What practices are not legal for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
- use threats of violence or harm
- publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies)
- use obscene or profane language or repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.
False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
- falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives
- falsely claim that you have committed a crime
- falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company
- misrepresent the amount you owe
- indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t or indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are
Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
- you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt
- they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so
- legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action
Debt collectors may not:
- give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company
- send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t
- use a false company name
Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
- try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge
- deposit a post-dated check early
- take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally
- contact you by postcard
Q: What types of debts are covered under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
Q: Can a debt collector contact me any time or place?
Q: How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
Q: Can a debt collector talk to anyone else about my debt?
Q: What information does a debt collector have to provide about a debt?
Q: What practices are not legal for debt collectors?
Q: Can a debt collector garnish my wages or bank account?
Q: What benefits cannot be garnished?
Q: Where can I report a debt collector for an FDCPA violation?
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| Our Program | Debt Consolidation Loan | Credit Counseling | Minimum Payments |
|
| Total Unsecured Debt | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Months To Pay Off | 46 | 60 | 60 | 433 |
| Interest Paid | None | 12% | Variable | 18.99% |
| Monthly Payment | $498 | $667 | $855 | $900 |
| Total Est. Cost | $22,950 | $40,040 | $51,300 | $80,619 |
* The above numbers are an example of past performance and are not intended to be a guarantee of any future settlement results.
