Bingham v. Collection Bureau, Inc.
United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
505 F. Supp. 864 (1981)
Michael and Peggy Bingham (plaintiffs) could not pay a hospital bill after Peggy gave birth, and Collection Bureau, Inc. (defendant) was hired to collect it. After sending five letters, Collections called the Binghams 14 times over 30 days, asked whether they owned jewelry or other assets, questioned why they had children they could not afford, warned that their wages could be garnished, and, on one occasion, called at night and immediately called back after Michael hung up on them. The Binghams sued under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Whether the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits a debt collector from using abusive and deceptive collection practices, such as late-night calls and intrusive personal questions, to pressure a debtor.