The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Overview

But if you're like many people, you have had some encounter with collection agencies that show how odd debt collectors can be in what they can and cannot do. Collectors can contact you, and collect the debts you are owed, using whatever means they want, generally anything that you agreed to, including by telephone, postal mail and e-mail! They are generally experts in discussing repayment methods, discussing settlement, and validating the debt if needed. In the business of recovering payments owed to you, they play by the rules!

But there are limits to what they can legally do to help protect the consumers. This is important because debt collector are allowed to not harass you endlessly with phone calls or using abusive or threatening words. They also cannot contact you in the middle of the night. They cannot tell your boss, friends, or family that youōlespectively owe a debt. Moreover, collectors cannot falsely represent the amount owed greater than it actually is, report this greater amount to your credit, if you do not owe the additional charge, nor may they addinterest and other charges to their debt, unless you agreed to such additional charges. By knowing what limits exist, we can work inside them to recognize illegal activities and maintain our financial rights. The more we understand debt collection and what a debt collector is allowed to do and not do, the more empowered we become to take charge and recognize our financial goals.