For borrowers contacted
by a debt collector about very old debt (generally debt you have not made any payments toward for two years or longer, depending on your state), you may be able to challenge a lawsuit from a debt collector on these grounds.
If someone else at your workplace was contacted
by a debt collector about your alleged debt, the debt collector may have violated other provisions of the FDPCA.
If you feel something is not right with your student loans, or if you have been contacted
by a debt collector about your student loans, its a good idea to talk to an attorney.
Innocent parties that are harassed
by debt collectors about a debt of a friend, or co-worker, or family member, are protected under the FDCPA.
If you have been contacted
by a debt collector about an alleged debt from rental property, feel free to contact me to discuss your options and your rights.
If you're ever contacted
by a debt collector about your zombie debt, be careful.
If you are being contacted
by a debt collector about your student loans, here are some things you need to know.
Not exact matches
Mistaken identity — trying to collect a
debt from the wrong person — was
by far the most common complaint
about debt collectors.
Agony (
Debt Collector 2)
by @susankayequinn http://bit.ly/AgonyDC2 Can you help spread the word
about Debt Collector?
They should stop attempts to collect
debts without proper information and documentation
about the
debt, stop
debt collectors from bringing robo - signed cases in court, crack down on widespread use of threats, harassment and embarrassment in
debt collection, and protect consumers from having their credit records unfairly affected
by medical
debt, among other actions.
I also frequently handle cases where consumers are harassed
by a
collector about student loan
debt.
If you have been harassed
by a
debt collector, or if you have questions
about communications with a
debt collector, contact me.
ICFE DCCS ® Independent Study Guide Table of Contents Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to oversee
debt collectors Collection agencies and junk debt buyers - Mini-Miranda What to do if a debtor is contacted about past debts Sample cease and desist letter Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Summary from the CFPB Debt that is covered Debt Collectors that are covered Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
debt collectors Collection agencies and junk debt buyers - Mini-Miranda What to do if a debtor is contacted about past debts Sample cease and desist letter Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Summary from the CFPB Debt that is covered Debt Collectors that are covered Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
collectors Collection agencies and junk
debt buyers - Mini-Miranda What to do if a debtor is contacted about past debts Sample cease and desist letter Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Summary from the CFPB Debt that is covered Debt Collectors that are covered Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
debt buyers - Mini-Miranda What to do if a debtor is contacted
about past
debts Sample cease and desist letter Fair
Debt Collection Practices Act Summary from the CFPB Debt that is covered Debt Collectors that are covered Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
Debt Collection Practices Act Summary from the CFPB
Debt that is covered Debt Collectors that are covered Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
Debt that is covered
Debt Collectors that are covered Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
Debt Collectors that are covered Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
Collectors that are covered
Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
Debt Collectors that are NOT covered Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
Collectors that are NOT covered
Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
Debt Collection for Active and Veteran Military Personnel Communications connected with
debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple debts Legal Actions by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
debt collection When, where and with who communications is permitted Ceasing Communication with the consumer Communicating with third parties Validation of
debts Prohibited Practices: Harassing or abusive Practices False or misleading representations Unfair Practices Multiple
debts Legal Actions
by debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
debt collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
collectors Furnishing certain deceptive forms Civil liability Defenses CFPB / FTC staff's commentary on the FDCPA Common
debt collector violations How to document a collector's abusive behavior What to do if a collector breaks the law How collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
debt collector violations How to document a
collector's abusive behavior What to do if a
collector breaks the law How
collectors are trained - examples of collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
collectors are trained - examples of
collector training courses FDCPA Sample Exam from ACA for
Collectors How collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
Collectors How
collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
collectors are using Social Medias in collections Dealing with creditors and third party
collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules about credit decisions and notices Debtor education about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other
collectors Other factors for a debtor in collection: Credit reports and scores Reviewing credit reports with debtors - Permissible uses Rules
about credit decisions and notices Debtor education
about credit reports and FICO scores Specialty Report Providers Rules to protect consumers in credit card
debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resou
debt How to read and understand credit reports How to make changes or dispute accuracy Freezing Credit Files FCRA / FACTA Provisions of ID Theft victims How credit scoring works The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act Credit Rules CFPB rules establish strong protections for homeowners facing foreclosure Other Resources
Debt buyers and debt collectors sometimes are not clear about this and can trick the consumer into reviving an old debt by agreeing the debt is theirs or making a partial paym
Debt buyers and
debt collectors sometimes are not clear about this and can trick the consumer into reviving an old debt by agreeing the debt is theirs or making a partial paym
debt collectors sometimes are not clear
about this and can trick the consumer into reviving an old
debt by agreeing the debt is theirs or making a partial paym
debt by agreeing the
debt is theirs or making a partial paym
debt is theirs or making a partial payment.
Once the
debt collectors are notified that you are represented
by an attorney, all contact
about the
debt must go through the attorney instead of you.
In the wake of more debtors struggling with their dues, creditors seem to have stepped up their money - realization techniques
by making embarrassing calls at work, divulging your
debt details to your neighbors, resorting to abuses, and lying
about their status (
debt collectors often claim that they are employed
by credit bureau).
If a
debt collector uses email, social media or similar technology to contact you
about a
debt you owe, they must be reasonably sure that the account is not shared with another person and that their message can not be viewed
by anyone except you.
If you are being hassled
by a credit provider or
debt collector about a
debt (including outstanding loan repayments), you need to take action straight away - even if you're not sure if you owe the money or you don't agree with the amount.
Use our letter to complain
about harassment
by a
debt collector on our dealing with
debt collectors page.
See page 11 - 12 for examples of unacceptable behaviour
by a
debt collector and information
about making a complaint.
By law, they can not reveal that they are a
debt collector or provide information
about your financial situation to another person without your permission.
The Federal Trade Commission, which handles
debt collector harassment complaints, received nearly 68,000 complaints last year
about the tactics being used
by debt collectors to try and get money from people that don't have it.
Remember, regardless of what
debt collectors tell you, they are bound
by specific rules on how to go
about collecting unpaid
debts, especially when a death has occurred.
My potential client inquiries (for cases I can take) are probably
about 85 % involving a
debt collection lawsuit and
about 15 % involving harassment
by a
debt collector.
Usually
about once a month I'm told
by a
debt collector or opposing counsel «your case is garbage for the following reasons...» That conversation usually ends with a settlement offer, despite the fact that my case «has no merit.»
Advise them that they are not permitted
by law to continue to contact you
about the alleged
debt or to refer the matter to a
debt collector or credit reporting agency unless and until they prove the
debt in a court of competent jurisdiction.