[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR13.14]

[Page 200-201]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
               CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 
PART 13_CLAIMS COLLECTION STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
                          Subpart B_Collection
 
Sec. 13.14  Use of credit reporting agencies.

    EPA reports delinquent debts to appropriate credit reporting 
agencies.
    (a) EPA provides the following information to the reporting 
agencies:
    (1) A statement that the claim is valid and is overdue;
    (2) The name, address, taxpayer identification number and any other 
information necessary to establish the identity of the debtor;
    (3) The amount, status and history of the debt; and
    (4) The program or pertinent activity under which the debt arose.
    (b) Before disclosing debt information, EPA will:
    (1) Take reasonable action to locate the debtor if a current address 
is not available; and
    (2) If a current address is available, notify the debtor by 
certified mail, return receipt requested, that:
    (i) The designated EPA official has reviewed the claim and has 
determined that it is valid and overdue;
    (ii) That within 60 days EPA intends to disclose to a credit 
reporting agency the information authorized for disclosure by this 
subsection; and
    (iii) The debtor can request a complete explanation of the claim, 
can dispute the information in EPA's records concerning the claim, and 
can file for an administrative review, waiver or reconsideration of the 
claim, where applicable.
    (c) Before information is submitted to a credit reporting agency, 
EPA will provide a written statement to the reporting agency that all 
required actions have been taken. Additionally, EPA will, thereafter, 
ensure that the credit reporting agency is promptly informed of any 
substantive change in the conditions or amounts of the debt,

[[Page 201]]

and promptly verify or correct information relevant to the claim.
    (d) If a debtor disputes the validity of the debt, the credit 
reporting agency will refer the matter to the appropriate EPA official. 
The credit reporting agency will exclude the debt from its reports until 
EPA certifies in writing that the debt is valid.