Fair Debt Collection Practices
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
What Types of Debt Collection Practices are Prohibited?
- Tell anyone that you owe money;
- Send or put anything on an envelope that identifies the writer as a debt collector;
- Use threats of violence to harm anyone or anyone's property or reputation;
- Falsely imply that the debt collector represents the United States government or
any state government;
- Use any false name;
- Falsely imply that the debt collector is an attorney or represent that papers are
legal forms, when they are not;
- Falsely imply that you committed any crime;
- Falsely represent that the debt collector operates or works for a credit bureau;
or
- Falsely give CREDIT INFORMATION about you to anyone.
A debt collector must be FAIR in attempting to collect any debt. For example, a debt collector cannot:
- Collect any amount greater than the amount of your debt, unless allowed by law;
- Deposit a postdated check before the date written;
- Make you accept collect calls or pay for telegrams.
What Can You Do If a Debt Collector Breaks the Law?
You have the right to sue a debt collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. You may recover money for the damage you suffered.
For more information:
Click the following link to view the full text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Click the following link for a sample letter to prevent creditors from violating the fair debt collection act.
- Fair Debt Collection
- Fair Debt Collection (Part 2)
- Fair Debt Practices Act
- Fair Debt Collection Sample Letter
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