subject: Information On The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act [print this page] If you have ever been harassed by a debt collector, you have probably wondered if their actions were legal. You probably wondered if they could call you multiple times per day or if they could call your neighbors or relatives. Many debt collectors work on commission, and they seem to make a practice of making you feel horrible as a means to convince you to pay your bills.
However, you are not powerless. There is a set of laws called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that governs the collections practices of third party debt collectors.
The FDCPA specifically governs the collection practices of third party debt collectors. This means that they govern the activities of debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt on behalf of someone else. They do not cover the practices of debt collection for someone who is collecting a debt for the original owner of the debt. For more information on the laws that first party collectors have to follow, you can contact us directly at CreditNowUSA.
The FDCPA stipulates that a debt collector cannot call your friends or relatives if the debt collector already knows how to reach you directly. They can contact these people if they do not have a phone number for you. However, they may not reveal any details about the debt. Once the debt collector has your phone number, they can only speak to you once per day. To contact you more often than this, they need to have your permission.
If you do not want debt collectors to call you at work or on your cell phone, you only need to tell them to stop calling you at those numbers. Once you verbally cease them from those phone numbers, they must stop calling you there. However, if you want them to stop calling you at home, you must submit that request in writing to them.
That is just a short look at some of your rights under the FDCPA. If you have additional questions, we at CreditNowUSA would love to speak with you.
For more information, go to Collection Practices at http://www.creditnowusa.com/Collection-Practices
