Here's some interesting info. It's from a commercial site, and I'm not affiliated with it.
Normally, I prefer not to post anything too commercial, but I think that the info is really worth reading in regard to debt collection in the United States.
"What if the person asking you for the money, "Bob", is a lawyer?
Under the FDCPA, even if Joe hires a lawyer or law firm to collect a debt from you, the lawyer or law firm is still considered a collector and must adhere to the FDCPA."http://www.creditinfocenter.com/rebuild/debt_validation.shtmlIn this case, I see "Bob" as being "Timothy McCormack" and "Joe" as "Getty Images".
As such, McCormack is acting as a "collection agency" and
is subject to the FDCPA.
Now, get this:
"
The Right to Validate Your Debt Under the FDCPA, you are allowed to validate this debt, and the creditor (in this case, the collection agency) must show you proof that you owe the debt to the collection agency (not to the original creditor.)"
The specific section of the FDCPA:FDCPA Section 809. Validation of debts [15 USC 1692g]
(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector."
"Plus, they must show proof positive that you owe them this debt. It's not enough to send you a computer-generated printout of the debt."
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In conclusion, when Timothy McCormack has been "assigned" a phony debt by Getty images, he's acting as a "debt collector" plain and simple.
Because Timothy McCormack cannot Validate such a debt, he has 30 days to prove such debt upon written notice (he can't), and he must cease contacting you.
S.G.