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FDCPA Consumer Rights

FDCPA Consumer Rights

FDCPA: Your Rights Against Debt Collector Harassment

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects consumers from abusive, unfair, or deceptive collection practices. It applies nationwide and covers personal, family, and household debts (like credit cards, medical bills, auto loans, and mortgages).

Common Violations of the FDCPA

Debt collectors may not:

  • Call before 8 AM or after 9 PM (your time zone).
  • Call you at work after being told not to.
  • Discuss your debt with anyone but you, your spouse, or your attorney.
  • Use threats, profanity, racial slurs, or repeated harassing calls.
  • Pretend to be an attorney, law enforcement, or government official.
  • Claim you’ll be arrested, imprisoned, or have property seized without legal grounds.
  • Fail to identify themselves as a debt collector or include the required disclosure.
  • Deposit postdated checks early or withdraw from your account without consent.
  • File lawsuits outside your place of residence or where the contract was signed.
  • Continue collection before providing a written validation notice.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

  • Validation Notice: Within 5 days of first contact, collectors must send written details of the debt and your rights.
  • Dispute Rights: You can dispute a debt in writing within 30 days, halting collection until verified.
  • Cease Contact: You may demand in writing that collectors stop calling; they can only notify you of legal action.
  • Legal Recourse: You can sue a collector in state or federal court within one year of a violation. Courts may award damages, attorney’s fees, and up to $1,000 in statutory damages.

Who Enforces the FDCPA?

The law is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). You may also bring a private lawsuit. This is the truest form of Asset Protection – Your First Line of Defense!

The Collection Protection Resource Team documents all illegal and unethical practices committed by debt collectors during their phone and letter writing campaigns. We encourage you to consult with us immediately should you be the recipient of threatening calls or letters. We will immediately stop debt collector harassment calls for you.

Debt collectors are legally required to follow strict rules when contacting you. If they break the laws, they’ve likely violated the FDCPA. Our specialists help you identify violations, document evidence using our debt collection response services, and stop unlawful activity fast—often within seventy-two hours. We also assist in disputing inaccurate debts and protecting your credit report. Knowing your consumer rights under the FDCPA is your first step toward ending debt collector harassment and regaining financial peace.

Know your rights! Call 888-818-1277 now and stop abusive harassment debt collector practices cold!