Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-110
§1692i Legal Actions by Debt Collectors
Title 15 › CHAPTER 41 — CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION › SUBCHAPTER V — DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES › § 1692i
Summary
Requires debt collectors to file lawsuits only in certain court areas. If the case tries to enforce a right in real property, they must sue in the court district where that property is. For other cases, they must sue where the consumer signed the contract or where the consumer lives when the case starts. Also says that nothing in this part gives debt collectors the power to start lawsuits.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §1692i
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(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.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective upon the expiration of six months after Sept. 20, 1977, see section 819 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 95–109, set out as a note under section 1692 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 1692i
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110