The Federal Trade Commission has in place, the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices
Act (FDCPA) to ensure the protection of consumers from collection agencies that employ deceptive and unfair practices.
What do collection agencies need to disclose when they contact me?
-the exact amount that you owe, the name of the original creditor, information on what you can do should you want to have that debt validated.
How much time do I have to validate the debt?
-30 days upon receipt of the first collection letter.
What happens if I fail to send a dispute letter within 30 days of first contact?
-the collection agency would can and would pursue you within that 30-day period.
Can I still dispute that debt even after 30 days?
-yes, but the collector is not under obligation to declare the exact amount of debt or the original creditor they would just state that they are a collection agency and they are collecting from you.
What can't the collectors say or do?
They may not neglect sending you a debt validation notice or ignore your request for validation. [15 USC 1692g] 809(a) and [15 USC 1692g] 809(b)
They may not continue collection action before the debt is validated [15 USC 1692g] 809(b) or if you've written them a cease and desist letter [15 USC 1692c] 805(c).
They can't ask you to pay more than what you owe according to [15 USC 1692e] 807(2)(a), and/or add fees that are not in the contract [15 USC 1692f] 808(1).
They can't call you repeatedly [15 USC 1692c] 805(a)(1) and [15 USC 1692d] 806(5) or call at an inconvenient time (before 8:00am and after 9pm) [15 USC 1692c] 805(a)(1)
They may not verbally threaten or abuse you [15 USC 1692d] 806(2) and [15 USC 1692d] 806(1)
They may not threaten or inform you of a legal action that they don't have any intention of taking [15 USC 1692e] 807(5)
They may not inform others of your debt [15 USC 1692c] 805(b) except for your attorney, your creditors (and their attorneys), your spouse, your parent (if you're not of legal age), and the credit reporting bureau.
They may not solicit your personal information from third parties [15 USC 1692b] 804(1)