source:
  type: regulation
  id: fdcpa-15usc-1692e
  authority: 15 USC § 1692e — False or misleading representations
  description: 'FDCPA''s flagship deception prohibition. [LENDER] (in debt-collection

    capacity or under Reg F first-party overlay) shall not use any false,

    deceptive, or misleading representation or means in collecting a

    debt. Sixteen enumerated specific violations include: false

    government affiliation, misrepresenting debt amount or legal status,

    impersonating an attorney, false threats of arrest/seizure, threats

    of unlawful action, false claims about resale effects, false

    crime/disgrace accusations, false credit-info threats (including

    omission of dispute), false official-document use, deceptive

    collection means, failure to disclose collector identity in initial

    communication and "mini-Miranda" purpose disclosure, false

    innocent-purchaser claims, false legal-process claims, use of

    non-true business name, false "not legal process" claims, and false

    CRA-affiliation claims.

    '
obligations:
- id: fdcpa-15usc-1692e-full
  canonical_id: fdcpa-15usc-1692e-full
  section: 15 U.S.C. §1692e
  description: 'A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means
    in connection with the collection of any debt . Without limiting the general application of the foregoing,
    the following conduct is a violation of this section: (1) The false representation or implication
    that t…'
  type: dont
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - section-complete
  - usc-statute
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: 15 USC § 1692e
    source_class: fdcpa-statute
    source_url: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692e
    snapshot_id: 1345078d7241c4e7
    fetched_at: '2026-05-24T19:33:25Z'
    content_hash: sha256:1345078d7241c4e71345078d7241c4e71345078d7241c4e71345078d7241c4e7
    paragraph_quote: 'A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation
      or means in connection with the collection of any debt . Without limiting the general application
      of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section: (1) The false representation
      or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United
      States or any State , including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof. (2) The false
      representation of— (A) the character, amount, or legal status of any debt ; or (B) any services
      rendered or compensation which may be lawfully received by any debt collector for the collection
      of a debt . (3) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that
      any communication is from an attorney. (4) The representation or implication that nonpayment of
      any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment,
      or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector
      or creditor intends to take such action. (5) The threat to take any action that cannot legally be
      taken or that is not intended to be taken. (6) The false representation or implication that a sale,
      referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall cause the consumer to— (A) lose any
      claim or defense to payment of the debt ; or (B) become subject to any practice prohibited by this
      subchapter. (7) The false representation or implication that the consumer committed any crime or
      other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer . (8) Communicating or threatening to communicate
      to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including
      the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed. (9) The use or distribution of any
      written communication which simulates or is falsely represented to be a document authorized, issued,
      or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or any State, or which creates
      a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval. (10) The use of any false representation
      or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning
      a consumer . (11) The failure to disclose in the initial written communication with the consumer
      and, in addition, if the initial communication with the consumer is oral, in that initial oral communication
      , that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will
      be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose in subsequent communications that the communication
      is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall not apply to a formal pleading made in
      connection with a legal action. (12) The false representation or implication that accounts have
      been turned over to innocent purchasers for value. (13) The false representation or implication
      that documents are legal process. (14) The use of any business, company, or organization name other
      than the true name of the debt collector’s business, company, or organization. (15) The false representation
      or implication that documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer
      . (16) The false representation or implication that a debt collector operates or is employed by
      a consumer reporting agency as defined by section 1681a(f) of this title . ( Pub. L. 90–321, title
      VIII, § 807 , as added Pub. L. 95–109 , Sept. 20, 1977 , 91 Stat. 877 ; amended Pub. L. 104–208,
      div. A, title II, § 2305(a) , Sept. 30, 1996 , 110 Stat. 3009–425 .)'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim subsection of 15 U.S.C. §1692e from Cornell LII snapshot 1345078d7241c4e7;
      body isolated between nav and notes; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
