Which practice is least aligned with compliant debt collection?

• A. Provide validation of debts and respond to disputes.
• B. Honor cease communication requests when applicable.
• C. Maintain accurate records.
• D. Threaten legal action with no intent to pursue.

Answer: (D)

Compliant debt collection requires respecting consumer rights, providing clear debt validation, and using accurate records to guide actions. Providing validation of debts and responding to disputes ensures the debtor understands the amount and can challenge errors. Honoring cease communication requests when applicable protects consumers from undue harassment and aligns with legal limits on contact. Maintaining accurate records helps prevent mistakes that could lead to improper collection actions. Threatening legal action with no intent to pursue is not aligned with compliance; it amounts to harassment and deception and is prohibited under the FDCPA and Texas collection rules. A legitimate collection effort only uses threats of action when there is real intent and a legitimate basis to pursue it.