Archive for April 2012

Individuals who are mistakenly dunned by debt collectors have standing to seek relief under the
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692 et seq. (“FDCPA”), a federal appeals court ruled recently. However, debts not arising from consensual consumer transactions for goods or services are
not “debts” covered by that act, another appeals court has ruled.

The Obama Administration’s Home Affordable Mortgage Program (“HAMP”) does not contain a
federal private right to sue for violation of its terms, but it also does not preempt otherwise viable state law claims which incorporate terms and standards of the federal program, a federal appeals court in
Chicago ruled last month.