Debt Collector Can’t Put ‘TIME SENSITIVE DOCUMENT’ on Envelope

Debt collectors can’t place the words “TIME SENSITIVE DOCUMENT” on the outside of their collection letters, the Seventh Circuit said.

The phrase violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s prohibition against using any language or symbol on a collection letter envelope other than the collector’s business name or address, the opinion by Judge Kenneth F. Ripple said.

Neal Preston received a collection letter from Midland Credit Management with the words “TIME SENSITIVE DOCUMENT” typed on the envelope and sued under the FDCPA.

The district court dismissed Preston’s FDCPA claim. Following Fifth and Eighth circuit precedent, it said the prohibition has ...