Class action defense attorneys know that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., is used frequently by a plaintiff’s lawyer to bring a class action against a debt collector for violating the FDCPA’s terms. The FDCPA, however, also includes provisions for lawsuits brought by debt collectors. Specifically, § 1692i addresses the venue for such lawsuits. It provides:
§ 1692i. Legal actions by debt collectors
(a) Venue
Any debt collector who brings any legal action on a debt against any consumer shall–
(1) in the case of an action to enforce an interest in real property securing the consumer’s obligation, bring such action only in a judicial district or similar legal entity in which such real property is located; or
(2) in the case of an action not described in paragraph (1), bring such action only in the judicial district or similar legal entity–
(A) in which such consumer signed the contract sued upon; or
(B) in which such consumer resides at the commencement of the action.
(b) Authorization of actions
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize the bringing of legal actions by debt collectors.
Comments are closed.