What Is The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is designed to stop harassing, unfair, and abusive debt collection practices.

Many consumers have their legal rights violated by collectors without even knowing it.

Knowing the important details of this act will help you stand up against abusive collection practices and stop collection companies from violating your rights.

There are many requirements debt collectors must abide by per the FDCPA.

 

Limitations for Debt Collectors Under The FDCPA

Debt collectors are not allowed to tell others details about the consumer including that they owe a debt.

This does not prevent them from doing so, you must know your rights in order to hold debt collectors accountable.

It is also true that debt collectors cannot communicate with anyone other than the consumer more than once. 

Also, debt collectors cannot communicate through a postcard or have ANY markings on the outside of their envelope indicating they might be a debt collector.

Basically, collection companies cannot use the fact that they are a debt collector to bully you into paying.

They cannot identify themselves as a debt collector to your employer. 

And, they cannot send things in the mail that identify they are a debt collector with the intent of embarrassing or causing other hardship to you.

Debt collectors are also not allowed to call a consumer at an unusual time or place. This includes before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. 

A debt collector cannot contact a consumer at their place of employment if they have reason to believe this is prohibited by the employer.

 

Cease and Desist 

 

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act also requires debt collectors to immediately cease and desist contact with you if you are represented by an attorney. 

In addition, they must cease and desist if you notify them to do so in writing or notify them that you refuse to pay the debt. 

There are many restrictions on abusive and harassing practices in the FDCPA also. 

 

No Threats Allowed By The

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Debt collectors are prohibited under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act from using the threat of violence or other criminal means to cause harm to the consumer.

The use of obscene language is prohibited along with the publication of information that the consumer allegedly owes the debt.

Debt collectors cannot cause a consumer’s phone to ring repetitively with the intent to annoy or harass any person.

And they have to clearly identify themselves on every phone call.

 

No False and Misleading Representations

False and misleading representations are also prohibited per the FDCPA. 

These include the debt collector identifying themselves as an affiliate of the United States government.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, misrepresenting the legal status of a debt, or that they are an attorney if they are not.

Your debt collectors cannot falsely represent that the nonpayment could result in the arrest or imprisonment of the consumer. 

Or the seizure of their property or garnishment of their wages.

Unless such action is lawful and the debt collector intends on taking that action.

Debt collectors are not allowed to communicate to any person credit information which is known to be untrue or in dispute. 

They also cannot falsely issue to you incorrect documentation representing itself as coming from the courts. 

They also are prohibited from using any false representation or deceptive means to collect a debt. 

They must identify themselves to the consumer as a debt collector and that the nature of the call is for that purpose.

Debt collectors are NOT directly affiliated with the credit reporting agencies, and they cannot claim that they are per the FDCPA.

They cannot accept post-dated checks of more than 5 days.

Or attempt to collect more than what is owed due to the original contract.

They must also send a statement to each consumer within 5 days of contacting the consumer. 

This letter must contain many things including the amount of the debt, creditor’s name, and many disclosures specific to FTC language.

 

Conclusion

Any violations within this act can be costly to the debt collector, especially in the civil and class action aspects.

Be sure to review the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and make sure your rights are not being violated.

 

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