The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) restrains hired debt collectors in how they go after debt. Debt collectors are prevented from harassing consumers with outstanding debt, and they can only contact consumers within 8 AM to 9 PM unless otherwise agreed to. A debt collector must stop contacting a consumer once requested to do so and send them a letter with the details of the debt claims. FDCPA also limits debt collectors’ contacting other individuals to find the consumer and are prevented from discussing any debt of the consumer. Further, the FDCPA strongly prohibits debt collectors from deceiving or threatening a consumer in the process of collecting debt, and if a debt collector breaks any of the above rules, the consumer can sue for damages and attorney fees.
[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]