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What Can I Do if a Debt Collector Violates the FDCPA?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects private consumers from abusive and deceptive debt collection practices, specifically those commonly used by collection agencies. These federal regulations control how often debt collectors can contact you regarding a debt and your right to challenge the account’s validity. The FDCPA also provides certain remedies if debt collectors violate its provisions.

If you suspect a third-party collection agency is engaging in unlawful or harassing behavior, immediately contact experienced FDCPA attorney Jibrael S. Hindi at(844) 542-7235 or online to schedule a free consumer protection consultation.

Key FDCPA Protections

Federal legislation protects consumers, especially those struggling with personal debts, in three main ways. However, its provisions only apply to third-party debt collectors, i.e., collection agencies, attempting to collect on personal rather than business debts.

Communications

Under the FDCPA, collection agents may not engage in the following unlawful communication behaviors:

  • Contact a third party more than once to ascertain your location
  • Place multiple collection calls to you per day
  • Call you at any unusual place or time
  • Attempt to contact you at work if this would result in negative workplace consequences
  • Fail to cease communications upon written request
  • Communicate with parties represented by a consumer protection lawyer

For example, collection agencies should only place one phone call to the consumer per day and must do so after 8:00 a.m. and before 9:00 p.m. Failing to follow these regulations may result in financial damages under the FDCPA.

Harassment and Abuse

Even if you’re lawfully contacted, collection agents may not engage in any behavior courts consider disrespectful, criminal, or abusive. This includes threatening you with physical harm or unlawful threats to take property. It also protects consumers from abusive or foul language and threats of unlawful public shame.

Manipulation

Collection agents may not hide their identities and employers. They also may not make false or misleading promises during the debt collection process. Additionally, debt collectors are not attorneys and may not provide you with legal advice or threaten to take legal action they do not in good faith intend to take.

If you believe a debt collector may have violated one or more of these provisions, immediately contact a dedicated FDCPA lawyer.

Remedies for Unlawful Debt Collection Practices

FDCPA violations may result in both civil and criminal penalties. Under § 813, your consumer protection attorney might demand all actual damages, such as the value of a lost job promotion, or up to $1,000 per lawsuit. Experienced FDCPA lawyers might also certify a class action lawsuit against certain notorious collection agencies and demand all attorneys’ fees and legal costs following successful litigation.

Contact a National Debt Collection Harassment Lawyer Today

If you believe a debt collector violated the FDCPA, immediately contact dedicated consumer protection lawyer Jibrael S. Hindi to discuss your claims. His team of FDCPA professionals might analyze your case and demand financial compensation for each violation without any upfront legal fees or out-of-pocket costs. Protect yourself and others from abusive debt collection practices by calling (844) 542-7235 or contacting us online to schedule a free and confidential FDCPA consultation.