427.103 Definitions: “claim”; “debt collection”; “debt collector”.
Cross-reference: See definitions in s. 421.301.
427.101 Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as Wisconsin consumer act — debt collection. History: 1971 c. 239.
427.102 Scope. This chapter applies to conduct and practices in connection with the collection of obligations arising from consumer transactions, including transactions that are primarily for an agricultural purpose. History: 1971 c. 239; 1997 a. 302.
427.103 Definitions: “claim”; “debt collection”; “debt collector”. (1) “Claim” means any obligation or alleged obligation arising from a consumer transaction, including a transaction that is primarily for an agricultural purpose. (2) “Debt collection” means any action, conduct or practice of soliciting claims for collection or in the collection of claims owed or due or alleged to be owed or due a merchant by a customer. (3) “Debt collector” means any person engaging, directly or indirectly, in debt collection, and includes any person who sells, or offers to sell, forms represented to be a collection system, device or scheme, intended or calculated to be used to collect claims. The term does not include a printing company engaging in the printing and sale of forms. History: 1971 c. 239; 1997 a. 302. In this case, the landlord acted as a “debt collector,” as defined in sub. (3), and violated s. 427.104 (1) (j) when the landlord served an eviction notice on the tenant during a declared eviction moratorium. Koble Investments v. Marquardt, 2024 WI App 26, 412 Wis. 2d 1, 7 N.W.3d 915, 22-0182.