Minnesota Statutes Trade Regulations, Consumer Protection (Ch. 324-341) § 332.31. Definitions

Subdivision 1. Terms. The terms in this section for the purposes ofsections 332.31to332.44shall have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2. Person. “Person” means and includes individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations.

Subd. 3. Collection agency. “Collection agency” or “licensee” means (1) a person engaged in the business of collection for others any account, bill, or other indebtedness, except as hereinafter provided; or (2) a debt buyer. It includes persons who furnish collection systems carrying a name which simulates the name of a collection agency and who supply forms or form letters to be used by the creditor, even though such forms direct the debtor to make payments directly to the creditor rather than to such fictitious agency.

Subds. 4, 5. Repealed by Laws 1979, c. 144, § 7.

Subd. 6. Collector. “Collector” is a person acting under the authority of a collection agency under subdivision 3 or a debt buyer under subdivision 8, and on its behalf in the business of collection for an account, bill, or other indebtedness except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

Subd. 7. Repealed byLaws 2010, c. 384, § 104, eff. August 1, 2010.

Subd. 8. Debt buyer. “Debt buyer” means a business engaged in the purchase of any charged-off account, bill, or other indebtedness for collection purposes, whether the business collects the account, bill, or other indebtedness, hires a third party for collection, or hires an attorney for litigation related to the collection.

Subd. 9. Affiliated company. “Affiliated company” means a company that: (1) directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another company or companies; (2) has the same executive management team or owner that exerts control over the business operations of the company; (3) maintains a uniform network of corporate and compliance policies and procedures; and (4) does not engage in active collection of debts.