Glossary of Common 常見債務催收術語詞彙表

Debt Collection Terms

English 繁體中文
(Traditional Chinese)
September 2020 2020 年 9 月
About the Glossary 關於詞彙表

To help consumers during the debt collection 為了在債務催收的過程中幫助消費者，消費者和勞工

process, the Department of Consumer and Worker 保護部 (Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection (DCWP)* created this glossary, which
Protection, DCWP)* 建立了本詞彙表，其中包括債務
includes commonly used terms in debt collection
communications plus references (laws, agencies) 催收通訊中常用的術語以及消費者需要瞭解的重要參
important for consumers to know. Bilingual 考文獻（法律、機構）。英語能力有限的紐約人可在
glossaries in the top 10 languages spoken by New nyc.gov/dca 獲取紐約 10 大語言版本的雙語詞彙
Yorkers with limited English proficiency are available 表。
at nyc.gov/dca
注意：
Note:
• 描述中斜體字的定義也可以在詞彙表中找到。
• Italicized words in descriptions are also • 除非另有聲明，否則所有描述都反映紐約市的
defined in the glossary.
法律和規則。
• Unless stated otherwise, all descriptions
reflect New York City laws and rules. • 此詞彙表並非法律建議。
• This glossary is not intended as legal advice.

*DCWP is the Agency’s new name. In all references, *DCWP 是本機構的新名稱。在所有參考文獻中，消費者和

DCWP also means DCA (Department of Consumer 勞工保護部 (DCWP) 同樣也稱為消費者事務局
Affairs), the Agency’s old name. The Agency is in the (Department of Consumer Affairs, DCA)，即本機構的舊名
process of implementing the legal name change in public 稱。本機構正在實行公共資訊中的法定名稱變更。在此同
information. In the meantime, DCWP and DCA are the
時，DCWP 和 DCA 指的是同一個城市機構。
same City Agency.
 Glossary / 詞彙表
A

Abusive language 辱罵性語言

Swear words (or curse words) or any words that 咒罵（或詛咒）或任何侮辱或冒犯的話。
insult or offend.
債務催收人在催收債務時不得使用辱罵性語言。這
A debt collector may not use abusive language 包含書面催收或與消費者交談時。
when attempting to collect a debt. This includes
in writing or when speaking to consumers.

Account 帳戶
A record or file of a debt. 債務的記錄或檔案。

A debt collector often refers to an account when 債務催收人聲稱消費者拖欠金錢時經常提到的帳

claiming a consumer owes money. 戶。

Accrued interest 應計利息

The amount of interest (cost to borrow money or 新增到債務中的利息金額（借錢或以信用貸款購買
purchase goods and services on credit) added to 商品和服務的成本）會增加借款人所欠的金額。
a debt, which increases the amount of money a
borrower owes. 消費者有權要求列出應計利息的逐項債務明細，並
有權對債務提出異議。
Consumers have a right to request an itemization
of a debt showing accrued interest and to dispute
a debt.

Arrears 欠款
An unpaid and overdue debt. 未支付與逾期的債務。

Bankruptcy discharge 破產解除

A court order that means a consumer does not 一項法院命令，意味著消費者不必償還債務，以及
have to pay a debt and a creditor or collector may 債權人或催收人不得再試圖催收債務。
no longer attempt to collect the debt.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) 商業改進局 (Better Business Bureau, BBB)

A private nonprofit organization that promotes 促進道德市場實踐的私人非營利組織。
ethical marketplace practices.
除了向 DCWP 投訴外，消費者還可以向 BBB 投訴
In addition to filing a complaint with DCWP, 債務催收人。
consumers can file a complaint about a debt
collector with BBB.
DCWP：
DCWP: 請撥打 311 或造訪 nyc.gov/dca
Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/dca
BBB：
BBB:
請造訪 bbb.org 並按一下「File a Complaint」（投
Visit bbb.org and click “File a Complaint.” 訴）。
 C

Cease communication letter 停止通訊函件

A letter a consumer may send to a debt collector 消費者可以向債務催收人發送函件，要求催收人停
demanding that the collector stop any further 止與消費者就帳戶事宜進行任何進一步的聯繫。
contact with the consumer about an account. 消費者可以在催收過程中的任何時候發送函件。
A consumer may send the letter at any time in
the collection process.
可以在 nyc.gov/dca 查閱停止債務催收通訊函件的
Instructions and a template Cease Debt Collection 說明和範本。
Communication Letter are available at
nyc.gov/dca

Charge off 註銷額

Any amount that a creditor no longer expects to be 儘管借款人仍未償還債務，但債權人不再期望其償
repaid and writes off as a bad debt for accounting 還並將債務作為呆帳註銷的任何金額。
purposes even though the debt is still owed.
消費者的信用報告中會顯示註銷額。
A charge off appears on a consumer’s credit report.

Collection 催收
The process of seeking money claimed to be owed. 追尋聲稱欠債款項的過程。

Debt collectors must obey federal, State, and 債務催收人必須遵守聯邦、州和紐約市的法律和規

New York City laws and rules about what they 則，了解他們在催收過程中可以做和不可以做的事
can and cannot do in the collection process.
情。

Collection fees 催收費用

A fee (or charge) that a debt collector adds to 債務催收人在試圖向消費者催收的金額上加上的費
the amount it attempts to collect from a consumer. 用（或收費）。該費用必須經協議授權或法律允
The fee must be authorized by an agreement or 許。
permitted by law.
消費者有權要求列出催收費用的逐項債務明細，並
Consumers have a right to request an itemization
of a debt showing any collection fees and to 有權對債務提出異議。
dispute a debt.

Collector (See Debt collector) 催收人（請參閱債務催收人）

Communication disclosures 通訊揭露

In all letters and conversations with consumers, 在與消費者的所有信件和談話中，債務催收人必須
debt collectors must disclose: 揭露：

• a call-back number to a phone that is answered • 由自然人接聽的電話回撥號碼；

by a natural person;
• 債務催收人的姓名；
• the name of the debt collector;
• the original creditor of the debt; • 債務的原始債權人；
• the name of the person to call back; and • 回電人的姓名；以及
• the amount of the debt at the time of the • 通訊時的債務金額。
communication.
在所有給消費者的信件中，債務催收人必須包含其
In all letters to consumers, debt collectors must DCWP 許可證號碼。範例：1234567-DCA。
include their DCWP license number. An example is
1234567-DCA.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 消費者金融保護局 (Consumer Financial
(CFPB) Protection Bureau, CFPB)
A U.S. government agency that enforces federal 負責執行聯邦消費者金融法和保護金融市場上的消
consumer financial laws and protects consumers 費者的美國政府機構。
in the financial marketplace.
除了向 DCWP 投訴外，消費者還可以向 CFPB 投
In addition to filing a complaint with DCWP,
訴債務催收人。
consumers can file a complaint about a debt
collector with CFPB.

DCWP: DCWP：

Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/dca 請撥打 311 或造訪 nyc.gov/dca

CFPB: CFPB：
Visit consumerfinance.gov and click 請造訪 consumerfinance.gov 並按一下「Submit a
“Submit a Complaint.”
Complaint」（提交投訴）。

Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRA) 消費者報告機構

(See Credit Bureaus) (Consumer Reporting Agencies, CRA)
（請參閱信用機構）

Contact and call frequency restrictions 聯繫和通話頻率限制

A debt collector may contact a consumer at most 債務催收人在七天內最多可以與消費者聯繫兩次，
two times in a seven-day period and only between 且只能在東部標準時間 (Eastern Standard Time,
8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time EST) 早上 8:00 至晚上 9:00 之間聯繫。
(EST).
如果債務催收人知道消費者的雇主不允許此類聯
Debt collectors may not contact consumers at work
if the collector is aware that a consumer’s employer 繫，則債務催收人不得在工作時聯繫消費者。
does not allow such contact.

Contest a debt (See Dispute a debt) 駁斥債務（請參閱對債務提出異議）

Credit 信用
The ability of a consumer to borrow money with the 消費者借錢的能力，並承諾在日後償還加上任何利息
promise to repay it, plus any interest and fees, at a 和費用之金額。例如，信用包含貸款和信用卡。
later date. As examples, credit includes loans and
credit cards.

Credit Bureaus 信用機構

(also Credit Reporting Agencies, （也稱為信用報告機構、消費者報告機構）
Consumer Reporting Agencies)
收集和共享消費者信用資訊並在信用報告中提供資
Private companies that collect and share 訊的私人公司。
consumer credit information and make it
available on credit reports.
美國的主要信用機構有 Equifax、Experian 和
The main credit bureaus in the U.S. are TransUnion。
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
消費者可以就信用報告中的錯誤資訊提出異議，包
Consumers can dispute incorrect information on 括他們是否是身份竊盜的受害者。
their credit report, including if they have been a
victim of identity theft.
Credit Report 信用報告
A record of a consumer’s credit history, as reported 由債權人和其他來源報告的消費者信用記錄，包
by creditors and other sources, including: 括：

• employment; • 就業情況；
• addresses;
• 地址；
• credit inquiries;
• credit cards and loans; • 信用查詢；
• accounts; • 信用卡與貸款；
• liens; • 帳戶；
• wage garnishments; and • 留置權；
• other data. • 工資扣發；以及
• 其他資料。
Consumers can request free credit reports at
AnnualCreditReport.com. Due to COVID-19, 消費者可以在 AnnualCreditReport.com 上申請免
consumers can get free online reports more
費信用報告。由於 COVID-19 疫情的影響，消費者
frequently than once a year. Monitor the website
for updates. 可以更頻繁地取得免費線上報告。關注網站以取得
最新資訊。

Credit Reporting Agencies 信用報告機構

(See Credit Bureaus) （請參閱信用機構）

Creditor 債權人
(also Original Creditor) （也稱為原始債權人）

A person, company, or entity to whom the debt is 聲稱被拖欠款債務的個人、公司或機構。原始債權人

claimed to be owed. The original creditor is the 是指提供原始服務、產品或信用的個人或企業，為債
person or business that provided the original service,
務催收嘗試的來源。
product, or credit that is the source of a debt
collection attempt.
債權人可以自行催收債務，也可以利用第三方債務
A creditor may collect debt on its own or use third- 催收人嘗試催收債務。
party debt collectors to attempt to collect a debt.

Current balance 目前餘額

(also Outstanding balance) （也稱為未償還餘額）

The total amount claimed to be owed. 聲稱的欠款總金額。

Consumers have a right to request an itemization 消費者有權要求列出目前或未償還餘額的逐項債務
of a debt that shows the current or outstanding
balance.
明細。

DCWP license number DCWP 許可證號碼

A number assigned by DCWP to a licensed debt DCWP 分配給許可債務催收人的號碼。範例：
collector. An example is 1234567-DCA. 1234567-DCA。
Debt collectors must include their DCWP license 債務催收人必須在所有書面通訊上包含其 DCWP 許
number on all written communications.
可證號碼。
Debt 債務
The money a consumer owes, or is alleged to owe, 消費者欠債權人或遭指控欠債權人的錢。
a creditor.
消費者債務是指與個人、家人或家庭目的相關的債
Consumer debt is debt related to personal, family, 務。
or household purposes.
消費者有權要求列出逐項債務明細，並有權對債務提
Consumers have a right to request an itemization of
a debt and to dispute a debt. 出異議。

Debt collector 債務催收人

(also Collector, Debt Collection Agency) （也稱為催收人、債務催收機構）

A private company or person—including a debt 試圖向紐約市居民催收個人或家庭債務的私人公司或

collection attorney or law firm—that attempts to 個人（包括債務催收律師或律師事務所）。債務催收
collect personal or household debt from New York
人可能：
City residents. The debt collector may:

• own the debt (purchased from a creditor) and • 擁有債務（從債權人處購買）並自行催收；或

collect for itself; OR • 受雇於債權人或其他公司，以協助催收債務。
• be hired by a creditor or other company to assist
in collecting the debt. 州內和州外的債務催收人都必須持有有效的 DCWP
許可證，並遵守紐約市的法律和規則。若要驗證債
Both in-State and out-of-State debt collectors must 務催收人是否取得許可證，消費者可以：
have an active DCWP license and obey New York
City laws and rules. To verify if a debt collector is • 造訪 nyc.gov/dca 並在消費者和勞工單元處按
licensed, consumers can:
一下「Search for a DCA Licensee」（搜尋
DCA 許可證持有人）。
• Visit nyc.gov/dca and click “Search for a DCA
Licensee” in the For Consumers & Workers • 撥打 311 （紐約市以外請撥打
module. 212-NEW-YORK）並說出「Business
• Contact 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside NYC) Background Check」（企業背景查詢）。
and say “Business Background Check.”

Debt settlement or payment plan 債務清理或償還計畫

An agreement by the debt collector to accept from 債務催收人同意從消費者處接受少於最初聲稱的餘
the consumer an amount less than the originally 額金額，作為全額付款或按計畫部分付款。
claimed balance either as a payment in full or as
scheduled partial payments. 債務催收人必須在五個工作日內向消費者發送確認
協議的信函，其中必須包括：
The debt collector must send the consumer,
within five business days, a letter confirming
the agreement which must include: • 消費者的姓名和地址；
• 協議簽訂日期；
• name and address of the consumer; • 原始債權人的姓名；
• date the agreement was made; • 到期應付金額和每次付款的到期日；
• name of the original creditor; • 債務催收人的姓名；
• amount due and the due date of each payment; • 達成協議的債務催收人員工或員工主管的姓名；
• name of the debt collector;
• 消費者應郵寄付款的地址；以及
• name of the debt collector employee, or
employee’s supervisor, who reached the • 該協議的任何其他條款或條件。
agreement;
• address where the consumer should mail
payments; and
• any other terms or conditions of the agreement.
Debtor 債務人
A consumer who owes or is claimed to owe 欠債或遭聲稱欠債權人錢的消費者。
money to a creditor.

Default 違約
(also Defaulting on a debt) （也稱為債務違約）

Failure to meet the repayment obligations on 未能履行債務償還之義務。

a debt.
消費者有以下行為時視為違約：
A default can occur when a consumer:
• 無法及時付款；
• is unable to make timely payments;
• misses payments; or • 錯過付款；或
• avoids or stops making payments. • 避免或停止付款。

Default Judgment 違約判決

A court decision against a consumer who fails to 法院對消費者未能在債權人或其債務催收人提起的
answer or defend a lawsuit brought by a creditor 訴訟中應訴或抗辯時的判決。
or its debt collector.
違約判決不同於違約或債務違約。
A default judgment is different than default or
defaulting on a debt.
消費者可以在法院做出違約判決後，請求法院撤銷
A consumer may seek to have a default judgment （移除）違約判決。
vacated (removed) by making a request to the
court after the default judgment is entered.

Defaulting on a debt (See Default) 債務違約（請參閱違約）

Delinquent debt 拖欠債務

An account on which a payment is past due. 逾期付款的帳戶。

A creditor may report the past due account to a 債權人可以向信用機構報告逾期帳戶。

credit bureau.
如果該帳戶嚴重拖欠債務，消費者可能違約，而債權
If an account becomes sufficiently delinquent, the
人可以註銷該帳戶。
consumer may be in default and a creditor may
charge off the account.
Dispute a debt 對債務提出異議
(also Contest a debt) （也稱為駁斥債務）

Consumers who do not recognize a debt or do not 不承認債務或不同意其所欠債務金額的消費者可透

agree that they owe the amount of debt claimed 過口頭和/或書面形式駁斥全部或部分債務。
may contest all or part of the debt verbally and/or
in writing. 根據聯邦、州和紐約市的法律，對債務提出異議
時，消費者有權：
Under federal, State, and New York City laws,
in disputing a debt, consumers have a right to:
• 說他們不承認債務或所欠債務並不如所聲稱的那
• say they do not recognize the debt or owe the 樣；
debt as claimed; • 要求提供原始債權人的姓名和地址（如果與目前
• request the name and address of the original 債權人不同）；以及
creditor if different from the current one; and • 要求債務催收人提供資訊，以證明債務屬於消費
• request that the debt collector provide 者和/或金額正確。（請參閱債務驗證書。）
information to show that the debt belongs to the
consumer and/or that the amount is correct.
(See verification of a debt.)

Exempt funds 豁免資金

Money that may not be taken by most creditors or 不可被多數債權人或債務催收人拿來賠償判決的金
debt collectors to satisfy a judgment. 錢。
Consumers may choose to use exempt funds to 消費者可以選擇使用豁免資金來償還債務，但是債
pay a debt, but a creditor or debt collector cannot
權人或債務催收人不能凍結消費者銀行帳戶中的這
freeze or forcibly take these funds from consumers’
bank accounts to pay a judgment. 些資金或強行從中用這些資金來償還判決。
Exempt Income Protection Act (EIPA) 豁免收入保護法案
New York State law that automatically protects (Exempt Income Protection Act, EIPA)
a certain amount of money in a consumer’s 這項紐約州法律會自動保護消費者銀行帳戶中的某
bank account from being frozen or taken by 些資金，使其不會被債務催收人凍結或提取。
debt collectors.
根據 EIPA 規定，如果消費者銀行帳戶中的任何資金
Under the EIPA, if any funds in a consumer’s bank
account are frozen, the bank must provide the 遭到凍結，銀行必須向消費者提供豁免聲明表格。
consumer with certain forms, called Exemption 消費者可以使用這些聲明表格來主張遭到凍結資金
Claim Forms. The consumer may use these forms 是豁免資金。
to claim that the frozen funds are exempt.
以下資金（按字母順序排列）通常可免於被凍結或
The following funds (in alphabetical order) are 扣發：
typically exempt from being frozen or garnished:
• 肺塵病福利
• Black lung benefits
• 子女撫養費
• Child support payments
• 公共援助（例如貧困家庭臨時援助)
• Public assistance (for example, Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families) • 公共或私人退休金
• Public or private pensions • 鐵路退休局福利
• Railroad Retirement Board benefits • 社會安全津貼，包括退休金、遺屬和殘障福利
• Social Security, including retirement, survivors, • 配偶贍養費
and Disability benefits • 補充安全金收入
• Spousal support or maintenance • 失業保險金
• Supplemental Security Income
• 退伍軍人事務部福利
• Unemployment Insurance
• 勞工賠償金
• Veterans Affairs benefits
• Workers’ compensation

Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act 公平準確信用交易法案 (Fair and Accurate
(FACTA) Credit Transaction Act, FACTA)
Federal law that allows consumers to request 這項聯邦法律允許消費者每 12 個月向全國三家消費
and obtain a free credit report once every 者信用機構各申請一次免費信用報告。
12 months from each of the three nationwide
consumer credit bureaus. 注意：由於 COVID-19 疫情影響，消費者可以造訪
AnnualCreditReport.com 更頻繁地取得免費線上
Note: Due to COVID-19, consumers can visit
AnnualCreditReport.com to get free online 報告。關注網站以取得最新資訊。
reports more frequently than once a year. Monitor
the website for updates.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 公平信用報告法案

Federal law that promotes the accuracy, (Fair Credit Reporting Act, FCRA)
fairness, and privacy of information in the files 這項聯邦法律提高了消費者報告機構檔案中資訊的
of consumer reporting agencies and gives 準確性、公平性和隱私性，並讓消費者有權查看自
consumers the right to see their own credit
己的信用報告並對錯誤提出異議。
reports and to dispute errors.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 公平債務催收實踐法案 (Fair Debt Collection
Federal law governing collection activity by debt Practices Act, FDCPA)
collectors that: 這項聯邦法律管轄債務催收人的催收活動：

• prohibits abusive practices in the collection of • 禁止在催收消費者債務中施以辱罵行為；

consumer debts;
• 禁止不公平和欺騙性的債務催收行為；以及
• prohibits unfair and deceptive debt collection
practices; and • 讓消費者有權對債務提出異議並獲得驗證通知
• gives consumers the right to dispute a debt and 函，以確保所稱債務的準確性。
get a validation notice to ensure the accuracy of
an alleged debt. 這項法案亦：

The Act also: • 制定債務催收人如何實施催收業務的規定；

• 定義消費者與債務催收人交涉時的權利；以及
• creates guidelines for how debt collectors may • 包括違反該法案的處罰和補救措施。
conduct business;
• defines consumer rights when dealing with debt
collectors; and
• includes penalties and remedies for violations
of the Act.

Fake debt (See Phantom debt) 不實債務（請參閱幽靈債務）

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 聯邦貿易委員會

A federal government agency that enforces (Federal Trade Commission, FTC)
consumer protection and U.S. antitrust laws. 這個聯邦政府機構會強制執行消費者保護法和美國
反托拉斯法。
In addition to filing a complaint with DCWP,
consumers can file a complaint about a debt
除了向 DCWP 投訴外，消費者還可以向 FTC 投訴
collector with the FTC.
債務催收人。

DCWP: DCWP：
Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/dca 請撥打 311 或造訪 nyc.gov/dca

FTC: FTC：
Visit ftc.gov/complaint or call toll-free 請造訪 ftc.gov/complaint 或撥打免付費電話
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)。

Garnishment / Income Execution 扣發/薪資扣押

The act of requiring a debtor’s employer to withhold 要求債務人的雇主代扣債務人工資的一部分來支付
a portion of the debtor’s wages to pay a creditor 已獲得法院命令的債權人的行為。除非法律另有授
that has obtained a court order. Unless otherwise 權，否則債務催收人必須獲得法院命令或判決才能
authorized by law, a debt collector must obtain a
進行扣發或薪資扣押。
court order or judgment to carry out a garnishment
or income execution.
 H

Harassment 騷擾
The use of pressure, annoyance, intimidation, or 在試圖催收債務時施以壓力、煩擾、恐嚇或虐待。
abuse in the attempted collection of a debt.
債務催收人不得騷擾消費者。不合法行為的範例包
Debt collectors may not harass consumers. 括：
Examples of illegal conduct are:
• 使用或威脅使用暴力來傷害他人、其聲譽或財
• using or threatening to use violence to harm
a person, their reputation, or their property; 產；
• threatening someone with a criminal warrant; • 以刑事逮捕令威脅他人；
• using obscene, profane, or abusive language; • 使用淫穢、褻瀆或辱罵性語言；以及
and • 讓電話重複或連續響鈴，或讓任何人重複或連續
• causing a telephone to ring or engaging any 接電話。
person in telephone conversation repeatedly
or continuously.

Interest 利息
The cost of borrowing money or buying goods or 借錢或使用信用購買商品或服務的成本。通常以到
services on credit. It is typically calculated as a 期應付金額的百分比計算。
percentage of the amount due.

Itemization of a debt 逐項債務明細

A list or breakdown that must include: 一份清單或明細，內容必須包含：

• amount of the debt when the original creditor • 原始債權人將債務委託催收時的金額；

sent it to collection;
• 任何應計利息的金額；
• amount of any accrued interest;
• 任何其他催收費用和收費的金額；以及
• amount of any other collection fees and
charges; and • 消費者支付的任何款項。
• any payments made by the consumer.
債務催收人必須根據要求為消費者提供逐項債務明
A debt collector must give consumers an 細。
itemization of each debt upon request.

Judgment 判決
An order issued by a court stating the outcome of 法院簽發的命令，說明訴訟的結果。
a lawsuit.

Limited English Proficient (LEP) 英文能力有限

A term that refers to individuals who do not (Limited English Proficient, LEP)
speak English as their primary language and 這個詞彙是指英語不是主要語言，而且聽說讀寫或
who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, 理解英語的能力有限者。
or understand English.
 M

Mini-Miranda Warning 迷你米蘭達 (Mini-Miranda) 警告

A statement that debt collectors must use at the 債務催收人在以信函和電話形式與消費者開始進行
beginning of any communication with a consumer, 任何通訊時，必須發出的聲明。該警告可讓消費者
both in letters and calls. The warning lets 知道，他們所說的任何話以及提供的任何資訊（包
consumers know that anything they say and any
括在法庭上），都可以用來催收債務。
information they give may be used to collect the
debt, including in court.
大多數債務催收人都會對催收電話錄音。
Most debt collectors record collection calls.

Misrepresentation 不實陳述
The use of false, deceptive, or misleading practices 在催收債務時使用虛假、欺騙性或誤導性的做法。
in debt collection.
債務催收人不得向消費者做出不實陳述，包括：
Debt collectors may not make misrepresentations
to consumers, including:
• 不實陳述或暗示債務催收人是律師、法律辦公
室、政府機構、法警或警察局局長；
• falsely representing or implying that the debt
collector is an attorney, legal office, government • 不實陳述或暗示消費者犯了罪，或不償還任何債
agency, marshal, or sheriff; 務將導致消費者遭到逮捕或監禁或收押、扣發、
• falsely representing or implying that the 留置或出售消費者的財產或工資，除非此類行為
consumer committed a crime, or that 是合法且債務催收人或債權人計劃進行的；或者
nonpayment of any debt will result in the • 向信用報告機構報告或威脅報告不準確的信用資
consumer’s arrest or imprisonment or the 訊。
seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of the
consumer’s property or wages unless the action
is lawful and the debt collector or creditor
intends to pursue it; or
• reporting, or threatening to report, inaccurate
credit information to a credit bureau.

Original Creditor (See Creditor) 原始債權人（請參閱債權人）

Outstanding Balance (See Current Balance) 未償還餘額（請參閱目前餘額）

Payday Loans 發薪日貸款

A high-interest loan borrowed against a consumer’s 以消費者下次的工資為抵押的高息貸款。
next paycheck.
發薪日貸款在紐約是不合法的。
Payday loans are illegal in New York.
Phantom debt (also Fake debt) 幽靈債務（也稱為不實債務）

Debt that is entirely made up and that a consumer 完全虛構且消費者沒有欠下的債務。

does not owe.
幽靈債務計謀通常涉及使用虛構名字的個人或企
Phantom debt schemes have typically involved 業，這些名字會暗示其為律師或與律師事務所有聯
individuals or businesses that use fictitious names
繫。計謀者威脅如果消費者不付款將導致嚴重後
that imply they are lawyers or affiliated with a law
firm. The schemers threaten serious consequences 果，包括：
if consumers don’t pay, including:
• 遭到起訴；
• being sued; • 工作時被逮捕；
• being arrested at work; • 銀行帳戶遭到關閉；
• having a bank account closed; • 工資遭到扣發；或
• having wages garnished; or • 被迫出庭。
• being forced to appear in court.
計謀者通常都沒有 DCWP 許可證。
The schemers generally do not hold DCWP
licenses.
消費者有權向債務催收人索取債務驗證書。
Consumers have a right to request verification of a
debt from debt collectors.

Principal 本金
The initial amount of the debt or the amount that 債務的初始金額或消費者仍未償還的金額。不包括
remains unpaid by a consumer. It does not include 催收費用和利息。
collection fees and interest.

Statute of Limitations 訴訟時效

(also Time-barred debt) （也稱為已逾時效債務）

A certain time after which a debt collector may no 經過一定時間之後，債務催收人不能再透過起訴消

longer sue a consumer to collect a debt. 費者催收債務。
Debt collectors may not attempt to collect an old
債務催收人不得試圖催收已逾訴訟時效的舊債，除
debt whose statute of limitations passed unless
they tell consumers: 非告知消費者以下事項：

• the legal time limit (statute of limitations) to sue • 提起催收債務訴訟的法定時限（訴訟時效）已經

to collect the debt has expired; 到期；
• consumers do not have to admit to owing the • 消費者不必承認欠債、承諾償還債務或放棄有關
debt, promise to pay the debt, or give up rights 訴訟時效的權利；
regarding the statute of limitations; • 如果消費者遭到起訴，可以通知法院訴訟時效已
• if sued, consumers may defend the case by 經過期，藉此為案件辯護，防止債權人獲得判
informing the court that the statute of limitations
has expired to prevent the creditor from 決；以及
obtaining a judgment; and • 消費者支付任何款項償還舊債將重新啟動債權人
• any payment consumers make on an old debt 的起訴權。
will restart the creditor's right to sue.

Substantiation of a debt 債務舉證

(See Verification of a debt) （請參閱債務驗證書）
 .T

Time-barred debt (See Statute of Limitations) 已逾時效債務（請參閱訴訟時效）

Tradeline 貿易線
A term for a credit account on a consumer’s credit 這是消費者信用報告中信用帳戶所用的詞彙。每次
report. There is a separate tradeline each time a 批核消費者的信用時，都會有一條單獨的貿易線。
consumer is approved for credit. Tradelines 貿易線包括但不限於：
include, but are not limited to:
• 信用額度；
• credit limit;
• current balance; • 目前餘額；
• payment history; and • 付款記錄；以及
• lender names and addresses. • 貸款人的姓名和地址。

Validation Notice 驗證通知函

A letter a debt collector must give consumers 債務催收人必須在首次聯絡消費者的後五天內，向
within five days after first contacting them that 消費者寄送一封信函，其中包括有關債務和消費者
contains general information about the debt 權利的一般資訊。
and consumer rights.
這份通知函必須告知消費者他們有權對債務提出異
This notice must tell consumers they have a right to
dispute a debt and to request verification of a debt 議，也有權向債務催收人索取債務驗證書。其他必
from the debt collector. Other required disclosures 須揭露資訊包括：
include:
• 債務金額；
• the amount of the debt; • 目前債權人的姓名；
• the name of the current creditor; • 一份聲明，債務催收人須應消費者要求在 30 天
• a statement that, upon consumer request and 內提供原始債權人的姓名和地址；
within 30 days, the debt collector will provide
• 消費者要對債務提出異議時寄送信函的地址；
the name and address of the original creditor;
• the address where consumers should mail a • 債務催收人的 DCWP 許可證號碼；
letter to dispute a debt; • DCWP 許可證上顯示的債務催收人的姓名；
• the debt collector’s DCWP license number; • 由自然人接聽的電話回撥號碼；
• the name of the debt collector as it appears on • 回電人的姓名；
the DCWP license; • 消費者是否可以從債務催收人處獲得英語以外的
• a call-back number to a phone that is answered 任何語言通訊；
by a natural person;
• 一份聲明，說明 DCWP 網站 nyc.gov/dca 上提
• the name of the person to call back;
供這份常用債務催收術語詞彙表的多種語言版
• if the consumer may obtain from the debt
collector any communications in a language 本。
other than English;
• a statement that this glossary of common debt
collection terms is available in multiple
languages on the DCWP website nyc.gov/dca.
Verification of a debt 債務驗證書
(also Substantiation of a debt) （也稱為債務舉證）

A consumer has a right to request that the debt 消費者有權要求債務催收人提供文件，以證明債務

collector provide documentation to show that the 屬於消費者和/或金額正確。
debt belongs to the consumer and/or that the
amount is correct.
為了因應消費者的債務驗證要求，債務催收人必須
In response to a consumer’s request for verification 採取以下行動：
of the debt, the debt collector must do the following:
• 提供債權人（而非債權人的債務催收人）的書面
• Provide written documentation from the 確認債務文件。例如一份原始債權人最終聲明
creditor—not the creditor’s debt collector— （票據）的影本，其中指出所欠的金額。
confirming the debt. An example is a copy of • 停止所有催收活動和消費者聯絡活動，直到提供
a final statement (bill) by the original creditor 驗證為止。
showing the amount owed.
• Stop all collection activity and consumer contact
until the verification is provided.

Zombie debt 殭屍債務

Debt that is very old and no longer owed but that a 非常久遠且不再拖欠，但是債務催收人卻突然進行
debt collector suddenly seeks to collect. 催收的債務。
Zombie debt may include: 殭屍債務可能包括：
• debt already settled;
• 已經清償的債務；
• debt from a bankruptcy discharge;
• time-barred debt; • 破產解除所產生的債務；
• debt that no longer shows up on a consumer’s • 已逾時效債務；
credit report; and • 不再顯示於消費者信用報告中的債務；以及
• debt never owed. • 從未欠下的債務。

Consumers have a right to dispute a debt and 消費者有權對債務提出異議，並有權要求債務催收

request that the debt collector provide verification 人提供債務驗證書。
of a debt.