank Act (12 U.S.C. 5519(a)).\66\ The Bureau also noted that 
it was not finalizing, as part of the November 2020 Final Rule, 
proposed Sec.  1006.1(c)(2), which provided that certain provisions of 
Regulation F applied to debt collectors only when they were collecting 
consumer financial product or service debt, as defined in Sec.  
1006.2(f). The Bureau explained that it was not finalizing Sec.  
1006.1(c)(2) as part of the November 2020 Final Rule because all of the 
provisions of that final rule apply to debt collectors as defined in 
Sec.  1006.2(i). The Bureau nevertheless reserved Sec.  1006.1(c)(2) so 
that the Bureau could clarify which provisions of this final rule, if 
any, apply to debt collectors only if they are collecting debt related 
to a consumer financial product or service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ 85 FR 76734, 76742 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34, two provisions of that section (Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) 
and (3)(iv)) apply to debt collectors only if they are collecting debt 
related to a consumer

[[Page 5772]]

financial produce or service as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f). Therefore, 
the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.1(c)(2) to provide that certain 
provisions of Regulation F apply to debt collectors only if they are 
collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as 
defined in Sec.  1006.2(f), and to specify that those provisions are 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and (3)(iv).
Section 1006.2 Definitions
2(e) Consumer
    FDCPA section 803(3) defines a consumer as any natural person 
obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt.\67\ The Bureau 
proposed Sec.  1006.2(e) to implement this definition and to interpret 
it to include a deceased natural person who is obligated or allegedly 
obligated to pay a debt.\68\ The Bureau explained that this 
interpretation would ensure that individuals trying to resolve a 
deceased consumer's debts have the same legal right to receive the 
validation notice, and to dispute the debt and request information 
about the original creditor, as the deceased consumer would have had.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \67\ 15 U.S.C. 1692a(3).
    \68\ See 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the Bureau noted in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau 
received a number of comments regarding its proposal to interpret the 
term consumer to include deceased natural persons. The Bureau also 
noted that it had proposed that interpretation, in large part, to 
facilitate delivery of validation notices under proposed Sec.  1006.34 
if the consumer obligated, or allegedly obligated, on the debt has 
died. Further, the Bureau noted that it planned to address comments 
received regarding that interpretation, and to determine whether to 
finalize that interpretation, as part of this final rule. Thus, as 
finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, Sec.  1006.2(e) provides 
that the term consumer means any natural person obligated or allegedly 
obligated to pay any debt.\69\ The Bureau now addresses comments 
received regarding its proposal to interpret the definition to include 
deceased natural persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ For the reasons discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, 
Sec.  1006.2(e) as finalized in that rule also provides that, for 
purposes of Sec.  1006.6, the term consumer includes the persons 
described in Sec.  1006.6(a). To account for any revisions adopted 
in this final rule, it also specifies that the Bureau may further 
define the term in Regulation F to clarify its application when the 
consumer is deceased. See 85 FR 76734, 76744-45, 76888 (Nov. 30, 
2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters supported the Bureau's proposed interpretation. 
One industry commenter stated that, in the decedent debt context, the 
person acting on behalf of a deceased consumer's estate should have the 
same rights regarding validation notices and disputes as the consumer 
would have had if the consumer were still living. Another industry 
commenter reported that many debt collectors currently attempt to treat 
deceased consumers as ``consumers'' under the FDCPA and explained that 
the proposal would provide additional clarity that would benefit both 
consumers and debt collectors in resolving the debts of deceased 
consumers. A group of consumer advocates supported clarifying the 
rights of executors, administrators, and personal representatives 
regarding validation notices and disputes. However, as discussed below, 
these consumer advocate commenters opposed the proposed interpretation 
and suggested a different way to address the issue.
    Other commenters opposed interpreting the term consumer to include 
deceased natural persons who are obligated or allegedly obligated to 
pay a debt. One industry commenter asserted that the proposed 
interpretation would serve no purpose because deceased consumers lacked 
privacy interests. A trade group commenter stated that no evidence of 
confusion existed in the decedent debt context, and that the Bureau's 
interpretation would expand the class of individuals entitled to sue 
debt collectors for violations of the FDCPA and the final rule. 
Finally, a group of consumer advocates suggested that the Bureau's 
interpretation was unnecessary because proposed comments 34(a)(1)-1 and 
38-1 would clarify that a person who is authorized to act on behalf of 
the deceased consumer's estate operates as the consumer for purposes of 
Sec. Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38.\70\ These commenters also stated 
that, if the Bureau were attempting to change the class of individuals 
who may bring civil actions against debt collectors, the FDCPA already 
allows any ``person'' to bring such claims.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ See the section-by-section analyses of Sec. Sec.  1006.34 
and 1006.38.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is revising Sec.  
1006.2(e), as set forth in the November 2020 Final Rule, to clarify 
that the definition of consumer includes deceased natural persons. As 
explained in the May 2019 proposal, the FDCPA does not specify whether 
a consumer, as defined in section 803(3), includes a deceased consumer 
(or whether a natural person, as that term is used in section 803(3), 
includes a deceased natural person).\71\ Because the definition of 
consumer in FDCPA section 803(3) is silent with respect to deceased 
consumers, other FDCPA provisions that refer to a debt collector's 
obligations to a consumer lack clarity in the decedent debt context. 
For example, FDCPA provisions requiring debt collectors to provide 
validation information, and to respond to disputes and requests for 
original-creditor information, do not address situations in which the 
person obligated or allegedly obligated to pay the debt is deceased. 
Uncertainty surrounding these provisions increases the risk of consumer 
harm in the decedent debt context. Specifically, without validation 
information and an opportunity to dispute the debt, individuals trying 
to resolve debts in a deceased consumer's estate will lack information 
needed to determine whether they are being asked to pay the right debt, 
in the right amount, and to the right debt collector, and, 
consequently, whether they should assert dispute rights.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ See 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, to increase clarity and to decrease the risk of 
consumer harm, the Bureau is revising Sec.  1006.2(e) to provide that 
the term consumer means any natural person, whether living or deceased, 
obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. The Bureau also is 
revising Sec.  1006.2(e) to delete the statement that the Bureau may 
further define the term to clarify its application when the consumer is 
deceased, since this final rule contains that further definition.\72\ 
Relatedly, the Bureau is finalizing the commentary to Sec. Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38 that clarifies that a person who is 
authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate, such as 
the executor, administrator, or personal representative, operates as 
the consumer for purposes of Sec. Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ In the proposal, the Bureau explained that its 
interpretation was ``consistent with a modern trend in the law that 
favors recognizing, as a default, the continued existence of a 
natural person after death.'' 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019). 
Consumer advocates pointed out that the authority cited for this 
proposition comes from contexts other than the FDCPA. But these 
commenters do not explain why this fact undermines the existence of 
the trend described by the Bureau.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding the comment that deceased consumers have no privacy 
rights, the Bureau disagrees. In its Policy Statement on Decedent Debt, 
the FTC prohibited debt collectors from openly referring to a deceased 
consumer's debts in communications with third parties, instead adopting 
an approach that ``balance[d] the legitimate needs of the collector 
with the privacy interests of

[[Page 5773]]

the decedent.'' \73\ In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau took a 
similar approach regarding location communications for decedent 
debt.\74\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ Fed. Trade Comm'n, Statement of Policy Regarding 
Communications in Connection with the Collection of Decedents' Debts 
at 44921 (July 27, 2011), https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/federal_register_notices/statement-policy-regarding-communications-connection-collection-decedents-debts-policy-statement/110720fdcpa.pdf (FTC Policy Statement on Decedent Debt).
    \74\ See 85 FR 76734, 76797-00, 76890, 76900 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Moreover, interpreting the term consumer in Sec.  1006.2(e) to 
include deceased natural persons is supported by more than concern for 
a decedent's privacy; it also clarifies debt collector's obligations to 
a consumer and, in turn, to those authorized to act on the consumer's 
behalf, if the consumer has died. This includes clarifying a debt 
collector's obligations under the FDCPA's provisions, as implemented in 
this final rule and in the November 2020 Final Rule, regarding 
validation information and disputes and requests for original-creditor 
information, which help to ensure that consumers are not paying the 
wrong debt, in the wrong amount, to the wrong debt collector.
    This interpretation also clarifies the application of Sec.  
1006.22(f)(4), which the Bureau adopted in the November 2020 Final Rule 
to prohibit debt collectors from communicating or attempting to 
communicate with a person in connection with the collection of a debt 
through a social media platform if the communication or attempt to 
communicate is viewable by the general public or the person's social 
media contacts.\75\ In adopting that provision, the Bureau discussed 
that a consumer advocate commenter had stated that the Bureau should 
broaden the prohibition to apply to deceased consumers, such that debt 
collectors would be prohibited from posting publicly about a deceased 
consumer's alleged debt on the consumer's social media page. The 
consumer advocate commenter stated that a debt collector's only reason 
for doing so would be to pressure surviving relatives to pay the debt, 
either to protect the deceased consumer's reputation or out of a sense 
of moral obligation.\76\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ See id. at 76836-39, 76892.
    \76\ See id. at 76836-39.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In finalizing Sec.  1006.22(f)(4) in the November 2020 Final Rule, 
Bureau noted that the prohibition applied to communications and 
attempts to communicate with ``a person,'' and that person, as defined 
in Sec.  1006.2(k), includes a consumer. The Bureau again noted that it 
had received a number of comments regarding its proposal to interpret 
the term consumer to include deceased natural persons and that it would 
address such comments in this final rule. In determining to revise 
Sec.  1006.2(e) to include a deceased natural person who is obligated 
or allegedly obligated to pay a debt, the Bureau thus also clarifies 
that the prohibition in Sec.  1006.22(f)(4) includes deceased 
consumers.
    The Bureau disagrees with the industry commenter that there is no 
evidence of confusion about the definition of consumer in the decedent 
debt context. As explained above, the FDCPA's current lack of clarity 
in the decedent debt context creates uncertainty in several situations 
arising during the collection of debts belonging to deceased consumers. 
Therefore, the Bureau determines that additional clarity will improve 
the debt collection system for all parties.
    Nor does Sec.  1006.2(e) expand the class of potential plaintiffs 
who may bring suit under the FDCPA and Regulation F, as an industry 
commenter alleged. The civil liability provision of the FDCPA already 
creates liability for violations committed against any person.\77\ As 
noted in the proposal, the trend in the law has been to recognize, as a 
default, the continued existence of a natural person after death for 
purposes of bringing civil actions, particularly for remedial statutes 
like the FDCPA.\78\ This commenter did not explain how the Bureau's 
interpretation would result in a lawsuit by someone other than a 
``person'' under the statute.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ 15 U.S.C. 1692k.
    \78\ See 84 FR 23274, 23288 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the Bureau disagrees, as suggested by certain commenters, 
that the commentary to Sec. Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) and 1006.38 (final 
comments 34(a)(1)-1 and 38-3) provide adequate clarity without 
interpreting the term consumer to include deceased natural persons. In 
fact, interpreting the term consumer to include deceased natural 
persons is a necessary predicate to provide that the persons identified 
in those comments operate as the consumer for purposes of the 
requirements relating to validation information, disputes, and requests 
for original-creditor information.
    Commenters raised additional issues related to Sec.  1006.2(e). A 
few industry commenters suggested that the Bureau's proposed 
interpretation was inconsistent with the Bureau's mortgage servicing 
rules regarding successors in interest. One trade group commenter 
stated that allowing any individual authorized to act on behalf of a 
deceased consumer's estate to meet Regulation F's definition of 
consumer under Sec.  1006.2(e) will complicate and potentially impede 
the existing successor in interest process under Regulations X and Z. 
The commenter explained that, under proposed comment 34(a)(1)-1, 
mortgage servicers who are also debt collectors under Regulation F 
would have to send validation information to the person authorized to 
act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate but would not be able 
to send foreclosure-related disclosures required under State law to the 
same person, unless that person had assumed ownership of the 
obligation. The commenter also suggested that, under proposed comment 
38-1, debt collectors would be required to focus resources on verifying 
the identify of an individual asserting to be a person authorized to 
act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate, which would take away 
from legitimate efforts to respond to disputes and requests for 
original-creditor information.
    Another trade group commenter stated that the clarification in 
proposed comment 34(a)(1)-1 to send the validation notice to the person 
authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate if the 
debt collector knows or should know that the consumer is deceased 
would, unlike the Bureau's mortgage servicing rules, appear to create 
an affirmative obligation for mortgage servicers to track down 
information about potential successors in interest and cloud 
requirements for mortgage servicers under Regulation X. For this 
reason, a third trade group commenter suggested that, if a required 
notice must be sent and no individual has come forward as a potential 
or confirmed successor in interest, the Bureau should permit mortgage 
servicers to address a validation notice to the deceased consumer or 
``the estate of'' the deceased consumer rather than require a search 
for an individual to whom to address the notice.
    As the Bureau has previously explained, while many mortgage 
servicers are not subject to the FDCPA, mortgage servicers that 
acquired a mortgage loan at the time that it was in default may be 
subject to the FDCPA with respect to that mortgage loan.\79\ As 
discussed below, the Bureau concludes that including a deceased natural 
person who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay a debt within the 
definition of consumer under Sec.  1006.2(e) is not inconsistent with 
the Bureau's mortgage servicing rules on successors in interest.

[[Page 5774]]

Although one commenter asserted that finalizing this definition as 
proposed would complicate and potentially impede the existing successor 
in interest process, the commenter failed to explain why that would be 
the case and the Bureau does not believe that to be the case.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ See 85 FR 76734, 76758 (Nov. 30, 2020); 81 FR 71977, 71978 
(Oct. 19, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding delivery of validation information, as discussed below, 
comment 34(a)(1)-1 clarifies that, if a debt collector knows or should 
know that a consumer is deceased, and if the debt collector has not 
previously provided the validation information to the deceased 
consumer, then in such circumstances, to comply with Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1), a debt collector must provide the validation information 
to an individual whom the debt collector identifies by name and who is 
authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate.\80\ A 
person who is authorized to act on behalf of a deceased consumer's 
estate may include the executor, administrator, or personal 
representative. However, as discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, 
for purposes of Regulations X and Z, a successor in interest is, in 
general, a person to whom an ownership interest either in a property 
securing a mortgage loan subject to subpart C of Regulation X, or in a 
dwelling securing a closed-end consumer credit transaction under 
Regulation Z, is transferred under specified circumstances including, 
for example, after a consumer's death or as part of a divorce.\81\ 
Therefore, a person who is authorized to act on behalf of a deceased 
consumer's estate for purposes of Regulation F may or may not also be a 
successor in interest under Regulations X and Z, depending on whether 
an ownership interest in a property securing a mortgage loan or a 
dwelling securing a closed-end consumer credit transaction is 
transferred to that person under the circumstances specified in 
Regulations X and Z.\82\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(a)(1).
    \81\ See 85 FR 76734, 76758-59 (Nov. 30, 2020). See also 12 CFR 
1024.31, 1026.2(a)(27)(i). A confirmed successor in interest, in 
turn, means a successor in interest once a mortgage servicer has 
confirmed the successor in interest's identity and ownership 
interest in the property that secures the mortgage loan or in the 
dwelling. See 12 CFR 1024.31, 1026.2(a)(27)(ii).
    \82\ 12 CFR 1024.31, 1026.2(a)(27).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comment 34(a)(1)-1 provides debt collectors clarity regarding to 
whom the validation information must be provided in the narrow 
circumstance in which the debt collector knows or should know that a 
consumer is deceased and the debt collector has not previously provided 
the validation information to the deceased consumer. According to the 
comment, under these circumstances, a debt collector who is collecting 
the debt of a deceased consumer must determine who is authorized to act 
on behalf of a deceased consumer's estate. These efforts, however, do 
not create an affirmative obligation under the Bureau's mortgage 
servicing rule for a mortgage servicer that is subject to the FDCPA 
with respect to a mortgage loan to seek out potential successors in 
interest within the meaning of the mortgage servicing rules. Under the 
mortgage servicing rules, a mortgage servicer is not required to 
conduct a search for potential successors in interest if the mortgage 
servicer has not received actual notice of their existence.\83\ If, in 
the course of determining who is authorized to act on behalf of a 
deceased consumer's estate for purposes of Sec.  1006.34(a)(1), a 
mortgage servicer receives actual notice of the existence of a 
potential successor in interest, the mortgage servicer must, as 
required under Regulation X, maintain policies and procedures 
reasonably designed to ensure that the servicer can retain this 
information and promptly facilitate communication with the potential 
successor in interest.\84\ However, because a mortgage servicer that is 
subject to the FDCPA with respect to a mortgage loan may comply with 
both this final rule and the applicable successor in interest 
provisions under Regulations X and Z, the Bureau concludes there is no 
conflict with the mortgage servicing rules. Additionally, nothing in 
this final rule is intended to alter the successor in interest 
provisions in Regulations X and Z or to impose additional requirements 
under Regulations X and Z.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ 12 CFR 1024.38(b)(1)(vi); comment 38(b)(1)(vi)-1.
    \84\ Id. The general servicing policies, procedures, and 
requirements in 12 CFR 1024.38 do not apply to a mortgage servicer 
that qualifies as a small servicer pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.41(e). 
See 12 CFR 1024.30(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the commenter's concern regarding the burdens under 
comment 38-1 of determining who is authorized to act on behalf of a 
deceased consumer's estate before responding to a dispute or request 
for original-creditor information, the potential burdens associated 
with responding to such incoming disputes and requests will be 
significantly reduced once a debt collector has procedures in place to 
make that threshold determination or has already made that 
determination for purposes of providing the validation information as 
described in comment 34(a)(1)-1.
    The Bureau declines to adopt the suggestion to allow mortgage 
servicers to address a validation notice to the deceased consumer or to 
``the estate of'' the deceased consumer. As discussed in the proposal, 
the Bureau shares the view of the FTC, which stated in its Policy 
Statement on Decedent Debt that individuals who lack the authority to 
resolve the estate but who wish to be helpful are likely to open 
communications addressed to the decedent's estate, or to an unnamed 
executor or administrator, which makes such communications 
insufficiently targeted to a consumer with whom the debt collector may 
generally discuss the debt.\85\ The Bureau, therefore, shares the view 
of the FTC that ``communication[s] addressed to the decedent's estate, 
or an unnamed executor or administrator, [are] location 
communication[s] and must not refer to the decedent's debts.'' \86\ 
Accordingly, comment 34(a)(1)-1 specifies that a debt collector must 
provide the validation information to an individual that the debt 
collector identifies by name who is authorized to act on behalf of the 
deceased consumer's estate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \85\ See 84 FR 23274, 23334 (May 21, 2019).
    \86\ FTC Policy Statement on Decedent Debt, supra note 73, at 
44920.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A group of consumer advocates stated that certain other provisions 
of the Bureau's proposal, such as Sec.  1006.14(e)'s prohibition on 
publishing lists of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts and 
Sec.  1006.18(b)(1)(iv)'s prohibition on falsely representing or 
implying that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct in 
order to disgrace the consumer, should apply to deceased consumers. 
But, these commenters claimed, other provisions, like Sec.  
1006.6(b)(1)'s restrictions on communicating at inconvenient times or 
places, were nonsensical as applied to deceased consumers. Therefore, 
these commenters argued, the Bureau's interpretation in proposed Sec.  
1006.2(e) was overbroad.
    The Bureau acknowledges that there may be certain provisions in the 
November 2020 Final Rule and in this final rule that refer to a 
consumer that simply will be inapplicable in the context of a deceased 
consumer.\87\ Nevertheless, as consumer advocates acknowledged, other 
provisions that

[[Page 5775]]

refer to a consumer will apply to deceased consumers. For example, as 
discussed above, interpreting the term consumer in Sec.  1006.2(e) to 
include deceased natural persons means that, as applied to Sec.  
1006.22(f)(4), debt collectors are prohibited from posting publicly 
about a deceased consumer's alleged debt on a deceased consumer's 
public-facing social media page. In situations that are currently 
unclear, such as delivery of validation information, the final rule 
adopts commentary clarifying debt collectors' obligations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \87\ For example, Sec.  1006.6(b) restricts, among other things, 
the times at which debt collectors can communicate or attempt to 
communicate with consumers. See 85 FR 76734, 76889 (Nov. 30, 2020). 
To the extent that ``communicate'' includes having a conversation, 
the Bureau believes it is obvious that this prohibition is simply 
inapplicable in the case of a deceased consumer (but does apply to 
having a conversation with the executor or administrator of the 
consumer's estate).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This group of consumer advocates also recommended that the Bureau 
require debt collectors to provide a validation notice to the person 
authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate even if 
validation information already was provided to the consumer. These 
commenters also asked the Bureau to provide that the validation period 
starts from the date the person authorized to act on behalf of the 
deceased consumer's estate receives the validation notice, and to 
require debt collectors to respond to disputes and requests for 
original-creditor information submitted by this person, even if a 
response already was provided to the consumer. The Bureau declines to 
adopt these suggestions because the Bureau finds that, in the scenario 
described, the debt collector has already satisfied the debt 
collector's obligations to the consumer as set forth in FDCPA section 
809 and Sec. Sec.  1006.34 and 1006.38. Depending on the facts, the 
debt collector could be required to provide a validation notice or 
dispute response to the person authorized to act on behalf of the 
deceased consumer's estate,\88\ but the Bureau declines to require debt 
collectors to do so in all cases. Nevertheless, the Bureau notes that 
debt collectors who voluntarily provide validation notices after a 
consumer dies (as some industry commenters reported is done), and who, 
in doing so, start a new validation period, do not thereby violate the 
FDCPA or Regulation F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \88\ See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed above, and pursuant to its authority 
under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the 
collection of debts by debt collectors, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.2(e) as proposed to interpret the definition of consumer in FDCPA 
section 803(3) to mean any natural person, whether living or deceased, 
who is obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt.
2(f) Consumer Financial Product or Service
    As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau proposed 
Sec.  1006.2(f) to define consumer financial product or service debt to 
mean any debt related to any consumer financial product or service, as 
consumer financial product or service is defined in section 1002(5) of 
the Dodd-Frank Act.\89\ As also discussed in the November 2020 Final 
Rule, the Bureau did not finalize Sec.  1006.2(f) as part of that 
rulemaking because the Bureau did not finalize in that rulemaking any 
provisions for which the definition in proposed Sec.  1006.2(f) would 
have been relevant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ 85 FR 76734, 76745 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed in the section-by-section analyses of 
Sec. Sec.  1006.1(c) and 1006.34, the Bureau is adopting in this final 
rule two provisions (Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and (3)(iv)) that apply 
to debt collectors only if they are collecting debt related to a 
consumer financial product or service. This includes, for example, debt 
collectors collecting debts related to consumer mortgage loans or 
credit cards.\90\ To facilitate compliance with those provisions, the 
Bureau is adopting Sec.  1006.2(f) to provide that consumer financial 
product or service has the meaning in section 1002(5) of the Dodd-Frank 
Act (12 U.S.C. 5481(5)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \90\ See 84 FR 23274, 23286 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau notes that it originally proposed Sec.  1006.2(f) to 
define the term ``consumer financial product or service debt.'' 
However, because the relevant defined term in the Dodd-Frank Act is 
``consumer financial product or service,'' and because certain 
commenters observed that including two definitions of the term ``debt'' 
in the rule would be confusing, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.2(f) to provide that the defined term in the rule is ``consumer 
financial product or service'' and that the term has the same meaning 
given to it in section 1002(5) of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Subpart B--Rules for FDCPA Debt Collectors

Section 1006.26 Collection of Time-Barred Debts
    The May 2019 proposal and the February 2020 proposal both addressed 
the collection of time-barred debt. In the May 2019 proposal, the 
Bureau proposed to define several terms (proposed Sec.  1006.26(a)) and 
to prohibit debt collectors from bringing or threatening to bring legal 
actions against consumers to collect certain time-barred debts 
(proposed Sec.  1006.26(b)). In the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau 
proposed to require debt collectors to provide disclosures if 
collecting certain time-barred debts (proposed Sec.  1006.26(c)). The 
February 2020 proposal also included model language and forms that debt 
collectors could use to comply with the proposed disclosure 
requirements. In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau noted that it 
planned to address its proposals regarding time-barred debt in this 
final rule, and the Bureau reserved Sec.  1006.26 for that purpose. 
After considering the comments received in response to both the May 
2019 and February 2020 proposals, the Bureau is now finalizing proposed 
Sec.  1006.26(a) and (b) with modifications as described below. The 
Bureau is not finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.26(c).
26(a) Definitions
    Proposed Sec.  1006.26(a) defined two terms not defined in the 
FDCPA: Statute of limitations and time-barred debt. The Bureau proposed 
to define these terms to facilitate compliance with proposed Sec.  
1006.26(b) and (c). As discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.26(a) as proposed. The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.26(a) 
pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules 
with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors.
26(a)(1) Statute of Limitations
    Proposed Sec.  1006.26(a)(1) defined the term statute of 
limitations to mean the period prescribed by applicable law for 
bringing a legal action against the consumer to collect a debt.\91\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \91\ See 84 FR 23274, 23327-28 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Statutes of limitation, which typically are established by State 
law, provide time limits for bringing suit on legal claims. As the 
Bureau explained in the May 2019 proposal, statutes of limitation serve 
several purposes.\92\ First, statutes of limitations advance a 
defendant's interest in repose. That is, they reflect a legislative 
judgment that it is ``unjust to fail to put the adversary on notice to 
defend within a specified period of time.'' \93\ Second, statutes of 
limitations eliminate stale claims. That is, they protect defendants 
and the courts from having to deal with cases in which ``the search for 
truth may be seriously impaired by the loss of evidence, whether by 
death or disappearance of witnesses, fading

[[Page 5776]]

memories, disappearance of documents, or otherwise.'' \94\ Third, 
statutes of limitations provide ``certainty about a plaintiff's 
opportunity for recovery and a defendant's potential liabilities.'' 
\95\ For debt collection claims, the length of the applicable statute 
of limitations often varies by State and, within each State, by debt 
type. Although most statutes of limitations applicable to debt 
collection claims are between three and six years, some are as long as 
15 years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \92\ See generally Rotella v. Wood, 528 U.S. 549, 555 (2000) 
(identifying ``the basic policies of all limitations provisions'' as 
``repose, elimination of stale claims, and certainty'').
    \93\ United States v. Kubrick, 444 U.S. 111, 117 (1979).
    \94\ Id.
    \95\ Young v. United States, 535 U.S. 43, 47 (2002) (quoting 
Rotella, 528 U.S. at 555).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters addressed proposed Sec.  1006.26(a)(1). One 
industry commenter confirmed that the proposed definition of statute of 
limitations comported with debt collectors' understanding of the term. 
A number of other industry commenters requested that the Bureau modify 
the definition to account for the fact that it can be challenging to 
determine the applicable statute of limitations in certain 
circumstances. For example, two industry commenters requested that the 
Bureau clarify that, in determining the applicable statute of 
limitations, a debt collector need only conduct a reasonable 
investigation based on objectively ascertainable facts, and that a debt 
collector would only be charged with knowing that the statute of 
limitations has expired if the law is clearly established. The 
commenters also requested that the Bureau more specifically define 
certain elements of the term statute of limitations to lessen the 
burden on debt collectors of determining whether a debt is time barred. 
For example, they suggested defining ``applicable law'' as the law of 
the jurisdiction where the consumer resides or is believed to reside at 
the time collections begin, or the law of the jurisdiction in which the 
consumer signed any underlying contract. Commenters suggested that 
these changes would make it easier for a debt collector to determine 
the statute of limitations applicable to a particular debt while 
protecting a debt collector from liability when it is difficult 
determine the exact date on which a debt becomes time barred.
    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.26(a)(1) as proposed. As 
industry commenters confirmed, the definition of statute of limitations 
in Sec.  1006.26(a)(1) is consistent with debt collectors' 
understanding of the term. The Bureau declines to modify the definition 
to identify the type of investigation a debt collector must or should 
undertake to ascertain the applicable statute of limitations. The 
Bureau also declines to define the term ``applicable law'' in the 
manner requested by commenters. The Bureau recognizes that, in some 
cases, it can be challenging and costly for a debt collector to 
determine what statute of limitations applies to a legal action against 
the consumer to collect a particular debt, and that, in some cases, the 
commenters' suggestions could reduce those challenges and costs. The 
Bureau declines, however, to address the challenges and costs 
associated with determining whether a debt is time barred by modifying 
the definition of statute of limitations, a term with a meaning widely 
understood by debt collectors, or by defining new terms. Comments 
relating to the difficulty of determining whether a debt is time barred 
are discussed further in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.26(b).
26(a)(2) Time-Barred Debt
    Proposed Sec.  1006.26(a)(2) defined the term time-barred debt to 
mean a debt for which the applicable statute of limitations has 
expired.\96\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \96\ See 84 FR 23274, 23328 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the Bureau explained in the May 2019 proposal, many debt 
collectors already determine whether the statute of limitations 
applicable to a debt has expired. Some do so to comply with State and 
local disclosure laws that require them to inform consumers when debts 
are time barred.\97\ Others do so to assess whether they can sue to 
collect the debt, which may affect their collection strategy. In 
addition, the information that debt buyers generally receive when 
bidding on and purchasing debts, and the information that other debt 
collectors generally receive at placement, may allow them to determine 
whether the applicable statute of limitations has expired.\98\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \97\ See, e.g., Cal. Civ. Code sec. 1788.52(d)(3); Conn. Gen. 
Stat. sec. 36a-805(a)(14); Mass. Code Regs., tit. 940, Sec.  
7.07(24); N.M. Code. R. sec. 12.2.12.9(A); N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & 
Regs., tit. 23, sec. 1.3; New York City, N.Y., Rules, tit. 6, sec. 
2-191(a); W. Va. Code sec. 46a-2-128(f).
    \98\ See Fed. Trade Comm'n, The Structure and Practices of the 
Debt Buying Industry, at 49 (Jan. 2013), https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reports/structure-and-practices-debt-buying-industry/debtbuyingreport.pdf (FTC Debt Buying Report) (``The data 
the Commission received from debt buyers suggests that debt buyers 
usually are likely to know or be able to determine whether the debts 
on which they are collecting are beyond the statute of 
limitations.''). Similarly, the majority of respondents to the 
Bureau's Debt Collection Operations Study reported always or often 
receiving certain information and documentation that may be relevant 
to determining whether a debt is time barred, such as debt balance 
at charge off, account agreement documentation, and billing 
statements. See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 
37, at 23.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters addressed proposed Sec.  1006.26(a)(2). An 
industry commenter confirmed that the proposed definition comported 
with debt collectors' understanding of the term. Two other industry 
commenters expressed concern that the term time-barred debt may imply 
that a debt collector has no right at all to collect the debt, whereas 
in most jurisdictions a debt's time-barred status only limits the debt 
collector's right to recover on the debt through a lawsuit. Several 
industry commenters expressed concern that the proposal seemed to 
contemplate that a debt is a single amount that becomes time barred at 
a single moment in time and noted that not all debts operate in that 
manner. For example, these commenters stated that an installment loan 
could become time barred on a rolling basis depending on when each 
installment was due. In addition, according to some commenters, a legal 
action to collect a debt may be based on more than one legal theory or 
involve more than one cause of action, and each theory or cause of 
action may be subject to a different statute of limitations. Similarly, 
according to some commenters, certain secured debts may be subject to 
more than one method of suit and more than one statute of limitations. 
For example, these commenters asserted, in some States a mortgagee may 
choose whether to pursue a remedy at law on the note, a remedy in 
equity on the mortgage, or both, and the statute of limitations 
applicable to these claims may differ. Relatedly, one industry 
commenter asked the Bureau to clarify that debt collectors are not 
prohibited from taking legal action to enforce a lien even if a claim 
on the underlying obligation is time barred. Alternatively, the 
commenter asked the Bureau to clarify that the requirements of proposed 
Sec.  1006.26 would apply only when all causes of action associated 
with the underlying note and with the security instrument are time 
barred.\99\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \99\ Another commenter seeking clarification on the scope of 
proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) asserted that in rem enforcement of a 
security instrument is not inherently debt collection. The Bureau 
notes that Sec.  1006.26, like the rest of this final rule, applies 
only to FDCPA debt collectors. The Supreme Court recently held that 
a business engaged in no more than nonjudicial foreclosure 
proceedings is not an FDCPA debt collector, except for the limited 
purpose of FDCPA section 808(6). See Obduskey v. McCarthy & Holthus 
LLP, 139 S. Ct. 1029 (2019). FDCPA section 808(6) specifically 
prohibits taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action in 
certain circumstances, such as where there is no present right to 
possession through an enforceable security instrument.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.26(a)(2) as proposed. As 
industry commenters confirmed, the definition of time-barred debt in 
Sec.  1006.26(a)(2) is consistent with debt collectors'

[[Page 5777]]

understanding of the term. In response to commenters' concerns that the 
term time-barred debt might imply that a debt collector has no right to 
collect the debt, the Bureau notes that, in most jurisdictions, as 
commenters observed and as is discussed in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1006.26(b), a debt is not extinguished when the 
statute of limitations expires. Rather, in these jurisdictions, a debt 
collector still may collect the debt using non-litigation means, such 
as telephone calls and letters, and the Bureau's use of the term time-
barred debt neither changes that fact nor is meant to imply otherwise. 
With respect to industry commenters' concern about debts for which 
multiple statutes of limitation may be relevant, the Bureau notes that 
a debt is a time-barred debt under Sec.  1006.26(a)(2) if the 
applicable statute of limitations has expired. The applicable statute 
of limitations depends on the specific legal action the debt collector 
takes or represents that it will take. For some debts, such as certain 
installment loans and secured debts, it may be the case that one claim 
associated with a debt is time barred while another claim associated 
with the debt is not. In such a case, the prohibitions in Sec.  
1006.26(b) apply to the time-barred claim only.
26(b) Legal Actions and Threats of Legal Actions Prohibited
    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) to prohibit a debt collector 
from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer 
to collect a debt that the debt collector knows or should know is a 
time-barred debt.\100\ In response to comments, the Bureau is 
finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) with two principal changes. First, 
the Bureau is not adopting the proposed knows-or-should-know standard; 
instead, a debt collector may violate final Sec.  1006.26(b) even if 
the debt collector neither knew nor should have known that a debt was 
time barred. Second, consistent with the Supreme Court's decision in 
Midland Funding, LLC v. Johnson, the final rule clarifies that the 
prohibitions in Sec.  1006.26(b) do not apply to proofs of claim filed 
in bankruptcy proceedings.\101\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \100\ See 84 FR 23274, 23328-29 (May 21, 2019).
    \101\ 137 S. Ct. 1407 (2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prohibitions
    As the Bureau explained in the May 2019 proposal, in most States 
the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, if raised by 
the consumer as an affirmative defense, precludes the debt collector 
from recovering on the debt using judicial processes, but it does not 
extinguish the debt itself.\102\ In other words, in most States a debt 
collector may use non-litigation means to collect a time-barred debt, 
as long as those means do not violate the FDCPA or other laws. If a 
debt collector does sue to collect a time-barred debt, and if the 
consumer proves the expiration of the statute of limitations as an 
affirmative defense, the court will dismiss the suit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \102\ See generally Midland Funding, LLC v. Johnson, 137 S. Ct. 
1407, 1411-12 (2017) (noting that under ``the law of many States . . 
. a creditor has the right to payment of a debt even after the 
limitations period expires,'' and collecting State laws). In 
Mississippi and Wisconsin, however, debts are extinguished when the 
applicable statute of limitations expires. See Miss. Code Ann. sec. 
15-1-3 (``The completion of the period of limitation prescribed to 
bar any action, shall defeat and extinguish the right as well as the 
remedy.''); Wis. Stat. Ann. sec. 893.05 (``When the period within 
which an action may be commenced on a Wisconsin cause of action has 
expired, the right is extinguished as well as the remedy.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Suits and threats of suit on time-barred debts can harm consumers 
in multiple ways. A debt collector's threat to sue on a time-barred 
debt may prompt some consumers to pay or prioritize that debt over 
others in the mistaken belief that doing so is necessary to avoid 
litigation. In some jurisdictions, a consumer's payment on or 
acknowledgement of a debt can revive the debt collector's right to sue 
for the entire amount, opening the consumer to new legal 
liability.\103\ Similarly, suits on time-barred debts may lead to 
judgments against consumers on claims for which those consumers had 
meritorious defenses, including defenses based on the statute of 
limitations. Few consumers who are sued for allegedly unpaid debts--
whether time barred or not--actually defend themselves in court, and 
those who do often are unrepresented. As a result, the vast majority of 
judgments on unpaid debts, including on time-barred debts, are default 
judgments, entered solely on the representations contained in the debt 
collector's complaint.\104\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \103\ Revival extinguishes the consumer's right to raise the 
expiration of the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense 
to litigation; that is, it revives the debt collector's right to sue 
to collect the debt. Although State revival laws vary, there are 
generally several circumstances in which revival occurs. First, in 
some States, a consumer's partial payment on a time-barred debt 
revives the debt collector's right to sue. Second, in some States, a 
consumer's written acknowledgement of a time-barred debt revives the 
debt collector's right to sue. Third, a consumer's oral 
acknowledgement of a time-barred debt may revive the debt 
collector's right to sue in some States. See, e.g., Lima v. Schmidt, 
595 So. 2d 624, 631 (La. 1992) (``Our courts have consistently held 
that renunciation must be clear, direct, and absolute and manifested 
by words or actions of the party in whose favor prescription has 
run.'') (citations omitted); 22 Tenn. Pract. Contract Law and 
Practice Sec.  12:88 (rev. Aug. 2020) (``[T]he defendant may revive 
a plaintiff's remedy that has been barred by the statute of 
limitations. This event can occur either when the defendant 
expressly promises to pay a debt or when the defendant acknowledges 
the debt and expresses a willingness to pay it . . . . The 
expression of a defendant's willingness to pay might be implied from 
the words or action of a debtor . . . .'') (citations and internal 
quotation marks omitted).
    \104\ See FTC Debt Buying Report, supra note 98, at 45 
(observing that ``90 percent or more of consumers sued in [debt 
collection actions] do not appear in court to defend,'' which 
``creates a risk that consumer will be subject to a default judgment 
on a time-barred debt''); Peter A. Holland, The One Hundred Billion 
Dollar Problem in Small Claims Court: Robo-Signing and Lack of Proof 
in Debt Buyer Cases, 6 J. Bus. & Tech. L. 259, 265 (2011) (``In the 
majority of debt buyer cases, the courts grant the debt buyer a 
default judgment because the consumer has failed to appear for trial 
. . . . Debtors who do receive notice usually appear without legal 
representation.''); CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra 
note 37, at 18 (observing that respondents reported obtaining 
default judgments in 60 to 90 percent of their filed suits); cf. 
Kimber v. Fed. Fin. Corp., 668 F. Supp. 1480, 1478 (M.D. Ala. 1987) 
(``Because few unsophisticated consumers would be aware that a 
statute of limitations could be used to defend against lawsuits 
based on stale debts, such consumers would unwittingly acquiesce to 
such lawsuits. And, even if the consumer realizes that she can use 
time as a defense, she will more than likely still give in rather 
than fight the lawsuit because she must still expend energy and 
resources and subject herself to the embarrassment of going into 
court to present the defense; this is particularly true in light of 
the costs of attorneys today.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Consumer and consumer advocate commenters generally supported the 
prohibitions in proposed Sec.  1006.26(b). Many of these commenters 
also argued that, to prevent deception, the Bureau should prohibit the 
collection of time-barred debt altogether, even though the Bureau did 
not propose such a prohibition in the May 2019 proposal or the February 
2020 proposal. The Bureau certainly supports measures to prevent 
deception because of the harm it causes to consumers. However, the 
Bureau concludes that is not necessary to ban the collection of time-
barred debt to prevent potential deception. As discussed in the 
February 2020 proposal, the Bureau's quantitative testing generally 
indicates that disclosures, in certain situations, can be effective in 
curing the potential deception associated with the collection of time-
barred debt.\105\ The Bureau concludes that a prohibition on the 
collection of time-barred debt would impose significant burden on debt 
collectors to identify such debts and would decrease the value of time-
barred debts to little or nothing; a debt has little or no value if the 
owner cannot collect the debt either in litigation or outside of 
litigation. The Bureau declines to impose such extraordinarily large 
costs because much less costly measures--namely, disclosures--can be

[[Page 5778]]

effective in preventing potential deception.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \105\ See 85 FR 12672, 12677-79 (Mar. 3, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Moreover, the Bureau emphasizes that prohibiting the collection of 
time-barred debt when doing so is unnecessary to prevent potential 
deception is inconsistent with the First Amendment limitations on the 
Bureau's authority to ban commercial speech. Courts have held that a 
debt collector who asks a consumer to pay a debt is engaging in 
commercial speech.\106\ Prohibiting the collection of time-barred debt 
therefore would restrict commercial speech. The Supreme Court has held 
that restrictions on commercial speech are permissible when they: (1) 
Are supported by a substantial government interest; (2) directly 
advance that interest; and (3) are no more extensive than necessary to 
serve that interest.\107\ If the potential deception associated with 
the collection of time-barred debt can be cured by a disclosure, then 
prohibiting the collection of time-barred debt would impose a 
restriction that is more extensive than necessary.\108\ As noted above, 
the Bureau's quantitative testing generally indicates that, in certain 
situations involving the collection of time-barred debt, disclosures 
can be effective in curing potential deception. Therefore, the Bureau 
declines to finalize a prohibition on the collection of time-barred 
debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \106\ See, e.g., ACA Int'l v. Healey, 457 F. Supp. 3d 17, 25-26 
(D. Mass. 2020); Stover v. Fingerhut Direct Mktg., 709 F. Supp. 2d 
473, 479 (S.D. W.Va. 2009).
    \107\ See Cent. Hudson Gas & Elec. Corp. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 
447 U.S. 557, 566 (1980).
    \108\ In re R.M.J., 455 U.S. 191, 203 (1982); see also Pearson 
v. Shalala, 164 F.3d 650 (D.C. Cir. 1999).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to consumers and consumer advocates, several industry 
commenters, Federal agency staff, and one local government commenter 
expressed support for the proposed prohibitions. Commenters who 
supported the proposed prohibitions asserted that suits and threats of 
suit on time-barred debts may induce consumers to make payments they 
otherwise would not make. Some consumer advocate commenters noted that 
these payments can revive the debt collector's right to sue in certain 
jurisdictions. Additionally, consumer advocate commenters asserted that 
consumers often assume that the mere filing of a lawsuit means that 
they owe the debt, that the amount owed is accurately stated, and that 
the debt collector has the legal right to collect the debt, whereas in 
fact the debt collector may lack support for its claims. These 
commenters also asserted that consumers generally lack the knowledge 
and resources to defend their rights in court, and, as a consequence, 
many claims result in default judgments on debts that were not legally 
enforceable. Consumer advocate commenters also provided anecdotes and 
pointed to recent enforcement actions to show that debt collectors 
continue to sue and threaten to sue on time-barred debt.\109\ One 
industry commenter who supported elements of proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) 
acknowledged that proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) is consistent with long-
standing FDCPA case law.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \109\ See, e.g., Consent Order ]] 65-69, In re Encore Capital 
Grp., Inc., No. 2015-CFPB-0022 (Sept. 9, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201509_cfpb_consent-order-encore-capital-group.pdf; Consent Order ]] 56-59, In re Portfolio Recovery 
Assocs. LLC, No. 2015-CFPB-0023 (Sept. 9, 2015), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201509_cfpb_consent-order-portfolio-recovery-associates-llc.pdf; see also Complaint ]] 30-35, Bureau of 
Consumer Fin. Prot. v. Encore Capital Grp., Inc., No. 2020CV1750 
(S.D. Cal. Sept. 8, 2020), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/documents/9167/cfpb_encore-capital-group-et-al_complaint_2020-08.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several industry commenters who opposed proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) 
argued that the Bureau should not prohibit suits and threats of suit on 
time-barred debt because, in most jurisdictions, expiration of the 
statute of limitations does not prohibit a debt collector from bringing 
suit but rather provides the consumer with an affirmative defense to 
liability. According to these commenters, proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) 
would effectively preempt State affirmative defense laws by making 
expiration of the statute of limitations a total bar to suit, thereby 
interfering with debt collectors' right to legal recourse under State 
law. Relatedly, an industry commenter argued that State courts are 
capable of addressing situations in which a debt collector sues to 
collect a time-barred debt, including by dismissing the debt 
collector's claim and awarding sanctions if appropriate. Another 
industry commenter asserted that consumers should be responsible for 
tracking the legal obligations associated with their debts, and that it 
would be unduly burdensome to require debt collectors to determine 
whether a debt is time barred, particularly for debt collectors who are 
small businesses.
    Some industry commenters argued that the Bureau lacks the authority 
to prohibit suits and threats of suit on time-barred debts. For 
example, several industry commenters argued that proposed Sec.  
1006.26(b) exceeds the Bureau's authority because, in their view, 
nothing in the FDCPA permits the Bureau to preempt State laws relating 
to debt collection or access to courts or establishes a Federal role in 
determining State law defenses. Similarly, one industry commenter 
asserted that proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) contradicts the Federal Rules 
of Civil Procedure and State-law equivalents and abridges a debt 
collector's right to petition the courts. The commenter pointed to 
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, pursuant to which an attorney's 
claims, defenses, and other legal contentions must be warranted by 
existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or 
reversing existing law or for establishing new law. According to this 
commenter, the proposed prohibitions conflict with Rule 11 and its 
equivalents by discouraging debt collectors from filing legitimate 
lawsuits that argue in good faith for the modification or reversal of 
existing law.
    Final Sec.  1006.26(b) prohibits a debt collector from bringing or 
threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a 
time-barred debt. A debt collector who sues or threatens to sue a 
consumer to collect a time-barred debt explicitly or implicitly 
misrepresents to the consumer that the debt is legally enforceable, and 
that misrepresentation is material to consumers because it may affect 
their conduct with regard to the collection of that debt, including 
whether to pay it.\110\ The Bureau's consumer testing suggests that 
consumers often are uncertain about their rights concerning time-barred 
debt.\111\ Consumers sued or threatened with suit on a time-barred debt 
generally do not recognize that the debt is time barred, that time-
barred debts are unenforceable in court, or that they must raise the 
expiration of the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \110\ See, e.g., Kimber, 668 F. Supp. at 1489 (``By threatening 
to sue Kimber on her alleged debt . . . FFC implicit[ly] represented 
that it could recover in a lawsuit, when in fact it cannot properly 
do so.'').
    \111\ See FMG Focus Group Report, supra note 26, at 9-10; FMG 
Cognitive Report, supra note 27, at 36-37; FMG Summary Report, supra 
note 29, at 35-36; see also Fed. Trade Comm'n, Repairing a Broken 
System: Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and 
Arbitration at iii, 26 (July 2010), https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reports/federal-trade-commission-bureau-consumer-protection-staff-report-repairing-broken-system-protecting/debtcollectionreport.pdf (FTC Litigation Report).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The prohibitions in final Sec.  1006.26(b) generally are consistent 
with the current state of the law. Multiple courts have held that suits 
and threats of suit on time-barred debt violate the FDCPA, reasoning 
that such practices violate FDCPA section 807's prohibition on false or 
misleading representations, FDCPA section 808's prohibition on unfair 
practices, or both.\112\ The FTC

[[Page 5779]]

also has concluded that the FDCPA bars actual and threatened suits on 
time-barred debt.\113\ In addition, the prohibitions in final Sec.  
1006.26(b) generally are consistent with current industry practice. For 
example, a number of industry commenters stated they do not sue or 
threaten to sue on time-barred debt as a matter of policy, and one 
trade group commenter stated that it requires its members to refrain 
from suing or threatening to sue on time-barred debts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \112\ See, e.g., Pantoja v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 852 
F.3d 679, 683-84 (7th Cir. 2017); McMahon v. LVNV Funding, LLC, 744 
F.3d 1010, 1020 (7th Cir. 2014); Phillips v. Asset Acceptance, LLC, 
736 F.3d 1076, 1079 (7th Cir. 2013); Huertas v. Galaxy Asset Mgmt., 
641 F.3d 28, 33 (3d Cir. 2011) (per curiam); Goins v. JBC & Assocs., 
P.C., 352 F. Supp. 2d 262, 273 (D. Conn. 2005); Kimber, 668 F. Supp. 
at 1487-89.
    \113\ FTC Litigation Report, supra note 111, at 23.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau recognizes that, in most jurisdictions, expiration of 
the statute of limitations provides the consumer with an affirmative 
defense to liability, but it does not bar a debt collector from 
bringing suit. The Bureau concludes, however, that consumers are 
unlikely to know whether the applicable statute of limitations has 
expired or that the expiration of the statute of limitations provides 
an affirmative defense. Suits and threats of suit on time-barred debts 
therefore imply to the least sophisticated consumer not simply that the 
debt collector may sue or has sued the consumer but also that the debt 
collector's claim is legally enforceable. For time-barred debts, this 
is misleading because expiration of the statute of limitations provides 
the consumer with a complete defense.\114\ Accordingly, the Bureau 
concludes that bringing or threatening to bring a legal action to 
collect a time-barred debt is a deceptive practice under FDCPA section 
807 even if expiration of the statute of limitations is an affirmative 
defense rather than a categorical bar to suit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \114\ See, e.g., Goins, 352 F. Supp. 2d at 272 (holding that, 
although the statute of limitations is an affirmative defense, 
threatening to bring suit on time-barred debt ``can at best be 
described as a `misleading' representation, in violation of Sec.  
1692e,'' because the statute of limitations is a complete defense to 
any suit).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As explained below, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.26(b) as an 
interpretation of FDCPA section 807's prohibition on deception; such an 
interpretation is squarely within the Bureau's authority under FDCPA 
section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of 
debts by debt collectors. Contrary to commenters' claims, Sec.  
1006.26(b) does not preempt State laws relating to when a debt 
collector may bring a lawsuit in State court. Rather, it provides that 
a debt collector who sues or threatens to sue a consumer to collect a 
time-barred debt violates the FDCPA even if applicable State law 
permits the suit. In addition, contrary to commenters' assertions, 
Sec.  1006.26(b) does not exceed the Bureau's authority by regulating 
access to the courts or litigation activities. Debt collectors have 
repeatedly argued that they cannot be held liable under the FDCPA for 
actions taken in litigation because, for example, the United States 
Constitution allows debt collectors to petition the courts, or because 
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (or their State equivalents) allow 
debt collectors to argue for the modification or reversal of existing 
law. Many courts have rejected such arguments, generally reasoning that 
the FDCPA unquestionably applies to litigation activities.\115\ The 
fact that expiration of a State's statute of limitations may not 
extinguish a debt under State law or bar a lawsuit in State court 
unless an affirmative defense is raised and proven does not render the 
FDCPA's prohibition on using deceptive or misleading representations or 
means in debt collection inapplicable. There is nothing unusual about 
the proposition that some behavior permitted by State law may 
nevertheless violate Federal law. Moreover, nothing in Sec.  1006.26(b) 
prohibits a debt collector from bringing a legal action against a 
consumer in which the debt collector argues for an extension, 
modification, or reversal of existing law or the establishment of new 
law--including a legal action in which the debt collector argues that a 
debt is not time barred. Debt collectors remain free to do so. But a 
debt collector who brings such an action may violate Sec.  1006.26(b) 
if a court ultimately determines that the debt was time barred.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \115\ See, e.g., Aguilar v. LVNV Funding LLC, No. 2:19-cv-105, 
2019 WL 3369706, at *3-4 (M.D. Fla. July 26, 2019); Tobing v. Parker 
McCay, P.A., No. 3:17-cv-00474, 2018 WL 2002799, at *9 (D.N.J. Apr. 
30, 2018); Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. Frederick J. Hanna & 
Assocs., P.C., 114 F. Supp. 3d 1342, 1359-61 (N.D. Ga. 2015); 
Johnson v. Riddle, 305 F.3d 1107, 1118 (10th Cir. 2002).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liability Standard
    Proposed Sec.  1006.26(b) would have prohibited a debt collector 
from bringing or threatening to bring a legal action against a consumer 
to collect a time-barred debt only if the debt collector knew or should 
have known the debt was time barred.
    In proposing a knows-or-should-know standard, the Bureau explained 
that determining whether a debt is time barred may involve analyzing 
which State law applies, which statute of limitations applies, when the 
statute of limitations began to run, and whether the statute of 
limitations has been tolled or reset. In many cases, a debt collector 
will know, or will be able to readily determine, whether the statute of 
limitations has expired. In some instances, however, a debt collector 
may be genuinely uncertain even after undertaking a reasonable 
investigation, such as if the case law in a State is unclear as to 
which statute of limitations applies to a particular type of debt. The 
proposed knows-or-should-know standard was meant to address this 
concern by not imposing liability on a debt collector if it had no way 
of knowing that a particular debt was time barred. But the Bureau also 
acknowledged that it sometimes may be difficult to determine whether a 
knows-or-should-know standard has been met. Such uncertainty could 
increase litigation costs and make it difficult for consumers and 
government agencies to bring actions against debt collectors. To 
address this concern, the Bureau sought comment on an alternative 
strict liability standard pursuant to which a debt collector would be 
liable for suing or threatening to sue on a time-barred debt even if 
the debt collector neither knew nor should have known that the debt was 
time barred.
    Industry commenters generally did not support a strict liability 
standard. These commenters generally agreed that it can be difficult 
for a debt collector to determine whether a debt is time barred and 
asserted that holding debt collectors strictly liable for good faith 
errors would be unduly harsh. These commenters stated, for example, 
that determining the applicable statute of limitations and whether it 
has expired may require analyzing a variety of factual and legal 
questions specific to the debt, and that, in many cases, a debt 
collector may reach the wrong conclusion even after undertaking a 
reasonable investigation and analysis. Industry commenters asserted 
that debt collectors may be unable to reliably determine the statute of 
limitations before filing suit because the law is unclear, because some 
information relevant to the analysis may be unavailable, or both. Some 
industry commenters also asserted that the analysis may change over 
time. For example, according to these commenters, a consumer's decision 
to move to a different State after signing a loan agreement could 
affect a debt collector's analysis of which State law applies and 
whether the statute of limitations has been tolled. As another example, 
an industry commenter stated that, in certain jurisdictions, the 
statute of limitations applicable to mortgage debt is in flux because 
of unprecedented access by consumers to loss mitigation and an increase 
in bankruptcy filings in

[[Page 5780]]

the wake of the foreclosure crisis. Several industry commenters also 
expressed concern that debt collectors who are not attorneys may have 
particular difficulty making an accurate time-barred debt 
determination. For these reasons, industry commenters asserted that a 
strict liability standard, which would leave no room for error, would 
expose debt collectors to liability even though it would be challenging 
or very costly in many circumstances to determine if a debt is time 
barred.
    Some industry commenters supported the proposed knows-or-should-
know standard. These commenters generally asserted that the proposed 
standard would help debt collectors avoid liability for good-faith 
mistakes in determining whether a debt is time barred--something 
industry commenters argued is important given the complexity and 
uncertainty of certain time-barred debt analyses. One industry 
commenter asserted that the proposed standard also would adequately 
protect consumers from harm. However, several industry commenters who 
expressed general support for the proposed standard also asked the 
Bureau to provide additional guidance, including examples of 
circumstances in which a debt collector neither knows nor should know 
that a debt is time barred.
    Not all industry commenters supported the proposed knows-or-should-
know standard. Some industry commenters argued that the proposed 
standard was vague and subjective and could increase litigation risk 
rather than mitigating it. Other industry commenters asked the Bureau 
to clarify that the knows-or-should-know standard depends on the 
specific understanding and sophistication of the particular debt 
collector. They asserted, for example, that what an attorney debt 
collector knows or should know about a debt's time-barred status may 
differ from what a non-attorney debt collector knows or should know.
    Some industry commenters who opposed the proposed knows-or-should-
know standard offered alternative standards. For example, several 
industry commenters recommended that the Bureau finalize a reasonable 
investigation standard such that a debt collector who sued or 
threatened to sue to collect a time-barred debt would not be liable if 
the debt collector undertook a reasonable investigation before doing 
so. Similarly, some industry commenters argued that a debt collector 
who acts in good faith should not be liable for suits and threats of 
suit on time-barred debts. Other industry commenters suggested that the 
Bureau finalize a liability standard akin to qualified immunity such 
that a debt collector who sued or threatened to sue to collect a time-
barred debt would not be liable unless the applicable statute of 
limitations was clearly established. Other industry commenters 
suggested that the Bureau finalize an actual knowledge standard such 
that a debt collector who sued or threatened to sue on a time-barred 
debt would be liable only if the debt collector knew the debt was time 
barred.
    Some commenters suggested that the Bureau finalize various safe 
harbors for debt collectors. For example, industry commenters 
recommended safe harbors for debt collectors collecting debts of a 
certain age and for debt collectors who rely on information provided by 
the creditor. Other industry commenters suggested that a debt collector 
who maintains and follows reasonable procedures for determining whether 
a debt is time barred should receive a safe harbor from liability in 
the event that the debt collector inadvertently sues or threatens to 
sue on a time-barred debt. One industry commenter requested that the 
Bureau specifically confirm that FDCPA section 813(c)'s bona fide error 
defense would apply to violations of Sec.  1006.26(b).
    Other commenters, including consumers, consumer advocates, 
academics, some members of Congress, a group of State Attorneys 
General, and several local governments, urged the Bureau to adopt a 
strict liability standard. Although some of these commenters 
acknowledged that determining whether a debt is time barred can be 
complicated,\116\ others argued that determining whether a debt is time 
barred is relatively straightforward in most cases. One commenter 
suggested that, if the Bureau finalizes the proposed knows-or-should-
know standard, the Bureau should clarify that in most cases a debt 
collector will know (or should know) whether the statute of limitations 
has run because in most cases debt collectors have the necessary 
information to make the determination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \116\ A group of academic commenters challenged the Bureau's 
assertion that debt buyers generally receive enough information to 
determine whether a debt is time barred. These commenters noted that 
fewer than half of respondents to the Bureau's industry survey 
reported receiving account agreement documentation or billing 
statements, information that the commenters believed would help a 
debt collector calculate the applicable statute of limitations and 
whether it has expired.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some consumer advocate commenters who argued for a strict liability 
standard stated that it would incentivize debt collectors to determine 
whether a debt is time barred before threatening or filing suit. Some 
consumer advocate commenters suggested that this would help reduce the 
consumer protection risks associated with the collection of time-barred 
debt, including the risk that consumers may be unable to adequately 
protect their rights in court and the risk that consumers may make a 
payment on the debt under the misimpression that the debt is legally 
enforceable, which could revive the debt collector's right to sue. Some 
commenters expressed concern that the proposed knows-or-should-know 
standard would not adequately incentivize debt collectors to determine 
the time-barred status of debts. Around two dozen members of Congress 
asserted that finalizing a knows-or-should-know standard without 
additional protections could encourage willful ignorance on the part of 
a debt collector about the time-barred status of a debt. A group of 
State Attorneys General and some consumer advocate commenters similarly 
argued that a knows-or-should-know standard would promote willful 
ignorance by debt collectors.
    A number of commenters, including consumer advocate commenters and 
a group of State Attorneys General, advocated a strict liability 
standard because, in their view, debt collectors generally have more 
resources and expertise and better access to information than 
consumers. These commenters generally asserted that it would often be 
difficult for a consumer to establish that a debt was time barred and 
that the debt collector knew or should have known that fact.
    Many of these commenters also argued that the proposed knows-or-
should-know standard was inconsistent with the FDCPA (which some 
commenters described as a strict liability statute) and with FDCPA 
section 807's prohibition on deception (which does not include a 
knowledge element). Some commenters pointed out that, because FDCPA 
section 813(c) provides debt collectors with a bona fide error defense 
to liability in certain circumstances, a strict liability standard 
would not expose debt collectors to undue liability. Commenters also 
argued that the proposed knows-or-should-know standard was inconsistent 
with case law imposing or implying a strict liability standard when 
evaluating claims that a debt collector sued or threatened to sue to 
collect a time-barred debt. Several commenters agreed with the Bureau 
that a strict liability standard generally would reduce ambiguity and 
be easier to enforce than the proposed knows-or-should-know standard. 
Federal government agency staff encouraged the Bureau to consider

[[Page 5781]]

further whether a knows-or-should-know standard would place an 
unnecessary burden on law enforcement agencies.
    The Bureau is not finalizing the proposed knows-or-should-know 
standard and is instead finalizing a strict liability standard. 
Although determining whether a debt is time barred can be challenging 
or costly in certain circumstances, the Bureau concludes that the 
proposed knows-or-should-know standard is generally inconsistent with 
FDCPA section 807, which does not include an exception or exclusion for 
debt collectors whose deceptive statements are unintentional or for 
whom ensuring that a statement is not deceptive is burdensome.\117\ The 
Bureau also concludes that a strict liability standard is more 
consistent with FDCPA section 807's prohibition on deception, as well 
as case law imposing or implying such a standard when evaluating claims 
under FDCPA section 807 generally and claims related to suits and 
threats of suit on time-barred debt specifically.\118\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \117\ For the same reasons, the Bureau concludes that the 
alternative standards proposed by industry commenters--including, 
for example, an actual knowledge standard, a reasonable-
investigation standard, or a clearly-established-law standard--are 
generally inconsistent with FDCPA section 807.
    \118\ See, e.g., Pantoja, v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 
852 F.3d 679, 683 (7th Cir. 2017); Buchanan v. Northland Grp., Inc., 
776 F.3d 393, 399 (6th Cir. 2015); Phillips v. Asset Acceptance, 
LLC, 736 F.3d 1076, 1083-84 (7th Cir. 2013); Clark v. Capital Credit 
& Collection Servs., 460 F.3d 1162, 1176 (9th Cir. 2006); Gearing v. 
Check Brokerage Corp., 233 F.3d 469, 472 (7th Cir. 2000).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Moreover, the Bureau notes that a knows-or-should-know standard 
could, in some circumstances, shift the risk that a claim is deceptive 
from debt collectors to consumers. As explained above, suits and 
threats of suit on time-barred debt can cause consumer harm. In a case 
in which it is difficult or costly to determine whether a debt is time 
barred, a knows-or-should-know standard could allow debt collectors to 
avoid liability for causing such harm. In other consumer protection 
contexts, courts and the FTC have recognized that an advertiser who 
makes an unsubstantiated claim may be liable for deception even if the 
cost of substantiating the claim is high or prohibitively 
expensive.\119\ The Bureau's decision to finalize a strict liability 
standard is generally consistent with this principle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \119\ See, e.g., POM Wonderful, LLC v. FTC, 777 F.3d 478, 497 
(D.C. Cir. 2015) (``We acknowledge that RCTs [i.e., randomized 
clinical trials] may be costly. . . . Yet if the cost of an RCT 
proves prohibitive, petitioners can choose to specify a lower level 
of substantiation for their claims. As the Commission observed, the 
need for RCTs is driven by the claims petitioners have chosen to 
make.'') (internal brackets and quotation marks omitted); In re POM 
Wonderful LLC, 2013 WL 268926, at *50 (F.T.C. Jan. 16, 2013) 
(rejecting argument that an advertiser may ``make particular claims 
that go beyond the substantiation it possesses and then ask the 
Commission to excuse the inadequacy of its support by asserting that 
[the] advertiser did the best it could because the proper 
substantiation for the actual claim would be too expensive''); In re 
Kroger Co., 98 F.T.C. 639, 737 (1981) (``Where the demands of the 
purse require such compromises, the advertiser must generally limit 
the claims it makes for its data or make appropriate disclosures to 
insure proper consumer understanding of the survey's results.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau emphasizes that, although a strict liability standard 
might create some risk for debt collectors if a debt's time-barred 
status is unclear, debt collectors have multiple ways to manage such 
risk. In particular, a debt collector can avoid liability under Sec.  
1006.26(b) by confirming that the statute of limitations has not 
expired before bringing or threatening to bring a legal action. 
Similarly, a debt collector who is ultimately unable to determine with 
certainty whether a debt is time barred can avoid liability under Sec.  
1006.26(b) by refraining from bringing or threatening to bring a legal 
action while, in most States, continuing with non-litigation collection 
activities. Moreover, a debt collector who brings or threatens to bring 
a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt may, 
depending upon the reason for the debt collector's error, have a 
defense to civil liability under FDCPA section 813 if the debt 
collector shows by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was 
not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the 
maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such 
error.\120\ For these reasons, the Bureau concludes that finalizing a 
strict liability standard under Sec.  1006.26(b) does not pose an undue 
risk of liability for debt collectors, even in cases in which a debt 
collector is unable to determine with certainty whether a debt is time 
barred.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \120\ See Jerman v. Carlisle, McNellie, Rini, Kramer & Ulrich 
LPA, 559 U.S. 573 (2010) (holding that bona fide error defense is 
not available when FDCPA violation arises from a debt collector's 
mistaken interpretation of FDCPA's legal requirements but noting 
that bona fide error defense is available when FDCPA violation 
arises from certain other types of errors).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Requests for Clarification
    Several commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the scope of 
proposed Sec.  1006.26(b)'s prohibitions.\121\ Two industry commenters 
suggested that the term ``legal action'' is unclear and could be 
interpreted to encompass any action in any court of law or equity. 
These commenters suggested replacing ``legal action'' with ``lawsuit,'' 
asserting that, although ``legal action'' and ``lawsuit'' have 
overlapping meanings, ``lawsuit'' has a narrower connotation that 
excludes certain legal actions, such as bankruptcy proceedings. 
Alternatively, these commenters argued that, if the Bureau declines to 
change the term legal action, the prohibitions in proposed Sec.  
1006.26(b) should be adjusted to specifically exclude certain types of 
legal actions, such as garnishment actions, probate actions, and the 
filing of proofs of claim in bankruptcy proceedings.\122\ Another 
commenter asked the Bureau to clarify that, for purposes of proposed 
Sec.  1006.26(b), the term ``legal action'' does not include ``non-
original complaints,'' such as amended complaints, supplemental 
complaints, complaints re-filed after a prior dismissal without 
prejudice, post-judgment court filings, or post-judgment communications 
(such as executions or garnishments).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \121\ Commenters also asked the Bureau to adopt a number of 
interventions that the Bureau did not propose, such as a prohibition 
on revival and a prohibition on perpetual tolling, which commenters 
asserted prevents a statute of limitations from ever expiring in 
certain circumstances. The Bureau did not propose these 
interventions and it is not finalizing them.
    \122\ A consumer advocate commenter argued that the rule should 
expressly prohibit filing a bankruptcy proof of claim to recover a 
time-barred debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Final Sec.  1006.26(b) uses the term ``legal action.'' In Midland 
Funding, LLC v. Johnson, the Supreme Court held that filing a proof of 
claim on a time-barred debt in a bankruptcy proceeding does not violate 
the FDCPA sections 807 or 808.\123\ Consistent with Midland, the final 
rule clarifies that Sec.  1006.26(b) does not prohibit the filing of 
proofs of claim in a bankruptcy proceeding. The Bureau does not see a 
basis to categorically exclude other types of legal actions, such as 
garnishment and probate actions, from the prohibitions in Sec.  
1006.26(b). No other section of the FDCPA pertaining to legal actions 
contains a similar exclusion, and the commenters did not explain why 
they believe an exclusion is merited here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \123\ 137 S. Ct. 1407 (2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At least one industry commenter asked the Bureau to clarify the 
types of actions and statements that qualify as a threat of legal 
action or that could be interpreted by a consumer as a threat of legal 
action. The Bureau declines to do so at this time. Whether a particular 
action or statement constitutes a threat of legal action depends on the 
facts and circumstances of the particular case. Nevertheless, the 
Bureau notes that Sec.  1006.26(b) prohibits not only explicit

[[Page 5782]]

threats of legal action but also implicit ones.
    For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.26(b), which provides that a debt collector must not bring or 
threaten to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-
barred debt. Section 1006.26(b) also states that these prohibitions do 
not apply to proofs of claim filed in connection with a bankruptcy 
proceeding. The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.26(b) as an 
interpretation of FDCPA section 807. FDCPA section 807 generally 
prohibits debt collectors from using ``any false, deceptive, or 
misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of 
any debt,'' and FDCPA section 807(2)(A) specifically prohibits falsely 
representing ``the character, amount, or legal status of any debt.'' 
The Bureau interprets FDCPA section 807 and 807(2)(A) to prohibit debt 
collectors from suing or threatening to sue consumers on time-barred 
debts because such suits and threats of suit explicitly or implicitly 
misrepresent, and cause consumers to believe, that the debts are 
legally enforceable. In addition, threats to sue consumers on time-
barred debts are similar to threats to take actions that cannot legally 
be taken, which FDCPA section 807(5) specifically prohibits, because 
both involve the threat of action to which the consumer has a complete 
legal defense.\124\ The Bureau's interpretation of FDCPA section 807 is 
generally consistent with well-established case law holding that suits 
and threats of suits on time-barred debt violate FDCPA section 
807.\125\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \124\ A consumer advocate commenter requested that the Bureau 
clarify that a debt collector who brings or threatens to bring a 
legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt also 
violates the Dodd-Frank Act. The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.26(b) as an interpretation of FDCPA section 807 only.
    \125\ See, e.g., Pantoja, 852 F.3d at 683; McMahon, 744 F.3d at 
1020; Phillips, 736 F.3d at 1079; Kimber, 668 F. Supp. at 1488-89.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Provision Not Finalized
    In the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau proposed to require a 
debt collector collecting a debt that the debt collector knows or 
should know is a time-barred debt to provide time-barred debt 
disclosures and, if applicable, revival disclosures (proposed Sec.  
1006.26(c)(1) and (2)).\126\ The Bureau proposed to require these 
disclosures in the debt collector's initial communication with the 
consumer, on any validation notice, and in certain situations if the 
debt became time barred during collections. The February 2020 proposal 
also included, among other things, model forms and language a debt 
collector could have used to comply with the proposed disclosure 
requirements (proposed Model Forms B-4 through B-7), and it provided a 
safe harbor to a debt collector who used the model forms or language 
(proposed Sec.  1006.26(c)(3)). In support of proposed Sec.  
1006.26(c), the Bureau cited, among other things, the results of its 
quantitative testing survey.\127\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \126\ Specifically, proposed Sec.  1006.26(c)(1) would have 
required a debt collector collecting a debt that the debt collector 
knows or should know is a time-barred debt to disclose (i) that the 
law limits how long a consumer can be sued for a debt and that, 
because of the age of the debt, the debt collector will not sue the 
consumer to collect it; and (ii) if, under applicable law, the debt 
collector's right to bring a legal action against the consumer can 
be revived, then the fact that revival can occur and the 
circumstances in which it can occur. 85 FR 12672, 12696 (Mar. 3, 
2020).
    \127\ See id. at 12678-79.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although some commenters expressed general support for the idea of 
addressing the risk of deception associated with the collection of 
time-barred debts by requiring time-barred debt and revival 
disclosures, many commenters opposed the Bureau's specific proposal. 
According to industry commenters, the proposal would have imposed a 
significant burden on debt collectors by requiring them to conduct 
time-barred debt and revival analyses for each debt in collection. 
These commenters also reported that they would face a significant risk 
of liability given uncertainty about the statute of limitations and 
revival law in at least some States. Industry commenters stated that 
most debt collectors lack the legal training to determine whether a 
debt is time barred or the circumstances in which it can be revived. To 
comply with the disclosure requirements, these commenters asserted that 
debt collectors would need to engage an attorney or otherwise incur 
substantial costs. Industry commenters particularly objected to 
imposing these costs on debt collectors who never sue to collect debts, 
or never sue to collect revived debts. Industry commenters also raised 
concerns about being required to respond to legal questions from 
consumers as a result of providing the disclosures.
    Among consumer, consumer advocate, academic, and State Attorneys 
General commenters who opposed the Bureau's proposal, many doubted that 
disclosures can effectively convey information about topics as 
complicated and unfamiliar to consumers as time-barred debt and 
revival. These commenters also raised concerns about the Bureau's 
proposed model disclosures, characterizing them as confusing, vague, 
and ineffective--particularly for the least sophisticated 
consumer.\128\ Some consumer advocate commenters also expressed concern 
about the accuracy of the proposed disclosures and the frequency with 
which the Bureau proposed to require them. These commenters urged the 
Bureau to reconsider or significantly revise the proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \128\ Courts have applied an objective standard of an 
``unsophisticated'' or ``least sophisticated'' consumer to claims 
brought under FDCPA section 807. Jensen v. Pressler & Pressler, 791 
F.3d 413, 419 (3d Cir. 2015) (``The standard is an objective one, 
meaning that the specific plaintiff need not prove that she was 
actually confused or misled, only that the objective least 
sophisticated debtor would be.''); Hartman v. Great Seneca Fin. 
Corp., 569 F.3d 606, 613 (6th Cir. 2009) (applying least 
sophisticated consumer standard to section 807 claim); Bentley v. 
Great Lakes Collection Bureau, 6 F.3d 60, 62 (2d Cir. 1993) (same); 
Swanson v. S. Or. Credit Serv., Inc., 869 F.2d 1222, 1227 (9th Cir. 
1988) (per curiam) (same). This standard ``protects the consumer who 
is uninformed, naive, or trusting, yet it admits an objective 
element of reasonableness.'' Gammon v. GC Servs. Ltd. P'ship, 27 
F.3d 1254, 1257 (7th Cir. 1994). As discussed in part IV, the Bureau 
interprets FDCPA sections 807 to incorporate an objective, 
``unsophisticated'' or ``least sophisticated'' consumer standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Given industry commenters' concerns about the burden on debt 
collectors of the Bureau's specific proposal, and consumer advocate 
commenters' concerns about whether the Bureau's specific proposal would 
effectively cure consumer deception, the Bureau has decided not to 
finalize proposed Sec.  1006.26(c). In deciding not to finalize 
proposed Sec.  1006.26(c), the Bureau determines only that the specific 
disclosure requirements described in the February 2020 proposal may not 
sufficiently accommodate the concerns raised by different stakeholders. 
However, the Bureau concludes, as discussed in the February 2020 
proposal, that, in many circumstances, disclosures can effectively cure 
the potential deception associated with the collection of time-barred 
debt.
    Finally, the Bureau emphasizes that the FDCPA, the November 2020 
Final Rule, and this final rule nevertheless apply to debt collectors' 
activities involving the collection of time-barred debts, including 
debt collectors' communications when collecting such debts. 
Accordingly, a debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or 
misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of 
a time-barred debt. Nor may a debt collector use unfair or 
unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect a time-barred 
debt. Depending on the circumstances associated with the collection of 
a specific time-barred debt, a debt collector may decide that, to avoid 
violating the FDCPA and the final

[[Page 5783]]

rule, the debt collector needs to disclose information to consumers 
about the debt collector's ability to sue and the possibility of 
revival and, in that case, the debt collector may do so.
Section 1006.30 Other Prohibited Practices
30(a) Required Actions Prior to Furnishing Information
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.30(a) to prohibit so-called 
passive collections, i.e., the practice of a debt collector furnishing 
to a consumer reporting agency, as defined in section 603(f) of the 
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA),\129\ information regarding a debt 
before communicating with the consumer about the debt. The Bureau 
proposed Sec.  1006.30(a) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 
814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by 
debt collectors; pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 
806, which prohibits a debt collector from engaging in any conduct the 
natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person 
in connection with the collection of a debt; and pursuant to its 
authority to interpret FDCPA section 808, which prohibits a debt 
collector from using unfair or unconscionable means to collect or 
attempt to collect any debt. Courts have interpreted FDCPA sections 806 
and 808 to prohibit certain coercive collection methods that may cause 
consumers to pay debts not actually owed.\130\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \129\ 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f).
    \130\ See, e.g., Fox v. Citicorp Credit Servs., Inc., 15 F.3d 
1507, 1517 (9th Cir. 1994) (reversing grant of summary judgment to 
debt collector in part because ``a jury could rationally find'' that 
filing writ of garnishment was unfair or unconscionable under 
section 808 when debt was not delinquent); Ferrell v. Midland 
Funding, LLC, No. 2:15-cv-00126-JHE, 2015 WL 2450615, at *3-4 (N.D. 
Ala. May 22, 2015) (denying debt collector's motion to dismiss 
section 806 claim where debt collector allegedly initiated 
collection lawsuit even though it knew plaintiff did not owe debt); 
Pittman v. J.J. Mac Intyre Co. of Nev., Inc., 969 F. Supp. 609, 612-
13 (D. Nev. 1997) (denying debt collector's motion to dismiss claims 
under sections 807 and 808 where debt collector allegedly attempted 
to collect fully satisfied debt).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is: (1) Finalizing 
Sec.  1006.30(a) as Sec.  1006.30(a)(1), with changes to specify the 
required actions that a debt collector generally must take before 
furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency; and (2) 
finalizing in Sec.  1006.30(a)(2) a special rule for information 
furnished to certain specialty consumer reporting agencies.
30(a)(1) In General
    The Bureau received comments on proposed Sec.  1006.30(a) from 
consumer advocates and individuals, nonprofits, industry commenters, 
and government agencies. Many commenters supported the proposed 
prohibition on passive collections. A consumer group emphasized the 
consumer harms identified in the proposal and agreed that, because with 
passive collections a consumer does not know a debt is in collection, 
the practice can cause a consumer's credit score to decrease, increase 
the cost of future credit for the consumer, make it more difficult for 
a consumer to obtain affordable housing, and jeopardize some job 
opportunities, all without the consumer's knowledge. Three government 
commenters also supported the proposed prohibition; one of them 
reported receiving consumer complaints regarding passive collections. 
An industry commenter supporting the proposal noted that the commenter 
provides consumers with a 90-day grace period before furnishing 
information to consumer reporting agencies.
    A number of comments, primarily from industry or industry trade 
groups, opposed the prohibition or suggested changes or clarifications. 
Two industry trade groups and a law firm commenter argued that proposed 
Sec.  1006.30(a) should not be finalized because it conflicts with the 
FCRA, including section 623(a)(7), which requires certain financial 
institutions to provide written notice to customers if they furnish 
negative information to a consumer reporting agency, and section 
623(a)(5), which requires furnishers to provide certain information 
about a reported delinquency to the consumer reporting agency no later 
than 90 days after furnishing information.\131\ Other industry 
commenters argued that the proposal would encourage consumers to ignore 
communications, provide inaccurate forwarding information to the 
creditor, or falsely mark mail as undeliverable to avoid having 
collection items furnished to consumer reporting agencies. In addition, 
several industry commenters stated that locating consumers for certain 
debts, such as medical debt, telecommunications debt, or rental debt, 
is costly and may not be justified for small amounts. If debt 
collectors cannot passively collect these debts, the commenters argued, 
then the debts are effectively uncollectible. One industry trade group 
similarly argued that passive collections benefits consumers who 
otherwise cannot be located, rather than harming them, because the 
collection item on their credit report will provide them contact 
information for the debt collector, which the consumer can then use to 
make payment arrangements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \131\ 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(a)(5) and (7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A number of commenters suggested changing or clarifying the 
proposed requirement to ``communicate'' before furnishing information 
to a consumer reporting agency. Some urged the Bureau to adopt a 
stricter requirement, such as by requiring written notice to the 
consumer before reporting, mandating specific disclosure language, 
imposing across-the-board waiting periods before reporting, or 
prohibiting indirect communications. Others expressed concern that the 
proposal would impose more stringent communication requirements than 
the FDCPA otherwise requires and asked the Bureau to relax the 
proposal, such as by clarifying that proof of receipt of a 
communication is not required, by allowing debt collectors to satisfy 
the proposed requirement by leaving limited-content messages (as 
defined in Sec.  1006.2(j) of the November 2020 Final Rule), or by 
permitting debt collectors to presume receipt of a communication after 
a waiting period expires.
    After considering all of the comments, the Bureau is finalizing 
proposed Sec.  1006.30(a) and its related commentary with substantial 
revisions, as follows.
    Subject to Sec.  1006.30(a)(2) (discussed below), final Sec.  
1006.30(a)(1) requires a debt collector to take certain actions before 
furnishing information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency, as 
defined in section 603(f) of the FCRA. Specifically, the debt collector 
must either: (1) Speak to the consumer about the debt in person or by 
telephone, or (2) place a letter in the mail or send an electronic 
message to the consumer about the debt and wait a reasonable period of 
time to receive a notice of undeliverability. During the reasonable 
period, the debt collector must permit receipt of, and monitor for, 
notifications of undeliverability from communications providers. If the 
debt collector receives such a notification during the reasonable 
period, the debt collector must not furnish information about the debt 
to a consumer reporting agency until the debt collector otherwise 
satisfies Sec.  1006.30(a)(1). The Bureau is finalizing commentary to 
clarify these requirements as discussed below.
    The Bureau finalizes the requirements under Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) to 
address consumer harms that may arise if a debt collector furnishes 
information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency without first 
informing the consumer about the debt. As discussed in the proposal, 
consumers who have not been informed about the debt are likely to be 
unaware that they have a debt in

[[Page 5784]]

collection unless they obtain and review their consumer report. In 
turn, many consumers may not obtain their consumer reports until they 
apply for credit, housing, employment, or another product or service 
provided by an entity that reviews consumer reports during the 
application process. At that point, consumers may feel pressure to pay 
debts that they otherwise would dispute, including debts they do not 
owe, or may face the denial of an application, a higher interest rate, 
or other negative consequences.
    In addition, as discussed in the proposal, debt collectors may 
attempt to collect debts passively if the expected return from that 
technique exceeds the cost of attempting to collect the debt by 
communicating with consumers.\132\ The Bureau understands that imposing 
a requirement intended to inform the consumer about a debt before 
furnishing information about a debt to consumer reporting agencies will 
increase costs for debt collectors who do not currently attempt to do 
so. However, passive collection practices can harm consumers for the 
reasons discussed above. The Bureau has determined that the final rule 
best balances debt collectors' cost concerns with protections for 
consumers against the harms imposed by passive collection practices. 
Final Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) gives a debt collector flexibility to contact 
consumers in a variety of ways, including in person, by telephone, by 
mail, or by electronic message.\133\ This gives debt collectors 
flexibility to contact the consumer in a manner that works best for 
their operations, and debt collectors need not confirm receipt of mail 
or electronic messages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \132\ 84 FR 23274, 23330 (May 21, 2019).
    \133\ Because medical offices, telecommunications companies, and 
rental offices typically have contact information for their 
customers, and because a variety of options to verify and forward 
mail to a consumer's new address exist, a debt collector of such 
debts should be able to satisfy Sec.  1006.30(a)'s requirements 
without incurring significant costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although proposed Sec.  1006.30(a) used the term ``communicate,'' 
the proposal did not clearly specify a debt collector's obligations if 
the debt collector learned after furnishing information to a consumer 
reporting agency that no communication actually occurred (because, 
e.g., the communication was sent by mail to the consumer's current 
address but the debt collector later received a notification that the 
letter was not delivered). Some commenters raised concerns that the 
proposal's use of the term ``communicate'' could be construed to 
require debt collectors to confirm a consumer's receipt of the 
information before furnishing information about a debt to a consumer 
reporting agency.
    To respond to such comments, and because the proposal was designed 
to increase the likelihood that consumers would learn that a debt 
attributed to them is in collection but was not intended to be a 
broader limitation on furnishing valid information about debts to 
consumer reporting agencies, the Bureau finalizes specific requirements 
a debt collector must take before furnishing. The actions specified in 
the final rule are ones that increase the likelihood that a consumer 
will learn about a debt before a debt collector begins furnishing 
information about that debt to a consumer reporting agency. For this 
reason, after a debt collector has complied with Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) 
and furnished information to a consumer reporting agency, the debt 
collector may furnish additional information with respect to that debt 
without having to repeat the actions specified in Sec.  1006.30(a)(1). 
Accordingly, the Bureau does not incorporate a receipt requirement in 
final Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) and, instead of using the term 
``communicate,'' sets forth the specific actions that a debt collector 
must take before furnishing.
    The Bureau has also determined that final Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) does 
not conflict with FCRA section 623(a)(7) or (5) because those 
provisions have different requirements and goals than Sec.  
1006.30(a)(1). FCRA section 623(a)(7) applies only to ``financial 
institutions'' as defined in FCRA section 603(t), which will cover few, 
if any, FDCPA debt collectors. Final Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) does not 
prevent debt collectors from complying with the FCRA, and the FCRA does 
not prevent debt collectors from complying with final Sec.  
1006.30(a)(1).\134\ The FCRA also does not state that it is the 
exclusive Federal law governing credit reporting and, indeed, the FDCPA 
also references a debt collector's interactions with consumer reporting 
agencies.\135\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \134\ For example, FCRA section 623(a)(7) requires certain 
financial institutions that furnish negative information to a 
consumer reporting agency, as defined in FCRA section 603(p), to 
provide a written notice to consumers prior to, or no later than 30 
days after, furnishing the negative information. A financial 
institution that is required to provide a written notice under FCRA 
section 623(a)(7) and that is also acting as an FDCPA debt collector 
could comply with both requirements by, for example, placing a 
letter in the mail to the consumer that contains sufficient 
information to satisfy both requirements before furnishing 
information to a consumer reporting agency.
    \135\ See, e.g., 15 U.S.C. 1692c(b), 1692d(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because final Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) clearly describes the specific 
actions that a debt collector must take before furnishing information 
about a debt to a consumer reporting agency, a debt collector may 
ensure compliance with the final rule based on the debt collector's own 
actions, such as by placing a letter about the debt in the mail to the 
consumer and waiting a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of 
undeliverability. Therefore, the final rule also resolves concerns 
about consumers avoiding a debt collector's communications to prevent 
the debt collector from furnishing information to a consumer reporting 
agency.
    The final rule specifies in Sec.  1006.30(a)(1)(i) and (ii) the 
methods by which a debt collector may meet its obligation to take 
certain actions before furnishing information about a debt to a 
consumer reporting agency. All of the methods require that information 
``about the debt'' be conveyed to the consumer. Although the final rule 
does not specify the particular information required to meet the 
``about the debt'' requirement, the final rule adds comment 30(a)(1)-1 
to clarify that the validation information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c), including such information if provided in a validation 
notice, is information ``about the debt.''
    Under Sec.  1006.30(a)(1), information about a debt must be 
transmitted ``to the consumer'' as defined in Sec.  1006.2(e). A debt 
collector who sends information about the debt that reaches a 
``consumer'' as defined in Sec.  1006.6(a), which includes additional 
persons,\136\ may not have communicated with the consumer as defined in 
Sec.  1006.2(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \136\ For purposes of Sec.  1006.6(a), the term ``consumer'' 
also includes the consumer's spouse, parent (if the consumer is a 
minor), legal guardian, executor or administrator of the consumer's 
estate, if the consumer is deceased, and a confirmed successor in 
interest. See 85 FR 76734, 76889 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau notes that, in taking any of the actions specified in 
Sec.  1006.30(a)(1), a debt collector must comply with the FDCPA and 
the November 2020 Final Rule, including the prohibition on 
communicating, in connection with the collection of any debt, with a 
third party.\137\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \137\ A debt collector sending an email or text message who uses 
the procedures provided for in Sec.  1006.6(d)(4) or (5) as 
finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule does not violate the 
prohibition on third-party disclosure under Sec.  1006.6(d)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed comment 30(a)-1 provided clarifications regarding the term 
``communicate'' in proposed Sec.  1006.30(a)(1). Because final Sec.  
1006.30(a)(1) does not use the term ``communicate'' and instead states 
the specific actions the debt collector must take before furnishing 
information about a debt to a consumer reporting agency, proposed 
comment 30(a)-1 is no longer

[[Page 5785]]

necessary and the Bureau is not finalizing it.
    The final rule specifies in Sec.  1006.30(a)(1)(ii) that a debt 
collector who places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic 
message to the consumer about the debt to satisfy Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) 
must wait a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of 
undeliverability before furnishing information about a debt to a 
consumer reporting agency. New comment 30(a)(1)-2 clarifies that the 
reasonable period of time begins on the date that the debt collector 
places the letter in the mail or sends the electronic message. Comment 
30(a)(1)-2 also provides a safe harbor for waiting a reasonable period 
of time by clarifying that a period of 14 consecutive days after the 
date that the debt collector places a letter in the mail or sends an 
electronic message is a reasonable period of time.
    Comment 30(a)(1)-3 clarifies that a debt collector who places a 
letter in the mail or sends an electronic message to the consumer about 
the debt to satisfy Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) and does not receive a notice 
of undeliverability during the reasonable period of time, and who 
thereafter furnishes information about the debt to a consumer reporting 
agency, does not violate Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) even if the debt collector 
subsequently receives a notice of undeliverability. Comment 30(a)(1)-3 
also provides three examples illustrating this requirement.
    The Bureau determines that these provisions clarify the proposal 
with respect to pre-furnishing outreach by mail or electronic message 
and provide protection for consumers.\138\ The Bureau understands that 
the U.S. Postal Service typically notifies senders of most 
undeliverable-as-addressed mail within 14 days. The amount of time it 
takes a communications provider to return a notice of undeliverability 
with respect to electronic messages is less clear. While an 
undeliverability notice is typically received soon after sending an 
electronic message, the Bureau understands that the time for receiving 
a notice of undeliverability with respect to such electronic messages 
may vary by provider, and the Bureau does not have sufficient 
information to determine a uniform time period for electronic messages. 
Nevertheless, the Bureau has no reason to believe that notices of 
undeliverability are typically received more than 14 days after an 
electronic message is sent. Therefore, the Bureau is finalizing the 
same safe harbor time period (i.e., 14 consecutive days) for electronic 
messages as for mailed letters.\139\ The Bureau may consider revising 
the safe harbor for electronic messages in the future based on actual 
stakeholder experience with this provision.
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    \138\ The Bureau does not impose a similar period when a debt 
collector speaks to a consumer about the debt in person or by 
telephone because these scenarios do not have the potential for an 
equivalent undeliverable notice outcome.
    \139\ The Bureau notes that the 14-consecutive-day period is a 
safe harbor. To comply with the rule, a debt collector only needs to 
wait a ``reasonable period of time'' to receive a notice of 
undeliverability. Therefore, a debt collector who shows that the 
debt collector waited a reasonable time period to receive notices of 
undeliverability for electronic messages may be able to satisfy the 
requirements of the final rule without waiting 14 days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau recognizes that the final rule may result in instances 
in which debt collectors furnish information about a debt to a consumer 
reporting agency even though the consumer has not been made aware of 
the collection item, either because the mail or electronic message is 
returned as undeliverable after the reasonable period has passed or is 
not received but is also not returned. These consumers will not have 
the same opportunity to receive a message about their debt as those 
consumers for whom the mail or electronic message is delivered. 
Nevertheless, the Bureau determines that establishing a requirement 
that debt collectors wait a reasonable period of time after placing a 
letter in the mail or sending an electronic message provides sufficient 
consumer protection without unduly prohibiting a debt collector from 
furnishing information about a valid debt to a consumer reporting 
agency.
    The Bureau declines commenters' other suggestions, such as those to 
require communications in writing, dictate specific language, apply 
longer waiting periods (e.g., 180 days), or establish other safe 
harbors because the suggestions are unnecessary to achieve the purpose 
of the passive collections ban. For example, requiring written 
communications and specific disclosure language is unnecessary to put 
the consumer on notice that a debt is in collections. Additional safe 
harbors are unnecessary and unwarranted at this time because the final 
rule clarifies the specific actions that must occur before furnishing 
information to a consumer reporting agency.
30(a)(2) Special Rule--Information Furnished to Certain Specialty 
Consumer Reporting Agencies
    The Bureau did not propose a special rule regarding furnishing to 
specialty consumer reporting agencies. An industry commenter and a 
consumer reporting agency argued in a joint comment that the final rule 
should exempt from Sec.  1006.30(a) information furnished to certain 
nationwide specialty consumer reporting agencies described in FCRA 
section 603(x)(3), i.e., consumer reporting agencies that maintain and 
compile files on consumers on a nationwide basis relating to check 
writing history (``check verification consumer reporting agencies'').
    The commenters explained that merchants use check verification 
consumer reporting agencies to determine whether they should accept a 
particular check. When a merchant seeks check verification information, 
the check verification consumer reporting agency issues a check 
verification report with a code that will indicate if the check appears 
acceptable, the check is potentially fraudulent, or the checking 
account is likely overdrawn. These inquiries are usually completed in 
real time, while a transaction is occurring in a checkout lane or in 
remote retailing. The commenters expressed concern that proposed Sec.  
1006.30(a) would degrade the timely content of check verification 
reports issued by check verification consumer reporting agencies 
because debt collectors would be required to delay or refrain from 
reporting altogether, which would undermine the accuracy of check 
verification reports and reduce the willingness of merchants to accept 
checks.
    The commenters argued that the current system benefits consumers by 
alerting them to potential fraud or that their account may be 
overdrawn. Requiring contact before furnishing information would harm 
these consumers because the fraud or overdrawn status of the account 
may never be detected and, thus, consumers may not be alerted to 
potential fraud or may unknowingly continue writing checks on an 
overdrawn account. Further, the commenters stated that these 
requirements could harm consumers by decreasing the number of merchants 
that accept checks or increasing prices at merchants who continue to 
accept checks.
    The commenters also expressly recognized the harm that can occur if 
a debt unexpectedly appears on a credit-related consumer reporting 
agency report if the consumer is applying for credit, a job, or rental 
housing, and cannot move forward with the transaction. However, they 
noted that check verification reporting does not present comparable 
risk of harm because (1) such reports are used to determine whether a 
particular check should be accepted, not to evaluate a consumer's 
creditworthiness for credit, a job, or rental housing; and (2) any harm 
caused by refusal to accept a

[[Page 5786]]

check is outweighed by benefits, including alerting the consumer to 
potential fraud and preventing them from incurring additional overdraft 
or non-sufficient funds fees.
    After carefully considering the comment, the Bureau has determined 
that Sec.  1006.30(a) should not apply to a debt collector's furnishing 
of information about a debt to a check verification consumer reporting 
agency. The Bureau finds that a debt collector's furnishing of 
information about a debt to a check verification consumer reporting 
agency before engaging in outreach to the consumer about the debt is 
unlikely to undermine the ability of consumers to decide whether to pay 
debts in the same manner as the furnishing of information about debts 
to other consumer reporting agencies. As a result, the Bureau has not 
found that furnishing information about a debt to a check verification 
consumer reporting agency before engaging in outreach to the consumer 
about the debt constitutes conduct that may have the natural 
consequence of harassment, oppression, or abuse in violation of FDCPA 
section 806, or that is an unfair or unconscionable means to collect or 
attempt to collect a debt under FDCPA section 808.
    Immediate and frequent reporting appears to be a critical aspect of 
check verification consumer reporting, and it appears that imposing a 
requirement that debt collectors inform consumers about debts before 
furnishing information to those check verification consumer reporting 
agencies would require significant operational changes and could 
significantly reduce the effectiveness of those reports. This is unlike 
credit-related reporting, which typically involves less immediate 
furnishing. The Bureau also finds that the consumer harm that Sec.  
1006.30(a)(1) is designed to address is not present for check 
verification consumer reporting because these reports are unlikely to 
be used in making credit, employment, or rental housing decisions. 
While consumers could also be harmed if they are unaware of checking 
account report items, the harm of reducing the effectiveness of the 
check verification system, including the potential harm to consumers if 
checks are accepted by fewer merchants, outweighs the benefits of 
requiring communication before furnishing. In addition, the immediacy 
of the current check verification system provides countervailing 
benefits to consumers who are alerted to potential fraud or to 
discontinue writing checks on an overdrawn account. Further, a special 
rule for check verification consumer reporting agencies is consistent 
with several State laws regulating passive collections.\140\ For these 
reasons, the Bureau concludes that furnishing of information to a check 
verification consumer reporting agency before engaging in outreach to 
the consumer does not raise concerns under FDCPA sections 806 and 808 
similar to furnishing to other types of consumer reporting agencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \140\ Colo. Rev. Stat. sec. 12-14-108 limits when ``debt 
collectors'' may furnish information to a consumer reporting agency, 
but exempts checks, negotiable instruments, or credit card drafts. 
California and Utah also limit when information can be furnished to 
a consumer reporting agency, but those laws only apply to 
``creditors.'' Cal. Civ. Code sec. 1785.26; Utah Code sec. 70C-7-
107.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, the final rule adds Sec.  1006.30(a)(2) to state that 
Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) does not apply to a debt collector's furnishing of 
information about a debt to a nationwide specialty consumer reporting 
agency that compiles and maintains information on a consumer's check 
writing history, as described in FCRA section 603(x)(3).\141\
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    \141\ If and to the extent a check verification consumer 
reporting agency compiles and maintains other types of information 
specified in FCRA section 603(x) (e.g., residential or tenant 
history), the special rule in Sec.  1006.30(a)(2) does not apply 
with respect to a debt collector's furnishing of that information to 
the check verification consumer reporting agency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is adopting final Sec.  
1006.30(a) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to 
prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt 
collectors. The Bureau is also adopting final Sec.  1006.30(a) pursuant 
to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 806, which prohibits a debt 
collector from engaging in any conduct the natural consequence of which 
is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the 
collection of a debt, and FDCPA section 808, which prohibits a debt 
collector from using unfair or unconscionable means to collect or 
attempt to collect any debt.
Section 1006.34 Notice for Validation of Debts
    FDCPA section 809(a) generally requires a debt collector to provide 
certain information to a consumer either at the time that, or shortly 
after, the debt collector first communicates with the consumer in 
connection with the collection of a debt.\142\ The required 
information--i.e., the validation information--includes details about 
the debt and about consumer protections, such as the consumer's rights 
to dispute and receive verification of the debt and to request 
information about the original creditor. When this validation 
information is provided in writing, the document containing the 
information is commonly referred to as a ``validation notice.''
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    \142\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The requirement to provide validation information is an important 
component of the FDCPA and was intended to improve the debt collection 
process by helping consumers to recognize debts that they owe and raise 
concerns about debts that are unfamiliar. Congress in 1977 considered 
the requirement a ``significant feature'' of the FDCPA, explaining that 
it was designed to ``eliminate the recurring problem of debt collectors 
dunning the wrong person or attempting to collect debts which the 
consumer has already paid.'' \143\ Congress provided the Bureau with 
rulemaking authority in 2010 apparently to address continuing 
inadequacies around validation information and verification, among 
other things.\144\ In addition, debt collectors have sought 
clarification about how to provide information consistent with the 
FDCPA, noting, for instance, that a significant number of lawsuits are 
filed each year alleging deficiencies in their validation notices.
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    \143\ S. Rep. No. 382, supra note 57; see also Jacobson v. 
Healthcare Fin. Servs., Inc., 516 F.3d 85, 95 (2d Cir. 2008) 
(validation notices ``make the rights and obligations of a 
potentially hapless debtor as pellucid as possible''); Wilson v. 
Quadramed Corp., 225 F.3d 350, 354 (3d Cir. 2000); Miller v. Payco-
Gen. Am. Credits, Inc., 943 F.2d 482, 484 (4th Cir. 1991); Swanson 
v. S. Oregon Credit Serv., Inc., 869 F.2d 1222, 1225 (9th Cir. 
1988).
    \144\ See S. Rep. No. 111-176, at 19 (``In addition to concerns 
about debt collection tactics, the Committee is concerned that 
consumers have little ability to dispute the validity of a debt that 
is being collected in error.'').
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    For these reasons, the Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34 to require 
debt collectors to provide certain validation information to consumers 
and to specify when and how the information must be provided. As 
discussed in more detail below, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34 
with modifications in response to feedback and for clarity and 
consistency with other provisions in this final rule and the November 
2020 Final Rule.
    Final Sec.  1006.34(a) sets forth the general requirement to 
provide validation information and describes how such information may 
be provided on a validation notice. Section 1006.34(b) sets forth 
definitions for purposes of Sec.  1006.34. Section 1006.34(c) sets 
forth the validation information, and Sec.  1006.34(d) sets forth a 
general requirement that such information be clear and conspicuous. 
Section 1006.34(d) also provides safe harbors for use of Model Form B-1 
in appendix B to Regulation F, specified variations of the model 
notice, or a

[[Page 5787]]

substantially similar form, and describes optional disclosures that 
debt collectors may, but are not required to, provide with the 
validation information.\145\ Section 1006.34(e) affirmatively permits 
debt collectors to provide validation notices translated into other 
languages and requires debt collectors who offer to provide consumers 
translated notices to provide them to consumers who request them.
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    \145\ The Bureau proposed a model validation notice as Model 
Form B-3. The Bureau is finalizing that form, with revisions, as 
Model Form B-1. This Notice refers to proposed Model Form B-3 as the 
``proposed model validation notice'' or the ``proposed model 
notice'' and final Model Form B-1 as the ``model validation notice'' 
or ``model notice.'' This Notice uses the phrase ``specified 
variations of the model notice'' to refer to the specifically 
enumerated versions of the model notice that receive a safe harbor 
pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) and (ii) (i.e., notices that are 
the same as, or substantially similar to, the model notice but for: 
Omitting some or all of the optional disclosures that appear on the 
model notice; including optional disclosures that do not appear on 
the model notice; or including certain disclosures on a separate 
page as permitted by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) and (5)).
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    As discussed in further detail in the section-by-section analysis 
of Sec.  1006.34(d), the Bureau proposed to require that validation 
notices must be the same as, or substantially similar to, the proposed 
model validation notice. The Bureau is not finalizing that requirement. 
Instead, the final rule provides certain safe harbors for compliance 
with the information and form requirements in Sec.  1006.34(c) and 
(d)(1) for debt collectors who use the model validation notice, 
specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar 
notice.
34(a) Validation Information Required
34(a)(1) In General
    FDCPA section 809(a) provides, in relevant part, that, within five 
days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with 
the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall send the consumer a 
written notice containing the validation information, unless that 
information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer 
has paid the debt. The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) to implement 
and interpret this general requirement.\146\ Specifically, proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) provided that, subject to a limited exception for 
if a consumer has already paid a debt, a debt collector must provide a 
consumer the required validation information either: (1) By sending the 
consumer a validation notice (i.e., a written or electronic notice) 
\147\ in the manner permitted by Sec.  1006.42 \148\ in the initial 
communication with the consumer in connection with the collection of 
the debt (proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A)) or within five days of 
that initial communication (proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B)); or (2) 
by providing the validation information orally in the initial 
communication (proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(ii)).\149\ As discussed 
below, the Bureau is adopting Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) with certain minor 
revisions.
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    \146\ See 84 FR 23274, 23333-34 (May 21, 2019).
    \147\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(4) defined a validation notice 
as any written or electronic notice that provides the validation 
information described in Sec.  1006.34(c).
    \148\ As finalized, Sec.  1006.42 generally requires debt 
collectors to send written disclosures in a manner that is 
reasonably expected to provide actual notice, and in a form that the 
consumer may keep and access later. 85 FR 76734, 76893 (Nov. 30, 
2020).
    \149\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(2) provided that, with limited 
exceptions, initial communication means the first time that, in 
connection with the collection of a debt, a debt collector conveys 
information, directly or indirectly, to the consumer regarding the 
debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some commenters recommended that the Bureau modify proposed Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1) generally. Some consumer advocate commenters stated that 
the Bureau should require debt collectors to provide non-electronic, 
written validation notices to all consumers. According to at least one 
commenter, the Bureau should require a written validation notice even 
if a debt collector also provides the validation information 
electronically. Another consumer advocate commenter asked the Bureau to 
require debt collectors to provide a consumer a validation notice in 
every communication.
    The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to always provide 
written, non-electronic validation notices to consumers. For the 
reasons set forth in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau 
interprets FDCPA section 809(a) as not requiring that the notice of 
debt be provided in writing when it is contained in the initial 
communication.\150\ Moreover, if FDCPA section 809(a) does require that 
the notice of debt be provided in writing--i.e., if the validation 
information is not contained within the initial communication--nothing 
in the FDCPA prohibits a debt collector from providing the required 
written validation notice electronically in accordance with the 
consumer-consent provisions of section 101(c) of the E-SIGN Act. In 
turn, if a statute (here, the FDCPA) requires a written disclosure, the 
E-SIGN Act's consumer-consent provisions specify requirements pursuant 
to which debt collectors may send the required written disclosures 
electronically. Accordingly, pursuant to Sec.  1006.42, a debt 
collector may send the validation notice electronically under Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A) (i.e., within the initial communication) if the 
debt collector complies with Sec.  1006.42(a)(1), which requires that 
the debt collector send the notice in a manner that is reasonably 
expected to provide actual notice, and in a form that the consumer may 
keep and access later. A debt collector may send the validation notice 
electronically under Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) (i.e., not within the 
initial communication) if the debt collector complies with Sec.  
1006.42(a)(1) and also complies with Sec.  1006.42(b), which requires 
that the debt collector send the notice in accordance with section 
101(c) of the E-SIGN Act. The Bureau concludes that, if debt collectors 
send validation notices electronically as described above, there is a 
reasonable likelihood that consumers will receive and be able to retain 
the notices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \150\ 85 FR 76734, 76854 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau determines, therefore, that it is unnecessary and 
unwarranted to impose the burden on debt collectors that would result 
from a requirement to always provide the validation notice in written, 
non-electronic form; to provide a validation notice in written form 
even if the debt collector also provides the validation notice 
electronically; or to provide a validation notice or validation 
information with every consumer communication.\151\ Such requirements 
would go beyond the FDCPA's provisions and would be unduly burdensome 
on debt collectors, because, as stated above, the Bureau concludes that 
the Regulation F provisions that the Bureau is adopting provide 
sufficient consumer protection. Accordingly, the Bureau does not impose 
such requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \151\ The Bureau additionally notes that, if a statute (here, 
FDCPA section 809(a)) requires a written disclosure, E-SIGN Act 
section 104(c)(1) states that Federal agencies' authority to 
interpret E-SIGN Act section 101 (including the consumer-consent 
provisions in E-SIGN Act section 101(c)) does not include the 
``authority to impose or reimpose any requirement that a record be 
in a tangible printed or paper form.'' See 15 U.S.C. 7004(c)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau received few comments specifically about proposed Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i). Commenters who provided feedback supported the 
Bureau's proposal. Thus, the Bureau is adopting Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) 
largely as proposed.
    A large number of commenters responded to the clarification in 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(ii) that debt collectors may provide 
validation information orally in the initial communication. Commenters, 
including most consumer advocates who addressed the topic, urged the 
Bureau to

[[Page 5788]]

prohibit debt collectors from providing validation information orally. 
These commenters stated that debt collectors could not effectively 
convey orally to consumers the amount of validation information that 
the Bureau proposed.\152\ Commenters argued that, if validation 
information were conveyed orally, a consumer would be unable to review 
the information at a later time, unless the consumer transcribed or 
recorded the communication with the debt collector. Commenters stated 
that this dynamic would place an unreasonable burden on consumers and 
would be atypical compared to other consumer law disclosure regimes, 
which mandate that required notices be provided in written form. At 
least one commenter stated that oral delivery would be incompatible 
with the formatting requirements in proposed Sec.  1006.34(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \152\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c) described the validation 
information that proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) would have required 
debt collectors to provide. As discussed in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c), the final rule requires debt 
collectors to provide up to 18 items of validation information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On the other hand, some industry commenters supported the Bureau's 
clarification that debt collectors may provide validation information 
orally. These commenters asked the Bureau to provide additional 
guidance about oral delivery of validation information, including, for 
example, specific content for an oral notice, such as a script.
    As proposed, the Bureau is finalizing the provision in Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(ii) that debt collectors may provide the required 
validation information orally in the initial communication. The Bureau 
agrees that there may be significant challenges to conveying the 
required validation information orally.\153\ Nevertheless, FDCPA 
section 809(a) does not prohibit oral delivery. FDCPA section 809(a) 
states that the required validation information may be ``contained in 
the initial communication'' and that a written notice is mandatory only 
if that required information is not contained in the initial 
communication. Further, FDCPA section 807(11) indicates that the 
initial communication may be oral.\154\ Accordingly, the Bureau 
concludes that the most reasonable interpretation of FDCPA sections 
809(a) and 807(11) is that the FDCPA permits the required validation 
information to be conveyed orally if it is contained in the initial 
communication.
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    \153\ Section 1006.34(c) requires a significant amount of 
validation information that debt collectors may not currently 
include in the validation information they provide to consumers. It 
might be difficult for a debt collector to convey all of the 
required information orally, particularly in an initial 
communication, which is the only context in which a debt collector 
could comply with its legal obligation by providing the validation 
information orally. Further, real-time communications with consumers 
are unpredictable. Accordingly, even if the required components of 
the validation information are contained in the oral communication, 
the debt collector might not convey them in a way that meets the 
requirements of the regulation; for example, as commenters noted the 
debt collector might not convey the required information clearly and 
conspicuously.
    \154\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692e(11).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Moreover, debt collectors providing validation information orally 
will not be able to use the model validation notice and therefore will 
not receive a safe harbor for compliance under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2). The 
Bureau declines to provide additional guidance about oral delivery of 
validation information. The Bureau is not aware of debt collectors 
providing validation information orally today, and, for the reasons 
discussed, the Bureau believes they will be unlikely to do so in the 
future. As a result, the Bureau concludes that such additional guidance 
is not necessary or warranted at this time.
    The Bureau proposed comment 34(a)(1)-1 to clarify the provision of 
validation notices if the consumer is deceased. Proposed comment 
34(a)(1)-1 explained that, if the debt collector knows or should know 
that the consumer is deceased, and if the debt collector has not 
previously provided the deceased consumer the validation information, a 
person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's 
estate operates as the consumer for purposes of providing validation 
information under Sec.  1006.34(a)(1). Under proposed comment 34(a)(1)-
1, a debt collector attempting to collect a debt from a deceased 
consumer's estate generally would provide the validation information to 
the named person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased 
consumer's estate, if the debt collector had not already provided that 
information to the consumer.
    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.2(e), 
the Bureau is interpreting the term consumer to mean any natural 
person, whether living or deceased, who is obligated or allegedly 
obligated to pay any debt. And the Bureau is adopting commentary 
clarifying how this definition operates in the decedent debt context, 
including with respect to debt collectors' obligations to provide the 
validation information and respond to disputes and requests for 
original-creditor information. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing 
comment 34(a)(1)-1 as proposed.
    For all of these reasons, and pursuant to its authority under FDCPA 
section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of 
debts by debt collectors, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) 
to implement and interpret the FDCPA section 809(a) requirement that 
debt collectors provide validation information to consumers.
34(a)(2) Exception
    FDCPA section 809(a) contains a limited exception that provides 
that, if required validation information is not contained in the 
initial communication, a debt collector need not send the consumer a 
written validation notice within five days of that communication if the 
consumer has paid the debt prior to the time that the notice is 
required to be sent. The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.34(a)(2) to 
implement this exception by providing that a debt collector who 
otherwise would be required to send a validation notice pursuant to 
Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) is not required to do so if the consumer has 
paid the debt prior to the time that Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) would 
require the validation notice to be sent. Proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(2) 
generally restated the statute, except for minor changes for 
organization and clarity.\155\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \155\ See 84 FR 23274, 23334-35 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At least two consumer advocate commenters recommended that debt 
collectors be required to provide a validation notice even if a 
consumer has already paid the debt. According to these commenters, some 
consumers, including seniors, will pay a debt that they do not owe or 
recognize because they ``pay first and ask questions later.'' These 
commenters suggested that validation information would help such 
consumers assess after the fact whether they paid a debt that they 
owed. An industry trade group commenter stated that, for open-end 
credit, a debt collector should be permitted to satisfy Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1) by providing a periodic statement pursuant to Regulation 
Z, 12 CFR 1026.7, because periodic statements disclose sufficient 
account information to consumers.
    The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to provide a 
validation notice if a consumer has already paid the debt. FDCPA 
section 809(a) explicitly provides that a debt collector is not 
required to send the validation notice if the consumer has paid the 
debt, and the Bureau has determined that it is neither necessary nor 
warranted to adopt a rule requiring otherwise.
    The Bureau also declines to adopt recommendations to include an 
exception to Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) for open-

[[Page 5789]]

end credit, because a periodic statement provided in accordance with 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.7, is not an adequate substitute for the 
validation information. While such a periodic statement discloses some 
information about the debt, it typically does not disclose other 
information required under the final rule, such as the information 
about consumer protections required by FDCPA section 809(a)(3) through 
(5) and the corresponding provisions of final Sec.  1006.34.
    Accordingly, pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) 
to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt 
collectors, and to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a), the 
Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(a)(2) as proposed.
34(b) Definitions
    To facilitate compliance with Sec.  1006.34, proposed Sec.  
1006.34(b) defined several terms that appear throughout the section. As 
discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing those definitions and related 
commentary with certain modifications in response to feedback. 
Consistent with the proposal, unless noted otherwise below, the Bureau 
is finalizing the definitions to implement and interpret FDCPA section 
809(a) and pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to 
prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt 
collectors.
34(b)(1) Clear and Conspicuous
    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) to define the term clear 
and conspicuous for purposes of Regulation F consistent with the 
standards used in other consumer financial services laws and their 
implementing regulations, including, for example, Regulation E, subpart 
B (Remittance Transfers).\156\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) thus 
provided that disclosures are clear and conspicuous if they are readily 
understandable. The proposal provided that, in the case of written and 
electronic disclosures, the location and type size also must be readily 
noticeable to consumers and that, in the case of oral disclosures, the 
disclosures must be given at a volume and speed sufficient for a 
consumer to hear and comprehend them.\157\ For the reasons discussed 
below, the Bureau is adopting Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) largely as proposed 
but with minor modifications for clarity and in response to feedback.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \156\ See 12 CFR 1005.31(a)(1), comment 31(a)(1)-1.
    \157\ See 84 FR 23274, 23335 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An industry commenter objected to the clear and conspicuous 
definition in proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(1). This commenter stated that 
a clear-and-conspicuous requirement is unnecessary in the debt 
collection context because consumers have an ongoing relationship with 
debt collectors, and a consumer therefore has the ability to ask a debt 
collector to explain a particular disclosure or communication if the 
consumer does not understand it.
    Other commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the proposed 
definition. For instance, industry trade group and consumer advocate 
commenters offered various suggestions for specific font size or 
disclosure placement requirements. At least one industry commenter 
suggested that the Bureau explain how proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) 
would interact with State disclosure laws, which may have their own 
clear-and-conspicuous standards that dictate font size or disclosure 
placement. An industry trade group commenter asked the Bureau to 
provide additional guidance about oral delivery of the validation 
information because, in the commenter's view, the proposal that oral 
communications be ``given at a volume and speed sufficient for a 
consumer to hear and comprehend them'' was ambiguous.
    The Bureau disagrees that ongoing relationships between debt 
collectors and consumers make a clear and conspicuous definition 
unnecessary or unwarranted in the debt collection context. Consumer 
financial services laws and their implementing regulations commonly 
include standards for clear and conspicuous disclosures provided in the 
context of ongoing customer and business relationships between 
consumers and consumer financial services providers.\158\ Additionally, 
validation information is provided at the outset of collection 
communications. If a consumer chooses not to engage with the debt 
collector, no ongoing communications will be established.
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    \158\ See, e.g., 12 CFR 1026.5(a)(1)(i) (disclosures for open-
end credit) and 12 CFR 1026.17(a)(1) (disclosures for closed-end 
credit). Moreover, a consumer does not typically get to choose which 
debt collector collects the consumer's debt, whereas a consumer does 
choose his or her financial services providers. Further, some 
customer relationships between consumers and debt collectors may be 
of shorter duration than customer relationships between consumers 
and other types of consumer financial services providers. These 
factors suggest that a standard for clear and conspicuous 
disclosures may be even more important in the debt collection 
context than in other consumer financial services contexts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to further clarify the clear and conspicuous 
definition in Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) by, for example, dictating font sizes 
or requirements regarding disclosure placement as requested by some 
commenters. Different debt collectors may design their communications 
in different ways, and the Bureau does not believe it is necessary or 
warranted to specify such details, as long as the disclosure satisfies 
the clear and conspicuous standard. In addition, the definition is 
consistent with, and provides the same level of specificity as, 
standards in some other consumer financial services laws and their 
implementing regulations, including but not limited to the Bureau's 
Remittance Transfers rule,\159\ which do not specify font size or 
disclosure placement requirements. Moreover, the Bureau concludes that 
the lack of more prescriptive guidance will not impose material burden 
on debt collectors. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), a debt collector who uses the model validation 
notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially 
similar form, receives a safe harbor for the information requirements 
in Sec.  1006.34(c) and for the clear-and-conspicuous requirement in 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(1). Because debt collectors may use the model 
validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a 
substantially similar form if providing validation notices, debt 
collectors need not incur significant expenses ascertaining what meets 
the clear-and-conspicuous standard. Nevertheless, the final rule does 
clarify that, in the case of written and electronic disclosures, 
although no minimum font size is required, the location and type size 
must be both readily noticeable and legible to consumers.\160\
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    \159\ See 12 CFR 1005.31(a)(1), comment 31(a)(1)-1. See also, 
e.g., the general disclosure requirements for open-end and closed-
end credit in, respectively, 12 CFR 1026.5(a)(1) and 1026.17(a)(1) 
and their commentary.
    \160\ The section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.38(b)(2) 
discusses a new safe harbor from the overshadowing prohibition in 
Sec.  1006.38(b)(1) for a debt collector who uses the model 
validation notice.
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    The Bureau declines to revise Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) to clarify how 
the definition of clear and conspicuous interrelates with State 
disclosure laws. A debt collector can comply with both Sec.  
1006.34(b)(1) and State disclosure requirements that specify font size 
or disclosure placement. With respect to font size, the Bureau 
concludes, in general, that debt collectors satisfying State-law 
minimum-font-size requirements will also satisfy the standard in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(1) for a type size that is readily noticeable and legible to 
consumers. With respect to disclosure placement, as discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of

[[Page 5790]]

Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv), a debt collector may place disclosures 
specifically required under other applicable law, which includes 
disclosures specifically required by State law, on the reverse (or, in 
certain specified circumstances, on the front) of the validation 
notice. The Bureau believes that Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) will permit 
debt collectors to provide State law disclosures in a manner that is 
clear and conspicuous under applicable law.
    The Bureau also declines to further clarify the meaning of clear 
and conspicuous in the context of oral delivery of validation 
information. The Bureau determines that the proposed and final 
regulatory text is sufficiently clear and that the final rule will not 
impose an undue burden on debt collectors, particularly in light of the 
Bureau's expectation that few, if any, oral disclosures will be 
provided.
    For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(b)(1) to provide that clear and conspicuous means readily 
understandable and that, in the case of written and electronic 
disclosures, the location and type size also must be readily noticeable 
and legible to consumers, although no minimum type size is mandated. 
Final Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) also provides that oral disclosures must be 
given at a volume and speed sufficient for the consumer to hear and 
comprehend them.
34(b)(2) Initial Communication
    FDCPA section 809(a) requires debt collectors to provide consumers 
with certain validation information either in the debt collector's 
initial communication with the consumer in connection with the 
collection of the debt, or within five days after that initial 
communication. FDCPA section 803(2) defines the term communication 
broadly to mean the conveying of information regarding a debt directly 
or indirectly to any person through any medium.\161\ FDCPA section 
809(d) and (e) identifies particular communications that are not 
initial communications for purposes of FDCPA section 809(a) and that 
therefore do not trigger the validation notice requirement.\162\ 
Pursuant to FDCPA section 809(d), an initial communication excludes a 
communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action. 
Pursuant to FDCPA section 809(e), an initial communication also 
excludes the sending or delivery of any form or notice that does not 
relate to the collection of the debt and is expressly required by the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 
or any provision of Federal or State law relating to notice of a data 
security breach or privacy, or any regulation prescribed under any such 
provision of law.
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    \161\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692a(2). The November 2020 Final Rule 
implemented this definition in Sec.  1006.2(d). 85 FR 76734, 76888 
(Nov. 30, 2020).
    \162\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(d), (e).
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    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(2) to implement FDCPA section 
809(a), (d), and (e) by defining the term initial communication. The 
proposed definition largely restated the FDCPA and defined initial 
communication as the first time that, in connection with the collection 
of a debt, a debt collector conveys information, directly or 
indirectly, regarding the debt to the consumer, other than a 
communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action, or a 
communication in any form or notice that does not relate to the 
collection of the debt and is expressly required by any of the laws 
referenced in FDCPA section 809(e).\163\
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    \163\ See 84 FR 23274, 23335 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An industry trade group recommended a bankruptcy-specific exception 
to the definition of initial communication for debt collectors 
collecting debts owed by consumers in bankruptcy. The commenter 
expressed concern that certain actions by a debt collector in the 
context of a consumer's bankruptcy proceeding, in particular filing a 
proof of claim, may be construed to be an initial communication and 
therefore trigger the FDCPA section 809(a) validation notice 
requirement.\164\ Additionally, according to the commenter, content on 
the validation notice, including the debt collection communication 
disclosure required by FDCPA section 807(11), could be construed as a 
demand for payment that violates the automatic stay provisions of the 
United States Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) \165\ or, if the 
consumer has been relieved of personal liability, the discharge 
injunction.\166\ According to the commenter, some courts have opined 
that a debt collector would face an irreconcilable conflict between 
complying with the FDCPA and the Bankruptcy Code if the debt collector 
were required to provide a validation notice to a consumer in 
bankruptcy.\167\
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    \164\ To receive a distribution from a bankruptcy estate, a 
creditor generally must file with the bankruptcy court a proof of 
claim, which includes details about an alleged debt or interest. See 
Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3002.
    \165\ See 11 U.S.C. 362.
    \166\ A debtor's bankruptcy petition operates as an automatic 
stay that, among other things, prohibits ``any act to collect, 
assess, or recover a claim against the debtor that arose before the 
commencement of the case.'' 11 U.S.C. 362(a)(6). When a debtor's 
liability is discharged through bankruptcy, the discharge ``operates 
as an injunction against the commencement or continuation of an 
action, the employment of process, or an act, to collect, recover or 
offset any such debt as a personal liability of the debtor, whether 
or not discharge of such debt is waived.'' 11 U.S.C. 524(a)(2).
    \167\ See, e.g., In re Chaussee, 399 B.R. 225, 238 (B.A.P. 9th 
Cir. 2008) (``In our opinion, the debt validation provisions 
required by the FDCPA clearly conflict with the claims processing 
procedures contemplated by the [Bankruptcy] Code and Rules.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has determined to interpret the term initial 
communication not to include proofs of claim filed in bankruptcy 
proceedings. Courts have reached different conclusions about whether 
the FDCPA conflicts with the Bankruptcy Code.\168\ The Bureau is 
unaware of any case definitively holding that a proof of claim is an 
initial communication and that a debt collector therefore must provide 
a validation notice after filing a proof of claim. On the other hand, 
some courts have held that proofs of claim are not initial 
communications because, under FDCPA section 809(d), they are 
communications in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action.\169\ 
Further, the Bureau has decided to permit a debt collector to file a 
proof of claim in a bankruptcy proceeding as required by the Bankruptcy 
Code without thereby triggering the debt collector's obligation to 
provide a validation notice under the FDCPA, because the Bureau finds 
it unlikely that consumer harm will result if a consumer does not 
receive a validation notice subsequent to a proof of claim in 
bankruptcy. The bankruptcy proof-of-claim form is filed under penalty 
of perjury, and a person who files a fraudulent claim could be fined up 
to $500,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both.\170\ Thus, the 
Bureau concludes that bankruptcy proof-of-claim forms generally are 
likely to contain accurate information about the debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \168\ See Walls v. Wells Fargo Bank, 276 F.3d 502, 511 (9th Cir. 
2002) (holding that the Bankruptcy Code precludes application of 
FDCPA requirements in bankruptcy cases); Chaussee, 399 B.R. at 239 
(same); contra Simon v. FIA Card Servs., N.A., 732 F.3d 259, 274 (3d 
Cir. 2013) (stating that when ``FDCPA claims arise from 
communications a debt collector sends a bankruptcy debtor in a 
pending bankruptcy proceeding, and the communications are alleged to 
violate the Bankruptcy Code or Rules, there is no categorical 
preclusion of the FDCPA claims'').
    \169\ See Simon, 732 F.3d at 273; Townsend v. Quantum3 Grp., 
LLC, 535 B.R. 415, 423 (M.D. Fla. 2015); In re Brimmage, 523 B.R. 
134, 141-42 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2015).
    \170\ The official bankruptcy proof-of-claim form is available 
here: https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms/proof-claim-0.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, to provide clarity for debt collectors while 
maintaining protections for consumers, the Bureau is interpreting the 
term initial

[[Page 5791]]

communication not to include proofs of claim filed in bankruptcy. 
Specifically, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(b)(2)-1, which 
clarifies that a proof of claim that a debt collector files in a 
bankruptcy proceeding in accordance with the requirements of the 
Bankruptcy Code is a communication in the form of a formal pleading in 
a civil action and therefore is not an initial communication for 
purposes of Sec.  1006.34. The Bureau adopts this comment as an 
interpretation of the phrase ``[a] communication in the form of a 
formal pleading in a civil action'' in FDCPA section 809(d). The Bureau 
interprets that phrase to include a proof of claim that a debt 
collector files in a bankruptcy proceeding in accordance with the 
requirements of the Bankruptcy Code.
    The Bureau acknowledges that other scenarios may exist in which a 
debt collector communicates with a consumer in bankruptcy and 
subsequently may be required to provide a validation notice. To the 
extent that debt collectors do provide validation notices to consumers 
in bankruptcy, Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) implements an existing FDCPA 
disclosure requirement and does not create a new tension between the 
FDCPA and the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, nothing in the final rule 
requires debt collectors to include payment requests in the validation 
information; instead, payment requests are optional disclosures that 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii) permits debt collectors to include along with 
the validation information. Consequently, a debt collector concerned 
that a payment request would violate the Bankruptcy Code's automatic 
stay or discharge injunction is not required to include a payment 
request and, additionally, could use the model validation notice, 
specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar 
form, without a payment request and receive a safe harbor under Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2).
    An industry trade group recommended that the Bureau exclude from 
the Sec.  1006.34(b)(2) definition of initial communication the notice 
of transfer of loan servicing required by Regulation X.\171\ According 
to the commenter, after an FDCPA-covered mortgage debt is transferred 
and a consumer receives a servicing transfer notice, the transferee may 
not have received all the information necessary to send a validation 
notice within the five-day timeframe required by FDCPA section 809(a). 
For this reason, the commenter suggested that Regulation X servicing 
transfer notices should not trigger the validation information 
requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \171\ Generally, under Regulation X, each transferor servicer 
and transferee servicer of any mortgage loan shall provide to the 
borrower a notice of transfer for any assignment, sale, or transfer 
of the servicing of the mortgage loan. 12 CFR 1024.33(b)(1). 
Generally, the transferor servicer shall provide the notice of 
transfer to the borrower not less than 15 days before the effective 
date of the transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan. The 
transferee servicer shall provide the notice of transfer to the 
borrower not more than 15 days after the effective date of the 
transfer. The transferor and transferee servicers may provide a 
single notice, in which case the notice shall be provided not less 
than 15 days before the effective date of the transfer of the 
servicing of the mortgage loan. 12 CFR 1024.33(b)(3)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to interpret the term initial communication to 
exclude servicing transfer notices required by Regulation X. Section 
1006.34(b)(2) largely mirrors existing language in FDCPA sections 
803(2) and 809(a), (d), and (e) and does not impose new substantive 
requirements or obligations on covered entities. As discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c), Regulation F will 
result in validation notices containing more information about the debt 
than they typically do today, but that information is, generally, 
either routine account information that owners of debts currently 
provide to debt collectors or that owners of debts can include without 
significant additional expense. Although the commenter argues that 
there may be timing considerations unique to mortgage servicing 
transfer notices, the Bureau determines that such timing concerns do 
not warrant an exception that would deem a mortgage servicing transfer 
notice, even one that does convey information, directly or indirectly, 
regarding the debt to the consumer to be excluded from the definition 
of an ``initial communication.''
    Other commenters asked the Bureau to clarify whether a consumer-
initiated communication, such as a consumer visiting a debt collector's 
website or a consumer leaving a voicemail with a debt collector, would 
constitute an initial communication under proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(2). 
The Bureau notes that, under Sec.  1006.34(b)(2), for an initial 
communication to occur, a debt collector must ``convey[ ] information, 
directly or indirectly, regarding the debt. . . .'' Section 
1006.34(b)(2) is clear that, if a debt collector conveys no 
information, directly or indirectly, regarding the debt, an initial 
communication has not occurred and, consequently, the validation notice 
requirement has not been triggered. Thus, a consumer's voicemail left 
with a debt collector generally would not qualify as an initial 
communication. Similarly, an initial communication generally would not 
include a consumer's visit to a debt collector's website, unless during 
that visit the debt collector conveyed information regarding the 
consumer's specific debt.\172\
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    \172\ For example, a debt collector potentially could convey 
information regarding the debt during a consumer's visit to a 
website through a website chat feature.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(b)(2) largely as proposed but with a revision to clarify that 
proofs of claim filed in bankruptcy proceedings are not initial 
communications.
34(b)(3) Itemization Date
    FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to disclose to 
consumers, either in the debt collector's initial communication in 
connection with the collection of the debt, or within five days after 
that communication, the amount of the debt.\173\ The Bureau proposed in 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vii) through (ix) to interpret the phrase ``amount 
of the debt'' to mean that debt collectors must disclose the amount of 
the debt as of a particular ``itemization date.'' \174\ To facilitate 
compliance with proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2), the Bureau proposed Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3) to define itemization date as one of four reference dates 
for which a debt collector can ascertain the amount of the debt. The 
proposed reference dates were the last statement date, the charge-off 
date, the last payment date, and the transaction date.\175\
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    \173\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(1).
    \174\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vii) and (viii) would have 
required debt collectors to disclose, respectively, the itemization 
date and the amount of the debt on the itemization date. Proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would have required debt collectors to 
disclose an itemization of the debt reflecting interest, fees, 
payments, and credits since the itemization date. For additional 
discussion of these provisions, which have been renumbered in the 
final rule, see the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii).
    \175\ See 84 FR 23274, 23335-37 (May 21, 2019). The reference 
dates were set forth in proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i) through (iv) 
and are discussed in the section-by-section analysis of those 
paragraphs below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed definition of itemization date was designed to allow 
the use of dates that debt collectors could identify with relative ease 
because they reflect routine and recurring events, and that correspond 
to notable events in the debt's history that consumers may recall or be 
able to verify with records. The proposed definition also was intended 
to include dates for which debt collectors typically may receive 
account information from debt owners and that, therefore, debt

[[Page 5792]]

collectors would be able to use to provide the disclosures proposed in 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(viii) and (ix).
    Proposed comment 34(b)(3)-1 explained that a debt collector could 
select any of the four reference dates as the itemization date. Once a 
debt collector used one of the reference dates for a specific debt in a 
communication with a consumer, however, the debt collector would be 
required to use that reference date for that debt consistently when 
providing disclosures pursuant to Sec.  1006.34 to that consumer.
    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3) and its related commentary largely as proposed but with 
minor wording changes and to include an additional reference date in 
response to feedback: The judgment date. The Bureau also is adopting 
new comment 34(b)(3)-2, which provides that a debt collector may use a 
different reference date than a prior debt collector used for the same 
debt.
    Some industry commenters supported the itemization date definition 
in proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(3). At least two industry commenters 
supported providing debt collectors with a choice of several reference 
dates because a debt collector might not be able ascertain the amount 
of the debt on a single reference date. According to an industry trade 
group commenter, the proposed reference dates would provide adequate 
flexibility, as a creditor's information systems will have recorded at 
least one of those dates for any given debt. Another industry trade 
group commenter stated that the proposal's standardization of account 
information would allow debt collectors to build better internal 
procedures and improve consumer communication practices. An industry 
commenter stated that proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(3) would require 
significant client education and information technology investment but 
ultimately concluded that the framework was feasible.
    Other commenters objected to proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(3). An 
industry commenter stated that creditors may provide debt collectors 
information about multiple reference dates. According to this 
commenter, analyzing creditor records to identify and organize account 
information as of a single reference date would be complicated, costly, 
and increase the likelihood of validation notice errors. A group of 
consumer advocate commenters stated that, instead of permitting debt 
collectors to choose between reference dates, Sec.  1006.34(b)(3) 
should define the itemization date as a single reference date supported 
by consumer testing.
    The Bureau determines that Sec.  1006.34(b)(3) will facilitate 
compliance with the itemization date-related requirements in final 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii). Account information available 
to debt collectors may vary by debt type because some account 
information is not universally tracked or used across product markets. 
To facilitate the ability of debt collectors across debt markets to 
comply with Regulation F, the final rule permits debt collectors to 
determine the itemization date by selecting from one of five reference 
dates for which they can ascertain the amount of the debt.
    The Bureau finds that this framework will not result in undue 
industry burden. Debt collectors today routinely analyze and organize 
account information included in files from creditors when creditors 
place accounts for collection. Debt collectors should be able to use or 
build on these existing functions to select an itemization date based 
on the definition in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3). Therefore, even if creditors 
provide or retain account information based on multiple reference 
dates, debt collectors should not face substantial new costs or 
litigation risks from complying with Sec.  1006.34(b)(3).
    The Bureau declines consumer advocates' suggestion to specify a 
single reference date. As discussed in the proposal, the Bureau 
considered requiring debt collectors to provide an itemization of the 
debt based on a single reference date but rejected that approach 
because of the infeasibility of identifying a single reference date 
that applies to all debt types across all relevant markets.\176\ The 
group of consumer advocate commenters that recommended a single 
reference date did not suggest or provide evidence that it would be 
feasible to identify a single date that would be appropriate for all 
types of debt. The Bureau also declines to exercise its discretion to 
conduct consumer testing to attempt to determine an optimal itemization 
date for debt collectors to use within each debt collection market 
(e.g., mortgage debt, credit card debt, student loan debt, medical 
debt, and so on). The Bureau determines that such testing is not 
necessary or warranted, because the Bureau finds that debt collectors' 
use of any one of the five itemization dates set forth in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3) should correspond, in most cases, to events in the debt's 
history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \176\ See 84 FR 23274, 23336 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the proposal, the Bureau requested comment on whether the 
itemization date should be structured as a prescriptive ordering of 
reference dates, such as a hierarchy that would permit a debt collector 
to use a date listed later in the hierarchy only if the debt collector 
did not have information about any dates earlier in the hierarchy. 
Industry and industry trade group commenters generally favored the 
proposed flexible approach. According to commenters, a prescriptive 
ordering would significantly increase costs and litigation risk for 
debt collectors. As noted above, consumer advocates expressed concern 
that the proposed approach would result in disclosure of itemization 
dates that are not meaningful to consumers and urged the Bureau to use 
consumer testing to determine a date that would be meaningful.
    The Bureau agrees that a prescriptive ordering could impose undue 
costs and litigation risks for debt collectors. In addition, as 
discussed below in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(i) through (v), each reference date may be meaningful to 
consumers because it corresponds to a notable event in the debt's 
history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records. 
Because each reference date may be meaningful to a consumer, and 
because each reference date may be more or less meaningful to the 
consumer than one of the other reference dates depending on the 
circumstances surrounding the debt, there may not be a benefit to 
consumers if the Bureau were to structure the dates as a hierarchy. The 
Bureau therefore declines to adopt a prescriptive ordering of the 
reference dates.
    Some commenters who did not object to the proposed itemization date 
framework in principle either raised concerns that the proposed 
reference dates would not accommodate debts in all product markets or 
recommended additional reference dates. At least one industry trade 
group commenter asked the Bureau to clarify what reference date debt 
collectors should use for debts in bankruptcy. An industry commenter 
stated that the proposal might not accommodate a debt a consumer owes 
to a government, such as a tax debt. According to this commenter, 
although the FDCPA does not cover many debts consumers owe to 
governments,\177\ some debt collectors who collect debts on behalf of 
Federal government agencies are legally or contractually obliged to

[[Page 5793]]

abide by the FDCPA.\178\ This commenter stated that the proposed 
reference dates might not accommodate tax debt because, in some 
instances, it will be the case that no previous statement was provided, 
no prior payment was made, and there was no transaction per se between 
the consumer and the government creditor.
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    \177\ FDCPA section 803(5) defines a ``debt'' as any obligation 
arising out of a transaction ``primarily for personal, family, or 
household purposes.'' 15 U.S.C. 1692a(5). According to the 
commenter, a debt a consumer owes to a government in many cases does 
not meet this definition.
    \178\ For example, debt collectors who collect on behalf of the 
Internal Revenue Service under a ``qualified tax collection 
contract'' generally are required by statute to comply with the 
FDCPA. See 26 U.S.C. 6306(g) (``The provisions of the [FDCPA] shall 
apply to any qualified tax collection contract, except to the extent 
superseded by section 6304, section 7602(c), or by any other 
provision of this title.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to another commenter, an additional reference date for 
student loan debt is necessary because debt collectors collecting 
Federal student loans do not receive any of the proposed reference 
dates at the time of placement. Some commenters suggested that the 
Bureau permit debt collectors to use the date of default as defined by 
the Higher Education Act of 1965; commenters argued that this date is a 
widely used reference date in the student loan market.\179\ By 
contrast, an FTC commissioner urged the Bureau not to use the Higher 
Education Act's definition of default and instead to use the date a 
student loan borrower becomes 90 days past due.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \179\ The Higher Education Act defines ``default'' as ``the 
failure of a borrower . . . to make an installment payment when due, 
or to meet other terms of the promissory note, the Act, or 
regulations as applicable, if the Secretary or guaranty agency finds 
it reasonable to conclude that the borrower and endorser, if any, no 
longer intend to honor the obligation to repay, provided that this 
failure persists for--(1) 270 days for a loan repayable in monthly 
installments; or (2) 330 days for a loan repayable in less frequent 
installments.'' 34 CFR 682.200(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, an industry commenter recommended that Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3) incorporate: (1) The date a creditor places a debt with 
the debt collector, or (2) the date the debt collector provides 
validation information to the consumer. Another industry commenter 
suggested that Sec.  1006.34(b)(3) incorporate the date of a previously 
obtained court judgment.
    The Bureau determines that Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)--in conjunction with 
the five reference dates described in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i) through 
(v)--provides adequate flexibility for debts in all product markets, 
including for debts in bankruptcy. A debt collector may choose which of 
the five reference dates to use based on the facts and circumstances 
surrounding the history of the debt--e.g., whether a creditor provided 
statements, whether the consumer made payments--and the information 
available to the debt collector.
    With respect to which reference date a debt collector should use to 
itemize a tax obligation a consumer owes to a government, the date the 
tax was assessed may be a transaction date for tax debt, as discussed 
in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iv). In 
addition, a date on which the government provided a written invoice or 
tax bill may constitute a last statement date for tax debt under Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(i).
    The Bureau determines that a reference date specific to student 
loan debt is unnecessary and unwarranted because the reference dates in 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3) are sufficient. For virtually any student loan 
debt, there will be a last statement date as described in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(i), a last payment date as described in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(ii), or a transaction date as described in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(iv). For many student loan debts, all three reference 
dates will exist.
    The Bureau also declines to incorporate into Sec.  1006.34(b)(3) 
the date of placement or the date the debt collector provides the 
validation notice. From a consumer's perspective, these dates do not 
correspond to notable events in a debt's history that the consumer may 
recall or be able to verify. As noted above, however, in response to 
feedback, the Bureau is adding a new reference date called the 
``judgment date,'' which is the date of a final court judgment that 
determines the amount of the debt owed by the consumer. The judgment 
date is discussed in the section-by-section analysis of final Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(v).
    With respect to the Bureau's request for comment about whether a 
subsequent debt collector should be permitted to use a different 
itemization date than a prior debt collector used for the same debt, 
industry and industry trade group commenters generally agreed that 
requiring debt collectors to use the same reference date as a prior 
collector would be burdensome and impractical. These commenters stated 
that debt collectors would be unable to ensure compliance with such a 
requirement because a creditor might not disclose the reference date 
that a prior debt collector used. By contrast, an academic and a 
consumer advocate commenter stated that a debt collector should be 
required to use the same itemization date the prior debt collector used 
because a consumer may not be able to assess the amount owed if the 
subsequent debt collector uses a different reference date.
    The final rule permits a debt collector to use a different 
itemization date than a prior debt collector used for the same debt. 
The availability of account information, including about a prior debt 
collector's activities, to a subsequent debt collector depends on the 
creditor or debt buyer who places the debt with the subsequent debt 
collector. If the creditor or debt buyer does not provide the 
previously used itemization date, the subsequent debt collector may be 
unable to determine that date, and therefore fail to comply with a 
requirement to use it. It is conceivable that, were the rule to require 
use of the same itemization date previously used, debt collectors and 
creditors could begin to structure their contracts and processes to 
enable creditors and debt collectors to transfer a previously used 
itemization date. However, establishing such contracts and processes 
would likely impose costs on creditors and debt collectors,\180\ and 
those costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Further, the Bureau 
finds that the costs are not warranted because permitting a subsequent 
debt collector to use a different itemization date will maintain 
protections for consumers, as long as the debt collector uses one of 
the five itemization dates specified in the rule. As stated above, the 
Bureau finds that the five itemization dates are all dates that should 
result in reasonably meaningful and recognizable debt amounts for 
consumers. Accordingly, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(b)(3)-2 
to clarify that, when selecting an itemization date pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3), a debt collector may use a different reference date than 
a prior debt collector who attempted to collect the debt.
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    \180\ In order for the contractual framework and processes to 
achieve the desired result of a creditor passing the previously used 
itemization date to the current debt collector, creditors would have 
to structure contracts to require the previous debt collectors to 
pass back to the creditors the previously used itemization dates so 
that the creditors, in turn, can pass them on to the current debt 
collectors. Developing and implementing such contractual provisions 
and processes across the debt collection industry would likely 
impose potentially significant costs.
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    For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3) and its related commentary with minor wording changes and 
to include a new reference date, the judgment date, in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(v). In addition, the Bureau is adopting new comment 
34(b)(3)-2 to explain that a debt collector may use a different 
reference date than a prior debt collector. The Bureau is finalizing 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3) and Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i) through (v), discussed 
below, pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to 
prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt 
collectors and pursuant to its

[[Page 5794]]

authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a) to prescribe rules to 
ensure that the features of consumer financial products and services 
are disclosed to consumers fully, accurately, and effectively.
34(b)(3)(i)
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i) to permit debt 
collectors to use as the itemization date the date of the last periodic 
statement or written account statement or invoice provided to the 
consumer. Proposed comment 34(b)(3)(i)-1 explained that a statement 
provided by a creditor or a third party acting on the creditor's 
behalf, including a creditor's service provider, may constitute the 
last statement provided to the consumer for purposes of Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(i).
    Commenters disagreed about whether the Bureau should adopt the last 
statement date as a permissible reference date. Several industry and 
industry trade group commenters supported the proposal, stating that, 
for some debts, the last statement date is readily available to debt 
collectors and recognizable to consumers. Some commenters stated that, 
even when creditors do not initially provide periodic statements to 
debt collectors, such statements are available upon request. However, 
some consumer advocate commenters stated that the last statement date 
may not be meaningful to some consumers and may not help them recognize 
a debt. For example, a commenter stated that a creditor may send 
duplicates of the same periodic statement or invoice to a consumer 
multiple times, even when the balance is changing due to interest or 
fees. In this scenario, the commenter said, the last statement a 
consumer received would not reflect the actual amount owed and would 
not be helpful to the consumer.
    At least two commenters stated that a validation notice provided by 
a prior debt collector should not constitute a last statement for 
purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i). According to a consumer advocate 
commenter, the date of a prior validation notice will not be meaningful 
to consumers and, consequently, an itemization as of that date will not 
help consumers recognize an alleged debt. An industry trade group 
commenter advised against relying on a validation notice provided by a 
prior debt collector because creditors generally do not provide 
previously sent validation notices to subsequent debt collectors.
    The Bureau determines that the last statement date may be used as a 
reference date. Many creditors or third parties acting on a creditor's 
behalf routinely provide consumers with account statements, such as 
periodic statements or invoices. If a consumer has received an account 
statement from a creditor, the consumer either may recognize the date 
that they last received a statement or may be able to verify that date 
in their records.\181\ Further, last statement information is often 
readily available to debt collectors, as debt collectors frequently 
receive, or have the ability to request, last statement information or 
records from creditors.
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    \181\ This is likely to be true even if the consumer has 
received a duplicative statement as the last statement. In that 
scenario, under Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vii), which requires a debt 
collector to disclose the amount of the debt on the itemization 
date, the debt amount that the debt collector discloses to the 
consumer must be the debt amount as of that last statement date.
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    The Bureau determines that only a last statement or invoice 
provided to a consumer by a creditor, as opposed to a statement, such 
as a validation notice, provided by a debt collector, should serve as a 
basis for a last statement date as defined in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i) 
because consumers may be more likely to recall or be able to verify a 
statement sent by a creditor than by a debt collector. This may be true 
even if a creditor issues a statement after the debt has gone into 
collection. Under Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i), such a new statement may 
serve as the last statement for purposes of the itemization date.
    For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i) 
and its related commentary with revisions to provide that only a 
statement or invoice provided by a creditor qualifies as a last 
statement for purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i). Specifically, the 
Bureau is revising Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i) to state that the last 
statement date is the date of the last periodic statement or written 
account statement or invoice provided to the consumer by a creditor. 
The Bureau also is revising comment 34(b)(3)(i)-1 to provide that a 
statement or invoice provided by a debt collector is not a last 
statement for purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i), unless the debt 
collector is also a creditor.
34(b)(3)(ii)
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(ii) to permit debt 
collectors to use the date that the debt was charged off as the 
itemization date.
    An industry trade group and an industry commenter supported the use 
of the charge-off date, particularly for debts associated with open-end 
credit, such as credit cards. The commenters stated that charge off is 
a regulated Federal standard for consumer credit \182\ and would be a 
reliable reference date for itemization-related disclosures in some 
circumstances. An industry trade group commenter stated that creditors 
frequently provide debt collectors account information as of the 
charge-off date. Commenters stated that consumers may recognize the 
amount due as of the charge-off date because some creditors provide 
charge-off statements that reflect the charge-off balance and, they 
said, consumers have the ability to review these charge-off statements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \182\ 65 FR 36903 (June 12, 2000); Off. of the Comptroller of 
the Currency, Bulletin 2000-20, Uniform Retail Credit Classification 
and Account Management Policy (June 20, 2000).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other commenters objected to including the charge-off date as a 
permissible reference date. An industry commenter stated that not all 
creditors maintain account information as of the charge-off date or 
communicate that information to debt collectors at placement. Consumer 
advocates and at least two industry trade group commenters stated that, 
although the charge-off date may be widely used for some financial 
products, it may not resonate with consumers or help them recognize a 
debt because consumers might not know the charge-off date.\183\
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    \183\ An individual commenter requested clarification whether, 
for medical debt, the date of charge off is the date a creditor 
places the account for collection. The Bureau is not aware that such 
a definition is commonly used.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau determines that the charge-off date may be used as a 
reference date. Creditors frequently provide account information as of 
the charge-off date for various types of debts, including credit card 
debt, to debt collectors. The Bureau acknowledges that not all 
creditors maintain account information as of the charge-off date or 
provide such information to debt collectors, but the charge-off date is 
only one of five reference dates specified in the final rule. Further, 
account information at charge off is readily available to a 
sufficiently large number of debt collectors--including collectors of 
credit card debt--to justify its adoption as a reference date. In 
addition, while consumers might not know the specific charge-off date, 
they may, in fact, recognize account information as of approximately 
the charge-off date because charge off often occurs at around the time 
the creditor provided a last account statement. Further, as noted by 
commenters, some creditors may provide consumers with charge-off 
statements that reflect the balance as of the charge-off date.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(ii) as 
proposed.

[[Page 5795]]

34(b)(3)(iii)
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iii) to permit debt 
collectors to use the date the last payment was applied to the debt as 
the itemization date.
    Industry and consumer advocate commenters generally supported 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iii). These commenters agreed that account 
information as of the last payment date is readily available to debt 
collectors and recognizable to consumers. According to one consumer 
advocate, a consumer may have a general idea of when a bill was last 
paid, especially if the consumer's delinquency was related to a 
significant life event, such as a job loss, a divorce, or an illness. 
Accordingly, the Bureau determines that the last payment date as 
defined in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iii) is an appropriate reference date.
    Commenters asked the Bureau to clarify whether a third-party 
payment could serve as the basis for the last payment date. For 
example, several trade group commenters stated that, if a consumer's 
car is repossessed, the sale of the collateral may be applied to the 
consumer's balance after receipt of the consumer's last payment. 
Another commenter raised the possibility of third-party payments and 
insurance adjustments in the medical debt context. A group of consumer 
advocates recommended that only a payment from a consumer to a creditor 
should serve as the basis for a last payment date. According to this 
commenter, a last consumer payment to a prior debt collector may not be 
significant or recognizable to a consumer.
    The Bureau determines that third-party payments may serve as the 
basis for the last payment date under Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iii). The 
Bureau finds that the date of a third-party payment on the debt, such 
as a payment from an auto repossession agent or an insurance company, 
may be meaningful to a consumer because such payments may be 
accompanied by a notice to the consumer, and therefore the consumer 
could recognize or verify with records the date of such payments.
    The Bureau also determines that a consumer's payment to a prior 
debt collector may serve as the last payment date. The Bureau finds 
that consumers are at least as likely to recognize or be able to verify 
with records the status of the debt as of the consumer's last payment 
to a prior debt collector as consumers are able to recognize or verify 
an earlier (perhaps much earlier) payment to the creditor, particularly 
if the debt has been outstanding for a long time.
    For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(iii) as proposed to provide that the last payment date is 
the date the last payment was applied to the debt. The Bureau also is 
adopting new comment 34(b)(3)(iii)-1, which clarifies that a third-
party payment applied to the debt, such as a payment from an auto 
repossession agent or an insurance company, can be a last payment for 
purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iii).
34(b)(3)(iv)
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iv) to permit debt 
collectors to use as the itemization date the date of the transaction 
that gave rise to the debt. Proposed comment 34(b)(3)(iv)-1 explained 
that the transaction date is the date that a creditor provided, or made 
available, a good or service to a consumer, and it included examples of 
transaction dates. The comment also explained that, if a debt has more 
than one potential transaction date, a debt collector may use any such 
date as the transaction date but must use whichever transaction date it 
selects consistently.
    A number of commenters, including consumer advocates, industry 
trade groups, and at least one industry commenter, supported including 
the transaction date in the itemization date definition. According to 
several commenters, consumers likely would recognize the transaction 
date as defined by proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iv). At least one 
commenter stated that creditors provide account information as of the 
transaction date for some debt types.
    With respect to proposed comment 34(b)(3)(iv)-1, a consumer 
advocate commenter stated that, if a debt has more than one potential 
transaction date, the debt collector should not be permitted to choose 
which date to use as the transaction date for purposes of Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(iv). The commenter urged the Bureau to develop a 
prescriptive standard for identifying the appropriate transaction date 
for scenarios where multiple transaction dates exist.
    Several commenters also stated that determining the transaction 
date may be problematic in some circumstances. For example, a consumer 
advocate commenter explained that, while determining the transaction 
date is straightforward with one-time transactions, identifying the 
transaction date may be more difficult with respect to contracts for 
ongoing services, such as gym memberships, cellular telephone 
contracts, or lawn care service contracts. In addition, an industry 
commenter stated that medical providers may combine multiple dates of 
service into one account or use family billing that combines separate 
bills for family members into one account. The commenter suggested 
that, if an account in collection reflects services on multiple dates 
or for multiple individuals, identifying a transaction date may be 
difficult for the debt collector.
    The Bureau finds that, for some debts, creditors may provide debt 
collectors with account information related to the transaction date. In 
addition, consumers may recognize the amount of a debt on the 
transaction date, which may be reflected on a copy of a contract or a 
bill provided by a creditor. For this reason, the Bureau is finalizing 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iv) as proposed to provide that the transaction 
date, which is the date of the transaction that gave rise to the debt, 
can be the itemization date for purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3).
    As commenters noted, various dates may serve as potential 
transaction dates under Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iv). For example, potential 
transaction dates may include the date a service or good was provided 
to a consumer or the date that a consumer signed a contract for a 
service or good. In the case of a consumer's tax debt, the date a 
government assessed the tax may be a transaction date for purposes of 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iv).\184\ Nevertheless, the Bureau declines to 
adopt a prescriptive standard for identifying the only transaction date 
debt collectors may use. Both the contract date and the service date 
are significant dates that may resonate with a consumer. Because the 
consumer may recognize the amount of the debt on those dates, the 
Bureau finds that either date may serve as the transaction date. 
Further, the Bureau determines that developing a more prescriptive 
standard that would apply to all debt types is not feasible. For this 
reason, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(b)(3)(iv)-1, with minor 
changes for clarity, to provide that, if a debt has more than one 
transaction date, a debt collector may use any such date as the 
transaction date, but the debt collector must use whichever date the 
debt collector selects consistently, as described in comment 34(b)(3)-
1. Comment 34(b)(3)(iv)-1 also addresses concerns regarding identifying 
the transaction date for medical debt that includes services on

[[Page 5796]]

multiple dates or for multiple individuals.\185\
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    \184\ See the discussion of tax debts in the introductory 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3).
    \185\ Because of differences between various debt types and the 
particular facts and circumstances of any given transaction, Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(iv) provides debt collectors flexibility when 
selecting a transaction date. However, if the total amount of a debt 
in collection includes amounts incurred on different dates of 
service, the Bureau believes that, even though Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(iv) does not require it, debt collectors generally 
will select the last date of service as the transaction date. This 
date may be most recognizable to consumers. Further, disclosing 
itemization-related information as of the last date, as opposed to 
an earlier date, likely would be easier for a debt collector.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau recognizes that the transaction date may be difficult to 
determine in some circumstances. However, under the framework in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3) for determining the itemization date, the transaction 
date is one of five reference dates from which a debt collector may 
choose. Section 1006.34(b)(3) does not require a debt collector to use 
the transaction date as the reference date for itemization-related 
disclosures. If a debt collector cannot determine the transaction date, 
the debt collector may use another reference date.
34(b)(3)(v)
    As discussed above, the proposed definition of itemization date 
included four reference dates. In response to the proposed definition, 
an industry commenter suggested that the Bureau add a fifth date--the 
date of a court judgment. The Bureau has determined to adopt this 
recommendation. As a general matter, debt collectors will know if a 
court judgment against a consumer exists and consumers are likely to 
recognize the date of a court judgment against them or be able to 
verify the date with records. Further, the amount of the debt as of the 
date of a court judgment is verifiable as it will have been 
memorialized in court records. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(v) to permit debt collectors to use as the 
itemization date the judgment date, which is the date of a final court 
judgment that determines the amount of the debt owed by the consumer.
34(b)(4) Validation Notice
    FDCPA section 809(a) provides, in relevant part, that, within five 
days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with 
the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall send the consumer a 
written notice containing specified information (i.e., validation 
information), unless that information is contained in the initial 
communication or the consumer has paid the debt. Debt collectors and 
others commonly refer to the written notice required by FDCPA section 
809(a) as a ``validation notice'' or a ``g notice.'' The Bureau 
proposed in Sec.  1006.34(b)(4) to define validation notice to mean a 
written or electronic notice that provides the validation information 
described in Sec.  1006.34(c).\186\ The Bureau received no comments 
regarding proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(4) and is finalizing it with a 
minor wording change for consistency with final Sec.  1006.34(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \186\ See 84 FR 23274, 23337 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(b)(5) Validation Period
    FDCPA section 809(b) contains certain requirements that a debt 
collector must satisfy if a consumer disputes a debt or requests the 
name and address of the original creditor.\187\ If a consumer disputes 
a debt in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation 
information, a debt collector must stop collection of the debt until 
the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a 
judgment against the consumer and mails it to the consumer. Similarly, 
if a consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor in 
writing within 30 days of receiving the validation information, the 
debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the debt 
collector obtains and mails such information to the consumer. FDCPA 
section 809(b) also prohibits a debt collector, during the 30-day 
period for written disputes and original-creditor information requests, 
from engaging in collection activities and communications that 
overshadow, or are inconsistent with, the disclosure of the consumer's 
rights to dispute the debt and request original-creditor information, 
which are sometimes referred to as ``verification rights.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \187\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As described in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (iii), the Bureau proposed to require debt 
collectors to disclose to a consumer the date certain on which the 
consumer's verification rights under FDCPA section 809(b) expire. To 
facilitate compliance with that proposed requirement, proposed Sec.  
1006.34(b)(5) defined the term validation period to mean the period 
starting on the date that a debt collector provides the validation 
information described in Sec.  1006.34(c) and ending 30 days after the 
consumer receives or is assumed to receive the validation 
information.\188\ To clarify how to calculate the end of the validation 
period--including how debt collectors may disclose a period that 
provides consumers additional time beyond the required 30 days to 
exercise their validation rights--proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(5) provided 
that a debt collector may assume that a consumer receives the 
validation information on any day that is at least five days (excluding 
legal public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt collector 
provides it. Proposed comment 34(b)(5)-1 clarified that, if a debt 
collector sends an initial validation notice that was not received and 
then sends a subsequent validation notice, the validation period ends 
30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the 
subsequent validation notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \188\ 84 FR 23274, 23337-38 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(5) and proposed comment 34(b)(5)-1 (which is 
renumbered as comment 34(b)(5)-2) with minor wording changes for 
clarity and consistency with other provisions of Regulation F. The 
Bureau is adopting new comment 34(b)(5)-1 to illustrate how a debt 
collector may calculate the end of the validation period before sending 
the validation notice.
    A number of commenters, including industry commenters, supported 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(5). According to several commenters, the 
proposed definition is consistent with current industry practices. For 
example, with respect to the proposed five-day delivery timing 
assumption, industry commenters stated that debt collectors generally 
assume that a consumer receives a validation notice five to eight days 
after mailing. Consumer advocate commenters objected to the proposed 
definition, stating that debt collectors should be obligated to honor 
consumer verification requests at any time, not only during the 
validation period.
    Some commenters recommended lengthening the proposed five-day 
delivery timing assumption. A consumer advocate commenter and an 
industry trade group commenter suggested that the validation period 
definition should assume that the consumer receives the validation 
notice seven days after the debt collector mails it to account for 
delays or bulk mail delivery.\189\ Another trade group

[[Page 5797]]

commenter recommended a fixed ten-day assumption that omits 
consideration of weekends and holidays.
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    \189\ United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery times for 
Standard Mail, commonly referred to as bulk mail, are typically 
longer than delivery times for first-class mail. For example, based 
on the USPS Originating Service Standards, bulk mail originated in 
Washington, DC takes six days to reach New York City, seven days to 
reach Denver, and nine days to reach Seattle. By contrast, first-
class mail from Washington, DC reaches New York City in two days and 
Denver and Seattle in three days. See U.S. Postal Serv., Service 
Standards Maps, https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/service-standards-maps (last visited Nov. 16, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other commenters recommended shortening the delivery timing 
assumption. For example, an industry trade group commenter recommended 
that the Bureau eliminate the assumption entirely and clarify that the 
validation period commences upon mailing of a validation notice. Other 
industry commenters urged the Bureau to shorten the assumption for 
near-instantaneous communication methods, such as electronic or oral 
delivery. In contrast, at least two industry trade groups commenters 
and a consumer advocate commenter recommended a uniform validation 
period across delivery methods. According to an industry trade group 
commenter, if the validation period is not the same for all delivery 
methods, consumers may be confused if they receive validation notices 
through different delivery methods with different due dates.
    After considering this feedback, the Bureau determines that a 
validation period definition will facilitate debt collectors' 
compliance with the requirement in Sec.  1006.34(c)(3) to disclose to a 
consumer the date certain on which the consumer's FDCPA section 809(b) 
verification rights expire. The Bureau declines, as requested by 
consumer advocate commenters, to require a debt collector to comply 
with a verification request that a consumer submits after the 30-day 
period provided by the statute has expired. FDCPA section 809(b) 
establishes a 30-day period for consumers to exercise their 
verification rights.\190\
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    \190\ Although the FDCPA and this implementing regulation do not 
require a debt collector to provide verification after the 
validation period expires, a debt collector nevertheless may choose 
to do so. The Bureau has received feedback from debt collectors and 
at least one industry trade group that many debt collectors respond 
to disputes with verification, and to original-creditor-information 
requests, after the validation period has expired.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau also declines to modify the length of the five-day 
delivery timing assumption. The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(5) on 
the basis that a consumer typically receives a validation notice no 
more than five days (excluding legal public holidays, Saturdays, and 
Sundays) after the debt collector provides the notice. Based on its 
market monitoring activities, the Bureau understands that debt 
collectors typically send consumer communications by first-class mail, 
which generally is delivered in three business days or less.\191\ The 
Bureau is unaware that debt collectors typically use bulk mail to 
deliver validation notices, and commenters offered no evidence 
otherwise. For these reasons, the Bureau declines to extend the five-
day delivery timing assumption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \191\ See U.S. Postal Serv., Service Standards Maps, https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/service-standards-maps (last visited 
Dec. 1, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau also declines to shorten the validation period's five-
day delivery timing assumption. The FDCPA's 30-day validation period 
begins to run when the consumer receives the validation 
information.\192\ If the 30-day clock began to run upon the debt 
collector's mailing of the validation notice, as some commenters 
suggested, the consumer would be deprived of the full 30-day period 
provided by the FDCPA to respond to the notice. Further, the Bureau 
declines to shorten the length of the validation period for validation 
information provided by communication methods such as electronic 
delivery. A delivery timing assumption that varied by delivery method 
could pose compliance challenges and incentivize use of one 
communication method over another. Therefore, as proposed, the five-day 
delivery timing assumption applies uniformly to all validation 
information delivery methods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \192\ FDCPA section 809(a)(3) requires the validation notice to 
include ``a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days 
after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or 
any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the 
debt collector.'' 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(3) (emphasis added).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A group of consumer advocates asked the Bureau to define the 
validation period based solely on when the consumer is assumed to 
receive the validation information. In other words, this commenter 
requested that the rule not permit the date that a consumer actually 
received the validation notice to serve as the basis of the validation 
period. According to this commenter, relying solely on the date that 
the consumer is assumed to receive the information would prevent 
confusion if the date the consumer received the notice and the date the 
debt collector assumed the consumer received it are different.
    The Bureau declines to adopt this suggestion. The FDCPA's 30-day 
validation period begins to run when the consumer receives the 
validation information. Nevertheless, the Bureau determines that, at 
least in certain contexts, the date that the consumer is assumed to 
receive the validation notice is the only date information that a debt 
collector will have at the time the validation information is 
generated. Specifically, a debt collector who sends a written or 
electronic validation notice will not know, at the time the notice is 
generated, the date on which the consumer will receive the notice and, 
therefore, must be able to use the date of assumed receipt to calculate 
the validation period end date. The Bureau is adding new comment 
34(b)(5)-1 to clarify that, in such circumstances, debt collectors may 
rely on the date of assumed receipt, even if they learn after sending 
the notice that the consumer received the validation information on a 
different date.
    Several industry and industry trade group commenters expressed 
concern about the use of the term ``legal public holiday'' in proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(5). According to these commenters, legal public 
holidays may include State and local holidays that the debt collector 
is not aware of and cannot reasonably ascertain. In response to these 
concerns, and consistent with Sec.  1006.22(c)(1) in the November 2020 
Final Rule,\193\ the Bureau is revising Sec.  1006.34(b)(5) to provide 
that a debt collector may assume that a consumer receives the 
validation information on any date that is at least five days 
(excluding legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), 
Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt collector provides it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \193\ 85 FR 76734, 76833-34, 76892 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several industry commenters asked the Bureau to clarify whether a 
debt collector must receive a consumer's verification request before 
the validation period end date, or whether the consumer need only send 
the request by the validation period end date for the request to be 
effective. The Bureau determines that a consumer's verification 
request--whether an original-creditor information request or a 
dispute--is effective if the consumer sends or submits the request 
within the 30-day period established in Sec.  1006.34(b)(5), even if 
the debt collector does not receive the request until after the 30-day 
period. In specifying requirements for debt collectors' responses to 
consumers' verification requests, Sec.  1006.38(c) and (d)(2) of the 
Bureau's November 2020 Final Rule implemented FDCPA section 809(b) by 
providing that, upon receipt of an original-creditor information 
request (Sec.  1006.38(c)) or a dispute (Sec.  1006.38(d)(2)) 
``submitted by the consumer in writing within the validation period, a 
debt collector must cease collection of the debt . . . .'' (emphasis 
added). The Bureau determines that a consumer's original-

[[Page 5798]]

creditor information request or dispute has been ``submitted by the 
consumer'' for purposes of Sec.  1006.38(c) and (d)(2) if the consumer 
sends or submits the request within the 30-day period established in 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(5), even if the debt collector does not receive the 
request until after the 30-day period.
    For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau is adopting Sec.  
1006.34(b)(5) to provide that validation period means the period 
starting on the date that a debt collector provides the validation 
information and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is 
assumed to receive it. Section 1006.34(b)(5) also specifies that a debt 
collector may assume that a consumer receives the validation 
information on any date that is at least five days (excluding legal 
public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a) (i.e., federally 
recognized public holidays), Saturdays, and Sundays) after the debt 
collector provides it.
    Proposed comment 34(b)(5)-1 clarified that, if a debt collector 
sends a subsequent validation notice to a consumer because the consumer 
did not receive the original validation notice and the consumer has not 
otherwise received the validation information, the debt collector must 
calculate the end of the validation period based on the date the 
consumer receives or is assumed to receive the subsequent validation 
notice.
    At least two industry trade group commenters stated that proposed 
comment 34(b)(5)-1 was consistent with current industry practice. 
According to these commenters, if a validation notice is returned as 
undeliverable, debt collectors typically send a new validation notice 
and provide a new period for consumers to exercise their verification 
rights. A law firm commenter asked the Bureau to provide additional 
guidance on a debt collector's duties if a validation notice is 
returned as undeliverable after the validation period has expired.
    The Bureau concludes based on feedback received and its own market-
monitoring, supervision, and enforcement experience that proposed 
comment 34(b)(5)-1 is consistent with existing industry practice and 
therefore is adopting it largely as proposed but renumbered as comment 
34(b)(5)-2. If a validation notice is returned as undeliverable after 
the validation period has expired and the debt collector sends a 
subsequent notice, then, as stated in the comment, the debt collector 
must calculate the end of the validation period based on the date the 
consumer receives or is assumed to receive the subsequent validation 
notice.
34(c) Validation Information
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c) set forth the validation information that 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) would have required debt collectors to 
disclose. The validation information consisted of four general 
categories: Information to help consumers identify debts (including the 
information specifically referenced in FDCPA section 809(a)); 
information about consumers' protections in debt collection; 
information to facilitate consumers' ability to exercise their rights 
with respect to debt collection; and certain other statutorily required 
information. Each of those categories is addressed separately in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) through (4).
34(c)(1) Debt Collector Communication Disclosure
    FDCPA section 807(11) requires a debt collector to disclose in its 
initial written communication with a consumer--and, if the initial 
communication is oral, in that oral communication as well--that the 
debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information 
obtained will be used for that purpose.\194\ A debt collector must also 
disclose in each subsequent communication that the communication is 
from a debt collector. If a debt collector provides validation 
information, the debt collector engages in a debt collection 
communication and must make an appropriate FDCPA section 807(11) 
disclosure.\195\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \194\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692e(11).
    \195\ See, e.g., Dorsey v. Morgan, 760 F. Supp. 509 (D. Md. 
1991).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau proposed to implement the FDCPA section 807(11) 
disclosures in Sec.  1006.18(e).\196\ In turn, the Bureau proposed in 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) that the Sec.  1006.18(e) disclosure is required 
validation information. The Bureau finalized Sec.  1006.18(e) in the 
November 2020 Final Rule.\197\ Section 1006.18(e)(1) requires a debt 
collector to disclose in its initial communication that the debt 
collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information 
obtained will be used for that purpose. Section 1006.18(e)(2) requires 
a debt collector to disclose in each subsequent communication that the 
communication is from a debt collector.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \196\ See 84 FR 23274, 23322-23, 23402 (May 21, 2019).
    \197\ See 85 FR 76734, 76830-31, 76891-92 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At least one industry trade group supported proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(1)'s cross-reference to the FDCPA section 807(11) 
requirement. A consumer advocate commenter asked the Bureau to clarify 
what version of the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure should appear on 
the validation notice: The longer, initial disclosure described in 
Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) or the shorter, subsequent disclosure described in 
Sec.  1006.18(e)(2).
    The Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(1)-1 to clarify that a 
debt collector who provides the validation notice required by Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A)--i.e., a debt collector who provides the validation 
notice in the initial communication--complies with Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) 
by providing the disclosure described in Sec.  1006.18(e)(1). The 
disclosure described in Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) is broader than, and 
incorporates the content of, the disclosure described in Sec.  
1006.18(e)(2). Accordingly, new comment 34(c)(1)-1 also clarifies that 
a debt collector who provides the validation notice required by Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B)--i.e., a debt collector who provides the validation 
notice within five days of the initial communication--complies with 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) by providing either the disclosure required by 
Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) or the disclosure required by Sec.  
1006.18(e)(2).\198\ The Bureau determines that this clarification will 
facilitate compliance, encourage use of the model validation notice, 
and protect consumers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \198\ The model validation notice includes the disclosure 
required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(1). As explained in the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), new comment 34(d)(2)(i)-1 
clarifies that a debt collector who uses the model notice to provide 
a validation notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) may 
replace the disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) with the 
disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(2) without losing the safe 
harbor provided by use of the model notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The consumer advocate commenter also recommended that the Bureau 
require every validation notice to include a Spanish translation of the 
FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure to assist Spanish-speaking consumers. 
The Bureau declines to do so. Mandating that every debt collector 
provide a Spanish translation of the disclosure is unnecessary for the 
majority of consumers, who are not Spanish speakers. Further, a 
mandatory translation could undermine the effectiveness of the other 
validation information disclosures. Moreover, the November 2020 Final 
Rule contained a targeted language access intervention on this topic. 
Pursuant to Sec.  1006.18(e)(4) in that rule, debt collectors will be 
required to make the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure in the same 
language or languages used for the rest of the communication in which 
the disclosures are conveyed. Thus, if a debt collector provides a 
consumer a

[[Page 5799]]

validation notice in Spanish pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(e), the debt 
collector must include on that notice a Spanish translation of the 
FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) as 
proposed and is finalizing new comment 34(c)(1)-1 as described above.
34(c)(2) Information About the Debt
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) specified that certain information 
about the debt and the parties related to the debt was required 
validation information.\199\ The section-by-section analysis of 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i) through (x) discussed the specific 
items of information, which were designed to help consumers recognize 
debts and included existing disclosures. The Bureau addresses comments 
related to specific disclosures in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i) through (x). In this section-by-section 
analysis, the Bureau addresses comments related to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) 
more generally.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \199\ 84 FR 23274, 23338-42, 23404 (May 21, 2019). Proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) set forth a special rule for information about 
the debt for certain residential mortgage debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some commenters supported proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2). A consumer 
advocate and a municipal government commenter stated that the proposed 
validation information would help consumers determine whether they owe 
a debt. A group of State Attorneys General stated that consumers today 
do not consistently receive the information they need to identify 
debts. According to these commenters, consumers routinely submit 
complaints that they do not recognize the debts or creditors disclosed 
on validation notices. An industry trade group stated that it would be 
feasible for debt collectors to disclose the proposed information 
because debt buyers routinely obtain such information at purchase.
    Other commenters objected to proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) and 
suggested that consumers do not need information beyond what the FDCPA 
expressly requires. An industry trade group stated, without providing 
verifiable evidence, that most debts are valid and asserted that less 
than one-half of 1 percent of debts lack a contractual basis or are 
miscalculated. According to this commenter, the small number of debts 
that are problematic can be resolved by consumers invoking their FDCPA 
verification rights.
    Other commenters who objected to proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) cited 
industry burden. For example, one industry commenter stated that 
requiring debt collectors to disclose the proposed information about 
the debt and parties related to the debt would increase costs for debt 
collectors as well as for creditors. Another industry commenter 
suggested that proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) was not feasible because 
debt collectors rely on creditors for account information and records. 
According to this commenter, if creditors did not provide the 
information, debt collectors would be unable to comply with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2).
    Some commenters stated that the information proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) would require might confuse consumers and questioned 
whether it was supported by the Bureau's consumer testing.
    Some commenters recommended that the Bureau revise proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) to require additional validation information. Federal 
government agency staff, a group of State Attorneys General, and a 
government commenter suggested that the name of the original creditor 
and the date of the original transaction should be required validation 
information. A group of State Attorneys General suggested that the 
Bureau require debt collectors to provide information about the debt as 
of the charge-off date. Two associations representing State regulatory 
agencies recommended that the Bureau require disclosure of a debt 
collector's State license or registration number, such as the 
Nationwide Multi-State Licensing System identification. According to 
these commenters, requiring debt collectors to disclose license or 
registration information would assist regulators examining for 
compliance with State debt collection laws. In addition, a consumer 
advocate, an industry trade group, and an industry commenter 
recommended that, for medical debt, validation information should 
include the facility name associated with the debt. According to these 
commenters, a consumer may be more likely to recognize a facility where 
treatment was provided than the name of the physician or healthcare 
provider to whom the consumer owes the debt.
    After considering the feedback, the Bureau has determined to 
finalize Sec.  1006.34(c)(2). The Bureau determines that validation 
notices in use today frequently lack sufficient information about the 
debt and the parties related to the debt, and this lack of information 
undermines the ability of consumers to determine whether they owe an 
alleged debt. This conclusion is consistent with feedback from Federal 
and State government commenters, including the FTC and a group of State 
Attorneys General. The Bureau's testing also supports this 
conclusion.\200\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \200\ Certain information that Bureau qualitative testing 
indicates helps consumers to recognize a debt--including a debt's 
original account number or an itemization of interest and fees--may 
not consistently appear on validation notices. See FMG Cognitive 
Report, supra note 27, at 8-11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau determines that requiring debt collectors to disclose 
the information about the debt and parties related to the debt in Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) is necessary. Industry commenters did not support their 
claims about the relative infrequency of problematic debts with 
verifiable evidence.\201\ In addition, a group of State Attorneys 
General stated that consumers routinely complain that they do not 
recognize debts being collected, and the Bureau's complaint statistics 
indicate similar concerns about debts among consumers.\202\ Thus, the 
Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) to require information about 
the debt and parties related to the debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \201\ Even assuming one commenter's claim that only one-half of 
1 percent of debts lack a contractual basis or are miscalculated, 
this error rate would impact hundreds of thousands of consumers 
annually. As the proposal noted, 49 million consumers are contacted 
by debt collectors every year. See 84 FR 23274, 23382 n.656 (May 21, 
2019). If one-half of 1 percent of these consumers received 
validation notices for debts they did not owe, 245,000 consumers 
could be impacted.
    \202\ The most common debt collection complaint received by the 
Bureau continues to be about attempts to collect a debt that the 
consumer reports is not owed. See 2020 FDCPA Annual Report, supra 
note 12, at 14. Consumers may report that a debt is not owed for a 
variety of reasons including, but not limited to, that the debt is 
being collected in error or that the consumer does not recognize the 
debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau also determines that Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) will not impose 
undue industry burden. As discussed in part VII, while Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) may increase some costs for debt collectors, as well as 
cause some indirect costs for creditors, the Bureau does not expect 
these costs to be substantial. The Bureau disagrees that a significant 
number of debt collectors will be unable to comply with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2). The Bureau acknowledges that debt collectors depend on 
creditors to provide account information and that creditors will not be 
required by the final rule to provide the information that Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) will require. Notwithstanding this fact, the Bureau has 
received feedback that many creditors today make available much of the 
information mandated by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2). To the extent that 
creditors do not already provide debt collectors with this information, 
the Bureau determines that creditors will be incentivized to do so 
after Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)'s effective date because the debt collectors 
they hire or sell debts to will be unable to legally collect without 
it.

[[Page 5800]]

    The Bureau determines that the information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) will not confuse consumers. As discussed in part III.C, 
the Bureau has validated the model validation notice and the validation 
information contained therein through four rounds of consumer testing.
    The Bureau declines the recommendation to add certain disclosures 
to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2). First, the Bureau declines to require the name 
of the original creditor and the date of the original transaction. 
Requiring this additional information on validation notices may 
overwhelm consumers, may be repetitive, or may otherwise not add to 
consumer understanding because the validation information already 
includes items such as the debt collector's name (Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i)), the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed 
on the itemization date (Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii)), and the name of the 
creditor to whom debt is currently owed (Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v)).
    The Bureau also declines to tie information disclosure requirements 
to the date that a debt was charged off because charge off is not 
relevant to all debt types. However, as discussed in the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(ii), a debt collector may use 
the charge-off date as the itemization date, in which case consumers 
will receive information about the amount of the date as of the charge-
off date, as well as information about interest, fees, payments, and 
credits since that date.\203\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \203\ See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vii) and (viii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau also declines to require a debt collector to disclose a 
State license or registration number. If a debt collector is 
specifically required by applicable law to disclose such information, a 
debt collector may do so as an optional disclosure under final Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A).
    The Bureau does agree that a facility name associated with a debt 
may be helpful to consumers in the medical debt context. The Bureau is 
not modifying Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) to require this information, but 
final Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits debt collectors to include 
facility name as an optional disclosure.
    Accordingly, as noted above, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) to require debt collectors to provide certain information 
about the debt and the parties related to the debt. Except with respect 
to final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii), the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to 
prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt 
collectors and, as described more fully below, its authority to 
implement and interpret FDCPA section 809. In addition, except with 
respect to final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v) and (ix), the Bureau is 
finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) pursuant to its authority under section 
1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, on the basis that the validation 
information describes the debt, which is a feature of debt collection.
34(c)(2)(i)
    FDCPA section 809(b) provides that a consumer may notify a debt 
collector in writing, within 30 days after receipt of the information 
required by FDCPA section 809(a), that the consumer is exercising 
certain verification rights, including the right to dispute the 
debt.\204\ FDCPA section 809(a)(3) through (5), in turn, requires debt 
collectors to disclose how consumers may exercise their verification 
rights. The proposal stated that to notify a debt collector in writing 
that the consumer is exercising the consumer's verification rights, the 
consumer must have the debt collector's name and address.\205\ Proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i) therefore provided that the debt collector's 
name and mailing address are required validation information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \204\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b).
    \205\ 84 FR 23274, 23339, 23404 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Industry and industry trade group commenters recommended various 
revisions to proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i). First, some industry 
trade group commenters suggested that the Bureau permit a debt 
collector to disclose a trade name or doing-business-as name (DBA), in 
lieu of the debt collector's legal name. According to these commenters, 
because a debt collector may not use its legal name when communicating 
with consumers, a consumer may be more likely to recognize the debt 
collector's trade name or DBA.
    Next, one industry trade group commenter recommended that the 
Bureau permit a debt collector to disclose a vendor's mailing address 
because some debt collectors do not receive mail from consumers at 
their office locations and instead use letter vendors.
    Finally, some industry and industry trade group commenters 
recommended that the Bureau permit debt collectors to disclose multiple 
addresses. Some of these commenters stated that debt collectors may use 
separate addresses for payments and other correspondence, including 
disputes. For example, an industry trade group stated that some clients 
of debt collectors, including the Department of Education, do not 
permit debt collectors to receive payments at their office locations 
and instead require debt collectors to direct payments to a 
``lockbox,'' which is a post office box administered by a third party 
for the receipt of payments.
    A consumer advocate asked the Bureau to modify proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i) to require debt collectors to also disclose a 
telephone number, an email address, and any other method the debt 
collector uses for consumer communications.
    After considering the feedback, the Bureau is adopting Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i) with a revision for clarity and is also adopting two 
new comments to incorporate certain suggestions made by commenters.
    As noted, some commenters suggested that debt collectors who use 
multiple mailing addresses be permitted to include more than one 
mailing address as validation information. The Bureau declines to 
affirmatively permit the use of more than one mailing address as 
validation information. As discussed in the proposal, the purpose of 
validation information is to facilitate a consumer's exercise of their 
rights in debt collection, namely, the right to dispute the debt or to 
request original-creditor information. Accordingly, the mailing address 
included in the validation information must be an address at which the 
debt collector accepts disputes and original-creditor information 
requests. The Bureau is revising Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i) to 
affirmatively state this requirement. If a debt collector only accepts 
payments at a different address than the address at which it accepts 
disputes and original-creditor information requests, the Bureau notes 
that the debt collector need not include payment disclosures with the 
validation information; they are optional disclosures under Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii).\206\ Moreover, if a debt collector omits the 
optional payment disclosures, the validation

[[Page 5801]]

notice will continue to contain contact information for the debt 
collector, including, at the debt collector's option, the debt 
collector's telephone number pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(i), should 
the consumer wish to reach out for payment information or to make a 
payment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \206\ The Bureau also notes that nothing in Regulation F 
prevents a debt collector from using a different mailing address in 
communications that do not contain the validation information. For 
example, if a debt collector accepts payments at a different 
address, the payment address may be included in a separate 
communication seeking payment. Additionally, as noted at the outset 
of the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34, the Bureau is 
not finalizing the proposed requirement that all validation notices 
be substantially similar to the Bureau's model validation notice. 
Therefore, a debt collector may include a separate payment address 
on a validation notice, but a debt collector who does so will not 
receive safe harbors pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) and 
1006.38(b)(2) and must otherwise comply with the FDCPA and 
Regulation F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is also adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(i)-1 to clarify 
that a debt collector may disclose the debt collector's trade name or 
DBA in lieu of the debt collector's legal name. The Bureau observes 
that, in some cases, a debt collector's trade name or DBA may be more 
recognizable to consumers than the debt collector's legal name. The 
Bureau therefore determines that a debt collector may use its trade 
name or DBA when communicating with consumers. However, when disclosing 
a trade name or DBA, the debt collector may not do so in a manner that 
violates the FDCPA section 807 prohibition on false or misleading 
representations. For example, a debt collector may violate the FDCPA 
and this final rule if the debt collector discloses a trade name or DBA 
that falsely represents or implies that the debt collector is an 
attorney, when that is not the case.\207\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \207\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692e(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(i)-2 to clarify 
that a debt collector may disclose a vendor's mailing address, if that 
is an address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests 
for original-creditor information. As one commenter observed, some debt 
collectors may use a vendor to receive mail from consumers. The Bureau 
is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(i)-2 to accommodate this business 
practice.
    The Bureau declines to adopt the recommendation of some commenters 
to require debt collectors to disclose other contact methods, including 
a telephone number or an email address. The FDCPA does not require debt 
collectors to communicate by telephone or email. However, as noted, 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(i) permits a debt collector to disclose the debt 
collector's telephone number. Likewise, Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A), 
permits a debt collector to disclose the debt collector's website and 
email address.
34(c)(2)(ii)
    FDCPA section 809(a) requires debt collectors to disclose 
information about the debt that helps consumers identify the debt and 
facilitates resolution of the debt. The proposal stated that, like the 
information FDCPA section 809(a) expressly requires, the consumer's 
name and address is essential information about the debt that may help 
a consumer determine whether the consumer owes a debt and is the 
intended recipient of a validation notice.\208\ The Bureau therefore 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ii) to provide that the consumer's name 
and mailing address is required validation information. As discussed 
below, proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ii)-1 clarified the meaning of the 
term ``consumer's name.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \208\ 84 FR 23274, 23339 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A consumer advocate and an industry trade group expressed overall 
support for the proposed provision. The consumer advocate stated that 
consumer name information would help a consumer identify an alleged 
debt. The consumer advocate also stated that complete name 
information--such as a first name, middle name, last name, and suffix--
would help consumers determine whether a debt collector is seeking a 
different consumer with a similar name. According to the industry trade 
group, it would be unreasonable for a debt collector to omit known name 
information. For the reasons discussed in the proposal, the Bureau is 
finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ii) as proposed.
    Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ii)-1 clarified that the consumer's name 
should reflect what the debt collector reasonably determines is the 
most complete version of the name information about which the debt 
collector has knowledge, whether obtained from the creditor or another 
source. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ii)-1 further explained that a debt 
collector would not be able to omit name information in a manner that 
would create a false, misleading, or confusing impression about the 
consumer's identity and provided an example.
    Some commenters raised concerns about proposed comment 
34(c)(2)(ii)-1. A number of industry and industry trade group 
commenters objected to the statement that debt collectors would be 
required to determine the most complete version of the name about which 
the debt collector has knowledge, whether obtained from the creditor or 
another source. These commenters stated that the reference to ``another 
source'' was ambiguous and would create litigation risk and compel debt 
collectors to conduct open-ended research about a consumer's name. 
Several commenters urged the Bureau to omit the reference to ``another 
source.''
    The Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)-1 with revisions in 
response to feedback and for clarity. First, the Bureau is deleting the 
phrase ``whether obtained from the creditor or another source.'' This 
phrase is unnecessary as it does not alter the fundamental expectation 
that a debt collector will disclose the most complete and accurate name 
about which the debt collector has knowledge. In addition, the Bureau 
determines that the reference to ``another source'' is ambiguous and 
may create unjustified litigation risk and industry burden.
    Second, the Bureau is revising the comment to clarify that a debt 
collector must reasonably determine ``the most complete and accurate 
version'' of a consumer's name. The Bureau intended that a debt 
collector would be required to disclose ``accurate'' consumer name 
information, but proposed comment 34(c)(2)-1 only referred to ``the 
most complete version'' of the consumer's name. Finally, the Bureau has 
elaborated on the example of a debt collector omitting a consumer's 
name information.
34(c)(2)(iii) \209\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \209\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) generally provided that 
the merchant brand, if any, associated with a credit card debt was 
required validation information. The Bureau is finalizing merchant 
brand information as an optional disclosure. See the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vii). The Bureau therefore 
is finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iv) through (x) as Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(iii) through (ix).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FDCPA section 809(a)(2), which requires debt collectors to disclose 
to consumers the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed, 
typically is understood to refer to the current creditor.\210\ As the 
proposal stated, if the original creditor (or the creditor as of the 
itemization date) and the current creditor are the same, a consumer is 
more likely to recognize the creditor's name. If they are different, 
however, a consumer may be less likely to recognize the current 
creditor than the name of the creditor as of the itemization date. 
Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iv) provided that, if a debt collector is 
collecting a consumer financial product or service debt (as that term 
was defined in proposed Sec.  1006.2(f)), the name of the creditor to 
whom the debt was owed on the itemization date is required validation 
information.\211\ For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is 
finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iv) with minor wording changes 
and renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii), and is adopting new comment 
34(c)(2)(iii)-1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose the trade 
name or DBA of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the 
itemization date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \210\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(2). See the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v).
    \211\ 84 FR 23274, 23404 (May 21, 2019).

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[[Page 5802]]

    An industry trade group commenter expressed support for requiring 
debt collectors to disclose the creditor to whom the debt was owed on 
the itemization date but asked the Bureau to clarify that a debt 
collector may disclose this creditor's trade name or DBA, as opposed to 
its legal name, which a consumer may not recognize.
    A consumer advocate objected to the proposal because a consumer may 
not recognize the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization 
date. According to the commenter, in some cases, the itemization date 
may have occurred years after the debt was incurred. And, particularly 
if the debt was transferred before the itemization date, the consumer 
may not recognize the creditor as of that date. As an alternative, the 
commenter suggested that a debt collector be required to disclose the 
name of the original creditor.
    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i), an entity's trade name or DBA may be more 
recognizable to consumers than an entity's legal name. It may be 
appropriate for a debt collector to disclose a creditor's trade name or 
DBA, in lieu of the creditor's legal name, when communicating with 
consumers. Thus, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(iii)-1 to 
clarify that a debt collector may disclose as validation information 
the trade name or DBA of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the 
itemization date.
    The Bureau declines to require a debt collector to disclose the 
name of the original creditor as validation information under Sec.  
1006.34(c). FDCPA section 809(a)(5) and (b) require a debt collector to 
provide the name and address of the original creditor in response to a 
consumer request. While the Bureau acknowledges that, in some cases, a 
consumer may not recognize the creditor to whom the debt was owed on 
the itemization date, this information will still benefit some 
consumers. For an older debt or a debt that has been transferred, 
consumers may be more likely to recognize the creditor as of the 
itemization date than the current creditor.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) to 
provide that, if the debt collector is collecting debt related to a 
consumer financial product or service as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f), 
the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization 
date is required validation information. In addition, the Bureau is 
finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(iii)-1 to clarify that a debt collector may 
disclose the trade name or DBA of the creditor to whom the debt was 
owed on the itemization date.
34(c)(2)(iv)
    The purpose of FDCPA section 809 is to ``eliminate the recurring 
problem of debt collectors dunning the wrong person or attempting to 
collect debts which the consumer has already paid.'' \212\ Consistent 
with the FDCPA's purpose, FDCPA section 809(a) requires debt collectors 
to disclose to consumers certain information, such as the amount of the 
debt, to help consumers identify debts. According to the proposal, an 
account number associated with a debt on the itemization date may be 
integral information that a consumer uses to identify the debt.\213\ 
The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v) to provide that the account 
number, if any, associated with the debt on the itemization date, or a 
truncated version of that number, is required validation information. 
Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(v)-1 explained that a debt collector may 
truncate an account number provided that the account number remains 
recognizable. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v), renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iv), 
and its related commentary with minor wording changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \212\ S. Rep. No. 382, supra note 57, at 4.
    \213\ 84 FR 23274, 23340 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Industry commenters, a consumer advocate, and a group of State 
Attorneys General, expressed overall support for proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(v). However, one industry commenter recommended that the 
Bureau exempt debt collectors collecting residential mortgage debt from 
the requirement to disclose an account number. According to the 
commenter, the account number for a residential mortgage that has had a 
servicing transfer may not be the current account number, which might 
confuse consumers.
    The Bureau concludes that an account number associated with a debt 
on the itemization date may help some consumers recognize the debt. The 
Bureau declines to adopt the recommendation to exempt debt collectors 
collecting residential mortgage debt from disclosing an account number. 
As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), 
the Bureau has determined that the reference dates that a debt 
collector may use to determine the itemization date may be meaningful 
to consumers because they correspond to a notable event in the debt's 
history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with records. By 
extension, the Bureau determines that an account number associated with 
a debt as of one of those dates will also likely resonate with a 
consumer, even if it is not the current account number.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iv) and 
its related commentary largely as proposed, with only minor wording 
changes to the commentary for clarity. No substantive change is 
intended.
34(c)(2)(v)
    FDCPA section 809(a)(2) requires debt collectors to disclose to 
consumers the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed.\214\ By 
using the present tense ``is owed,'' the statute appears to refer to 
the creditor to whom the debt is owed when the debt collector makes the 
disclosure.\215\ The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vi) to provide 
that the name of the current creditor is required validation 
information. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing 
the proposal, renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v), and is adopting new 
comment 34(c)(2)(v)-1 to clarify that a debt collector may disclose the 
trade name or DBA of the creditor to whom the debt is currently owed, 
instead of its legal name.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \214\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(2).
    \215\ 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau received no comments specifically addressing proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vi) and is finalizing it as proposed but renumbered 
as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v). An industry trade group commenter 
recommended that the Bureau permit debt collectors to disclose, along 
with the required validation information, all current and past 
creditors associated with the debt. According to the commenter, some 
creditors, such as healthcare and financial services providers, may 
have multiple sub-entities with different corporate names. This 
commenter suggested that disclosing more names of creditors will 
increase the likelihood that a consumer will recognize one of them.
    The Bureau declines to adopt this recommendation. Disclosing all 
current and past creditors along with the validation information could 
overwhelm and confuse consumers.\216\ Thus, as discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c), the Bureau is 
requiring debt collectors to

[[Page 5803]]

disclose as validation information only two creditors: The creditor to 
whom the debt was owed on the itemization date (Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(iii)) and the creditor to whom the debt is currently owed 
(Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v)). Nothing in the final rule prohibits a debt 
collector from including the name of another creditor on a validation 
notice, but a debt collector who does so will not receive the Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor and will risk not complying with the 
requirements of Sec.  1006.34, including the Sec.  1006.34(b)(1) clear 
and conspicuous standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \216\ During one round of cognitive testing, participants were 
shown disclosure language that included a list of prior creditors. 
Confusion was observed when participants tried to explain the 
difference between prior and current creditors. The unclear 
relationship between creditors was highlighted when participants 
attempted to identify the creditor that currently owned the debt. 
See FMG Cognitive Report, supra note 27, at 3-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i) and (iii), the Bureau is finalizing new comments 
34(c)(2)(i)-1 and 34(c)(2)(iii)-1 to clarify that a debt collector may 
disclose an entity's trade name or DBA, instead of its legal name. The 
Bureau concludes that it is also appropriate to permit a debt collector 
to disclose the trade name or DBA of a current creditor. Thus, the 
Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(v)-1 to clarify that a debt 
collector may disclose the trade name or a DBA of the creditor to whom 
the debt is currently owed, instead of its legal name.
34(c)(2)(vi)
    FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to disclose to 
consumers the amount of the debt.\217\ In Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), 
the Bureau proposed to interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(1), and to use 
its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a), to provide that the 
amount of the debt on the itemization date is required validation 
information.\218\ Consistent with proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), 
the Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vii) to provide that the 
itemization date, as defined in Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), also is required 
validation information. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is 
finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vii) as proposed but renumbered as Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vi).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \217\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(1).
    \218\ 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters, including an industry commenter, an industry 
trade group commenter, and a group of consumer advocates, stated that 
the itemization date may not be meaningful to consumers or help them 
recognize debts, if disclosed without an explanation of its relevance. 
These commenters, along with Federal government agency staff, 
recommended requiring debt collectors to disclose with the itemization 
date a statement explaining which reference date the debt collector 
used to determine that date.\219\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \219\ As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3), the Bureau defines itemization date to mean one of 
five reference dates for which a debt collector can ascertain the 
amount of the debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to adopt this recommendation. As discussed in 
the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), the Bureau 
determines that the reference dates that a debt collector may use to 
determine the itemization date have a significant likelihood of being 
meaningful to consumers because they correspond to notable events in a 
debt's history that consumers may recall or be able to verify with 
records. Because each of the reference dates may be meaningful to 
consumers, the Bureau determines that no additional disclosure 
explaining their relevance is necessary. Moreover, the Bureau 
determines that an additional disclosure explaining the reference date 
may confuse or overwhelm some consumers. While a debt collector likely 
could describe some reference dates (e.g., a last statement date) in a 
straightforward manner, other reference dates (e.g., the charge-off 
date and the transaction date) do not lend themselves to a succinct 
explanation. That is because some reference dates reflect financial 
concepts that are inherently complex (i.e., charge off) or that could 
vary by debt type and the facts and circumstances surrounding a 
particular debt (i.e., transaction dates). For such reference dates, a 
statement explaining their relevance could distract or confuse 
consumers, thereby undermining the efficacy of the other validation 
information.
34(c)(2)(vii)
    As noted, FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to 
disclose to consumers the amount of the debt. As discussed in the 
proposal, the phrase ``the amount of the debt'' is ambiguous; it does 
not specify which debt amount is being referred to, even though the 
debt amount may change over time. As also discussed in the proposal, 
consumers may recognize the amount of the debt as of the itemization 
date (as the Bureau proposed to define that term in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)). Because the amount of the debt on the itemization date 
may help a consumer recognize a debt and determine whether the amount 
of a debt is accurate, the Bureau proposed to interpret FDCPA section 
809(a)(1), and to use its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 
1032(a), to provide in proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) that the 
amount of the debt on the itemization date is required validation 
information.\220\ Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-1 explained that this 
amount includes any fees, interest, or other charges owed as of the 
itemization date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \220\ 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019). As proposed, the Bureau 
is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) (renumbered from proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(x)) separately to provide that the current 
amount of the debt also is required validation information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An industry commenter questioned whether proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii) would significantly improve consumer understanding. 
According to the commenter, if a debt collector determines the 
itemization date based on the last statement date pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(i), and if the debt is placed for collection shortly 
after the last statement was provided, the current amount of the debt 
(which the Bureau proposed as a separate item of required validation 
information) and the amount of the debt on the itemization date would 
be approximately the same. The commenter stated that, in this scenario, 
disclosing the amount of the debt on the itemization date would not 
benefit the consumer.
    The Bureau acknowledges that, for a given debt, the amount owed on 
the itemization date and the current amount of the debt may be similar 
or even the same. However, as discussed below in the section-by-section 
analysis of final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), even in these cases, the 
itemization of the debt will still be required, and, as clarified in 
final comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-1, the itemization (if the amounts are the 
same) will show $0 in interest, fees, payments, and credits. As such, 
it should be clear to the consumer why the two amounts are the same. In 
many other cases, these amounts will differ, sometimes substantially. 
In these cases, the amount of the debt on the itemization date will 
help consumers recognize or evaluate the debt.
    For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii) and its related commentary as proposed but 
renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vii).
34(c)(2)(viii)
    As noted, FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires a debt collector to 
disclose to consumers the amount of the debt. As discussed, the Bureau 
proposed to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(1) to provide 
that debt collectors must disclose to consumers both the amount of the 
debt on the itemization date and the current amount of the debt (i.e., 
the amount of the debt on the date that the validation information is

[[Page 5804]]

provided).\221\ In conjunction with the amount of the debt on the 
itemization date and the current amount of the debt, the Bureau 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) to provide that an itemization of the 
current amount of the debt, in a tabular format reflecting interest, 
fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date, is required 
validation information. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(ix)-1 clarified how 
debt collectors could disclose that no interest, fees, payments, or 
credits were assessed or applied to a debt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \221\ 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing the 
proposal, renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), with revisions to 
permit debt collectors to disclose the itemization on a separate page 
provided in the same communication with a validation notice, if the 
debt collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization 
would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page. The 
Bureau also is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(ix)-1 with a substantive 
modification and renumbered as comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-1, and is 
adopting new comments 34(c)(2)(viii)-2 through-4 to clarify other 
aspects of final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii).
    Commenters offered differing opinions regarding proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix). A group of State Attorneys General, Federal 
government agency staff, consumer advocate commenters, some industry 
trade group commenters, and at least one industry commenter supported 
the proposed provision. These commenters generally agreed that an 
itemization of the debt would help consumers recognize an alleged debt 
and understand how the debt had evolved over time due to interest, 
fees, payments, and credits. Further, the Bureau received feedback that 
the proposal was consistent with some industry practice. For instance, 
a commenter noted an industry certification standard that, during the 
sales of certain debt types, requires debt buyers to obtain or provide 
the unpaid balance due on the account, with a breakdown of the post-
charge-off balance, interest, fees, payments, and credits or 
adjustments.\222\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \222\ See Receivables Mgmt. Ass'n Int'l, Receivables Management 
Certification Program, at 41-45 (Mar. 1, 2020), https://rmaintl.org/RMCP (last visited Dec. 9, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The majority of industry and industry trade group commenters 
objected to proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix). Some such commenters 
stated that the proposed itemization requirement would be burdensome. 
According to several industry commenters, debt collectors would either 
have to manually access itemization information in creditor files or 
implement costly information technology solutions to comply with the 
proposed requirement. Some industry commenters, industry trade groups, 
and the SBA argued that the proposed requirement would impose burdens 
on creditors. Commenters stated that some creditors may not maintain 
all of the itemization information that the proposal would require or 
do not typically provide itemization information at placement and that 
to do so would involve significant expense. Some commenters speculated 
that, to avoid such costs, creditors might refer fewer accounts for 
collection or file more collections lawsuits against consumers. The 
SBA, an industry trade group, and industry commenters argued that 
compliance costs could be onerous for smaller creditors and debt 
collectors. For the most part, commenters offered qualitative 
assessments of industry burden, but one industry trade group did 
estimate that proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would impose billions of 
dollars in compliance costs on industry.\223\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \223\ One industry trade group estimated that an itemization 
requirement would cost $600 million in professional fees to conduct 
legal analyses of HIPAA compliance for medical debt, $30 million for 
one-time system reprogramming for debt collectors, and $3 billion 
for one-time system reprogramming for creditors. The proposal 
allegedly would also result in billions of dollars in ongoing 
support costs and uncompensated medical care because, according to 
the commenter, the proposed requirement, if adopted, would increase 
the risks that hospitals might be unable to use debt collectors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some commenters stated that proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) is 
unnecessary or unhelpful. Multiple industry commenters asserted that an 
itemization is superfluous because consumers can exercise their FDCPA 
section 809 verification rights to receive more account information if 
desired. With respect to medical debt, an industry trade group stated 
that proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) is unnecessary because the 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires non-profit hospitals to send 
letters with itemized information to consumers, and health insurance 
companies routinely mail to responsible parties ``Explanation of 
Benefits'' documents that provide details about coverage, payments, and 
co-pays. Some commenters expressed concern that proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix) could increase legal risk for debt collectors if the 
itemization information confused consumers. At least one industry 
commenter stated that the Bureau's consumer testing did not support 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) because the testing did not involve 
actual consumers assessing debts in a real-world setting.
    A few industry commenters objected to proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix) because the FDCPA does not expressly require an 
itemization of the current amount of the debt.
    Some industry and industry trade group commenters objected to 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) because the itemization that appears 
on the model validation notice is formatted for a single debt. 
According to commenters, the proposal would not accommodate debt 
collectors who combine multiple debts in a single validation notice. 
Several commenters stated that not permitting debt collectors to 
include multiple debts in one validation notice would dramatically 
increase the volume of mail sent to consumers and would require 
consumers to exercise their verification rights for each individual 
debt in the event that a consumer has a global dispute. Industry and 
industry trade group commenters stated that the inability to combine 
multiple debts would be particularly challenging for medical debt 
collectors. According to some commenters, healthcare providers 
routinely combine multiple debts, in part because they utilize family 
billing, which involves combining the separate bills for family members 
of a primary insured party. Commenters stated that itemizations for 
medical debt may be further complicated by the fact that healthcare 
providers typically do not maintain a rolling total of charges for a 
general service and instead individually bill for each good or service 
provided. At least one trade group stated that student loan debt 
presents comparable itemization-related challenges because student loan 
debt may be provided through multiple disbursements with separate 
account numbers.
    An industry trade group suggested that proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would not accommodate debts in bankruptcy. According 
to the commenter, the proposal did not have the specificity necessary 
to account for how the Bankruptcy Code permits a debtor to cure pre-
bankruptcy defaults over the term of the bankruptcy plan while 
maintaining regular post-bankruptcy payments. In addition, the 
commenter argued, the proposal would not accommodate the nuances that 
arise in the context of certain bankruptcy scenarios, such as a 
cramdown plan or a lien strip.\224\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \224\ Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 1322(b)(5), a bankruptcy court may 
change the underlying terms of a debt, which is referred to as a 
``cramdown.'' Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 1322(c)(2), a secured claim can 
be converted to an unsecured claim, which is referred to as a ``lien 
strip.''

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 5805]]

    With regard to medical debt, industry commenters, an industry trade 
group, and the SBA stated that healthcare providers might violate the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) 
\225\ Privacy Rule if they provided the proposed itemization.\226\ 
According to these commenters, proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) would 
require debt collectors to disclose more information than the minimum 
necessary for treatment of the patient, payment of the bill, or 
healthcare operations, in violation of HIPAA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \225\ Public Law 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936 (1996).
    \226\ 45 CFR part 160 and part 164 subparts A and E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commenters recommended various modifications to proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix). Industry and industry trade group commenters 
suggested that debt collectors should not need to comply with proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) if interest and fees are not charged on an 
account.\227\ An industry commenter stated that debt collectors should 
be permitted to indicate ``U'' for ``unknown'' or ``unavailable'' in 
fields for which a creditor did not provide the relevant information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \227\ In addition, an industry trade group suggested that debt 
collectors should not be required to comply with the itemization 
requirement for pre-charge-off debts, particularly if periodic 
statements continue to be provided. The Bureau notes that, in many 
cases, a person collecting a debt that was not in default at the 
time it was obtained by such person will not be a debt collector 
subject to the FDCPA or Regulation F. See FDCPA section 
803(6)(F)(iii), 15 U.S.C. 1692a(6)(F)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the proposal. An 
industry commenter asked how a debt collector could disclose third-
party payments or insurance adjustments, particularly in the context of 
medical debt. An industry trade group sought additional guidance about 
how to disclose balance increases that are not caused by interest or 
fees, such as a balance increase caused by a returned payment. Noting 
the existence of validation notice itemization requirements imposed by 
other applicable law, such as New York State regulations, two industry 
trade groups requested guidance about how a debt collector should 
simultaneously comply with those requirements and proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix).\228\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \228\ See 23 NYCRR 1.2(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to the Bureau's request for comment about whether the 
proposed itemization should be more detailed--for example, by 
reflecting each fee charged and each payment received--or whether 
certain itemization categories should be combined as proposed, industry 
commenters suggested that the Bureau not deviate from the proposal. For 
instance, a commenter stated that, in the context of medical debts, 
listing all payments and credits individually could result in multiple 
additional pages because of the number of third-party payments. In 
contrast, citing the Bureau's consumer testing, an academic commenter 
argued that the itemization should be more detailed because consumers 
prefer to see penalties and fees broken down into individual 
charges.\229\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \229\ FMG Summary Report, supra note 29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After considering these comments, and for the reasons discussed 
below, the Bureau is adopting the proposed requirement, renumbered as 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), with revisions to provide that validation 
information includes an itemization of the current amount of the debt 
reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization 
date. Final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) further provides that a debt 
collector may disclose the itemization on a separate page provided in 
the same communication with a validation notice, if the debt collector 
includes on the validation notice, where the itemization would have 
appeared, a statement referring to that separate page.
    The Bureau determines that an itemization of the debt will help a 
significant number of consumers recognize whether they owe a debt and 
evaluate whether the debt is accurate, because the itemization will 
disclose how the amount may have changed over time due, for example, to 
interest, fees, payments, and credits that have been assessed or 
applied to the debt.
    The Bureau determines that Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) will not 
create undue industry burden in light of modifications made in response 
to comments.\230\ The Bureau acknowledges that complying with the 
itemization requirement may result in some additional costs to debt 
collectors, particularly if they do not currently provide itemization 
information at placement or on validation notices, as well as in some 
indirect costs to creditors. However, the Bureau concludes that these 
costs will not substantially impact companies' business operations 
because the final rule provides sufficient flexibility to debt 
collectors to tailor the itemization to specific business practices and 
types of debt. Accordingly, the Bureau does not conclude, as some 
commenters suggested, that the itemization requirement will result in 
creditors referring significantly fewer accounts for collections or 
filing more lawsuits against consumers.\231\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \230\ For example, as noted in the section-by-section analysis 
of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i), a creditor or a third-party servicer 
acting on the creditor's behalf may issue a statement even after the 
debt has gone into collection. In that case, under Sec.  
1006.34(b)(3)(i), that new statement may serve as the last statement 
for purposes of the itemization date.
    \231\ An industry trade group cited an article to suggest that 
collection lawsuits nearly doubled in New York City since 2015 
because of New York State's debt collection rules, which mandate an 
itemization. See Yuka Hayashi, Debt Collectors Wage a Comeback, Wall 
Street Journal (July 5, 2019). The Bureau notes that the article did 
not cite a connection between higher rates of lawsuits and the 
itemization requirement. Instead, the article discussed the 
phenomenon of increasing lawsuits nationwide, including in States 
like Texas, which had not recently introduced a significant debt 
collection rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although several commenters stated that the required itemization 
information may not be available for every debt, the Bureau notes that 
the itemization of the debt is based on the type of routine account 
information that debt collectors typically provide in response to 
consumer verification requests and that, as such, debt collectors 
should be able to obtain such information to comply with the final 
rule. While some debt collectors do not currently provide this itemized 
information at the outset of collection communications, providing such 
itemization information to consumers already is considered a best 
practice in some segments of the debt buying industry, including for 
credit card debt and student loan debt.\232\ Further, debt collectors 
are already required to disclose an itemization for some types of debt 
in at least one jurisdiction, New York State.\233\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \232\ See Receivables Mgmt. Ass'n Int'l, Receivables Management 
Certification Program, at 41-45 (Mar. 1, 2020), https://rmaintl.org/RMCP (last visited Dec. 9, 2020).
    \233\ See 23 NYCRR 1.2(b) (requiring debt collectors to provide 
an itemized accounting of the debt within five days after the 
initial communication with a consumer in connection with the 
collection of certain types of charged-off debt, such as credit card 
debt).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), the final rule's itemization date definition 
permits debt collectors to select an itemization date that is feasible 
for the type of debt in collection and the information debt collectors 
receive. And Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) requires itemization of fees, 
interest, and credits only subsequent to the selected itemization date. 
Thus, for example, if a debt collector selects the last statement date 
as the itemization date under Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), and if the creditor 
has

[[Page 5806]]

recently issued a statement to the consumer, the debt collector need 
only obtain and provide to the consumer an itemization with fees, 
interest, and credits subsequent to that last statement date. And, as 
discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), a 
debt collector may provide the itemization on a separate page and 
retain the safe harbor for the rest of the validation notice. For all 
of these reasons, the Bureau concludes that the final rule will not 
impose undue burdens on debt collectors and will provide consumers with 
useful information. The Bureau will monitor whether the itemization 
date definition, including the last statement date definition, meets 
these goals.
    The Bureau disagrees that Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) is unnecessary 
or unhelpful. The verification rights afforded by FDCPA section 809 are 
an important statutory protection; however, they do not serve the same 
purpose or provide an adequate substitute to the itemization of the 
debt that Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) will require. The Bureau disagrees 
that an itemization of the current amount of the debt is unnecessary 
for medical debt, as some commenters argued. Although some non-profit 
hospitals or insurance companies may provide itemization information to 
some consumers, commenters did not suggest, and the Bureau is not aware 
of other evidence indicating, that all consumers with medical debt 
receive itemization information such that Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) 
would be unnecessary. The Bureau also disagrees with comments that an 
itemization will confuse consumers. As the proposal noted, the Bureau's 
qualitative consumer testing indicates that an itemization improves 
consumer understanding about the debt.\234\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \234\ See 84 FR 23274, 23341 (May 21, 2019); FMG Usability 
Report, supra note 28, at 16-19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau also disagrees that the FDCPA's not expressly requiring 
an itemization is a sufficient reason for the Bureau not to require it 
by rule. The Bureau proposed and is finalizing the itemization 
requirement pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 
809(a), as well as pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act 
section 1032(a) to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of debt 
collection are fully, accurately, and effectively disclosed to 
consumers.
    The Bureau is revising Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) to permit debt 
collectors to disclose the itemization on a separate page.\235\ The 
itemization that appears on the model validation notice may not 
accommodate all debt types in every instance. Some debt collectors may 
have legitimate reasons to combine multiple debts on a single 
validation notice. This may be the case with respect to medical debt 
(for instance, owing to healthcare provider billing practices) and 
student loan debt (because consumers may receive loans through multiple 
disbursements with separate account numbers). As finalized, Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii) states that a debt collector may disclose the 
itemization on a separate page provided in the same communication with 
a validation notice, if the debt collector includes on the validation 
notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a statement 
referring to that separate page.\236\ New comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-3 
clarifies that a debt collector may comply with the requirement to 
refer to the separate page by, for example, including on the validation 
notice the statement, ``See the enclosed separate page for an 
itemization of the debt,'' situated next to the information about the 
current amount of the debt required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix).\237\
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    \235\ Under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(ii), a debt collector who 
otherwise uses the model validation notice or a substantially 
similar form, but who provides the itemization of the current amount 
of the debt on separate page, receives a safe harbor for compliance 
with the information and form requirements of Sec.  1006.34(c) and 
(d)(1) except with respect to the itemization that appears on the 
separate page.
    \236\ For example, when delivering a validation notice by mail, 
a debt collector may include the separate itemization in the same 
envelope as the validation notice. Similarly, when delivering a 
validation notice electronically, a debt collector may include the 
separate itemization in the same email as the validation notice.
    \237\ Section 1006.34(d)(2)(iii) establishes that a debt 
collector who uses the model validation notice and who provides an 
itemization on a separate page receives a safe harbor for compliance 
with the information and form requirements of Sec.  1006.34(c) and 
(d)(1), except with respect to the disclosures that appear on the 
separate page.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is making an additional change to Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii). As finalized, Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) omits the 
proposed language that an itemization must be ``in a tabular format.'' 
The Bureau determined that it is unnecessary and unwarranted to mandate 
the use of a tabular format because, if the itemization information is 
provided on a separate page or orally, using a tabular format may be 
impractical or infeasible and, if the itemization information is 
provided on a validation notice, debt collectors likely will use the 
tabular format shown on the model notice such that they may receive a 
safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements 
of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1).
    To accommodate debt collectors who wish to combine multiple debts 
on a single validation notice, the Bureau is adopting new comment 
34(c)(2)(viii)-4 to clarify that a debt collector who combines multiple 
debts on a single validation notice complies with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing either a single, cumulative 
itemization on the validation notice or a separate itemization of each 
debt on a separate page or pages provided in the same communication as 
the validation notice.\238\
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    \238\ Relatedly, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis 
of Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix), the Bureau is adopting new comment 
34(c)(2)(ix)-2 to clarify that a debt collector who combines 
multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix)'s requirement to disclose the ``current amount of 
the debt'' by disclosing on the validation notice a single, 
cumulative figure that is the sum of the current amount of all the 
debts.
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    The Bureau concludes that the itemization requirement will not 
cause healthcare providers or debt collectors to violate the HIPAA 
Privacy Rule. HHS staff has advised the Bureau that the HIPAA Privacy 
Rule generally permits covered entities to disclose protected health 
information required by applicable law.\239\ Because disclosure of 
itemization information will be necessary to comply with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii), this guidance indicates that the HIPAA Privacy 
Rule will permit its disclosure.
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    \239\ See 45 CFR 164.512(a)(1) (``A covered entity may use or 
disclose protected health information to the extent that such use or 
disclosure is required by law and the use or disclosure complies 
with and is limited to the relevant requirements of such law.''); 
see also U.S. Dep't of Health & Human Servs., Does the HIPAA Privacy 
Rule prevent health plans and providers from using debt collection 
agencies? Does the Privacy Rule conflict with the Fair Debt 
Collection Practices Act?, https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/268/does-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-prevent-health-care-providers-from-using-debt-collection-agencies/ (last 
visited Dec. 1, 2020) (noting that the HIPAA Privacy Rule permits 
healthcare providers to provide the minimum necessary patient 
information to debt collectors for the purpose of receiving 
payment).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to modify Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) as 
commenters otherwise recommended. An itemization, even if no interest 
and fees have been assessed or charged on an account, remains relevant 
information about the debt. Further, complying with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii) if no interest and fees have been assessed or 
charged is relatively straightforward, and comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-1 
clarifies how debt collectors may do so.
    However, the Bureau is finalizing proposed comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-1 
with a modification to delete language stating that debt collectors may 
indicate ``N/A'' in a required field when no interest, fees, payments, 
or creditors have been

[[Page 5807]]

assessed or applied to the account because different consumers may 
interpret ``N/A'' differently. For example, some consumers might 
understand it as indicating ``not available,'' and others might 
construe it as meaning ``not applicable.'' To eliminate this potential 
ambiguity, the Bureau is revising comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-1 to provide 
that a debt collector may indicate that the value of a required field 
is ``0,'' ``none,'' or may state that no interest, fees, payments, or 
credits have been assessed or applied to the debt. The Bureau also is 
revising the comment to clarify, as was intended in the proposal, that 
a debt collector may not leave a required field blank.
    The Bureau declines the recommendation that debt collectors be 
permitted to indicate ``U'' for ``unknown'' or ``unavailable'' in the 
itemization if a creditor did not provide the relevant information. 
Allowing debt collectors to omit specific itemization information in 
this manner could incentivize debt collectors to avoid receiving it, 
thereby undermining the effectiveness of Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii).
    Debt collectors sought clarification as to how they should comply 
with Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) in various scenarios. Depending on the 
facts and circumstances, a third-party payment or insurance adjustment 
may be disclosed as a ``payment'' or a ``credit'' in the itemization. 
Also depending on the facts and circumstances, a payment that is 
returned may be omitted from the itemization provided that the payment 
and the return offset each other, and provided that the amount of the 
debt owed on the itemization date pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vii) 
and the current amount of the debt pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) 
are accurately disclosed.
    Regarding Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii)'s interaction with itemization 
requirements in other applicable law, the Bureau is finalizing new 
comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-2, which states that, if a debt collector is 
required by other applicable law to provide an itemization of the 
current amount of the debt with the validation information, the debt 
collector may comply with Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing the 
itemization required by other applicable law in lieu of the itemization 
described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), if the itemization required by 
other applicable law is substantially similar to the itemization that 
appears on the model validation notice. The Bureau is aware of only one 
jurisdiction that requires debt collectors to provide an itemization 
with the validation information, and that itemization is substantially 
similar to the itemization required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii).\240\ 
Further, consumers likely would not benefit--and, in fact, may be 
disadvantaged--by receiving multiple itemizations with the validation 
information. For instance, although a debt collector could include both 
the itemization required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) on the front of a 
validation notice, and, on the reverse, an itemization specifically 
required by other applicable law (as an optional disclosure pursuant to 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)), a consumer would be unlikely to benefit from 
receiving two itemizations. In addition, permitting debt collectors to 
simultaneously satisfy the Bureau's itemization requirement and a 
substantially similar requirement under other applicable law with one 
itemization avoids burdening debt collectors with the costs of creating 
redundant disclosures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \240\ See 23 NYCRR 1.2(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau determines that the itemization of the current amount of 
the debt should not be more detailed (e.g., it should not include a 
detailed list of all payments). The itemization that appears on the 
model validation notice has been validated through four rounds of 
consumer testing and is effective, and the Bureau agrees with 
commenters who observed that a detailed disclosure of, for example, all 
payments could be overwhelming and not logistically feasible.
    For all of these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix), renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), to provide 
that required validation information includes an itemization of the 
current amount of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and 
credits since the itemization date. Final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) 
also provides that a debt collector may disclose the itemization on a 
separate page provided in the same communication with a validation 
notice if the debt collector includes on the validation notice, where 
the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that 
separate page. The Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(ix)-1 with 
revisions and renumbered as comment 34(c)(2)(viii)-1 and is adding 
comments 34(c)(2)(viii)-2 through -4 to clarify various aspects of 
final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), as discussed above. The Bureau is 
finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) and its related commentary 
pursuant to its authority to interpret FDCPA section 809(a), as well as 
its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a).
34(c)(2)(ix)
    FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires debt collectors to disclose to 
consumers the amount of the debt. Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(x) 
provided that the current amount of the debt is required validation 
information.\241\ Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(x)-1 explained that, for 
residential mortgage debt subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, a 
debt collector could comply with Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(x) by including in 
the validation notice the total balance of the outstanding mortgage, 
including principal, interest, fees, and other charges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \241\ 84 FR 23274, 23342, 23415 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some commenters raised concerns about how proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(x) would disclose the current amount of the debt. 
Industry and industry trade group commenters stated that, if interest 
and fees are increasing, the current amount of the debt that appears on 
a validation notice may no longer be accurate by the time the consumer 
receives the notice. Some commenters stated that some State laws and 
court decisions require debt collectors to disclose if the current 
amount of the debt may change due to interest and fees.\242\ To address 
these concerns, industry and industry trade group commenters suggested 
that the Bureau should either develop a stand-alone increasing-
interest-and-fee disclosure or structure Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(x) to 
permit debt collectors to disclose that the itemized current amount of 
the debt may increase or decrease.\243\
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    \242\ See Avila v. Riexinger & Assocs., LLC, 817 F.3d 72, 76 (2d 
Cir. 2016) (holding that 15 U.S.C. 1692e requires debt collectors to 
disclose if the amount of a debt may increase due to interest and 
fees).
    \243\ A trade group commenter recommended the following dynamic 
balance disclosure: ``As of the date of this letter, the balance due 
on the account is . Because interest, fees, and/or other 
charges may change the total owed from day to day, the amount due on 
the day you pay may be greater. If you pay the amount shown above, 
an adjustment may be necessary after we receive your payment, in 
which event you may be informed of any other amount due.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An industry trade group stated that disclosing the current amount 
of the debt as proposed would present challenges for some reverse 
mortgage debt because that amount might differ from the amount 
disclosed in monthly statements.\244\ The commenter

[[Page 5808]]

recommended that, to avoid potential confusion in the context of 
reverse mortgage debt, a debt collector should be permitted to provide 
the last monthly account statement in lieu of disclosing the current 
amount of the debt.
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    \244\ The Bureau understands that, for some reverse mortgages, 
including Home Equity Conversion Mortgages insured by the FHA, when 
the reverse mortgage is due and payable, the amount due from the 
borrower may not be the amount of outstanding debt because these 
reverse mortgages are non-recourse loans and a borrower will never 
owe more than a portion of the appraised value of the home. See 24 
CFR 206.125.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A group of consumer advocates recommended that, for residential 
mortgage debt, the Bureau should require debt collectors to disclose 
the current amount of the total unpaid balance owed as well as the 
arrearage owed. According to this commenter, the arrearage owed is 
important information because, in many jurisdictions, homeowners in 
default can pay the arrearage to stop a foreclosure and reinstate a 
mortgage.
    After considering these comments, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(x) as proposed but renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix). 
In addition, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(c)(2)(x)-1 as proposed 
and is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(ix)-2 to clarify how a debt 
collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice 
complies with Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix).
    With respect to interest and fee accrual when disclosing the 
current amount of the debt, the Bureau declines to incorporate an 
increasing-interest-or-fee disclosure or to structure the current 
amount of the debt as a dynamic balance in Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix). The 
Bureau notes, however, that comment 34(c)(2)(ix)-1 (proposed as comment 
34(c)(2)(x)-1) clarifies that the current amount of the debt is the 
amount of the debt as of the date that the validation information is 
provided. Therefore, a debt collector satisfies the requirement in 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) without providing a dynamic balance or 
increasing-interest-or-fee disclosure. Additionally, as discussed in 
the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv), the final 
rule affirmatively permits debt collectors to include along with the 
required validation information other disclosures specifically required 
by applicable law. As such, debt collectors may include a disclosure 
pursuant to a judicial decision or order that the current amount of the 
debt may increase or vary due to interest, fees, or other charges. This 
modification addresses the challenges debt collectors face related to 
interest and fee accrual in disclosing the current amount of the debt.
    The Bureau declines to permit debt collectors collecting reverse 
mortgage debt to include a last monthly account statement in place of 
disclosing the current amount of the debt. Unlike the special rule for 
certain residential mortgage debt discussed in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(5), reverse mortgages are not generally 
subject to a separate disclosure requirement, such as 12 CFR 
1026.41(b)'s periodic statement requirement, that is functionally 
equivalent to, or as useful to consumers as, certain disclosures 
required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2). Reverse mortgages generally are exempt 
from providing periodic statements under the Truth in Lending Act 
(TILA) \245\ and its implementing Regulation Z.\246\ While reverse 
mortgages may be subject to a monthly statement requirement that would 
require entities to disclose the ``total outstanding loan balance,'' 
this regulatory requirement is not as prescriptive as the Bureau's 
periodic statement requirement for other residential mortgage 
debt.\247\ Thus, the Bureau determines that a last monthly statement 
for a reverse mortgage debt is not an adequate substitute for Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix).
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    \245\ 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
    \246\ See 12 CFR 1026.41(e)(1).
    \247\ The regulation provides: ``The mortgagee shall provide to 
the borrower a monthly statement regarding the activity of the 
mortgage for each month, as well as for the calendar year. The 
statement shall summarize the total principal amount which has been 
paid to the borrower under the mortgage during that calendar year, 
the MIP paid to the Commissioner and charged to the borrower, the 
total amount of deferred interest added to the outstanding loan 
balance, the total outstanding loan balance, and the current 
principal limit. The mortgagee shall include an accounting of all 
payments for property charges. The statement shall be provided to 
the borrower monthly until the mortgage is paid in full by the 
borrower. The mortgagee shall provide the borrower with a new 
payment plan every time it recalculates monthly payments or the 
payment option is changed. The statements shall be in a format 
acceptable to the Commissioner.'' See 24 CFR 206.203(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to separately 
disclose an arrearage owed for residential mortgage debt. Because the 
Bureau did not propose this disclosure, it lacks the benefit of public 
comment and concludes that additional information, including through 
public comment, would be advisable before adopting any such 
interpretation. However, the Bureau notes that a debt collector who 
utilizes the special rule for certain residential mortgage debt 
described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) to comply with Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vi) 
through (viii) will provide a periodic statement that may disclose such 
information.\248\ Although a mortgage servicer is not required to use 
the special rule for certain residential mortgage debt, a mortgage 
servicer who does so and who otherwise uses the model validation notice 
or a substantially similar form receives a safe harbor for compliance 
pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(ii). The Bureau therefore expects that, 
in many circumstances, a debt collector who is also a mortgage servicer 
that is required to provide periodic statements under Regulation Z, 12 
CFR 1026.41 will disclose arrearage information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \248\ 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(8)(vi) requires a periodic statement to 
include, if the consumer is more than 45 days delinquent, the total 
payment amount needed to bring the account current.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(viii), industry commenters requested further guidance 
about how to combine multiple debts on a single validation notice. The 
Bureau is adopting new comment 34(c)(2)(ix)-2 to clarify that a debt 
collector who combines multiple debts on a single validation notice 
complies with Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) by disclosing on the validation 
notice a single, cumulative figure that is the sum of the current 
amount of all the debts.
Proposed Provision Not Finalized
    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.26(c), in the February 2020 proposal, the Bureau proposed to 
require debt collectors collecting time-barred debt to include time-
barred debt and revival disclosures on the validation notice.\249\ 
Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(xi) provided that validation information 
included those disclosures, as applicable, if the debt collector 
determined after a reasonable investigation that such disclosures were 
required by Sec.  1006.26(c).\250\ For the reasons discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.26(c), the Bureau is not 
finalizing the proposed time-barred debt disclosure requirements and, 
accordingly, the Bureau is not finalizing proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(xi). However, as discussed in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B), any disclosures relating to 
time-barred debt that are specifically required by applicable law or 
that provide safe harbors under applicable law are optional disclosures 
that the final rule affirmatively permits debt collectors to include on 
the validation notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \249\ See 85 FR 12672 (Mar. 3, 2020).
    \250\ Id. at 12685, 12696.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(c)(3) Information About Consumer Protections
    The disclosures in FDCPA section 809(a) help consumers to determine 
if a particular debt is theirs and to facilitate action in response to 
the receipt of validation information. However, as the proposal stated, 
debt collectors typically disclose only the information that FDCPA 
section 809(a) specifically references and provide the FDCPA section 
809 information using statutory

[[Page 5809]]

language, rather than plain language that consumers can more easily 
comprehend.\251\ To address these concerns, proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3) provided that certain information about a consumer's 
rights with respect to debt collection is required validation 
information. This information, which is discussed in the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (vi) below, included 
disclosures specifically referenced in FDCPA section 809(a)(4) and (5), 
as well as additional disclosures intended to help consumers understand 
their debt collection rights.\252\
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    \251\ 84 FR 23274, 23342 (May 21, 2019).
    \252\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commenters generally supported requiring debt collectors to 
disclose information about a consumer's rights with respect to debt 
collection. Federal government agency staff and a consumer advocate 
commenter stated that proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3) would improve 
consumers' understanding of their rights in debt collection. Some 
industry and industry trade group commenters supported using plain 
language disclosures to explain consumer protections in debt 
collection.
    Some commenters recommended that the Bureau require additional 
disclosures about consumers' rights with respect to debt collection. 
Federal government agency staff, a group of 28 State Attorneys General, 
and a number of consumer advocate commenters recommended that debt 
collectors be required to disclose the FDCPA section 805(c) cease 
communication right.\253\ A State regulatory agency recommended that 
the Bureau require debt collectors to disclose that a consumer's 
failure to act or to dispute a debt may have credit reporting 
implications. This commenter also recommended that Sec.  1006.34(c)(3) 
require debt collectors to disclose how consumers may obtain an annual 
credit report, which consumers are entitled to under the FCRA and its 
implementing Regulation V.\254\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \253\ In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized 
Sec.  1006.6(c)(1) to implement FDCPA section 805(c) and to provide 
that, ``if a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the 
consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wants the debt 
collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt 
collector must not communicate or attempt to communicate further 
with the consumer with respect to such debt.'' 85 FR 76734, 78889 
(Nov. 30, 2020).
    \254\ See 15 U.S.C. 1681j(a); 12 CFR 1022.136.
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    The Bureau determines, as discussed in the proposal, that consumers 
will benefit from receiving additional information about their rights 
in debt collection and from plain language disclosures rather than 
disclosures that parrot the FDCPA's statutory text.\255\ The Bureau 
therefore is adopting Sec.  1006.34(c)(3). Specifically, as discussed 
further in the section-by-section analysis below, the Bureau is 
adopting Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (v) and its related commentary 
with minor modifications, but is not finalizing proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(vi), which addressed the opt-out notice required by Sec.  
1006.6(e) for electronic communications or attempts to communicate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \255\ 84 FR 23274, 23342 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to require additional disclosures about 
consumer protections in debt collection, as some commenters suggested. 
In particular, the Bureau concludes that, although consumers may 
benefit from understanding the rights the commenters discussed, those 
rights are not sufficiently related to the purposes of FDCPA section 
809--i.e., helping consumers to determine if a debt is theirs and to 
facilitate action in response to the receipt of validation 
information--to require debt collectors to include them as validation 
information.\256\ In addition, as discussed in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv), the final rule generally requires 
debt collectors to include a statement that informs consumers that 
additional information regarding consumer protections in debt 
collection is available on the Bureau's website, with a link to the 
information.\257\ The Bureau's website will disclose more information 
about consumer protections in debt collection, including about the 
cease communication right.
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    \256\ For example, when Congress established the cease 
communication right pursuant to FDCPA section 805(c), Congress did 
not require its disclosure pursuant to FDCPA section 809. The Bureau 
concludes that was intentional. Thus, the Bureau declines to include 
the cease communication right as validation information that debt 
collectors must disclose.
    \257\ Section 1006.34(c)(3)(iv) requires debt collectors to 
include the disclosure if they are collecting debt related to a 
consumer financial product or service, as defined in Sec.  
1006.2(f). Otherwise, debt collectors can optionally include the 
disclosure under Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(viii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (iii) and 
(v) pursuant to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe 
rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors and, 
as described more fully below, its authority to implement and interpret 
FDCPA section 809. The Bureau also is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(3) 
pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, 
on the basis that a consumer's rights are a feature of debt collection.
34(c)(3)(i)
    FDCPA section 809(a)(4) requires debt collectors to disclose to 
consumers their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to dispute the 
validity of the debt within 30 days after receipt of the validation 
information (i.e., during the validation period).\258\ If a consumer 
disputes a debt in accordance with FDCPA section 809(b), a debt 
collector must cease collecting the debt until the debt collector 
provides verification to the consumer; this is sometimes referred to as 
the collections pause. FDCPA section 809(a)(4) does not expressly 
indicate that a debt collector must disclose to consumers that a 
dispute triggers FDCPA section 809(b)'s collections pause, or whether a 
debt collector must disclose the end date of the validation period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \258\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) to provide that 
validation information includes a statement that specifies the end date 
of the validation period and states that, if the consumer notifies the 
debt collector in writing before the end of the validation period that 
the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed, the debt collector 
must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the 
consumer either the verification of the debt or a copy of a 
judgment.\259\
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    \259\ 84 FR 23274, 23343, 23404 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau received a variety of comments in response to proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i)'s incorporation of the validation period end 
date.\260\ On the one hand, an industry trade group and a group of 
consumer advocate commenters supported the inclusion, asserting the 
validation period end date would provide certainty to consumers about 
the timeframe within which to exercise their verification rights.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \260\ The discussion under the ``Model Validation Notice'' 
heading in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) 
provides details about how the statement required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(i) is disclosed on the model validation notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, other commenters opposed the inclusion because, if 
delivery of a validation notice is delayed and the consumer receives 
the notice later than the debt collector presumed, the validation 
period end date would be inaccurate. Commenters suggested this could 
pose legal risk to debt collectors. To address this concern, an 
industry commenter recommended that the Bureau modify proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(i) to replace the validation period end date with a 
generic statement that a consumer may request verification within 30 
days after receiving the validation notice.

[[Page 5810]]

    Some commenters, including consumer advocate commenters and an 
industry trade group, stated that disclosing the validation period end 
date might leave consumers with the false impression that they could 
not raise concerns about a debt after the validation period expires. A 
group of academic commenters argued that a study suggested that a 
significant number of consumers believed that, if they did not dispute 
a debt during the validation period, they would be unable to assert 
later that they did not owe the debt.\261\ Similarly, an industry 
commenter stated that disclosing the validation period end date might 
dissuade consumers from making verification requests after that date 
even though debt collectors sometimes honor such requests. To address 
this potential misunderstanding, some commenters recommended that the 
final rule require debt collectors to inform consumers that they can 
raise concerns about a debt after the validation period end date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \261\ Jeff Sovern & Kate Walton, Are Validation Notices Valid? 
An Empirical Evaluation of Consumer Understanding of Debt Collection 
Validation Notices, 70 SMU L. Rev. 63, 128 (2017) (``Our study 
indicated that more than a third of the respondents believed that if 
they failed to meet the thirty-day deadline, they would either have 
to pay a debt they did not owe or would not be able to argue in 
court that they didn't owe the debt.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commenters also addressed the Bureau's proposal to require debt 
collectors to disclose FDCPA section 809(b)'s collections pause. 
Federal government agency staff and a group of consumer advocate 
commenters supported the collections pause disclosure. However, 
industry commenters stated that the disclosure would be burdensome 
because it would encourage consumers to dispute the debt for the 
purpose of delaying or avoiding debt collection. According to an 
industry commenter, consumers do not need to be informed about FDCPA 
section 809(b)'s collections pause because debt collectors are aware of 
it and observe it.
    The Bureau determines that consumers will benefit from Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(i)'s disclosure of the validation period end date. As 
discussed in the proposal, the validation period end date is an 
integral feature of consumers' dispute right. Among other things, the 
validation period end date will provide certainty to consumers about 
the timeframe provided by the FDCPA to exercise their verification 
rights.
    The Bureau disagrees that a validation period end date that is 
inaccurate because a validation notice was delayed will present 
significant legal risk to debt collectors. Final Sec.  1006.34(b)(5) 
and comment 34(b)(5)-1 provide that, for purposes of determining the 
end of the validation period, a debt collector who provides the 
validation information in writing or electronically may assume that a 
consumer receives the validation information on any date that is at 
least five business days after the debt collector provides it. If a 
debt collector calculates the validation period end date in accordance 
with this presumption, the debt collector will not violate the FDCPA or 
its implementing Regulation F, even if, as final comment 34(b)(5)-1 
clarifies, the consumer receives the validation notice later than the 
debt collector assumed. Further, the Bureau determines that a generic 
statement that a consumer may request verification within 30 days after 
receiving the validation notice is not an adequate substitute for 
disclosing the validation period end date. Such a generic statement 
could leave many consumers unsure about when the validation period 
ends. For example, consumers might receive a validation notice in the 
mail but not open it immediately, or they might open it and return to 
it later without keeping track of how much time has passed. In these 
and similar scenarios, consumers would not be able to determine the 
validation period end date.
    Regarding commenters' suggestion that the Bureau require debt 
collectors to inform consumers that they can raise concerns about a 
debt after the validation period end date, the Bureau concludes that it 
is not necessary to require such a disclosure. FDCPA section 809(a) 
requires specific consumer disclosures, including statements about the 
consumer's rights within 30 days of receipt of the notice, but does not 
require any additional statement addressing consumer actions after the 
expiration of that period. The Bureau determines that a specific end 
date will not increase consumer confusion more than general language 
such as ``within 30 days.'' The Bureau's testing shows that, while some 
confusion does occur, about 40 percent of participants said they could 
still dispute the debt after the validation period end date.\262\ Of 
the remaining 60 percent of participants, about 40 percent were unclear 
what would happen if they wrote to dispute the debt, and only about 20 
percent specifically said that they could not write to dispute the 
debt.\263\ When asked whether the debt collector would be required to 
send information saying they owe the debt if they wrote to dispute 
after the validation period end date, a small majority of consumers 
assumed that the debt collector would be required to do so.\264\ Thus, 
although consumers may not be certain of the effect of writing to 
dispute the debt after the validation period end date, the Bureau's 
testing indicates that a sizeable majority of consumers would not be 
inhibited about raising general concerns about the debt after the 
validation notice end date. As discussed above, the final rule's 
enhanced and plain-language disclosures should improve overall consumer 
understanding and empower consumers to respond, should they choose, to 
debt collectors. The Bureau therefore declines to require as part of 
the validation information an explicit statement informing consumers 
that they may continue to raise concerns about the debt after the 
validation period end date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \262\ See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 
34, at 13. Similarly, the Bureau's prior testing suggested that 
``[o]verall, participants' comments suggest that they understood the 
difference between writing before the specified date [and] writing 
after that date.'' FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 56.
    \263\ Id.
    \264\ Id. at 13-14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau also determines that Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) should not 
omit the collections pause disclosure. As the proposal noted, consumer 
testing indicates that knowing about the collections pause was 
important to consumers and would encourage them to exercise their 
dispute right if they questioned a debt's validity.\265\ Debt 
collectors have not provided evidence to support the premise that a 
significant number of consumers exercise their FDCPA section 809 
verification rights solely to evade or delay paying debts that they 
owe. Absent such evidence, the Bureau declines to conclude that 
consumers will exercise their rights for such purposes. Further, 
regardless of whether debt collectors are aware of and comply with 
FDCPA section 809(b)'s collections pause requirement, the Bureau 
concludes that consumers will benefit from this disclosure because it 
will provide them with more complete information about the actions that 
debt collectors must take if consumers notify them that the debt is 
disputed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \265\ FMG Cognitive Report, supra note 27, at 30; see also FMG 
Summary Report, supra note 29, at 25.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For all of these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(i) as proposed, with minor wording changes to clarify the 
content of the required disclosure, including by specifying that the 
consumer must notify the debt collector in writing ``on or before'' the 
end of the validation period, as opposed to

[[Page 5811]]

``before'' the end of the validation period, as proposed.\266\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \266\ The model validation notice uses the term ``by'' instead 
of ``on or before'' for plain language purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(c)(3)(ii)
    FDCPA section 809(a)(5) requires debt collectors to disclose to 
consumers their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to request, within 30 
days after receipt of the validation information, the name and address 
of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.\267\ 
FDCPA section 809(a)(5) does not expressly indicate that a debt 
collector must disclose to consumers that an original-creditor 
information request invokes FDCPA section 809(b)'s collections pause, 
or whether a debt collector must disclose the end date of the 
validation period. The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(ii) to 
provide that validation information includes a statement that specifies 
the end date of the validation period and states that, if the consumer 
requests in writing before the end of the validation period the name 
and address of the original creditor, the debt collector must cease 
collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the consumer the 
name and address of the original creditor, if different from the 
current creditor.\268\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \267\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(5).
    \268\ 84 FR 23274, 23343, 23404 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some industry and industry trade group commenters recommended that 
the Bureau not finalize proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(ii).\269\ Some 
commenters stated that the validation information need not include a 
statement informing consumers of their right to request original-
creditor information because, under the Bureau's rule, the validation 
information will include the creditor as of the itemization date and, 
according to the commenters, that creditor and the original creditor 
often will be the same. Relatedly, some commenters suggested that, 
because the validation information will include the names of the 
itemization-date creditor and the current creditor, debt collectors 
should be permitted to omit the statement informing consumers of their 
right to request original-creditor information if the original creditor 
is the same as either of those creditors.\270\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \269\ See the ``Model Validation Notice'' discussion in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) for additional 
details about how the statement required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(ii) 
is disclosed on the model validation notice.
    \270\ As an alternative to complying with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(ii), an industry trade group commenter recommended 
that debt collectors be permitted to proactively disclose the 
original-creditor information that a consumer would receive in 
response to an FDCPA section 809(b) request. This comment is 
addressed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.38.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some commenters recommended that the Bureau modify proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(ii) to omit the validation period end date and the 
collections pause disclosures. These comments were substantially 
similar to comments discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i).
    After considering the feedback, the Bureau has determined to 
finalize Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(ii). FDCPA section 809(a)(5) expressly 
requires debt collectors to include in the validation information a 
statement that, upon the consumer's written request within 30 days 
after receipt of the validation information, the debt collector will 
provide the consumer with the name and address of the original 
creditor, if different from the current creditor. The Bureau proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(ii) to implement that requirement and to clarify 
the content of the disclosures for debt collectors. The Bureau did not 
propose an exception to this disclosure requirement if the original 
creditor and the current creditor are the same and therefore does not 
have information regarding the costs or benefits of finalizing such an 
exception. To the extent that commenters were concerned about the 
burden of responding to original-creditor information requests when the 
original creditor and the current creditor are the same, the Bureau is 
finalizing a special rule for that scenario in Sec.  
1006.38(c)(2).\271\ For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(ii) as proposed, with minor wording changes to clarify 
the content of the required disclosure, including by specifying that 
the consumer must notify the debt collector in writing ``on or before'' 
the end date of the validation period, as opposed to ``before'' the end 
of the validation period, as proposed.\272\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \271\ See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.38(c)(2).
    \272\ The model validation notice uses the term ``by'' instead 
of ``on or before'' for plain language purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to omit the validation period end date and the 
collections pause disclosures from Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(ii) for the same 
reasons discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(i).
34(c)(3)(iii)
    FDCPA section 809(a)(3) requires a debt collector to disclose to a 
consumer that, unless the consumer disputes the validity of the debt 
within 30 days of receipt of the validation information, the debt 
collector will assume the debt to be valid.\273\ The Bureau proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iii) to provide that validation information 
includes a statement that specifies the end date of the validation 
period and states that, unless the consumer contacts the debt collector 
to dispute the validity of the debt, or any portion of the debt, before 
the end of the validation period, the debt collector will assume that 
the debt is valid.\274\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \273\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(3).
    \274\ 84 FR 23274, 23343-44, 23404 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At the time of the proposal, courts in various jurisdictions had 
reached different conclusions about whether FDCPA section 809(a)(3) 
requires debt collectors to recognize oral disputes about the validity 
of a debt.\275\ These differing decisions principally arose from the 
fact that, whereas FDCPA section 809(a)(4) and (5) explicitly state 
that a consumer must notify a debt collector in writing, FDCPA section 
809(a)(3) does not refer to a writing requirement. In the absence of an 
express writing requirement in FDCPA section 809(a)(3), the majority of 
circuit courts that considered the issue had determined that a 
consumer's oral dispute triggers certain FDCPA protections, including, 
for example, FDCPA section 810's payment application requirement.\276\ 
Consistent with this majority position, and pursuant to its authority 
to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(3) as well as its 
authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a), the Bureau proposed to 
interpret FDCPA section 809(a)(3) to allow oral disputes.\277\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \275\ Compare Clark v. Absolute Collection Serv., Inc., 741 F.3d 
487, 490 (4th Cir. 2014) (per curiam) (holding that oral disputes 
trigger certain FDCPA protections, including under FDCPA section 
809(a)(3)), Hooks v. Forman, Holt, Eliades & Ravin, LLC, 717 F.3d 
282, 286 (2d Cir. 2013) (same), and Camacho v. Bridgeport Fin. Inc., 
430 F.3d 1078, 1082 (9th Cir. 2005) (same), with Graziano v. 
Harrison, 950 F.2d 107, 112 (3d Cir. 1991) (``[A] dispute, to be 
effective, must be in writing.'').
    \276\ FDCPA section 810 is implemented by Sec.  1006.30(c). See 
85 FR 76734, 76843 (Nov. 30, 2020); see also Camacho, 430 F.3d at 
1081-82 (holding that oral disputes trigger certain FDCPA 
protections, including under FDCPA sections 807(8) and 810).
    \277\ After the proposal was published, the circuit split was 
resolved. In Riccio v. Sentry Credit, Inc., the Third Circuit 
sitting en banc overruled its prior decision and determined that 
FDCPA section 809(a)(3) does not require a dispute to be in writing. 
Riccio v. Sentry Credit, Inc., 954 F.3d 582, 594 (3d Cir. 2020) (en 
banc) (``In short, we conclude that debt collection notices sent 
under Sec.  1692g need not require that disputes be expressed in 
writing. In doing so, we overrule Graziano's contrary holding.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Industry commenters, industry trade group commenters, and a group 
of academic commenters supported the Bureau's proposed interpretation 
that FDCPA section 809(a)(3) permits

[[Page 5812]]

consumers to dispute the validity of a debt orally or in writing.
    Several industry and industry trade group commenters expressed 
concerns about how proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iii) was disclosed on 
the proposed model validation notice, perceiving a tension between the 
regulatory text and the proposed model notice text. Specifically, 
whereas the proposed model validation notice stated that a consumer may 
``call or write'' to dispute all or part of the debt, proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iii) did not specify the manner in which a consumer must 
contact the debt collector and instead used the general term 
``contact.''
    As proposed, the Bureau determines that FDCPA section 809(a)(3) 
permits both oral and written disputes. The Bureau agrees with every 
circuit court that has addressed this issue and interprets the absence 
of a reference to a writing requirement in FDCPA section 809(a)(3) to 
mean that a writing is not required. Further, commenters overall 
supported this interpretation.
    The Bureau declines to modify how Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iii) is 
phrased on the model validation notice. The Bureau developed the phrase 
``call or write'' for comprehension purposes. The model notice's 
language is intended to be plain language and consumer-friendly and was 
validated through multiple rounds of qualitative and quantitative 
consumer testing.\278\ Regulatory text and the model notice language 
reflecting that regulatory text need not be identical in every case. 
For instance, if consumers may not understand a requirement as 
described in regulatory text, it is appropriate to express that 
requirement in plain language in consumer disclosures.\279\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \278\ See part III.C.
    \279\ See the ``Model Validation Notice'' discussion in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) for additional 
details about how the statement required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iii) 
is disclosed on the model validation notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iii) as proposed, with minor wording changes to clarify 
the content of the required disclosure, including by specifying that 
the consumer must notify the debt collector in writing ``on or before'' 
the end of the validation period, rather than ``before'' the end of the 
validation period, as proposed.\280\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \280\ The model validation notice uses the term ``by'' instead 
of ``on or before'' for plain language purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(c)(3)(iv)
    Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a) permits the Bureau to prescribe 
rules to ensure that the features of any consumer financial product or 
service, both initially and over the term of the product or service, 
are fully, accurately, and effectively disclosed to consumers in a 
manner that permits consumers to understand the costs, benefits, and 
risks associated with the product or service, in light of the facts and 
circumstances. To enhance consumer understanding of protections 
available during the debt collection process, and pursuant to its 
authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a), the Bureau proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to provide that, if a debt collector is 
collecting a consumer financial product or service debt, as defined in 
Sec.  1006.2(f), then validation information includes a statement that 
informs the consumer that additional information regarding consumer 
rights in debt collection is available on the Bureau's website at 
https://www.consumerfinance.gov.
    Commenters generally agreed that consumers would benefit from 
information about additional protections available to consumers 
experiencing debt collection. However, commenters disagreed about the 
best way to provide that information.
    A large number of consumer advocate and academic commenters 
recommended that, rather than a statement that additional information 
is available on the Bureau's website, the Bureau should require debt 
collectors to provide consumers, along with the validation notice, a 
reference document describing consumer protections in debt collection, 
similar to the document that the Bureau developed prior to the SBREFA 
process.\281\ Commenters stated that a reference document would be more 
useful to consumers than a statement appearing on a validation notice. 
Further, some such commenters stated that proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iv) would not help consumers without internet access who 
are unable to visit the Bureau's website.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \281\ For additional detail about information that the Bureau 
considered including in the reference document, see appendix G of 
the Small Business Review Panel Outline, supra note 39.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Consumer advocate commenters and a group of academics also stated 
that, if the Bureau does not require a reference document, the Bureau 
should revise proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to require debt 
collectors to include a web address that directs consumers to a Bureau 
page dedicated to consumer protections in debt collection, instead of 
to the Bureau's general website landing page.\282\ Other commenters 
stated that requiring consumers to click on a hyperlink if the 
validation notice is delivered electronically would create procedural 
hurdles that reduce consumer follow through and would pose security 
risks to consumers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \282\ Also, in response to proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(4)(ii), a 
consumer advocate commenter recommended that the Bureau permit debt 
collectors to embed a hyperlink that directs consumers to the 
Bureau's website address described in proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iv). As discussed in the section-by-section analysis 
of Sec.  1006.34(d)(4)(ii), the Bureau is adopting this 
recommendation to permit debt collectors to include a hyperlink 
without losing the safe harbor in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At least one industry trade group commenter disagreed and supported 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) on the grounds that including a 
reference document with the validation notice would overwhelm 
consumers.
    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iv) as proposed with a revision in response to feedback.
    The Bureau declines to require debt collectors to provide consumers 
a reference document describing consumer protections in debt 
collection. Because the Bureau did not propose such a requirement, the 
Bureau did not receive robust feedback in response to the proposal 
about what such a required form should look like and how a requirement 
to provide it might operate. Further, the Bureau expects that most 
consumers will receive the disclosure referring to the Bureau's website 
and will be able to access the website; most consumers use the internet 
and have experience navigating to websites.\283\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \283\ For example, a Pew Research Center study in 2019 found 
that 90 percent of U.S. adults use the internet. See Pew Research 
Ctr., Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/#who-uses-the-internet (last 
visited Dec. 1, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau determines that consumers would benefit from being 
directed to a page dedicated to consumer protections in debt collection 
instead of the Bureau's website landing page. Accordingly, the Bureau 
is modifying Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to specifically reference the web 
page www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection instead of the Bureau's general 
landing page. The Bureau is also making a conforming change to how the 
statement described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) is disclosed on the 
model validation notice.
    The Bureau determines that consumers will not face significant 
security risks when accessing the Bureau's website. The vast majority 
of validation notices today are delivered by mail, so an active 
hyperlink is not possible. In the case of electronic communications, 
the Bureau recognizes that active hyperlinks can present security 
concerns to consumers, including, among other things, phishing

[[Page 5813]]

risks.\284\ But the Bureau is not requiring debt collectors to include 
an active hyperlink to the Bureau's website in validation notices. In 
other words, even if the validation information is provided 
electronically, Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) only requires that the text 
``www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection'' be displayed in the information. As 
discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(4)(ii), a debt collector is permitted, but not required, to 
include an active hyperlink to the Bureau's website. This is because 
hyperlinks are a common feature of electronic commercial 
communications. A validation notice that includes a hyperlink to the 
Bureau's website may be safe and convenient for a consumer. This would 
particularly be the case if the debt collector had prior contact with 
the consumer and the consumer recognizes that the validation notice was 
sent by a familiar source. If a consumer is unfamiliar with the debt 
collector or otherwise has concerns about clicking on an active 
hyperlink, the consumer could choose, rather than clicking on the 
hyperlink, to navigate independently to the Bureau's website to obtain 
more information about consumer protections in debt collection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \284\ See, e.g., Fed. Trade Comm'n, How to Recognize and Avoid 
Phishing Scams (May 2019), https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams (last visited Dec. 1, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) to 
provide that, if a debt collector is collecting debt related to a 
consumer financial product or service as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f), 
validation information includes a statement that informs the consumer 
that additional information regarding consumer protections in debt 
collection is available on the Bureau's website at www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection.
34(c)(3)(v)
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) provided that validation information 
includes information that a consumer can use to take certain actions, 
including disputing a debt or requesting original-creditor 
information.\285\ As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) and (ii), FDCPA section 809(b) provides that 
consumers must notify a debt collector ``in writing'' to dispute a debt 
or request original-creditor information. Under Sec.  1006.38, this 
writing requirement is satisfied if a consumer provides a dispute or 
request for original-creditor information to the debt collector using a 
medium of electronic communication through which a debt collector 
accepts electronic communications from consumers, such as an email 
address or a website portal.\286\ Thus, debt collectors are required to 
give legal effect to consumer disputes or requests for original-
creditor information submitted electronically only if a debt collector 
chooses to accept electronic communications from consumers. The Bureau 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) to provide that validation information 
includes a statement explaining how a consumer can take the actions 
described in proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) and (d)(3), as applicable, 
electronically, if the debt collector sends a validation notice 
electronically.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \285\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) set forth required consumer-
response information. Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) and 
(vi)(B) set forth certain other consumer-response information 
related to payment requests and requests for Spanish-language 
validation notices.
    \286\ See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.38 and 
comment 38-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed comment 34(c)(3)(v)-1 explained that a debt collector may 
provide the information described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) by 
including the statements, ``We accept disputes electronically,'' using 
that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, followed by an email 
address or website portal that a consumer can use to take the action 
described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i), and ``We accept original-creditor 
information requests electronically,'' using that phrase or a 
substantially similar phrase, followed by an email address or website 
portal that a consumer can use to take the action described in Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(ii).\287\ Proposed comment 34(c)(3)(v)-1 also clarified 
that, if a debt collector accepts electronic communications from 
consumers through more than one medium, such as by email and through a 
website portal, the debt collector is only required to provide 
information regarding one of these media but may provide information 
about additional media.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \287\ On the model validation notice, this phrase appears as 
``We accept such requests electronically.'' This wording deviates 
from the regulatory text due to space considerations and the context 
of surrounding disclosures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An industry commenter and an industry trade group commenter 
supported proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) because it would inform 
consumers about alternative methods to contact debt collectors and 
would increase the likelihood that consumers would engage with debt 
collectors. However, another industry commenter objected to the 
proposal because, the commenter argued, allowing consumers to exercise 
verification rights electronically would encourage consumers to submit 
verification requests for the purpose of delaying or avoiding paying a 
debt.
    The Bureau determines that requiring debt collectors who provide 
validation notices electronically to include statements on the 
validation notice explaining how consumers can dispute the debt or 
request original-creditor information electronically will benefit 
consumers by facilitating their ability to exercise those verification 
rights electronically. The Bureau agrees that such disclosures will 
increase the likelihood of engagement between consumers and debt 
collectors but does not agree that they will encourage consumers to 
submit disputes or original-creditor-information requests to delay or 
avoid paying the debt. As discussed in the section-by-section analysis 
of Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i), commenters have not provided evidence 
demonstrating that a significant number of consumers exercise their 
verification rights with the principal purpose of avoiding paying debts 
that they owe. Absent such evidence, the Bureau declines to conclude 
that consumers will exercise verification rights for this purpose.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) and 
its related commentary largely as proposed, except that the final rule 
does not require debt collectors who provide validation notices 
electronically to include statements stating how consumers can take the 
actions described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) (i.e., responding to a payment 
prompt (Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)) or requesting a Spanish-language 
translation (Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi))) electronically.
    The Bureau notes that Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) affirmatively 
permits a debt collector to include supplemental information in Spanish 
specifying how a consumer may request a Spanish-language validation 
notice, and such information could include how the consumer may do so 
electronically. In addition, as discussed at the outset of the section-
by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34, the Bureau is not finalizing the 
proposed requirement that all validation notices must be substantially 
similar to the model validation notice in order to avoid violating the 
rule. Therefore, under the final rule, a debt collector who chooses to 
include either or both of the optional payment disclosures in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii) is not prohibited by Regulation F from including a 
statement about how the consumer can make a payment electronically 
(although including such a statement will take the debt collector out 
of the safe harbor in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)). The Bureau is

[[Page 5814]]

finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) pursuant to its authority to 
interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and (b), as well as its authority under 
Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a).
34(c)(3)(vi)
    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(vi) to provide that, for a 
validation notice delivered in the body of an email pursuant to 
procedures set forth in the proposal, validation information includes 
the opt-out statement required by Sec.  1006.6(e).\288\ Proposed 
comment 34(c)(3)(vi)-1 clarified certain details, including that the 
requirement would not apply in the case of validation notices delivered 
by hyperlink and that electronic delivery of a validation notice is not 
rendered ineffective if a consumer opts out of future electronic 
communications pursuant to Sec.  1006.6(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \288\ As finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, Sec.  
1006.6(e) requires a debt collector who communicates or attempts to 
communicate with a consumer electronically in connection with the 
collection of a debt using a specific email address, telephone 
number for text messages, or other electronic-medium address to 
include in such communication or attempt to communicate a clear and 
conspicuous statement describing a reasonable and simple method by 
which the consumer can opt out of further electronic communications 
or attempts to communicate by the debt collector to that address or 
telephone number. See 85 FR 76734, 76890 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although no commenters objected to proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(vi), the Bureau is not finalizing it. The Bureau has 
determined that it is not necessary to require debt collectors to 
include the Sec.  1006.6(e) opt-out instructions on validation notices 
sent electronically because Sec.  1006.6(e) itself already requires 
those instructions in every electronic communication or communication 
attempt, which will includes every electronic communication 
transmitting a validation notice. Thus, Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(vi) would 
be redundant.
    A debt collector who sends a validation notice electronically may 
provide the Sec.  1006.6(e) disclosure in the electronic communication 
outside of the validation notice. A debt collector who provides the 
model validation notice electronically will not lose the safe harbor 
described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) by including the Sec.  1006.6(e) 
disclosure in the electronic communication outside the model notice. 
Accordingly, the Bureau determines that the Sec.  1006.6(e) opt-out 
disclosure is not necessary to include as validation information. 
Although the Bureau is not finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(vi), 
the Bureau reaffirms the clarification in proposed comment 
34(c)(3)(vi)-1 that electronic delivery of a validation notice is not 
rendered ineffective merely because a consumer opts out of future 
electronic communications pursuant to the instructions in Sec.  
1006.6(e).
34(c)(4) Consumer-Response Information
    FDCPA section 809(b) contains certain requirements that a debt 
collector must satisfy if a consumer exercises the consumer's right to 
dispute the validity of the debt or request the name and address of the 
original creditor. If a consumer disputes a debt in writing within 30 
days of receiving the validation information, a debt collector must 
stop collection of the debt until the debt collector obtains 
verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer 
and mails it to the consumer. Similarly, if a consumer requests the 
name and address of the original creditor in writing within 30 days of 
receiving the validation information, FDCPA section 809(b) requires the 
debt collector to cease collection of the debt until the debt collector 
obtains and mails such information to the consumer. FDCPA section 
809(b) also prohibits a debt collector, during the 30-day period 
consumers have to dispute a debt or request information about the 
original creditor, from engaging in collection activities and 
communications that overshadow, or are inconsistent with, the 
disclosure of the right to dispute the debt or request original-
creditor information, which the Bureau collectively refers to as 
``verification rights.''
    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) to require a consumer-
response information section to help consumers exercise their FDCPA 
section 809(b) verification rights.\289\ Specifically, proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4) provided that required validation information includes 
certain consumer-response information situated next to prompts that 
consumers could use to indicate that they want to take action or make a 
request. The proposed information, which is discussed in the section-
by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) through (iii), included 
statements describing certain actions that a consumer could take, 
including submitting a dispute, identifying the reason for the dispute, 
providing additional detail about the dispute, and requesting original-
creditor information.\290\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) provided that 
the consumer-response information section must be segregated from the 
validation information described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) through (3) and 
from any optional information included pursuant to proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(i), (ii), (iv), or (v) and, if the validation information 
is provided in writing or electronically, located at the bottom of the 
notice and under the headings, ``How do you want to respond?'' and 
``Check all that apply:''. As shown on the proposed model validation 
notice, the consumer-response information section appeared as a tear-
off portion of the form. Proposed comment 34(c)(4)-1 clarified that, if 
the validation information is provided in writing or electronically, a 
prompt described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) may be formatted as a checkbox, 
as shown on the model validation notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \289\ 84 FR 23275, 23404 (May 21, 2019).
    \290\ As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3), proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) and (vi)(B) 
provided that a debt collector also could include a payment 
disclosure and Spanish-language validation notice request disclosure 
as consumer-response information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A group of academic commenters expressed general support for 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4). However, some industry commenters 
objected to the proposed consumer-response information section. 
According to a depository institution, the proposed consumer- response 
information formatted as a tear-off is an obsolete approach because 
physical mail is increasingly less relevant as consumers prefer 
electronic communications. An industry commenter stated that the 
proposed consumer-response information section would encourage 
consumers to communicate through mail, which is more expensive and 
time-intensive than other communication methods, such as email.
    Several commenters raised concerns about proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)'s use of the heading ``How do you want to respond?'' A 
group of State Attorneys General and at least one industry commenter 
stated that consumers may incorrectly infer from this phrase that they 
must use the consumer-response information section to respond to a debt 
collector. Some commenters suggested that this phrase created the false 
impression that consumers must engage with the debt collector, even if 
they prefer not to. To address this concern, consumer advocate 
commenters and a group of State Attorneys General recommended that the 
consumer-response information section include ``Do Nothing'' as a 
response option.
    Some industry trade group commenters objected to proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4) being formatted for use with a return envelope. According 
to these commenters, some debt collectors do not include return 
envelopes with

[[Page 5815]]

validation notices and instituting such a practice would entail 
significant costs. However, a consumer group commenter disagreed and 
stated that the Bureau should require debt collectors to include a 
return envelope with prepaid postage to facilitate use of the proposed 
consumer-response information section.
    After considering comments, the Bureau is adopting Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4) with minor wording changes to conform to changes in Sec.  
1006.34(d).
    The Bureau acknowledges that electronic communications are 
increasingly prevalent in society at large; however, most debt 
collectors do not presently communicate with consumers electronically, 
particularly to provide validation notices.\291\ Further, many 
consumers still prefer to communicate with debt collectors via mail 
instead of email or other electronic media.\292\ Given communication 
practices in the debt collection industry and consumer preferences, the 
Bureau determines that formatting the model validation notice consumer-
response information section as a tear-off so that a consumer can 
return that portion of the form by mail if the consumer so chooses will 
benefit both debt collectors and consumers. Thus, if debt collectors 
opt not to format the consumer-response information section as a tear-
off, the Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor will not apply to their 
validation notices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \291\ See 85 FR 76734, 76852 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \292\ According to the CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, 71 
percent of consumers preferred to be contacted by a debt collector 
by mail. Only 12 percent of consumers preferred email. Bureau of 
Consumer Fin. Prot., Consumer Experience with Debt Collection: 
Findings from CFPB's Survey of Consumer Views on Debt, at 29-30 
(Jan. 12, 2017), https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201701_cfpb_Debt-Collection-Survey-Report.pdf (CFPB Debt Collection 
Consumer Survey).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau concludes that the heading ``How do you want to 
respond?'' likely will not lead consumers to believe that they must 
respond to the debt collector or use the consumer-response information 
section to do so. Consumer testing indicated that consumers paid 
relatively little attention to this heading.\293\ Further, consumers 
generally grasped the consequences of not responding to a validation 
notice.\294\ These findings suggest that the heading will not induce 
otherwise unwilling consumers to engage with debt collectors. This 
conclusion is bolstered by findings from the Bureau's most recent 
qualitative consumer testing. The Bureau's consumer testing suggests 
that consumers understand that they have the option of not engaging 
with a debt collector in response to a validation notice.\295\ This 
testing also indicates that consumers understand that, if they choose 
to communicate with a debt collector, they do not have to use the 
consumer-response information section to do so.\296\ The Bureau 
therefore determines that it is unnecessary to include a ``Do Nothing'' 
response option, as some commenters suggested.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \293\ ``The `You Have Rights' and `How do you want to respond to 
this notice?' sections had a comparatively low number of fixations 
(i.e., a testing participant's eyes resting on a piece of 
information) compared to other parts of the notice. These two 
sections were often discussed during the interview as being 
important so the fewer number of fixations suggests that this 
information might have been easy to read and comprehend. 
Participants also commented that these sections only needed to be 
scanned, further suggesting that fewer fixations on this section 
might have been due to ease of processing the information rather 
than a disinterest in the information. See FMG Usability Report, 
supra note 28, at 7.
    \294\ See id. at 83-84.
    \295\ When asked about whether they were legally required 
respond to the model validation notice, approximately 90 percent of 
participants reported that they were not. See November 2020 
Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 11.
    \296\ During testing, participants generally understood that 
they could dispute the debt by telephone, electronically, or writing 
with or without the ``tear-off.'' See id. at 15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The consumer-response information section should be formatted for 
use with a return envelope. The fact that the consumer-response 
information established by Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) is formatted on the 
model validation notice for use with a return envelope does not require 
debt collectors to include return envelopes with validation notices, 
even if they use the model notice.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) with 
minor wording changes to conform to changes in Sec.  1006.34(d). The 
Bureau also is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) through (iii) and 
their related commentary with certain modifications that are discussed 
in the section-by-section analysis below.
    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) pursuant to its 
authority under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to 
the collection of debts by debt collectors and, as described more fully 
below, its authority to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809. The 
Bureau is also finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) pursuant to its authority 
under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, on the basis that the 
information in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) through (iii) informs consumers 
how to exercise their rights under FDCPA section 809(b) and therefore 
is a feature of debt collection. Requiring disclosure of consumer-
response information will help to ensure that the features of debt 
collection are fully, accurately, and effectively disclosed to 
consumers, such that consumers may better understand the costs, 
benefits and risks associated with debt collection.
34(c)(4)(i) Dispute Prompts
    FDCPA section 809(a)(4) requires a debt collector to disclose to 
consumers their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to dispute the 
validity of the debt within 30 days after receipt of the validation 
notice.\297\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) provided that consumer-
response information includes statements, situated next to prompts, 
that the consumer can use to dispute the validity of a debt and to 
specify a reason for that dispute.\298\ Proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i), which was designed to work in tandem with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(i),\299\ provided that consumer-response information 
includes the following four statements, listed in the following order, 
using the following phrasing or substantially similar phrasing, each 
next to a prompt: ``I want to dispute the debt because I think:''; 
``This is not my debt.''; ``The amount is wrong.''; and ``Other: 
(please describe on reverse or attach additional information).''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \297\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(4).
    \298\ 84 FR 23274, 23404-05 (May 21, 2019).
    \299\ As finalized, Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) provides that 
validation information includes the date the debt collector will 
consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, 
if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing on or before 
that date that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed, 
the debt collector must cease collection of the debt, or the 
disputed portion of the debt, until the debt collector sends the 
consumer either the verification of the debt or a copy of a 
judgment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A group of academic commenters and some consumer advocate 
commenters supported the dispute prompts described in proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i). The academic commenters stated that the prompts would 
facilitate consumer disputes because consumers are accustomed to using 
forms with prompts, such as drop-down menus in online transactions. 
According to these commenters, the Bureau should facilitate consumer 
disputes given the low consumer literacy levels in the United States--
particularly among consumers with limited English proficiency (LEP 
consumers)--and the FDCPA's least-sophisticated-consumer standard.\300\ 
These commenters stated

[[Page 5816]]

that facilitating disputes will also benefit industry because consumer 
disputes may lead to questionable or invalid debts being removed from 
the market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \300\ See, e.g., Rosenau v. Unifund Corp., 539 F.3d 218, 221 (3d 
Cir. 2008) (``We use the `least sophisticated debtor' standard in 
order to effectuate the basic purpose of the FDCPA: to protect all 
consumers, the gullible as well as the shrewd.'') (citations and 
some internal quotation marks omitted); Clomon v. Jackson, 988 F.2d 
1314, 1319 (2d Cir. 1993) (``To serve the purposes of the consumer-
protection laws, courts have attempted to articulate a standard for 
evaluating deceptiveness that does not rely on assumptions about the 
`average' or `normal' consumer. This effort is grounded, quite 
sensibly, in the assumption that consumers of below-average 
sophistication or intelligence are especially vulnerable to 
fraudulent schemes. The least-sophisticated-consumer standard 
protects these consumers in a variety of ways.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other commenters objected to proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i). 
Industry trade group commenters stated that the proposed dispute 
prompts would increase dispute volume and, consequently, debt 
collectors would incur additional costs responding to disputes. 
Industry commenters stated that higher dispute volumes would overwhelm 
debt collectors, making it difficult to identify and process valid 
disputes. Industry and industry trade group commenters stated that the 
proposed dispute prompts would lead consumers to believe that they had 
to dispute the debt, even if they recognized the debt as valid. 
Industry and industry trade groups argued that streamlining the dispute 
process would encourage frivolous disputes. One industry trade group 
stated that requiring a lawyer engaged in debt collection to include 
the proposed dispute prompts on a validation notice would constitute 
providing legal advice to unrepresented persons, which is a violation 
of attorney rules of professional conduct.
    Industry and industry trade group commenters stated the proposed 
dispute prompts would not solicit enough information for debt 
collectors to evaluate disputes. According to commenters, the proposed 
dispute prompts are too general and would result in generic disputes 
that would increase compliance costs, frustrate dispute investigation, 
undermine consumer communication, and increase litigation risk. To 
address these concerns, commenters recommended modifications to 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i). Some commenters suggested that the 
validation notice provide additional space where a consumer could 
include additional dispute detail, update contact information, or 
provide communication preferences. Other commenters recommended 
replacing the proposed dispute prompts with narrative instructions that 
solicit dispute detail and supporting documentation.
    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i), commenters stated that some debt collectors receive 
payments and other correspondence, including disputes, at separate 
addresses. Industry commenters stated that proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i) would effectively combine a dispute form with a 
payment coupon. According to commenters, a consumer's dispute may not 
be processed in a timely fashion if a consumer returns a consumer-
response information form with a dispute to a dedicated payment 
address.
    Several consumer advocate commenters recommended combining the 
proposed dispute prompts into a single prompt. According to these 
commenters, a single dispute prompt would be appropriate because the 
FDCPA does not require a consumer to specify a reason for a dispute and 
a consumer may make unintentional admissions against their interest by 
providing details.
    Some commenters suggested additional dispute-related prompts. 
Consumer advocate commenters recommended prompts for debts discharged 
in bankruptcy, debts resulting from identity theft, and debts that were 
previously paid or settled. Industry commenters urged the Bureau to add 
a general account inquiry prompt. According to one industry commenter, 
consumers with an account inquiry may perceive that they have no 
alternative but to select a dispute prompt if proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i) does not include a general account inquiry prompt.
    An industry commenter asked for additional guidance about how the 
proposed dispute prompts should be formatted when validation 
information is provided on a website.
    Consistent with the rationale discussed in the proposal and for the 
following reasons, the Bureau is adopting proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i).
    The Bureau determines that Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) will help 
consumers exercise their FDCPA section 809 dispute rights, in part 
because prompts are a common feature in written and electronic 
communications and most consumers are familiar with the concept. The 
Bureau determines that facilitating consumer disputes under FDCPA 
section 809 is beneficial, particularly for less sophisticated 
consumers. Further, to the extent consumer disputes help remove invalid 
debts from circulation, Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) will improve the 
efficiency of debt markets.
    It is also not clear that finalizing the dispute prompts will 
result in a significant increase in consumer disputes compared to 
current dispute rates. Section 1006.34(c)(2) will require debt 
collectors to disclose more information about the debt and will help 
consumers recognize debts they owe. Thus, Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) may 
reduce the number of disputes arising from lack of consumer 
recognition.
    The Bureau disagrees that Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) will make it more 
difficult for debt collectors to identify and process valid disputes. 
As noted above, Sec.  1006.34(c)(2) should reduce the number of 
disputes arising from lack of consumer recognition. Therefore, the 
disputes debt collectors receive will be more likely to reflect 
problems with the underlying debt. Further, Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i)'s 
dispute prompts--including Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i)(D)'s free-form 
dispute prompt--may help consumers articulate and provide more detailed 
information about the nature of their disputes. Thus, debt collectors 
may better understand the nature of a consumer's dispute and be able to 
respond more efficiently than if consumers had provided generic 
disputes.
    Further, dispute prompts likely will not lead consumers to believe 
that they must dispute the debt. The Bureau's consumer testing 
indicates that consumers who receive a validation notice understand 
that they are not required to dispute a debt.\301\ Further, the Bureau 
disagrees that streamlining the dispute process will significantly 
increase the frequency of frivolous disputes. As discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i) and (v), debt 
collectors have not provided evidence that supports the premise that a 
significant number of consumers exercise their FDCPA section 809 
verification rights solely to evade or avoid paying debts that they 
owe. Absent such evidence, the Bureau declines to conclude that 
consumers will dispute for such purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \301\ During one round of testing, approximately 50 percent of 
participants stated that they would attempt to ``confirm'' a debt in 
response to receiving a validation notice. Participants stated that 
they would do so by, for example, contacting either the creditor or 
the debt collector. Participants did not report that they would 
dispute solely for the purposes of confirming the details of the 
debt. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, 
at 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau determines that requiring debt collectors who are 
attorneys to include dispute prompts in the consumer-response 
information will not cause those debt collectors to violate the 
professional rule of conduct against providing legal advice to an 
unrepresented person.\302\ The FDCPA

[[Page 5817]]

requires all debt collectors, including debt collectors who are 
attorneys, to include in the validation information statements relating 
to the consumer's right to dispute the debt. The dispute prompt merely 
provides consumers a simple way to exercise that right if the consumer 
so chooses; it does not advise the consumer whether to do so. In 
addition, the commenter that raised this concern cited no case law, 
legal interpretation, or comparable evidence to support the proposition 
that including the dispute prompt will be problematic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \302\ See Am. Bar Ass'n, Model Rules of Professional Conduct, 
Rule 4.3: Dealing with Unrepresented Person https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_4_3_dealing_with_unrepresented_person/ (last visited Dec. 2, 
2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is not modifying Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) to provide 
additional space for consumers to provide dispute details or to replace 
the dispute prompts with narrative instructions. As discussed above, 
the Bureau finds that it is unlikely that Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) will 
increase generic dispute volume. On the contrary, the dispute prompts--
including the free-form dispute prompt in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i)(D)--
will provide debt collectors with more detailed dispute information 
than they receive in many cases today. Further, the free-form dispute 
prompt informs consumers that they can provide additional information 
on the reverse of the consumer-response-information section (which is 
formatted as a tear-off on the model validation notice) or on a 
separate page. Thus, there is no need to provide additional space for 
dispute detail on the validation notice itself.
    Section 1006.34(c)(4)(i) will not lead to disputes being 
misdirected to dedicated payment addresses. As discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(iii), the debt 
collector must disclose in the consumer-response information section 
the same mailing address disclosed pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i), 
which is the mailing address where the debt collector accepts disputes 
and requests for original-creditor information.
    The Bureau declines to structure Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) as a single 
dispute prompt. As discussed above, the dispute prompts are designed to 
help consumers articulate, and debt collectors better understand, the 
nature of a consumer's dispute and respond more efficiently than if 
consumers had provided generic disputes. Reformulating Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i) as a single prompt would undermine this goal. 
Meanwhile, the dispute prompts described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) do 
not contain individualized information that could reasonably result in 
a consumer making an unintentional admission against their interest.
    The Bureau declines to adopt additional dispute-related prompts. 
Additional prompts for debts discharged in bankruptcy, debts resulting 
from identity theft, and debts that were previously paid or settled 
are, in the aggregate, not feasible and would likely overwhelm 
consumers. Further, the Bureau believes the dispute prompts in Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i)(B) (this is not my debt) and (C) (the amount is wrong) 
essentially capture these scenarios.
    The Bureau also declines to add a general account inquiry prompt 
distinct from the dispute prompt, as suggested by some commenters who 
argued that consumers would use the dispute prompts to obtain general 
information. The Bureau's testing has shown that consumers generally 
understand that their response options are not limited to selecting a 
dispute prompt and that disputing the debt is not the appropriate 
method to raise a general question about the account.\303\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \303\ During usability testing, when participants were asked 
what they could do if they did not think they owed the debt, ``all 
participants understood that they had options for contacting the 
debt collector to dispute the debt,'' which included calling and 
writing. FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 48. See also 
November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 11 
(discussion in ``Response to the model validation notice'' section).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to provide additional guidance about formatting 
the dispute prompts if validation information is provided on a website. 
As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau did not 
finalize several proposed interventions related to electronic delivery 
of required notices, including proposed alternative procedures for 
providing the validation information on a secure website (proposed 
Sec.  1006.42(c)(2)(ii)).\304\ Because the Bureau is not addressing 
electronic delivery more broadly, the Bureau declines here to provide 
guidance about disclosing validation information on websites. However, 
as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), 
in contrast to the proposal, debt collectors are not required to use 
the model validation notice or a substantially similar form.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \304\ 85 FR 76734, 76850-55 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i) pursuant to its authority to implement and interpret 
FDCPA section 809, as well as its authority under Dodd-Frank Act 
section 1032(a).
34(c)(4)(ii) Original-Creditor Information Prompt
    FDCPA section 809(a)(5) requires a debt collector to disclose to 
consumers their right under FDCPA section 809(b) to request the name 
and address of the original creditor, if different from the current 
creditor.\305\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(ii) provided that consumer-
response information includes the statement, ``I want you to send me 
the name and address of the original creditor,'' using that phrase or a 
substantially similar phrase, next to a prompt the consumer could use 
to request original-creditor information.\306\ Proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(ii) was intended to work in tandem with proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(ii).\307\ The Bureau received no comments specifically 
addressing proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(ii) and is finalizing it as 
proposed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \305\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(5).
    \306\ 84 FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019).
    \307\ As finalized, Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(ii) provides that 
validation information includes the date that the debt collector 
will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement 
that, if the consumer requests in writing on or before that date the 
name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector must 
cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the 
consumer the name and address of the original creditor, if different 
from the current creditor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(c)(4)(iii)
    FDCPA section 809(b) assumes that a consumer has the ability to 
write to a debt collector to exercise the consumer's verification 
rights.\308\ Requiring a debt collector to include mailing addresses 
for the consumer and the debt collector, along with the consumer-
response information described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) and (ii), may 
facilitate a consumer's ability to exercise the consumer's verification 
rights. The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(iii) to provide that 
consumer-response information includes mailing addresses for the 
consumer and the debt collector.\309\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \308\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b).
    \309\ 84 FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An industry trade group stated that some debt collectors use 
vendors to receive and process mail from consumers. According to this 
commenter, the Bureau should permit a debt collector to disclose the 
address at which a debt collector receives mail, even if that address 
is not the debt collector's physical address.
    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(iii) with a clarifying 
revision that addresses the commenter's request regarding letter vendor 
mailing addresses. The Bureau is revising Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(iii) to 
provide that the mailing addresses disclosed for the consumer and the 
debt collector in the consumer-response information must include the 
debt collector's and the

[[Page 5818]]

consumer's names and mailing addresses as disclosed pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i) and (ii). In turn, the Bureau notes that final Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i) and comment 34(c)(2)(i)-2 permit debt collectors to 
disclose a vendor's mailing address, if that is an address at which the 
debt collector accepts disputes and requests for original-creditor 
information. Thus, under the final rule, a debt collector may include a 
vendor's address in the consumer-response information if that is the 
address that the debt collector discloses pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(i).
    The Bureau notes that final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i) and comment 
34(c)(2)(i)-1 permit a debt collector to disclose its trade name or 
DBA, instead of its legal name. Thus, under the final rule, a debt 
collector must disclose its trade name or DBA in the consumer-response 
information if that is the name that the debt collector discloses 
pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i).
34(c)(5) Special Rule for Certain Residential Mortgage Debt
    FDCPA section 809(a)(1) requires a debt collector to disclose to 
consumers the amount of the debt.\310\ As discussed in the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii), the Bureau 
interprets FDCPA section 809(a)(1) to require debt collectors to 
disclose three pieces of itemization-related information: The 
itemization date; the amount of the debt on the itemization date; and 
an itemization of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and 
credits since the itemization date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \310\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For certain residential mortgage debt covered by TILA, as 
implemented by Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026, 12 CFR 1026.41(b) generally 
requires that a periodic statement be delivered or placed in the mail 
within a reasonably prompt time after the payment due date or the end 
of any courtesy period provided for the previous billing cycle. The 
Bureau understands that most residential mortgage debt is subject to 
this requirement, although exceptions exist.\311\ The Bureau further 
understands that a consumer is provided with such a periodic statement 
every billing cycle, even if a loan is transferred between servicers. 
Pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(3), such a periodic statement must 
include a past payment breakdown, which shows the total of all payments 
received since the last statement, including a breakdown showing the 
amount, if any, that was applied to principal, interest, escrow, fees, 
and charges, and the amount, if any, sent to any suspense or unapplied 
funds account. The proposal stated that these periodic statement 
disclosures may be functionally equivalent to, and as useful for the 
consumer as, the information described in proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vii) through (ix).\312\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \311\ The periodic statement requirement pursuant to 12 CFR 
1026.41(b) does not apply to open-end consumer credit transactions, 
such as a home equity line of credit. See 12 CFR 1026.41(a)(1). 
Pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.41(e), certain types of transactions are 
exempt from Sec.  1026.41(b)'s periodic statement requirement, 
including reverse mortgages, timeshare plans, certain charged-off 
mortgage loans, mortgage loans with certain consumers in bankruptcy, 
and fixed-rate mortgage loans where a servicer provides the consumer 
with a coupon book for payment. Further, small servicers as defined 
by 12 CFR 1026.41(e)(4)(ii) are exempt from the periodic statement 
requirement.
    \312\ 84 FR 23274, 23348 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) therefore provided that, for debts 
subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, a debt collector need not 
provide the validation information described in Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vii) through (ix) if the debt collector provided the 
consumer, at the same time as the validation notice, a copy of the most 
recent periodic statement provided to the consumer under 12 CFR 
1026.41(b), and referred to that periodic statement in the validation 
notice. Proposed comment 34(c)(5)-1 provided examples clarifying how 
debt collectors could comply with Sec.  1006.34(c)(5). Consistent with 
the proposal's rationale, and for the reasons discussed below, the 
Bureau is adopting Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) and its related commentary with 
a substantive modification and a clarification.
    Some commenters recommended that the Bureau expand proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(5) to cover additional debt types. An industry trade group 
commenter stated that the Bureau should revise proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(5) to apply to all residential mortgage debt, including to 
transactions that are exempt from Sec.  1026.41(b)'s periodic statement 
requirement, such as mortgage loans with certain consumers in 
bankruptcy. As discussed in detail in the section-by-section analysis 
of Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), the Bureau received feedback that its 
proposed itemization would be incompatible with the account 
characteristics of debts in bankruptcy. Thus, this commenter suggested 
that the Bureau should revise proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) to permit a 
debt collector to reference the consumer's bankruptcy case and the 
filed or pending proof of claim instead of providing the itemization-
related disclosures required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2). Other industry 
trade group commenters variously recommended that the special rule 
extend to reverse mortgages structured as open-end credit, home-equity 
lines of credit, and credit cards.
    A consumer advocate commenter recommended that the Bureau revise 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) to apply only to debts that are currently 
subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, to reduce the likelihood that 
a debt collector provides an outdated periodic statement. According to 
the commenter, TILA coverage is fluid and a significant amount of time 
can elapse between when the creditor provides a last periodic statement 
and when the debt collector provides a validation notice. This 
commenter recommended that the Bureau revise proposed Sec.  
1006.34(c)(5) to provide that the previous periodic statement must have 
been provided no more than 31 days before the validation notice is 
sent. The commenter also recommended that, if any entity other than the 
current servicer provided the most recent periodic statement, the debt 
collector must conduct a reasonable investigation to verify the 
accuracy of the prior entity's periodic statement or prepare its own 
periodic statement.
    The Bureau declines to expand Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) to cover 
additional debt types. For certain residential mortgage debt, the final 
rule permits debt collectors to provide a periodic statement that was 
provided under 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(3) in lieu of the information 
described in final Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii) because those 
periodic statement disclosures are functionally equivalent to, and as 
useful for the consumer as, that itemization information. This special 
rule is not appropriate for the additional debt types recommended by 
commenters because those debt types are not subject to prescriptive 
disclosure regimes, such as Regulation Z. The Bureau doubts that 
disclosures used for those other debt types relate to information that 
is functionally equivalent to, or as useful as, the information Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii) requires. For instance, mortgage loans 
with certain consumers in bankruptcy are exempt from Sec.  1026.41(b)'s 
periodic statement requirement.\313\ With respect to debts in 
bankruptcy in general, the Bankruptcy Code does not prescribe 
disclosure requirements for proofs of claim that are comparable to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41(d)(3). As discussed in the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix), reverse mortgages are not 
subject to prescriptive regulatory requirements for periodic 
statements. The periodic statement requirement in 12 CFR 1026.41(b) 
does not cover open-end consumer credit transactions,

[[Page 5819]]

including home-equity lines of credit.\314\ With respect to credit card 
debt, no special accommodation is necessary as debt collectors can 
readily disclose the itemization information pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \313\ See 12 CFR 1026.41(e).
    \314\ See 12 CFR 1026.41(a)(1).
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    The Bureau determines that Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) should apply only to 
debts that are currently subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41. 
Modifying the proposal to this effect is appropriate to reduce the 
likelihood that a debt collector provides an outdated periodic 
statement, which may not provide information that is functionally 
equivalent to, or as useful as, the information described in Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii). The Bureau therefore is revising 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) and its related commentary to provide that 
the special rule only applies to residential mortgage debt if a 
periodic statement is required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, at 
the time a debt collector provides the validation notice.\315\
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    \315\ Under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(ii), a debt collector who uses 
the model validation notice and who also uses the special rule for 
certain residential mortgage debt under Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) receives 
a safe harbor for use of the model notice except with respect to the 
disclosures that appear on the separate page.
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    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(c)(5) as 
described above and is finalizing comment 34(c)(5)-1 with minor 
revisions for clarity and consistency with provisions of the final 
rule.

34(d) Form of Validation Information

34(d)(1) In General
    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(i) to require that the 
validation information described in Sec.  1006.34(c) be conveyed in a 
clear and conspicuous manner. The Bureau reasoned that FDCPA section 
809(a)'s required disclosures would be ineffective unless a debt 
collector disclosed them in a manner that was readily understandable to 
consumers.\316\ The Bureau received no comments specifically addressing 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(i). The Bureau therefore is finalizing it 
largely as proposed but renumbered as Sec.  1006.34(d)(1) \317\ and 
with a wording change solely for consistency with final Sec.  
1006.34(c). The Bureau adopts Sec.  1006.34(d)(1) to implement and 
interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and pursuant to its authority under 
FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the collection 
of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau also adopts Sec.  1006.34(d)(1) 
pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act 
to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of consumer financial 
products and services are disclosed fully, accurately, and effectively. 
The Bureau finalizes this requirement on the basis that validation 
information is a feature of debt collection and this information must 
be readily understandable to be effectively and accurately disclosed.
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    \316\ 84 FR 23274, 23348 (May 21, 2019). Section 1006.34(b)(1) 
defines clear and conspicuous, and the Bureau responded to comments 
on that definition in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(b)(1).
    \317\ As discussed under the heading Proposed Provision Not 
Finalized in this section-by-section analysis, the Bureau is not 
finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(ii) and therefore is 
finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(i) as Sec.  1006.34(d)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Provision Not Finalized
    As noted at the outset of the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34, the Bureau proposed that debt collectors could use the model 
validation notice to comply with the disclosure requirements proposed 
in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) and (d)(1).\318\ In turn, the Bureau proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(ii) to require that, if provided in a validation 
notice, the content, format, and placement of the validation 
information in Sec.  1006.34(c) and the optional disclosures in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3) must be substantially similar to the model validation 
notice. Proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)-1 explained that a debt collector 
could make certain changes as long as the resulting disclosures were 
substantially similar to the model validation notice, and it provided 
an example of a change that debt collectors may make to the validation 
notice if the consumer is deceased.
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    \318\ As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(1), the Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(i) to require 
that required validation information be provided in a clear and 
conspicuous manner.
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    While some industry, industry trade group, and consumer advocate 
commenters supported proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(ii), other industry 
and industry trade group commenters raised concerns that the proposed 
model validation notice would not accommodate all debt types and debt 
collection practices, suggesting that some debt collectors therefore 
would be unable to comply with proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(ii). At 
least two commenters, including a debt buyer specializing in medical 
debt, stated that the proposed model validation notice was not well-
suited for non-financial debts, such as medical debts. A number of 
commenters objected to the proposal because it would not allow debt 
collectors to combine multiple debts in a single validation notice or 
place multiple validation notices in one envelope. Commenters asked the 
Bureau to modify proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(ii) to provide debt 
collectors more flexibility to customize validation notices to 
accommodate their business practices and the types of debts they 
collect.
    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2), the Bureau has determined that a model validation notice 
will benefit consumers and industry. However, based in part on feedback 
from commenters, the Bureau also has determined that proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(1)(ii) was overly prescriptive. Proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(1)(ii) would have required any validation notice provided by 
a debt collector to be substantially similar to the model validation 
notice. Such a requirement could cause some debt collectors to face 
undue compliance challenges depending on their business practices and 
the types of debts they collect.
    For this reason, the Bureau is not finalizing proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(1)(ii) and its related commentary. Instead, as discussed in 
the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), the Bureau is 
adopting a more flexible framework in which debt collectors need not 
use either the model validation notice, specified variations of the 
model notice, or a substantially similar form, but debt collectors who 
do so will receive a safe harbor for compliance with the information 
and form requirements of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1).\319\ This 
flexible framework is more consistent with model form safe harbors in 
other consumer financial regulations.\320\ The Bureau determines that 
this new framework will accommodate industry without significantly 
increasing risks to consumers because the Bureau believes it is likely 
that, if possible, debt collectors will use the model validation 
notice, specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially 
similar form to receive the compliance safe harbor. The Bureau notes 
that a debt collector who provides the validation information in a form 
that is not substantially similar either to the model validation notice 
or to a specified variation of the model notice also is subject to the 
FDCPA section 807 prohibition on false or misleading representations 
and the FDCPA section 809(b) prohibition on overshadowing.
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    \319\ The Bureau is relocating and repurposing some of the 
proposed text of Sec.  1006.34(d)(1)(ii) and comment 34(d)(1)(ii)-1 
to Sec.  1006.34(d)(2). See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2).
    \320\ 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.

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[[Page 5820]]

34(d)(2) Safe Harbor
    As discussed, the Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) to provide, 
pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(b), that a 
debt collector who uses the model validation complies with the 
disclosure requirements of Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) and (d)(1).\321\ 
Proposed comment 34(d)(2)-1 provided certain details regarding use of 
the model validation notice. Under proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) and as 
explained in proposed comment 34(d)(2)-1, although use of the model 
validation notice was not required, debt collectors would have received 
a safe harbor for compliance only if they used the model validation 
notice. Under proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), debt collectors would not 
have received a safe harbor if they used a form that was substantially 
similar to the model validation notice.
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    \321\ 84 FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019). As discussed elsewhere 
in part V, proposed Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) provided that debt 
collectors must send validation notices containing the information 
described in proposed Sec.  1006.34(c) to consumers in a manner 
permitted by Sec.  1006.42 (i.e., in a manner reasonably expected to 
provide actual notice and in a form that the consumer may keep and 
access later). And proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(1) provided that debt 
collectors must provide such validation information clearly and 
conspicuously.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2) and comment 34(d)(2)-1 with significant revisions to, 
among other things, provide that debt collectors may obtain a safe 
harbor for compliance with the validation information disclosure 
requirements by using either the model validation notice, specified 
variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form. The 
Bureau is finalizing new commentary to provide additional details 
regarding the revised safe harbor framework.
    Industry and industry trade group commenters overall supported 
providing a safe harbor to debt collectors who use the model validation 
notice. An industry and an industry trade group commenter stated that a 
safe harbor would reduce frivolous litigation and compliance costs. An 
industry commenter stated that not requiring debt collectors to use the 
model validation notice would help to ensure that debt collectors can 
provide validation notices in a manner consistent with their business 
practices and the debt types they collect.
    Some industry commenters asked the Bureau to specify what optional 
disclosures could be added to the model notice. A number of industry 
and industry trade group commenters also asked the Bureau to further 
clarify what changes debt collectors could make to the model validation 
notice and still receive the safe harbor.
    Relatedly, some industry and industry trade group commenters asked 
the Bureau to clarify the meaning of ``substantially similar,'' and two 
industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau adopt 
Regulation Z's definition of substantially similar. Some industry and 
industry trade group commenters recommended that the Bureau expand 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) to provide that debt collectors who use the model 
validation notice comply with FDCPA section 807's prohibition on false 
or misleading statements and FDCPA section 809(b)'s overshadowing 
prohibition.\322\
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    \322\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692e; see also 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b) (``Any 
collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may 
not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the 
consumer's right to dispute the debt or request the name and address 
of the original creditor.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A group of consumer advocate commenters stated that proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2) was too broad. Specifically, according to the commenter, 
the safe harbor's cross-reference to Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) was 
overbroad because simply using the model validation notice does not 
mean that the debt collector sent the validation notice in an initial 
communication or within five days of the initial communication as 
required by Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i). This commenter recommended that the 
Bureau remove the reference to Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) from Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2).
    After considering this feedback, and to clarify each of the ways in 
which a debt collector may receive a safe harbor for compliance with 
the final rule's validation information disclosure requirements, the 
Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) and its related commentary 
with significant revisions, as follows.
34(d)(2)(i) In General
    First, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) to provide 
that, as proposed, a debt collector who uses the model validation 
notice receives a safe harbor for compliance with the final rule's 
validation information disclosure requirements. The Bureau determines 
that a safe harbor is appropriate because the model validation notice 
will effectively disclose information required by Sec.  1006.34(c), and 
the safe harbor will incentivize debt collectors to use the model 
notice.
    The Bureau agrees that the Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor should 
not cover delivery of the validation notice. The Bureau recognizes the 
risk that a debt collector could deliver the model validation notice in 
an ineffective manner and that, as a result, the notice would be 
delayed or never received by the consumer. The Bureau does not intend 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) to provide a safe harbor in such a scenario. For 
this reason, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) to specify 
that the safe harbor for use of the model notice covers only compliance 
with the information and form requirements of final Sec.  1006.34(c) 
and (d)(1).
    In response to comments requesting clarity about the use of 
optional disclosures on the model notice, the Bureau is finalizing 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) to squarely address how the safe harbor applies 
with respect to the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) optional disclosures.\323\ 
First, the Bureau clarifies, as was intended in the proposal, that a 
debt collector may include any or all of the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) 
optional disclosures without losing the safe harbor pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2). Specifically, final Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) provides that 
the model validation notice contains the validation information 
required by Sec.  1006.34(c) and certain optional disclosures permitted 
by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3). Section 1006.34(d)(2)(i) further provides that 
a debt collector who uses the model validation notice complies with the 
information and form requirements of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1), 
including if the debt collector: Omits any or all of the optional 
disclosures shown on the model notice (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i)(A)); 
or adds any or all of the optional disclosures described in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3) that are not shown on the model notice (see Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(i)(B)), provided that any such optional disclosures are 
no more prominent than any of the required validation information.\324\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \323\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) specified that a debt 
collector who used the model validation notice could include any of 
the optional disclosures along with the validation information 
without losing the Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor for compliance.
    \324\ The model validation notice includes the following 
optional disclosures permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3), each of which 
is described in more detail in the section-by-section analysis 
below: (1) Debt collector telephone contact information (see Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(i)); (2) reference code (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(ii)); 
(3) payment disclosures (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)); (4) a 
statement referring to disclosures made under applicable law on the 
reverse of the validation notice (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A)); 
(5) debt collector's website (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A)); (6) 
statement explaining how a consumer can dispute the debt or request 
original-creditor information electronically (see Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(v)(B)); (7) Spanish-language translation disclosures 
(see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)); (8) merchant brand information (see 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vii)); and (9) for debt not related to a 
consumer financial product or service, the information specified in 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) or (c)(3)(iv) (i.e., name of the creditor 
to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date and Bureau's debt 
collection website, respectively) (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(viii)). 
The model validation notice does not include the following optional 
disclosures permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3): (1) Time-barred debt 
disclosures made under applicable law on the front of the validation 
notice (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B)); (2) debt collector email 
address (see Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A)); and (3) affinity brand or 
facility name information (but, as noted above, merchant brand 
information is shown on the model notice in the same location) (see 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vii)).

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[[Page 5821]]

    The requirement that any Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) optional disclosures 
that are added to the model validation notice be no more prominent than 
any of the validation information is designed to ensure that any such 
optional disclosures do not overload consumers with information or 
distract them from the required validation information. A debt 
collector who chooses to include one or more of the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) 
optional disclosures that do not appear on the model validation notice, 
but who violates the no-more-prominent requirement, loses the safe 
harbor under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) and may violate Sec.  1006.34 
depending on the facts and circumstances.
    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(1), a consumer advocate commenter asked the Bureau to 
clarify what version of the FDCPA section 807(11) disclosure should 
appear on the validation notice: The longer, initial disclosure 
described in Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) or the shorter, subsequent disclosure 
described in Sec.  1006.18(e)(2). The model validation notice includes 
the disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(1). The Bureau is adopting 
new comment 34(d)(2)(i)-1 to clarify that a debt collector who uses the 
model notice to provide a validation notice as described in Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B)--i.e., a debt collector who provides the validation 
notice within five days of the initial communication--may replace the 
disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) with the disclosure required 
by Sec.  1006.18(e)(2) without losing the safe harbor provided by use 
of the model notice. Comment 34(d)(2)(i)-1 also refers to comment 
34(c)(1)-1 for further guidance related to providing the disclosure 
required by Sec.  1006.18(e) on a validation notice.
    The Bureau declines to extend the Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor 
to cover compliance with FDCPA section 807's prohibition on false or 
misleading statements. A debt collector who uses the model validation 
notice is still capable of making false or misleading statements to 
consumers in the notice. For example, a debt collector using the model 
validation notice could include false or misleading information about 
the debt, such as an inflated current amount of the debt.
    However, the Bureau agrees that debt collectors who use the model 
validation notice should have a safe harbor for compliance with FDCPA 
section 809(b)'s overshadowing prohibition. The Bureau provides a safe 
harbor to that effect in Sec.  1006.38(b). The section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1006.38(b) discusses this change in further detail.
34(d)(2)(ii) Certain Disclosures on a Separate Page
    To conform with modifications in other sections of the Rule that 
permit debt collectors to make certain itemization-related disclosures 
on separate pages, the Bureau is finalizing new Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(ii). As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), when disclosing the itemization of the 
current amount of the debt, a debt collector has the option of 
disclosing that itemization on a separate page. As discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(c)(5), the final rule 
establishes a special rule for certain residential mortgage debt that 
permits a debt collector, subject to certain conditions, to provide a 
periodic statement under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, instead of the 
itemization-related validation information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii).
    Section 1006.34(d)(2)(ii) establishes how these provisions interact 
with the safe harbor provided by use of the model notice. Specifically, 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(ii) establishes that a debt collector who uses the 
model validation notice and makes certain disclosures on a separate 
page pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) or (5) may still receive a 
safe harbor for use of the model notice except with respect to the 
disclosures that appear on the separate page.
34(d)(2)(iii) Substantially Similar Form
    As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(1), the Bureau has determined that debt collectors should 
receive a safe harbor for the information and form requirements of 
Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1) if they use a form that is substantially 
similar to the model validation notice. The Bureau determines that, so 
long as a form is substantially similar to the model notice, the 
validation information disclosures will remain effective; the Bureau 
therefore is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) to provide this flexibility 
for debt collectors.
    For this reason, final Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(iii) provides that a 
debt collector who uses the model validation notice as described in 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) or (ii) may make changes to the form and retain 
a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements 
of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1), provided that the form remains 
substantially similar to the model notice. (As discussed elsewhere in 
this Notice, a debt collector may comply with the requirements in Sec.  
1006.34(c) and (d)(1) without using the model validation notice.)
    Final comment 34(d)(2)(iii)-1 provides details regarding the 
meaning of substantially similar, as requested by commenters, including 
examples of permissible changes. The Bureau believes that these are 
differences that may be useful to debt collectors and consumers and 
will not increase the risk of consumer harm.
    One permissible change relates to deceased consumers. Comment 
34(d)(2)(iii)-1 incorporates proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)-1, which 
discussed changes that debt collectors could make if the consumer were 
deceased. The Bureau proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)-1 to explain that a 
debt collector may make certain changes to the content, format, and 
placement of the validation information described in Sec.  1006.34(c) 
as long as the resulting disclosures are substantially similar to the 
model notice. Proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)-1 also provided an example 
of a change that debt collectors may make to the model validation 
notice if the consumer is deceased.
    The Bureau explained that, although the model validation notice 
will contain the name of the deceased consumer, some persons who are 
authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate may be 
misled by the use of second person pronouns such as ``you'' in the 
validation notice. For example, the proposed model validation notice 
stated that ``you owe'' the debt collector. While nothing in the 
proposal would have prohibited a debt collector from including a cover 
letter to explain the nature of the validation notice, proposed comment 
34(d)(1)(ii)-1 also clarified that a debt collector could modify 
inapplicable language in the validation notice that could suggest that 
the recipient of the notice was liable for the debt. For example, if a 
debt collector sent a validation notice to a person authorized to act 
on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate, and if that person was not 
liable for the debt, the debt collector could use the deceased 
consumer's name instead of ``you.''

[[Page 5822]]

    The Bureau received a few comments on proposed comment 
34(d)(1)(ii)-1. One trade group commenter recommended that the Bureau 
allow debt collectors to replace second-person pronouns with references 
to the estate, such as ``the estate's bill.'' A group of consumer 
advocates stated that, although the comment's example would be 
appropriate in certain circumstances, the Bureau should provide an 
entirely separate model validation notice for decedent debt because, 
these commenters believed, debt collectors would be unlikely to diverge 
from the model notice. Two trade group commenters also asked the Bureau 
to create a second model validation notice for decedent debt.
    The Bureau is incorporating proposed comment 34(d)(1)(ii)-1 into 
comment 34(d)(2)(iii)-1, which clarifies that a debt collector may make 
changes to the model validation notice and retain the safe harbor 
provided by use of the model notice. Because the example regarding 
decedent debt is illustrative, nothing in comment 34(d)(2)(iii)-1 
prohibits a debt collector from making other substantially similar 
modifications, such as referring to the estate rather than ``you,'' 
while still retaining the safe harbor. As explained elsewhere in this 
section-by-section analysis, the Bureau declines to create separate 
model forms for certain types of debt. The Bureau has modified the 
model-form-safe-harbor framework under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) to afford 
debt collectors more flexibility to customize validation information to 
accommodate their business practices and the types of debts they 
collect. Within identified limits, debt collectors may make changes to 
the model validation notice and still meet the standard for a safe 
harbor under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2).
    Comment 34(d)(2)(iii)-1 also includes four new examples of other 
permissible changes: Relocating the consumer-response information 
required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) to facilitate mailing; adding barcodes 
or QR codes, as long as the inclusion of such items does not violate 
Sec.  1006.38(b); adding the date the form is generated; and embedding 
hyperlinks, if delivering the form electronically, which was proposed 
in comment 34(d)(2)-1.
    The Bureau clarifies that, if a debt collector includes disclosures 
other than (1) the required validation information, (2) any optional 
disclosures described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3), or (3) any disclosures 
that, if included, still leave the form substantially similar in 
substance, clarity, and meaningful sequence to the model notice, then 
the safe harbor does not apply with respect to the entirety of the 
validation notice. Except as described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(ii), the 
Bureau has determined not to apply the safe harbor on a partial (i.e., 
disclosure-by-disclosure) basis because it is not clear how disclosures 
other than those referenced above would interact with the validation 
information.\325\ Final comment 34(d)(2)-1 clarifies that a debt 
collector who provides a validation notice that is neither a notice 
described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) or (ii), nor a substantially 
similar notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(iii), does not 
receive a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form 
requirements of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1). The Bureau notes that a 
debt collector who adds disclosures to the model validation notice that 
are not referenced above nevertheless may be able to comply with the 
requirements in Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1), Sec.  1006.38(b)(1), and 
other requirements of the FDCPA and this final rule.
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    \325\ As described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(ii), a debt collector 
who includes certain itemization-related disclosures on a separate 
page in the same communication with the validation notice, and who 
includes on the front of the notice the required statement referring 
to those disclosures, receives a safe harbor for compliance with the 
information and form requirements of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1) 
except with respect to the disclosures that appear on the separate 
page.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Model Validation Notice

    While the majority of industry commenters who commented on the 
topic supported the idea of a model form, some criticized the design of 
the proposed model validation notice. At least two industry commenters 
stated that the proposed model notice contained too much content and 
would overwhelm consumers. One commenter criticized the proposed model 
notice for departing from the prevailing industry design for validation 
notices. A number of identical or nearly identical comments suggested 
that consumers would confuse the proposed model notice for a government 
document, such as an IRS notice, but did not explain what in particular 
about the model notice they believed would cause such consumer 
confusion.
    The Bureau's findings do not support the conclusions that the model 
notice contains too much content or will overwhelm consumers. The model 
validation notice was developed and validated over multiple rounds of 
consumer testing that support its efficacy and comprehensibility. The 
fact that the model validation notice departs from prevailing industry 
design is intended. As the proposal noted, many validation notices used 
today are confusing and lack sufficient information to help consumers 
recognize their debts or exercise their FDCPA verification rights.\326\ 
With the model validation notice, the Bureau has developed an improved 
validation notice that benefits both consumers and debt collectors. In 
quantitative testing, the model validation notice consistently 
performed better than or equal to a ``status quo'' notice designed to 
resemble validation notices that some debt collectors use today.\327\ 
The Bureau also disagrees that the model validation notice resembles a 
government document; the form clearly discloses that it is from a debt 
collector, not the government.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \326\ See 84 FR 23274, 23338 (May 21, 2019).
    \327\ CFPB Quantitative Testing Report, supra note 31, at 13-16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A number of consumer advocate and academic commenters asserted that 
the proposed model notice was not adequately tested. Some of these 
commenters stated that the Bureau's testing included too few 
participants to generate valid conclusions about the proposed model 
notice's efficacy or to evaluate the comprehension of consumers, 
particularly of the least sophisticated consumers. For instance, a 
consumer advocate commenter expressed concern that only 60 consumers 
were included in the cognitive and usability testing rounds.\328\ 
Likewise, an academic commenter stated that the Bureau's consumer 
testing focused too heavily on observing what testing participants 
looked at on the model notice (based on the use of eye tracking 
techniques) at the expense of testing participants' comprehension of 
the notice. Another commenter stated that the Bureau should have tested 
more diverse groups, including consumers with limited English 
proficiency, students, older consumers, and consumers from more diverse 
socioeconomic backgrounds. Some consumer advocate and academic 
commenters recommended that the Bureau field test the proposed model 
notice with consumers with real debts. A consumer advocate expressed 
concern about the performance of certain aspects of the proposed model 
notice in quantitative testing, noting in particular that approximately 
40 percent of respondents who received the model notice failed to 
identify the correct entity the consumer should pay.\329\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \328\ See FMG Summary Report, supra note 29, at 5-7.
    \329\ Several comments in response to the May 2019 proposal also 
criticized the consumer testing as being outdated because, when that 
proposal was published, the most recent testing had occurred in 
2016. However, the Bureau does not find any reason to believe that 
consumer understanding of the model notice has changed since 2016, 
and the commenters did not provide any evidence to support such a 
claim. Moreover, since the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau has 
conducted two additional testing rounds.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 5823]]

    The Bureau disagrees that the model notice was not adequately 
tested. The model validation notice was developed and validated over 
multiple rounds of testing between 2014 and 2020, and the Bureau 
determines that these multiple rounds of testing were sufficient to 
assess the model validation notice's efficacy and comprehensibility. 
Further, the Bureau disagrees that its testing focused on eye-tracking 
at the expense of comprehension testing as consumer comprehension of 
the model validation notice was assessed in three rounds of testing. 
The Bureau's testing used eye-tracking in conjunction with consumer 
responses to inform its conclusions.
    The Bureau disagrees that it did not sample sufficiently diverse 
groups. The Bureau selected respondents with the goal of developing 
diverse testing pools that would serve as a proxy for the population at 
large. For example, in one round of usability testing, participants 
reflected a range of demographic characteristics broken down by race 
and ethnicity, household income, education level, and employment 
status.\330\ With respect to criticism that the Bureau did not ``field 
test'' the model validation notice, testing the form with consumers 
with real debts would have been impractical. Regarding comments that 
the model validation notice did not perform well during the 
quantitative testing round, the Bureau disagrees. As noted above, in 
that testing round, the model validation notice consistently performed 
better than or equal to the status quo notice, including on the 
question of to whom the consumer should send a payment.\331\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \330\ FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 85-87.
    \331\ In response to the question ``According to the notice, if 
Person A wanted to make a payment on the debt, who should he or she 
sent the payment to?'' approximately 60 percent of consumers who 
received the model validation notice answered correctly compared to 
approximately 40 percent of consumers who received a status quo 
notice. CFPB Quantitative Testing Report, supra note 31, at 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commenters provided feedback on specific aspects of the proposed 
validation notice, including the notice's disclosure of the FDCPA 
section 809(a)(4) dispute right. As discussed, Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(i), 
which implements FDCPA section 809(a)(4), requires debt collectors to: 
(1) Disclose the date the debt collector will consider the end date of 
the validation period; and (2) state that, if the consumer notifies the 
debt collector in writing on or before that date that the debt, or any 
portion of the debt, is disputed, the debt collector must cease 
collection of the debt, or the disputed portion of the debt, until the 
debt collector sends the consumer either verification of the debt or a 
copy of a judgment. The proposed model notice showed this disclosure 
as: ``Call or write to us by November 12, 2019, to dispute all or part 
of the debt . . . . If you write to us by November 12, 2019, we must 
stop collection on any amount you dispute until we send you information 
that shows you owe the debt.''
    Some commenters criticized the phrase ``shows you owe the debt.'' 
Industry and industry trade group commenters stated that ``shows you 
owe the debt'' would require debt collectors to prove that consumers 
owe the debt. According to these commenters, this would modify the 
verification standard established by FDCPA section 809 and expose debt 
collectors to increased litigation risk.\332\ Thus, these commenters 
recommended that the Bureau revise the proposed model notice to mirror 
the FDCPA's statutory text.\333\ In contrast, a group of academic 
commenters stated that the verification standard established by case 
law is more robust than the phrase ``shows you owe the debt'' 
suggests.\334\ These commenters expressed concerns that the proposed 
model notice would diminish the FDCPA's verification standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \332\ An industry commenter stated that courts define 
verification narrowly and have not imposed a duty upon debt 
collectors to establish that a debt is owed. See Walton v. EOS CCA, 
885 F.3d 1024, 1027-28 (7th Cir. 2018) (``The verification assures 
the consumer that the creditor actually made the demand the debt 
collector said it did and equips the consumer to evaluate the 
validity of the creditor's claim. It would be both burdensome and 
significantly beyond the Act's purpose to interpret Sec.  1692g as 
requiring a debt collector to undertake an investigation into 
whether the creditor is actually entitled to the money it seeks.''); 
Haddad v. Alexander, Zelmanski, Danner & Fioritto, 758 F.3d 777 (6th 
Cir. 2014); Dunham v. Portfolio Recovery Assocs., 663 F.3d 997, 1003 
(8th Cir. 2001) (citing Chaudhry v. Gallerizzo, 174 F.3d 394 (4th 
Cir. 1999)).
    \333\ For instance, one commenter recommended that the model 
notice should state ``verifies the amount of the debt claimed'' 
instead of ``shows you owe the debt.''
    \334\ In Haddad, the court wrote that a verifying debt collector 
``should provide the date and nature of the transaction that led to 
the debt, such as a purchase on a particular date, a missed rental 
payment for a specific month, a fee for a particular service 
provided at a specified time, or a fine for a particular offense 
assessed on a certain date.'' 758 F.3d at 786.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is not changing the final model validation notice's 
disclosure of the FDCPA section 809(a)(4) dispute right. The Bureau 
does not intend to modify FDCPA section 809's verification standard and 
disagrees that the phrase ``shows you owe the debt'' has that effect. 
``Shows you owe the debt'' is a plain-language phrase that the Bureau 
is adopting to improve consumer understanding. This rulemaking does not 
interpret what constitutes verification under FDCPA section 809.
    The Bureau received comments on the model notice's description of 
the dispute rights under FDCPA section 809(a)(3) and (4). Under FDCPA 
section 809(a)(3), disputes can be made orally or in writing, which the 
proposed model notice showed in part as: ``Call or write to us by 
November 12, 2019, to dispute all or part of the debt.'' However, under 
FDCPA section 809(a)(4) and (b), requests for verification must be made 
in writing to have effect under the statute.\335\ An academic commenter 
and at least two consumer advocates expressed concern that the proposed 
model notice's description of these dispute rights was too nuanced, and 
consumers would not understand that they must write to request 
verification. To address this concern, a commenter recommended that the 
Bureau revise the model notice to state, ``Call us to dispute. But if 
you do call, we may not be required to send information that shows you 
owe the debt.'' \336\ An industry trade group expressed uncertainty 
about why the proposed model notice used the phrase ``call or write'' 
as opposed to ``write'' in different sentences.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \335\ While FDCPA section 809 requires a debt collector to honor 
only written verification requests, the Bureau understands that some 
debt collectors honor both written and non-written verification 
requests. Nothing in the FDCPA, the November 2020 Final Rule, or 
this rule prevents such debt collectors from continuing to do so.
    \336\ This recommendation is based on phrasing that the Bureau 
adopted for usability testing. As noted in the usability testing 
report, consumers who reviewed validation notices using this 
phrasing ``exhibited less confusion'' about the distinction between 
how a debt collector would be required to respond when receiving a 
dispute in writing or by telephone. See FMG Usability Report, supra 
note 28, at 55-56.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau acknowledges that the dispute rights under FDCPA section 
809(a)(3) and (4) may not be intuitive to some consumers. Nevertheless, 
the Bureau settled on the current phrasing in the model validation 
notice to emphasize the validation period end date as opposed to the 
actions--i.e., calling or writing--that a consumer may take. In 
general, the model validation notice has tested well. The Bureau is 
concerned that revising or adding content to clarify the consequences 
of writing versus calling may undermine the overall efficacy of the 
form. Further, this clarification would be unnecessary in many cases. 
The Bureau expects that many consumers will visit the Bureau's website 
for more detailed information

[[Page 5824]]

regarding consumer protections in debt collection.\337\ However, to 
provide further clarity, the Bureau has reformatted how these dispute 
rights appear on the model validation notice. Specifically, the dispute 
rights now appear in separate bullets with bolded text for 
comprehension purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \337\ If the debt collector is collecting debt related to a 
consumer financial product or service as defined in Sec.  
1006.34.2(f), a statement that informs the consumer that additional 
information regarding consumer protections in debt collection is 
available on the Bureau's website is required under Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iv). If the debt collector is collecting debt other 
than debt related to a consumer financial product or service, such a 
statement is optional under Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(viii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commenters provided feedback on the proposed model validation 
notice's original-creditor-information request disclosure pursuant to 
FDCPA section 809(a)(5). Section 1006.34(c)(3)(ii), which implements 
this provision, requires debt collectors to disclose the date the debt 
collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a 
statement that, if the consumer requests in writing on or before that 
date the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector 
must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector sends the 
consumer the name and address of the original creditor, if different 
from the current creditor. The proposed model notice showed this 
disclosure as: ``Write to ask for the name and address of the original 
creditor. If you write by November 12, 2019, we will stop collection 
until we send you that information.'' An industry commenter stated 
that, by omitting the phrase ``if different from the current 
creditor,'' the proposed model notice would compel debt collectors to 
respond to original-creditor-information requests, even if the current 
creditor is the original creditor. A consumer advocate supported the 
omission, arguing that debt collectors should be required to respond to 
all original-creditor-information requests, even if the current 
creditor and the original creditor are the same.
    The Bureau concludes that the model validation notice should 
include the statutory phrase ``if different from the current creditor'' 
when disclosing the original-creditor-information request right. Thus, 
as finalized, the model validation notice includes the phrase ``if 
different from the current creditor.'' Further, as discussed below, the 
Bureau is finalizing new Sec.  1006.38(c)(2), which sets forth an 
alternative procedure that a debt collector may use to respond to a 
consumer's request for original-creditor information when the original 
creditor is the same as the current creditor.
    Commenters recommended two other modifications to the proposed 
model notice. To emphasize the distinction between the debt collector 
and the creditor, an industry trade group commenter suggested that the 
Bureau revise the proposed model notice to emphasize that ``North South 
Group is a debt collector, not a creditor.'' Another industry trade 
group stated that the model notice should incorporate account 
information into the mini-Miranda disclosure, which would frontload 
information that would help consumers recognize alleged debts and 
thereby reduce the number of disputes debt collectors receive. An 
industry trade group commenter stated that the proposed model notice is 
not properly formatted for standard mailing envelopes. According to the 
commenter, Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)'s consumer-response information section 
will not fit a standard glassine window return envelope.
    The Bureau declines other recommendations to modify the model 
validation notice. The Bureau declines to specify that North South 
Group is ``not a creditor,'' as consumer testing indicates that 
consumers generally have a functional understanding that North South 
Group is a debt collector.\338\ The Bureau declines to modify the debt 
collection disclosure required by FDCPA section 807(11) and Sec.  
1006.18(e) as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule. The Bureau 
concludes that combining this statutory disclosure with account 
information would undermine its clarity and purpose. The Bureau 
declines to modify the model notice in response to feedback that the 
form is not properly formatted for standard mailing envelopes. Comment 
34(d)(2)(iii)-1 clarifies that debt collectors may relocate the 
consumer-response information required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) to 
facilitate mailing without losing the safe harbor provided by Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2). Thus, the Bureau determines that debt collectors will be 
able to format the form for mailing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \338\ During November 2020 usability testing, 98 percent of 
participants correctly identified North South Group as the correct 
party to send payments to. Further, participants generally 
understood that they could dispute the debt with North South Group. 
See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Various commenters requested that the Bureau publish additional 
model validation notices to address specific scenarios. Several 
consumer advocate commenters urged the Bureau to translate the model 
notice into other languages, including Spanish. An industry trade group 
commenter recommended that the Bureau develop a model notice that debt 
collectors could use with consumers who are not obligated on the debt, 
such as heirs, successors in interest, and consumers whose debts were 
discharged in bankruptcy. An industry commenter recommended that the 
Bureau create a model notice that omits all optional disclosures.
    The Bureau declines to create additional model validation notice 
forms. As discussed earlier in this section-by-section analysis, the 
Bureau has modified the model-form-safe-harbor framework under Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2) to afford debt collectors more flexibility to customize 
validation information to accommodate their business practices and the 
types of debts they collect. Within identified limits, debt collectors 
may make changes to the model validation notice and still meet the 
standard for a safe harbor under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2).
    The Bureau is making an additional change to the model validation 
notice in response to testing. The statement required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iv) informs the consumer that additional information 
regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the 
Bureau's website. The Bureau's most recent consumer testing indicated 
that a small number of participants who used the model validation 
notice were uncertain about where to find more information about 
consumers' protections in debt collection.\339\ In response to this 
finding, the Bureau is modifying how the statement required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(iv) appears on the model validation notice to further 
emphasize this disclosure and the Bureau's website address.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \339\ During the most recent round of qualitative testing, a few 
participants stated that they were unsure how to learn more about 
debt collection in general. For example, one participant was unable 
to find the statement required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv) on the 
model notice. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra 
note 34, at 13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(d)(3) Optional Disclosures
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) provided that a debt collector could 
include the optional information described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(i) 
through (vi) when providing the validation information. The Bureau 
received no comments specifically addressing the language in proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3). Commenters did suggest a variety of optional 
disclosures to add to Sec.  1006.34(d)(3), such as barcodes or QR 
codes, the date a validation notice was created and sent, disclosures 
required by government creditors, and a disclosure notifying the 
consumer if the debt collector will

[[Page 5825]]

record telephone calls. Some of these suggested disclosures are 
permissible changes to the model notice under Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(iii) 
\340\ or optional disclosures under Sec.  1006.34(d)(3), and debt 
collectors can choose to make other suggested disclosures without safe 
harbor protection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \340\ See comment 34(d)(2)(iii)-1 (examples of permissible 
changes to the model notice include (1) adding barcodes or QR codes 
as long as their inclusion does not violate Sec.  1006.38(b), and 
(2) adding the date the form is generated).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) largely as proposed 
but with minor technical revisions for clarity and with one substantive 
revision to clarify that a debt collector who includes any of the 
optional disclosures receives the safe harbor described in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2), provided that the debt collector otherwise uses the 
model validation notice or a variation of the model notice as described 
in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2). This revision harmonizes Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) 
with certain revisions to Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) in the final rule.\341\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \341\ See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(i), particularly the discussion of new Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(i)(A) and (B), which refers to the optional 
disclosures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) and the related 
provisions of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), including each of the optional 
disclosures that Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) permits debt collectors to 
provide, to implement and interpret FDCPA section 809(a) and (b) and 
pursuant to its FDCPA section 814(d) authority to prescribe rules with 
respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors. The Bureau also 
is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) and the optional disclosures pursuant 
to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act to 
prescribe rules to ensure that the features of consumer financial 
products and services are disclosed fully, accurately, and effectively.
34(d)(3)(i) Telephone Contact Information
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(i) provided that a debt collector 
could include, along with the validation information, the debt 
collector's telephone contact information, including telephone number 
and the times that the debt collector accepts consumer telephone calls.
    Two industry trade group commenters supported permitting debt 
collectors to disclose telephone contact information, with one such 
commenter noting that it would facilitate communication with consumers, 
and the other noting that some State laws require debt collectors to 
disclose telephone contact information. A group of consumer advocate 
commenters recommended that the Bureau make telephone contact 
information a mandatory disclosure.
    The Bureau determines that debt collectors should be permitted to 
include their telephone contact information along with the validation 
information. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(i) will accommodate debt collectors 
who choose to communicate with consumers by telephone or who are 
required to disclose telephone contact information by applicable State 
law. The Bureau declines to make telephone contact information a 
mandatory disclosure because, while many debt collectors likely will 
provide telephone contact information, either by choice or because of a 
State-law requirement, some debt collectors may not need or want to do 
so. In such cases, consumers can use other contact information required 
in the validation information to contact the debt collector. For these 
reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(i) largely as 
proposed, except that the Bureau is finalizing the clarification that 
telephone contact information may include, for example, a telephone 
number as well as the times that the debt collector accepts consumer 
telephone calls, as new comment 34(d)(3)(i)-1, rather than in the 
regulation text as proposed.
34(d)(3)(ii) Reference Code
    Many debt collectors include reference codes on validation notices 
for administrative purposes. The Bureau proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(ii) to accommodate this practice by permitting a debt 
collector to include, along with the validation information, a number 
or code that the debt collector uses to identify the debt or the 
consumer. One industry commenter asked the Bureau to create a safe 
harbor for debt collectors to use an account number as a reference 
code, if that number is labeled as a reference code. The Bureau 
determines that creating such a safe harbor is unnecessary because debt 
collectors may use any number they choose as a reference code.\342\ The 
Bureau therefore is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(ii) as proposed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \342\ Although Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(ii) permits debt collectors 
to use any number they choose as a reference code, debt collectors 
may be prohibited from using certain numbers by other applicable 
laws, such as privacy or data security rules or regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(d)(3)(iii) Payment Disclosures
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii) to allow debt 
collectors to include certain payment disclosures along with the 
validation information, provided that such disclosures were no more 
prominent than any of the validation information. Proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) provided that a debt collector could include in 
the validation notice the statement ``Contact us about your payment 
options,'' using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase. 
Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) provided that a debt collector 
could include in the consumer-response information section described in 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) the statement, ``I enclosed this amount,'' 
using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, payment 
instructions after that statement, and a prompt for a consumer to write 
in a payment amount. As discussed below, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii) largely as proposed, but with certain revisions for 
clarity and consistency with other provisions in the final rule.
    Industry and industry trade group commenters supported permitting 
debt collectors to include optional payment disclosures. One industry 
trade group stated that the proposed optional payment disclosures were 
appropriate because they would not violate FDCPA section 809(b)'s 
overshadowing prohibition.
    Consumer advocate commenters generally objected to proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii). A number of these commenters stated that consumers 
may perceive the payment disclosures as threatening, may misconstrue 
the disclosures as stating that consumers must make a payment to 
exercise their FDCPA dispute right, or may be confused about whether a 
payment is in their interest. Some commenters stated that the proposed 
disclosures could lead consumers to make payments that they might not 
otherwise have made, which some commenters noted could cause consumers 
to inadvertently revive previously time-barred debts. These commenters 
asked the Bureau not to finalize proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii).
    Some commenters suggested revisions to the proposed optional 
payment disclosures. Industry and industry trade group commenters 
recommended that the Bureau make the proposed optional payment 
disclosures more prominent. For example, some commenters suggested that 
the proposed optional payment disclosures be placed at the top of the 
consumer-response information section. An industry commenter 
recommended that the model validation notice include additional 
optional payment disclosures. Industry trade group commenters 
recommended that the Bureau permit debt collectors to include

[[Page 5826]]

instructions about how a consumer could make a payment by telephone, 
website, or alternative payment methods, such as debit card or ACH. 
Based on the concerns noted above about potential consumer 
misunderstanding of the payment disclosures, a group of consumer 
advocate commenters urged the Bureau to amend the validation notice to 
segregate the payment disclosures from the other disclosures and to 
eliminate the payment prompt on the consumer response form.
    For the reasons discussed in the proposal, the Bureau determines 
that the proposed optional payment disclosures facilitate payments that 
may benefit both consumers and debt collectors. For consumers who 
recognize and choose to repay all or part of a debt, payment 
disclosures may make the transaction more efficient and convenient. In 
addition, for consumers who determine that they owe a debt but may not 
be ready to repay all of it at that time, payment disclosures may 
facilitate a discussion that can lead to repayment, settlement, or a 
payment plan.\343\ The Bureau also has determined that the optional 
payment disclosures do not overshadow, and are not inconsistent with, 
consumers' verification rights pursuant to FDCPA section 809(b).\344\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \343\ See 84 FR 23274, 23350 (May 21, 2019).
    \344\ For example, during consumer testing, participants 
reported a variety of actions they thought they could take, and 
approximately 50 percent of respondents said they would confirm the 
debt is accurate before responding. Similarly, participants who 
received the model validation notice, which included the optional 
payment disclosures, generally understood from the notice how they 
could dispute the debt. See November 2020 Qualitative Testing 
Report, supra note 34, at 11, 15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Bureau's testing found that the model validation 
notice, which was tested with the optional payment disclosures, was not 
threatening or intimidating.\345\ The Bureau disagrees that consumers 
will believe mistakenly that they must make a payment to exercise their 
verification rights. As the proposal noted, consumer testing indicates 
that consumers who encounter a payment disclosure on a validation 
notice understand that a payment is not required to dispute a 
debt.\346\ The Bureau determines that inclusion of the neutral, non-
threatening optional payment disclosures will not confuse consumers 
about whether making a payment is in their best interest. For the same 
reasons, the Bureau declines the suggestion to segregate the payment 
disclosures from the other disclosures and to eliminate the payment 
prompt on the consumer response form.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \345\ Participants with prior debt collection experience 
observed that the model notice was ``different'' than other 
validation notices they had received because the notice did not 
include threatening or intimidating language. See November 2020 
Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 10.
    \346\ FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 59-61.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines recommendations to permit debt collectors to 
emphasize or highlight the payment option disclosures. Making the 
payment disclosures more prominent, as some industry commenters 
suggested, would reduce the efficacy of the model validation notice and 
risk overshadowing the validation information in violation of FDCPA 
section 809(b). The Bureau also determines that the optional payment 
disclosures in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) are sufficient to 
facilitate payments \347\ and that additional prominence for the 
payment disclosures is not justified. The Bureau also declines to 
permit debt collectors to include specific instructions about other 
payment methods. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) permits debt collectors 
to invite consumers to contact them about payment options, and debt 
collectors have the ability to provide information about alternative 
payment methods in subsequent communications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \347\ During usability testing, participants expressed an 
understanding that one purpose of the model validation notice was to 
solicit payment on a debt. When asked about their payment options 
based on the model validation notice, approximately 80 percent of 
participants stated that they would contact the debt collector by 
telephone, website, email, or write to explore payment options. See 
November 2020 Qualitative Testing Report, supra note 34, at 10,12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For these reasons, this Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii) largely as proposed but with several revisions for 
clarity and for consistency with other provisions in the final rule. 
First, the Bureau is deleting the sentences that specified that the 
optional payment disclosures in both Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) and 
(B) must be no more prominent than any of the validation information. 
These deleted sentences are unnecessary in view of revisions to the 
final rule in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) that apply to all of the optional 
disclosures, which makes the deleted sentences redundant.\348\ In 
addition, the Bureau is adding language to clarify that a debt 
collector may choose to include either of the optional payment 
disclosures, or both of them. Lastly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) to clarify that the optional payment disclosure 
must appear ``below'' (rather than merely ``with'') the consumer-
response information required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) and (ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \348\ Final Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) states that certain optional 
disclosures permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) are contained on the 
model notice; those optional disclosures satisfy the requirement to 
be no more prominent than any validation information. Final Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(i)(B) also permits inclusion of the optional 
disclosures described by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) that are not included 
on the model notice so long as they are no more prominent than any 
validation information; see the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(i) for more detail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, final Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii) provides that debt 
collectors may include either or both of the following payment 
disclosures: (1) The statement, ``Contact us about your payment 
options,'' using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase; and (2) 
below the consumer-response information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i) and (ii), the statement, ``I enclosed this amount,'' 
using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, payment 
instructions after that statement, and a prompt.
34(d)(3)(iv) Disclosures Under Applicable Law
    Some States require specific disclosures to appear on validation 
notices. To enable debt collectors to comply with both Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1) and disclosure requirements under other applicable law, 
the Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) to permit a debt collector 
to include, on the front of the validation notice, a statement that 
other disclosures required by applicable law appear on the reverse of 
the form and, on the reverse of the validation notice, any such legally 
required disclosures. Proposed comment 34(d)(3)(iv)-1 provided examples 
of disclosure requirements that proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) would 
cover, including disclosures required by State statutes or regulations 
and disclosures required by judicial opinions or orders. For the 
reasons discussed below, the Bureau is adopting proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv) with revisions, including the addition of new 
regulatory text subsections and commentary.
    A number of industry and industry trade group commenters stated 
that the Bureau's proposal regarding disclosures required by other 
applicable law would either conflict with or not accommodate such 
disclosures. Commenters stated that some States require disclosures to 
appear on the front of a validation notice.\349\ To address such 
concerns,

[[Page 5827]]

commenters recommended that the Bureau allow debt collectors to include 
required State law disclosures on the front of the validation notice. 
One commenter, an industry trade group, urged the Bureau to allow for 
formatting flexibility for such State law disclosures while still 
affording safe harbor protection. At least one commenter suggested that 
the Bureau preempt State laws that require disclosures on the front of 
a validation notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \349\ Although these commenters cited various State laws 
requiring disclosures, they primarily referred to State laws 
requiring time-barred debt disclosures and revival disclosures. For 
example, one industry trade group commenter noted that 
Massachusetts, New Mexico, and New York State and City require 
disclosures about time-barred debt and revival that specifically or 
practically must appear on the front page of the validation notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau determines that, particularly with the changes to the 
model validation notice discussed in the section-by-section analysis, 
final Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) generally will accommodate disclosures 
required by other applicable law.\350\ As noted above, a few States 
require time-barred debt disclosures to appear on the front of a 
validation notice; time-barred debt disclosures are discussed further 
below. The Bureau is not aware that States specifically require any 
other disclosures to appear on the front of the validation notice; as 
such, the Bureau concludes that disclosures specifically required by 
applicable law, other than in those few instances relating to time-
barred debt, can be accommodated on the reverse of the validation 
notice. The Bureau also is not aware of font size, prominence, or 
placement requirements established by State or other applicable law 
that final Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) will not accommodate, as discussed 
further below. Further, the statement that Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) 
permits on the front of a validation notice is consistent with State 
laws that require statements on the front of the notice.\351\ The 
Bureau will continue to monitor whether disclosures required by other 
applicable law are inconsistent or conflict with Sec.  1006.34 or 
Regulation F generally, and if such an inconsistency or conflict is 
identified, the Bureau will endeavor to take action to address it. The 
Bureau also reiterates that, unlike the proposal, the final rule does 
not require the validation notice to be substantially similar to the 
model validation notice; thus, if Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) does not 
accommodate a disclosure required under State or other applicable law, 
then debt collectors can provide such a disclosure without necessarily 
violating the rule, but they would lose the Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) safe 
harbor.
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    \350\ As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2), the final rule permits a debt collector who uses the 
model validation notice, specified variations of the model notice, 
or a substantially similar form to receive a safe harbor. Moreover, 
as discussed below in this section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv), the Bureau is modifying how the statement 
required by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) is disclosed on the model 
validation notice to mirror language on a disclosure required under 
Wisconsin law.
    \351\ See, e.g., Colo. Rev. Stat. sec. 12-14-105(3)(c) (``In its 
initial written communication to a consumer, a collection agency 
shall include the following statement: `For information about the 
Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, see 
www.ago.state.co.us/cadc/cadcmain.cfm.' If the notification is 
placed on the back of the written communication, there shall be a 
statement on the front notifying the consumer of such fact.''); Wis. 
Admin. Code DFI-Bkg sec. 74.13 (``Unless the initial communication 
is written and contains the following notice or the debtor has paid 
the debt, a licensee shall send the debtor the following notice 
within 5 days after the initial communication with a debtor: `This 
collection agency is licensed by the Division of Banking in the 
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, www.wdfi.org.' . . . 
here the notice required by sub. (1) is printed on the reverse side 
of any collection notice or validation sent by the licensee, the 
front of such notice shall bear the following statement in not less 
than 8 point type: ``Notice: See Reverse Side for Important 
Information.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has revised Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) in response to 
feedback and for clarity. Final Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) provides 
that the debt collector may include, on the reverse of the validation 
notice, any disclosures that are specifically required by, or that 
provide safe harbors under, applicable law and, if any such disclosures 
are included, a statement on the front of the validation notice 
referring to those disclosures. Final comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-1 
clarifies that disclosures permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) 
include, for example, specific disclosures required by Federal, State, 
or municipal statutes or regulations, and specific disclosures required 
by judicial or administrative decisions or orders, including 
administrative consent orders. The comment also describes how such 
disclosures could include, for example, time-barred debt disclosures 
and disclosures that the current amount of the debt may increase or 
vary due to interest, fees, or other charges, provided that such 
disclosures are specifically required by applicable law.
    The Bureau has revised Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) and its accompanying 
commentary from the proposal to clarify the disclosures that are 
permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv). Specifically, the revisions 
clarify that the provision applies if a debt collector must comply with 
a specific disclosure requirement under Federal, State, or local law, 
or under a judicial or administrative decision or order. As such, the 
Bureau emphasizes that this provision is not intended to capture 
circumstances in which a debt collector is not providing a disclosure 
that is required under a specific law, decision, or order, but rather 
the debt collector is providing a disclosure to try to comply with a 
more general legal requirement. For example, if the debt collector were 
to add language to the validation notice to try to avoid a finding of 
an unfair, deceptive, or abusive practice under Dodd-Frank Act section 
1031 or the FDCPA, that is not an optional disclosure covered by Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv). Debt collectors are not precluded from making such 
disclosures, but they will not receive the safe harbor under Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2).
    The Bureau has made modifications to the final rule, moreover, to 
provide additional flexibility with respect to time-barred debt 
disclosures, in response to feedback to the proposal. Under new Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B),\352\ if a debt collector is collecting time-
barred debt, the debt collector may include on the front of the 
validation notice any time-barred debt disclosure that is specifically 
required by, or that provides a safe harbor under, applicable law, 
provided that applicable law specifies the content of the 
disclosure.\353\ New comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(B)-1 clarifies that, for 
example, if applicable State law requires a debt collector who is 
collecting time-barred debt to disclose to the consumer that the law 
limits how long a consumer can be sued on a debt and that the debt 
collector cannot or will not sue the consumer to collect it, the debt 
collector may include that disclosure on the front of the validation 
notice. New comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(B)-1 also includes a cross-reference 
to the definition of time-barred debt under Sec.  1006.26(a)(2) and 
clarifies that, for purposes of Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B), time-barred 
debt disclosures may include disclosures about revival of debt 
collectors' right to bring a legal action to enforce the debt. The 
Bureau concludes that providing additional flexibility to debt 
collectors to make these optional disclosures either on the front or 
reverse of the validation notice is warranted in view of circumstances 
in which it may be difficult to discern under applicable State or local 
law whether time-barred debt disclosures must appear on the front of a 
validation notice. Moreover, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B) in view of the

[[Page 5828]]

Bureau's decision not to finalize a requirement for debt collectors to 
provide disclosures relating to time-barred debt or revival laws, 
described in more detail in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \352\ To permit this additional flexibility for time-barred debt 
disclosures as distinguished from other disclosures made under 
applicable law, the final rule has re-numbered proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv), which would have specified that the applicable 
law disclosures are placed on the reverse side of the validation 
notice only, as Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A).
    \353\ As with other disclosures required by or providing safe 
harbors under applicable law, debt collectors can also make the 
time-barred debt disclosures on the reverse of the validation notice 
pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A). See comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-
1, which gives an example of a time-barred debt disclosure as a 
disclosure permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau received feedback about modifying the scope of proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv). An industry trade group commenter stated that 
the Bureau should limit Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) to State laws and 
exclude disclosures required by judicial decisions or orders. According 
to the commenter, courts should not be permitted to dictate non-
standard disclosures that would limit the efficacy of the model 
validation notice and result in validation notices that vary by 
jurisdiction. This commenter asserted that permitting courts to vary 
the model validation notice would be inconsistent with the framework in 
other consumer financial laws and regulations, such as TILA and 
Regulation Z, which do not permit courts to add disclosures to model 
forms. A group of consumer advocate commenters asked the Bureau to 
prohibit debt collectors from including disclosures that are permitted, 
but not required, by applicable law, because including all possible 
disclosures would overwhelm consumers. On the other hand, an industry 
trade group commenter asked the Bureau to allow debt collectors to 
include such disclosures.
    The Bureau determines that Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) should cover 
disclosures required pursuant to judicial or administrative decisions 
or orders, including administrative consent orders. Permitting 
disclosures required by judicial or administrative decisions or orders 
to appear, like any State-law-required disclosures, on the reverse of a 
validation notice will neither undermine the efficacy of the model 
validation notice nor create validation notices that significantly vary 
by jurisdiction, other than on the reverse of the notice. Further, the 
Bureau concludes that permitting judicially mandated disclosures to 
appear on validation notices is not inconsistent with other consumer 
financial laws, as some commenters suggested. For instance, the Bureau 
understands that nothing in TILA and its implementing Regulation Z 
prohibit, as those commenters appeared to believe, creditors from 
making disclosures required pursuant to judicial orders or decisions. 
As noted above, final comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-1 clarifies that the 
disclosures permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) include specific 
disclosures required by judicial decisions or orders.
    In response to feedback, the Bureau also is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) and comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-1 to permit debt 
collectors to include disclosures that provide safe harbors under 
applicable law without losing the safe harbor for compliance under 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2). Such disclosures can mitigate legal risks for debt 
collectors and reduce the potential for consumer harm.\354\ On the 
other hand, the Bureau declines to allow debt collectors to include 
disclosures on the validation notice that are merely permitted by other 
applicable law and still retain the safe harbor.\355\ Such disclosures 
may be irrelevant to consumers, and their inclusion on the validation 
notice may overwhelm consumers or overshadow more relevant disclosures. 
Nevertheless, as noted elsewhere, a debt collector who included such a 
disclosure would not necessarily violate Regulation F; that debt 
collector would, however, be outside the safe harbor for compliance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \354\ Avila, 817 F.3d at 76 (adopting the safe harbor approach 
for debt collectors disclosing the amount of the debt when the 
balance may increase due to interest and fees adopted in Miller v. 
McCalla, Raymer, Padrick, Cobb, Nichols, & Clark, LLC, 214 F.3d 872, 
876 (7th Cir. 2000)).
    \355\ As discussed earlier in this section-by-section analysis, 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) has been revised in the final rule to 
clarify that the optional disclosures are those that are 
``specifically'' required by applicable law or that provide a safe 
harbor under applicable law.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some commenters suggested that the Bureau revise the text and 
placement of the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) disclosure that appeared on 
the model validation notice. An industry trade group commenter noted 
that Wisconsin law allows disclosures on the reverse of the notice but 
requires the statement, ``Notice: See Reverse Side for Important 
Information.'' A group of consumer advocate commenters suggested that 
disclosures required by applicable law should be separately labeled as 
``Disclosures Required by Your State'' and ``Disclosures Required by 
Local Federal Courts.''
    Relatedly, some commenters noted that some State laws include 
specific prominence or font size requirements for validation notice 
disclosures. A comment letter from two associations of State regulatory 
agencies expressed concerns that proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv), as 
disclosed on the model validation notice, was not sufficiently 
prominent. In particular, these commenters objected that the statement 
about disclosures required by applicable law appeared below the Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(A) payment disclosure.
    In response to feedback, the Bureau is including a new comment 
34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-2 to clarify how the disclosure described in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) may appear depending on the delivery mechanism. 
The comment clarifies that, if a debt collector includes disclosures 
pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A), the debt collector must include 
a statement on the front of the validation notice referring to those 
disclosures; and a debt collector may comply with the requirement to 
refer to the disclosures by including on the front of the validation 
notice the statement, ``Notice: See reverse side for important 
information,'' or a substantially similar statement. The comment 
further notes that if, as permitted by comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-1, a 
debt collector places the disclosures below the content of the 
validation notice, the debt collector may comply with the requirement 
to refer to the disclosures by stating, ``Notice: See below for 
important information,'' or a substantially similar statement.
    In response to feedback, the Bureau is also modifying how the 
statement required by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) is disclosed on the model 
validation notice. Specifically, the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) statement 
appears on the final model notice as: ``Notice: See Reverse Side for 
Important Information.'' \356\ The Bureau finds that this phrase is 
clearer, more conspicuous, and more likely to encourage consumer action 
than the proposed phrase, ``Review state law disclosures on reverse 
side, if applicable.'' Finally, the Bureau declines the suggestion to 
require debt collectors to label which disclosures are included 
pursuant to State law and which are included pursuant to judicial 
orders and decisions. That distinction likely makes little practical 
difference to consumers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \356\ The Bureau based this statement on a Wisconsin disclosure 
requirement. See Wis. Admin. Code DFI-Bkg sec. 74.13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau also determines that the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) 
disclosure should be more prominent than in the proposed model 
validation notice, in part to account for the fact noted by some 
commenters that disclosures required by other applicable law may have 
prominence requirements, including clear and conspicuous requirements. 
The Bureau therefore has modified the model validation notice to 
further emphasize the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) disclosure. Specifically, 
in contrast to the proposed model validation notice, on which the 
disclosure appeared in regular font in the middle of a list of other 
disclosures, the disclosure appears on the final model validation 
notice

[[Page 5829]]

underlined and in bold font and separated from other disclosures.
    Commenters sought additional guidance about what constitutes the 
``reverse side'' of the validation notice. Two industry trade group 
commenters recommended that the Bureau interpret ``reverse side'' as 
synonymous with ``next page'' to allow debt collectors to use a second 
page to provide disclosures required by other applicable law. 
Relatedly, one commenter stated that requiring a debt collector to 
print on both sides of a validation notice would increase costs. Two 
associations of State regulatory agencies asked the Bureau to clarify 
where State law disclosures should be placed on validation notices 
delivered electronically, since disclosures delivered electronically 
will not have a reverse side.
    The Bureau recognizes that the meaning of ``on the reverse'' may 
vary by delivery method and format and that clarification is warranted, 
particularly as to validation notices delivered electronically. As 
such, the Bureau is adopting new comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-1, which 
clarifies, in relevant part, that if a debt collector provides a 
validation notice in the body of an email, the debt collector may, in 
lieu of including the disclosures permitted by Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) on the reverse of the validation notice, include 
them in the same communication below the content of the validation 
notice. Furthermore, as discussed above, comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-2 
notes that, if a debt collector places the disclosures below the 
content of the validation notice, the debt collector may comply with 
the requirement to refer to the disclosures by including the statement, 
``Notice: See below for important information,'' or a substantially 
similar statement. These commentary provisions, therefore, address 
circumstances in which the validation notice is delivered in the body 
of an email.
    The Bureau declines to permit debt collectors to place disclosures 
required by other applicable law on a second page while maintaining the 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor, as some commenters requested. In Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(ii), the Bureau specifies two narrow circumstances in 
which debt collectors are permitted to include validation information 
on a second page because such information, presented on a second page, 
is likely to benefit consumers.\357\ And, in both cases, if a debt 
collector includes the disclosures on a second page, the debt collector 
loses the Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) safe harbor with respect to the second 
page. The Bureau determines that it is unwarranted to provide a safe 
harbor that would be more expansive both in scope and protection than 
the other targeted exceptions to debt collectors providing other 
applicable law disclosures on a second page. The Bureau notes that debt 
collectors may include such disclosures on a second page without 
necessarily violating the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \357\ Final Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(ii) allows a second page for 
debt collectors to provide information that would otherwise be 
provided in a relatively abbreviated itemization of the debt (i.e., 
itemization on a second page and for the special rule regarding 
certain residential mortgage debt). This narrow exception allows the 
debt collector to potentially provide significantly more information 
to the consumer on a second page.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is making one additional change not in response to 
comments. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) provides, in relevant part, that 
disclosures made under Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) must not appear directly 
on the reverse of the consumer-response information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4), which appears on the front of the notice. This revision 
is included to ensure that debt collectors who choose to make the 
optional disclosures under Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) do not provide the 
disclosures in a place where the disclosures would be returned with the 
consumer-response information.
    The Bureau notes that if, as permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv), 
a debt collector includes on the front of a validation notice the 
required statement regarding disclosures under other applicable law 
(i.e., ``Notice: See reverse side for important information''), the 
debt collector must actually place such disclosures on the reverse. 
Conversely, a debt collector may not include disclosures under other 
applicable law on the reverse of a validation notice without including 
the statement about those disclosures on the front of the validation 
notice. The Bureau intended this effect when it proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv) and notes it here for clarity.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv) and 
its related commentary with both substantive revisions and minor 
wording changes.
34(d)(3)(v) Information About Electronic Communications
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(v) provided that debt collectors could 
include certain information about electronic communications along with 
the validation information. First, proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(v)(A) 
provided that a debt collector could include the debt collector's 
website and email address. Second, proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(v)(B) 
provided that a debt collector could include, for validation 
information not provided electronically, the statement described in 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) explaining how a consumer could take the actions 
described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) and Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) 
electronically.\358\ One industry commenter supported proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(v), and the Bureau is finalizing it as proposed, with 
technical revisions to reflect conforming changes to final Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(v). For example, final Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(v)(B) no 
longer contains a reference to Sec.  1006.34(d)(3) because final Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(v) itself no longer refers to Sec.  1006.34(d)(3).\359\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \358\ Proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) provided that such a 
statement was required validation information for validation notices 
provided electronically.
    \359\ As discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(c)(3)(v), the final rule does not require debt collectors 
who provide validation notices electronically to include statements 
explaining how consumers can take the actions described in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3) electronically.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

34(d)(3)(vi) Spanish-Language Translation Disclosures
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) provided that a debt collector 
could include, along with the validation information, optional Spanish-
language disclosures that consumers could use to request a Spanish-
language validation notice. The proposal stated that Spanish-speaking 
LEP consumers may benefit from a Spanish-language disclosure informing 
them of their ability to request a Spanish-language translation, if a 
debt collector chooses to make such a translation available.\360\ The 
proposal stated that debt collectors may wish to provide validation 
information in Spanish, as doing so may facilitate their communications 
with consumers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \360\ Spanish speakers represent the second-largest language 
group in the United States after English speakers. As of 2016, 40 
million residents in the United States ages five and older spoke 
Spanish at home. See U.S. Census Bureau, Profile America for Facts 
for Features CB17-FF.17: Hispanic Heritage Month 2017, at 4 (Oct. 
17, 2017), https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2017/hispanic-heritage.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Consumer advocate commenters generally supported permitting debt 
collectors to provide certain Spanish-language disclosures along with 
the validation information. Some consumer advocate commenters 
recommended that the Bureau also require debt collectors to provide the 
disclosures described in proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi). A group of 
consumer advocate commenters urged the Bureau to require a debt 
collector to send a translated validation notice if the debt collector 
receives a request from a consumer seeking information in the

[[Page 5830]]

consumer's preferred language, including a request received using the 
proposed tear off portion of the validation notice.
    An industry commenter supported proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) on 
the understanding that the Spanish-language disclosures would be 
optional. According to the commenter, requiring debt collectors to 
provide foreign language disclosures would entail significant costs. An 
industry commenter and an industry trade group commenter asked the 
Bureau to clarify whether providing the proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(vi) disclosures would obligate a debt collector to 
provide future communications in Spanish to the consumer. Some 
commenters raised questions about whether the validation period would 
be paused when a consumer requests a Spanish-language translation of 
the validation notice and then restart when it is received, with a 
local government commenter supporting such a revision in the final 
rule.
    The Bureau declines to make the Spanish-language disclosures 
described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) mandatory. A requirement to 
provide the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) disclosures, standing alone, would 
not be overly burdensome because the translation language is precisely 
described in the regulation and is also included on the model 
validation notice. However, the content of those disclosures means that 
mandating them would effectively compel debt collectors to provide 
translated validation notices to certain consumers (i.e., consumers who 
respond to the Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) disclosures by requesting a 
Spanish-language validation notice).\361\ As discussed in the proposal, 
the Bureau did not propose to require debt collectors to provide 
translated validation notices because of the associated costs of such a 
requirement,\362\ and the Bureau is declining to finalize such a 
requirement in this final rule.\363\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \361\ 15 U.S.C. 1692e.
    \362\ 84 FR 23274, 23352 (May 21, 2019).
    \363\ See the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A debt collector who provides the optional disclosure described in 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) must honor a consumer's request for a 
translated validation notice or risk violating FDCPA section 807. 
However, the proposal did not expressly state that the debt collector 
would be obligated to provide the Spanish-language translation of the 
validation notice in this circumstance. The proposal only implied such 
an obligation. To make the rule clearer, the Bureau is finalizing a new 
Sec.  1006.34(e)(2), which provides that a debt collector who includes 
in the validation information either or both of the optional 
disclosures described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi), and who thereafter 
receives a request from the consumer for a Spanish-language validation 
notice, must provide the consumer a validation notice completely and 
accurately translated into Spanish.\364\ The Bureau clarifies that, 
other than with respect to Sec.  1006.34(e)(2), nothing in the rule 
obligates a debt collector to provide future communications in Spanish 
solely because the debt collector provided a disclosure described in 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) in Spanish.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \364\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding the commenters who asked for clarification about, or 
supported, restarting the validation period when the consumer requests 
a Spanish-language validation notice, the Bureau declines to mandate 
such a change but notes that debt collectors who voluntarily restart 
the validation period after providing a copy of the Spanish-language 
validation notice following the consumer's request do not violate the 
FDCPA or Regulation F.
    For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi) 
largely as proposed but with a revision to clarify that a debt 
collector may include either of the optional Spanish-language 
translation disclosures, or both of them.
34(d)(3)(vi)(A)
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) provided that a debt collector 
could include a statement in Spanish informing a consumer that the 
consumer could request a Spanish-language validation notice. 
Specifically, the Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) to 
permit the statement, ``P[oacute]ngase en contacto con nosotros para 
solicitar una copia de este formulario en espa[ntilde]ol,'' using that 
phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish. In English, this 
phrase means, ``You may contact us to request a copy of this form in 
Spanish.'' The proposal clarified that a debt collector who provided 
this optional disclosure could also include supplemental information in 
Spanish specifying how a consumer could request a Spanish-language 
validation notice. Proposed comment 34(d)(3)(vi)(A)-1 explained that, 
for example, a debt collector could provide a statement in Spanish that 
a consumer could request a Spanish-language validation notice by 
telephone or email.
    Consumer advocate commenters supported the Spanish-language 
disclosure described in proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A). The Bureau 
received no other comments specifically addressing the disclosure. 
Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) and 
its related commentary as proposed, with only minor wording changes.
34(d)(3)(vi)(B)
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) provided that debt collectors 
could include in the consumer-response information section of the 
validation notice a statement in Spanish that a consumer could use to 
request a Spanish-language validation notice. Specifically, the Bureau 
proposed in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) to permit debt collectors to 
include the statement, ``Quiero esta forma en espa[ntilde]ol,'' using 
that phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish. In English, 
this phrase means, ``I want this form in Spanish.'' Proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) would have required this statement to be next to a 
prompt that the consumer could use to request a Spanish-language 
validation notice.
    Consumer advocate commenters generally supported the Spanish-
language disclosure described in proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B). 
However, a group of consumer advocate commenters stated that the 
Spanish translation in proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) was 
inaccurate. Specifically, the commenters stated that the correct 
Spanish translation of ``form'' is ``formulario,'' not ``forma.'' The 
word ``forma'' appeared in both proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) and 
in the sample disclosure on the proposed model validation notice. The 
Bureau finds that ``formulario,'' not ``forma,'' is the correct Spanish 
translation of ``form.'' The Bureau also finds that, for gender 
agreement, Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B) should read ``este formulario,'' 
not ``esta formulario.''
    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(B), its related 
commentary, and the disclosure on the model validation notice as 
proposed, but with revisions to correct the translation errors and with 
other, minor wording changes for consistency with other provisions of 
the final rule.
34(d)(3)(vii)
    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) to provide that the 
merchant brand, if any, associated with a credit card debt, to the 
extent available to the debt collector, is validation information that 
must be provided to the consumer. Proposed comment 34(c)(2)(iii)-1 
provided an example of

[[Page 5831]]

merchant brand information that the Bureau initially determined would 
be available to a debt collector and that, therefore, would be required 
on a validation notice.
    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau is not finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and its related commentary. Instead, the Bureau is 
restructuring and renumbering proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) as a 
new optional disclosure under Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vii), which permits, 
but does not require, debt collectors to disclose the merchant brand, 
affinity brand, or facility name, if any, associated with the debt (and 
does not limit the optional disclosure to credit card debt).
    Industry, industry trade group, and consumer advocate commenters 
uniformly agreed that, if available, merchant brand information may 
help consumers recognize debts. For example, consumer advocate 
commenters stated that, in the case of a store-branded credit card, a 
consumer may not associate the debt with the original creditor (often a 
bank) and may be more likely to recognize the merchant, whose name 
appears on the credit card. A group of consumer advocate commenters 
asserted that such information was important, impliedly suggesting that 
the Bureau require its disclosure as part of the validation 
information.
    Although supportive of the proposed disclosure in principle, some 
industry trade group commenters asked the Bureau to clarify the 
circumstances in which merchant brand information would be deemed 
available. According to these commenters, whether merchant brand 
information is available may be unclear because it is not always 
identifiable in a consumer's file or a creditor may not have provided 
it. One industry trade group commenter stated that the proposed 
provision requiring disclosure of merchant brand information for credit 
cards as part of the validation information would better serve 
consumers and reduce compliance costs if the provision included broader 
categories than merchant brand names and was an optional, rather than 
mandatory, disclosure.
    The Bureau received other comments about expanding the scope of 
proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii). An industry trade group commenter 
recommended that Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii) also encompass affinity brand 
information (e.g., the name of a college). Other commenters recommended 
that debt collectors be permitted or required to disclose the facility 
name associated with a medical debt (e.g., the name of a hospital). 
According to commenters, a consumer may be more likely to recognize a 
facility where treatment was provided than the healthcare service 
provider that is the creditor. A group of consumer advocate commenters 
noted that increasingly a hospital name may act as a brand for an 
umbrella of service providers and thus should be treated in the same 
manner as a merchant brand.
    The Bureau determines that merchant brand information may help 
consumers recognize debts. However, the Bureau agrees with the feedback 
that whether merchant brand information is available may not always be 
clear to a debt collector. This ambiguity is particularly likely with 
respect to debts that have been sold or transferred multiple times. 
Furthermore, not all creditors will have an associated merchant brand, 
at least one that is distinct from the creditor name.
    Accordingly, in lieu of finalizing the requirement in proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii), the Bureau is adopting new Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(vii), which permits, rather than requires, debt 
collectors to disclose the merchant brand information, if any, 
associated with a debt. By making merchant brand an optional 
disclosure, the Bureau eliminates a source of potential ambiguity that 
could expose debt collectors to legal risk. In addition, 
notwithstanding this modification, the Bureau concludes that debt 
collectors will be incentivized to provide merchant brand information 
if it is available. Commenters uniformly agreed that merchant brand 
information helps consumers recognize debts.\365\ Thus, debt collectors 
likely will benefit from including merchant brand information if 
possible. Providing merchant brand information will also benefit 
consumers by allowing them to more easily identify debts, determine 
whether they owe them, and avoid the confusion resulting from seeing a 
validation notice with an unfamiliar name (which potentially leads to 
the consumer ignoring the notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \365\ See 84 FR 23274, 23340 (May 21, 2019) (citing the Bureau's 
consumer focus group findings that indicate consumers use merchant 
brands to recognize credit card debts).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau finds that affinity brand information and facility name 
information also may help consumers recognize debts they owe. Whereas a 
merchant brand can be generally understood as the labelling or branding 
of a commercial entity, such as a retail store, an affinity brand may 
reflect the labelling or branding of an entity that is not necessarily 
commercial but one with which the consumer has a relationship. For 
example, a higher education institution (e.g., ``College of Columbia'') 
or a charity may be associated with a consumer financial product (e.g., 
a credit card provided by ``ABC Bank'') as an affinity brand. See 
comment 34(d)(3)(vii)-2. Moreover, facility name information (e.g., 
``ABC Hospital'') may prove more recognizable to consumers with respect 
to a medical debt than the name of, for example, the physicians group 
or laboratory that is the actual creditor (particularly if the consumer 
has one appointment or procedure at one facility that results in 
multiple bills from multiple providers). See comment 34(d)(3)(vii)-3. 
Thus, Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vii) also permits debt collectors to disclose 
an affinity brand or a facility name, if any, associated with a 
debt.\366\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \366\ Although Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits debt collectors 
to disclose the facility name associated with a medical debt along 
with the validation information, debt collectors may be prohibited 
from doing so by other applicable laws, such as healthcare privacy 
rules or regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For these reasons, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(vii) to provide that, along with the validation 
information, debt collectors may disclose the merchant brand, affinity 
brand, or facility name, if any, associated with a debt. The Bureau 
also is adopting new comments 34(d)(3)(vii)-1 through -3 to provide 
examples of a merchant brand, an affinity brand, and a facility name, 
respectively.
34(d)(3)(viii)
    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(viii) to provide that, 
although it is not required, a debt collector who is collecting debt 
not related to a consumer financial product or service may disclose 
certain additional information without losing the safe harbor provided 
by Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) (assuming the debt collector otherwise satisfies 
the conditions for the safe harbor). Specifically, Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(viii) provides that, if a debt collector is collecting 
debt other than debt related to a consumer financial product or service 
as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f), the debt collector may disclose: (1) The 
name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization date 
(i.e., the information specified in Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii)); or (2) a 
statement that informs the consumer that additional information 
regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the 
Bureau's website at www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection (i.e., the information 
specified in Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv)). The Bureau determines that 
receipt of this

[[Page 5832]]

information may be helpful for consumers.
34(d)(4) Validation Notices Delivered Electronically
    As discussed in the proposal and in the November 2020 Final Rule, 
promoting electronic communications may benefit consumers and debt 
collectors.\367\ As also discussed in the proposal, allowing debt 
collectors to make certain formatting modifications to validation 
notices delivered electronically may help consumers exercise their 
verification rights under FDCPA section 809 and may facilitate a debt 
collector's ability to process and understand a consumer's response to 
such an electronically delivered validation notice. Proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(4) therefore provided several modifications, discussed in 
the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(4)(i) and (ii) 
below, that a debt collector could make, at its option, to the 
formatting of a validation notice delivered electronically.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \367\ See 84 FR 23274, 23351 (May 21, 2019); 85 FR 76734, 76755 
(Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An industry trade group commenter expressed support for proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(4)'s facilitation of validation notices delivered 
electronically. The Bureau received no other comments specifically 
addressing proposed Sec.  1006.34(d). Accordingly, the Bureau is 
finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(4) with only minor wording changes.
    The Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(4) to implement and 
interpret FDCPA section 809(b) by establishing formatting requirements 
that facilitate the consumer's right to dispute a debt and request 
original-creditor information, and pursuant to its FDCPA section 814(d) 
authority to prescribe rules with respect to the collection of debts by 
debt collectors. The Bureau also is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(4) 
pursuant to its authority under section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act 
to prescribe rules to ensure that the features of consumer financial 
products and services are disclosed fully, accurately, and effectively.
34(d)(4)(i) Prompts
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(4)(i) provided that a debt collector 
delivering a validation notice electronically pursuant to Sec.  1006.42 
could display any prompt required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) or (ii) or 
(d)(3)(iii)(B) or (vi)(B) as a fillable field.\368\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \368\ 84 FR 23274, 23405 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One industry trade group commenter supported proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(4)(i). According to the commenter, if a validation notice is 
delivered by email, a debt collector should be permitted to format the 
prompts in the consumer-response information section so that the debt 
collector receives an email if a consumer selects them. Another 
industry trade group commenter asked the Bureau to clarify whether a 
fillable field includes a checkbox.
    A consumer advocate commenter raised concerns about permitting a 
debt collector to format the payment prompt described in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) as a fillable field. According to the commenter, 
scammers could impersonate legitimate debt collectors and attempt to 
convince consumers to make payments on fraudulent debts using the 
payment prompts. The commenter urged the Bureau to evaluate the 
security risks associated with fillable payment prompts and consider 
other approaches.
    The Bureau determines that allowing a debt collector to design a 
validation notice delivered electronically to include fillable prompts 
will benefit consumers and industry by making it easier for consumers 
to exercise their verification rights, make a payment, or request a 
Spanish-language translation of the notice. The Bureau does not find 
that permitting a debt collector to format the payment prompt described 
in Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iii)(B) as a fillable field entails substantial 
security risks. The Bureau acknowledges that, in general, electronic 
communications present certain security risks to consumers. However, 
the Bureau finds that these general risks do not justify preventing 
debt collectors from including in electronic communications common 
design modifications, such as prompts, that are convenient to 
consumers. Thus, the Bureau declines to limit the ability of legitimate 
debt collectors to include on validation notices a common design 
modification that will benefit consumers.\369\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \369\ With respect to the comment about whether a fillable field 
includes a checkbox, the Bureau confirms that a fillable field may 
appear as an unmarked checkbox that a consumer can select.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(d)(4)(i) 
largely as proposed, with only minor wording changes for consistency 
with other provisions in the final rule.
34(d)(4)(ii) Hyperlinks
    Proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(4)(ii) provided that a debt collector 
delivering a validation notice electronically could embed hyperlinks in 
the validation notice that, when clicked, would connect consumers to 
the debt collector's website or permit consumers to dispute a debt or 
request original-creditor information.
    Industry trade group commenters supported proposed Sec.  
1006.34(d)(4)(ii). For example, a commenter stated that hyperlinks are 
an important feature used to reduce the complexity of email and text 
messages while allowing readers to access important information. A 
consumer advocate commenter recommended that the Bureau also permit 
debt collectors to embed a hyperlink that connects consumers to the 
Bureau's website address described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv).
    The Bureau determines that hyperlinks are a formatting modification 
that may benefit consumers and debt collectors if included in 
validation notices that are delivered electronically. And the Bureau 
agrees that debt collectors should be permitted to include a hyperlink 
that connects consumers to the Bureau's website address described in 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv). Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  
1006.34(d)(4)(ii) to provide that debt collectors may embed hyperlinks 
that, when clicked, connect consumers to the debt collector's website, 
connect consumers to the Bureau's debt collection website as disclosed 
pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(iv), or permit consumers to dispute the 
debt or request original-creditor information.
34(e) Translation Into Other Languages
    The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.34(e) to provide that a debt 
collector could send a consumer a validation notice completely and 
accurately translated into any language if the debt collector also sent 
an English-language validation notice that satisfied Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1). Proposed Sec.  1006.34(e) also provided that, if a debt 
collector already provided a consumer an English-language validation 
notice that satisfied Sec.  1006.34(a)(1) and subsequently provided the 
consumer a validation notice translated into any other language, the 
debt collector would not need to provide an additional copy of the 
English-language notice. Proposed comment 34(e)-1 clarified that the 
language of a validation notice obtained from the Bureau's website 
would be considered a complete and accurate translation, although debt 
collectors would be permitted to use other validation notice 
translations if they were accurate and complete.
    Industry and industry trade group commenters supported proposed 
Sec.  1006.34(e) and its optional approach to providing validation 
notices translated into other languages. An industry trade group 
commenter stated that this approach was appropriate

[[Page 5833]]

because some debt collectors may not have the resources to conduct 
collections activities in languages other than English. Other industry 
trade group commenters stated that requiring debt collectors to provide 
validation notices in other languages would be burdensome and costly. 
An industry trade group commenter stated that, if a debt collector 
provided a validation notice in another language, a consumer would 
expect the debt collector to communicate in that language. According to 
this commenter, if the debt collector was unable to do so, this 
unfulfilled expectation would frustrate consumers and expose debt 
collectors to litigation risk.
    Other commenters, including consumer advocates, legal aid 
providers, and faith groups, recommended that debt collectors be 
required to provide non-English validation notices to LEP consumers. 
According to these commenters, LEP consumers tend to experience poverty 
at much greater rates, face significant challenges navigating the debt 
collection process, and are often subject to harassment and deception. 
Commenters stated that English-language validation notices would not 
enable LEP consumers to understand their rights in debt collection or 
to take appropriate action if they did not believe that they owed a 
debt. Commenters cited demographic statistics showing the growing 
population of LEP consumers, particularly in certain localities. A 
consumer advocate commenter stated that case law suggests that a debt 
collector's failure to provide a non-English validation notice to an 
LEP consumer may violate the FDCPA.\370\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \370\ The commenter cited, for example, Evory v. RJM 
Acquisitions Funding LLC, 505 F.3d 769, 774 (7th Cir. 2007). 
However, the Bureau disagrees with the commenter's premise that this 
opinion and the others it cited imply a general requirement under 
the FDCPA to provide translated notices to all Spanish-speaking LEP 
consumers. The Bureau believes, instead, that those holdings were 
dependent on the facts of those cases. For example, Evory discussed 
in dicta a hypothetical in which a debt collector targeted 
vulnerable Spanish-speaking LEP consumers with English-language 
validation notices, 505 F.3d at 774, but that particular scenario 
involved targeting, which is beyond the scope of Sec.  1006.34(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To address these concerns, these commenters suggested various 
mandatory frameworks that would require debt collectors to provide 
translated validation notices to consumers. These suggested alternative 
frameworks included requiring debt collectors to provide a translated 
validation notice: (1) In Spanish and located on the back of every 
English-language validation notice; (2) with every English-language 
validation notice if the debt collector knows or should know the 
consumer has another language preference; (3) if the original 
transaction or the debt collector's prior communication was conducted 
in a foreign language; (4) upon a consumer's request; (5) if the debt 
collector received information in the file from the creditor or a prior 
debt collector indicating the consumer's non-English language 
preference; or (6) if and when the debt collector at a later point 
communicates with the consumer in a foreign language. In some cases, 
commenters framed these interventions as narrow or measured. A group of 
consumer advocates also urged the Bureau to make available on its 
website Spanish-translated validation notices as well as translations 
in the next seven most common languages spoken by LEP consumers in the 
United States.
    The Bureau determines that LEP consumers may benefit from 
translated validation notices. Further, some debt collectors may want 
to provide translated validation notices to LEP consumers, if doing so 
is consistent with their business practices.
    The Bureau, however, declines commenters' requests to require debt 
collectors to provide a Spanish-language translation to all consumers 
on the back of every English-language validation notice or a translated 
notice to consumers in other languages if the debt collector knows or 
should know the consumer has a different language preference. As 
discussed in the proposal,\371\ these types of mandatory approaches 
would result in significant, industry-wide costs on both an upfront 
(implementation) basis and an ongoing basis, especially for smaller 
debt collectors and in connection with translations of the validation 
notice in languages whose use is not prevalent in the United 
States.\372\ The Bureau acknowledges that some LEP consumers may 
experience particular challenges in the debt collection process. 
However, commenters did not provide information about the costs and 
benefits of requiring debt collectors to provide translated validation 
notices to all consumers, regardless of whether the consumer requests 
the translation, that persuades the Bureau that such mandatory 
requirements are justified. The Bureau, as stated above, recognizes the 
benefits of providing translated disclosures to consumers. However, the 
Bureau concludes that the approach in the proposal, supplemented by 
certain changes in the final rule, strikes a better balance than a 
mandatory requirement. The final rule permits debt collectors to 
provide disclosures carrying safe harbor protection that notify and 
encourage consumers to request a Spanish-language translation of the 
validation notice or additional information in Spanish, which can 
assist the largest group of LEP consumers in the United States by a 
wide margin compared to other languages. At the same time, the final 
rule does not require debt collectors to provide all consumers with 
translated validation notices, whether in Spanish or other languages, 
and irrespective of whether the consumers request it or speak a 
language that is uncommon among LEP consumers in the United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \371\ See also the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(vi).
    \372\ See 84 FR 23274, 23352 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding the request by a group of consumer advocate commenters 
that the Bureau translate the validation notice into Spanish and seven 
other languages and deem the Bureau translations as complete and 
accurate, the Bureau plans to make available on its website, prior to 
the effective date of the final rule, a Spanish-language translation of 
the validation notice, and it will consider taking such action in the 
future with respect to one or more of the other languages cited by 
these commenters following implementation of the final rule.
    The Bureau also declines to implement the other mandatory 
approaches suggested by consumer advocate, faith group, and legal aid 
provider commenters. As discussed above, these commenters suggested a 
variety of interventions, such as requiring the debt collector provide 
the translated notice in circumstances in which the consumer had 
expressed a language preference to a prior debt collector or the 
creditor and that preference is noted in the file for the debt, or in 
which, at a later point in the process, the consumer communicates in a 
foreign language.
    The Bureau disagrees with some commenters' characterization of 
these interventions as targeted or narrow in scope, as each suggestion 
would entail a mandatory requirement with associated upfront and 
ongoing costs and complexity (which would be compounded if more than 
one or even all of these interventions were adopted collectively). In 
some cases, these suggested interventions are beyond the scope of the 
proposal. As to others, the Bureau concludes that the costs of such 
interventions to debt collectors, particularly smaller entities, would 
not outweigh the benefits to consumers because they would add undue 
complexity to the rule from an

[[Page 5834]]

operational, compliance, and supervisory perspective.
    For these reasons, the Bureau declines to adopt a final rule that 
requires debt collectors to provide translated validation notices. 
Nevertheless, because the Bureau determines that, as discussed in the 
proposal, LEP consumers may benefit from receiving translated 
validation notices, the Bureau is finalizing Sec.  1006.34(e) to 
clarify how debt collectors may provide such notices if they choose. 
The Bureau is finalizing proposed Sec.  1006.34(e) as Sec.  
1006.34(e)(1), with certain revisions and organizational changes for 
clarity; no substantive change is intended. Furthermore, as discussed 
in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(vi), the 
Bureau is finalizing new Sec.  1006.34(e)(2) to provide that, if a debt 
collector includes in the validation information either or both of the 
optional disclosures notifying a consumer that the consumer can request 
a copy of the validation notice in Spanish, the debt collector must 
provide the consumer a Spanish-language validation notice if the 
consumer requests one. The Bureau intended this result in the proposal 
and is including Sec.  1006.34(e)(2) for clarity and in response to 
feedback. Finally, the Bureau is finalizing comment 34(e)-1 with 
revisions to conform to the revisions and organizational changes made 
to Sec.  1006.34(e); no substantive change is intended.
Section 1006.38 Disputes and Requests for Original-Creditor Information
    FDCPA section 809(b) requires debt collectors both to refrain from 
taking certain actions during the 30 days after the consumer receives 
the validation information or notice described in FDCPA section 809(a) 
(i.e., during the validation period) and to take certain actions if a 
consumer either disputes the debt in writing, or requests the name and 
address of the original creditor in writing, during the validation 
period. The Bureau proposed Sec.  1006.38 to implement and interpret 
FDCPA section 809(b) and (c), and the Bureau finalized the majority of 
proposed Sec.  1006.38 in the November 2020 Final Rule.\373\ The Bureau 
now is finalizing the remainder of proposed Sec.  1006.38 as follows.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \373\ 85 FR 76734, 74843-48, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment 38-1

    The Bureau proposed comment 38-2 (renumbered in the November 2020 
Final Rule as comment 38-1) to set forth examples of written and 
electronic communications consumers can use in disputing the debt or 
requesting the name and address of the original creditor.\374\ The 
second proposed example, proposed comment 38-2.ii, would have clarified 
that a consumer could return to the debt collector the consumer-
response form that proposed Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i) would have required 
to appear on the validation notice and indicate on the form a dispute 
or request. The Bureau received no comments on proposed comment 38-
2.ii.\375\ The Bureau did not finalize proposed comment 38-2.ii in the 
November 2020 Final Rule because the Bureau did not finalize Sec.  
1006.34 as part of that final rule. The Bureau now is finalizing 
comment 38-2.ii as proposed, renumbered as comment 38-1.ii, except that 
the Bureau is correcting a typographical error in the proposed comment 
such that the final comment cross references Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) rather 
than Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \374\ 84 FR 23274, 23353 (May 21, 2019).
    \375\ The Bureau addressed comments received on other aspects of 
proposed comment 38-2 in the November 2020 Final Rule. 85 FR 76734, 
76843-44 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment 38-3

    The Bureau proposed comment 38-1 (renumbered in this final rule as 
comment 38-3) to clarify the applicability of Sec.  1006.38 in the 
decedent debt context. Proposed comment 38-1 would have clarified that, 
if the consumer has not previously disputed the debt or requested the 
name and address of the original creditor, then a person who is 
authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate operates 
as the consumer for purposes of Sec.  1006.38. Proposed comment 38-1 
also would have clarified that, if a person who is authorized to act on 
behalf of the deceased consumer's estate submits either a written 
request for original-creditor information or a written dispute to the 
debt collector during the validation period, then Sec.  1006.38(c) or 
(d)(2), respectively, would require the debt collector to cease 
collection of the debt until the debt collector has responded to that 
request or dispute.
    For the reasons discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.2(e), the Bureau is interpreting the term consumer to mean 
any natural person, whether living or deceased, who is obligated or 
allegedly obligated to pay any debt. And, pursuant to its authority 
under FDCPA section 814(d) to prescribe rules with respect to the 
collection of debts by debt collectors, the Bureau is adopting 
commentary clarifying how this definition operates in the decedent debt 
context, including debt collectors' obligations for providing the 
validation information and responding to disputes and requests for 
original-creditor information. Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing 
comment 38-1 as proposed, renumbered as comment 38-3 in this final 
rule.
38(a) Definitions
38(a)(2) Validation Period
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.38(a)(2) to provide that the term 
validation period as used in Sec.  1006.38 has the same meaning given 
to it in proposed Sec.  1006.34(b)(5).\376\ Because the Bureau did not 
finalize Sec.  1006.34 in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau 
finalized the definition in Sec.  1006.38(a)(2) with revised wording to 
refer to the 30-day period described in FDCPA section 809 as defined by 
Regulation F.\377\ The Bureau noted that it might, as part of this 
final rule, revise the definition of validation period as finalized in 
the November 2020 Final Rule to cross-reference any definition of that 
term that the Bureau adopts in this final rule. As discussed in the 
section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(b)(5), the Bureau is 
finalizing the definition of validation period.\378\ Therefore, the 
Bureau is making a technical change revising Sec.  1006.38(a)(2), as 
finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, to provide that the term 
validation period as used in Sec.  1006.38 has the same meaning given 
to it in Sec.  1006.34(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \376\ 84 FR 23274, 23353 (May 21, 2019).
    \377\ 85 FR 76734, 76844, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \378\ The Bureau addresses comments received regarding the 
definition of validation period in the section-by-section analysis 
of Sec.  1006.34(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

38(b) Overshadowing of Rights To Dispute or Request Original-Creditor 
Information

    FDCPA section 809(b) provides that, for 30 days after the consumer 
receives the validation information described in FDCPA section 809(a), 
a debt collector must not engage in collection activities or 
communications that overshadow or are inconsistent with the disclosure 
of the consumer's right to dispute the debt or request information 
about the original creditor.\379\ The Bureau proposed in

[[Page 5835]]

Sec.  1006.38(b) to implement this prohibition and generally restate 
the relevant statutory language, with only minor changes for style and 
clarity.\380\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \379\ This language was added to the FDCPA by the Financial 
Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006, Public Law 109-351, sec. 
802(c), 120 Stat. 1966, 2006 (2006), after an FTC advisory opinion 
on the same subject. See Fed. Trade Comm'n, Advisory Opinion to 
American Collector's Ass'n (Mar. 31, 2000) (opining that the 30-day 
period set forth in FDCPA section 809(a) ``is a dispute period 
within which the consumer may insist that the debt collector verify 
the debt, and not a grace period within which collection efforts are 
prohibited'' but that ``[t]he collection agency must ensure, 
however, that its collection activity does not overshadow and is not 
inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer's right to dispute 
the debt specified by [s]ection 809(a)'').
    \380\ 84 FR 23274, 23353-54 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the Bureau discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule,\381\ the 
Bureau received a few substantive comments addressing proposed Sec.  
1006.38(b). Two industry commenters requested that the final rule 
define the term ``overshadowing.'' These commenters observed that debt 
collectors' communications of validation information almost always 
expressly advise the consumer of the right to dispute the debt and to 
request the name and address of the original creditor. These commenters 
asserted that overshadowing claims are nonetheless some of the most 
common allegations in FDCPA lawsuits. These commenters also requested 
clarity as to whether the safe harbor in proposed Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) 
for debt collectors who use the model validation notice also would 
provide a safe harbor for compliance with the overshadowing prohibition 
in proposed Sec.  1006.38(b). One industry commenter requested that the 
final rule clarify that credit reporting during the validation period 
does not constitute overshadowing.\382\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \381\ 85 FR 76734, 76844 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \382\ In addition, one industry commenter stated that it 
generally agreed with proposed Sec.  1006.38, and a group of 
consumer advocates that addressed proposed Sec.  1006.38(b) did not 
object to the proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized proposed 
Sec.  1006.38(b) as Sec.  1006.38(b)(1) and reserved Sec.  
1006.38(b)(2).\383\ As noted above, proposed Sec.  1006.38(b) generally 
restated the relevant statutory language, with only minor changes for 
style and clarity, and Sec.  1006.38(b)(1) in the November 2020 Final 
Rule did the same. In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau stated 
that it expected to address, as part of this final rule, the comments 
it received requesting further clarity about the safe harbor provided 
by Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), and the Bureau reserved Sec.  1006.38(b)(2) for 
that purpose.\384\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \383\ 85 FR 76734, 76844, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \384\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After considering the comments, the Bureau is finalizing in Sec.  
1006.38(b)(2) a safe harbor from the prohibition in Sec.  1006.38(b)(1) 
against overshadowing.\385\ Section 1006.38(b)(2) provides that a debt 
collector who uses Model Form B-1 in appendix B of this part in a 
manner described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) has not thereby violated Sec.  
1006.38(b)(1). Therefore, a debt collector who uses Model Form B-1 in 
appendix B to Regulation F, specified variations of the model notice, 
or a substantially similar form, has not thereby violated Sec.  
1006.38(b)(1). The safe harbor protects only the use of the model 
validation notice to comply with the information and form requirements 
of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1). If a debt collector uses the model 
validation notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) and conducts 
other collection activities during the validation period, the debt 
collector does not receive a safe harbor for those other collection 
activities. A debt collector also does not receive a safe harbor for 
the manner in which a model validation notice is provided, such as the 
envelope in which a model validation notice is provided.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \385\ Accordingly, the heading for final Sec.  1006.38(b)(2) 
refers to the safe harbor, and the Bureau is revising: (1) The 
heading for Sec.  1006.38(b)(1) as finalized in the November 2020 
Final Rule to clarify that that paragraph relates to the 
overshadowing prohibition; and (2) Sec.  1006.38(b)(1) to omit a 
reference to the fact that the Bureau may provide in this part a 
safe harbor for debt collectors when they use certain Bureau-
approved disclosures because the Bureau is providing that safe 
harbor in this final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau declines to otherwise define the term ``overshadow'' or 
to clarify whether other collection activities during the validation 
period either violate or comply with the prohibition in final Sec.  
1006.38(b)(1). The Bureau finds that the safe harbor in Sec.  
1006.38(b)(2) provides sufficient clarity for debt collectors.
38(c) Requests for Original-Creditor Information
    FDCPA section 809(a)(5) states that the validation information a 
debt collector provides to a consumer must include a statement that, 
upon the consumer's written request within the 30-day validation 
period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and 
address of the original creditor, if different from the current 
creditor. FDCPA section 809(b) provides that, if a consumer requests 
the name and address of the original creditor in writing within 30 days 
of receiving the validation information described in FDCPA section 
809(a), the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until the 
debt collector obtains and mails that information to the consumer. The 
Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.38(c) to implement this prohibition and 
generally restate the relevant statutory language.
    As the Bureau discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau 
received a number of comments addressing proposed Sec.  
1006.38(c).\386\ Three industry commenters requested that the final 
rule provide that, if a debt collector's communication of the 
validation information to a consumer identifies the original creditor, 
the debt collector need not give the consumer the option of requesting 
original-creditor information from the debt collector. These commenters 
stated that, if the original creditor has already been identified to a 
consumer, it would be confusing to the consumer to provide the option 
to request the name and address of the original creditor. Further, they 
stated, consumers could use unnecessary requests for original-creditor 
information as a tactic to delay or avoid collection. One industry 
commenter requested that the final rule clarify that a debt collector 
is not required to include original-creditor information in its 
communication of validation information to a consumer. This commenter 
stated that lawsuits are often filed alleging that a debt collector has 
violated the FDCPA by not identifying the original creditor in the 
validation information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \386\ 85 FR 76734, 76844-45 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters recommended that the Bureau define ``original 
creditor'' to mean the creditor at the time of charge off. According to 
an industry trade group, this definition would be consistent with other 
laws, including the Uniform Rules for New York State Trial Courts.\387\ 
Other industry and industry trade group commenters stated that this 
definition would be appropriate for older debts because a consumer may 
no longer recognize the original creditor, particularly if an account 
has been sold. An industry trade group suggested that defining 
``original creditor'' as the creditor at the time of charge off may 
resolve some compliance challenges in the retail installment sales 
context. According to the commenter, in retail installment sales, the 
original creditor is the retail seller, not the entity that ultimately 
buys the contract, and retail-seller information may not be readily 
available to the debt collector or helpful to the consumer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \387\ ``Original creditor means the financial institution that 
owned the consumer credit account at the time the account was 
charged off, even if that financial institution did not originate 
the account. Charged-off consumer debt means a consumer debt that 
has been removed from an original creditor's books as an asset and 
treated as a loss or expense.'' 22 NYCRR 208.14-a(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A group of consumer advocate commenters who addressed proposed 
Sec.  1006.38(c) generally noted the importance of original-creditor 
information to consumers in helping them recognize the debt in 
question. One commenter stated that the rule

[[Page 5836]]

should require debt collectors to identify the original creditor in the 
validation information.\388\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \388\ Consumer advocates also addressed the proposal's 
provisions regarding electronic delivery of original-creditor 
information (and other information) in proposed Sec.  1006.42. These 
comments regarding electronic delivery were addressed in the 
November 2020 Final Rule. Id. at 76848.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized proposed 
Sec.  1006.38(c) as Sec.  1006.38(c)(1) and reserved Sec.  
1006.38(c)(2).\389\ As noted above, proposed Sec.  1006.38(c) generally 
restated the relevant statutory language, and Sec.  1006.38(c)(1) in 
the November 2020 Final Rule did the same.\390\ In the November 2020 
Final Rule, the Bureau stated that it expected to address, as part of 
this final rule, how a debt collector may respond to a request for 
original-creditor information if the original creditor is the same as 
the current creditor, and the Bureau reserved Sec.  1006.38(c)(2) for 
that purpose.\391\ The Bureau also noted that it would respond in this 
final rule to the comments asking the Bureau to define the term 
original creditor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \389\ Id. at 76893.
    \390\ While this final rule republishes in Sec.  1006.38(c) some 
of the text of Sec.  1006.38(c)(1) as finalized in the November 2020 
Final Rule, this final rule makes no change to the substance of 
Sec.  1006.38(c)(1) from what the Bureau finalized in the November 
2020 Final Rule.
    \391\ 85 FR 76734, 76845 n.557 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has determined that a debt collector's communication of 
the validation information must include disclosure of the option to 
request original-creditor information. As noted above, FDCPA section 
809(a)(5) states that the validation information must include ``a 
statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-
day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name 
and address of the original creditor, if different from the current 
creditor.'' \392\ Because FDCPA section 809(a) requires the validation 
information to include disclosure of the consumer's right to request 
original-creditor information, the Bureau finds that consumer confusion 
would result if the final rule were to permit a debt collector not to 
respond to a consumer's timely request for that information if the 
original creditor is the same as the current creditor. Further, FDCPA 
section 809(b) states that ``[a]ny collection activities and 
communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be 
inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer's right to dispute the 
debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.'' \393\ 
The Bureau therefore has determined to require a debt collector to 
respond to a consumer's request for original-creditor information if 
the original creditor is the same as the current creditor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \392\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(5).
    \393\ 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b) (emphasis added).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, the Bureau also has determined that FDCPA section 
809(a)(5) and (b) permits a debt collector to respond differently to 
the consumer's request for original-creditor information when the 
original creditor is the same as the current creditor. Specifically, 
the Bureau has determined that FDCPA section 809(b), when read together 
with FDCPA section 809(a)(5), requires the debt collector to provide 
the name and address of the original creditor to the consumer only if 
the original creditor is different from the current creditor. 
Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing new Sec.  1006.38(c)(2) to set 
forth an alternative procedure that a debt collector may use to respond 
to a consumer's request for original-creditor information if the 
original creditor is the same as the current creditor. Specifically, if 
a debt collector receives a request for the name and address of the 
original creditor submitted by the consumer in writing within the 
validation period, the special rule set forth in Sec.  1006.38(c)(2) 
provides that the debt collector must cease collection of the debt 
until the debt collector reasonably determines that the original 
creditor is the same as the current creditor and either (i) notifies 
the consumer in writing or electronically in the manner required by 
Sec.  1006.42 that the original creditor is the same as the current 
creditor and refers the consumer to the debt collector's earlier 
provision of the validation information or (ii) satisfies Sec.  
1006.38(c)(1).
    Under the final rule, a debt collector is not required to use the 
alternative procedure in Sec.  1006.38(c)(2); a debt collector can 
always comply with the rule by complying with Sec.  1006.38(c)(1). By 
adopting the Sec.  1006.38(c)(2) alternative procedure, the Bureau 
strikes the best balance between providing debt collectors with a less 
burdensome method of responding to consumer requests for original-
creditor information and protecting consumers.
    The Bureau adopts the alternative procedure in Sec.  1006.38(c)(2) 
as an interpretation of FDCPA section 809(a)(5) and (b), and pursuant 
to its authority under FDCPA section 814(d). In particular, Sec.  
1006.38(c)(2) is an interpretation of what it means for a debt 
collector, pursuant to FDCPA section 809(b), to ``obtain[ ] . . . the 
name and address of the original creditor'' and send that information 
to the consumer when, pursuant to FDCPA section 809(a)(5), the debt 
collector already provided the name of the current creditor to the 
consumer within the validation information (as required by FDCPA 
section 809(a)(2) and Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(v)) and the original creditor 
is not different from the current creditor. If the original creditor is 
the same as the current creditor, the Bureau interprets FDCPA section 
809(b)'s requirement to provide original-creditor information to the 
consumer to mean that a debt collector must cease collection of the 
debt until the debt collector either provides the name and address of 
the original creditor to the consumer in compliance with Sec.  
1006.38(c)(1) or, in compliance with Sec.  1006.38(c)(2), notifies the 
consumer in writing or electronically in the manner required by Sec.  
1006.42 that the original creditor is the same as the current creditor 
and refers the consumer to the debt collector's earlier provision of 
the validation information.
    The Bureau declines to require all debt collectors to include the 
name of the original creditor in the validation information because the 
Bureau believes such a requirement is not necessary or warranted. The 
statute prescribes a method for a consumer to obtain this information 
upon request. Further, the Bureau interprets FDCPA section 809(a)(2) as 
requiring debt collectors to disclose in the validation information the 
name of the current creditor; i.e., ``the name of the creditor to whom 
the debt is owed.''
    The Bureau declines to define ``original creditor'' in the manner 
commenters suggested. Although the definition suggested by commenters 
might be accurate for some debts, it is not clear to the Bureau that 
the suggested definition would be accurate for all debts. The Bureau 
did not propose such a definition and the Bureau does not have 
sufficient information to develop and include a definition of 
``original creditor'' in the rule.
    Taking into consideration the provisions of FDCPA section 809(a) 
and (b), the final rule provides debt collectors an alternative 
response procedure, described above, when the original creditor--which 
in many cases will be the creditor as of the itemization date--is the 
same as the current creditor. The alternative procedure permits debt 
collectors to respond to some consumer requests for original-creditor 
information in a less burdensome way, while also protecting consumers. 
Therefore, the Bureau believes that defining original creditor in the 
final rule is unnecessary and unwarranted.

[[Page 5837]]

Section 1006.42 Sending Required Disclosures

42(a) Sending Required Disclosures
42(a)(2) Exceptions
    The Bureau proposed in Sec.  1006.42(a)(2) to provide that a debt 
collector need not comply with Sec.  1006.42(a)(1) when providing the 
disclosure required by Sec.  1006.6(e) or Sec.  1006.18(e) in writing 
or electronically, unless the disclosure was included on a notice 
required by Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) or Sec.  1006.38(c) or (d)(2).\394\ 
Because the Bureau did not finalize Sec.  1006.34 in the November 2020 
Final Rule, the Bureau finalized Sec.  1006.42(a)(2) with a reference 
to the notice required by FDCPA section 809(a), as implemented by 
Regulation F, in lieu of a reference to the notice required by Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i).\395\ Because the Bureau is now finalizing Sec.  
1006.34, the Bureau is making a technical change revising Sec.  
1006.42(a)(2) to refer to the notice required by Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i), as originally proposed. The Bureau addressed comments 
received regarding proposed Sec.  1006.42(a)(2) in the section-by-
section analysis of Sec.  1006.42(a)(2) in the November 2020 Final 
Rule.\396\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \394\ 84 FR 23274, 23357-59 (May 21, 2019).
    \395\ 85 FR 76734, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \396\ Id. at 76850-51.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

42(b) Requirements for Certain Disclosures Sent Electronically
    Proposed Sec.  1006.42(b)(1) generally would have required a debt 
collector who provided the validation notice described in Sec.  
1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) electronically to do so in accordance with section 
101(c) of the E-SIGN Act.\397\ Because the Bureau did not finalize 
Sec.  1006.34 in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau finalized 
Sec.  1006.42(b) with a reference to the notice required by FDCPA 
section 809(a), as implemented by Regulation F, in lieu of a reference 
to the validation notice described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B).\398\ 
Because the Bureau is now finalizing Sec.  1006.34, the Bureau is 
making a technical change revising Sec.  1006.42(b) to refer to the 
validation notice required by Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B), as originally 
proposed. The Bureau addressed comments received regarding proposed 
Sec.  1006.42(b)(1) in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
1006.42(b) in the November 2020 Final Rule.\399\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \397\ 84 FR 23274, 23356-57 (May 21, 2019).
    \398\ 85 FR 76734, 76893 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \399\ Id. at 76850-51.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subpart C--Reserved

Subpart D--Miscellaneous

Section 1006.100 Record Retention

100(a) In General
    Section 1006.100(a), as finalized in the November 2020 Final Rule, 
requires a debt collector to retain records that are evidence of 
compliance or non-compliance with the FDCPA and Regulation F. The 
Bureau proposed comment 100-1 to clarify that, for purposes of Sec.  
1006.100(a), evidence of compliance includes, among other things, 
copies of documents provided by the debt collector to the consumer in 
accordance with the requirements of proposed Sec.  1006.34.\400\ 
Because the Bureau did not finalize Sec.  1006.34 in the November 2020 
Final Rule, the Bureau finalized comment 100(a)-1 to include, as an 
example of evidence of compliance, copies of documents provided by the 
debt collector to the consumer in accordance with FDCPA section 809(a), 
as implemented by Bureau regulation.\401\ Because the Bureau now is 
finalizing Sec.  1006.34, the Bureau is making a technical change 
revising comment 100(a)-1 to include, as an example of evidence of 
compliance, copies of documents provided by the debt collector to the 
consumer in accordance with Sec.  1006.34, as originally proposed. The 
Bureau addressed comments received regarding proposed comment 100-1 in 
the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.100(a) and comment 
100(a)-1 in the November 2020 Final Rule.\402\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \400\ 84 FR 23274, 23367 (May 21, 2019).
    \401\ 85 FR 76734, 76907 (Nov. 30, 2020).
    \402\ Id. at 76858 n.600.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 1006.104 Relation to State Laws

    FDCPA section 816 provides that the FDCPA does not annul, alter, or 
affect, or exempt any person subject to the provisions of the FDCPA 
from complying with the laws of any State with respect to debt 
collection practices, except to the extent that those laws are 
inconsistent with any provision of the FDCPA, and then only to the 
extent of the inconsistency. FDCPA section 816 also provides that, for 
purposes of that section, a State law is not inconsistent with the 
FDCPA if the protection such law affords any consumer is greater than 
the protection provided by the FDCPA.\403\ The November 2020 Final Rule 
finalized Sec.  1006.104 to implement FDCPA section 816.\404\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \403\ 15 U.S.C. 1692n.
    \404\ 85 FR 76734 at 76860 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed comment 104-1 clarified that a disclosure required by 
applicable State law that describes additional protections under State 
law does not contradict the requirements of the FDCPA or the 
corresponding provisions of Regulation F.\405\ In the November 2020 
Final Rule, the Bureau indicated that it was not finalizing proposed 
comment 104-1 as part of that rule and would determine whether and how 
to finalize the comment as part of this final rule.\406\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \405\ 84 FR 23274, 23368 (May 21, 2019).
    \406\ 85 FR 76734, 76860 (Nov. 30, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, some commenters asked 
the Bureau to clarify how proposed comment 104-1 would interact with 
State law disclosure requirements.\407\ According to these commenters, 
the proposed commentary did not track FDCPA section 816's statutory 
language and therefore would be susceptible to competing 
interpretations. These commenters expressed concern that proposed 
comment 104-1 could be interpreted to mean that Sec.  1006.104 would 
preempt State law disclosure requirements that afford the same 
protections as the FDCPA and the corresponding provisions of Regulation 
F. These commenters opposed such an interpretation as inconsistent with 
FDCPA section 816.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \407\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With proposed comment 104-1, the Bureau did not intend to 
communicate that Sec.  1006.104 would preempt disclosures required by 
State law that describe State laws that afford the same protections as 
the FDCPA and the corresponding provisions of Regulation F. To mitigate 
the risk that the proposed commentary could be interpreted in this 
manner, the Bureau is modifying proposed comment 104-1 to more closely 
track FDCPA section 816's statutory language.
    Accordingly, the Bureau is finalizing comment 104-1 to clarify that 
the FDCPA and the corresponding provisions of Regulation F do not 
annul, alter, or affect, or exempt any person subject to these 
requirements from complying with a disclosure requirement under 
applicable State law that describes additional protections under State 
law that are not inconsistent with the FDCPA and Regulation F. In 
addition, comment 104-1 clarifies that a disclosure required by State 
law is not inconsistent with the FDCPA or Regulation F if the 
disclosure describes a protection such law affords any consumer that is 
greater than the protection provided by the FDCPA or Regulation F.

[[Page 5838]]

VI. Effective Date

    As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau proposed 
an implementation period of one year after publication of the final 
rule in the Federal Register.\408\ The Bureau received several comments 
on the proposed effective date. As noted in the November 2020 Final 
Rule, a few industry commenters supported the proposed effective date, 
stating that a one-year implementation period would provide debt 
collectors with enough time to comply with the rule. Two other industry 
commenters supported an 18-month and a 24-month implementation period, 
respectively, arguing that it would take longer than one year to update 
policies and procedures, train employees, and make programming changes 
necessary to come into compliance. A government commenter encouraged 
the Bureau to provide small entities more than one year to comply, if 
such entities were not exempted from the rule altogether. Several 
industry commenters asked the Bureau to clarify that a debt collector 
is permitted to comply with all or part of the final rule before the 
effective date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \408\ 85 FR 76734, 76863 (Nov. 30, 2020); see also 84 FR 23274, 
23276 (May 21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau considered those comments in finalizing the November 
2020 Final Rule and determined that that final rule would take effect 
one year after publication in the Federal Register. The Bureau 
determined that the revisions made to the proposal and discussed in 
that Final Rule would permit debt collectors to meet that effective 
date. The Bureau also recognized that all stakeholders might benefit if 
the November 2020 Final Rule and this final rule had the same effective 
date.
    As noted in part III, the November 2020 Final Rule was published in 
the Federal Register on November 30, 2020 and will take effect on 
November 30, 2021. The Bureau concludes that all stakeholders will 
benefit if the November 2020 Final Rule and this final rule have the 
same effective date. The Bureau also determines that setting the 
effective date for this final rule as November 30, 2021, consistent 
with the effective date of the November 2020 Final Rule, will provide 
debt collectors nearly one year, and therefore sufficient time, to come 
into compliance with this final rule.
    The Bureau notes that debt collectors may, but are not required to, 
comply with the final rule's requirements and prohibitions before the 
effective date. Until that date, the FDCPA and other applicable law 
continue to govern the conduct of FDCPA debt collectors. Similarly, to 
the extent the final rule establishes a safe harbor from liability for 
certain conduct or a presumption that certain conduct complies with or 
violates the rule, those safe harbors and presumptions are not 
effective until the final rule's effective date.

VII. Dodd-Frank Act Section 1022(b) Analysis

A. Overview

    In developing the final rule, the Bureau has considered the 
potential benefits, costs, and impacts as required by section 
1022(b)(2)(A) of the Dodd-Frank Act.\409\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \409\ Specifically, section 1022(b)(2)(A) of the Dodd-Frank Act 
(12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(2)(A)) requires the Bureau to consider the 
potential benefits and costs of the regulation to consumers and 
covered persons, including the potential reduction of access by 
consumers to consumer financial products and services; the impact of 
the rule on insured depository institutions and insured credit 
unions with less than $10 billion in total assets as described in 
section 1026 of the Dodd-Frank Act (12 U.S.C. 5516); and the impact 
on consumers in rural areas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Debt collectors play a critical role in markets for consumer 
financial products and services. Credit markets function because 
lenders expect that borrowers will pay them back. In consumer credit 
markets, if borrowers fail to repay what they owe per the terms of 
their loan agreement, creditors often engage debt collectors to attempt 
to recover amounts owed, whether through the court system or through 
less formal demands for repayment.
    In general, third-party debt collection creates the potential for 
market failures. Consumers do not choose their debt collectors, and, as 
a result, debt collectors do not have the same incentives that 
creditors have to treat consumers fairly.\410\ Certain provisions of 
the FDCPA may help mitigate such market failures in debt collection, 
for example by prohibiting unfair, deceptive, or abusive debt 
collection practices by third-party debt collectors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \410\ Consumers do choose their lenders, and, in principle, 
consumer loan contracts could specify which debt collector would be 
used or what debt collection practices would be in the event a loan 
is not repaid. Some economists have identified potential market 
failures that prevent loan contracts from including such terms even 
when they could make both borrowers and lenders better off. For 
example, terms related to debt collection may not be salient to 
consumers at the time a loan is made. Alternatively, if such terms 
are salient, a contract that provides for more lenient collection 
practices may lead to adverse selection, attracting a 
disproportionate share of borrowers who know they are more likely to 
default. See Thomas A. Durkin et al., Consumer Credit and the 
American Economy 521-25 (Oxford U. Press 2014) (discussing potential 
sources of market failure and potential problems with some of those 
arguments). See also Erik Durbin & Charles Romeo, The Economics of 
Debt Collection: With attention to the issue of salience of 
collections at the time credit is granted, Journal of Credit Risk 
(Sept. 4, 2020) (discussing how rules that limit debt collection 
affect consumer welfare when debt collection is not salient to 
consumers when they borrow).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any restriction on debt collection may reduce repayment of debts, 
providing a benefit to some consumers who owe debts and an offsetting 
cost to creditors and debt collectors. A decrease in repayment will in 
turn lower the expected return to lending. This can lead lenders to 
increase interest rates and other borrowing costs and to restrict 
availability of credit, particularly to higher-risk borrowers.\411\ 
Because of this, policies that increase protections for consumers with 
debts in collection involve a tradeoff between the benefits of 
protections for those consumers and the possibility of increased costs 
of credit and reduced availability of credit for all consumers. Whether 
there is a net benefit from such protections depends on whether 
consumers value the protections enough to outweigh any associated 
increase in the cost of credit or reduction in availability of credit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \411\ See Thomas A. Durkin et al., Consumer Credit and the 
American Economy 521-25 (Oxford U. Press 2014) (discussing theory 
and evidence on how restrictions on creditor remedies affect the 
supply of credit). Empirical evidence on the impact of State laws 
restricting debt collection is discussed in section G below. The 
provisions in this final rule could also affect consumer demand for 
credit, to the extent that consumers contemplate collection 
practices when making borrowing decisions. However, there is 
evidence suggesting that consumer demand for credit is generally not 
responsive to differences in creditor remedies. See James Barth et 
al., Benefits and Costs of Legal Restrictions on Personal Loan 
Markets, Journal of Law & Economics, 29(2) (1986).
    \411\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The final rule will further the FDCPA's goals of eliminating 
abusive debt collection practices and ensuring that debt collectors who 
refrain from such practices are not competitively disadvantaged.\412\ 
However, as discussed below, it is not clear based on the information 
available to the Bureau whether the net effect of the final rule will 
be to make it more costly or less costly for debt collectors to recover 
unpaid amounts, and therefore not clear whether the rule will tend to 
increase or decrease the supply of credit. The final rule will benefit 
both consumers and debt collectors by increasing clarity and certainty 
about what the FDCPA prohibits and requires. When a law is unclear, it 
is more likely that parties will disagree about what the law requires, 
that legal disputes will arise, and that litigation will be required to 
resolve disputes. Since 2010, consumers have filed approximately 8,000 
to 12,000 lawsuits under the FDCPA each year, some of which involve 
issues on

[[Page 5839]]

which the law is unclear.\413\ The number of disputes settled without 
litigation has likely been much greater.\414\ Perhaps more important 
than the costs of resolving legal disputes are the steps that debt 
collectors take to prevent legal disputes from arising in the first 
place. This includes direct costs of legal compliance, such as auditing 
and legal advice, as well as indirect costs from avoiding collection 
practices that might be both effective and legal but that raise 
potential legal risks. In some cases, debt collectors seeking to follow 
the law and avoid litigation have adopted practices that appear to be 
economically inefficient, with costs that exceed the benefits to 
consumers or even impose net costs on consumers.\415\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \412\ See id.
    \413\ See WebRecon LLC, WebRecon Stats for Dec 2019 & Year in 
Review, https://webrecon.com/webrecon-stats-for-dec-2019-and-year-in-review-how-did-your-favorite-statutes-fare/ (last visited Dec. 1, 
2020). Greater clarity about legal requirements could reduce 
unintentional violations and could also reduce lawsuits because, 
when parties can better predict the outcome of a lawsuit, they may 
be more likely to settle claims out of court.
    \414\ Some debt collectors have reported that they receive 
approximately 10 demand letters from attorneys asserting a violation 
of the FDCPA for each lawsuit filed. See Small Business Review Panel 
Outline, supra note 39, at 69 n.105.
    \415\ For example, as discussed further below, debt collectors 
typically may disclose only the information that FDCPA section 
809(a) specifically references and may provide the FDCPA section 809 
information using statutory language, rather than plain language 
that consumers can more easily comprehend.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This final rule relating to disclosures could make debt collection 
either more or less costly in ways that are difficult to predict. For 
example, the validation notice requirements will provide consumers with 
more information than they currently receive about debts, which could 
reduce costs to consumers and debt collectors from disputes that arise 
when consumers do not recognize the debt or do not understand the basis 
for the alleged amount due. At the same time, the final rule's clearer 
explanation of dispute rights could make consumers more likely to 
dispute, which could provide benefits to consumers while increasing 
costs for debt collectors. Disputes are costly for debt collectors to 
process, so these requirements could either increase or decrease debt 
collector and consumer costs depending on the net effect on dispute 
rates.
    In developing the final rule, the Bureau has consulted, or offered 
to consult with, the appropriate prudential regulators and other 
Federal agencies, including regarding consistency with any prudential, 
market, or systemic objectives administered by such agencies.

B. Provisions To Be Analyzed

    The analysis below considers the potential benefits, costs, and 
impacts to consumers and covered persons of key provisions of the final 
rule (provisions), which include:
    1. Time-barred debt: Prohibiting suits and threats of suit.
    2. Notice for validation of debts.
    3. Required actions prior to furnishing information.

C. Data Limitations and Quantification of Benefits, Costs, and Impacts

    The discussion in this part VII relies on publicly available 
information as well as information the Bureau has obtained. To better 
understand consumer experiences with debt collection, the Bureau 
developed its 2015 Survey of Consumer Views on Debt, which provided the 
first comprehensive and nationally representative data on consumers' 
experiences and preferences related to debt collection.\416\ In 
addition, the Bureau relies on its Consumer Credit Panel (CCP) to 
understand potential benefits and costs to consumers of the rule.\417\ 
To better understand potential effects of the rule on industry, the 
Bureau has engaged in significant outreach to industry, including 
through the CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study.\418\ In July 2016, 
the Bureau consulted with small entities as part of the SBREFA process 
and obtained important information on the potential impacts of 
proposals that the Bureau was considering at the time for the topics 
covered by the final rule; many of those proposals are included in the 
final rule.\419\
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    \416\ See CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292.
    \417\ For more information about Bureau data sources, see Bureau 
of Consumer Fin. Prot., Sources and uses of data at the Bureau of 
Consumer Financial Protection (Sept. 26, 2018), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/sources-and-uses-data-bureau-consumer-financial-protection/.
    \418\ See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37.
    \419\ See Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40.
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    The sources described above, together with other sources of 
information and the Bureau's market knowledge, form the basis for the 
Bureau's consideration of the likely impacts of the final rule. The 
Bureau makes every attempt to provide reasonable estimates of the 
potential benefits and costs to consumers and covered persons of this 
final rule given available data. However, available data sources 
generally do not permit the Bureau to quantify, in dollar terms, how 
particular provisions will affect consumers. With respect to industry 
impacts, much of the Bureau's existing data come from qualitative input 
from debt collectors and other entities that operate in the debt 
collection market rather than from representative sampling that would 
allow the Bureau to estimate total benefits and costs.
    General economic principles and the Bureau's expertise in consumer 
financial markets, together with the data and findings that are 
available, provide insight into the potential benefits, costs, and 
impacts of the final rule. Where possible, the Bureau has made 
quantitative estimates based on these principles and the data 
available. Some benefits and costs, however, are not amenable to 
quantification, or are not quantifiable given the data available to the 
Bureau. The Bureau provides a qualitative discussion of those benefits, 
costs, and impacts. The Bureau requested additional data or studies 
that could help quantify the benefits and costs to consumers and 
covered persons of the May 2019 Proposed Rule and the February 2020 
Proposed Rule. The Bureau summarizes comments on this subject below, 
but few comments explicitly addressed quantifying the costs and 
benefits of the rule or provided additional data or studies. Comments 
on the benefits and costs of the rule are also discussed in part V 
above.

D. Baseline for Analysis

    In evaluating the potential benefits, costs, and impacts of the 
final rule, the Bureau takes as a baseline the current legal framework 
governing debt collection. This includes debt collector practices as 
they currently exist, responding to the requirements of the FDCPA as 
currently interpreted by courts and law enforcement agencies, other 
Federal laws, and the rules and statutory requirements promulgated by 
the States.\420\ In the consideration of potential benefits, costs, and 
impacts below, the Bureau discusses its understanding of practices in 
the debt collection market under this baseline and how those practices 
are likely to change under the final rule.
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    \420\ These requirements, and the specificity of the 
requirements, may vary depending upon the jurisdiction in which the 
collection occurs. This baseline does not include any potential 
impacts of the November 2020 Final Rule, however. The November 2020 
Final Rule included a separate Dodd-Frank Act Section 1022(b) 
analysis, and that rule's provisions do not go into effect until 
November 30, 2021.
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    Until the creation of the Bureau, no Federal agency was given the 
authority to write substantive regulations implementing the FDCPA, 
meaning that

[[Page 5840]]

many of the FDCPA's requirements are subject to interpretations in 
court decisions that are not always consistent or do not always 
definitely resolve an issue, such as a single district court opinion on 
an issue. Debt collectors' practices reflect their interpretations of 
the FDCPA and their decisions about how to balance effective collection 
practices against litigation risk. Many of the impacts of the final 
rule relative to the baseline would arise from changes that debt 
collectors would make in response to additional clarity about the most 
appropriate interpretation of what conduct is permissible and not 
permissible under the FDCPA's provisions.
    The Bureau received no comments regarding its choice of baseline 
for its section 1022(b) analysis.

E. Goals of the Rule

    The final rule is intended to further the FDCPA's goals of 
eliminating abusive debt collection practices and ensuring that debt 
collectors who refrain from such practices are not competitively 
disadvantaged. To these ends, an important goal of the rule is to 
benefit both consumers and debt collectors by increasing clarity and 
certainty about what the FDCPA prohibits and requires, which could 
improve compliance with the FDCPA while reducing unnecessary litigation 
regarding the FDCPA's requirements.
    As discussed in part V and in this part VII, other goals of the 
rule's provisions regarding validation information include providing 
more information to consumers about their debts, which may help 
consumers determine whether a debt is theirs and whether the reported 
amount owed is accurate and may reduce unnecessary disputes. The 
validation information is also intended to help consumers to know their 
rights and be able to exercise them, including by disputing a debt. In 
addition, the model validation notice is intended to provide 
information to consumers in a more appealing and easy-to-read format, 
making it more likely that consumers read and comprehend the 
information than with the validation notices currently in use.
    The rule's provision requiring debt collectors to take certain 
actions prior to furnishing information about a debt to a consumer 
reporting agency is intended to increase the likelihood that consumers 
learn about an alleged debt before furnishing occurs, giving them an 
opportunity to resolve the debt or dispute it if appropriate.
    The rule's provision prohibiting debt collectors from suing or 
threatening to sue on time-barred debts is intended to mitigate the 
consumer harms that can result from such actions, including causing 
some consumers to pay or prioritize time-barred debts over other debts 
in the mistaken belief that doing so is necessary to avoid litigation 
or adverse judgments, when in fact consumers have meritorious defenses 
based on the statute of limitations.

F. Coverage of the Rule

    The final rule applies to debt collectors as defined in the FDCPA 
and Sec.  1006.2(i) of the November 2020 Final Rule. Creditors that 
collect on debts they own generally will not be affected directly by 
the final rule because they typically are not debt collectors for 
purposes of the FDCPA. Creditors, however, may experience indirect 
effects if debt collectors' costs increase and if those costs are 
passed on to creditors.

G. Potential Benefits and Costs to Consumers and Covered Persons

    The Bureau discusses the benefits and costs of the rule to 
consumers and covered persons (generally FDCPA debt collectors) in 
detail below.\421\ The Bureau believes that an important benefit of 
many of the provisions to both consumers and covered persons--compared 
to the baseline of the FDCPA as currently interpreted by courts and law 
enforcement agencies--is an increase in clarity and precision of the 
law governing debt collection. Greater certainty about legal 
requirements can benefit both consumers and debt collectors, making it 
easier for consumers to understand and assert their rights and easier 
for firms to ensure they are in compliance. The Bureau discusses these 
benefits in more detail with respect to certain provisions below but 
believes that they generally apply, in varying degrees, to all of the 
provisions discussed below.
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    \421\ For purposes of the section 1022(b)(2) analysis, the 
Bureau considers any consequences that consumers perceive as harmful 
to be a cost to consumers. In considering whether consumers might 
perceive certain activities as harmful, the Bureau is not analyzing 
whether those activities would be unlawful under the FDCPA or the 
Dodd-Frank Act.
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1. Time-Barred Debt: Prohibiting Suits and Threats of Suit
    Section 1006.26(b) prohibits a debt collector from suing or 
threatening to sue a consumer to collect a time-barred debt.
    As discussed in part V above, multiple courts have held that the 
FDCPA prohibits suits and threats of suit on time-barred debt. The 
Bureau understands that most debt collectors do not knowingly sue or 
threaten to sue consumers to collect time-barred debts. Although the 
final rule applies a strict liability standard to this prohibition, 
under which debt collectors may be liable for suits or threats of suit 
even if they do not know that the debt is time-barred, the Bureau 
believes that debt collectors have multiple ways of managing such risk 
including, but not limited to, confirming that the statute of 
limitations has not expired before bringing or threatening to bring a 
legal action or, if a debt collector is unable to make such a 
determination, refraining from bringing or threatening to bring a legal 
action while, in most States, continuing with non-litigation collection 
activities. Therefore, the Bureau does not expect this provision of the 
rule to have a significant effect on most debt collectors.
    To the extent that there are costs to covered persons or benefits 
to consumers from this provision, they will most likely come from 
reduced payments on time-barred debts, to the extent that some debt 
collectors currently sue or threaten to sue on time-barred debts as a 
strategy to elicit payment.\422\ If it is currently true that (1) suing 
or threatening to sue on debts is an important means of collection for 
debts for which the statute of limitations is close to expiring, and 
(2) most debt collectors stop suing or threatening to sue once the 
statute of limitations for a debt expires, then one would expect 
repayment rates to drop after the statute of limitations expires, and 
that drop might be made more significant by the provision. Such a 
reduction in payments would benefit consumers who owe the debts while 
imposing costs on debt collectors and creditors and potentially 
increasing the cost of credit generally.
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    \422\ The final rule may also increase costs to covered persons 
to the extent that debt collectors who currently sue or threaten to 
sue to collect time-barred debt increase their efforts to determine 
whether or not a debt is time barred. As discussed above in part V, 
The Bureau recognizes that, in most jurisdictions, expiration of the 
statute of limitations provides the consumer with an affirmative 
defense to liability, but it does not bar a debt collector from 
bringing suit. As such, some debt collectors who sue or threaten to 
sue on older debts may currently expend less time and effort 
verifying the time-barred status of a debt than they will under the 
final rule.
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    The Bureau therefore attempted to indirectly measure the potential 
effect of the provision by examining the behavior of consumers who owe 
debts that either recently expired or are close to expiring under their 
State's statute of limitations. To do so, the Bureau used data from its 
Consumer Credit Panel (CCP), which contains information from one of the

[[Page 5841]]

three nationwide CRAs. The Bureau used data from the CCP to attempt to 
estimate the current effect of State statutes of limitation on the 
propensity of consumers to pay old debts in collection.
    The CCP contains information on collections tradelines--records 
that were furnished to this nationwide CRA by third-party debt 
collectors or debt buyers. The Bureau analyzed these data to determine 
whether the probability of payment declines around the expiration of 
the statute of limitations in the consumer's State. Specifically, the 
Bureau followed debts reported in the CCP from the time they were first 
reported on a consumer's credit record until they either showed some 
record of payment or disappeared from the credit record. In this 
analysis, the Bureau assumed that the applicable statute of limitations 
is the one applicable to written contracts in the consumer's State of 
residence and that the statute of limitations begins for a debt on the 
date that the debt first appears on the consumer's credit report. The 
Bureau assumed this starting date because there was no other date in 
the available data on which to reasonably base the beginning of the 
statute of limitations. There is likely to be some inaccuracy in this 
assumption due to a variety of factors, including delays between the 
beginning of the period defined by the statute of limitations and the 
first report of information to the CRA and cases in which the 
applicable statute of limitations is not the one in the consumer's 
State. However, if the estimated expiration of the statute of 
limitations is at least approximately correct in most cases, then one 
would expect to observe whether the expiration of the statute of 
limitations has an effect on the likelihood that a debt is reported to 
have been paid.
    The Bureau calculated the probability of payment occurring after a 
given number of days, conditional on no payment occurring before--in 
technical terms, the ``hazard rate'' for payments--for all collections 
tradelines in the CCP. The Bureau then calculated the average hazard 
rate based on the number of months before or after the estimated 
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. This calculation 
is plotted in Figure 1, below. The figure shows that the probability of 
a collections tradeline showing evidence of payment declines steadily 
for at least a year leading up to the estimated expiration of the 
statute of limitations and continues to decline at roughly the same 
rate afterwards. Thus, while the probability of payment declines over 
time, the reduced ability of debt collectors to pursue litigation does 
not seem to materially affect payments on collections tradelines. 
Combined with the Bureau's understanding that debt collectors generally 
do not knowingly sue or threaten to sue on time-barred debt, this 
suggests that the provision would be unlikely to cause any further 
reduction in the rate of repayment on time-barred debt.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19JA21.027

    Because the available data do not permit the Bureau to identify the 
expiration of the statute of limitations precisely, the analysis above 
may fail to identify some effects.
2. Notice for Validation of Debts
    Section 1006.34 implements and interprets FDCPA section 809(a), 
(b), (d), and (e). Specifically, Sec.  1006.34(a) provides that, 
subject to certain exceptions, a debt collector must provide a consumer 
the validation information described in Sec.  1006.34(c). Section 
1006.34(c) implements FDCPA section 809(a)'s content requirements

[[Page 5842]]

and specifies that validation information includes certain information 
about the debt and the consumer's protections with respect to debt 
collection that debt collectors do not currently provide to consumers. 
Section 1006.34(d) sets forth a general requirement that such 
information be clear and conspicuous. Section 1006.34(d) also provides 
safe harbors for using the model validation notice, specified 
variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar form, and 
permits the inclusion of certain optional information. Section 
1006.34(e) affirmatively permits debt collectors to provide validation 
notices translated into other languages and requires debt collectors 
who offer to provide consumers translated notices to provide them to 
consumers who request them.
    Potential benefits and costs to consumers. The required validation 
information may benefit consumers in four ways. First, the disclosures 
will provide more information about the debt, which may help consumers 
determine whether the debt is theirs and whether the reported amount 
owed is accurate. Second, the notice will provide a plain-language 
disclosure of the consumer's rights in debt collection, in particular 
the right to dispute, which should help consumers to know their rights 
and be able to exercise them. Third, the validation information will 
include consumer-response information that should make it easier for 
consumers to take certain actions, including disputing a debt. Finally, 
the model validation notice form is intended to provide information to 
consumers in a more plain-language and visually appealing format, 
making it more likely that consumers will read and comprehend the 
information than with the validation notices currently in use.
    To quantify the benefit of providing more and clearer validation 
information, the Bureau would need to estimate the impact of this 
additional information on consumers' ability to recognize their debts 
compared to what is currently provided on validation notices, as well 
as how consumers would respond to that additional information. Although 
the Bureau is not aware of data that would permit a full accounting of 
these benefits, below is a summary of information the Bureau is aware 
of that is relevant to assessing these benefits.
    The Bureau understands that, in general, validation notices 
currently include little or no information about the debt beyond the 
information specifically listed in section 809(a) of the FDCPA (e.g., 
the current amount of the debt and the name of the current creditor). 
This information may not be sufficient for the consumer to recognize 
the debt, particularly if: (1) The amount owed has changed over time 
due to interest, fees, payments, or credits; (2) the debt collector has 
changed since an original collection attempt; or (3) the creditor's 
name is not one the consumer associates with the debt (as with some 
store-branded credit cards issued by third-party financial 
institutions). Consumers who do not recognize a debt because the 
information on a validation notice is insufficient may incur costs if 
they mistakenly dispute a debt they owe, make a payment on a debt they 
do not owe, or ignore a debt on the assumption that the collection 
attempt is in error.
    Relative to current validation notices, the validation information 
under the final rule will include more specific details about the debt, 
such as the debt's account number and an itemization of the debt. The 
Bureau has determined that this information will benefit consumers by 
making it easier for them to determine whether they owe a debt and, 
therefore, reducing the likelihood of incurring costs due to mistakes 
like those noted above. The consumer can also use the consumer-response 
information to request the name and address of the original creditor, 
which may further help the consumer to recognize the debt.
    To fully evaluate the benefits to consumers of disclosing this 
additional information, the Bureau would need representative data to 
estimate how often consumers would read and understand the additional 
information on the notice and the extent to which that information 
increases consumer recognition and understanding compared to a notice 
without it. For example, the Bureau could further quantify some of the 
consumer benefits of the additional information if the Bureau were able 
to estimate: (1) How many consumers ignore notices out of a mistaken 
conclusion that the debt is not theirs; (2) how many consumers dispute 
correct debts, and subsequently, how much time the validation notice 
saves by obviating later interactions that result from improper 
disputes; and (3) how many consumers fail to dispute or make payments 
on incorrect debts. The Bureau is not aware of a source of information 
on the number of consumers in these categories or the possible time 
savings that could result from the validation information. The Bureau's 
Debt Collection Consumer Survey suggests that the required validation 
information would likely be helpful in recognizing a debt. 
Specifically, when asked how helpful various pieces of information 
would be in figuring out whether they owed a debt, consumers were most 
likely to indicate that the creditor name, type of debt, and an 
itemization of the amount owed (such as principal, interest, and fees) 
were especially valuable.\423\ These opinions were echoed in focus 
groups in which consumers noted that, after a debt is sold, it is more 
difficult to recognize, and that they wanted as much information as 
possible to help them recognize the debt as theirs (especially the 
account number, creditor, and amount due) with the exception of 
sensitive information like social security numbers.\424\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \423\ CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292.
    \424\ FMG Focus Group Report, supra note 26, at 15-16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To quantify the benefits of the provision requiring a clear and 
conspicuous disclosure of a consumer's right to dispute a debt, the 
Bureau would need to estimate the number of consumers who fail to 
dispute debts that they do not owe because they are unaware of, or do 
not comprehend, their right to dispute. The Bureau cannot precisely 
quantify this benefit; however, the discussion below identifies several 
applicable considerations and estimates.
    The Bureau estimates that at least 49 million consumers are 
contacted by debt collectors each year.\425\ Twenty-eight percent of 
consumers who said they had been contacted about one or more debts in 
collection reported that the contacts included attempts to collect at 
least one debt that the consumers believed they did not owe.\426\ One-
third of consumers who had been contacted said the amount the creditor 
or debt collector was trying to collect was wrong for at least one of 
these debts, and 16 percent said the contacts included at least one 
contact about a debt that was instead owed by a family member. (Some 
consumers reported more than one of these issues). Taken together, more 
than half of consumers (53 percent) who said they had been contacted 
about one or more debts in collection reported that they thought at 
least one of the debts they were contacted about was in error. This 
suggests that there are many consumers who receive the validation 
notices in use today who might be likely

[[Page 5843]]

to dispute based on their perception that either the debt is not theirs 
or is wrong.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \425\ See CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292, 
at 13, 40-41.
    \426\ The survey questions concerning consumer beliefs about 
errors in collections did not ask respondents to distinguish between 
debts owed to a debt collector and debts owed to a creditor. If 
consumers are more or less likely to believe there is an error for 
collection attempts by debt collectors, then this percentage and 
those below may over- or under-estimate the likelihood that a 
consumer believes a debt is in error when the consumer is contacted 
by a debt collector.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Among the 53 percent of consumers who cited one of the issues noted 
above, 42 percent reported that they disputed a collection in the prior 
year, and 11 percent of consumers who had not cited one of those issues 
indicated that they had disputed a debt. The fact that less than half 
of consumers who questioned a debt about which the creditor or debt 
collector contacted them reported disputing a debt is consistent with 
the possibility that some consumers do not dispute in response to a 
collection effort because they are not aware of the option to dispute 
or do not understand the steps required to do so. The required clear-
and-conspicuous statement of the dispute right could benefit these 
consumers by making them aware of their right to dispute and informing 
them how to dispute.
    The survey's finding that only 42 percent of consumers who thought 
they experienced an error with a debt in collection disputed the error 
suggests consumers are uncertain about how to dispute a debt in 
collection or that they believe that disputes require too much time and 
effort relative to the expected benefit. The required consumer-response 
information could reduce these impediments to disputing debts that 
consumers believe are in error. Specifically, the consumer-response 
information will provide a clear means of disputing a debt in a way 
that triggers the protections provided by the FDCPA and this rule. 
Furthermore, the convenience of the consumer-response information, 
which is formatted on the model validation notice as a tear-off with 
prompts for various actions, could reduce barriers to responding by 
eliminating or reducing the burden of, for example, deciding what 
information is relevant and how to phrase the response.\427\ This could 
allow some consumers to save time and avoid other negative 
consequences, such as lower credit scores due to a debt they may not 
owe being listed as unpaid on their credit reports.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \427\ A 2016 research report by the United Kingdom's Financial 
Conduct Authority showed that, in a large randomized control trial, 
a tear-off form (with a text or email reminder) led to more 
consumers switching from a current savings account to one with a 
better interest rate relative to getting only an informational text 
or email reminder and relative to an informational box with 
instructions on how to switch. Paul Adams et al., Attention, Search 
and Switching: Evidence on Mandated Disclosure from the Savings 
Market (UK Fin. Conduct Authority, Occasional Paper No. 19 2016), 
https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/occasional-papers/occasional-paper-19.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the consumer-response information includes an option 
to request information about the original creditor. Original-creditor 
information may help consumers in determining whether the debt is 
theirs.
    The Bureau has tested a model validation notice. Several 
considerations went into the content and design of the model validation 
notice. First, consumers must have relevant and accurate information to 
make informed decisions about how to act with regard to the debt. The 
Bureau therefore conducted consumer testing to identify what pieces of 
information consumers considered to be important to help them identify 
whether a debt was theirs, whether the amount stated was correct, and 
how the amount the debt collector was attempting to collect has changed 
over time (e.g., due to fees, interest, and payments).\428\ However, 
there is some indication that consumers tend to not read certain types 
of standard-form disclosures.\429\ To try to avoid this result, the 
Bureau conducted consumer testing exploring how consumers interacted 
and engaged with the notice and the pieces of information contained 
therein.\430\ This helped the Bureau understand whether consumers were 
inclined to engage with the document in general and which pieces of the 
validation notice received more or less consumer attention.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \428\ FMG Summary Report, supra note 29.
    \429\ See, e.g., Ian Ayres & Alan Schwartz, The No-Reading 
Problem in Consumer Contract Law, 66 Stan. L. Rev. 545 (2014); 
Yannis Bakos et al., Does Anyone Read the Fine Print? Consumer 
Attention to Standard-Form Contracts, 43 J. Legal Studies 1, 1-35 
(2014); George R. Milne & Mary J. Culnan, Strategies for Reducing 
Online Privacy Risks: Why Consumers Read (or Don't Read) Online 
Privacy Notices, 18 J. Interactive Mktg. 3, 15-29 (2004); Jonathan 
A. Obar & Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch, The Biggest Lie on the internet: 
Ignoring the Privacy Policies and Terms of Service Policies of 
Social Networking Services (York U., draft version, 2018), https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2757465.
    \430\ FMG Cognitive Report, supra note 27.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau incorporated the findings from this consumer testing in 
its design of the model validation notice. To increase both consumer 
engagement with and comprehension of the validation information, the 
Bureau designed the model notice to be visually engaging. The notice 
uses plain language wherever possible and conforms to recommendations 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) set forth in its plain 
English handbook.\431\ To reduce the perceived complexity of the 
information, the form uses a clear hierarchy of information through 
positioning in a columnar format, varying type size, and bold-faced 
type for subsection headings. It uses shading to highlight the amount 
due and plain language rather than technical terms. Usability testing 
analyzing eye-tracking suggests that participants were able to locate 
relevant information on the form, with most participants able to 
quickly locate their account number and the contact information of the 
creditor.\432\ The information presented in the form is also concise, 
presenting consumers with a manageable amount of information about the 
debt and what they can do in response to the information. This is 
important, as the perceived and actual cost to a consumer of reading a 
disclosure increases with the amount of information provided.\433\
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    \431\ See Sec. & Exchange Comm'n, A Plain English Handbook (Aug. 
1998), https://www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf.
    \432\ FMG Summary Report, supra note 29.
    \433\ The idea that consumers may decrease their engagement with 
information when more information is provided is somewhat supported 
by research on ``choice overload.'' This work indicates that, if 
choice sets are large, some people opt to make no choice at all. 
See, e.g., Sheena Iyengar et al., How Much Choice is Too Much? 
Contributions to 401(k) Retirement Plans, in Pension Design and 
Structure: New Lessons from Behavioral Finance, at 83 (Oxford U. 
Press 2004).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A number of consumer advocate and academic commenters asserted that 
the proposed model notice was not adequately tested. Some of these 
commenters stated that the Bureau's testing included too few 
participants to generate valid conclusions about the proposed model 
notice's efficacy or to evaluate the comprehension of consumers, 
particularly of the least sophisticated consumers. For instance, a 
consumer advocate expressed concern that only 60 consumers were 
included in the cognitive and usability testing rounds.\434\ Likewise, 
an academic commenter stated that the Bureau's consumer testing focused 
too heavily on observing what testing participants looked at on the 
model notice (based on the use of eye tracking techniques) at the 
expense of testing participants' comprehension of the notice. Another 
commenter stated that the Bureau should have tested more diverse 
groups, including consumers with limited English proficiency, students, 
older consumers, and consumers from more diverse socioeconomic 
backgrounds. Some consumer advocate and academic commenters recommended 
that the Bureau field test the proposed model notice with consumers 
with real debts. A consumer advocate expressed concern about the 
performance of certain aspects of the proposed model notice in 
quantitative testing, noting in particular that approximately 40 
percent of respondents who received the model

[[Page 5844]]

notice failed to identify the correct entity the consumer should 
pay.\435\
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    \434\ See FMG Summary Report, supra note 29, at 5-7.
    \435\ Several comments in response to the May 2019 proposal also 
criticized the consumer testing as being outdated because, when that 
proposal was published, the most recent testing had occurred in 
2016. However, the Bureau does not find any reason to believe that 
consumer understanding of the model notice has changed since 2016, 
and the commenters did not provide any evidence to support such a 
claim. Moreover, since the May 2019 proposal, the Bureau has 
conducted two additional testing rounds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau disagrees that the model validation notice was not 
adequately tested. The model validation notice was developed and 
validated over multiple rounds of testing between 2014 and 2020, and 
the Bureau determines that these multiple rounds of testing were 
sufficient to assess the model validation notice's efficacy and 
comprehensibility. Further, the Bureau disagrees that its testing 
focused on eye-tracking at the expense of comprehension testing as 
consumer comprehension of the model validation notice was assessed in 
three rounds of testing. The Bureau's testing used eye-tracking in 
conjunction with consumer responses to inform its conclusions.
    The Bureau disagrees that it did not sample sufficiently diverse 
groups. The Bureau selected respondents with the goal of developing 
diverse testing pools that would serve as a proxy for the population at 
large. For example, in one round of usability testing, participants 
reflected a range of demographic characteristics broken down by race 
and ethnicity, household income, education level, and employment 
status.\436\ With respect to the criticism that the Bureau did not 
``field test'' the model validation notice, testing the form with 
consumers with real debts would have been impractical.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \436\ FMG Usability Report, supra note 28, at 85-87.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding comments that the model validation notice did not perform 
well during the quantitative testing round, the Bureau disagrees. As 
noted above, in that testing round, the model validation notice 
consistently performed better than or equal to the status quo notice, 
including on the question of to whom the consumer should send a 
payment.\437\ Additionally, the Bureau conducted qualitative follow-up 
testing of the model notice in October 2020. In this testing 88 percent 
of respondents reported that the notice was either ``very easy'' or 
``easy'' to understand.\438\ Between 71 percent and 100 percent of 
participants responded correctly to 14 different comprehension 
questions. Although some participants expressed confusion about a few 
aspects of the notice, the initial reactions to the notice were that 
information was clear and the available actions were obvious.
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    \437\ In response to the question ``According to the notice, if 
Person A wanted to make a payment on the debt, who should he or she 
sent the payment to?'' approximately 60 percent of consumers who 
received the model validation notice answered correctly compared to 
approximately 40 percent of consumers who received a status quo 
notice. CFPB Quantitative Testing Report, supra note 31, at 14.
    \438\ See id. at 16.
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    In summary, the Bureau's testing establishes that consumers will 
benefit from the use of the model notice compared to the baseline of 
status quo validation notices.
    The Bureau expects consumers to experience few costs as a result of 
the provision.
    Potential benefits to covered persons. The provision provides debt 
collectors with a safe harbor if they use the model validation notice, 
specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar 
form to meet the requirements in Sec.  1006.34(c). The Bureau 
understands that debt collectors currently face litigation risk 
associated with the validation notices they send, reflecting, in part, 
conflicting court decisions about what language is required and what 
language is permitted in the notices.\439\ The Bureau expects a 
significant number of debt collectors will use the model notice, 
specified variations of the model notice, or a substantially similar 
form and, therefore, will face significantly reduced litigation risk 
when providing validation notices because they will receive the safe 
harbor. This will benefit debt collectors directly, by reducing 
litigation costs related to validation notices. The provision's 
requirements to provide specific information about the debt and about a 
consumer's protections in debt collection could also indirectly benefit 
debt collectors by adding information to validation notices that would 
be helpful to consumers but that debt collectors currently do not 
include for fear that it would increase litigation risk. The validation 
information may also make consumers more likely to dispute, which could 
increase costs for debt collectors, as discussed under ``Potential 
costs to covered persons'' below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \439\ See Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40, at 
22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The validation information includes specific information about the 
debt intended to help consumers identify the debt and understand the 
amount the debt collector claims is owed. The Bureau's qualitative 
consumer research and the Bureau's complaint data suggest that the 
information currently included in validation notices is often not 
sufficient for consumers to identify a debt or whether the amount owed 
is correct. If consumers are better able to identify debts, they may be 
less likely to dispute or ignore a debt that they in fact owe, and at 
the same time may be better able to articulate the basis for a dispute 
of a debt that they do not owe. These effects could benefit debt 
collectors by reducing the costs associated with consumer disputes. 
Although it is possible that debt collectors could currently provide 
such information on validation notices, the Bureau understands that 
some debt collectors who would like to provide additional information 
do not do so largely due to the legal risks associated with including 
information in the validation notice beyond what is expressly required 
by the FDCPA.\440\ The form will significantly reduce this legal risk. 
To quantify the benefits of this provision to covered persons, the 
Bureau would need data on how frequently consumers do not recognize the 
debt or the amount owed as identified on a validation notice, how many 
consumers would better recognize the debt if they received the required 
validation information, and how consumers would act in response to that 
information. While the Bureau is not aware of available data that would 
permit it to estimate these numbers, the Debt Collection Consumer 
Survey does provide some basis for concluding that the required 
validation information will be helpful to consumers and, therefore, 
beneficial for debt collectors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \440\ See Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40, at 
22 (finding that small entities would benefit from a model notice 
that reduced litigation risk arising from conflicting court 
decisions about what information is permitted on a validation 
notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The validation information could reduce debt collector costs 
associated with disputes by preventing some disputes from consumers who 
are more likely to recognize that they owe a debt and by making the 
disputes that debt collectors receive clearer and easier to resolve.
    Debt collectors report that processing disputes is a costly 
activity and that it can be especially difficult to process disputes if 
the consumer provides little or no detail about the basis for a 
dispute. Debt collectors surveyed by the Bureau indicated that most 
disputes took between five minutes and one hour of staff time to 
resolve, with 15 to 30 minutes being the most common amount of 
time.\441\ Respondents said that disputes took the longest amount of 
time to resolve if the basis of the dispute

[[Page 5845]]

was unclear or if the consumer said the debt was not theirs.\442\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \441\ CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 
31.
    \442\ Id.
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    One commenter noted that 40 percent of disputes at their debt 
collection agency are non-generic and generally resolvable. This 
commenter asserted that the tear offs on the model validation notice 
will make these non-generic disputes less informative. An industry 
commenter noted that 99.4 percent of accounts it received were not 
disputed. Of the 0.6 percent that are disputed, 80 percent are accurate 
once more information is gathered. Given this, the commenter argued 
that providing consumers itemized statements for medical bills, which 
can run into many pages, is unnecessary.
    The Bureau does not have a basis to estimate how much the 
validation information might affect dispute rates. As an illustration 
of potential cost savings if dispute rates fall, if the information 
were to reduce the number of consumers who dispute by 1 percent of all 
validation notices sent, and assuming that there are 140 million 
validation notices sent per year,\443\ the overall number of annual 
disputes would fall by 1.4 million. Assuming time to process each 
dispute of 0.375 hours, the overall savings to industry would be 
estimated at 525,000 person-hours, or approximately 250 full-time 
equivalents. Assuming labor costs for debt collectors of $22 per 
hour,\444\ this would represent industry cost savings of about $11.5 
million.
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    \443\ The assumption of 140 million validation notices per year 
is based on an estimated 49 million consumers contacted by debt 
collectors each year and an assumption that each consumer receives 
an average of approximately 2.8 notices during the year.
    \444\ This assumes an hourly wage of $15 and taxes, benefits, 
and incentives of $7 per hour. See CFPB Debt Collection Operations 
Study, supra note 37, at 17 (reporting estimated debt collector 
wages between $10 and $20 per hour plus incentives).
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    The validation notice could also reduce the cost of processing 
disputes by making it easier for consumers who dispute to provide at 
least some information about the basis of their disputes. This could 
reduce the costs to covered persons of processing disputes by making it 
easier for debt collectors to investigate disputed debts in order to 
verify the debt.
    Potential costs to covered persons. Debt collectors already send 
validation notices to consumers to comply with the FDCPA, so the 
validation information will generally affect the content of existing 
disclosures debt collectors are sending rather than require debt 
collectors to send entirely new disclosures. Nonetheless, debt 
collectors will incur certain costs to comply with the form. These 
include one-time compliance costs, the ongoing costs of obtaining the 
required validation information, and potentially ongoing costs of 
responding to a potential increase in the number of disputes.
    The provision will require debt collectors to reformat their 
validation notices to accommodate the validation information 
requirements. The Bureau expects that any one-time costs to debt 
collectors of reformatting the validation notice will be relatively 
small, particularly for debt collectors who rely on vendors, because 
the Bureau expects that most vendors will provide an updated notice at 
no additional cost.\445\ The Bureau understands from its outreach that 
many covered persons currently use vendors to provide validation 
notices.\446\ Surveyed firms, and their vendors, told the Bureau that 
vendors do not typically charge an additional cost to modify an 
existing template (although this practice might not apply given that 
the final rule likely will require more extensive changes to validation 
notices than vendors typically make today).\447\ Debt collectors and 
vendors will bear costs to understand the requirements of the provision 
and to ensure that their systems generate notices that comply with the 
requirements, although these costs will be mitigated somewhat by the 
availability of a model notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \445\ See id. at 33.
    \446\ In the Operations Study, over 85 percent of debt 
collectors surveyed by the Bureau reported using letter vendors. Id. 
at 32.
    \447\ Id. at 33.
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    The validation information will require debt collectors to provide 
certain additional information about the debt, which will require that 
debt collectors receive and maintain certain data fields and 
incorporate them into the notices. The Bureau believes that the large 
majority of debt collectors already receive and maintain most data 
fields included in the final validation information. However, some 
respondents to the Debt Collection Operations Study reported that they 
do not receive from creditors information about post-default interest, 
fees, payments, and credits.\448\ These debt collectors will have to 
update their systems to track these fields. The Bureau understands that 
such system updates would be likely to cost less than $1,000 for each 
debt collector.\449\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \448\ In the Bureau's Operations Study, 52 of 58 respondents 
reported receiving itemization of post-charge-off fees on at least 
some of their accounts. Id. at 23.
    \449\ Id. at 26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At least one industry commenter asserted that one-time compliance 
costs would be significantly higher than $1,000, at least for 
collectors of medical debt. This commenter estimated costs of between 
$22,000 and $31,000 for implementation. The commenter noted that, for 
collectors of medical debt, an itemization of charges requires 
information about payments by the consumer's health insurance, 
increasing the complexity and cost of tracking the necessary 
information. The Bureau acknowledges that costs may be higher for some 
debt collectors. However, the Bureau's estimate is based on responses 
to the CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, more than half of which 
came from debt collectors of medical debt. As such, the Bureau believes 
that, on average, its estimate of less than $1,000 in one-time costs is 
reasonable.
    If debt collectors adjust their systems to produce notices 
including the new validation information, the Bureau does not expect 
there would be an increase in the ongoing costs of printing and sending 
validation notices. However, there could be ongoing costs related to 
the validation information requirements if the required data are not 
always available to debt collectors.\450\ The Bureau understands that 
some creditors do not currently track post-default charges and credits 
in a way that can be readily transferred to debt collectors. However, 
the Bureau's understanding is that most creditors, including medical 
providers, do track this information, and many debt collectors already 
provide this information on validation notices. Further, debt 
collectors are already

[[Page 5846]]

required to disclose an itemization for some types of debt in at least 
one jurisdiction, New York State.\451\
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    \450\ One industry trade group estimated that an itemization 
requirement would cost $600 million in professional fees to conduct 
legal analyses of HIPAA compliance for medical debt, $30 million for 
one-time system reprogramming for debt collectors, and $3 billion 
for one-time system reprogramming for creditors. The proposal 
allegedly would also result in billions of dollars in ongoing 
support costs and uncompensated medical care because, according to 
the commenter, the proposed requirement, if adopted, would increase 
the risks that hospitals might be unable to use debt collectors. As 
discussed in part V, the itemization requirement should not raise 
issues of HIPAA compliance that would require creditors to engage 
legal counsel in order to provide the required information, as HIPAA 
privacy regulations explicitly permit disclosure where required by 
law. While some one-time costs will be required so that collection 
and billing systems can incorporate the data needed to comply with 
the requirement, as discussed in this section, the Bureau 
understands that the required changes would not be far outside the 
scope of normal adjustments to billing and collection systems and 
does not have reason to believe the changes would be so expensive as 
to prevent hospitals from using debt collectors. The final rule 
permits debt collectors to use the date of the last statement or 
invoice provided to the consumer by a creditor as the itemization 
date. If providing a debt collector with itemization information 
were prohibitively expensive for a medical provider, such providers 
could avoid these costs by simply issuing a statement to the 
consumer.
    \451\ See 23 NYCRR 1.2(b) (requiring debt collectors to provide 
an itemized accounting of the debt within five days after the 
initial communication with a consumer in connection with the 
collection of certain types of charged-off debt, such as credit card 
debt). The fact that debt collectors subject to New York's 
requirements continue to operate and send validation notices in New 
York suggests that, although the itemization requirement may impose 
one-time adjustment costs on some creditors and debt collectors, 
ongoing costs are not prohibitive, at least for the types of debts 
for which New York has required itemization.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, as discussed in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), the final rule's itemization date definition 
permits debt collectors to select an itemization date that is feasible 
for the type of debt in collection and the information debt collectors 
receive. And Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) requires itemization of fees, 
interest, and credits only subsequent to the selected itemization date. 
Thus, for example, if a debt collector selects the last statement date 
as the itemization date under Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), and if the creditor 
has recently issued a statement to the consumer, the debt collector 
need only obtain and provide to the consumer an itemization with fees, 
interest, and credits subsequent to that last statement date. And, as 
discussed in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1006.34(d)(2), a 
debt collector may provide the itemization on a separate page and 
retain the safe harbor for the rest of the validation notice.
    Industry commenters asserted that there would be additional 
printing and mailing costs of the provision due to the tear-off portion 
of the model notice, which is formatted for use with a return envelope. 
The commenters argued that many debt collectors do not currently 
include return envelopes with their validation notices and that 
including a return envelope would increase mailing costs. The Bureau 
disagrees that this would be a cost of the rule, as the rule does not 
require including a return envelope with a mailed validation notice, 
the format of the tear-off portion notwithstanding. Given that it is 
not required, the Bureau expects that debt collectors will only begin 
including return envelopes if they find, in their own analysis, that 
the benefit exceeds the additional costs.
    Several commenters discussed the potential for ongoing costs of 
providing the new validation information. One industry commenter 
expressed concern about the availability of the information required on 
the model validation notice for medical debt, as the commenter believed 
that the only available itemization date permitted by the proposal for 
these debts would be date of service (i.e., the transaction date), and 
the commenter stated that date of service was currently only available 
from 17.2 percent of its clients. Another industry commenter noted that 
there would be costs associated with providing updated itemization 
dates for a debt that transfers between debt collectors.
    Industry trade association commenters noted that there would be 
costs to creditors of providing the fields to debt collectors and that 
not all of the required fields are necessarily tracked by all creditors 
currently, particularly credit unions. The Bureau acknowledges that the 
FDCPA and this final rule may create indirect costs for creditors that 
use debt collectors, because the costs to debt collectors of complying 
with FDCPA requirements may be passed on to creditors and because debt 
collectors must receive certain information about debts in order to 
comply with FDCPA requirements. The information available to the Bureau 
does not suggest that any indirect costs to creditors of this provision 
will be large.
    Further, one industry commenter asserted that the itemization 
requirement could competitively harm collectors of medical debt. This 
commenter asserted that medical care providers are currently unable to 
provide the required itemization information, and rather than incurring 
costs to provide this information, would switch to using debt 
collectors who do not comply with the law. This would put compliant 
debt collectors at a competitive disadvantage. As noted above, the 
Bureau acknowledges that the provision may affect the costs to 
creditors, including medical care providers, of using FDCPA debt 
collectors, because creditors must provide debt collectors with the 
necessary information for the validation notice. It is also possible 
that in some cases a less sophisticated creditor may employ a debt 
collector who does not attempt to comply with the rule. However, the 
Bureau finds it unlikely that this provision of the rule would lead to 
widespread non-compliance, at the expense of debt collectors who comply 
with the requirements of the rule. The Bureau, the FTC, and other 
Federal and State law enforcement agencies have and will continue to 
maintain vigorous enforcement of the FDCPA.\452\ Any debt collector who 
obtained enough business through non-compliance with the rule to do 
material harm to debt collectors who comply with the rule would be 
likely to attract enforcement action from regulators. Moreover, the 
risk of reputational harm is likely to deter some medical providers 
from intentionally employing debt collectors who knowingly do not 
comply with the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \452\ See, e.g., Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., CFPB, FTC, 
State, and Federal Law Enforcement Partners Announce Nationwide 
Crackdown on Phantom and Abusive Debt Collection (Sept. 29, 2020), 
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-ftc-state-and-federal-law-enforcement-partners-announce-nationwide-crackdown-phantom-and-abusive-debt-collection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other potential costs to debt collectors could arise if changes to 
the validation information affect how consumers respond, particularly 
whether they dispute the debt. As discussed above, because the 
validation information would include more detail, consumers might be 
more likely to recognize the debt and less likely to mistakenly dispute 
debts that they owe. On the other hand, the new consumer-response 
information would make it easier to dispute debts or request the name 
and address of the original creditor. Together with the additional 
information about consumers' ability to dispute that will be provided, 
this could increase the number of consumers who dispute or request 
original-creditor information. Similarly, some industry commenters 
argued that the tear-off portion of the model notice would make 
disputes easier, resulting in more disputes. The overall impact on 
dispute rates is unclear.
    Any increases in dispute rates would not be likely to substantially 
reduce collection revenue, but increased dispute rates would increase 
debt collector costs. With respect to collections revenue, the Bureau 
expects that, with some fairly limited exceptions, consumers who choose 
to pay a debt are generally those who recognize that they owe the debt 
and want to pay it, and that in most cases the validation information 
would be unlikely to cause such consumers to dispute rather than 
pay.\453\ With respect to costs, the disclosures could lead consumers 
who do not recognize the debt or who believe there is a problem with 
the amount demanded to dispute

[[Page 5847]]

the debt rather than ignoring it. Responding to disputes is a costly 
activity for debt collectors, so an increase in dispute rates would 
increase these costs. As discussed above, covered persons surveyed by 
the Bureau indicated that most disputes took between five minutes and 
one hour of staff time to resolve, with 15 to 30 minutes being the most 
common amount of time.\454\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \453\ While there is some evidence that consumers sometimes pay 
alleged debts even though they do not believe they owe them, such 
consumers may be motivated by factors, such as credit reporting 
concerns, that are not addressed by the validation notice itself. 
See Jeff Sovern et al., Validation and Verification Vignettes: More 
Results from an Empirical Study of Consumer Understanding of Debt 
Collection Validation Notices, at 46-47 (St. John's U., Working 
Paper No. 18-0016, 2018), https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3219171.
    \454\ CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 
31. The discussion in ``Benefits to covered persons'' above provides 
an illustration of the potential impact on debt collectors of a 
change in dispute rates. Using the assumptions in that illustration, 
if the net impact of the proposal were to increase industrywide 
disputes by 1 million disputes per year, it could imply increased 
industry costs totaling around $8.25 million per year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Alternative proposals to require Spanish-language disclosures. The 
Bureau considered proposals that would require debt collectors to 
provide a Spanish-language translation of the validation information 
under certain circumstances, such as on the reverse side of any 
English-language validation notice or if requested by a consumer. 
Consumers with limited English proficiency may benefit from 
translations of the validation information, and Spanish speakers 
represent the second-largest language group in the United States after 
English speakers.\455\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \455\ In 2013, 38.4 million residents in the United States aged 
five and older spoke Spanish at home. See U.S. Census Bureau, Facts 
for Features: Hispanic Heritage Month 2015 (Sept. 14, 2015), https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2015/cb15-ff18.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Requiring Spanish-language disclosures would impose costs on some 
debt collectors. A requirement to send a Spanish-language disclosure on 
the back of each validation notice could increase mailing costs for all 
validation notices that are sent by mail, because it would require 
information that would otherwise be printed on the back of validation 
notices, such as State-mandated disclosures, to be provided on a 
separate page. A requirement to provide Spanish-language validation 
notices upon request could lead to a smaller increase in mailing costs 
but could require debt collectors to develop and maintain systems for 
tracking a consumer's language preference and responding to that 
preference.
    The Bureau understands that some debt collectors currently send 
validation notices in Spanish to some consumers. These debt collectors 
presumably believe that the increase in revenues from sending them to 
these consumers exceeds the costs of doing so. To the extent sending 
such notices is already prevalent, it would limit the consumer benefits 
of a provision that requires Spanish-language translations as well as 
the costs to debt collectors of such a provision, although there would 
still be costs associated with ensuring that such disclosures were made 
as required by regulation.
    Consumer advocate and academic commenters argued that the Bureau 
should have required that the validation notice be in the language of 
the original transaction, including languages other than English or 
Spanish. The commenters noted that procedural hurdles, such as a 
mismatch between the consumers' primary language and the language of a 
disclosure, can have large effects on behavior. The Bureau notes that 
this alternative would impose significantly greater costs on debt 
collectors than the final rule, as they would need to maintain versions 
of the model notice for each such language. At the same time, the 
marginal benefit to consumers of the alternative suggested by 
commenters would be smaller, as fewer consumers communicate in 
languages other than English and Spanish.
3. Required Actions Prior to Furnishing Information
    Section 1006.30(a)(1) prohibits a debt collector from furnishing 
information to a consumer reporting agency (CRA) about a debt before 
taking specific actions to contact the consumer about that debt. A debt 
collector can satisfy this requirement by: (i) Speaking to the consumer 
about the debt in person or by telephone; or (ii) placing a letter in 
the mail or sending an electronic message to the consumer about the 
debt and waiting a reasonable period of time to receive a notice of 
undeliverability, provided certain other conditions are satisfied. A 
validation notice is one type of letter or electronic communication 
debt collectors can use to satisfy Sec.  1006.30(a)(1)(ii).
    Potential benefits and costs to consumers. The final rule will help 
consumers to learn about an alleged debt before a debt collector 
furnishes adverse information to a CRA. If consumers believe that the 
information is incorrect, they will have an opportunity to dispute the 
debt.
    When debt collectors furnish information about unpaid debts to 
CRAs, that information can appear on consumer credit reports, 
potentially limiting consumers' ability to obtain credit, employment, 
or housing. If consumers are unaware that information about a possible 
unpaid debt is being furnished to a CRA, then they may not realize that 
their ability to obtain credit, employment or housing may be affected 
by the debt's presence on their credit reports. They may pay more for 
credit or lose out on employment or housing because they are unaware 
that their credit scores have been negatively affected or they may 
discover the adverse information only when they apply for credit, 
employment, or housing.
    To quantify the potential consumer benefits from the final rule, 
the Bureau would need to know: (1) How frequently consumers are unaware 
that debt collectors furnished information about their debts to CRAs 
but would become aware of it if debt collectors informed consumers 
prior to furnishing information; and (2) the benefit to these consumers 
of becoming aware they had a debt in collections.
    In many cases, consumers will not be affected by the provision 
because many debt collectors already take one of the actions required 
by the final rule before furnishing information to CRAs. Many other 
consumers will not be affected by the provision because not all debt 
collectors furnish information to CRAs about the debts on which they 
are seeking to recover.
    The Bureau understands that most debt collectors mail validation 
notices to consumers shortly after they receive accounts for 
collection.\456\ A minority of debt collectors sometimes or always mail 
validation notices only after speaking with consumers (whether contact 
was initiated by the debt collector or the consumer).\457\ The Bureau 
does not have representative data to estimate how often consumers would 
be affected by the provision, but the evidence suggests that a 
relatively small share of debt collectors furnish information to CRAs 
before providing a validation notice or taking one of the other actions 
required by the final rule. If, for example, debt collectors sent

[[Page 5848]]

validation notices for an additional five percent of debts in 
collection, the provision could result in up to approximately seven 
million additional validation notices sent each year (assuming that no 
debt collectors would cease furnishing in response to the 
provision).\458\
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    \456\ See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, 
at 28. One large industry commenter, which does furnish to the CRAs, 
also confirmed that it almost always mails a validation notice 
before furnishing. To comply with the final rule, these debt 
collectors would also need to wait a reasonable period of time to 
allow for notifications of non-delivery, and only furnish if they 
don't receive such notifications. The Bureau does not have 
information as to how many of these debt collectors currently take 
these additional steps. However, the Bureau expects that taking 
these additional steps would impose minimal costs on debt collectors 
that do not already take them.
    \457\ In the Bureau's Operations Study, 53 of 58 respondents 
said that they send a validation notice shortly after debt 
placement, and of those that do not, three respondents that said 
that they furnish data to CRAs. Id. During the meeting of the SBREFA 
Panel, only one small entity representative described additional 
burdens it would face as a result of a requirement to communicate 
with consumers before furnishing information to credit bureaus.
    \458\ This estimate assumes 140 million validation notices are 
sent each year, based on an estimated 49 million consumers contacted 
by debt collectors each year and an assumption that each receives an 
average of approximately 2.8 notices during the year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Learning that a debt is in collections shortly after the 
collections process begins can help consumers prevent or mitigate harm 
from adverse information on their credit reports. This can be 
particularly important if the information about the debt is inaccurate 
because in those cases consumers who learn of the alleged debt can 
dispute the debt under the FDCPA or dispute the item of information 
under the FCRA. By informing consumers about the collection item before 
it is furnished to a CRA, the final rule will make it less likely that 
consumers learn about a collection item when they are in the process of 
applying for credit or other benefits, at which point they may feel 
pressure to resolve the item and may not have the opportunity to fully 
dispute the item.
    An FTC report addressed the prevalence of collections-related 
errors in credit reports.\459\ The FTC report analyzed data from a 
sample of 1,001 consumers and identified errors in the credit records 
of three nationwide CRAs. The report found collections-related errors 
in 4.9 percent of credit reports, and credit reports with documented 
errors contained, on average, 1.8 errors per report. The Bureau's Debt 
Collection Consumer Survey also suggests that debt collectors make 
collection errors, finding that 53 percent of consumers who said they 
had been contacted about one or more debts in collection said that 
these contacts included at least one debt the consumer thought was in 
error.\460\
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    \459\ Fed. Trade Comm'n, Report to Congress under Section 319 of 
the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, (Dec. 2012) 
https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reports/section-319-fair-and-accurate-credit-transactions-act-2003-fifth-interim-federal-trade-commission/130211factareport.pdf (FTC Report to 
Congress).
    \460\ CFPB Debt Collection Consumer Survey, supra note 292, at 
24.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Credit scores are based on a wide variety of information in 
consumer credit files. While many errors have only small effects on 
consumers' credit scores,\461\ in some cases information in credit 
files about unpaid debts can have a reasonably large impact on credit 
scores. For example, analysis of telecommunications collection items in 
credit reports has shown that, while additional collection items have 
relatively small effects in some cases, they can have substantial 
effects for some consumers, with an average reduction in credit score 
of more than 41 points for super-prime consumers.\462\ In some 
circumstances, these changes could lead to higher interest rates for 
consumers or denial of credit, particularly for borrowers with 
otherwise high credit scores.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \461\ See FTC Report to Congress, supra note 459, at 43.
    \462\ See Brian Bucks et al., Bureau of Consumer Fin. Prot., 
Collection of Telecommunication Debt, https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/bcfp_consumer-credit-trends_collection-telecommunications-debt_082018.pdf (Aug. 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Potential benefits and costs to covered persons. The final rule 
will affect the practices of debt collectors who sometimes furnish 
information about consumers' debts to CRAs before taking one of the 
required actions under the final rule. The Bureau understands that most 
debt collectors mail validation notices to consumers shortly after they 
receive the accounts for collections and before they furnish 
information on those accounts. These debt collectors either already 
would be in compliance with the final rule or could come into 
compliance with minimal additional cost.\463\ Forty-five out of 58 debt 
collectors responding to the Bureau's Operations Study said that they 
furnish information to CRAs.\464\ Of these respondents, all but three 
said that they send a validation notice upon account placement, such 
that the final rule's requirement would be satisfied as long as the 
debt collectors also wait a reasonable period of time to allow for 
notifications of non-delivery, and only furnish if they do not receive 
such notifications. These debt collectors will likely need to review 
their policies to ensure that validation notices are always sent (or 
validation information is provided in an initial communication) prior 
to reporting on the account, which the Bureau expects would involve a 
small one-time cost. Debt collectors that do not currently wait a 
reasonable period of time prior to furnishing to allow for 
notifications of non-delivery, accept non-delivery notifications, and 
only furnish if they do not receive such notifications would need to 
adopt these practices, but the Bureau expects this would impose minimal 
ongoing operational costs. Other debt collectors do not furnish 
information to CRAs at all and will not be affected by the requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \463\ In the Operations Study, 53 of 58 respondents said that 
they send a validation notice shortly after debt placement. CFPB 
Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 28. To comply 
with the final rule, these debt collectors would also need to wait a 
reasonable period of time to allow for notifications of non-
delivery, accept non-delivery notifications and only furnish if they 
don't receive such notifications. The Bureau does not have 
information as to how many of these debt collectors currently take 
these additional steps. However, the Bureau expects that taking 
these additional steps would impose minimal costs on debt collectors 
that do not already take them.
    \464\ Id. at 19.
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    Debt collectors who furnish information to CRAs prior to 
communicating with consumers but provide validation notices to 
consumers only after they have been in contact with consumers will need 
to change their practices and would face increased costs as a result of 
the final rule. Because these debt collectors are already required to 
provide validation notices to consumers (unless validation information 
is provided in an initial communication or the debt has been paid), the 
Bureau expects that many already have systems in place for sending 
notices and will not face one-time compliance costs greater than those 
of other debt collectors.\465\ However, these debt collectors will face 
ongoing costs from sending validation notices to more consumers than 
they otherwise would, at an estimated cost of $0.50 to $0.80 per debt 
if sent by mail.\466\ To the extent debt collectors take advantage of 
opportunities to send validation notices electronically, the marginal 
cost of sending each notice is likely to be approximately zero. 
Alternatively, these debt collectors could cease furnishing information 
to CRAs until after they take the specific steps identified in the 
final rule, which could impact the effectiveness of their collection 
efforts.\467\ Because debt collectors could choose the less burdensome 
of these options, the additional costs of delivering notices represent 
an upper bound on the burden of the provision for debt collectors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \465\ Debt collectors who do not currently have systems in place 
for sending notices will face one-time compliance costs to implement 
those systems.
    \466\ See CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, 
at 32-33. One small entity representative on the Bureau's SBREFA 
Panel indicated that, for about one-half of its accounts, it 
currently sends validation notices only after speaking with a 
consumer, and that, if it were required to send validation notices 
to all consumers, it would incur additional mailing costs of $0.63 
per mailing for an estimated 400,000 accounts per year. A small 
industry commenter asserted that mailing costs were significantly 
higher than $0.50-$0.80 per debt but did not provide an alternative 
figure.
    \467\ If debt collectors furnish information to CRAs less 
frequently this could make consumer reports less informative in 
general, which could have negative effects on the credit system by 
making it harder for creditors to assess credit risk.

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[[Page 5849]]

    Commenters noted several specific situations in which the proposed 
provision could, in the commenters' view, unduly burden debt 
collectors. One small industry commenter raised the concern that a bad 
address, which occurs in 15 percent of accounts at their agency, would 
stop collections. Another industry commenter noted that 3 percent of 
its notices are returned as undeliverable and argued that attempting to 
deliver a validation notice should count as a communication and thus 
allow furnishing. Another industry commenter noted that some States are 
``closed'' in the sense that debt collectors based in other States are 
not allowed to deliver notices into those States. This commenter was 
concerned that the proposed provision would not allow furnishing of 
information about consumers in those States and argued that this will 
reduce credit report accuracy. A joint comment by an industry commenter 
and CRA argued that the proposed provision would be particularly 
problematic in the check verification space. The commenter noted that, 
in the case of bad checks, the debt collector generally does not have 
the consumer's address or telephone number and cannot communicate with 
the consumer directly. In these cases, the debt collector would report 
the bad check to a check verification CRA, but this could be prohibited 
under the proposed provision. The commenter argued that the proposed 
provision could undermine the reliability of the check payment system 
by making it impossible to track check fraud, among other things.
    The Bureau agrees with some of the commenters with respect to these 
additional costs and has revised the final rule from the proposal to 
reduce or eliminate these costs. In particular, the Bureau has revised 
Sec.  1006.30(a) to specify that, if a debt collector places a letter 
in the mail or sends an electronic message to the consumer about the 
debt, the debt collector must wait a reasonable period of time (with a 
safe harbor for waiting 14 consecutive days) before furnishing 
information about the debt to a CRA and, during that period, permit 
receipt of, and monitor for, notifications of undeliverability for mail 
and electronic messages. A debt collector who places a letter in the 
mail or sends an electronic message, does not receive a notice of 
undeliverability during that period, and furnishes information to a 
consumer reporting agency after the period ends has not violated the 
rule even if the debt collector subsequently receives a notice of 
undeliverability. Section 1006.30(a)(2) of the final rule also 
specifies that Sec.  1006.30(a)(1) does not apply to the furnishing of 
information about a debt to a specialty check verification CRA. The 
Bureau believes these changes will reduce or eliminate many of the 
costs cited by the commenters.

H. Potential Reduction of Access by Consumers to Consumer Financial 
Products and Services

    Economic theory indicates that it is possible for changes in debt 
collection rules, such as those contained in this final rule, to affect 
consumers' access to credit. Under economic theory, creditors should 
decide to extend credit based on the discounted expected value of the 
revenue stream from that extension of credit. This entails considering 
the possibility that the consumer will ultimately default and expected 
payments will decrease. If this final rule addressing disclosures were 
to increase collection costs or reduce revenue collected from 
delinquent debt, then this would reduce the return to lending, which in 
theory could lead lenders to increase the cost of lending, restrict 
availability of credit, or both.
    As discussed in the November 2020 Final Rule, the Bureau has 
considered the available empirical data and research on the effect of 
State debt collection laws on the price and availability of 
credit.\468\ That research shows that State debt collection laws affect 
the price and availability of credit in ways that theory would predict, 
but that effects are relatively small even for changes in State laws 
that are likely more significant than the provisions in this final 
rule.\469\ In light of that research and the CCP analysis above, the 
Bureau concludes that the provisions in this final rule are unlikely to 
cause any significant reduction in access to consumer credit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \468\ See 84 FR 23274, 23389-91 (May 21, 2019).
    \469\ For example, one study found that additional State 
regulations on debt collectors' conduct caused the rate at which a 
credit inquiry led to a successful account opening to decline by 
less than 0.02 percentage points off a base rate of about 43 
percent. See id. at 23389-90.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Potential Specific Impacts of the Rule

1. Depository Institutions and Credit Unions With $10 Billion or Less 
in Total Assets, as Described in Section 1026
    Depository institutions and credit unions are generally not debt 
collectors under the FDCPA and therefore would not be covered under the 
final rule. Creditors could experience indirect effects from the final 
rule to the extent they hire FDCPA debt collectors or sell debt in 
default to such debt collectors. Such creditors could experience higher 
costs if debt collectors' costs increase and if debt collectors are 
able to pass those costs on to creditors. The Bureau understands that 
many depository institutions and credit unions with $10 billion or less 
in total assets rely on FDCPA debt collectors to collect uncollected 
amounts, but the Bureau does not have data indicating whether such 
institutions are more or less likely than other creditors to do so. The 
Bureau did not receive any comments on this issue with respect to the 
provisions in this final rule.
2. Impact of the Final Rule on Consumers in Rural Areas
    Consumers in rural areas may experience benefits from the final 
rule that are different in certain respects from the benefits 
experienced by consumers in general. For example, consumers in rural 
areas may be more likely to borrow from small local banks and credit 
unions that may be less likely to outsource debt collection to FDCPA 
debt collectors.
    The Bureau requested interested parties to provide data, research 
results, and other factual information on the impact of the proposed 
rule on consumers in rural areas, but the Bureau did not receive any 
comments on this subject.

VIII. Final Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency 
to conduct an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) and a 
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) of any rule subject to 
notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements.\470\ Section 604(a) of the 
RFA sets forth the required elements of the FRFA. Section 604(a)(1) 
requires a statement of the objectives of, and the legal basis for, the 
rule.\471\ Section 604(a)(2) requires a statement of the significant 
issues raised by the public comments in response to the initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis, a statement of the assessment of the 
agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes made in the 
proposed rule as a result of such comments. Section 604(a)(3) requires 
the response of the agency to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel 
for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in response to the 
proposed rule and a detailed statement of any change made to the 
proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the comments. Section 
604(a)(4) requires a description of and,

[[Page 5850]]

where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities to which 
the rule will apply.\472\ Section 604(a)(5) requires a description of 
the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance 
requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the classes of small 
entities that will be subject to the requirement and the types of 
professional skills necessary for the preparation of the report or 
record.\473\ Section 604(a)(6) requires a description of any 
significant alternatives to the rule that accomplish the stated 
objectives of applicable statutes and that minimize any significant 
economic impact of the rule on small entities.\474\ Finally, section 
604(a)(7) requires a description of the steps the agency has taken to 
minimize any additional cost of credit for small entities.\475\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \470\ 5 U.S.C. 603(a), 604(a).
    \471\ 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(1).
    \472\ 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(4).
    \473\ 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(5).
    \474\ 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(6).
    \475\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, the Final Rule

    As discussed in part IV, the Bureau issues this rule pursuant to 
its authority under the FDCPA and the Dodd-Frank Act. The objectives of 
the final rule are to clarify and implement the FDCPA's provisions and 
to further the FDCPA's goals of eliminating abusive debt collection 
practices and ensuring that debt collectors who refrain from abusive 
debt collection practices are not competitively disadvantaged.\476\ As 
the first Federal agency with authority under the FDCPA to prescribe 
substantive rules with respect to the collection of debts by debt 
collectors, the Bureau is requiring consumer disclosure requirements to 
provide greater clarity for both consumers and industry participants as 
to the information debt collectors must provide consumers to comply 
with the law. The Bureau intends that these clarifications will help to 
eliminate abusive debt collection practices and ensure that debt 
collectors who refrain from abusive debt collection practices are not 
competitively disadvantaged.\477\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \476\ See 15 U.S.C. 1692(e).
    \477\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, FDCPA section 814(d) provides 
that the Bureau may ``prescribe rules with respect to the collection of 
debts by debt collectors,'' as that term is defined in the FDCPA.\478\ 
Section 1022(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that ``[t]he Bureau is 
authorized to exercise its authorities under Federal consumer financial 
law to administer, enforce, and otherwise implement the provisions of 
Federal consumer financial law.'' \479\ ``Federal consumer financial 
law'' includes title X of the Dodd-Frank Act and the FDCPA. The legal 
basis for the final rule is discussed in detail in the legal authority 
analysis in part IV and in the section-by-section analysis in part V.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \478\ 15 U.S.C. 1692l(d).
    \479\ 12 U.S.C. 5512(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments in Response to the 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The Bureau received comments on the IRFA from the Acting Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, which are 
discussed in the next section. The Bureau did not receive other 
comments that referenced the IRFA specifically; however, several 
commenters did raise issues about the burdens of the proposed rule's 
provisions, and the Bureau's response to these issues is discussed in 
parts V and VII above and in this part below.

C. Response to Any Comments Filed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration

    The Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration filed a public comment letter on the May 2019 proposed 
rule that discusses both the IRFA and certain of the proposed 
requirements (the ``first SBA letter''). The Acting Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration also filed a public 
comment letter on the February 2020 supplemental proposed rule that 
discusses both the IRFA and the proposed requirements (the ``second SBA 
letter''). This section first responds to comments on the IRFA and then 
responds to the substantive comments on the proposed rule's provisions.
    The first SBA letter notes that the proposed rule could impose 
costs to read and understand the rule and to train employees in new 
practices. The Bureau had discussed these costs in the context of some 
specific provisions but has added a more general discussion of these 
costs to section E of the FRFA, below.
    The first SBA letter also notes that the Bureau claims some 
provisions will cause no significant impact because those provisions 
are already part of debt collectors' business practices, and argues 
that the Bureau should clarify what the benefit of such provisions is 
to consumers if they will not change debt collector practices. As 
discussed in part V above and the section 1022(b)(2) analysis of the 
proposed rule, the Bureau believes that, by clarifying the FDCPA's 
requirements, the rule will benefit both consumers and debt collectors, 
including small entities. Many market participants have identified a 
need for greater clarity in interpreting many of the FDCPA's 
provisions. For example, a trade group commenter emphasized that 
ambiguities in the FDCPA lead to unnecessary and costly litigation. The 
Bureau believes that there is a benefit to providing additional clarity 
about the FDCPA's requirements even where the vast majority of debt 
collectors follow practices that meet those requirements. The 
additional clarity helps those debt collectors to avoid unnecessary 
litigation and to have confidence in what practices do and do not 
violate the FDCPA. The additional clarity also makes it easier to 
establish when less scrupulous debt collectors have violated the 
statute and to hold them accountable, which benefits consumers as well 
as debt collectors who do comply with the law.

[[Page 5851]]

    The first SBA letter points out that the proposed rule's Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) section estimates 1,029,500 burden hours and argues 
that this could translate into millions of dollars in recordkeeping and 
reporting costs. Most of this burden is not attributable to the rule 
itself but rather to the requirements of the FDCPA. As discussed in the 
supporting statement accompanying the Bureau's information collection 
request, the PRA estimates include the burden not only of complying 
with the new requirements introduced by the final rule but also of 
complying with the FDCPA itself. These burdens had not previously been 
accounted for under the PRA. Thus, the large majority of the estimated 
burden hours represent the burden of complying with existing FDCPA 
provisions that exist independent of the rule, in particular the 
requirement to provide a validation notice under Sec.  809(a) of the 
FDCPA and the requirement to respond to consumer disputes under Sec.  
809(b) of the FDCPA. There are, of course, burdens associated with 
other information collections that are being introduced or modified by 
the final rule, and those burdens are discussed in this FRFA as well as 
in the supporting statement.
    The SBA letters also expressed several concerns about specific 
provisions of the proposed rule and recommended changes to those 
provisions. These concerns and recommendations, and the Bureau's 
response, are discussed in the section-by-section analysis of the 
relevant provisions in part V above.

D. Description and, Where Feasible, Provision of an Estimate of the 
Number of Small Entities to Which the Final Rule Will Apply

    As discussed in the Small Business Review Panel Report, for the 
purposes of assessing the impacts of this final rule on small entities, 
``small entities'' is defined in the RFA to include small businesses, 
small nonprofit organizations, and small government jurisdictions.\480\ 
A ``small business'' is determined by application of SBA regulations in 
reference to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 
classifications and size standards.\481\ Under such standards, the 
Small Business Review Panel (Panel) identified four categories of small 
entities that may be subject to the final rule: Collection agencies 
(NAICS 561440) with annual receipts at or below the SBA size standard 
(currently $16.5 million), debt buyers (NAICS 522298) with annual 
receipts at or below the size standard (currently $41.5 million), 
collection law firms (NAICS 541110) with annual receipts at or below 
the size standard (currently $12 million), and servicers who acquire 
accounts in default. These servicers include depository institutions 
(NAICS 522110, 522120, and 522130) with assets at or below the size 
standard (currently $600 million) or non-depository institutions (NAICS 
522390) with annual receipts at or below the size standard (currently 
$22 million). The Panel did not meet with small nonprofit organizations 
or small government jurisdictions.\482\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \480\ 5 U.S.C. 601(6).
    \481\ The current SBA size standards are found on SBA's website, 
https://www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards.
    \482\ Small Business Review Panel Report, supra note 40, at 29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table provides the Bureau's estimate of the number 
and types of entities that may be affected by the final rule:

                  Table 1--Estimated Number of Affected Entities and Small Entities by Category
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Estimated
                                                                                     Estimated       number of
                                                                                   total number    small-entity
            Category                      NAICS           Small-entity threshold      of debt          debt
                                                                                    collectors      collectors
                                                                                      within          within
                                                                                     category        category
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collection agencies............  561440.................  $16.5 million in                 9,000           8,800
                                                           annual receipts.
Debt buyers....................  522298.................  $41.5 million in                   330             300
                                                           annual receipts.
Collection law firms...........  541110.................  $12.0 million in                 1,000             950
                                                           annual receipts.
Loan servicers.................  522110, 522120, and      $600 million in annual             700             200
                                  522130 (depositories);   receipts for
                                  522390 (non-             depository
                                  depositories).           institutions; $22.0
                                                           million or less for
                                                           non-depositories.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Descriptions of the four categories:
    Collection agencies. The Census Bureau defines ``collection 
agencies'' (NAICS code 561440) as ``establishments primarily engaged in 
collecting payments for claims and remitting payments collected to 
their clients.'' \483\ According to the Census Bureau, in 2012 (the 
most recent year for which detailed data are available), there were 
approximately 4,000 collection agencies with paid employees in the 
United States. Of these, the Bureau estimates that 3,800 collection 
agencies have $16.5 million or less in annual receipts and are 
therefore small entities.\484\ Census Bureau estimates indicate that in 
2012 there were also more than 5,000 collection agencies without 
employees, all of which are presumably small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \483\ As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, collection agencies 
include entities that collect only commercial debt, and the proposed 
rule would apply only to debt collectors of consumer debt. However, 
the Bureau understands that relatively few collection agencies 
collect only commercial debt.
    \484\ The U.S. Census Bureau estimates average annual receipts 
of $95,000 per employee for collection agencies. Given this, the 
Bureau assumes that all firms with fewer than 100 employees and 
approximately one-half of the firms with 100 to 499 employees are 
small entities, which implies approximately 3,800 firms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Debt buyers. Debt buyers purchase delinquent accounts and attempt 
to collect amounts owed, either themselves or through agents. The 
Bureau estimates that there are approximately 330 debt buyers in the 
United States, and that a substantial majority of these are small 
entities.\485\ Many debt buyers--particularly those that are small 
entities--also collect debt on behalf of other debt owners.\486\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \485\ The Receivables Management Association, the largest trade 
group for debt buyers, states that it has approximately 300 debt 
buyer members and believes that 90 percent of debt buyers are 
current members.
    \486\ The Bureau understands that debt buyers are generally 
nondepositories that specialize in debt buying and, in some cases, 
debt collection. The Bureau expects that debt buyers that are not 
collection agencies would be classified by the U.S. Census Bureau 
under ``all other nondepository credit intermediation'' (NAICS Code 
522298).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Collection law firms. The Bureau estimates that there are 1,000 law 
firms in the United States that either have as their principal purpose 
the collection of

[[Page 5852]]

consumer debt or regularly collect consumer debt owed to others, so 
that the proposed rule would apply to them. The Bureau estimates that 
95 percent of such law firms are small entities.\487\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \487\ The primary trade association for collection attorneys, 
the National Creditors Bar Association (NCBA), states that it has 
approximately 600 law firm members, 95 percent of which are small 
entities. The Bureau estimates that approximately 60 percent of law 
firms that collect debt are NCBA members and that a similar fraction 
of non-member law firms are small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Loan servicers. Loan servicers would be covered by the final rule 
if they are covered by the FDCPA because, among other things, they 
acquire the right to service loans already in default.\488\ The Bureau 
believes that this is most likely to occur with regard to companies 
that service mortgage loans or student loans. The Bureau estimates that 
approximately 200 such mortgage servicers may be small entities and 
that few, if any, student loan servicers that would be covered by the 
final rule are small.\489\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \488\ The Bureau expects that loan servicers are generally 
classified under NAICS code 522390, ``Other Activities Related to 
Credit Intermediation.'' Some depository institutions (NAICS codes 
522110, 522120, and 522130) also service loans for others and may be 
covered by the final rule.
    \489\ Based on the December 2015 Call Report data as compiled by 
SNL Financial (with respect to insured depositories) and December 
2015 data from the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry 
(with respect to non-depositories), the Bureau estimates that there 
are approximately 9,000 small entities engaged in mortgage 
servicing, of which approximately 100 service more than 5,000 loans. 
See 81 FR 72160, 72363 (Oct. 19, 2016). The Bureau's estimate is 
based on the assumption that all those servicing more than 5,000 
loans may acquire servicing of loans when loans are in default and 
that at most 100 of those servicing 5,000 loans or fewer acquire 
servicing of loans when loans are in default.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements of the Rule, Including an Estimate of Classes of Small 
Entities That Will Be Subject to the Requirements and the Type of 
Professional Skills Necessary for the Preparation of the Report or 
Record

    The final rule will not impose new reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements, but it will impose new compliance requirements on small 
entities subject to the rule.\490\ The requirements and the costs 
associated with them are discussed below. In addition to the specific 
costs discussed below, all small entities will incur costs to read the 
rule and incorporate its provisions into their policies and procedures, 
and small entities with employees will need to train employees in new 
policies and procedures. The extent of training required will depend on 
debt collectors' existing practices and on the roles performed by 
individual employees. Debt collectors employ an estimated 123,000 
workers.\491\ If, on average, the rule required an additional hour of 
training for each of these employees, at an average cost of $22 per 
hour, the total training cost would be approximately $2,700,000.\492\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \490\ While the final rule does not include new recordkeeping 
requirements, the Bureau notes that, by introducing a new compliance 
requirement, the rule may increase the cost of complying with 
recordkeeping requirements of the November 2020 Final Rule. This is 
because debt collectors would need to retain evidence of compliance 
with any additional compliance requirement.
    \491\ 2020 FDCPA Annual Report, supra note 12, at 7.
    \492\ The estimated hourly cost is based on an estimated wage of 
$15 per hour and taxes, benefits, and incentives of $7 per hour. See 
CFPB Debt Collection Operations Study, supra note 37, at 17 
(describing estimated debt collector wages ranging from $10 to $20 
per hour).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In evaluating the potential impacts of the rule on small entities, 
the Bureau takes as a baseline conduct in debt collection markets under 
the current legal framework governing debt collection. This includes 
debt collector practices as they currently exist, responding to the 
requirements of the FDCPA as currently interpreted by courts and law 
enforcement agencies, other Federal laws, and the rules and statutory 
requirements promulgated by the States. This baseline represents the 
status quo from which the impacts of this rule will be evaluated.
    The Bureau requested that interested parties provide data and 
quantitative analysis of the benefits, costs, or impacts of the 
proposed rule on small entities but did not receive any comments on 
this subject.
    The Bureau believes that, except where otherwise noted, the impacts 
discussed in part VII would apply to small entities to the same extent 
as to larger entities.

F. Description of Any Significant Alternatives to the Rule That 
Accomplish the Stated Objectives of the Applicable Statutes and 
Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact of the Rule on Small Entities

    Section 604(a)(6) of the RFA requires the Bureau to describe in the 
FRFA any significant alternatives to the rule that accomplish the 
stated objectives of applicable statutes and that minimize any 
significant economic impact of the rule on small entities.\493\ In 
developing the rule, the Bureau has considered alternative provisions 
and believes that none of the alternatives considered would be as 
effective at accomplishing the stated objectives of the FDCPA and the 
applicable provisions of title X of the Dodd-Frank Act while minimizing 
the impact of the rule on small entities. Some of these alternatives 
are discussed in part V, above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \493\ 5 U.S.C. 604(a)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

G. Discussion of Impact on Cost of Credit for Small Entities

    Section 603(d) of the RFA requires the Bureau to consult with small 
entities regarding the potential impact of the proposed rule on the 
cost of credit for small entities and related matters.\494\ To satisfy 
these statutory requirements, the Bureau provided notification to the 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (Chief 
Counsel) that the Bureau would collect the advice and recommendations 
of the same small entity representatives identified in consultation 
with the Chief Counsel through the SBREFA process concerning any 
projected impact of the proposed rule on the cost of credit for small 
entities. The Bureau sought to collect the advice and recommendations 
of the small entity representatives during the Small Business Review 
Panel meeting regarding the potential impact on the cost of business 
credit because, as small debt collectors with credit needs, the small 
entity representatives could provide valuable input on any such impact 
related to the proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \494\ 5 U.S.C. 603(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau's Small Business Review Panel Outline asked small entity 
representatives to comment on how the proposals under consideration 
would affect the cost of credit to small entities. During the SBREFA 
process, several small entity representatives said that the proposals 
under consideration at that time, which included time-barred debt 
disclosures among several other proposals, could have an impact on the 
cost of credit for them and for their small business clients. Some 
small entity representatives said that they use lines of credit in 
their business and that regulations that raise their costs or reduce 
their revenue could mean they are unable to meet covenants in their 
loan agreements, causing lenders to reduce access to capital or 
increase their borrowing costs.
    The Bureau believes that the disclosures in the final rule will 
have little impact on the cost of credit to small entities. The Bureau 
does recognize that consumer credit could become more expensive and 
less available as a result of requirements that restrict the collection 
of debt; however, the Bureau does not anticipate that the requirements 
of this final rule will have any significant impact on the cost or 
availability of consumer credit. Many

[[Page 5853]]

small entities affected by the disclosures in the final rule use 
consumer credit as a source of credit and may, therefore, see costs 
rise if consumer credit availability decreases. The Bureau does not 
expect this to be a large effect and does not anticipate measurable 
impact.

IX. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),\495\ Federal 
agencies are generally required to seek approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for information collection requirements 
prior to implementation. Under the PRA, the Bureau may not conduct or 
sponsor, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person is 
not required to respond to, an information collection unless the 
information collection displays a valid control number assigned by OMB.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \495\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burden, the Bureau conducts a preclearance consultation program to 
provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to 
comment on the information collection requirements in accordance with 
the PRA. This helps ensure that the public understands the Bureau's 
requirements or instructions, respondents can provide the requested 
data in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial 
resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, 
and the Bureau can properly assess the impact of collection 
requirements on respondents.
    The final rule amends 12 CFR part 1006 (Regulation F), which 
implements the FDCPA. The Bureau's OMB control number for Regulation F 
is 3170-0056; it expires April 30, 2022. This final rule along with the 
November 2020 Final Rule would revise the information collection 
requirements contained in Regulation F that OMB has approved under that 
OMB control number.
    Under the final rule, the Bureau requires two information 
collection requirements in Regulation F beyond those required by the 
November 2020 Final Rule:
    1. Validation notices (final rule Sec.  1006.34).
    2. Communication with consumers prior to furnishing information 
(final rule Sec.  1006.30(a)).
    These information collections are required to provide benefits for 
consumers and will be mandatory. Because the Bureau does not collect 
any information, no issue of confidentiality arises. The likely 
respondents are for-profit businesses that are FDCPA debt collectors.
    The collections of information contained in this rule, and 
identified as such, as well as the information collections contained in 
the November 2020 final rule have been submitted to OMB for review 
under section 3507(d) of the PRA. A complete description of the 
information collection requirement, including the burden estimate 
methods, is provided in the information collection request (ICR) 
supporting statement that the Bureau has submitted to OMB under the 
requirements of the PRA. The Bureau will publish a separate notice in 
the Federal Register when these information collections have been 
approved by OMB.
    Please send your comments to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Bureau of 
Consumer Financial Protection. Send these comments by email to 
[email protected] or by fax to (202) 395-6974. If you wish to 
share your comments with the Bureau, please send a copy of these 
comments as described in the Addresses section above. The ICR submitted 
to OMB requesting approval under the PRA for the information collection 
requirements contained herein is available at www.regulations.gov as 
well as on OMB's public-facing docket at www.reginfo.gov.
    Title of Collection: Regulation F: Fair Debt Collection Practices 
Act.
    OMB Control Number: 3170-0056.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,027.\496\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \496\ The Bureau shares enforcement authority under the FDCPA 
with the Federal Trade Commission. To avoid double-counting, the 
Bureau allocates to itself half of the estimated paperwork burden 
under the final rule by dividing the burden hours even between the 
agencies. However, since the Bureau has joint authority over the 
respondents themselves, the Bureau retains the entity count of all 
affected respondents as shown above.
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 881,000.
    The Bureau has a continuing interest in the public's opinion of its 
collections of information. At any time, comments regarding the burden 
estimate, or any other aspect of the information collection, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden, may be sent to the Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20552, or by email to [email protected].
    Where applicable, the Bureau will display the control number 
assigned by OMB to any documents associated with any information 
collection requirements adopted in this rule.

X. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act,\497\ the Bureau will 
submit a report containing this rule and other required information to 
the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller 
General of the United States at least 60 days prior to the rule's 
published effective date. The Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs has designated this rule as a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \497\ 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

XI. Signing Authority

    The Director of the Bureau, Kathleen L. Kraninger, having reviewed 
and approved this document, is delegating the authority to 
electronically sign this document to Grace Feola, a Bureau Federal 
Register Liaison, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1006

    Administrative practice and procedure, Consumer protection, Credit, 
Debt collection, Intergovernmental relations.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau is further amending 
Regulation F, 12 CFR part 1006, as revised on November 30, 2020, at 85 
FR 76734, effective November 30, 2021, as set forth below:

PART 1006--DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES (REGULATION F)

0
1. The authority citation for part 1006 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 5512, 5514(b), 5532; 15 U.S.C. 1692l(d), 
1692o, 7004.

Subpart A--General

0
2. Section 1006.1 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1006.1  Authority, purpose, and coverage.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Section 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) and (c)(3)(iv) applies to debt 
collectors only when they are collecting debt related to a consumer 
financial product or service as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f).

0
3. Section 1006.2 is amended by revising paragraph (e) and adding 
paragraph (f) to read as follows:


Sec.  1006.2  Definitions.

* * * * *

[[Page 5854]]

    (e) Consumer means any natural person, whether living or deceased, 
obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. For purposes of Sec.  
1006.6, the term consumer includes the persons described in Sec.  
1006.6(a).
    (f) Consumer financial product or service has the same meaning 
given to it in section 1002(5) of the Dodd-Frank Act (12 U.S.C. 
5481(5)).
* * * * *

Subpart B--Rules for FDCPA Debt Collectors

0
4. Section 1006.26 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1006.26  Collection of time-barred debts.

    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    (1) Statute of limitations means the period prescribed by 
applicable law for bringing a legal action against the consumer to 
collect a debt.
    (2) Time-barred debt means a debt for which the applicable statute 
of limitations has expired.
    (b) Legal actions and threats of legal actions prohibited. A debt 
collector must not bring or threaten to bring a legal action against a 
consumer to collect a time-barred debt. This paragraph (b) does not 
apply to proofs of claim filed in connection with a bankruptcy 
proceeding.

0
5. Section 1006.30 is amended by adding paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1006.30  Other prohibited practices.

    (a) Required actions prior to furnishing information--(1) In 
general. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, a debt 
collector must not furnish to a consumer reporting agency, as defined 
in section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 
1681a(f)), information about a debt before the debt collector:
    (i) Speaks to the consumer about the debt in person or by 
telephone; or
    (ii) Places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic message to 
the consumer about the debt and waits a reasonable period of time to 
receive a notice of undeliverability. During the reasonable period, the 
debt collector must permit receipt of, and monitor for, notifications 
of undeliverability from communications providers. If the debt 
collector receives such a notification during the reasonable period, 
the debt collector must not furnish information about the debt to a 
consumer reporting agency until the debt collector otherwise satisfies 
this paragraph (a)(1).
    (2) Special rule--information furnished to certain specialty 
consumer reporting agencies. Paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not 
apply to a debt collector's furnishing of information about a debt to a 
nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency that compiles and 
maintains information on a consumer's check writing history, as 
described in section 603(x)(3) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 
U.S.C. 1681a(x)(3)).
* * * * *

0
6. Section 1006.34 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1006.34  Notice for validation of debts.

    (a) Validation information required--(1) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, a debt collector must 
provide a consumer with the validation information required by 
paragraph (c) of this section either:
    (i) By sending the consumer a validation notice in the manner 
required by Sec.  1006.42:
    (A) In the initial communication, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section; or
    (B) Within five days of that initial communication; or
    (ii) By providing the validation information orally in the initial 
communication.
    (2) Exception. A debt collector who otherwise would be required to 
send a validation notice pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this 
section is not required to do so if the consumer has paid the debt 
prior to the time that paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section would 
require the validation notice to be sent.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    (1) Clear and conspicuous means readily understandable. In the case 
of written and electronic disclosures, the location and type size also 
must be readily noticeable and legible to consumers, although no 
minimum type size is mandated. In the case of oral disclosures, the 
disclosures also must be given at a volume and speed sufficient for the 
consumer to hear and comprehend them.
    (2) Initial communication means the first time that, in connection 
with the collection of a debt, a debt collector conveys information, 
directly or indirectly, regarding the debt to the consumer, other than 
a communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action, or 
any form or notice that does not relate to the collection of the debt 
and is expressly required by:
    (i) The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.);
    (ii) Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 through 
6827); or
    (iii) Any provision of Federal or State law or regulation mandating 
notice of a data security breach or privacy risk.
    (3) Itemization date means any one of the following five reference 
dates for which a debt collector can ascertain the amount of the debt:
    (i) The last statement date, which is the date of the last periodic 
statement or written account statement or invoice provided to the 
consumer by a creditor;
    (ii) The charge-off date, which is the date the debt was charged 
off;
    (iii) The last payment date, which is the date the last payment was 
applied to the debt;
    (iv) The transaction date, which is the date of the transaction 
that gave rise to the debt; or
    (v) The judgment date, which is the date of a final court judgment 
that determines the amount of the debt owed by the consumer.
    (4) Validation notice means a written or electronic notice that 
provides the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (5) Validation period means the period starting on the date that a 
debt collector provides the validation information required by 
paragraph (c) of this section and ending 30 days after the consumer 
receives or is assumed to receive the validation information. For 
purposes of determining the end of the validation period, the debt 
collector may assume that a consumer receives the validation 
information on any date that is at least five days (excluding legal 
public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), Saturdays, and Sundays) 
after the debt collector provides it.
    (c) Validation information. Pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, a debt collector must provide the following validation 
information.
    (1) Debt collector communication disclosure. The statement required 
by Sec.  1006.18(e).
    (2) Information about the debt. Except as provided in paragraph 
(c)(5) of this section:
    (i) The debt collector's name and the mailing address at which the 
debt collector accepts disputes and requests for original-creditor 
information.
    (ii) The consumer's name and mailing address.
    (iii) If the debt collector is collecting a debt related to a 
consumer financial product or service as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f), 
the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed on the itemization 
date.
    (iv) The account number, if any, associated with the debt on the 
itemization date, or a truncated version of that number.
    (v) The name of the creditor to whom the debt currently is owed.
    (vi) The itemization date.
    (vii) The amount of the debt on the itemization date.

[[Page 5855]]

    (viii) An itemization of the current amount of the debt reflecting 
interest, fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. A 
debt collector may disclose the itemization on a separate page provided 
in the same communication with a validation notice, if the debt 
collector includes on the validation notice, where the itemization 
would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate page.
    (ix) The current amount of the debt.
    (3) Information about consumer protections. (i) The date that the 
debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and 
a statement that, if the consumer notifies the debt collector in 
writing on or before that date that the debt, or any portion of the 
debt, is disputed, the debt collector must cease collection of the 
debt, or the disputed portion of the debt, until the debt collector 
sends the consumer either verification of the debt or a copy of a 
judgment.
    (ii) The date that the debt collector will consider the end date of 
the validation period and a statement that, if the consumer requests in 
writing on or before that date the name and address of the original 
creditor, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt until 
the debt collector sends the consumer the name and address of the 
original creditor, if different from the current creditor.
    (iii) The date that the debt collector will consider the end date 
of the validation period and a statement that, unless the consumer 
contacts the debt collector to dispute the validity of the debt, or any 
portion of the debt, on or before that date, the debt collector will 
assume that the debt is valid.
    (iv) If the debt collector is collecting debt related to a consumer 
financial product or service as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f), a statement 
that informs the consumer that additional information regarding 
consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau's 
website at www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection.
    (v) If the debt collector sends the validation notice 
electronically, a statement explaining how a consumer can, as described 
in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, dispute the debt or 
request original-creditor information electronically.
    (4) Consumer-response information. The following information, 
segregated from the validation information required by paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (3) of this section and from any optional information 
included pursuant to paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii), (d)(3)(iii)(A), 
(d)(3)(iv) and (v), (d)(3)(vi)(A), and (d)(3)(vii) and (viii) of this 
section, and, if provided on a validation notice, located at the bottom 
of the notice under the headings, ``How do you want to respond?'' and 
``Check all that apply:'':
    (i) Dispute prompts. The following statements, listed in the 
following order, and using the following phrasing or substantially 
similar phrasing, each next to a prompt:
    (A) ``I want to dispute the debt because I think:'';
    (B) ``This is not my debt.'';
    (C) ``The amount is wrong.''; and
    (D) ``Other (please describe on reverse or attach additional 
information).''
    (ii) Original-creditor information prompt. The statement, ``I want 
you to send me the name and address of the original creditor.'', using 
that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, next to a prompt.
    (iii) Mailing addresses. Mailing addresses for the consumer and the 
debt collector, which are the debt collector's and the consumer's names 
and mailing addresses as disclosed pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(i) 
and (ii).
    (5) Special rule for certain residential mortgage debt. For 
residential mortgage debt, if a periodic statement is required under 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, at the time a debt collector provides the 
validation notice, a debt collector need not provide the validation 
information required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi) through (viii) of this 
section if the debt collector:
    (i) Provides the consumer, in the same communication with the 
validation notice, a copy of the most recent periodic statement 
provided to the consumer under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41(b); and
    (ii) Includes on the validation notice, where the validation 
information required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi) through (viii) of this 
section would have appeared, a statement referring to that periodic 
statement.
    (d) Form of validation information--(1) In general. The validation 
information required by paragraph (c) of this section must be clear and 
conspicuous.
    (2) Safe harbor--(i) In general. Model Form B-1 in appendix B to 
this part contains the validation information required by paragraph (c) 
of this section and certain optional disclosures permitted by paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section. A debt collector who uses Model Form B-1 
complies with the information and form requirements of paragraphs (c) 
and (d)(1) of this section, including if the debt collector:
    (A) Omits any or all of the optional disclosures shown on Model 
Form B-1; or
    (B) Adds any or all of the optional disclosures described in 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section that are not shown on Model Form B-1, 
provided that any such optional disclosures are no more prominent than 
any of the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (ii) Certain disclosures on a separate page. A debt collector who 
uses Model Form B-1 as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section 
and who, pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(viii) or (c)(5) of this section, 
includes certain disclosures on a separate page in the same 
communication with the validation notice and, on the notice, the 
required statement referring to those disclosures, receives a safe 
harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements of 
paragraphs (c) and (d)(1) of this section except with respect to the 
disclosures on the separate page.
    (iii) Substantially similar form. A debt collector who uses Model 
Form B-1 as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section 
may make changes to the form and retain a safe harbor for compliance 
with the information and form requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d)(1) 
of this section provided that the form remains substantially similar to 
Model Form B-1.
    (3) Optional disclosures. A debt collector may include any of the 
following information when providing the validation information 
required by paragraph (c) of this section. A debt collector who 
includes any of the following information receives the safe harbor 
described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, provided that the debt 
collector otherwise uses Model Form B-1 in appendix B to this part, or 
a variation of Model Form B-1, as described in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section.
    (i) Telephone contact information. The debt collector's telephone 
contact information.
    (ii) Reference code. A number or code that the debt collector uses 
to identify the debt or the consumer.
    (iii) Payment disclosures. Either or both of the following phrases:
    (A) The statement, ``Contact us about your payment options.'', 
using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase; and
    (B) Below the consumer-response information required by paragraphs 
(c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, the statement, ``I enclosed this 
amount:'', using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, payment 
instructions after that statement, and a prompt.
    (iv) Disclosures under applicable law--(A) Disclosures on the 
reverse of the validation notice. On the reverse of

[[Page 5856]]

the validation notice, any disclosures that are specifically required 
by, or that provide safe harbors under, applicable law and, if any such 
disclosures are included, a statement on the front of the validation 
notice referring to those disclosures. Any such disclosures must not 
appear directly on the reverse of the consumer-response information 
required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
    (B) Disclosures on the front of the validation notice. If a debt 
collector is collecting time-barred debt, on the front of the 
validation notice below the disclosure required by paragraph (c)(2)(ix) 
of this section, any time-barred debt disclosure that is specifically 
required by, or that provides a safe harbor under, applicable law, 
provided that applicable law specifies the content of the disclosure.
    (v) Information about electronic communications. The following 
information:
    (A) The debt collector's website and email address.
    (B) If the validation information is not provided electronically, a 
statement explaining how a consumer can, as described in paragraphs 
(c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, dispute the debt or request 
original-creditor information electronically.
    (vi) Spanish-language translation disclosures. Either or both of 
the following disclosures regarding a consumer's ability to request a 
Spanish-language translation of a validation notice:
    (A) The statement, ``P[oacute]ngase en contacto con nosotros para 
solicitar una copia de este formulario en espa[ntilde]ol'' (which means 
``Contact us to request a copy of this form in Spanish''), using that 
phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish. If providing this 
optional disclosure, a debt collector may include supplemental 
information in Spanish that specifies how a consumer may request a 
Spanish-language validation notice.
    (B) With the consumer-response information required by paragraph 
(c)(4) of this section, the statement ``Quiero este formulario en 
espa[ntilde]ol'' (which means ``I want this form in Spanish''), using 
that phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish, next to a 
prompt.
    (vii) The merchant brand, affinity brand, or facility name, if any, 
associated with the debt.
    (viii) If a debt collector is collecting debt other than debt 
related to a consumer financial product or service as defined in Sec.  
1006.2(f), the information specified in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) or 
(c)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (4) Validation notices delivered electronically. If a debt 
collector delivers a validation notice electronically, a debt collector 
may, at its option, format the validation notice as follows:
    (i) Prompts. Any prompt required by paragraph (c)(4)(i) or (ii) or 
paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B) or (d)(3)(vi)(B) of this section may be 
displayed electronically as a fillable field.
    (ii) Hyperlinks. Hyperlinks may be embedded that, when clicked:
    (A) Connect a consumer to the debt collector's website;
    (B) Connect a consumer to the Bureau's debt collection website as 
disclosed pursuant to paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section; or
    (C) Permit a consumer to respond to the dispute and original-
creditor information prompts required by paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) 
of this section.
    (e) Translation into other languages--(1) In general. A debt 
collector may send a consumer a validation notice completely and 
accurately translated into any language if the debt collector:
    (i) Sends the consumer an English-language validation notice in the 
same communication as the translated validation notice; or
    (ii) Previously provided the consumer an English-language 
validation notice, in which case the debt collector need not send the 
consumer an English-language validation notice in the same 
communication as the translated validation notice.
    (2) Spanish-language validation notice--requirement to provide 
after optional disclosure. A debt collector who includes in the 
validation information either or both of the optional disclosures 
described in paragraph (d)(3)(vi) of this section, and who thereafter 
receives a request from the consumer for a Spanish-language validation 
notice, must provide the consumer a validation notice completely and 
accurately translated into Spanish.

0
7. Section 1006.38 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2), (b), and 
(c) to read as follows:


Sec.  1006.38  Disputes and requests for original-creditor information.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Validation period has the same meaning given to it in Sec.  
1006.34(b)(5).
    (b) Overshadowing of rights to dispute or request original-creditor 
information--(1) Prohibition. During the validation period, a debt 
collector must not engage in any collection activities or 
communications that overshadow or are inconsistent with the disclosure 
of the consumer's rights to dispute the debt and to request the name 
and address of the original creditor.
    (2) Safe harbor. A debt collector who uses Model Form B-1 in 
appendix B to this part in a manner described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2) 
has not thereby violated paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (c) Requests for original-creditor information. Upon receipt of a 
request for the name and address of the original creditor submitted by 
the consumer in writing within the validation period, a debt collector 
must cease collection of the debt until the debt collector:
    (1) In general. Sends the name and address of the original creditor 
to the consumer in writing or electronically in the manner required by 
Sec.  1006.42; or
    (2) Special rule if the current creditor and the original creditor 
are the same. In lieu of taking the actions described in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section, reasonably determines that the original 
creditor is the same as the current creditor, notifies the consumer of 
that fact in writing or electronically in the manner required by Sec.  
1006.42, and refers the consumer to the validation information 
previously provided pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(a)(1).
* * * * *

0
8. Section 1006.42 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2) and (b) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  1006.42  Sending required disclosures.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Exceptions. A debt collector need not comply with paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section when sending the disclosure required by Sec.  
1006.6(e) or Sec.  1006.18(e) in writing or electronically, unless the 
disclosure is included on a notice required by Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i) 
or Sec.  1006.38(c) or (d)(2).
    (b) Requirements for certain disclosures sent electronically. To 
comply with paragraph (a) of this section, a debt collector who sends 
the notice required by Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B), or the disclosures 
described in Sec.  1006.38(c) or (d)(2)(i), electronically must do so 
in accordance with section 101(c) of the Electronic Signatures in 
Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN Act) (15 U.S.C. 7001(c)).

0
9. Appendix B to part 1006 is added to read as follows:

Appendix B to Part 1006--Model Forms

B-1 Model Form for Validation Notice

BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P

[[Page 5857]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19JA21.028

BILLING CODE 4810-AM-C

0
10. In supplement I to part 1006:
0
a. Under Section 1006.30--Other Prohibited Practices, the headings 
30(a) Required actions prior to furnishing information, and 30(a)(1) In 
general, and paragraphs 1 and 2 are added.
0
b. Section 1006.34--Notice for Validation of Debts is added.
0
c. Under Section 1006.38--Disputes and Requests for Original-Creditor 
Information, the introductory text before 38(a) Definitions is revised.
0
d. Under Section 1006.100--Record Retention, 100(a) In general, 
including the heading, is revised.
0
e. Section 1006.104--Relation to State Laws is added.
    The additions and revisions read as follows:

Supplement I to Part 1006--Official Interpretations

* * * * *

Subpart B--Rules for FDCPA Debt Collectors

* * * * *
Section 1006.30--Other Prohibited Practices
    30(a) Required actions prior to furnishing information.
    30(a)(1) In general.
    1. About the debt. Section 1006.30(a)(1) provides, in relevant 
part, that a debt collector must not furnish to

[[Page 5858]]

a consumer reporting agency, as defined in section 603(f) of the Fair 
Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)), information about a debt 
before taking one of the actions described in Sec.  1006.30(a)(1)(i) or 
(ii). Each of the actions includes conveying information ``about the 
debt'' to the consumer. The validation information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c), including such information if provided in a validation 
notice, is information ``about the debt.''
    2. Reasonable period of time. Section 1006.30(a)(1)(ii) provides, 
in relevant part, that a debt collector who places a letter about a 
debt in the mail, or who sends an electronic message about a debt to 
the consumer, must wait a reasonable period of time to receive a notice 
of undeliverability before furnishing information about the debt to a 
consumer reporting agency. The reasonable period of time begins on the 
date that the debt collector places the letter in the mail or sends the 
electronic message. A period of 14 consecutive days after the date that 
the debt collector places a letter in the mail or sends an electronic 
message is a reasonable period of time.
    3. Notices of undeliverability. Section 1006.30(a)(1)(ii) provides, 
in relevant part, that, if a debt collector who places a letter about a 
debt in the mail, or who sends an electronic message about a debt to 
the consumer, receives a notice of undeliverability during the 
reasonable period of time, the debt collector must not furnish 
information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency until the 
debt collector otherwise satisfies paragraph (a)(1) of this section. A 
debt collector who does not receive a notice of undeliverability during 
the reasonable period and who thereafter furnishes information about 
the debt to a consumer reporting agency does not violate paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section even if the debt collector subsequently receives 
a notice of undeliverability. The following examples illustrate the 
rule:
    i. Assume that, on May 1, a debt collector mails the consumer a 
validation notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). On May 10, 
the debt collector receives a notice of undeliverability and, without 
taking any additional action described in Sec.  1006.30(a)(1), 
subsequently furnishes information regarding the debt to a consumer 
reporting agency. The debt collector has violated Sec.  1006.30(a)(1).
    ii. Assume that, on May 1, a debt collector mails the consumer a 
validation notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). On May 10, 
the debt collector receives a notice of undeliverability. On May 11, 
the debt collector mails the consumer another validation notice as 
described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). From May 11 to May 24, the debt 
collector permits receipt of, monitors for, and does not receive, a 
notice of undeliverability and thereafter furnishes information 
regarding the debt to a consumer reporting agency. The debt collector 
has not violated Sec.  1006.30(a)(1).
    iii. Assume that, on May 1, a debt collector mails the consumer a 
validation notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A). From May 1 
to May 14, the debt collector permits receipt of, monitors for, and 
does not receive, a notice of undeliverability and thereafter furnishes 
information regarding the debt to a consumer reporting agency. After 
furnishing the information, the debt collector receives a notice of 
undeliverability. The debt collector has not violated Sec.  
1006.30(a)(1) and, without taking any further action, may furnish 
additional information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency.
* * * * *
Section 1006.34--Notice for Validation of Debts
    34(a) Validation information required.
    34(a)(1) In general.
    1. Deceased consumers. Section 1006.34(a)(1) generally requires a 
debt collector to provide the validation information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c) either by sending the consumer a validation notice in the 
manner required by Sec.  1006.42, or by providing the information 
orally in the debt collector's initial communication. If the debt 
collector knows or should know that the consumer is deceased, and if 
the debt collector has not previously provided the validation 
information to the deceased consumer, a person who is authorized to act 
on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate operates as the consumer 
for purposes of Sec.  1006.34(a)(1). In such circumstances, to comply 
with Sec.  1006.34(a)(1), a debt collector must provide the validation 
information to an individual that the debt collector identifies by name 
who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate.
    34(b) Definitions.
    34(b)(2) Initial communication.
    1. Bankruptcy proofs of claim. Section 1006.34(b)(2) defines 
initial communication and states that the term does not include a 
communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action. A 
proof of claim that a debt collector files in a bankruptcy proceeding 
in accordance with the requirements of the United States Bankruptcy 
Code (Title 11 of the U.S. Code) is a communication in the form of a 
formal pleading in a civil action and therefore is not an initial 
communication for purposes of Sec.  1006.34.
    34(b)(3) Itemization date.
    1. In general. Section 1006.34(b)(3) defines itemization date for 
purposes of Sec.  1006.34. Section 1006.34(b)(3) states that the 
itemization date is any one of five reference dates for which a debt 
collector can ascertain the amount of the debt. The reference dates are 
the last statement date, the charge-off date, the last payment date, 
the transaction date, and the judgment date. A debt collector may 
select any of these dates as the itemization date to comply with Sec.  
1006.34. Once a debt collector uses a reference date for a debt in a 
communication with a consumer, the debt collector must use that 
reference date for that debt consistently when providing the 
information required by Sec.  1006.34(c) to that consumer. For example, 
if a debt collector uses the last statement date to determine and 
disclose the account number associated with the debt pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(iv), the debt collector may not use the charge-off date 
to determine and disclose the amount of the debt pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(vii).
    2. Subsequent debt collectors. When selecting an itemization date 
pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(b)(3), a debt collector may use a different 
reference date than a prior debt collector who attempted to collect the 
debt.
    Paragraph 34(b)(3)(i).
    1. Last statement date. Under Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i), the last 
statement date is the date of the last periodic statement or written 
account statement or invoice provided to the consumer by a creditor. 
For purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i), the last statement may be 
provided by a creditor or a third party acting on the creditor's 
behalf, including a creditor's service provider. However, a statement 
or invoice provided by a debt collector is not a last statement for 
purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(i), unless the debt collector is also a 
creditor.
    Paragraph 34(b)(3)(iii).
    1. Last payment date. Under Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iii), the last 
payment date is the date the last payment was applied to the debt. A 
third-party payment applied to the debt, such as a payment from an auto 
repossession agent or an insurance company, can be a last payment for 
purposes of Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iii).
    Paragraph 34(b)(3)(iv).
    1. Transaction date. Section 1006.34(b)(3)(iv) provides that the 
itemization date may be the date of the transaction that gave rise to 
the debt.

[[Page 5859]]

The transaction date is the date that the good or service that gave 
rise to the debt was provided or made available to the consumer. For 
example, the transaction date for a debt arising from a medical 
procedure may be the date the medical procedure was performed, and the 
transaction date for a consumer's gym membership may be the date the 
membership contract was executed. In some cases, a debt may have more 
than one transaction date. This could occur, for example, if a contract 
for a service is executed on one date and the service is performed on 
another date. If a debt has more than one transaction date, a debt 
collector may use any such date as the transaction date for purposes of 
Sec.  1006.34(b)(3)(iv), but the debt collector must use whichever 
transaction date is selected consistently, as described in comment 
34(b)(3)-1.
    34(b)(5) Validation period.
    1. Assumed receipt of validation information. Section 1006.34(b)(5) 
defines the validation period as the period starting on the date that a 
debt collector provides the validation information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c) and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed 
to receive it. Section 1006.34(c)(3)(i) through (iii) requires 
statements that specify the end date of the validation period. If a 
debt collector provides the validation information in writing or 
electronically, then, at the time that the debt collector calculates 
the validation period end date, the debt collector will know only the 
date on which the consumer is assumed to receive the validation 
information. In such cases, the debt collector may use that date to 
calculate the validation period end date even if the debt collector 
later learns that the consumer received the validation information on a 
different date.
    2. Updated validation period. If a debt collector sends a 
subsequent validation notice to a consumer because the consumer did not 
receive the original validation notice and the consumer has not 
otherwise received the validation information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c), the debt collector must calculate the end date of the 
validation period specified in the Sec.  1006.34(c)(3) disclosures 
based on the date the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the 
subsequent validation notice. For example, assume a debt collector 
sends a consumer a validation notice on January 1, and that notice is 
returned as undeliverable. After obtaining accurate location 
information, the debt collector sends the consumer a subsequent 
validation notice on January 15. Pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(b)(5), the 
end date of the validation period specified in the Sec.  1006.34(c)(3) 
disclosures is based on the date the consumer receives or is assumed to 
receive the validation notice sent on January 15.
    34(c) Validation information.
    34(c)(1) Debt collector communication disclosure.
    1. Statement required by Sec.  1006.18(e). Section 1006.34(c)(1) 
provides that validation information includes the statement required by 
Sec.  1006.18(e). Section 1006.18(e)(1) requires a debt collector to 
disclose in its initial communication that the debt collector is 
attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be 
used for that purpose. Section 1006.18(e)(2) requires a debt collector 
to disclose in each subsequent communication that the communication is 
from a debt collector. A debt collector who provides a validation 
notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(A) complies with Sec.  
1006.34(c)(1) by providing on the validation notice the disclosure 
required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(1). A debt collector who provides a 
validation notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) complies 
with Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) by providing either the disclosure required by 
Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) or the disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(2). 
The following example illustrates the rule:
    i. ABC debt collector has an initial communication with the 
consumer by telephone. Within five days of that initial communication, 
ABC debt collector sends the consumer a validation notice using Model 
Form B-1 in appendix B to this part. ABC debt collector has complied 
with Sec.  1006.34(c)(1) even though Model Form B-1 includes the 
disclosure described in Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) rather than the disclosure 
described in Sec.  1006.18(e)(2).
    34(c)(2) Information about the debt.
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(i).
    1. Debt collector's name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(i) provides, in 
part, that validation information includes the debt collector's name. A 
debt collector may disclose its trade or doing-business-as name, 
instead of its legal name.
    2. Debt collector's mailing address. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(i) 
provides, in part, that validation information includes the mailing 
address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for 
original-creditor information. A debt collector may disclose a vendor's 
mailing address, if that is an address at which the debt collector 
accepts disputes and requests for original-creditor information.
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(ii).
    1. Consumer's name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(ii) provides, in part, 
that validation information includes the consumer's name. To satisfy 
the requirement to provide this validation information, a debt 
collector must disclose the version of the consumer's name that the 
debt collector reasonably determines is the most complete and accurate 
version of the name about which the debt collector has knowledge. A 
debt collector does not disclose the most complete and accurate version 
of the consumer's name if the debt collector omits known name 
information in a manner that creates a false, misleading, or confusing 
impression about the consumer's identity. For example, assume the 
creditor provides the consumer's first name, middle name, last name, 
and name suffix to the debt collector. In this scenario, the debt 
collector would reasonably determine that the most complete and 
accurate version of the consumer's name about which the debt collector 
has knowledge includes the first name, middle name, last name, and name 
suffix. If the debt collector omits any of this information, the debt 
collector has not satisfied the requirement to provide the consumer's 
name pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ii).
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(iii).
    1. Creditor's name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(iii) provides that, if a 
debt collector is collecting debt related to a consumer financial 
product or service as defined in Sec.  1006.2(f), validation 
information includes the name of the creditor to whom the debt was owed 
on the itemization date. Pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(iii), a debt 
collector may disclose this creditor's trade or doing-business-as name, 
instead of its legal name.
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(iv).
    1. Account number truncation. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(iv) provides 
that validation information includes the account number, if any, 
associated with the debt on the itemization date, or a truncated 
version of that number. If a debt collector uses a truncated account 
number, the account number must remain recognizable. For example, a 
debt collector may truncate a credit card account number so that only 
the last four digits are provided.
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(v).
    1. Creditor's name. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(v) provides that 
validation information includes the name of the creditor to whom the 
debt currently is owed. A debt collector may disclose this creditor's 
trade or doing-business-as name, instead of its legal name.
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(vii).
    1. Amount of the debt on the itemization date. Section 
1006.34(c)(2)(vii) provides that validation information includes the 
amount of the debt on the itemization

[[Page 5860]]

date. The amount of the debt on the itemization date includes any fees, 
interest, or other charges owed as of that date.
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(viii).
    1. Itemization of the debt. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) provides 
that validation information includes an itemization of the current 
amount of the debt reflecting interest, fees, payments, and credits 
since the itemization date. If providing a validation notice, a debt 
collector must include fields in the notice for all of these items even 
if none of the items have been assessed or applied to the debt since 
the itemization date. A debt collector may indicate that the value of a 
required field is ``0,'' ``none,'' or may state that no interest, fees, 
payments, or credits have been assessed or applied to the debt; a debt 
collector may not leave a required field blank.
    2. Itemization required by other applicable law. If a debt 
collector is required by other applicable law to provide an itemization 
of the current amount of the debt with the validation information, the 
debt collector may comply with Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing 
the itemization required by other applicable law in lieu of the 
itemization described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii), if the itemization 
required by other applicable law is substantially similar to the 
itemization that appears on Model Form B-1 in appendix B to this part.
    3. Itemization on a separate page. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(viii) 
provides that a debt collector may disclose the itemization of the 
current amount of the debt on a separate page provided in the same 
communication with a validation notice if the debt collector includes 
on the validation notice, where the itemization would have appeared, a 
statement referring to that separate page. A debt collector may comply 
with the requirement to refer to the separate page by, for example, 
including on the validation notice the statement, ``See the enclosed 
separate page for an itemization of the debt,'' situated next to the 
information about the current amount of the debt required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(2)(ix).
    4. Debt collectors collecting multiple debts. A debt collector who 
combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(viii) by disclosing either a single, cumulative 
itemization on the validation notice or a separate itemization of each 
debt on a separate page or pages provided in the same communication as 
the validation notice.
    Paragraph 34(c)(2)(ix).
    1. Current amount of the debt. Section 1006.34(c)(2)(ix) provides 
that validation information includes the current amount of the debt 
(i.e., the amount as of when the validation information is provided). 
For residential mortgage debt subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41, 
a debt collector may comply with the requirement to provide the current 
amount of the debt by providing the consumer the total balance of the 
outstanding mortgage, including principal, interest, fees, and other 
charges.
    2. Debt collectors collecting multiple debts. A debt collector who 
combines multiple debts on a single validation notice complies with 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(ix) by disclosing on the validation notice a single 
cumulative figure that is the sum of the current amount of all the 
debts.
    34(c)(3) Information about consumer protections.
    Paragraph 34(c)(3)(v).
    1. Electronic communication media. Section 1006.34(c)(3)(v) 
provides that, if the debt collector provides the validation notice 
electronically, validation information includes a statement explaining 
how a consumer can, as described in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of 
this section, dispute the debt or request original-creditor information 
electronically. A debt collector may provide the information required 
by Sec.  1006.34(c)(3)(v) by including the statements, ``We accept 
disputes electronically at,'' using that phrase or a substantially 
similar phrase, followed by an email address or website portal that a 
consumer can use to take the action described in Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4)(i), and ``We accept original creditor information 
requests electronically,'' using that phrase or a substantially similar 
phrase, followed by an email address or website portal that a consumer 
can use to take the action described in Sec.  1006.34(c)(4)(ii). If a 
debt collector accepts electronic communications from consumers through 
more than one medium, such as by email and through a website portal, 
the debt collector is required to provide information regarding only 
one of these media but may provide information on any additional media.
    34(c)(4) Consumer-response information.
    1. Prompts. If the validation information is provided in writing or 
electronically, a prompt required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) may be 
formatted as a checkbox as in Model Form B-1 in appendix B to this 
part.
    34(c)(5) Special rule for certain residential mortgage debt.
    1. In general. Section 1006.34(c)(5) provides that, for residential 
mortgage debt, if a periodic statement is required under Regulation Z, 
12 CFR 1026.41, at the time a debt collector provides the validation 
notice, a debt collector need not provide the validation information 
required by Sec.  1006.34(c)(2)(vi) through (viii) if the debt 
collector provides the consumer, in the same communication with the 
validation notice, a copy of the most recent periodic statement 
provided to the consumer under 12 CFR 1026.41(b), and the debt 
collector includes on the validation notice, where the validation 
information required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi) through (viii) of this 
section would have appeared, a statement referring to that periodic 
statement. A debt collector may comply with the requirement to refer to 
the periodic statement in the validation notice by, for example, 
including on the validation notice the statement, ``See the enclosed 
periodic statement for an itemization of the debt.''
    34(d) Form of validation information.
    34(d)(2) Safe harbor.
    1. In general. A debt collector who provides a validation notice 
that is neither a notice described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) or (ii), 
nor a substantially similar notice as described in Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(iii), does not receive a safe harbor for compliance with 
the information and form requirements of Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1).
    34(d)(2)(i) In general.
    1. Disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e). Section 1006.18(e)(1) 
requires a debt collector to disclose in its initial communication that 
the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any 
information obtained will be used for that purpose. Section 
1006.18(e)(2) requires a debt collector to disclose in each subsequent 
communication that the communication is from a debt collector. Model 
Form B-1 in appendix B to this part includes the disclosure required by 
Sec.  1006.18(e)(1). A debt collector who uses Model Form B-1 to 
provide a validation notice as described in Sec.  1006.34(a)(1)(i)(B) 
may replace the disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(1) with the 
disclosure required by Sec.  1006.18(e)(2) without losing the safe 
harbor described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2). See comment 34(c)(1)-1 for 
further guidance related to providing the disclosure required by Sec.  
1006.18(e) on a validation notice.
    34(d)(2)(iii) Substantially similar form.
    1. Substantially similar form. Pursuant to Sec.  
1006.34(d)(2)(iii), a debt collector who uses Model Form B-1 as 
described in Sec.  1006.34(d)(2)(i) may make changes to the form and 
retain the safe harbor for compliance with the information and form 
requirements of

[[Page 5861]]

Sec.  1006.34(c) and (d)(1) provided that the form remains 
substantially similar in substance, clarity, and meaningful sequence to 
Model Form B-1. Permissible changes include, for example:
    i. Modifications to remove language that could suggest liability 
for the debt if such language is not applicable. For example, if a debt 
collector sends a validation notice to a person who is authorized to 
act on behalf of the deceased consumer's estate (see comment 34(a)(1)-
1), and that person is not liable for the debt, the debt collector may 
use the name of the deceased consumer instead of ``you'';
    ii. Relocating the consumer-response information required by Sec.  
1006.34(c)(4) to facilitate mailing;
    iii. Adding barcodes or QR codes, as long as the inclusion of such 
items does not violate Sec.  1006.38(b);
    iv. Adding the date the form is generated; and
    v. Embedding hyperlinks, if delivering the form electronically.
    34(d)(3) Optional disclosures.
    34(d)(3)(i) Telephone contact information.
    1. In general. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(i) permits a debt collector to 
include telephone contact information. Telephone contact information 
may include, for example, a telephone number as well as the times that 
the debt collector accepts consumer telephone calls.
    34(d)(3)(iv) Disclosures under applicable law.
    34(d)(3)(iv)(A) Disclosures on the reverse of the validation 
notice.
    1. In general. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) permits, in relevant 
part, a debt collector to include on the reverse of the validation 
notice any disclosures that are specifically required by, or that 
provide safe harbors under, applicable law. If a debt collector 
provides a validation notice in the body of an email, the debt 
collector may, in lieu of including the disclosures permitted by Sec.  
1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) on the reverse of the validation notice, include 
them in the same communication below the content of the validation 
notice. Disclosures permitted by Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A) include, 
for example, specific disclosures required by Federal, State, or 
municipal statutes or regulations, and specific disclosures required by 
judicial or administrative decisions or orders, including 
administrative consent orders. Such disclosures could include, for 
example, time-barred debt disclosures and disclosures that the current 
amount of the debt may increase or vary due to interest, fees, or other 
charges, provided that such disclosures are specifically required by 
applicable law.
    2. Statement referring to disclosures. If a debt collector includes 
disclosures pursuant to Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(A), the debt collector 
must include a statement on the front of the validation notice 
referring to those disclosures. A debt collector may comply with the 
requirement to refer to the disclosures by including on the front of 
the validation notice the statement, ``Notice: See reverse side for 
important information,'' or a substantially similar statement. If, as 
permitted by comment 34(d)(3)(iv)(A)-1, a debt collector places the 
disclosures below the content of the validation notice, the debt 
collector may comply with the requirement to refer to the disclosures 
by stating, ``Notice: See below for important information,'' or a 
substantially similar statement.
    34(d)(3)(iv)(B) Disclosures on the front of the validation notice.
    1. In general. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B) provides, in relevant 
part that, if a debt collector is collecting time-barred debt, the debt 
collector may include on the front of the validation notice any time-
barred debt disclosure that is specifically required by, or that 
provides a safe harbor under, applicable law, provided that applicable 
law specifies the content of the disclosure. For example, if applicable 
State law requires a debt collector who is collecting time-barred debt 
to disclose to the consumer that the law limits how long a consumer can 
be sued on a debt and that the debt collector cannot or will not sue 
the consumer to collect it, the debt collector may include that 
disclosure on the front of the validation notice. See Sec.  
1006.26(a)(2) for the definition of time-barred debt. For purposes of 
Sec.  1006.34(d)(3)(iv)(B), time-barred debt disclosures may include 
disclosures about revival of debt collectors' right to bring a legal 
action to enforce the debt.
    34(d)(3)(vi) Spanish-language translation disclosures.
    Paragraph 34(d)(3)(vi)(A).
    1. Supplemental information in Spanish. Section 
1006.34(d)(3)(vi)(A) permits a debt collector to include supplemental 
information in Spanish that specifies how a consumer may request a 
Spanish-language validation notice. For example, a debt collector may 
include a statement in Spanish that a consumer can request a Spanish-
language validation notice by telephone or email, if the debt collector 
accepts consumer requests through those communication media.
    Paragraph 34(d)(3)(vii).
    1. Merchant brand. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits a debt 
collector to include the merchant brand, if any, associated with debt. 
For example, assume that a debt collector is attempting to collect a 
consumer's credit card debt. The credit card was issued by ABC Bank and 
was co-branded XYZ Store. ``XYZ Store'' is the merchant brand.
    2. Affinity brand. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits a debt 
collector to include the affinity brand, if any, associated with the 
debt. For example, assume that a debt collector is attempting to 
collect a consumer's credit card debt. The credit card was issued by 
ABC Bank, and the logo for the College of Columbia appears on the 
credit card. ``College of Columbia'' is the affinity brand.
    3. Facility name. Section 1006.34(d)(3)(vii) permits a debt 
collector to include the facility name, if any, associated with the 
debt. For example, assume that a debt collector is attempting to 
collect a consumer's medical debt. The medical debt relates to a 
treatment that the consumer received at ABC Hospital. ``ABC Hospital'' 
is the facility name.
    34(e) Translation into other languages.
    1. Safe harbor for complete and accurate translation. Section 
1006.34(e) provides, among other things, that, if a debt collector 
sends a consumer a validation notice translated into a language other 
than English, the translation must be complete and accurate. The 
language of a validation notice that a debt collector obtains from the 
Bureau's website is considered a complete and accurate translation. 
Debt collectors are permitted to use other validation notice 
translations if they are complete and accurate.
Section 1006.38--Disputes and Requests for Original-Creditor 
Information
    1. In writing. Section 1006.38 contains requirements related to a 
dispute or request for the name and address of the original creditor 
timely submitted in writing by the consumer. A consumer has disputed 
the debt or requested the name and address of the original creditor in 
writing for purposes of Sec.  1006.38(c) or (d)(2) if the consumer, for 
example:
    i. Mails the written dispute or request to the debt collector;
    ii. Returns to the debt collector the consumer-response form that 
Sec.  1006.34(c)(4) requires to appear on the validation notice and 
indicates on the form the dispute or request;
    iii. Provides the dispute or request to the debt collector using a 
medium of electronic communication through which the debt collector 
accepts

[[Page 5862]]

electronic communications from consumers, such as an email address or a 
website portal; or
    iv. Delivers the written dispute or request in person or by courier 
to the debt collector.
* * * * *
    3. Deceased consumers. If the debt collector knows or should know 
that the consumer is deceased, and if the consumer has not previously 
disputed the debt or requested the name and address of the original 
creditor, a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the deceased 
consumer's estate operates as the consumer for purposes of Sec.  
1006.38. In such circumstances, to comply with Sec.  1006.38(c) or 
(d)(2), respectively, a debt collector must respond to a request for 
the name and address of the original creditor or to a dispute timely 
submitted in writing by a person who is authorized to act on behalf of 
the deceased consumer's estate.
* * * * *

Subpart D--Miscellaneous

Section 1006.100--Record Retention
* * * * *
    100(a) In general.
    1. Records that evidence compliance. Section 1006.100(a) provides, 
in part, that a debt collector must retain records that are evidence of 
compliance or noncompliance with the FDCPA and this part. Thus, under 
Sec.  1006.100(a), a debt collector must retain records that evidence 
that the debt collector performed the actions and made the disclosures 
required by the FDCPA and this part, as well as records that evidence 
that the debt collector refrained from conduct prohibited by the FDCPA 
and this part. If a record is of a type that could evidence compliance 
or noncompliance depending on the conduct of the debt collector that is 
revealed within the record, then the record is one that is evidence of 
compliance or noncompliance, and the debt collector must retain it. 
Such records include, but are not limited to, records that evidence 
that the debt collector's communications and attempts to communicate in 
connection with the collection of a debt complied (or did not comply) 
with the FDCPA and this part. For example, a debt collector must 
retain:
    i. Telephone call logs as evidence of compliance or noncompliance 
with the prohibition against harassing telephone calls in Sec.  
1006.14(b)(1); and
    ii. Copies of documents provided to consumers as evidence that the 
debt collector provided the information required by Sec. Sec.  1006.34 
and 1006.38 and met the delivery requirements of Sec.  1006.42.
* * * * *
Section 1006.104--Relation to State Laws
    1. State law disclosure requirements. The Act and the corresponding 
provisions of Regulation F do not annul, alter, or affect, or exempt 
any person subject to these requirements from complying with a 
disclosure requirement under applicable State law that describes 
additional protections under State law that are not inconsistent with 
the Act and Regulation F. A disclosure required by State law is not 
inconsistent with the FDCPA or Regulation F if the disclosure describes 
a protection that such law affords any consumer that is greater than 
the protection provided by the FDCPA or Regulation F.

    Dated: December 18, 2020.
Grace Feola,
Federal Register Liaison, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2020-28422 Filed 1-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P

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