The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a piece of legislation meant to protect the consumer from unfair and illegal debt collection methods. Since 1978, this law has outlined the regulations and standards that all debt collection agencies should abide by. The act limits where and when a person can receive collection calls as well as prohibiting illegal and harassing behaviors such as:
- Using threatening, profane or abusive language
- Making continuous collection calls to annoy the debtor
- Providing misleading or false information
- Calling any time before 8:00am or after 9:00pm
Debt Collection & the FDCPA
Not only is the FDCPA meant to protect the consumer, it is also used as a measure to protect reputable collection agencies. The language in the act holds debt collectors accountable for their actions and restricts the use of dishonest collection practices such as:
- Collecting any amount other than the specified debt
- Depositing postdated checks and payments before they are marked to be collected
- Threatening to take possession of property without the intention or right to do so
To find out more about the FDCPA and read the act in detail, please visit the Federal Trade Commission website. If you have been frustrated by debt collection efforts and believe that a collection agency has violated one of the rules mentioned above, make sure to read the guide ending debt collector harassment.
