Personal, family, and household debts are covered under the Act. This includes money owed for the purchase of an automobile, for medical care, or for charge accounts.

A debt collector is any person who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes attorneys who collect debts on a regular basis.

A collector may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram, or fax. However, a debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree. A debt collector also may not contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves of such contacts.

You can stop a debt collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collector telling them to stop. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact.

If you have an attorney, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you do not have an attorney, a collector may contact other people, but only to find out where you live and work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting such third parties more than once. The collector may not tell anyone other than you and your attorney that you owe money.

Within five days after you are first contacted, the collector must send you a written notice telling you the amount of money you owe; the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money; and what action to take if you believe you do not owe the money.

A collector may not contact you if, within 30 days after you receive the written notice, you send the collection agency a letter stating you do not owe money. However, a collector can renew collection activities if you are sent proof of the debt, such as a copy of a bill for the amount owed.

Harassment.

Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, debt collectors may not:

1. use threats of violence or harm;
2. publish a list of consumers who refuse to pay their debts (except to a credit bureau);
3. use obscene or profane language;
4. repeatedly use the telephone to annoy someone.

False statements.

Debt collectors may not use any false or misleading statements when collecting a debt. For example, debt collectors may not:

1. falsely imply that they are attorneys or government representatives;
2. falsely imply that you have committed a crime;
3. falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit bureau;
4. misrepresent the amount of your debt; indicate that papers being sent to you are legal forms when they are not;
5. indicate that papers being sent to you are not legal forms when they are.

Debt collectors also may not state that:

1. you will be arrested if you do not pay your debt;
2. they will seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages, unless the collection agency or creditor intends to do so, and it is legal to do so;
3. actions, such as a lawsuit, will be taken against you, when such action legally may not be taken, or when they do not intend to take such action.

Unfair practices.

Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, collectors may not:

1. collect any amount greater than your debt, unless your state law permits such a charge;
2. deposit a post-dated check prematurely;
3. use deception to make you accept collect calls or pay for telegrams;
4. take or threaten to take your property unless this can be done legally;
5. contact you by postcard.

If you owe more than one debt, any payment you make must be applied to the debt you indicate. A debt collector may not apply a payment to any debt you believe you do not owe.

You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, you may recover money for the damages you suffered plus an additional amount up to $1,000. Court costs and attorney’s fees also can be recovered. A group of people also may sue a debt collector and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever is less.

Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General’s office and the Federal Trade Commission. Many states have their own debt collection laws, and your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights.

You can file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the Consumer Response Center by phone: toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 202-326-2502; by mail: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580.

Tired of harassing calls from debt collectors? Christian Debt Services can help you understand your rights and stop creditor harassment. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step towards financial peace. Visit www.christiandebtconsolidation.org now to learn more!