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558 F.3d 623 (7th Cir. 2009); Durkin v. Equifax Check Serv., 406 F.3d 410 (7th Cir. 2005). But see
Zemeckis, cited above. To assist the honest collector, the 7th Circuit has drafted a safe-harbor provision
which may be used. Miller v. McCalla, Raymer, Padrick, Cobb, Nichols & Clark, 214 F.3d 872 (7th Cir.
2000); Chuway v. Nat’l Action Fin. Serv., 362 F.3d 944 (7th Cir. 2004). That language is optional
(Williams v. OSI Ed. Serv., 505 F.3d 675 (7th Cir. 2007)), but when used thwarts any attempt to argue that
§ 1692g(a) has been breached. Riddle & Assoc. v. Kelly, 414 F.3d 832 (7th Cir. 2005).

Harassment and Abuse Prohibited. A collector may not engage in conduct the natural con-
sequence of which is to harass, oppress or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt.
§ 1692d. Conduct within this proscription includes but is not limited to (1) use or threat of violence or
other criminal means to harm the person, reputation, or property of any person; (2) use of obscene,
profane or other abusive language; (3) causing a phone to ring or repeatedly engaging a person in phone
conversation with intent to annoy, abuse or harass; (4) placing phone calls without meaningful disclosure
of one’s identity, except as required in seeking location information. Note the prohibited conduct need not
be visited on the debtor. Such impact on a third person also can violate the act. Horkey v. J.V.D.B. &
Assoc., 333 F.3d 769 (7th Cir. 2003).

False and Misleading Representations Banned. Section 1692e prohibits any false,
deceptive or misleading representation in connection with the collection of a debt. The misrepresentation
need not be intentional (Evory v. RJM Acq. Funding, 505 F.3d 769 (7th Cir. 2007); Gearing v. Check
Brokerage Corp., 233 F.3d 469 (7th Cir. 2000)), and in at least some instances need not be addressed to
the debtor. But see O’Rourke v. Palisades Acq. XVI, 635 F.3d 938 (7th Cir. 2011). However, a false
statement must be material (Muha v. Encone Receivable Mgmt., 558 F.3d 623
(7th Cir. 2009); Hahn v. Triumph P’ships, 557 F.3d 755 (7th Cir. 2009)); and it
must mislead or deceive the “unsophisticated consumer”. Ruth v. Triumph
P’ships, 577 F.3d 790 (7th Cir. 2009); Wahl v. Midland Credit Mgmt., 556 F.3d 643
(7th Cir. 2009). Court papers intended to be read by judges are not within the
section’s scope. Beler v. Blatt, Hasenmiller, Liebsker & Moore, 480 F.3d 470 (7th
Cir. 2007). “Dunning letters” on law firm stationery without meaningful review by a
lawyer violate this section. Nielsen v. Dickerson, 307 F.3d 623 (7th Cir. 2002); Boyd v. Wexler, 275 F.3d
642 (7th Cir. 2001). However, representations intended to mislead only judges do not. O’Rourke v.
Palisades Acq. XVI, 635 F.3d 938 (7th Cir. 2011).

“Unfair Practices” Barred. A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to
attempt to collect a debt. § 1692f. Conduct within this proscription includes but is not limited to: (1)
collection of any amount (including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal
obligation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the debt agreement or otherwise permitted by
law; (2) solicitation, acceptance and handling of post-dated checks in certain circumstances; (3) taking or
threatening to take non-judicial action to effect dispossession or disablement of property as in certain
circumstance; (4) communicating with a consumer regarding a debt by post card; (5) using any language
or symbol, other than one’s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of
the mails or by telegram, except that one may use one’s true business name if it does not indicate that he
is in the debt collection business. Intent is not required to violate this section. Turner v. J.V.D.B. &
Assoc., 330 F.3d 991 (7th Cir. 2003). Again, violations often are determined by reference to the
unsophisticated consumer. McMillan v. Collection Professionals, 455 F.3d 754 (7th Cir. 2006).

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