Brown v. LVNV Funding LLC et al

On January 21, 2026, plaintiff Jane Brown filed a putative class action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against LVNV Funding LLC and its affiliated entities. Brown alleged that the defendants, major purchasers of charged-off consumer debts, sent collection letters attempting to recover time-barred obligations without disclosing that the statutes of limitation had expired. The complaint asserts that by failing to warn consumers that any partial payment could revive an otherwise unenforceable debt, the defendants violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and parallel state consumer protection statutes. The suit claims the letters would mislead an unsophisticated consumer and seeks statutory damages, injunctive relief, and certification of a nationwide class of similarly situated individuals.

The case was initiated on January 21, 2026, and remains in its early procedural stages; no ruling on class certification or the merits has been issued.

Whether the collection letters sent by LVNV Funding on debts past the applicable statute of limitations contained false, deceptive, or misleading representations in violation of the FDCPA.

The case has drawn attention to the persistent practice of suing or dunning on time-barred debt, reinforcing calls for stricter regulatory oversight of debt buyers and prompting consumer advocates to emphasize the importance of clear disclosure regarding stale claims.