Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Collection Defense Edelman 062407
Collection Defense Edelman 062407
Daniel A. Edelman
A. Creditors can sometimes prove their case; debt buyers usually cannot
The Court is aware of how the market for the sale of debt currently
works, where large sums of defaulted debt are purchased, by a small
number of firms, for between .04 and .06 cents on the dollar. . . . The
entire industry is a game of odds, and in the end as long as enough
awards are confirmed to make up for the initial sale and costs of
operation the purchase is deemed a successful business venture.
However, during this process mistakes are made, mistakes that may
seriously impact consumers and their credit. The petition at bar is a
specimen replete with such defects and the Court takes this
opportunity to analyze the filing in detail, in hopes to persuade
creditors, not simply to take more care in dotting their "i"s and
crossing their "t"s in their filings, but to assure a minimum level of
due process to the respondents.
Why is this debt sold for such a cheap price? Certainly part of the
reason is the poor prospects of payment these creditors expect from
the defaulting individuals given their past delinquent payment
history, while another part is undoubtably to avoid additional costs
associated with debt collection. Further yet, is the simple fact that the
proof required to obtain a judgment in the creditor's favor is lacking,
usually as a result of poor record keeping on the part of the creditor. .
...
Debt buyers purchase old debts, generally for pennies on the dollar (in some
cases, for less than a penny on the dollar). They then try to enforce them against
the consumer. Some of the larger debt buyers are:
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Asset Acceptance
Asta Funding/ Palisades
Bureaus
CACV/ CACH/ Collect America
Cavalry
Credigy
Erin Capital Management
Fourscore Resource Capital
Great Seneca
Harris & Harris, Ltd.
Hilco Receivables, LLC
Hudson Keyse
Midland (Midland Credit Management, Midland Funding, etc.)
NCO
Oliphant Financial Corporation
OSI
Portfolio Recovery Associates/ PRA
PRS Assets
Resurgence
RJM Acquisitions
Sherman Financial Group (does business as LVNV Funding,
Resurgent Capital Services)
Unifund/ National Check Bureau
World Credit Fund
Some of these firms do their own debt collection, some use third party debt
collectors, and some do both.
Several of these firms (Arrow, Asset, Asta, NCO, Portfolio Recovery) are
publicly-traded companies, or subsidiaries of public companies.
In 2004, the Federal Trade Commission shut down a debt buyer called CAMCO
headquartered in Illinois. The following is from a press release issued by the FTC
in connection with that case.
. . . In papers filed with the court, the agency charged that as much as 80
percent of the money CAMCO collects comes from consumers who never
owed the original debt in the first place. Many consumers pay the money
to get CAMCO to stop threatening and harassing them, their families,
their friends, and their co-workers.
According to the FTC, CAMCO buys old debt lists that frequently contain
no documentation about the original debt and in many cases no Social
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Security Number for the original debtor. CAMCO makes efforts to find
people with the same name in the same geographic area and tries to collect
the debt from them – whether or not they are the actual debtor. In papers
filed with the court, the FTC alleges that CAMCO agents told consumers
– even consumers who never owed the money – that they were legally
obligated to pay. They told consumers that if they did not pay, CAMCO
could have them arrested and jailed, seize their property, garnish their
wages, and ruin their credit. All of those threats were false, according to
the FTC. . . . (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/12/camco.htm)
Also in 2004, the FTC recovered a $1.5 million civil penalty from debt buyer
NCO. The FTC explained:
The proposed consent decree orders the defendants to pay civil penalties
of $1.5 million and permanently bars them from reporting later-than-
actual delinquency dates to credit bureaus in the future. Additionally,
NCO is required to implement a program to monitor all complaints
received to ensure that reporting errors are corrected quickly. The consent
agreement also contains standard recordkeeping and other requirements to
assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants’ compliance.
(http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/05/ncogroup.htm)
In June 2004, Minnesota’s attorney general sued two collection agencies that
represent debt buyers, claiming that the companies used illegal tactics to coerce
consumers into paying invalid debts. One repeatedly called innocent consumers
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despite requests to stop, while the other ignored written disputes filed by consumers.
II. KNOW PROCEDURE OF COURT YOU ARE IN AND MAKE SURE YOU
COMPLY WITH ALL DEADLINES
A. In Cook County First Municipal cases, for example, you need to file an
appearance by 9.30 a.m. on the return date, at which time you are assigned a
status date. If the case is not a small claim ($5,000 if filed before Jan. 1, 2006,
$10,000 after) you do not have to file an answer. At the status date you get a trial
date.
B. If you are in another court, call and find out exactly what is to take place on each
date.
B. Section 8b:
(b) The consideration for the assignment may be paid or given either
before or after the effective date of the assignment. The consideration
may be contingent upon the settlement or outcome of litigation and if
the claim being assigned has been listed with the collection agency as
an account for collection, the consideration for assignment may be the
same as the fee for collection.
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acknowledged by the corporate authority or individual transferring
title to the collection agency before any action can be taken in the
name of the collection agency.
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facts showing that the instrument is not accessible to him or her. In
pleading any written instrument a copy thereof may be attached to
the pleading as an exhibit. In either case the exhibit constitutes a part
of the pleading for all purposes.
Both the contract and the assignment(s) showing that plaintiff has title to the
claim are documents on which the action is founded. With respect to
assignments, see Candice Co. v. Ricketts, 281 Ill.App.3d 359, 362, 666 N.E.2d
722 (1st Dist. 1996), V.W. Credit, Inc. v. Alexandrescu, Index No. 39862/05, 13
Misc. 3d 1207A; 824 N.Y.S.2d 759; 2006 NY Slip Op 51724U; 2006 N.Y. Misc.
LEXIS 2423 (N.Y.Civ.Ct., August 18, 2006), and MBNA America Bank, N.A. v.
Nelson, 13777/06, 2007 NY Slip Op 51200U; 2007 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 4317, *3-5
(N.Y.Civ. Ct. May 24, 2007).
C. If the Complaint Is For Less than $10,000 (after 1/1/06) or $5,000 (prior to
1/1/06), Does It Comply With Rule 282.
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1. What is an account stated?
"An account stated is merely a form of proving damages for the breach of
a promise to pay on a contract." Dreyer Medical Clinic, S.C. v. Corral,
227 Ill.App.3d 221, 226, 591 N.E.2d 111 (2d Dist. 1992).
However, both the basic agreement and the rendition of an account must
be proven. “[T]he rule that an account rendered and not objected to within
a reasonable time is to be regarded as correct assumes that there was an
original indebtedness, but there can be no liability on an account stated if
no liability in fact exists, and the mere presentation of a claim, although
not objected to, cannot of itself create liability. . . . In other words, an
account stated cannot create original liability where none exists; it is
merely a final determination of the amount of an existing debt.” Motive
Parts Co. of America, Inc. v. Robinson, 53 Ill.App.3d 935, 940, 369
N.E.2d 119 (1st Dist. 1977).
Thus, a cause of action for an account stated is founded on both (a) the
underlying contract and (b) the statement of account sent to the debtor and
agreed to by the debtor. Both must be attached.
A. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act entitles the consumer to verification of the
debt if requested within 30 days of initial communication from debt collector. 15
U.S.C. §1692g.
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B. Cases are unclear as to what is sufficient under the FDCPA. Clark v. Capital
Credit & Collection Servs., 460 F.3d 1162 (9th Cir. 2006); Chaudhry v.
Gallerizzo, 174 F.3d 394 (4th Cir. 1999); Guerrero v. RJM Acquisitions, LLC,
03-00038 HG-LEK, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15416 (D.Haw., July 9, 2004);
Stonehart v. Rosenthal, 01 Civ. 651, 2001 WL 910771 (S.D.N.Y., Aug. 13, 2001);
Erickson v. Johnson, No. 05-427 (MJD/SRN), 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6979
(D.Minn. Feb. 22, 2006); Recker v. Central Collection Bureau,
1:04-cv-2037-WTL-DFH, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24780 (S.D.Ind., October 17,
2005); Monsewicz v. Unterberg & Assocs., P.C., 1:03-CV-01062-JDT-TAB,
2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5435, at *15 (S.D. Ind. Jan. 25, 2005); Semper v. JBC
Legal Group, No. C04-2240L, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33591 (W.D.Wash.
September 6, 2005); Mahon v. Credit Bureau of Placer County Inc., 171 F.3d
1197, 1203 (9th Cir. 1999) (debt collector properly verified debt by contacting the
original creditor, verifying the nature and balance of the outstanding debt,
reviewing the efforts the original creditor made to obtain payment, and
establishing that the balance remained unpaid); Sambor v. Omnia Credit Servs.,
Inc., 183 F. Supp. 2d 1234, 1233 (D. Hawaii 2002) (stating by way of example
that a debt collector seeking to collect amounts owed to a credit card company
would have to cease attempts to collect the debt if a fire destroyed the credit card
company's records, thereby precluding verification of the debt); Spears v.
Brennan, 745 N.E.2d 862, 878-79 (Ind. App. 2001) (a copy of the original debt
instrument does not verify that there is an existing unpaid balance and does not
satisfy the verification requirement of § 1692g(b)).
C. State law rights are better. The sale of accounts receivable is regulated by
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
B. Supreme Court Rule 222 went into effect ten years ago. It applies to all cases
subject to mandatory arbitration (except small claims cases) and all cases where
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money damages of $50,000 or less are sought. But it does not apply to small
claims cases, evictions, family law cases or actions seeking equitable relief.
C. The rule requires both parties to provide a list of case-related information to the
opposing party, such as names and addresses of witnesses, factual basis of the
claim, the legal theory of each claim or defense, etc., automatically, without
request.
D. The disclosures must be made within 120 days of the filing of the responsive
pleading to the Complaint. Rule 222 has been ignored in Cook County but two
recent articles, including one in the February 2006 Illinois Bar Journal, suggest
this rule can no longer be disregarded.
E. The Rule has a “gotchya” provision, Rule 222(g), which states that “the court
shall exclude at trial any evidence offered by a party that was not timely disclosed
as required by this rule, except by leave of court for good cause shown. If a
defendant moves, on the day of trial, to exclude all evidence given the plaintiff’s
failure to file a Rule 222 disclosure statement, a court is likely to grant the
request, dooming the plaintiff’s action. One case, Kapsouris v. Rivera, 747
N.E.2d 427 (2d Dist. 2001) suggests (but does not hold) that if specific
information is provided through other discovery, such as a Rule 213 interrogatory
response, the failure to file a Rule 222 response will not trigger the exclusion of
that evidence. Bottom line: Another article,
http://www.isba.org/Sections/Tortlaw/11-05.html#Anchor-Rule-11481, calls Rule
222 a “ticking time bomb.”
B. Affidavits are often submitted to prove default that are conclusory and
insufficient. Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. v. Medina, 01 C 768, 2001 WL
1558278, 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20409 (N.D.Ill., Dec. 5, 2001); Cole Taylor
Bank v. Corrigan, 230 Ill.App.3d 122, 129, 595 N.E.2d 177, 181-82 (2nd Dist.
1992) (where bank officer's "affidavit essentially consisted of a summary of
unnamed records at the bank," unaccompanied by records themselves and
unsupported by facts establishing basis of officer's knowledge, foundation was
lacking for admission of officer's opinion regarding amount due on loan); Asset
Acceptance Corp. v. Proctor, 156 Ohio App. 3d 60; 804 N.E.2d 975 (2004).
Computer-generated bank records or testimony based thereon are often offered
without proper foundation, or are summarized without being introduced.
Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. v. Medina, supra; FDIC v. Carabetta, 55
Conn.App. 369, 739 A.2d 301 (1999), leave to appeal denied, 251 Conn. 927; 742
10
A.2d 362 (1999).
C. Testimony, whether live or in the form of an affidavit, to the effect that the
witness has reviewed a loan file and that the loan file shows that the debtor is in
default is hearsay and incompetent; rather, the records must be introduced after a
proper foundation is provided. New England Savings Bank v. Bedford Realty
Corp., 238 Conn. 745, 680 A.2d 301, 308-09 (1996), later opinion, 246 Conn.
594, 717 A.2d 713 (1998); Cole Taylor Bank v. Corrigan, supra, 230 Ill.App.3d
122, 129, 595 N.E.2d 177, 181 (2nd Dist. 1992) (bank officer's affidavit
summarizing bank records insufficient where it did not show the officer's
familiarity with the amounts disbursed or collected or provide the documents
upon which he relied as to his conclusion as to the amount due); Hawai'i Cmty.
Fed. Credit Union v. Keka, 94 Haw. 213, 222, 11 P.3d 1 (2000) (following
Corrigan). It is the business records that constitute the evidence, not the
testimony of the witness referring to them. In re A.B., 308 Ill.App. 3d 227, 236,
719 N.E.2d 348 (2nd Dist. 1999) (“Under the business records exception . . . it is
the business record itself, not the testimony of a witness who makes reference to
the record, which is admissible . . . . In other words, a witness is not permitted to
testify as to the contents of the document or provide a summary thereof; the
document speaks for itself. M. Graham, Cleary & Graham's Handbook of Illinois
Evidence § 803.10, at 825 (7th ed. 1999).”); Topps v. Unicorn Ins. Co., 271 Ill.
App. 3d 111, 116, 648 N.E.2d 214 (1st Dist. 1995) (“under the business record
exception to the hearsay rule, only the business record itself is admissible into
evidence rather than the testimony of the witness who makes reference to the
record”).
D. Nor is such an affidavit made sufficient by omitting the fact that it is based on a
review of loan records, if it appears that the affiant did not personally receive or
observe the reception of all of the borrower’s payments. Hawaii Community
Federal Credit Union v. Keka, supra, 94 Haw. 213, 11 P.3d 1, 10 (2000). If the
underlying records are voluminous, a person who has extracted the necessary
information may testify to that fact, but the underlying records must be made
available to the court and opposing party. In re deLarco, 313 Ill.App.3d 107, 728
N.E.2d 1278 (2nd Dist. 2000).
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submission was doubly defective. First, the declaration did not establish that the
declarant was ‘qualified’ to provide the requisite testimony. Second, the
declaration did not contain information sufficient to warrant a conclusion that the
‘American Express computers are sufficiently accurate in the retention and
retrieval of the information contained in the documents.’" (*22-23)
1. Illinois does not allow plaintiff who has disposed of document knowing it
may be necessary to use it as evidence from introducing secondary
evidence. Lam v. Northern Illinois Gas Co., 114 Ill. App. 3d 325, 332-32,
449 N.E.2d 1007 (1st Dist. 1983):
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evidence unless he repels every inference of a fraudulent design
in its destruction." ( Blake v. Fash (1867), 44 Ill. 302, 304;
accord, Palmer v. Goldsmith (1884), 15 Ill. App. 544, 546.) We
note further that the "resolution of loss or destruction issues is
a matter necessarily consigned to the sound discretion of the
trial judge." Wright v. Farmers Co-Op (8th Cir. 1982), 681 F.2d
549, 553; accord, People v. Baptist (1979), 76 Ill. 2d 19, 27, 389
N.E.2d 1200.
Accord, Sears, Roebuck and Co. v. Seneca Insurance Co., 254 Ill. App. 3d
686; 627 N.E.2d 173, 176-77 (1st Dist. 1993) (“The best or secondary
evidence rule provides that in order to establish the terms of a writing, the
original must be produced unless it is shown to be unavailable for some
reason other than the serious fault of the proponent”); Zurich Insurance
Co. v. Northbrook Excess & Surplus Insurance Co., 145 Ill. App. 3d 175,
203, 494 N.E.2d 634, 652 (1st Dist. 1986), aff'd, 118 Ill. 2d 23, 514
N.E.2d 150 (1987).
H. For an illustration of the problem, see Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. v. Martin,
11 Misc. 3d 219; 807 N.Y.S.2d 284, 2005 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2833 (Civ.Ct., Dec.
16, 2005), which sets forth the applicable proof requirements. These should
apply with equal force in Illinois.
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prejudice . . . . It is the assignee's burden to prove the assignment . . . .
Given that courts are reluctant to credit a naked conclusory affidavit
on a matter exclusively within a moving party's knowledge . . . an
assignee must tender proof of assignment of a particular account or, if
there were an oral assignment, evidence of consideration paid and
delivery of the assignment . . . .
I. Also illustrative of the problem is Palisades Collection LLC v. Haque, New York
Law Journal, April 13, 2006, p. 20, col. 3 (Civ. Ct. Queens Co.) (Pineda-Kirwin,
J.), where a debt buyer’s case was thrown out even though it had local offices and
was able to call a witness, because (a) it could not prove title to the debt, (b) it
could not authenticate the contract, (c) it could not show the debtor had failed to pay.
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that the electronic statements were received on December 13, 2005.
Ms. Bergman testified that defendant's account was included in those
purchased by plaintiff. Plaintiff then sought to introduce into evidence
a document, dated January 9, 2006, that the witness testified was the
hard copy of the account summary generated by AT&T Wireless and
electronically sent to plaintiff pertaining to this defendant. The
witness testified that plaintiff did not have copies of any statements
from AT&T Wireless that were allegedly sent to defendant.
The court held that to lay the foundation for a business record it was necessary to
have someone testify about the business routine of the entity which generated the
records:
The Haque court also held insufficient the offer of “generic” contracts which
could not be linked to the defendant’s account:
15
contain the terms of his agreement and that he had never received
such a document from AT&T Wireless. As plaintiff could not
demonstrate that AT&T Wireless ever sent defendant this document,
as the document was introduced to prove the truth of its contents, and
as plaintiff failed to lay an adequate foundation for its admission as a
business record, the objection was sustained. [citation]
The court also held a claim of assignment insufficient without proof of the
assignment:
16
by express or implied promise, to pay it. (Tridee Assoc, Inc v. Bd of
Educ of City of New York, 22 AD3d 833 [2d Dept 2005].) . ..
17
movant seeks to have the Court consider a business record, the
proponent must establish that it meets the evidentiary requirements
for a business record, by, [*2]for example, having a corporate officer
swear to the authenticity and genuineness of the document. (CPLR
4518[a]; First Interstate Credit Alliance, Inc. v Sokol, 179 AD2d 583,
584 [1st Dept 1992]; Bowers v Merchants Mut. Ins. Co., 248 AD2d
1005, 1006 [4th Dept 1998]; A.B. Med. Servs., PLLC v Travelers Prop.
Cas. Corp., 5 Misc 3d 214 [Civ Ct, Kings County 2004]).
The court then held that affidavits based on “books and records” but not executed
by someone familiar with the manner in which the entity that engaged in the
transactions prepared and maintained the books and records are insufficient:
18
simplest level, the Court cannot rely on Ms. Bergmann's description
of the documents annexed as Exhibit D because her description is
inconsistent with the documents themselves and with her own prior
statements as to defendant's obligation to plaintiff. Specifically, she
describes the documents as "account statements that reflect purchases
made by defendant along with periodic payments. The statements
reflect the finance charges on the balance as provided in the retail
installment credit agreement." However, the account statements do
not, on their face, reflect "purchases" but rather monthly charges for
cell phone usage. Similarly, the account statements do not appear to
be based on charges on a "retail installment credit agreement," but
rather on a cell phone service plan. Consequently, since Ms.
Bergmann has described incorrectly the document she claims to
[*3]rely on, the Court will not credit the statements she makes based
on it.[FN3]
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between the proponent of the record and the maker of the
record guarantees the reliability of the records, such as where
the maker of the record was acting on behalf of the proponent
and in accordance with its requirements when making the
records, (People v Cratsley, 86 NY2d 81, 89-91 [1995]) or where
the proponent of the records relies contemporaneously on the
accuracy of the other entity's records for the conduct of its own
business (People v DiSalvo, 284 AD2d 547, 548-9 [2d 2001];
Plymouth Rock Fuel Corp. v Leucadia, Inc., 117 AD2d 727, 728
[2d Dept 1986]). Here, there is no evidence that there was any
relationship between AT&T and plaintiff at the time that the
records were created.
The court also held insufficient affidavits that documents had been mailed when
the affiant neither mailed them nor was able to testify on personal knowledge that
a routine practice of mailing such documents existed within the business. The
court also found that a reproduction of the document mailed was required and that
a later printout prepared using data in the system would not do:
Ms. Bergmann also asserts that the account statements were mailed to
defendant and the statements were neither returned nor disputed.
Presumably, Ms. Bergmann is making this statement in order to
support a claim for an account stated. However, plaintiff's complaint
does not include a cause of action for an account stated, so these
statements by Ms. Bergmann are irrelevant.
20
true copy of the documents allegedly mailed to defendant since
they indicate, on their face, that they were printed out on June
29, 2005, after this action was commenced.
Finally, the court held insufficient an affidavit that an assignment had occurred
without production of the document:
The Plaintiff attempts to support its motion with the affidavit of Todd
Fabacher, who identifies himself as "an authorized and designated
custodian of records for the plaintiff regarding the present matter."
(Fabacher Affidavit 3/14/07, P 1) Mr. Fabacher describes his duties as
including "the obtaining, maintaining and retaining, all in the regular
course of plaintiff's business, including obtaining records and
documents from or through CITIBANK or [*2] any assignee or
transferee previous to plaintiff, any and all records [**3] and
documentation regarding the present debt." (Fabacher Affidavit
3/14/07, P 1) While Mr. Fabacher attempts to portray himself as one
who is "personally familiar with, and hav[ing] knowledge of, the facts
and proceedings relating to the within action" (Fabacher Affidavit
3/14/07, P 1), it is readily apparent from a reading of his affidavit that
his claimed personal familiarity with this matter is taken from the
documents and records ostensibly created by Citibank, and/or
assignees who have preceded the Plaintiff, which have now come into
the Plaintiff's possession. Clearly, Mr. Fabacher has no personal
knowledge of the retail charge account agreement between the
Defendant and Citibank. . . .
21
The documents the Plaintiff attempts to submit, specifically the
purported account statements and assignments, are being offered for
the truth of the statements contained therein and are, by definition,
hearsay. . . . They may be considered only if they fall within one of
the recognized exceptions to the hearsay rule. . . .The Plaintiff
attempts to rely upon the business records exception to the hearsay
rule in its effort to establish a prima facie case.
22
The Court also required production of the actual assignment of the particular
debt:
Finally, “The Plaintiff has also failed to submit any competent proof of an
agreement between Citibank and the Defendant.”
In the matter sub judice, the account statements upon which the
Plaintiff relies do not show any usage of the credit card in question by
the Defendant. The four (4) statements submitted show only an
alleged open balance, with the accrual of fees and finance charges
thereon. The Plaintiff also fails to submit any proof that a copy of the
retail installment credit agreement or the statements upon which it
relies were ever mailed to the Defendant. Neither Mr. Fabacher nor
Plaintiff's counsel mailed these documents or have personal
knowledge of their mailing; nor does the Plaintiff even attempt to
describe a regular office practice and procedure for the mailing of the
documents designed to insure that they are always properly addressed
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and mailed. . . .
L. Another New York court was presented with similar documentation in the context
of a motion to confirm an arbitration award, in MBNA America Bank, N.A. v.
Nelson, 13777/06, 2007 NY Slip Op 51200U; 2007 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 4317
(N.Y.Civ. Ct. May 24, 2007). The court first required proof that the plaintiff was
the owner of the particular debt:
Because multiple creditors may make collection efforts for the same
underlying debt even after [*6] assignment, for any variety of
reasons (i.e. mis-communication or clerical error) failure to give
notice of an assignment may result in the debtor having to pay the
same debt more than once or ignoring a notice because the debtor
believes he or she has previously settled the claim. Further, debtors
are often left befuddled as they get the run-around from a panoply of
potential creditors when inquiring about their defaulted accounts,
[**16] during which time they lose the ability to negotiate payments
with the current debt owner (whoever that may be at the time) and
therefore incur additional fees and penalties. Courts in other states,
reviewing general principles of assignment, have noted that notice to
the debtor is an explicit requirement to a valid assignment. . . .
22
Next, the court required proof of the actual terms of the agreement with the
particular debtor (*7-9)
24
otherwise, before they can become binding is well settled law. 32
Therefore, absent a definite and certain offer outlining the terms and
conditions of credit card use with the user's actual signature, the
Petitioner . . . has the burden of establishing the binding nature of the
underlying contract, including any allegedly applicable arbitration
clauses, which entails proof, at a most basic level, that the debtor was
provided with notice of the terms and conditions 33 to which Petitioner
now [*8] seeks to hold [**23] Respondent. 34
Petitioner must tender the actual provisions agreed to, including any
and all amendments 35, and not simply a photocopy of general terms
to which the credit issuer may currently demand debtors agree. For
example, Petitioner's Exhibit A which is labeled "Credit Card
Agreement and Additional Terms and Conditions" lacks
Respondent's signature. Neither does it contain a date indicating
when these terms were adopted by MBNA nor how the terms were
amended or changed, if at all, over the years appear anywhere on the
document. Furthermore, the contract does not contain any name,
account number or other identifying statements which would connect
the proffered agreement with the Respondent in this action. In fact,
petitioners [**25] appear to have attached the exact same photocopy,
which as noted is not specific to any particular consumer, to many of
its confirmation petitions. While on its face there is nothing
necessarily unusual about a large commercial entity such as MBNA
providing a standard form contract that all credit card consumers
agree to, the burden nevertheless remains with MBNA to tie the
binding nature of its boiler-plate terms to the user at issue in each
particular case and to show that those terms are binding on each
Respondent it seeks to hold accountable 36 (the Respondent's intent to
be bound after notice of terms is established can be shown via card use
37 38
). The fact that MBNA issues a particular agreement with
particular terms with the majority of its customers is of little
relevance in determining the actual terms of the alleged agreement
before this Court, if not linked directly to respondent in some way
shape or form. Just because a petitioner provides a photocopy of a
document entitled "Additional Terms and Conditions," certainly does
not mean those terms are binding on someone who could have
theoretically signed a completely different agreement when they were
extended credit. Whether [**26] the physical card itself or some
solicitation agreement with Respondent's signature referenced the
terms and conditions 39, or whether the terms were made readily
accessible to Respondent by e-mail or the internet, and Respondent
was in fact aware of this, may all be relevant to an inquiry into
constructive notice but such notice must still be established. At bar,
MBNA Bank has failed to establish that the provided terms and
25
conditions were the actual terms and conditions agreed to by Nelson.
As such, applying Kaplan, the Court does not find objective intent on
the part of the Respondent to be bound to the contractual statements
proffered by MBNA requiring the question of arbitrability to be
decided by the arbitrator or that arbitration is the required forum for
either party to bring claims against the other.
26
M. Other decisions holding debt buyer affidavits and related documents insufficient:
1. Unifund CCR Partners v. Harrell, 2005 Conn. Super. LEXIS 2037 (Aug. 3,
2005): Failure to produce signed agreement or affidavit authenticating
purported agreement as that entered into with defendant results in denial of
summary judgment. Affidavit of “plaintiff’s legal coordinator” that “she has
access to the records of Unifund CCR Partners and therefore has personal
knowledge of the facts” not sufficient.
2. First Select Corp. v. Grimes, 2003 Tex. App. LEXIS 604 (Jan. 23, 2003):
summary judgment for debtor affirmed where there was no evidence that the
debtor used the credit card after First Select sent out an agreement
modification and no copy of the written agreement between the original
creditor and the consumer or the consumer’s acceptance of such agreement.
3. CACV of Colorado, LLC v. Cassidy, 2005 Conn. Super. LEXIS 2797 (Oct.
19, 2005); CACV of Colorado, LLC v. Acevedo, 2005 Conn. Super. 2796
(Oct. 19, 2005); CACV of Colorado, LLC v. Werner, 2005 Conn. Super.
LEXIS 1795 (Oct. 19, 2005); CACV of Colorado, LLC v. McNeil, 2005
Conn. Super. LEXIS 12794 (Oct. 19, 2005); and CACV of Colorado, LLC
v. Corda, 2005 Conn. Super. LEXIS 3542 (Dec. 16, 2005): court refused
applications to confirm arbitration awards where only document containing
arbitration clause was affidavit signed with signature stamp attaching form
agreement containing no dates or signatures; court also noted that NAF does
not provide that arbitrator find defendant has actual notice of demand for
arbitration. Accord, MBNA America Bank, NA v. Straub, 2006 N.Y. Misc.
LEXIS 1281 (Civ. Ct. May 25, 2006).
N. Illinois likewise holds that “A sufficient foundation for admitting business records
may be established through the testimony of the custodian of the records or another
person familiar with the business and its mode of operation.” In re Estate of
Weiland, 338 Ill. App. 3d 585, 600, 788 N.E.2d 811 (2nd Dist. 2003).
Anyone familiar with the business and its procedures may testify as to
the manner in which records are prepared and the general procedures
for maintaining such records in the ordinary course of business. Raithel
v. Dustcutter, Inc., 261 Ill. App. 3d 904, 909, 634 N.E.2d 1163 (1994)
(Cook, J., specially concurring). The foundation requirements for
admission of documents under this exception are that it is a writing or
record made as memorandum of the event made in the ordinary course
of business and it was the regular course of the business to make such a
record at that time. In re Estate of Weiland, 338 Ill. App. 3d 585, 600,
788 N.E.2d 811 (2003).
City of Chicago v. Old Colony Partners, L.P., No. 1-04-0551, 2006 Ill. App. LEXIS
27
187 (1st Dist. March 16, 2006).
O. If the records are those of business A, they can be treated as records of business B
only if A was authorized by B to generate the records on behalf of B as part of B’s
ordinary business activities. In Argueta v. Baltimore & Ohio, 224 Ill.App.3d 11, 12-
14, 586 N.E.2d 386 (1st Dist. 1991), appeal denied, 144 Ill. 2d 631, 591 N.E.2d 20
(1992), the court held:
The key consideration is the authority of the third party to act on the
business' behalf. Where a third party is authorized by a business to
generate the record at issue, the record is of no use to the business unless
it is accurate and, therefore, the record bears sufficient indicia of
reliability to qualify as a business record under the hearsay rule. See also
N.L.R.B. v. First Termite Control Co., Inc. (9th Cir. 1981), 646 F.2d 424;
Fed. R. Evid. 803(6); M. Graham, Cleary & Graham's Handbook of
Illinois Evidence § 803.10, at 647 (5th ed. 1990).
Accordingly, we find that the trial court erred in its ruling that the
ultrasonic test reports were inadmissible. The reports were the business
records of B&OCT. Although the reports were generated by Calumet
and Conam, the tests were performed at the direction of the railroad in
the regular course of its business..
Accord, Kimble v. Earle M. Jorgenson Co., 358 Ill. App. 3d 400; 830 N.E.2d 814 (1st
Dist. 2005).
28
P. Note that Illinois requires that “the sufficiency of an affidavit must be tested by a
motion to strike the affidavit (or by a motion to strike the motion for summary
judgment setting forth the objections to the affidavit).” Duffy v. Midlothian Country
Club, 92 Ill. App. 3d 193, 199, 415 N.E.2d 1099 (1st Dist. 1980).
2. 15 U.S.C. § 1643(b) applies to both original creditor and bad debt buyers and
requires them to show "authorized use" for charges.
1. Dicta in a 1974 Illinois Appellate Court decision states that the limitations
period applicable to a bank credit card debt in Illinois is ten years, under
what is now 735 ILCS 5/13-206. Harris Trust & Savings Bank v. McCray,
21 Ill.App.3d 605, 316 N.E.2d 209 (1st Dist. 1974). See also, Citizen's
National Bank of Decatur v. Farmer, 77 Ill. App. 3d 56; 395 N.E.2d 1121 (4th
Dist. 1979).
2. The statement is dicta because the only issue before the Court was whether
the applicable period was the four-year period of the Uniform Commercial
Code or the ten-year period of what is now 735 ILCS 5/13-206. The Harris
Bank court specifically limited its ruling by stating: “[t]he only question
presented in this appeal is whether a credit card issuer may commence an
action based upon the holder’s failure to pay for the purchase of goods more
than 4 years after the issuer’s cause of action accrued.” 21 Ill.App.3d at 606.
Neither party argued whether the credit card was based on a “contract in
writing” as required by 735 ILCS 5/13-206.
3. Given the manner in which credit cards were issued in 1974 – one generally
had to apply in writing and sign a receipt each time the card was used – there
probably was a contract in writing.
29
4. But much has changed in the intervening 30 years. Most importantly, the
banking industry has persuaded numerous state legislatures to enact statutes
authorizing them to change the terms of credit card agreements by simply
mailing a notice to the cardholder, with or without an opportunity to close the
account and “opt out.” These include the legislatures in Delaware and South
Dakota, where many credit card issuers are chartered in order to take
advantage of federal “exportation” law and the absence of interest rate
regulation in those states.
30
(b)
31
periodic interest charged by a bank to a borrower under
§ 943 or §944 of this title may, in lieu of the procedure
referenced in paragraph (2) of this subsection, become
effective as to a particular borrower if the borrower uses
the plan after a date specified in the written notice of the
amendment that is at least 15 days after the mailing or
delivery of the notice (but that need not be the date the
amendment becomes effective) by making a purchase or
obtaining a loan; provided, that the notice from the bank
includes a statement that the described usage after the
referenced date will constitute the borrower's acceptance
of the amendment.
(4) Any borrower who furnishes timely notice electing
not to accept an amendment in accordance with the
procedures referenced in paragraph (2) of this subsection
and who does not subsequently use the plan, or who fails
to use such borrower's plan as referenced in paragraph
(3) of this subsection, shall be permitted to pay the
outstanding unpaid indebtedness in such borrower's
account under the plan in accordance with the rate or
rates of periodic interest charged by a bank to a borrower
under § 943 or § 944 of this title without giving effect to
the amendment; provided however, that the bank may
convert the borrower's account to a closed end credit
account as governed by subchapter III of this chapter, on
credit terms substantially similar to those set forth in the
then-existing agreement governing the borrower's plan.
(5) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
subsection, no notice required by this subsection of an
amendment of an agreement governing a revolving credit
plan shall be required, and any amendment may become
effective as of any date agreed upon between a bank and
a borrower, with respect to any amendment that is agreed
upon between the bank and the borrower, either orally or
in writing.
(c) For purposes of this section, the following are examples of
amendments that shall not be deemed to increase the rate or
rates of periodic interest charged by a bank to a borrower under
§ 943 or § 944 of this title:
32
(2) Any change to a plan that increases the rate or rates in
effect immediately prior to the change by less than 1/4 of
1 percentage point per annum; provided that a bank may
not make more than one such change in reliance on this
paragraph with respect to a plan within any 12-month
period;
(3) a. A change in the schedule or formula used under a
variable rate plan under § 944 of this title that varies the
determination date of the applicable rate, the time period
for which the applicable rate will apply or the effective
date of any variation of the rate, or any other similar
change, or
b. Any other change in the schedule or formula used
under a variable rate plan under § 944 of this title;
provided, that the initial interest rate that would result
from any such change under this paragraph (3), as
determined on the effective date of the change or, if notice
of the change is mailed or delivered to the borrower prior
to the effective date, as of any date within 60 days before
mailing or delivery of such notice, will not be an increase
from the rate in effect on such date under the existing
schedule or formula;
(4) A change from a variable rate plan to a fixed rate, or
from a fixed rate to a variable rate plan so long as the
initial rate that would result from such a change, as
determined on the effective date of the change, or if the
notice of the change is mailed or delivered to the borrower
prior to the effective date, as of any date within 60 days
before mailing or delivery of such notice, will not be an
increase from the rate in effect on such date under the
existing plan;
(5) A change from a daily periodic rate to a periodic rate
other than daily or from a periodic rate other than daily
to a daily periodic rate; and
(6) A change in the method of determining the
outstanding unpaid indebtedness upon which periodic
interest is calculated (including, without limitation, a
change with respect to the date by which or the time
period within which a new balance or any portion thereof
must be paid to avoid additional periodic interest).
33
plan to which a borrower other than an individual borrower is a
party may, in lieu of the foregoing provisions of this section, be
as the agreement governing the plan may otherwise provide.
Upon written notice, a credit card issuer may change the terms
of any credit card agreement, if such right of amendment has
been reserved. However, the following changes to the credit card
agreement, effective as to existing balances, do not become
binding on the parties if the card holder, within twenty-five days
of the effective date of the change, furnishes written notice to the
issuer, at the address designated by the issuer, that the card
holder does not agree to abide by such changes:
Use of the card after the effective date of the change of terms is
deemed to be an acceptance of the new terms, even if the twenty-
five-day period has not expired. Unless otherwise required by 12
C.F.R. § 226, in effect on January 1, 2005, a written change of
terms notice is not required if the proposed change in terms has
been communicated by the issuer to the card holder and the card
holder agrees.
34
extend credit,” subject to “modification at will,” which are accepted
“each time the card is used according to the terms of the cardholder
agreement at the time of such use”. Garber v. Harris Trust & Savings
Bank, 104 Ill. App. 3d 675, 679, 432 N.E.2d 1309, 1311 (1st Dist.
1982); accord, Ragan v. AT&T Corp., 355 Ill.App.3d 1143, 1149,
824 N.E.2d 1183 (5th Dist. 2005); Reyes v. Equifax Credit Info.
Servs., 03 C 1377, 2003 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 22235 (N.D.Ill., Dec. 10,
2003); Frerichs v. Credential Servs. Int’l, 98 C 3684, 1999 U.S.Dist.
LEXIS 22811, *21 (N.D.Ill., Oct. 1, 1999). Other decisions likewise
hold that credit card agreements are terminable at will and that their
terms may be changed by sending a notice with a monthly statement
which is not rejected by the cardholder. Taylor v. First North
American National Bank, 325 F.Supp.2d 1304, 1313 (M.D.Ala.
2004); Battels v. Sears National Bank, 365 F.Supp.2d 1205, 1209
(M.D.Ala. 2005); Grasso v. First USA Bank, 713 A.2d 304 (Del.
Super. Ct. 1998); Edelist v. MBNA Am. Bank, 790 A.2d 1249 (Del.
Super. Ct. 2001); see Banc One Fin. Servs. v. Advanta Mtge. Corp.
USA, 00 C 8027, 2002 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 960 (N.D.Ill., Jan. 23, 2002).
10. “The test for whether a contract is written under the statute of
limitations in Illinois is not whether the contract meets the
requirements of the Statute of Frauds, but whether all essential terms
of the contract, including the identity of the parties, are in writing and
can be ascertained from the written instrument itself.” Brown v.
Goodman, supra, 147 Ill. App. 3d at 940-41 (emphasis added).
11. If any essential element of the contract is omitted from the writing,
“‘then the contract must be treated as oral for purposes of the statute
35
of limitations.’” Armstrong v. Guigler, 174 Ill. 2d 281, 288, 673
N.E.2d 290, 295 (1996); accord, Toth v. Mansell, 207 Ill. App. 3d
665, 669, 566 N.E.2d 730, 733 (1st Dist. 1990); Schmidt v. Niedert,
45 Ill. App. 3d 9, 13, 358 N.E.2d 1305 (1st Dist. 1976).
13. “The law is clear in Illinois that to constitute a written contract under
the statute of limitations, the written instrument itself must
completely identify the parties to the contract.” Brown, 147 Ill. App.
3d at 940 (emphasis added); accord, Railway Passenger & Freight
Conductors’ Mutual Aid & Benefit Association v. Loomis, 142 Ill.
560, 32 N.E. 424 (1892); Munsterman, 106 Ill. App. 3d at 238-39;
Pratl v. Hawthorn-Mellody Farms Dairy, Inc., 53 Ill. App. 3d 344,
347, 368 N.E.2d 767, 770 (1st Dist. 1977); Matzer v. Florsheim Shoe
Co., 132 Ill. App. 2d 470, 472, 270 N.E.2d 75 (1st Dist. 1971);
Wielander v. Henich, 64 Ill. App. 2d 228, 231-32, 211 N.E.2d 775,
776 (1st Dist. 1965).
14. “[T]he issue is not whether the identity of [the parties] can be readily
ascertainable from subsequent writings, the issue is whether the
identity of [the parties] can be readily ascertained” from the alleged
written contract “so as to avoid the resort to parol evidence.” Brown,
147 Ill. App. 3d at 940.
36
16. A credit card agreement that is subject to change upon notice does
not contain all essential terms. Even if the debtor signed a written
application which set forth all material terms at the time of the
application, the “change by notice” provision – whether expressly
included in the contract or implied therein by statute – makes it
impossible to determine from mere examination of the document that
those terms are still in effect. Either the creditor must rely on the fact
that a current version of the agreement was sent to the debtor, or
establish that no change notices were mailed. In either case, parol
testimony is essential, and there is no document which conclusively
establishes the terms of the agreement.
A. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692 et seq. ("FDCPA"),
regulates the conduct of "debt collectors" in collecting "debts" owed or
allegedly owed by "consumers." It is designed to protect consumers from
unscrupulous collectors, whether or not there is a valid debt. The FDCPA
broadly prohibits unfair or unconscionable collection methods; conduct
which harasses, oppresses or abuses any debtor; and any false, deceptive or
misleading statements, in connection with the collection of a debt; it also
requires debt collectors to give debtors certain information. 15 U.S.C.
§§1692d, 1692e, 1692f and 1692g.
37
Capital, Inc., C-1-96-1693, 1998 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 4926 (N.D.Ohio 1998);
Holmes v. Telecredit Service Corp., 736 F.Supp. 1289, 1292 (D.Del. 1990);
Farber v. NP Funding II, LP, 96 CV 4322, 1997 WL 913335, *3, 1997
U.S.Dist. LEXIS 21245 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 9, 1997) (“those who are assigned a
defaulted debt are not exempt from the FDCPA if their principal purpose is the
collection of debts or if they regularly engage in debt collection”); Stepney v.
Outsourcing Solutions, Inc., 1997 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 18264 (N.D.Ill. 1997);
Coppola v. Connecticut Student Loan Found., Civ. A. N-87-398 (JAC), 1989
WL 47419, 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3415 (D.Conn. March 22, 1989);
Commercial Service of Perry v. Fitzgerald, 856 P.2d 58, 62 (Colo.App. 1993)
("[A] company which takes an assignment of a debt in default, and is a business
the principal purpose of which is to collect debts, may be subject to the Act,
even if the assignment is permanent and without any further rights in the
assignor"). As long as the purchaser asserts that the debt was in default when
acquired, the FDCPA applies, even if the assertion proves to be false.
Schlosser v. Fairbanks Capital Corp., 323 F.3d 534 (7th Cir. 2003)
D. Collection lawyers who “regularly” collect consumer debts are covered. Heintz
v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995).
38
4. Adding unauthorized amounts to debts, e.g., attorney’s fees. Shula v.
Lawent, 359 F.3d 489 (7th Cir. 2004), aff’g, 01 C 4883, 2002 U.S. Dist.
LEXIS 24542 (N.D.Ill., Dec. 23, 2002).
39
Daniel A. Edelman is a principal of Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin,
LLC. He is a 1976 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School. From 1976 to 1981 he
was an associate at the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis with heavy involvement in the
defense of consumer class action litigation (such as the General Motors Engine Interchange
cases). In 1981 he became an associate at Reuben & Proctor, a medium-sized firm formed by
some former Kirkland & Ellis lawyers, and was made a partner there in 1982. From the end
of 1985 he has been in private practice in downtown Chicago. Virtually all of his practice
involves litigation on behalf of consumers. He is the author or coauthor of numerous
publications on class actions and consumer protection law, including Predatory Lending
Litigation in Illinois (2001); Consumer Class Action Manual (2d-4th editions), National
Consumer Law Center 1990-1999; Payday Loans: Big Interest Rates and Little Regulation,
11 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 14 (1999); Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Update -- 1999,
Chicago Bar Ass’n 1999; An Overview of The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, in Financial
Services Litigation, Practicing Law Institute (1999); Consumer Fraud and Insurance Claims,
in Bad Faith and Extracontractual Damage Claims in Insurance Litigation, Chicago Bar Ass'n
1992; Chapter 8, "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act," Ohio Consumer Law (1995 ed.); Fair
Debt Collection: The Need for Private Enforcement, 7 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 89 (1995); The
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Recent Developments, 8 Loy.Consumer L. Rptr. 303
(1996); Residential Mortgage Litigation, in Financial Services Litigation, Practicing Law
Institute (1996); Automobile Leasing: Problems and Solutions, 7 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 14
(1994); Current Trends in Residential Mortgage Litigation, 12 Rev. of Banking & Financial
Services 71 (1996); Applicability of Illinois Consumer Fraud Act in Favor of Out-of-State
Consumers, 8 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 27 (1996); Illinois Consumer Law (Chicago Bar Ass'n
1996).
40