Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Utah
Cosigner now being defined as debt collector
I cosigned a loan for a friend. I made
several payments to keep the loan
current when the borrower failed to
make a payment. I then told my
friend she needed to pay me back the
money I had paid. She said that
under Title 15 USC section 803 that
because I said she needed to pay me
back I could be defined as a debt
collector (and her the consumer) and
because of this that sections 803
through 819 takes effect and I
cannot contact her or anyone else
regarding the debt. My question is,
can an cosigner/ower on a debt be a
collector also? I was told to look
deeper into the definition of a debt
collector - section 803(6)(F)(ii).
Please advise if I can be defined as a
debt collector and if above laws then
apply. Thank you.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Cosigner now being defined as debt collector
Your "friend" is wrong. A debt collector is a 3rd party collector. You are the creditor and do not need to observe any of the elements of the Fair Debt Collect Practices Act. I suggest you just sue your friend for the money you are owed. This is no true friend, but is an educated debtor.