Fair Debt Collection Practices

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

What Types of Debt Collection Practices are Prohibited?

A Debt Collector may NOT:

• 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.