FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a United States federal law that regulates the activities of debt collectors. It was enacted in 1977 to protect consumers from abusive debt collection practices. The FDCPA applies to all third-party debt collectors, including those who collect debts on behalf of creditors, and to creditors themselves when they collect debts directly.

The primary purpose of the FDCPA is to ensure that debt collectors adhere to fair and reasonable practices when attempting to collect debts. This includes prohibiting the use of abusive language, threats, or harassment. Debt collectors are also required to provide consumers with accurate information about the debt, including the amount owed, the name of the creditor, and the terms of the debt.

The FDCPA also establishes a "statute of limitations" for debt collection, which means that debt collectors cannot sue consumers for debts that are more than six years old. This provision is intended to prevent debt collectors from pursuing old debts that may have been paid or discharged.

In addition to these provisions, the FDCPA includes a "do not call" registry, which allows consumers to request that debt collectors not contact them by telephone. The FDCPA also provides consumers with the right to dispute the validity of a debt and to request that the debt collector verify the debt with the creditor.

The FDCPA is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general. Violations of the FDCPA can result in civil penalties, including fines and injunctions. The FDCPA is an important tool for protecting consumers from abusive debt collection practices and ensuring that debt collectors operate in a fair and transparent manner.