A debt collector has violated my rights. Can I sue?
Yes. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) allows individuals and class action plaintiffs to sue in federal or state court within a year of the violation. Under the FDCPA, if you win, you may recover actual damages plus up to $1,000. Attorney fees and court costs may also be recovered. Members of a class action may recover actual damages plus a total of $500,000 or one percent of the net worth of the debt collector. Attachment A to this guide, www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs27plus.htm, may have information about collection laws in your state. There are many private practice attorneys who specialize in assisting consumers who have experienced violations of state and federal debt collection laws. The web site of the National Association of Consumer Advocates, www.naca.net, provides a directory of member attorneys. The search process enables you to find attorneys near you and to specify those with debt collection experience, http://members.naca.net/findanattorney/.
