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Frequently Asked Questions

Q:

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?

A:

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.

Please fill out our Free Fair Debt Case Review if you feel the debt collector has violated the law.