Section 1692i · Legal actions by debt collectors

This is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Amended 1 time on record

Applied in 144 court decisions — leading case Fox v. Citicorp Credit Services, Inc. (1994)

Most recently applied in Sherrets Bruno & Vogt v. Montoya (March 2025)

Cases citing this section usually also cite 15 U.S.C. § 1692K · 15 U.S.C. § 1692A · 15 U.S.C. § 1692

(a) Venue

Any debt collector who brings any legal action on a debt against any consumer shall—

(1) in the case of an action to enforce an interest in real property securing the consumer's obligation, bring such action only in a judicial district or similar legal entity in which such real property is located; or

(2) in the case of an action not described in paragraph (1), bring such action only in the judicial district or similar legal entity—

(A) in which such consumer signed the contract sued upon; or

(B) in which such consumer resides at the commencement of the action.

(b) Authorization of actions

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize the bringing of legal actions by debt collectors.