Glossary of Common Debt Collection Terms English Glosè Ki Gen

Glossary of Common Glosè ki gen Debt Collection Terms ekspresyon yo itilize souvan nan zafè rekiperasyon dèt

English Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)

September 2020 Septanm 2020

About the Glossary Konsènan glosè a

To help consumers during the debt collection Pou ede konsomatè yo pandan pwosesis process, the Department of Consumer and Worker rekiperasyon dèt la, Depatman Pwoteksyon Protection (DCWP)* created this glossary, which Konsomatè ak Travayè (DCWP) * te kreye glosè sa includes commonly used terms in debt collection a, ki gen ladanl tèm ke yo souvan itilize nan communications plus references (laws, agencies) kominikasyon sou rekiperasyon dèt plis referans important for consumers to know. Bilingual (lwa, ajans) ki enpòtan pou konsomatè yo konnen. glossaries in the top 10 languages spoken by New Glosè bileng nan 10 lang moun nan Vil New York yo Yorkers with limited English proficiency are available plis pale epi ki pa pale Anglè byen disponib sou at nyc.gov/dca nyc.gov/dca

Note: Remak:

• Italicized words in descriptions are also • Mo ki an italik yo ki nan deskripsyon yo defini defined in the glossary. tou nan glosè a. • Unless stated otherwise, all descriptions • Sòf si yo endike sa otreman, tout deskripsyon reflect New York City laws and rules. yo baze sou lwa ak règleman Vil New York. • This glossary is not intended as legal advice. • Glosè sa a pa yon avi jiridik.

*DCWP is the Agency’s new name. In all references, *DCWP se nouvo non Ajans lan. Nan tout referans yo, DCWP also means DCA (Department of Consumer DCWP vle di tou DCA (Depatman Afè Konsomatè), Affairs), the Agency’s old name. The Agency is in the ansyen non Ajans lan. Ajans lan nan pwosesis pou mete process of implementing the legal name change in public anplas chanjman non legal nan enfòmasyon piblik la. information. In the meantime, DCWP and DCA are the Antretan, DCWP ak DCA se menm Ajans Vil la. same City Agency.

Glossary / Glosè

Abusive language Langaj abizif Swear words (or curse words) or any words that Betiz (oswa mo sal) oswa nenpòt mo ki itilize pou insult or offend. joure oswa ofanse.

A debt collector may not use abusive language Yon ajan rekiperasyon (pèseptè) pa dwe itilize yon when attempting to collect a debt. This includes langaj abizif lè li ap eseye fè yon rekiperasyon de in writing or when speaking to consumers. yon dèt. Kit se alekri oswa nan pale ak konsomatè yo.

Account Kont A record or file of a debt. Yon dosye oswa yon fichye de yon dèt.

A debt collector often refers to an account when Yon ajan rekiperasyon referel souvan a yon kont lè claiming a consumer owes money. li pretann ke yon konsomatè dwe lajan.

Accrued interest Enterè akimile The amount of interest (cost to borrow money or Kantite enterè (kantite kòb sa koute pou prete lajan purchase goods and services on credit) added to oswa achte machandiz ak sèvis kredi) ajoute ak a debt, which increases the amount of money a yon dèt, ki ogmante kantite lajan moun ki prete a borrower owes. dwe.

Consumers have a right to request an itemization Konsomatè yo gen dwa pou mande yon jistifikatif ki of a debt showing accrued interest and to dispute detaye sou yon dèt ki montre enterè ki akimile yo a debt. epi yo gen dwa pou yo konteste yon dèt.

Arrears Aryere An unpaid and overdue debt. Yon dèt ki poko peye e ki anreta.

Bankruptcy discharge Liberasyon fayit A court order that means a consumer does not Yon òdonans tribinal ki vle di yon konsomatè pa have to pay a debt and a creditor or collector may gen rekiperasyon gendwa pou peye yon dèt epi no longer attempt to collect the debt. yon kreyansye oswa yon ajan pa ka eseye fè rekiperasyon dèt la ankò.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Biwo Etik Komèsyal (BBB) A private nonprofit organization that promotes Yon òganizasyon prive ki pa pou fè pwofi ki ethical marketplace practices. ankouraje pratik etik sou mache a.

In addition to filing a complaint with DCWP, Anplis de depoze yon plent bò kote DCWP, consumers can file a complaint about a debt konsomatè yo ka depoze yon plent pou yon ajan collector with BBB. rekiperasyon bò kote BBB a.

DCWP: DCWP:

Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/dca Rele nan 311 oswa ale nan nyc.gov/dca

BBB: BBB:

Visit bbb.org and click “File a Complaint.” Al gade nan bbb.org epi klike sou “File a Complaint’’ (Depoze yon Plent).

Cease communication letter Lèt pou sispann kominikasyon A letter a consumer may send to a debt collector Yon lèt yon konsomatè ka voye bay yon ajan demanding that the collector stop any further rekiperasyon pou mande pou li sispann tout kontak contact with the consumer about an account. ak konsomatè a konsènan yon kont. A consumer may send the letter at any time in Yon konsomatè ka voye lèt la nenpòt ki lè nan the collection process. pwosesis rekiperasyon an.

Instructions and a template Cease Debt Collection Enstriksyon ak yon modèl Lèt Pou Sispann Kolèk Communication Letter are available at Dèt yo disponib sou nyc.gov/dca nyc.gov/dca

Charge off Radyasyon Any amount that a creditor no longer expects to be Nenpòt kantite lajan ke yon kreyansye pa atann ke repaid and writes off as a bad debt for accounting yo remèt li ankò epi li elimine epi li konsidere kòm purposes even though the debt is still owed. yon dèt yo pa ka fè rekiperasyon pou li pou rezon kontabilite menm si yo toujou dwel. A charge off appears on a consumer’s credit report. Yon amòtisman parèt sou rapò kredi konsomatè a.

Collection Rekiperasyon The process of seeking money claimed to be owed. Pwosesis chache lajan ke yo pretann yon moun dwe. Debt collectors must obey federal, State, and New York City laws and rules about what they Ajan rekiperasyon yo dwe obeyi lwa ak règleman can and cannot do in the collection process. federal, eta, ak vil New York sou sa yo kapab epi yo pa ka fè nan pwosesis rekiperasyon an.

Collection fees Frè rekiperasyon A fee (or charge) that a debt collector adds to Yon frè (oswa yon kantite kòb) ke yon ajan the amount it attempts to collect from a consumer. rekiperasyon ajoute sou kantite lajan li eseye The fee must be authorized by an agreement or kolekte nan men yon konsomatè. Frè a dwe otorize permitted by law. pa yon akò oswa otorize pa lalwa.

Consumers have a right to request an itemization Konsomatè yo gen dwa pou mande yon jistifikatif ki of a debt showing any collection fees and to detaye sou yon dèt ki montre frè rekiperasyon yo dispute a debt. epi yo gen dwa pou yo konteste yon dèt. Collector (See Debt collector) Pèseptè (Gade Ajan rekiperasyon)

Communication disclosures Divilgasyon Kominikasyon In all letters and conversations with consumers, Nan tout lèt ak konvèsasyon ak konsomatè yo, debt collectors must disclose: ajan rekiperasyon yo dwe bay:

• a call-back number to a phone that is answered • yon nimewo pou rele nan yon telefòn ke yon by a natural person; moun kapab reponn; • the name of the debt collector; • non ajan rekiperasyon an; • the original creditor of the debt; • premye kreyansye dèt la; • the name of the person to call back; and • non moun pou tounen rele a; • the amount of the debt at the time of the • kantite lajan dèt la nan moman kominikasyon communication. an.

In all letters to consumers, debt collectors must Nan tout lèt ki adrese a konsomatè yo, ajan include their DCWP license number. An example is rekiperasyon yo dwe mete nimewo lisans DCWP 1234567-DCA. yo. Yon egzanp se 1234567-DCA.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Biwo Pwoteksyon Finansyè Konsomatè (CFPB) (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, A U.S. government agency that enforces federal CFPB) consumer financial laws and protects consumers Yon ajans gouvènman ameriken ki aplike lwa in the financial marketplace. federal sou finans konsomatè yo epi pwoteje konsomatè yo nan mache finansye a. In addition to filing a complaint with DCWP, consumers can file a complaint about a debt Anplis depoze yon plent bò kote DCWP, collector with CFPB. konsomatè yo kapab depoze yon plent kont yon ajan rekiperasyon bò kote CFPB.

DCWP: DCWP:

Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/dca Rele nan 311 oswa al gade nan nyc.gov/dca

CFPB: CFPB:

Visit consumerfinance.gov and click Vizite consumerfinance.gov epi klike sou “ “Submit a Complaint.” Submit a Complaint ” (Depoze yon Plent).

Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRA) Ajans kap bay Rapò Sou Konsomatè yo (See Credit Bureaus) (CRA) (Gade Biwo Kredi yo)

Contact and call frequency restrictions Restriksyon sou frekans apèl ak kontak yo A debt collector may contact a consumer at most Yon ajan rekiperasyon kapab kontakte yon two times in a seven-day period and only between konsomatè de fwa pou pi plis nan yon peryòd sèt 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time jou epi sèlman ant 8:00 a.m. ak 9:00 p.m. Lè nòmal (EST). lès (EST).

Debt collectors may not contact consumers at work Ajan rekiperasyon yo pa ka kontakte konsomatè yo if the collector is aware that a consumer’s employer nan travay yo si yo konnen ke patwon konsomatè a does not allow such contact. pa otorize kontak sa yo.

Contest a debt (See Dispute a debt) Konteste yon dèt (Gade Konteste yon dèt)

Credit Kredi The ability of a consumer to borrow money with the Kapasite yon konsomatè pou prete lajan avèk promise to repay it, plus any interest and fees, at a pwomès pou remèt li, plis nenpòt enterè ak frè, nan later date. As examples, credit includes loans and yon dat ki vin apre. Kòm egzanp, kredi gen ladanl credit cards. prè ak kat kredi.

Credit Bureaus Biwo Kredi (also Credit Reporting Agencies, (egalman Ajans kap bay Rapò sou Kredi, Ajans kap Consumer Reporting Agencies) bay Rapò sou Konsomatè)

Private companies that collect and share Konpayi prive ki kolekte ak pataje enfòmasyon sou consumer credit information and make it kredi konsomatè yo epi mete li disponib sou rapò available on credit reports. sou kredi yo.

The main credit bureaus in the U.S. are Prensipal biwo kredi yo nan peyi Etazini se Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Equifax, Experian, ak TransUnion.

Consumers can dispute incorrect information on Konsomatè yo ka konteste enfòmasyon ki pa kòrèk their credit report, including if they have been a nan rapò kredi yo, menm jan tou si yo te viktim vòl victim of identity theft. idantite.

Credit Report Rapò Kredi A record of a consumer’s credit history, as reported Yon dosye sou istorik kredi yon konsomatè, jan by creditors and other sources, including: kreyansye yo ak lòt sous yo te rapòte li, gen ladanl:

• employment; • travay; • addresses; • adrès; • credit inquiries; • demand kredi; • credit cards and loans; • kat kredi ak prè; • accounts; • kont; • liens; • privilèj; • wage garnishments; and • prelèvman sou salè; ak • other data. • lòt done.

Consumers can request free credit reports at Konsomatè yo ka mande rapò kredi gratis nan AnnualCreditReport.com. Due to COVID-19, AnnualCreditReport.com. Akòz de COVID-19 la, consumers can get free online reports more konsomatè yo ka jwenn rapò sou entènèt gratis pi frequently than once a year. Monitor the website souvan pase yon fwa chak ane. Siveye sit entènèt for updates. la pou dènye enfòmasyon yo.

Credit Reporting Agencies Ajans kap bay Rapò sou Kredi (See Credit Bureaus) (Gade Biwo Kredi yo)

Creditor Kreyansye (also Original Creditor) (egalman Premye Kreyansye a)

A person, company, or entity to whom the debt is Yon moun, yon konpayi, oswa yon antite ke yo claimed to be owed. The original creditor is the pretann yo gen yon dèt anvè li. Premye kreyansye a person or business that provided the original service, se moun oswa biznis ki te bay premye sèvis, product, or credit that is the source of a debt pwodwi, oswa kredi ki alorijin yon tantativ collection attempt. rekiperasyon dèt.

A creditor may collect debt on its own or use third- Yon kreyansye ka fè rekiperasyon yon dèt li menm party debt collectors to attempt to collect a debt. oswa itilize ajan rekiperasyon pou eseye fè rekiperasyon yon dèt. Current balance Balans aktyèl (also Outstanding balance) (egalman balans ki rete ke yo dwe)

The total amount claimed to be owed. Montan total ke yo reklame ke yo dwe

Consumers have a right to request an itemization Konsomatè yo gen dwa pou mande yon jistifikatif ki of a debt that shows the current or outstanding detaye sou yon dèt ki montre balans aktyèl la oswa balance. balans ke yo poko peye.

DCWP license number Nimewo lisans DCWP A number assigned by DCWP to a licensed debt Yon nimewo ke DCWP bay yon ajan rekiperasyon collector. An example is 1234567-DCA. ki gen lisans. Yon egzanp se 1234567-DCA.

Debt collectors must include their DCWP license Ajan rekiperasyon yo dwe mete nimewo lisans number on all written communications. DCWP yo nan tout kominikasyon ki fèt alekri.

Debt Dèt The money a consumer owes, or is alleged to owe, Lajan yon konsomatè dwe, oswa swadizan dwe yon a creditor. kreyansye.

Consumer debt is debt related to personal, family, Dèt konsomasyon se dèt ki gen rapò ak zafè or household purposes. pèsonèl, fanmi, oswa kay la.

Consumers have a right to request an itemization of Konsomatè yo gen dwa pou mande yon jistifikatif ki a debt and to dispute a debt. detaye sou yon dèt epi konteste yon dèt.

Debt collector Ajan rekiperasyon (also Collector, Debt Collection Agency) (egalman Pèseptè, Ajans Rekiperasyon Dèt)

A private company or person—including a debt Yon konpayi prive oswa yon moun – san pa bliye collection attorney or law firm—that attempts to yon avoka oswa kabinè avoka ki la pou fè collect personal or household debt from New York rekiperasyon dèt- ki eseye fè rekiperasyon dèt City residents. The debt collector may: pèsonèl oswa familyal moun kap viv nan Vil New York. Ajan rekiperasyon kapab: • own the debt (purchased from a creditor) and collect for itself; OR • posede dèt la (ke li achte nan men yon • be hired by a creditor or other company to assist kreyansye) epi fè rekiperasyon an kolekte pou in collecting the debt. dèt sa; OSWA • yon kreyansye oswa lòt konpayi kapab anplwaye Both in-State and out-of-State debt collectors must li pou ede yo nan fè rekiperasyon dèt la. have an active DCWP license and obey New York City laws and rules. To verify if a debt collector is Ajan rekiperasyon nan Eta yo ak andeyò Eta a licensed, consumers can: dwe gen yon lisans DCWP aktif epi obeyi lalwa ak règleman Vil New York yo. Pou verifye si yon ajan • Visit nyc.gov/dca and click “Search for a DCA rekiperasyon gen lisans, konsomatè yo ka: Licensee” in the For Consumers & Workers module. • Al gade nan nyc.gov/dca epi klike sou • Contact 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside NYC) “Search for a DCA Licensee” nan modil Pou and say “Business Background Check.” Konsomatè ak Travayè yo. • Kontakte 311 (212-NEW-YORK andeyò Vil New York) epi di “Business Background Check.”

Debt settlement or payment plan Règleman Dèt la oswa plan pèman An agreement by the debt collector to accept from Yon akò ki soti kot ajan rekiperasyon an pou li the consumer an amount less than the originally aksepte nan men konsomatè a yon kantite lajan ki claimed balance either as a payment in full or as pi piti ke balans ke li tap reklame okòmansman an scheduled partial payments. swa kòm yon pèman an plen oswa kòm pèman pasyèl. The debt collector must send the consumer, within five business days, a letter confirming Ajan rekiperasyon an dwe voye bay konsomatè a, the agreement which must include: nan lespas senk jou ouvrab, yon lèt ki konfime akò a ki dwe gen ladan: • name and address of the consumer; • date the agreement was made; • non ak adrès konsomatè a; • name of the original creditor; • dat akò a te fèt; • amount due and the due date of each payment; • non premye kreyansye a; • name of the debt collector; • kantite lajan ki dwe ak dat yo dwe peye pou • name of the debt collector employee, or chak pèman; employee’s supervisor, who reached the • non ajan rekiperasyon an; agreement; • non anplwaye ki responsab rekiperasyon an, • address where the consumer should mail oswa non sipèvizè anplwaye a, ki aksepte akò payments; and a; • any other terms or conditions of the agreement. • adrès kote konsomatè a ta dwe voye pèman yo; ak • nenpòt lòt modalite oswa kondisyon nan akò a.

Debtor Debitè A consumer who owes or is claimed to owe Yon konsomatè ki dwe oswa kisanse dwe yon money to a creditor. kreyansye lajan.

Default Defo (also Defaulting on a debt) (egalman Defo sou yon dèt)

Failure to meet the repayment obligations on Si w pa respekte obligasyon pou ranbousman yon a debt. dèt.

A default can occur when a consumer: Yon defo ka rive lè yon konsomatè:

• is unable to make timely payments; • pa kapab fè pèman alè; • misses payments; or • Pa fè pèman; oswa • avoids or stops making payments. • evite oswa sispann fè peman yo.

Default Judgment Jijman pa Defo A court decision against a consumer who fails to Yon desizyon tribinal kont yon konsomatè ki pa answer or defend a lawsuit brought by a creditor arive reponn oswa defann yon pwosè ke yon or its debt collector. kreyansye oswa ajan rekiperasyon li te entante.

A default judgment is different than default or Yon jijman pa defo diferan de yon defo oswa de defaulting on a debt. yon defo sou yon dèt.

A consumer may seek to have a default judgment Yon konsomatè ka chèche fè anile (retire) yon vacated (removed) by making a request to the jijman pa defo lè li fè tribunal la yon demand apre court after the default judgment is entered. yo fin rann jijman pa defo a.

Defaulting on a debt (See Default) Defo sou yon dèt (Gade Defo)

Delinquent debt Dèt an soufrans An account on which a payment is past due. Yon kont ki gen dou li yon peman ki poko fèt.

A creditor may report the past due account to a Yon kreyansye ka deklare yon an soufrans nan yon credit bureau. biwo kredi.

If an account becomes sufficiently delinquent, the Si yon kont vin ase an soufrans, konsomatè a ka an consumer may be in default and a creditor may defo epi yon kreyansye ka debite kont lan. charge off the account.

Dispute a debt Konteste yon dèt (also Contest a debt) (egalman Konteste yon dèt)

Consumers who do not recognize a debt or do not Konsomatè ki pa rekonèt yon dèt oswa ki pa dakò agree that they owe the amount of debt claimed ke yo dwe kantite lajan dèt ke yo reklame yo ka may contest all or part of the debt verbally and/or konteste tout oswa yon pati nan dèt la vèbalman in writing. ak / oswa alekri.

Under federal, State, and New York City laws, Daprè lwa federal, eta, ak vil New York, lè yap in disputing a debt, consumers have a right to: konteste yon dèt, konsomatè yo gen dwa pou:

• say they do not recognize the debt or owe the • di yo pa rekonèt dèt la oswa yo dwe dèt la jan debt as claimed; yo reklame li a; • request the name and address of the original • mande non ak adrès premye kreyansye a si li creditor if different from the current one; and diferan de kreyansye aktyèl la; ak • request that the debt collector provide • mande ajan rekiperasyon an bay enfòmasyon information to show that the debt belongs to the ki montre ke dèt la se pou konsomatè a ak / consumer and/or that the amount is correct. oswa ke kantite lajan dèt la kòrèk. (Gade (See verification of a debt.) verifikasyon yon dèt.)

Exempt funds Lajan egzonere Money that may not be taken by most creditors or Lajan ke pifò kreditè oswa ajan rekiperasyon pa ka debt collectors to satisfy a judgment. pran pou satisfè yon jijman.

Consumers may choose to use exempt funds to Konsomatè yo ka chwazi pou yo itilize lajan ki pay a debt, but a creditor or debt collector cannot egzonere pou peye yon dèt, men yon kreyansye freeze or forcibly take these funds from consumers’ oswa yon ajan rekiperasyon pa ka jele oswa retire bank accounts to pay a judgment. pa lafòs lajan sa yo sou kont labank konsomatè yo pou peye yon jijman.

Exempt Income Protection Act (EIPA) Lwa sou Pwoteksyon Revni Egzonere (EIPA) New York State law that automatically protects Lwa Eta New York ki otomatikman pwoteje yon a certain amount of money in a consumer’s sèten kantite lajan sou kont labank yon konsomatè bank account from being frozen or taken by pou ajan rekiperasyon yo pa jele oswa pran. debt collectors. Selon EIPA a, si yo jele nenpòt ki kantite lajan sou Under the EIPA, if any funds in a consumer’s bank kont labank yon konsomatè, bank la dwe bay account are frozen, the bank must provide the konsomatè sèten fòmilè, ki rele fòm Demand consumer with certain forms, called Exemption Egzanpsyon. Konsomatè a ka itilize fòm sa yo pou Claim Forms. The consumer may use these forms reklame ke lajan yo jele yo egzonere. to claim that the frozen funds are exempt. Jeneralman, fon sa yo (nan lòd alfabetik) yo pa jele The following funds (in alphabetical order) are yo ni sezi yo typically exempt from being frozen or garnished: • Avantaj poumon Nwa (Black lung benefits) • Black lung benefits • Pèman pansyon alimantè pou timoun • Child support payments • Asistans piblik (pa egzanp, Asistans Tanporè • Public assistance (for example, Temporary pou Fanmi ki nan bezwen) Assistance for Needy Families) • Pansyon piblik oswa prive • Public or private pensions • Avantaj Komisyon Konsèy pou pran retrèt • Railroad Retirement Board benefits (Railroad Retirement Board benefits) • Social Security, including retirement, survivors, • Sekirite Sosyal, ki gen ladan retrèt, sivivan, ak and Disability benefits avantaj envalidite • Spousal support or maintenance • Pansyon alimantè oswa antretyen mari oswa • Supplemental Security Income madanm • Unemployment Insurance • Revni Sekirite Siplemantè • Veterans Affairs benefits • Asirans Chomaj • Workers’ compensation • Avantaj Afè Veteran yo • Konpansasyon travayè yo

Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act Lwa sou Tranzaksyon Kredi Jis epi Egzat (FACTA) (FACTA) Federal law that allows consumers to request Lwa federal ki pèmèt konsomatè yo mande epi and obtain a free credit report once every jwenn yon rapò kredi gratis yon fwa chak 12 mwa 12 months from each of the three nationwide nan chak nan twa biwo kredi konsomatè nan tout consumer credit bureaus. peyi a.

Note: Due to COVID-19, consumers can visit Remak: Akoz de COVID-19 la, konsomatè yo ka al AnnualCreditReport.com to get free online gade nan AnnualCreditReport.com pou yo jwenn reports more frequently than once a year. Monitor rapò sou entènèt gratis pi souvan ke yon fwa chak the website for updates. ane. Siveye sit entènèt la pou dènye enfòmasyon yo.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Lwa sou Rapò sou Kredi ki Jis (FCRA) Federal law that promotes the accuracy, Lwa federal ki ankouraje egzaktitid, ekite, ak fairness, and privacy of information in the files konfidansyalite enfòmasyon ki nan dosye ajans kap of consumer reporting agencies and gives bay rapò konsomatè yo epi ki bay konsomatè yo consumers the right to see their own credit dwa pou yo konsilte pwòp rapò kredi yo epi pou yo reports and to dispute errors. konteste erè.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Lwa sou Pratik Ekitab Rekiperasyon Dèt yo Federal law governing collection activity by debt (FDCPA) collectors that: Lwa federal ki gouvène aktivite rekiperasyon ki fèt pa ajan rekiperasyon yo ki: • prohibits abusive practices in the collection of consumer debts; • entèdi pratik abizif nan rekiperasyon dèt • prohibits unfair and deceptive debt collection konsomatè yo; practices; and • entèdi pratik rekiperasyon dèt enjis ak • gives consumers the right to dispute a debt and mansonjè; ak get a validation notice to ensure the accuracy of • bay konsomatè yo dwa pou yo konteste yon dèt an alleged debt. epi pou yo jwenn yon avi validasyon pou asire egzaktitid yon swadizan dèt. The Act also: Lwa a tou: • creates guidelines for how debt collectors may conduct business; • kreye direktiv sou fason pou ajan rekiperasyon • defines consumer rights when dealing with debt yo kapab Mennen aktivite yo; collectors; and • defini dwa konsomatè yo lè yo ap fè fas akajan • includes penalties and remedies for violations rekiperasyon yo; ak of the Act. • gen ladanl sanksyon ak rekou si ta gen vyolasyon Lwa a.

Fake debt (See Phantom debt) Fo dèt (Gade Dèt Fantom)

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Komisyon Komès Federal A federal government agency that enforces [Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]: consumer protection and U.S. antitrust laws. Yon ajans gouvènman federal ki aplike pwoteksyon konsomatè ak lwa antimonopòl ameriken. In addition to filing a complaint with DCWP, consumers can file a complaint about a debt Anplis de depoze yon plent bò kote DCWP, collector with the FTC. konsomatè yo ka depoze yon plent pou yo ajan rekiperasyon bò kote FTC la.

DCWP: DCWP:

Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/dca Rele nan 311 oswa ale nan nyc.gov/dca

FTC: FTC:

Visit ftc.gov/complaint or call toll-free Vizite ftc.gov/complaint oubyen rele gratis nan 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

Garnishment / Income Execution Sezi / Egzekisyon Revni The act of requiring a debtor’s employer to withhold Se lè yo egzije patwon yon debitè kenbe yon a portion of the debtor’s wages to pay a creditor pòsyon nan salè debitè a pou peye yon kreyansye that has obtained a court order. Unless otherwise ki te jwenn yon òdonans tribinal la. Sòf si lalwa authorized by law, a debt collector must obtain a otorize otreman, yon ajan rekiperasyon dwe jwenn court order or judgment to carry out a garnishment yon òdonans tribinal oswa jijman pou pran kòb sou or income execution. sale yon moun oswa fè sa ki rele ekzekisyon revni.

Harassment Pèsekisyon The use of pressure, annoyance, intimidation, or Sèvi ak presyon, kontraryete, entimidasyon, oswa abuse in the attempted collection of a debt. abi nan tantativ rekiperasyon yon dèt.

Debt collectors may not harass consumers. Ajan rekiperasyon yo pa dwe fè pèsekisyon sou Examples of illegal conduct are: konsomatè yo. Men kèk egzanp sou kondwit ilegal:

• using or threatening to use violence to harm • itilize oswa menase pou itilize vyolans pou fè a person, their reputation, or their property; yon moun mal, pou nwi repitasyon li, oswa sa li • threatening someone with a criminal warrant; posede; • using obscene, profane, or abusive language; • menase yon moun avèk yon manda kriminèl; and • sèvi ak yon move langaj, yon langaj pwofan, • causing a telephone to ring or engaging any oswa abizif; ak person in telephone conversation repeatedly • Plede rele nan telefòn oswa angaje nenpòt or continuously. moun nan yon konvèsasyon telefòn repete oswa kontinyèlman.

Interest Enterè The cost of borrowing money or buying goods or Kantite kòb sa koute pou prete lajan oswa achte services on credit. It is typically calculated as a machandiz oswa sèvis a kredi. Jeneralman yo percentage of the amount due. kalkile li kòm yon pousantaj de kantite lajan ke moun nan dwe a.

Itemization of a debt Jistifikatif detaye de yon dèt A list or breakdown that must include: Yon lis oswa yon vantilasyon ki dwe gen ladan:

• amount of the debt when the original creditor • kantite lajan dèt la lè premye kreyansye a te sent it to collection; voye li nan rekiperasyon an; • amount of any accrued interest; • kantite lajan pou enterè ki akimile; • amount of any other collection fees and • kantite lajan pou nenpòt lòt frè rekiperasyon ak charges; and chaj; ak • any payments made by the consumer. • nenpòt peman ke konsomatè a fè.

A debt collector must give consumers an Yon ajan rekiperasyon dwe bay konsomatè yo yon itemization of each debt upon request. jistifikatif ki detaye sou chak dèt lè yo mande sa.

Judgment Jijman An order issued by a court stating the outcome of Yon òdonans ki soti nan yon tribinal ki endike a lawsuit. rezilta yon pwosè.

Limited English Proficient (LEP) Kapasite limite nan Anglè (LEP) A term that refers to individuals who do not Yon tèm ke yo itilize pou moun ki pa pale Anglè speak English as their primary language and kòm lang prensipal yo epi ki gen yon kapasite limite who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, pou li, pale, ekri, oswa konprann Anglè. or understand English.

Mini-Miranda Warning Avètisman Mini-Miranda A statement that debt collectors must use at the Yon deklarasyon ke ajan rekiperasyon yo dwe beginning of any communication with a consumer, itilize nan kòmansman nenpòt kominikasyon ak yon both in letters and calls. The warning lets konsomatè, alafwa nan lèt ak nan apèl. Avètisman consumers know that anything they say and any an pèmèt konsomatè yo konnen ke nenpòt bagay information they give may be used to collect the yo di ak nenpòt enfòmasyon yo bay ka itilize pou fè debt, including in court. rekiperasyon dèt la, nan tribinal la egalman.

Most debt collectors record collection calls. Pifò ajan rekiperasyon yo anrejistre apèl rekiperasyon yo.

Misrepresentation Fo Deklarasyon The use of false, deceptive, or misleading practices Itilizasyon pratik ki fo, mansonjè, oswa pou twonpe in debt collection. nan yon rekiperasyon dèt.

Debt collectors may not make misrepresentations Ajan rekiperasyon yo pa ka fè fo deklarasyon bay to consumers, including: konsomatè yo, tankou:

• falsely representing or implying that the debt • fo reprezantasyon oswa fè konprann ke ajan collector is an attorney, legal office, government rekiperasyon an se yon avoka, yon biwo jiridik, agency, marshal, or sheriff; yon ajans leta, yon marechal, oswa yon cherif; • falsely representing or implying that the • fo reprezantasyon oswa fè konprann ke consumer committed a crime, or that konsomatè a komèt yon krim, oswa peman ki nonpayment of any debt will result in the pa fèt yo pral lakòz arestasyon konsomatè a consumer’s arrest or imprisonment or the oswa anprizonman oswa sezi la, prelèvman seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of the sou salè, sezi, oswa vann byen konsomatè a consumer’s property or wages unless the action oswa pran salè li sof si aksyon an legal epi ajan is lawful and the debt collector or creditor rekiperasyon an oubyen kreyansye a gen intends to pursue it; or entansyon pouswiv li; oswa • reporting, or threatening to report, inaccurate • rapòte, oswa menase fè rapò bay yon biwo credit information to a credit bureau. kredi sou enfòmasyon kredi ki pa kòrèk.

Original Creditor (See Creditor) Premye kreyansye a (Gade Kreyansye)

Outstanding Balance (See Current Balance) Balans ki poko peye (Gade Balans aktyèl)

Payday Loans Prè sou salè A high-interest loan borrowed against a consumer’s Yon prè ak yon enterè ki wo ke y ap genyen pou yo next paycheck. pran sou pwochen chèk yon konsomatè a.

Payday loans are illegal in New York. Prè sou salè yo ilegal nan New York.

Phantom debt (also Fake debt) Dèt fantom (egalman Fo dèt)

Debt that is entirely made up and that a consumer Dèt ke yo envante antyèman e ke yon konsomatè does not owe. pa dwe.

Phantom debt schemes have typically involved Jeneralman, dèt fantom nan se yon magouy ki individuals or businesses that use fictitious names enplike moun oswa biznis ki sèvi ak non fiktif ki fè that imply they are lawyers or affiliated with a law konprann ke yo se avoka oswa ke yo afilye ak yon firm. The schemers threaten serious consequences kabinè avoka. Magouyè sa yo menase konsekans if consumers don’t pay, including: ki grav si konsomatè yo pa peye, pami konsekans sa yo nou jwenn: • being sued; • being arrested at work; • yo ka pouswiv konsomatè yo an jistis; • having a bank account closed; • yo ka arete yo nan travay yo; • having wages garnished; or • gen yon fèmen kont labank yo; • being forced to appear in court. • gen pran yon pati nan salè yo; oswa • yo ka fòse yo parèt nan tribinal la. The schemers generally do not hold DCWP licenses. Magouyè yo jeneralman pa genyen lisans DCWP.

Consumers have a right to request verification of a Konsomatè yo gen dwa pou mande ajan debt from debt collectors. rekiperasyon yo pou fè verifikasyon yon dèt.

Principal Prensipal The initial amount of the debt or the amount that Montan inisyal dèt la oswa kantite lajan ke remains unpaid by a consumer. It does not include konsomatè a rete pou peye. Li pa frè rekiperasyon collection fees and interest. ak enterè ladanl.

Statute of Limitations Delè Preskripsyon (also Time-barred debt) (egalman Dèt ki preskri)

A certain time after which a debt collector may no Yon kantite tan ki pase epi apre tan sa yon ajan longer sue a consumer to collect a debt. rekiperasyon pa gen dwa ankò rele nan leta yon konsomatè pou fè rekiperasyon yon dèt. Debt collectors may not attempt to collect an old debt whose statute of limitations passed unless Ajan rekiperasyon yo pa ka eseye fè rekiperasyon they tell consumers: yon ansyen dèt ke delè preskripsyon an depase, sof si yo di konsomatè yo sa: • the legal time limit (statute of limitations) to sue to collect the debt has expired; • delè legal la (delè preskripsyon) pou rele nan • consumers do not have to admit to owing the leta pou fè rekiperasyon yon dèt ekspire; debt, promise to pay the debt, or give up rights • konsomatè yo pa oblije admèt yo dwe dèt la, regarding the statute of limitations; pou yo pwomèt pou yo peye dèt la, oswa pou • if sued, consumers may defend the case by renonse ak dwa konsènan delè preskripsyon informing the court that the statute of limitations an; has expired to prevent the creditor from • si yo rele yo lajistis, konsomatè yo ka defann ka obtaining a judgment; and a nan enfòme tribinal la ke delè preskripsyon • any payment consumers make on an old debt an ekspire pou anpeche kreyansye a jwenn yon will restart the creditor's right to sue. jijman; ak • tout pèman ke konsomatè a fè sou yon ansyen dèt ap rebay kreyansye a dwa pou rele nan leta.

Substantiation of a debt Jistifikasyon yon dèt (See Verification of a debt) (Gade Verifikasyon yon dèt)

Time-barred debt (See Statute of Limitations) Dèt ki preskri (Gade Delè preskripsyon)

Tradeline Tradeline A term for a credit account on a consumer’s credit Yon tèm pou yon kont kredi nan rapò kredi yon report. There is a separate tradeline each time a konsomatè. Gen yon tradeline separe chak fwa yo consumer is approved for credit. Tradelines apwouve yon konsomatè pou yon kredi. Tradelines include, but are not limited to: gen ladan, men yo pa limite a sa sèlman:

• credit limit; • limit kredi; • current balance; • balans aktyèl; • payment history; and • istorik pèman; ak • lender names and addresses. • non ak adrès kreyansye yo.

Validation Notice Avi Validasyon A letter a debt collector must give consumers Yon lèt ke yon ajan rekiperasyon dwe bay within five days after first contacting them that konsomatè yo nan senk (5) jou apre premye fwa yo contains general information about the debt kontakte yo ki gen enfòmasyon jeneral sou dèt la and consumer rights. ak dwa konsomatè yo.

This notice must tell consumers they have a right to Avi sa a dwe di konsomatè yo gen dwa pou yo dispute a debt and to request verification of a debt konteste yon dèt epi pou mande verifikasyon yon from the debt collector. Other required disclosures dèt bò kote ajan rekiperasyon an. Lòt enfòmasyon include: ki obligatwa yo gen ladan yo:

• the amount of the debt; • montan dèt la; • the name of the current creditor; • non kreyansye aktyèl la; • a statement that, upon consumer request and • yon deklarasyon ki di ke, sou demand within 30 days, the debt collector will provide konsomatè a ak nan lespas 30 jou, ajan the name and address of the original creditor; rekiperasyon an ap bay non an ak adrès • the address where consumers should mail a premye kreyansye a; letter to dispute a debt; • adrès kote konsomatè yo ta dwe voye pa lapòs • the debt collector’s DCWP license number; yon lèt pou konteste yon dèt; • the name of the debt collector as it appears on • nimewo lisans DCWP ajan rekiperasyon an; the DCWP license; • non ajan rekiperasyon an jan li parèt sou lisans • a call-back number to a phone that is answered DCWP a; by a natural person; • yon nimewo pou rele nan yon telefòn ke yon • the name of the person to call back; moun kapab reponn; • if the consumer may obtain from the debt • non moun pou yo tounen rele a; collector any communications in a language • si konsomatè a ka kominike ak ajan other than English; rekiperasyon an nan yon lòt lang ki pa Anglè; • a statement that this glossary of common debt • yon deklarasyon ki di ke glosè sa a ki gen collection terms is available in multiple ekspresyon yo abitye itilize nan sa ki gen pou languages on the DCWP website nyc.gov/dca. wè ak dèt disponib nan plizyè lang sou sit entènèt DCWP nyc.gov/dca.

Verification of a debt Verifikasyon yon dèt (also Substantiation of a debt) (egalman Jistifikasyon yon dèt)

A consumer has a right to request that the debt Yon konsomatè gen dwa pou mande pou ajan collector provide documentation to show that the rekiperasyon an bay dokiman pou montre ke dèt la debt belongs to the consumer and/or that the se pou konsomatè a ak / oswa pou montre ke amount is correct. montan an kòrèk.

In response to a consumer’s request for verification An repons a demand yon konsomatè pou of the debt, the debt collector must do the following: verifikasyon dèt la, ajan rekiperasyon an dwe fè bagay sa yo: • Provide written documentation from the creditor—not the creditor’s debt collector— • Bay dokiman ekri ki soti bò kote kreyansye a-ki confirming the debt. An example is a copy of pa soti bò kote ajan rekiperasyon kreyansye a- a final statement (bill) by the original creditor ki konfime dèt la. Yon egzanp se yon kopi yon showing the amount owed. deklarasyon final (bòdwo) premye kreyansye a • Stop all collection activity and consumer contact ki montre kantite lajan ki dwe a. until the verification is provided. • Sispann tout aktivite rekiperasyon epi sispann kontakte konsomatè a jiskaske yo bay verifikasyon an.

Zombie debt Dèt zonbi Debt that is very old and no longer owed but that a Dèt ki fin ansyen anpil epi ke yo pa dwe ankò, men debt collector suddenly seeks to collect. ke yon ajan rekiperasyon toudenkou ap chèche fè rekiperasyon pou li. Zombie debt may include: Dèt zonbi ka gen ladanl: • debt already settled; • debt from a bankruptcy discharge; • dèt ke yo deja peye; • time-barred debt; • dèt soti nan yon liberasyon fayit; • debt that no longer shows up on a consumer’s • dèt ki preskri; credit report; and • dèt ki pa parèt ankò sou rapò kredi yon • debt never owed. konsomatè; epi • dèt ke yo pat janm dwe. Consumers have a right to dispute a debt and request that the debt collector provide verification Konsomatè yo gen dwa konteste yon dèt epi of a debt. mande pou ajan rekiperasyon an bay verifikasyon sou yon dèt.