New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 190.50 — Unlawful collection practices
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 190: Other Frauds, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 190.50
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
190.50 Unlawful collection practices.
A person is guilty of unlawful collection practices when, with intent
to enforce a claim or judgment for money or property, he knowingly
sends, mails or delivers to another person a notice, document or other
instrument which has no judicial or official sanction and which in its
format or appearance, simulates a summons, complaint, court order or
process, or an insignia, seal or printed form of a federal, state or
local government or an instrumentality thereof, or is otherwise
calculated to induce a belief that such notice, document or instrument
has a judicial or official sanction.
Unlawful collection practices is a class B misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.