United Collection Bureau Sued Over ‘Misleading’ Debt Settlement Offers

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A proposed class action has been filed against United Collection Bureau, Inc. by a Wisconsin woman who claims the debt collector sent her a misleading collection letter. The letter allegedly presented her with two settlement offers and then stated:

“Because of interest and/or other charges that may vary from day to day, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. Hence, if you pay the amount shown above, an adjustment may be necessary after your payment is received.”

The suit argues that the statements are misleading because the two settlement amounts and the “account balance” could all be identified as “the amount shown above.” Therefore, the complaint attests, the unsophisticated consumer would be confused as to whether the debt would be settled if he or she paid one of the settlement amounts, which the case says amounts to a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s requirement that debt collectors clearly convey the “amount of debt.”