Debt collector’s letter complied with FDCPA

McMurray v. ProCollect, Inc. involved a claim that a debt collector’s demand letter contained language that was inconsistent with, and that also overshadowed, the required notice required by 15 U.S.C. section 1692g(a), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  No. 11-20141 (July 17, 2012).  As to the claim of inconsistency, the Court found no violation because the letter did not contain a deadline for payment that conflicted with the 30-day contest period in the FDCPA.  Op. at 7.  As to the claim of overshadowing, the Court found that the letter simply encouraged payment and did not make threats, and did not use fonts or spacing to minimize the effect of the statutorily-required notice.  Op. at 8.  On both claims, the Court reviewed the letter through the lens of an “unsophisticated consumer standard.”  Op. at 5.