Section 19-14.9-1. – Short title.

§ 19-14.9-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act”. History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 427, § 1.

Section 19-14.9-10. – Multiple debts.

§ 19-14.9-10. Multiple debts. If any consumer owes multiple debts and makes any single payment to any debt collector with respect to such debts, such debt collector may not apply such payment to any debt that is disputed by the consumer and, where applicable, shall apply such payment in accordance with the consumer’s directions. History […]

Section 19-14.9-11. – Furnishing certain deceptive forms.

§ 19-14.9-11. Furnishing certain deceptive forms. It is unlawful to design, compile, and furnish any form knowing that such form would be used to create the false belief in a consumer that a person other than the creditor of such consumer is participating in the collection of or in an attempt to collect a debt […]

Section 19-14.9-12. – Registration required.

§ 19-14.9-12. Registration required. (1) After July 1, 2008, no person shall engage within this state in the business of a debt collector, or engage in soliciting the right to collect or receive payment for another of an account, bill, or other indebtedness, or advertise for or solicit in print the right to collect or […]

Section 19-14.9-13. – Remedies and penalties.

§ 19-14.9-13. Remedies and penalties. (1) Any person who engages in the business of a debt collector without a registration as required by § 19-14.9-12, shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (2) Any debt collector who fails to comply with […]

Section 19-14.9-14. – Severability.

§ 19-14.9-14. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions […]

Section 19-14.9-2. – Purpose.

§ 19-14.9-2. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards, by defining unfair or deceptive acts or practices, for the collection of debts from consumers within the state of Rhode Island, and to establish requirements for the registering and supervision of debt collectors. History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 427, § 1.

Section 19-14.9-3. – Definitions.

§ 19-14.9-3. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meaning unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Consumer” means any person obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt, as defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1692a. (2) “Consumer reporting agency” means any person which, for monetary fees, dues, or […]

Section 19-14.9-4. – Acquisition of location information.

§ 19-14.9-4. Acquisition of location information. Any debt collector communicating with any person, other than the consumer, for the purpose of acquiring location information about the consumer shall: (a) Identify himself/herself, state that he/she is confirming or correcting location information concerning the consumer, and, only if expressly requested, identify his/her employer; (b) Not state that […]

Section 19-14.9-5. – Communication in connection with debt collection.

§ 19-14.9-5. Communication in connection with debt collection. (1) Without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt: (a) At any unusual time or […]

Section 19-14.9-6. – Harassment or abuse.

§ 19-14.9-6. Harassment or abuse. A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Such conduct shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Using or threatening to use violence or other criminal means […]

Section 19-14.9-7. – False or misleading representations.

§ 19-14.9-7. False or misleading representations. A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Such false or misleading means shall include, but not be limited to: (a) The false representation or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, […]

Section 19-14.9-8. – Unfair practices.

§ 19-14.9-8. Unfair practices. A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Such unfair or unconscionable means shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Collecting any amount (including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless such amount is expressly […]

Section 19-14.9-9. – Validation of debts.

§ 19-14.9-9. Validation of debts. (1) Within five (5) days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication, or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing: (a) The […]