What laws limit what debt collectors can say or do? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is the main federal law that governs debt collection practices. The FDCPA prohibits debt collection companies from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect debts from you.

The FDCPA covers the collection of debts that are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. It doesn’t cover business debts, and it also doesn’t generally cover collection by the original creditor or business you owed money to.

Under the FDCPA, debt collectors can include collection agencies, debt buyers, and lawyers. Any FDCPA-covered debt collector who contacts you about a debt is required to tell you certain information about it.

Limits on how debt collectors can communicate with you about a debt

  • Time and place. Generally, debt collectors may not contact you at an unusual time or place, or at a time or place they know or should know is inconvenient to you. They are generally prohibited from contacting you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Also, if a debt collector knows or has reason to know that you're not allowed to receive personal communications at work, they’re not allowed to contact you there. If they call you when it’s inconvenient for you to speak with them, you can tell them that and they’re required to terminate the call.
  • Social media and other electronic communications. A debt collector may not use social media to publicly post about a debt that they claim you owe. However, they can contact you privately on social media, unless you request that they not contact you that way. If the debt collector communicates with you using an email address, telephone text number or other electronic medium, they must offer you a reasonable and simple method for you to opt out.
  • Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass you or anyone else over the phone or through any other form of contact, including text or email.
  • Representation by attorney. If a debt collector knows that an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector generally must stop contacting you and must contact the attorney instead. This is only true if the debt collector knows, or can easily find out, the name and contact information of your attorney. If an attorney is representing you and a debt collector calls, give them your attorney’s name and contact information and tell them that they should contact your attorney directly, instead of you. It’s also a good idea to keep all documents sent by a debt collector and write down dates and times of conversations, along with notes about what you discussed. These records can help you if you meet with a lawyer or go to court.

Learn how to get a debt collector to stop contacting you.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act covers how financial matters, including debts, can be reported in your credit report.

For example, if a debt collector provides or furnishes information to a consumer reporting companies that you believe is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute that information and the credit reporting companies must:

  • Note on your credit report that you are disputing the information
  • Investigate your dispute
  • Forward all documents you provide in support of your dispute to the company that provided that information
  • Report the results back to you

Learn how to dispute an error on your credit report

State debt collector regulations

Most states have laws about debt collection practices, many of which are similar to the FDCPA. Some of those state laws cover the original creditor, while others don't. States also have unfair and deceptive acts and practices laws that may apply to debt collection. Contact your state attorney general's office to learn more about the laws in your state.

If you're having an issue with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.

Learn more about debt collection.

What laws limit what debt collectors can say or do? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

What laws limit what debt collectors can say or do? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

The Fair Debt Collection

Fair Debt Collection
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is the main federal law that governs debt collection practices. The FDCPA prohibits debt collection companies from using abusive, unfair or deceptive practices to collect debts from you. Read more information on your rights under the FDCPA. Garnishment.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov › answers › key-terms
Practices Act (FDCPA) is the main federal law that governs debt collection practices. The FDCPA prohibits debt collection companies from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect debts from you.

What are debt collectors not allowed to say? ›

They cannot swear, threaten to illegally harm you or your property, threaten you with illegal actions, or falsely threaten you with actions they do not intend to take. They also cannot make repeated calls over a short period to annoy or harass you. Debt collectors cannot make false or misleading statements.

What is the 777 rule with debt collectors? ›

One of the most rigorous rules in their favor is the 7-in-7 rule. This rule states that a creditor must not contact the person who owes them money more than seven times within a 7-day period. Also, they must not contact the individual within seven days after engaging in a phone conversation about a particular debt.

What are considered unfair practices by debt collectors? ›

A debt collector in collecting a debt, may not harass, oppress, or abuse any person. Specifically, a debt collector may not: Use or threaten to use violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person.

What is the new debt collection rule? ›

The Debt Collection Rule limits the contact a debt collector can make with consumers. Examples of such limitations include: No calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in the consumer's time zone. No subsequent contact with the consumer for seven days following a conversation with them. No more than seven phone calls per ...

What is the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors? ›

If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.

What can debt collectors say? ›

While debt collectors can't threaten you or mislead you, they can apply pressure to collect payment. This pressure can include daily calls, frequent letters, or talk about pursuing a lawsuit for payment on the debt — as long as they stay within the bounds of the law.

How do you outsmart a debt collector? ›

You can outsmart debt collectors by following these tips:
  1. Keep a record of all communication with debt collectors.
  2. Send a Debt Validation Letter and force them to verify your debt.
  3. Write a cease and desist letter.
  4. Explain the debt is not legitimate.
  5. Review your credit reports.
  6. Explain that you cannot afford to pay.
Feb 24, 2023

What is the 2 2 2 rule? ›

Enter the 2-2-2 rule: Try and swing a date night every two weeks, a weekend away every two months and a week away every two years. The rule has its origins on a Reddit thread from 2015 and has in recent weeks reappeared on social media as a form of relationship advice.

What is the 15 US Code 1692c? ›

15 U.S. Code § 1692c - Communication in connection with debt collection. at the consumer's place of employment if the debt collector knows or has reason to know that the consumer's employer prohibits the consumer from receiving such communication.

What is debt collector harassment? ›

Debt collectors violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) when they harass, oppress, or abuse you. It's harassment when debt collectors: Place repetitious phone calls or use electronic communications – such as text, email, and social media messages – intended to harass, oppress, or abuse you or any person.

How long before a debt becomes uncollectible? ›

The statute of limitations on debt in California is four years, as stated in the state's Code of Civil Procedure § 337, with the clock starting to tick as soon as you miss a payment.

How many calls from a debt collector is considered harassment? ›

The debt collector is presumed to violate the law if they place a telephone call to you about a particular debt: More than seven times within a seven-day period, or. Within seven days after engaging in a telephone conversation with you about the particular debt.

What is the new credit law in 2023? ›

March 30, 2023: Reporting of Medical Debt

Reporting of Medical Debt: The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Transunion, and Experian) will institute a new policy by March 30, 2023, to no longer include medical debt under a dollar threshold (the threshold will be at least $500) on credit reports.

What is Regulation F? ›

What is Regulation F? Reg F is a new law that all debt collectors have to adhere to. The overall aim of Regulation F is to outline prohibitions on harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair practices.

What is the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act? ›

The California statute is called the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Creditors and debt collection agencies are permitted to take reasonable steps to enforce and collect payment of debts. That is because an efficient and productive economy requires a credit process.

What is the credit secret loophole? ›

A 609 Dispute Letter is often billed as a credit repair secret or legal loophole that forces the credit reporting agencies to remove certain negative information from your credit reports.

What is called debt trap? ›

A debt trap means the inability to repay credit amount. It is a situation where the debtor could not be able to repay the credit amount.

What is a drop dead letter? ›

You have the right to send what's referred to as a “drop dead letter. '' It's a cease-and-desist motion that will prevent the collector from contacting you again about the debt. Be aware that you still owe the money, and you can be sued for the debt.

Does a debt collector have to provide proof of debt? ›

When a debt collector contacts you about a debt, they are legally required to provide information about that debt, including the name of the creditor, the amount owed, and your right to dispute it. There are some limited exceptions to this rule.

How does the Federal Truth in Lending Act apply to debt collection practices? ›

The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) protects you against inaccurate and unfair credit billing and credit card practices. It requires lenders to provide you with loan cost information so that you can comparison shop for certain types of loans.

How long do debt collectors have to validate debt? ›

(5) Validation period means the period starting on the date that a debt collector provides the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this section and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the validation information.

How do I deny debt collection? ›

You can stop calls from collection agencies by sending a certified letter asking them to stop calling. Debt collectors must send you a written validation notice that states how much money you owe, the name of the creditor and how to proceed if you want to dispute the debt.

How can we stop debt collector harassment? ›

How to Stop Debt Collector Harassment
  1. Write a Letter Requesting To Cease Communications. ...
  2. Document All Contact and Harassment. ...
  3. File a Complaint With the FTC. ...
  4. File a Complaint With Your State's Agency. ...
  5. Consider Suing the Debt Collection Agency for Harassment.

What is 7 7 7 rule? ›

So I recently discovered the 777 Rule for Healthy Marriages. Every 7 Days go on a date. Every 7 Weeks go on an overnight getaway. And Every 7 Months go on a week vacation.

What is the 2 7 dating rule? ›

The rule suggests the younger person in a relationship should be older than half the older person's age plus seven years in order for the relationship to be socially acceptable. For example, the youngest a 26-year-old person should date is 20. The beginnings of the rule are murky.

What is the 321 marriage rule? ›

The 2-2-2 Rule involves going on a date night every two weeks, spending a weekend away every two months and taking a week-long vacation away every two years. The idea behind it is that prioritizing and planning to spend time together strengthens your relationship.

What is Section 78 of Title 15 of the United States Code? ›

It shall be unlawful for any member, broker, or dealer to effect any transaction in any security (other than an exempted security) on a national securities exchange unless a registration is effective as to such security for such exchange in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations ...

What is the US Code 1692 D? ›

The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person. The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.

What is the 1692c B Fair Debt Collection Practices Act? ›

§ 1692c(b), which, subject to certain narrow exceptions, prohibits debt collectors from communicating with third parties “in connection with the collection of any debt.” The listed exceptions are “the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the ...

What is a mini Miranda? ›

Mini-Miranda rights are a set of statements that a debt collector must use when contacting an individual to collect a debt. Mini-Miranda rights have to be recited, by law, if the debt collection effort is being made over the phone or in-person and outlined in written form if a letter is sent to the debtor.

Why you shouldn't answer debt collectors? ›

Your credit will take a hit

As soon as the delinquent account appears on your credit report, you can expect your credit score to take a nosedive. Even if you work out a payment plan with the creditor, there is a chance that the delinquent account will still ding your credit, even if just for a limited time.

How many times can creditors call you in one day? ›

According to the FDCPA, a debt collector cannot call a debtor more than once per day for each debt. This means that if you only have one outstanding debt, then your debt collector is only allowed to call you one time per day.

Can a debt collector restart the clock on my old debt? ›

Keep in mind that making a partial payment or acknowledging you owe an old debt, even after the statute of limitations expired, may restart the time period. It may also be affected by terms in the contract with the creditor or if you moved to a state where the laws differ.

Do debt collectors give up? ›

If the debt is not collected, then the debt collector does not make money. In many cases, although you would think that debt collectors would eventually give up, they are known to be relentless. Debt collectors will push you until they get paid, and use sneaky tactics as well.

Why seniors should not worry about old debts? ›

Seniors enjoy protection from collection

Elders in California have a raft of legal protections from creditors. Exemption laws, pension law, and the Social Security Act often make it hard for creditors to seize the assets of elders, even to pay legitimate debts.

Are debt collectors allowed to spoof numbers? ›

Legally, debt collectors can spoof their phone numbers, but the FDCPA doesn't allow them to hide their identity—such as when you ask what agency they are calling from. They also can't spoof a number that would indicate they are from a law firm or any type of official government agency.

Can I verbally tell a debt collector to stop calling? ›

A request that a creditor or collection agency cease calls at work can be verbal or written. Here is the general rule: If you want a creditor or collection agency to stop contacting you at work, you must send them a letter in writing!

How long can debt collectors harass you? ›

The statute of limitations is a law that limits how long debt collectors can legally sue consumers for unpaid debt. The statute of limitations on debt varies by state and type of debt, ranging from three years to as long as 20 years.

What is the CFPB threshold for 2023? ›

Effective January 1, 2023, the exemption threshold amount is increased from $61,000 to $66,400. This amount is based on the CPI-W in effect on June 1, 2022, which was reported on May 11, 2022 (based on April 2022 data).

What is the highest credit score possible 2023? ›

The perfect credit score number is 850. The highest FICO credit score you can have is 850, and the highest possible VantageScore is 850, too. That said, anything over 800 is basically perfect.

Is there a new credit score system? ›

Both FICO™ 10T and VantageScore® 4.0 are adding trended data into their credit scoring calculations. The credit scoring models are banking on adding trended data to scoring calculations will significantly increase the accuracy and predictability of determining whether the consumer will pay their loans on time.

What is Regulation P? ›

Title V, Subtitle A of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) governs the treatment of nonpublic personal information about consumers by financial institutions.

What is the 777 rule for Regulation F? ›

In the new changes to Regulation F, the frequency at which a collections agency can contact a consumer has changed. This change, presented in Section 1006.14B21A, addresses telephone call frequency and restricts agencies to contacting a consumer seven times within seven consecutive days.

What is the most common violation of the FDCPA? ›

Harassment of the debtor by the creditor – More than 40 percent of all reported FDCPA violations involved incessant phone calls in an attempt to harass the debtor.

What is 809 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act? ›

§ 809.

(5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.

What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act specifically 15 US Code 1692c? ›

15 U.S. Code § 1692c - Communication in connection with debt collection. at the consumer's place of employment if the debt collector knows or has reason to know that the consumer's employer prohibits the consumer from receiving such communication.

Are debt collectors allowed to yell at you? ›

Debt collectors violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) when they harass, oppress, or abuse you. It's harassment when debt collectors: Place repetitious phone calls or use electronic communications – such as text, email, and social media messages – intended to harass, oppress, or abuse you or any person.

What is debt shaming? ›

One controversial tactic in debt collection is a relatively new term, debt shaming. This involves some level of public disclosure by the collector to bring attention to a debtor who has not satisfactorily paid their debt.

Why you shouldn't pay collections? ›

Having an account sent to collections will lead to a negative item on your credit report. The mark is likely to stay on your credit report for up to seven years even if you pay off your debt with the collection agency. It's also possible that paying off your collection account may not increase your credit score.

What happens if I refuse to pay a debt collector? ›

Ignoring or avoiding the debt collector may cause the debt collector to use other methods to try to collect the debt, including a lawsuit against you. If you are unable to come to an agreement with a debt collector, you may want to contact an attorney who can provide you with legal advice about your situation.

Should I pay off a 5 year old collection? ›

The best way is to pay

Most people would probably agree that paying off the old debt is the honorable and ethical thing to do. Plus, a past-due debt could come back to bite you even if the statute of limitations runs out and you no longer technically owe the bill.

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