Information for Consumers



Consumer information regarding debt collection is offered by various state and municipal agencies.  Many agencies offer portals for consumers to obtain complaint forms or make complaints directly to the appropriate agency.  The list on the right provides links to contact agencies within the named jurisdiction.  If you have a complaint about a debt collector or if you need more information about your rights, please check the links provided for more information.


Though many jurisdictions have laws or regulations that restrict specific activities that debt collectors may engage in, not all do.  However, within the United States, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides several protections to consumers, as well as limitations on actions that debt collectors can take when collecting on certain types of accounts.


The following are examples of the many frequently asked questions and answers regarding the FDCPA can be found on the Federal Trade Commission’s website at: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection.


“What types of debts are covered?


The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.”


“Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?


No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.”


“How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?


If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:


Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.”


“What practices are off limits for debt collectors?


Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:


    

  • use threats of violence or harm;
    • 

  • publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
    • 

  • use obscene or profane language; or
    • 

  • repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.
    • 



False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:


    

  • falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
    • 

  • falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
    • 

  • falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
    • 

  • misrepresent the amount you owe;
    • 

  • indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or
    • 

  • indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.
    • 



Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:


    

  • you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;
    • 

  • they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
    • 

  • legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.
    • 



Debt collectors may not:


    

  • give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
    • 

  • send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or
    • 

  • use a false company name.
    • 



Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:


    

  • try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
    • 

  • deposit a post-dated check early;
    • 

  • take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
    • 

  • contact you by postcard.”
    • 





        


            
        

    



  
    
                    
                

                
                

                    
                    

                

                
                

                
            

        
                
    








    

        


            

                
            


            

                            


            

                
            


        

    








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