An entity that collects debts that it has purchased for its own account is not a debt collector subject to the FDCPA’s restrictions, even if the debts were in default when it purchased them.  The FDCPA defines debt collector as one who collects debts “owed another,” thus excluding entities that collect debts they have purchased and own for their own account.

United States Supreme Court (Gorsuch, J.); June 12, 2017; 2017 WL 2507342