Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0320 - Collection Service Board
Chapter 0320-05 - Standards of Practice
Section 0320-05-.05 - FALSE OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATIONS

(a) The false representation or implication that the debt collector or collection service is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States or State of Tennessee, including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof.

(b) The false representation of:

(c) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney.

(d) The representation or implication that nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to take such action.

(e) The threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken.

(f) The false representation or implication that a sale, referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall cause the consumer to:

(g) The false representation or implication that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct, which false representation or implication is made to disgrace the consumer.

(h) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information that is known or that should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed.

(i) The use or distribution of any written communication that simulates or is falsely represented to be a document authorized, issued, or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or State of Tennessee, or which creates a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval.

(j) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer.

(k) The failure to disclose in the initial communication with the consumer, whether written or oral, that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose in subsequent communications that the communication is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall not apply to a formal pleading made in connection with a legal action.

(l) The false representation or implication that accounts have been turned over to innocent purchasers for value.

(m) The false representation or implication that documents are legal process.

(n) The use of any business, company, or organization name other than the registered name of the debt collector or collection service's business, company, or organization.

(o) The false representation or implication that documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer.

(p) The false representation or implication that a debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency.