Federal Law—Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA")
To help protect consumers against the abusive practices of collection agencies, the federal government enacted the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Under the FDCPA debt collectors are prohibited from using certain practices when collecting debts from consumers. The FDCPA covers the collection of all consumer debt, including mortgages, credit cards, and other household debts. The FDCPA does not cover business or commercial debts.
With the enactment of the FDCPA, consumers are given wide protection against many commonly used abusive practices. For example, debt collectors cannot:
- Take or threaten to take your property unless this can be done legally;
- Use a false name;
- Repeatedly use the telephone to annoy someone; or use obscene or profane language;
- Contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves of such contacts or contact you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., unless you agree;
- Collect any amount greater than your debt, unless your state law permits such a charge.
The FDCPA allows a consumer who is subjected to these and other illegal debt practices to file a lawsuit to recover their actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and their attorney’s fees and costs. If believe you have been the victim of unfair debt collection practices, please contact
FRENKEL & FRENKEL at 1-800-834-0000 today! You may be entitled to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damages!
The Debt Collection information offered by Frenkel & Frenkel (Dallas, Texas) through the Debt Collection Abuse claimants' rights website is general in scope. No attorney client relationship with Frenkel & Frenkel (Dallas, Texas) or its attorneys for Debt Collection Abuse or other legal matters is hereby formed nor is the information herein intended as formal legal advice regarding Debt Collection Abuse and Harassment in Texas. Please contact a Dallas, Texas Debt Collection Abuse and Harassment lawyer regarding your specific inquiry
