To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: While it remains to be seen what, if any, changes a change in leadership in the CFPB will bring to the Debt Collection Rule, for now collection agencies should begin readying themselves for a November 30 th effective date. Now that the Rule has been fully published, this article will explore the Rule’s center piece, Section 1006.34 (Debt Validation Notices), and five traps for the unwary. Trap Number 1: . For purposes of debt validation, the Rule makes clear that if the debt collector knows or should know that the consumer is deceased, and if the debt collector has not previously provided the validation notice to the deceased consumer, the debt collector must provide the debt validation notice to a person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased consumer’s estate. Under the CFPB’s interpretation this would include executors, administrators and personal representatives. Debt collectors therefore should be establishing policies and procedures which address when and to whom a debt validation notice should be sent when the consumer is deceased. Such policies should include processes for identifying estates and the appropriate representative of the estate.