FTC Informal Staff Opinion: Chesworth (09-16-97)

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David A. Szwak
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Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:19 pm

FTC Informal Staff Opinion: Chesworth (09-16-97)

Post by David A. Szwak »

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/le ... eswort.htm
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20580

Bureau of Consumer Protection

September 16, 1997

Donald O. Chesworth, Esq.
Harris, Chesworth & O'Brien
1820 East Avenue
Rochester, New York 14610

Dear Mr. Chesworth:

This is in reply to your recent letter concerning the debt collection activities of your client, Law Enforcement Systems, Inc. Your client collects unpaid parking fines for various governmental units. You ask whether the enclosed Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies to these collection activities.

Commission staff does not consider fines to be "debts" under Section 803(5) of the FDCPA, because they do not originate from a transaction involving the purchase of property or services for personal, family or household purposes. Therefore, to the extent that your client is engaged in activities collecting unpaid parking fines, we do not believe that these activities are covered by the FDCPA.

You also ask whether the name "Law Enforcement Systems, Inc." violates either the FDCPA or Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA). Based on the information supplied in your letter, we do not believe that your client's use of the name "Law Enforcement Systems, Inc." violates either of these statutes.

Please be advised that this is merely the opinion of Commission staff and, as such, is not binding on the Commission itself.

Sincerely,

John F. LeFevre
Attorney

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