Oregon Debt buyer small claims

6 replies

• brian · December 1, 2025

  I stay out of small claims as in some states, they don't allow attorneys in that court. I usually tell clients not to hire me given the low amount sought. But the same rules of engagement apply to whatever court regarding the burden of proof. Know your rules and go to a small claims hearing if you can a week or so before yours to see the playing field. Don't be going on your day for the first time. But go and watch others for their success or mistakes to learn from. Good luck.

• oregon · December 2, 2025

  Thank you Brian. Much appreciated. Very glad Steve Lehto mentioned you!

• oregon · December 23, 2025

  As an update.

  I received an inadequate response to my validation demand. No chain of title, no itemized balance sheet, no signed credit card agreement, an insurance contract that is signed in its place. They included a notice of default and acceleration of a vehicle, which interestingly enough they are using the proceeds from that sale as the last “payment” date.

  I discovered they use a system called Columbia Ultimate Business System from a class action lawsuit out of Washington Bowen et al. v. CSO Financial, Inc. (Case No. 2:17-cv-00677, W.D. Wash.).

  This system generated their proof of service under an old case they filed in one county and attempted to serve in another where I didn’t live.

  I have filed a motion to dismiss due to this invalid service and other errors. I’ve also filed a motion to object to remote testimony.

  Brian, would you look into Bowen et al. v. CSO Financial, Inc. (Case No. 2:17-cv-00677, W.D. Wash.)? They’re a smaller outfit but it may be helpful for your members. It’s my understanding they settled rather than provide proof of ownership of debts.

  One other thought, for people going through small claims. I use ParkerGPT to draft the underlying document, verify it then I export it into Google’s Gemini which seems to understand the informalities of small claims better than ParkerGPT.

  Cheers.

• brian · December 26, 2025

  Thanks yeah, I have not done much small claims as attorneys are not allowed in a lot of states.

• oregon · January 8, 2026

  If you’re in Oregon everyone should look into ORS 646.639 and 646A.670 they’re both extremely strong in regards to debt buyers and validation, in my I’m not a lawyer opinion

  1. Mandatory Pre-Filing Possession (ORS 646.639(4)(b)): Oregon law requires a debt buyer to possess business records establishing the name of the original creditor and the exact chain of title prior to bringing a legal action.

  2. Mandatory Pre-Collection Provision (ORS 646.639(4)(d)): It is an unlawful collection practice for a debt buyer to "attempt to collect a debt" (by filing a lawsuit) before providing the mandatory ownership documents requested by the debtor.

  3. The Statutory Judgment Bar (ORS 646A.670(2)(a)): The statute explicitly states: "A court may not enter a judgment for a debt buyer... that has not complied with the requirements set forth in this section".

• brian · January 11, 2026

  Follow up letters mentioning the deficits in the original response are key for the Court especially if the collector just sends the same crap again or ignores the letter. Have some on ParkerGPT. Use them.

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