The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires debt collectors to send their debtors written notice containing certain information, including the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor, and a statement informing debtors that they have thirty (30) days to dispute the validity of the debt, or the debt collector will assume that the debt is valid.  Debt collectors have long taken the position that any dispute as to the validity of a debt must be in writing.  The T

New York City’s interest in regulating debt collectors is nothing new.  Back in 1984, the City passed Local Law 65, which required debt collection agencies to obtain licenses to perform collection activities within the five boroughs.  The City’s reasoning was set forth as follows:  “While the majority of those engaged in [the debt collection] business are honest and ethical in their dealings, there is a minority of unscrupulous collection agencies in operation that practice a